MONSIEUR BENJAMIN— French. Inspired by Parisian bistros and French cooking, find a seasonal modern take on traditional dishes. 451 Gough St., 415.403.2233. www.monsieurbenjamin.com NOPA—American. Named for its location North of the Panhandle, this expansive restaurant serves organic locallysourced wood-fired rustic cuisine with a weekly-changing menu. 560 Divisadero St., 415.864.8643. www.nopasf.com RICH TABLE—American. Named one of the country’s top 50 new restaurants by Bon Appetit magazine in 2013, this James Beard Award-nominated hot spot serves unfussy, market-driven food such as cornmeal crusted soft shell crab, all in a lively atmosphere. 199 Gough St., 415.355.9085. www.richtablesf.com
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SOUVLA—Greek. This Greek sandwich shop is inspired by the souvlaki joints found throughout Greece. The sandwiches are made with spit-roasted meats on warm pita bread with spiced yogurt sauces and fresh herb salads. 517 Hayes St., 415.400.5458; 531 Divisadero St., 415.400.5458; 758 Valencia St., 415.400.5458; 2272 Chestnut St. www. souvlasf.com ZUNI CAFE—Mediterranean. This San Francisco institution won a James Beard award in 2003 for “Outstanding Restaurant” and is famous for its cooked-to-order roast chicken for two (allow an hour), a true stand-out on the Mediterranean menu. 1658 Market St., 415.552.2522. www.zunicafe.com
Dogpatch GILBERTH’S LATIN FUSION—Latin American. PanLatin cuisine is served in an industrial-chic setting at this family-owned restaurant. The frequently changing menu features fresh, local ingredients (including meat from an in-building butcher). 2427 3rd St., 415.913.7163. www.gilberths.com
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Financial District AKIKOS RESTAURANT— Sushi. This sushi restaurant is committed to local, organic and sustainable products, and the menu features traditionalcontemporary sushi and eclectic seafood items. 431 Bush St., 415.397.3218. www.akikos restaurant.com BOB’S STEAK & CHOP HOUSE—Steaks. Prime cuts of filet mignon, New York strip steaks and a 28 ounce bone-in rib steak dominate a menu rounded out by rack of lamb, roast duck and seafood in this Omni Hotel spot. 500 California St., 415.273.3085. bobs-steakandchop.com/ san-francisco HARBORVIEW RESTAURANT & BAR —Chinese. Enjoy authentic Cantonese Chinese cuisine, dim sum and cocktails alongside panoramic bay views. 4 Embarcadero Center, 415.399.1200. harborviewsf.com KUSAKABE—Japanese. For the ultimate in sushi, look no further than Kusakabe, a high-end restaurant that offers a prix fixe menu chosen by the chef. 584 Washington St., 415.757.0155. kusakabe-sf.com M.Y. CHINA—Chinese. From James Beard Awardwinning chef Martin Yan, M.Y. China features the best in modern day authentic Chinese cuisine. Watch the chefs make the food right in front of you. Westfield San Francisco Centre, 845 Market St., Suite 480, 415.580.3001. tastemychina.com ONE MARKET—American. This popular restaurant on the Embarcadero waterfront offers contemporary presentations of American classics from chef Mark Dommen, showcasing farm-fresh ingredients, heritage meats, artisanal cheeses and all-American wine. 1 Market St., 415.777.5577. www.onemarket.com PABU—Japanese & Sushi. Michael Mina and Ken Tominaga’s modern Japanese
W HERETRAVELER ® SAN FRA NCIS CO
pub offers sushi and small-plate menus complemented by more than 100 sake selections and a variety of wines, Japanese whiskies, cocktails and Asian beers. 101 California St., 415.668.7228. www.michaelmina.net/ restaurants/san-franciscobay-area/pabu PROSPECT—California. This polished spot serves California cuisine in an elegant yet comfortable environment. The menu changes daily with options like whipped burrata & roasted mission figs and herb roasted filet mignon. 300 Spear St., 415.247.7770. www.prospectsf.com WAYFARE TAVERN— American. Built with bricks salvaged from the streets of the devastated city after the 1906 quake, chef Tyler Florence’s restaurant channels the Barbary Coast era with American fare. 558 Sacramento St., 415.772.9060. www.wayfare tavern.com
Fisherman’s Wharf/ Waterfront ALIOTO’S—Seafood. One of San Francisco’s oldest restaurants, this Fisherman’s Wharf landmark has magnificent views of the San Francisco Bay and a reputation for great cioppino and fresh seafood. 8 Fisherman’s Wharf, 415.673.0183. www.aliotos.com BEACH STREET GRILL ORGANIC RESTAURANT —American. Known for its warm hospitality and all-day breakfast, the key word at this diner is homemade, from melt-in-your-mouth blueberry pancakes to gravy-smothered biscuits. Also offers vegan and gluten-free options. 380 Beach St., 415.867.1711. www.sf beachstreetgrill.com BISTRO BOUDIN— American. Seasonal cuisine and sourdough dominates the menu at the famed breadmaker’s flagship facility, which also houses a sourdough-bread museum, an exhibition bakery, and a café and gourmet market. 160 Jefferson St., 415.351.5561. www.bistroboudin.com
THE BUENA VISTA CAFE—American. This wharf institution by the Hyde Street cable car turnaround is famous for first introducing Irish coffee to the U.S. in 1952. The menu features all-day breakfast and comfort food. 2765 Hyde St., 415.474.5044. www.thebuenavista.com THE GROTTO—Seafood. This restaurant, oyster bar and lounge has been feeding fishermen since 1935. It was the first sit-down restaurant to open in Fisherman’s Wharf, well before the neighborhood became a tourist attraction. 2847 Taylor St., 415.673.7025. thegrottosf.com HOG ISLAND OYSTER COMPANY—Seafood. This attractive waterfront spot in the Ferry Building is known for its happy hours and unconventional, exceptional clam chowder with whole manila clams and a light, flavorful broth. 1 Ferry Building, 415.391.7117. www.hogislandoysters.com LA MAR CEBICHERIA PERUANA—Latin American. The traditional Peruvian dishes at this attractive, modern space on the waterfront showcase fresh seafood with influences from China and Japan. Signature offerings include ceviches, empanadas and anticuchos. Pier 1 1/2, the Embarcadero, 415.397.8880. www.lamarsf.com THE SLANTED DOOR— Vietnamese. With a waterfront location in the Ferry Building, this restaurant from star chef Charles Phan serves modern interpretations of Vietnamese cuisine and is famous for its shaking beef dish. 1 Ferry Building, 415.861.8032. www.slanteddoor.com
Jackson Square COTOGNA—Italian. This casual cousin to the three-Michelin star Quince restaurant serves a seasonal menu of spit-roasted meats and game birds, wood-oven pizzas, housemade pastas and local seafood. 490 Pacific Ave., 415.775.8508. www.cotognasf.com
SEPTEMBER 2019