hi friends!
i often get asked for recommendations for where to eat in san francisco, so this month’s edition is a love letter to all my favorite spots in the city. these are the crème de la crème of restaurants (in my humble opinion), a curated list of tried and true spots that serve up delicious food. i would recommend all of these places to my nearest and dearest, and some i frequently revisit in the name of ensuring standards remain high, so no duds here! 🫡
i don’t claim to be an expert on all food, so most of my recs are cuisines that i’m most familiar with (and passionate about). that means chinese and thai, the food of my people, and then italian and japanese, which i grew up with.
i’m so excited to share this list with you all 🫶🏼
San Francisco All-Stars Edition
Note: I haven’t included ratings here because they are all, in my mind, 8s or higher. 🤩
The ones I will never shut up about
Anomaly - New American - Link
Of all the fine dining establishments I’ve tried in SF, this is the one I will recommend time and time again
Niku Steakhouse - New American - Link
Whatever you do, don’t skip starters or dessert. Steak is the main event but by no means does it outshine everything else
Itria - Italian/New American - Link
The perfect date night spot. And yes, it’s better than Flour + Water (much easier to get a table at, too)
Rich Table - New American - Link
Rich Table losing their Michelin star is outrageous to me. Bring some friends (table of 4-6) so you can try all the dishes (a la carte, not the set menu) and get more bang for your buck
7 Adams - New American - Link
One of the greatest comebacks of all time. Read the full review in my February newsletter!
Where I take friends from out of town
Ernest - New American - Link
Like Rich Table, go family style, because their set menu is too much food and a worse deal
Rintaro - Japanese (izakaya) - Link
San Ho Won - Modern Korean - Link
Z&Y Restaurant - Chinese (Sichuan) - Link
Coqueta - Spanish - Link
Places that never go out of style (aka my repeat list)
Fenikkusu - Japanese (sushi) - Link
HK Lounge Bistro - Chinese (dim sum) - Link
Seven Hills - Italian/New American - Link
Piccino - Italian/New American - Link
Outta Sight Pizza - American - Link
Where I go to get a taste of home
(this one is going to feel all over the place, but i spent the first 14ish years of my life rejecting both thai and chinese food. she was a picky eater!!)
House of Thai - Thai - Link
Wat Buddhapradeep - Thai - Link
Boiling Beijing - Chinese - Link
Marcella’s Lasagneria - Italian - Link
Ebisu Restaurant - Japanese - Link
Spots that satisfy all my cravings
Sai Jai Thai - Thai - Link
Han Il Kwan - Korean - Link
Piglet and Co - Taiwanese/New American - Link
Good Mong Kok - Chinese (dimsum) - Link
Bring cash so the aunties don’t scold you 😂
Long Bridge Pizza - American - Link
If it’s nice out, get the pizza to go and enjoy in Crane Cove Park!
Molinari Delicatessen - Italian - Link
Newkirk’s - American (sandwiches) - Link
For a special occasion
Kusakabe - Japanese (omakase) - Link
Sons and Daughters - New American - Link
Sorella - Italian/New American - Link
Places that I’d brave Bay Bridge traffic for
Oakland has such a diverse and vibrant food scene, that is filled with underrated gems! Special shoutout to some of my (and Michael’s) favorites:
Ming’s Tasty - Chinese (dimsum) - Link
Pomet - New American - Link
Kiraku - Japanese (izakaya) - Link
Sichuan Style - Chinese - Link
Mägo - Colombian/New American - Link
Pyeong Chang Tofu House - Korean - Link
Not to be a contrarian, but…I’d skip these (read: overrated)
Foreign Cinema
Nari
Octavia
Liholiho Yacht Club
Birdsong
hope this list is helpful, or at the very least inspires you 😂 i’ll be back next month for regularly scheduled programming. and as always, if there are any spots you want me to try, comment below or email me!!
🍽️ stay hungry,
— met