San Francisco Restaurants

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For more than a decade the readers of Bon Appétit magazine have named San Francisco their top city for dining out. And for good reason -- with more than 3,500 restaurants offering cuisines from around the globe, San Francisco has more restaurants per capita than any other city in the United States.

San Francisco also attracts some of the world's most talented chefs, drawn not only to the creative freedom that has always defined San Francisco's culinary scene, but also to the year-round access to Northern California's unparalleled abundance of organic produce, seafood, free-range meats, and wine.

Afghan, Cajun, Burmese, Moroccan, Persian, Cambodian, Basque, vegan -- whatever you're in the mood for, this town has it covered, which is why more San Franciscans eat out than any other city's residents in the U.S. And all you need to join America's largest dinner party is an adventurous palate, because half the fun of visiting San Francisco is the opportunity to sample the flavors of the world in one fell swoop.

Although dining in San Francisco is almost always a hassle-free experience, you should keep a few things in mind:

  • If you want a table at the restaurants with the best reputations, you probably need to book 6 to 8 weeks in advance for weekends, and a couple of weeks ahead for weekdays.
  • If there's a long wait for a table, ask if you can order at the bar, which is often faster and more fun.
  • Don't leave anything valuable in your car while dining, particularly in or near high-crime areas such as the Mission, downtown, or -- believe it or not -- Fisherman's Wharf. (Thieves know tourists with nice cameras and a trunkful of mementos are headed there.) Also, it's best to give the parking valet only the key to your car, not your hotel room or house key.
  • Remember: It is against the law to smoke in any restaurant in San Francisco, even if it has a separate bar or lounge area. You're welcome to smoke outside, however.
  • This ain't New York: Plan on dining early. Most restaurants close their kitchens around 10pm.
  • If you're driving to a restaurant, add extra time to your itinerary for parking, which can be an especially infuriating exercise in areas like the Mission, Downtown, the Marina, and, well, pretty much everywhere. And expect to pay at least $10 to $13 for valet service, if the restaurant offers it.

    Pricing Categories

    The restaurants listed here are classified both by area and by price, using the following categories: Very Expensive, dinner from $75 per person; Expensive, dinner from $50 per person; Moderate, dinner from $35 per person; and Inexpensive, dinner less than $35 per person. These categories reflect prices for an appetizer, main course, dessert, and glass of wine.

    The Sun on Your Face at Belden Place

    San Francisco has always been woefully lacking in the alfresco dining department. One exception is Belden Place, an adorable little brick alley in the heart of the Financial District that is open only to foot traffic. When the weather is agreeable, the restaurants that line the alley break out the big umbrellas, tables, and chairs, and voil? -- a bit of Paris just off Pine Street.

    A handful of adorable cafes line Belden Place and offer a variety of cuisines all at moderate prices. There's Cafe Bastille, 22 Belden Place (tel. 415/986-5673), a classic French bistro and fun speak-easy basement serving excellent crepes, mussels, and French onion soup; it schedules live jazz on Fridays. Cafe Tiramisu, 28 Belden Place (tel. 415/421-7044), is a stylish Italian hot spot serving addictive risottos and gnocchi. Plouf, 40 Belden Place (tel. 415/986-6491), specializes in big bowls of mussels slathered in your choice of seven sauces, as well as fresh seafood. B44, 44 Belden Place (tel. 415/986-6287), serves up a side order of Spain alongside its revered paella and other seriously zesty Spanish dishes.

    Conversely, come at night for a Euro-speak-easy vibe with your dinner.

    Fast Food from Around the World

    Catering to the dense population of downtown white-collar workers, the Rincon Center's Food Court at the corner of Spear and Mission streets has about a dozen to-go places serving cheap, respectable fare running the gastronomic gamut: Korean, American, Mexican, pizza, coffee and cookies, Indian, Thai, sandwiches, Middle Eastern, and Chinese. Seat-yourself tables are dispersed throughout the indoor courtyard. Most of the restaurants are open Monday through Friday from 11am to 3pm, but some remain open until early evening.

    Similar inexpensive eats can be found at the Ferry Building Marketplace and Justin Herman Plaza, both at the foot of Market Street at the Embarcadero.

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