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38 Essential SF Restaurants

1. Outerlands

8.7
4001 Judah St (at 45th Ave), San Francisco, CA
American Restaurant · Outer Sunset · 259 tips and reviews

EaterEater: The bread, made in the Tartine style, is worth the trip alone, but don't overlook chef Brett Cooper's phenomenal soups or his inspired use of farm fresh produce. [Eater 38 Member]

Terra Cotta Warrior is one of 38 Essential SF Restaurants.

2. Terra Cotta Warrior

9.0
2555 Judah St (at 31st Ave), San Francisco, CA
Chinese Restaurant · Outer Sunset · 48 tips and reviews

3. La Ciccia

9.2
291 30th St (at Church), San Francisco, CA
Italian Restaurant · Fairmount · 76 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Fancy some Italian this evening? This family-run sparkler is free of pretension and full of love. Don’t miss the spicy octopus stew, the sea urchin pasta, and the unusual wine selection. Read more.

4. Al's Place

1499 Valencia St (at 26th St), San Francisco, CA
New American Restaurant · Mission District · 78 tips and reviews

EaterEater: They've got a robust loophole cocktail program and solid wine list Read more.

5. Californios

9.0
3115 22nd St (btwn Capp St & S Van Ness Ave), San Francisco, CA
Mexican Restaurant · Mission District · 43 tips and reviews

EaterEater: For one of the most under rated experiences in SF dining, Californios is not only technical but also very flavorful. We recommend you get the wine pairings with the tasting menu. Read more.

6. Delfina

9.0
3621 18th St (Guerrero St), San Francisco, CA
Italian Restaurant · Mission Dolores · 125 tips and reviews
Namu Gaji is one of 38 Essential SF Restaurants.

7. Namu Gaji

499 Dolores St (at 18th St), San Francisco, CA
Korean Restaurant · Mission Dolores · 182 tips and reviews
Nopa is one of 38 Essential SF Restaurants.

8. Nopa

9.2
560 Divisadero St (at Hayes St), San Francisco, CA
New American Restaurant · Alamo Square · 557 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Grassfed beef on a brioche bun, with optional cheese. (You want the cheese.) Eater SF editor Allie Pape says, "Nopa is my favorite white-napkin burger by a mile." Bonus? It's served til 1:00AM.

9. Rich Table

8.9
199 Gough St (at Oak St), San Francisco, CA
New American Restaurant · Lower Haight · 189 tips and reviews
Souvla is one of 38 Essential SF Restaurants.

10. Souvla

9.1
517 Hayes St (at Octavia St), San Francisco, CA
Souvlaki Shop · Hayes Valley · 243 tips and reviews
The Progress is one of 38 Essential SF Restaurants.

11. The Progress

8.9
1525 Fillmore St (btwn O'Farrell St & Geary Blvd), San Francisco, CA
American Restaurant · Fillmore District · 103 tips and reviews

EaterEater: The dining format at this newly placed restaurant is sort of dinner party-esque. Each group pays a set price based on the number of dishes they want. Expect creative and unusual ingredients. Read more.

12. State Bird Provisions

8.6
1529 Fillmore St (btwn Geary & O'Farrell St), San Francisco, CA
New American Restaurant · Fillmore District · 219 tips and reviews

13. SPQR

8.2
1911 Fillmore St (btwn Bush & Pine St), San Francisco, CA
Italian Restaurant · Lower Pacific Heights · 172 tips and reviews

EaterEater: After an autumnal whirlwind, Matt Accarrino continues to make SPQR his own. The chef counter has some of the best seats in town and the wine list remains top notch too. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.

14. Octavia

9.2
1701 Octavia St (at Bush St), San Francisco, CA
American Restaurant · Japantown · 55 tips and reviews

EaterEater: The deviled egg at Octavia is a delight. The creaminess of the runny yolk combined with the bold Marash pepper spices & Fresno chile relish makes for one exciting bite. Read more.

Liholiho Yacht Club is one of 38 Essential SF Restaurants.

15. Liholiho Yacht Club

9.3
871 Sutter St (btwn Jones & Leavenworth St), San Francisco, CA
Hawaiian Restaurant · Lower Nob Hill · 160 tips and reviews

16. Tony's Pizza Napoletana

9.1
1570 Stockton St (at Union St), San Francisco, CA
Pizzeria · North Beach · 465 tips and reviews
Sotto Mare Oysteria & Seafood Restaurant is one of 38 Essential SF Restaurants.

17. Sotto Mare Oysteria & Seafood Restaurant

8.8
552 Green St (at Jasper Pl), San Francisco, CA
Seafood Restaurant · North Beach · 207 tips and reviews
Cotogna is one of 38 Essential SF Restaurants.

18. Cotogna

9.3
490 Pacific Ave (at Montgomery St), San Francisco, CA
Italian Restaurant · Jackson Square · 235 tips and reviews

EaterEater: The brick- and wood-lined dining room is animated without being frantic, the cooking defines the modern California-Italian ethos, and Michael Tusk is nothing less than a pasta savant. Read more.

19. Plow

9.0
1299 18th St (at Texas St), San Francisco, CA
Breakfast Spot · Potrero Hill · 385 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Creamy housemade ricotta and tart lemon make the pancakes here as light as a feather, even when drowned in honest-to-goodness maple syrup. Read more.