New American Restaurants near South San Francisco, CA

“The best vegan food Best ever service-our family go to for family events and every day dining ❤️“

“Banana Foster French toast and their freshly squeezed orange juice.“

“The Anecdote, offers a wonderful dining experience from start to finish. The restaurant features a spectacular atmosphere with beautiful interior design, an impressive collection of artwork, wood & rope designs and comfortable seating that creates a welcoming and relaxing environment.

Upon arrival, Rocky greeted me with a warm smile and kindly escorted me to one of the available tables downstairs, making me feel welcome right away. The view overlooks South San Francisco modern commercial architecture, adding to the restaurant's contemporary ambiance.

Conveniently located near the waterfront, The Anecdote is also easily accessible via the South San Francisco Ferry, making it a great destination for both locals and visitors looking to enjoy a scenic trip before or after a delicious meal. If you're searching for a restaurant that combines outstanding service, stylish surroundings, and a convenient waterfront location, The Anecdote is well worth a visit.“

“This place is basically a food court for the tech crowd. I like that they offer a wide variety of food, and ordering through the self-service tablet kiosks is quick and convenient. The portions are also quite generous, so you definitely won't leave hungry.
That said, don't expect it to be a place where you can linger for hours or let your kids run around and play. It's more of a grab-a-meal-and-go kind of spot.
We ordered the burgers and the pasta. The smash burger was the highlight—juicy, flavorful, and you could actually taste the wagyu in the beef. The fries were decent but nothing particularly memorable.
The pasta was a pleasant surprise. The sauce was rich and well-balanced, and the cheese was perfectly incorporated. Everything came together really well, making it one of the standout dishes of the meal.“

“Beautiful scenery, great little hike to lighthouse..“

“Good food. Good service good size portions.“

“I've been staying and working in South San Francisco this week without a car. Have dined there for lunch 2 days in a row now, and both days I also brought back dinner to my hotel for the evening. Everything has been delicious with fresh ingredients. Really creative and elevated offerings for a quick service restaurant. The salmon was especially amazing! I had 2 really dismal experiences earlier in the week with Doordash and only wish I had tried Foundry & Lux sooner. I'll be back tomorrow before heading back home on Saturday 😀“

“Great staff. The patio restaurant is very spacious & bright.“

“The food in this restaurant is delicious, I hope you have time to try it.“

“It was our first time and we were definitely pleased. Everything was delicious!“

“Absolutely magnificent lunch experience. The food was some of the best I've EVER eaten. Freshly baked brioche was over the top. The crudo was so delicious. Service was wonderful except it took awhile to bring the stevia? Perfect martini too. Don't save this place for special occasions only!“

“We walked in on NYE without a reservation and they graciously found us a spot in the bar area. Service was on point and staff were festively dressed! I love a crafty cocktail but most are too sweet. I had the Smokey mezcal cocktail 🍹. Perfection. Appetizers were delish as well. Perfect way to start our NYE celebrations.“

“We had dinner there and the food was delicious…. The fried quail was the star. The starters were excellent. Very recommended restaurant“

“🌟 NOPA San Francisco: A Bucket List Culinary Triumph! 🌟 Review by: The Bucket List Coach Webshow. I recently had the distinct pleasure of crossing a major culinary destination off my bucket list: NOPA San Francisco. My dining experience on December 12, 2025, was not just a meal; it was an absolute masterclass in hospitality and farm-to-table excellence. Exceptional Service: A Shoutout to Zach! From the moment we sat down, the experience was elevated by our server, Zach. He truly went above and beyond, anticipating needs and offering spot-on recommendations, making the dining experience feel incredibly special and seamless. A massive shoutout to Zach, as well as the entire Culinary team, Management team, and staff—the level of coordination and passion was palpable. Appetizers and Beverages: Instant Classics The meal kicked off with the Date and Pear appetizer, which was absolutely fantastic—a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and texture. And for the beer lovers out there, you must try the Honey Beer 🍺. I'm officially adding this to my personal "Beer Bucket List!" I will absolutely be recommending it to all my followers on my podcast and through my travel agency. Thanks to Woods Beer and Wine Company! The Entrée: Perfection on a Plate For the main course, I opted for the Duck, and it was cooked to perfection. Seriously, melt in the mouth- tender meat was phenomenal. The plate presentation was stunning, far exceeding my expectations—it was a true work of art. The side of Grapefruit and Vinaigrette Salad was the perfect accompaniment. It was one of the best salads I have ever had in San Francisco; the brightness of the grapefruit cut through the richness of the duck beautifully. Desserts: Celebrating National Cocoa Day! To celebrate National Cocoa Day Dec. 13th-I couldn't resist. I highly suggest partaking in the Hot Chocolate for a decadent dessert item—it was rich, velvety, and a perfect holiday treat. And if you still have room, the Cheesecake with Brown Sugar is another truly fantastic dessert that offers a wonderful, comforting finish to the meal. NOPA is more than just a restaurant; it's a destination. The ambiance, the incredible staff like Zach, and the impeccable, thoughtful food quality solidify NOPA as a must-visit spot in San Francisco. It earns its place on any serious foodie's bucket list Cindy Lee Podcast Host at Bucket List Coach Web Show & Founder of Bucket List Coach Travel Tours“

“Fantastic food - reasonably priced and great service! Tasha was amazing!“

“This place is my neighborhood favorite! It’s generally a reasonable wait time for seating with excellent food for good prices. I love the breakfast hash and the breakfast bowl. Large portions with balanced flavors. Every dog in the neighborhood gets so excited when they see this place as they hand out pup treats when they come by:-) good atmosphere, good people, good food.“

“Best dining experience I’ve had since I moved here. Great food, great service, great atmosphere. My new favorite restaurant 💚💚💚“

“awesome wine experience. Chris and his team are really dedicated sommeliers and love sharing their knowledge with you. i highly recomend this place. welcome to the world of wines.“

“Outstanding. Very compact, yet thoughtful menu, paired with flawless execution. Every dish was a hit. Service was very attentive and seamless you almost don’t notice it. Big thank you to the team at The Morris, I would absolutely come back.“

“tasting menu was amazing. service was top notch.“

“Holy Schnike!!! The food is incredibly delicious, the non-seafood versions I am getting are the most amazing tastes. The Wines paired with the dishes are inspired and spot on.“

“Loved the decor and the vibe，great place to hang out with friends.The food was absolutely delicious! The flavors were spot on.If you're in the area, this place is a must-try!“

“Had San Francisco Cioppino (Mussels. Clams, Crab, Cod, Prawns, Scallops and Garlic Bread that was the bomb). Only giving 2 thumbs up as I only have 2. Great food, great service!“

“Prospect pleasantly pleased palette-possibilities perfectly! 🙃 . . I opened with the Candace cocktail—Gin, Licor 43, St. Germaine, Peychaud’s and a citrus slice—flirted with my inner #Hedonist in a way that every cocktail should. Each sip sparkled with hints of sweet and sour with salacious depth. I find so much inspiration at the bottom of a glass… . . Then I went with my favorite protein, braised octopus; nested in squid ink gnocchi with an almond relish! It was a dope expression of land and sea in every bite. . . Followed, was the mushroom lasagna; layered with trumpets and truffles, dusted with lemon-shallot bread crumbles. It gave a béchamel-type flavor that was rich, luxurious and lingering. . . Finally—ending with the Scallops grounded in a Venetian black rice, sorrel butter and fennel sofrito! The sear was sensually done; perfectly caramelized Andy succulently sinful. . . Thank you Prospect for reinforcing the internal passion I have for gastronomy! 🗣 B R A V O ! .“

“Great food and ambience here!“

“We were completely charmed by the quality and thoughtfulness of everything about this place! The brunch-type food is excellent, and the music and decor are individualistic and welcoming (check out the restroom too! Love the generous, relaxing spa vibe and the chandelier!). There’s a bowl of unique, handmade metal-and-glass kaleidoscopes to play with at the big table, and around a corner we got to meet a sweet little 18-year-old resident doggie named Twiggy. (Oh, also, there’s outside parklet seating as well.) Can’t wait to go back!! ❤️❤️❤️“

“Great breakfast and fast service Thank you ♥️♥️“

“I cannot say enough good things about this restaurant. I am a business owner a few doors down and I wandered in with a friend after work one night about a month ago. We were met with such incredible warmth from the staff and the environment itself, even without a reservation. We sat at the bar and were greeted by Josh, only to find out later that he is the owner. He made excellent recommendations on everything from our drinks to dessert. The bar didn’t feel isolated from the rest of the restaurant and guests, but rather was lively hub frequented by kitchen and serving staff and warmed by a smoldering wood fire. The coziest. We swooned for the poke appetizer, complete with house-made toasted, but not crisp, blue corn tortillas. The pork shoulder tacos—also to die for. I have to say though, that the star on the sidelines was the beans. I honestly didn’t know I could feel this way about beans…but I digress. Josh bounced around from table to table all night, never letting a single ball drop, making every guest feel like *his* guest. A pot de crème sealed the evening in perfect bliss. I’m back a month later with the same friend, eating different and somehow even more incredible entrees: ribeye, halibut and a rhubarb crisp for dessert. I scarcely ever take the time to write a review as I prefer to vote with my $ and my feet, but I simply couldn’t eat here again without taking the time to sing it’s praises. Eat here.“

“Great environment, lively, and tasty food!“

“One65 was an amazing discovery on our trip to San Francisco. Having spent the first half of our life in Montréal, Québec, Canada where it was hard to find a bad restaurant, we were absolutely amazed by this Bistro which looks more like a high end dining experience. The menu online & the photos attracted us to this location but we were amazed by the well timed service, the crisp white tablecloths, the table setting and the pleasant and calm atmosphere. My choices of charcuterie platter was perfectly sized; the chicken & the pork rillettes where a wonderful surprise. My husband had an onion tart with the crust as perfect as they get & which I envied. He loved his halibut, moist and tender and I raved over my grilled half lobster, so tender that I found myself munching on the shell parts as well. My bread pudding was not of overwhelming size & perfectly flavored. Don chose the Affogato (scoop of vanilla gelato « drowned » with a shot of hot espresso). We wanted to go back today but they are closed on Sundays.?“

“Amazing!! A San Francisco must.“

“Dog friendly. Supper nice staff“

“Holy moly, this place was great! The food is tasty & beautifully served. The service was great & Hannah made terrific suggestions. Really well done!“

“Another brilliant visit to Sorrel and Alex Hong continues to reign as my current favorite Chef! 🤘🏼If you haven’t been to Sorrel, go. Total genius.“

“The food here is absolutely delicious and the staff is so friendly and accommodating. I can't recommend this little gem in the Lakeside neighborhood enough. Reasonable prices as well as many menu choices. Do yourself a favor and go there and sample everything, you will be very glad you did.“

“Some of the top dishes were the small delicacies goose barnacles (more because of their rarity; the taste was a bit chewy but still interesting), bread, and soft shell crab; pheasant; charcoal-grilled black pork; double-boiled quail soup; and almond feather cake. Really nice pairings. Exquisitely timed service. Some of my less favorite dishes included the caviar-stuffed tomato small delicacy (more just because I'm not always a tomato fan), abalone (again, not necessarily due to its quality, but I'm not a fan of its chewy firm texture), quail (maybe I was full by the time of this dish, but I just didn't find it all that seasoned or appetizing except the soup version). I don't understand the extreme minimalist decor/ambiance. Certainly it forces a focus on the food, but it seems like the decor could be a bit more elegant and matched to the cuisine. Overall, I had to give it a 5/5 due to the service and unique tastings! Thank you Benu!“

“just lovely! vegan friendly but the fried chicken was tops!“

“exceptional dinner at saison! from the ambiance to plating and food, everything was dialed in and beautiful. some courses stood out more than others but loved the variety and quality. service was friendly but not overwhelming.

highlights: antelope, buckwheat tea, fish with porridge, palate cleanser“

“Cozy place for breakfast in town. Good foods mixture between American and Thai highly recommend friendly service .“

“It was our first time and the service was amazing. Our dinner was more than excellent, the grilled pork chops with sweet potato puree best ever tasted. Great selection in red wine and great atmosphere! Owners were there and were very welcoming and down to earth! 100% recommended“

“Leurs salades Le service Le PATIO a l’arrière 👍👍“

“Key Klub continues to have some of the greatest vibes for meeting up with friends and getting some dank burgers, or going on a date and taking photos in the photobooth.

Food wise, definitely get the burger. Juicy, cheesy, messy in the correct way. The chicken tenders are also excellent, and the Caesar and broccolini are awesome too. The ahi tuna crudo was decent, but I’d skip it - needed more acid or something to wake it up.

The wine list is obviously a big part of the appeal and there’s always something interesting to drink. The whole space just works. Dark, buzzy, casual, fun, and the kind of place where you can easily stay way longer than intended.

You grab your own table and order at the bar. Service can be pretty hit or miss.“

“I’ve been coming here for years to meet w/family & friends to celebrate or anytime just because or to unwind in the comfy lounge & experience MKT Bar’s excellent service you find in a Four Seasons & the drinks are simply the best! Today was my daughter’s boyfriend’s 1st time here & he understood 💯 why we love MKT Bar & he is an awesome bartender!“

“Amazing dining experience. Worth the price“

“I've been going here for years“

“I love this place! It's a must for me now, any time I can make it work logistically when visiting from Fresno. The propieter, John, is a wonderful host, and his food is fantastic! I've been twice now, and both experiences were amazing. The curtains for each table give a very uniquely intimate dining experience. And I highly recommend doing the wine pairing. This is a unique dining gem of San Francisco!“

“Absolutely phenomenal dining experience for my husband and I. Misters Pollo (Graham and Will) were wonderful hosts and took great care of us. The menu is inspired by Mediterranean flavours and the ingredients are all sourced locally (Chef Graham hits up the farmers market multiple times a week). We had a savoury panna cotta to start, followed by a pasta, then braised pork, and finished with a peach sorbet. We were beyond full by the end! We sat the bar which was a treat to watch the food being prepared and learn more about what goes on behind the scene. Highly highly recommend!“

“good food and love the mimosa“

“I have to be completely honest: I am a big girl, I love to eat, and I was honestly pretty skeptical about the small portion sizes I saw in some of the reviews before coming here. But oh my god, Kiln completely blew me away!
The food is so incredibly tasty and flavorful that every single bite is worth it. On top of the amazing dishes, the service was absolutely top-notch. They proved my doubts totally wrong, and I will definitely be coming back here. Do not let the portion sizes scare you off—the quality is 100% there!“

“Two thumbs up . Best Steak EVER“