What is the best place to eat in the San Francisco area?

Answer 1

It really depends on what you are looking to eat. There is so much good food in the Bay Area. A great place to search is chowhound.com.

Chez Panisse is an institution, and if you've never eaten there you ought to try it. I mostly love ethnic foods, though. Yank Sing is amazing for dim sum, and La Taqueria on 25th and Mission has great burritos. For Vietnamese, you can try the Slanted Door in the Ferry Plaza, and while you are there, check out Cowgirl Creamery and Miette Bakery.

If you could only make one stop in the Bay Area for eating, I guess I'd choose the Ferry Plaza on a Saturday morning.

Answer 2

Chow
215 Church @ Market
415) 552-2469

Best of San Francisco Review:

In Upper Market, right on the Classic Streetcar line, at the entrance to the Castro district is one of the best casual restaurants in San Francisco. Designed with the ambiance of an early North Beach cafe, Chow has fast become a favorite local meeting place. Dark, polished wood, paintings, flowers, period light fixtures and high ceilings provide a feeling of comfort. Their full menu offers daily sandwich specials, soups and great appetizers, salads, pasta, wood-fired pizza, grilled and roasted poultry & meats, and very special desserts. Relaxed & friendly service. They have a long antique bar where you can enjoy an imported cold brew - selected from 7 on tap - big bottles of imported beer from Ireland & France, or 13 small bottle brands. A good wine list, all available by the glass or bottle. Perfect place to stop, day or night, before visiting the Castro district and Upper Market Street neighborhoods.

Answer 3

For French: Masa or Campton Place
For Steak: Harris' or Alfred's (though Ruth's Chris and Bob's Steak and Chop House are also good)
For Views (food is usually only fair): Cliff House, Cityscape, Top of The Mark, Carnelian Room, Julius Castle
For Basque: Piperade
For Seafood: Farallon or Aqua

The Italian restaurants in the city are underwhelming, at least to me. There are also no decent Cuban restaurants here either. I am not a fan of Mexican, Indian or Thai food, which is rather a shame since there are an abundance of these restaurants in the city, some, I am told, are quite good.

Answer 4

Come to Alameda, across the bay near Oakland. There is Ole's Waffle Shop, a throwback coffee shop to the 1920's and packed on weekends. There is Jim's Coffee Shop, an excellent all-round restaurant.
Pier 29 has seafood, steaks, pasta and luncheons and breakfasts. Excellent wine list, full bar, a view of the bay.
There are dozens of Chinese, Vietnamese, and Mexican restaurants, all good.
You could spend a month and never eat in the same place twice.

Answer 5

Here's 3 good restaurants in the SF downtown area:

1. Scott Howard - named after the owner. Lots of good dishes such as carrot broth, smoked trout, lamb loin, etc. The address is 500 Jackson Street, SF. Also check out the review:

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/08/24/NSGAPKMNK21.DTL&hw=dining+update&sn=001&sc=1000

2. Sparrow - in the SF Nob Hill area. They specialize in French/Asian food. Dishes such as duck at least two ways, tempura of Shimeji mushroom, risotto with saffron, etc. Address is 1177 California St. Check out their website:

http://www.sparrowrestaurant.com/page/1d861/Home.html

3. R&G Lounge - a Chinese restaurant on the outskirt of SF Chinatown. They are known for the seafood dishes especially their fried crab. Address is 631 Kearny Street. Website is:

http://www.rnglounge.com/

Answer 6

Taylor's down at the Ferry building is casual and great to eat at if its nice outside.

If you want classy (pricey) try Aqua on California or the Tonga Room inside the Fairmont hotel.

Check out Citysearch.com for voted restaurants that are great and it gives you customer reviews about food, service, cost, atmosphere, etc...

http://sanfrancisco.citysearch.com/find/section/sanfrancisco/restaurants.html

Answer 7

Chez Panisse in Berkley-this is the restaurant that originated California Cuisine

Answer 8

-Jeanty at Jack's(great French food)
-East Side West Side(great burgers)
-Ton Tiang(good chinese)
-Morton's the steak house

Answer 9

Try the Stinking Rose on Columbus - if you like garlic!
Even if you don't, their prime rib is to die for....

Answer 10

Just about any place on the Wharf. Lots of choices.