Diners' Choice: Californian restaurants in San Francisco

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Californian cuisine in San Francisco? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyses more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favourites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Per Diem - Transit Center

4.7

4.7 (72)

$30 and under

Californian

SOMA

About the restaurant

The newest addition of Per Diem in San Francisco is now open at the Salesforce TransBay Terminal!

Per Diem brings the unique style and ambiance of San Francisco to an upscale venue in the heart of the City. The internationally acclaimed Michelin Guide lists the original Per Diem as part of an elite group of Bay Area restaurants that received a Recommend rating. We are inspired by the vibrant, fresh produce of Northern California. Per Diem’s offerings of rich flavors and 20th century décor will entice patrons looking for social meeting quarters or a savored dining experience.

Top review

Thomas

Dined on 9 Dec 2024

Friendly staff and they even separated the food for sharing for us. Really nice of them.

Aziza

4.7

4.7 (2943)

$31 to $50

Californian

Richmond District

About the restaurant

Aziza, a Michelin-recommended restaurant, offers a captivating culinary journey through Morocco, reimagined with California's finest ingredients. Chef Mourad Lahlou's innovative dishes blend traditional Moroccan flavors with contemporary techniques, resulting in a truly unique dining experience. From classic tagines to modern interpretations, each dish is a masterpiece. Indulge in a diverse menu featuring organic and locally sourced ingredients, paired with creative cocktails and exquisite desserts. Immerse yourself in a warm and inviting atmosphere, where fine dining meets casual elegance.

Top review

CathieVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Awesome experience- food and service. Would appreciate more affordable wines on menu, but overall wonderful. Can’t wait to return

Frances

4.9

4.9 (3655)

$50 and over

Californian

Castro

About the restaurant

At Frances, chef Melissa Perello’s seasonal menu reflects modern California sensibilities and focuses on ingredients from local markets, farms and producers in a casual, neighborhood setting. Named after Chef Perello’s grandmother, Frances is an ode to refined but comfortable sensibilities in both food and decor. Whether it’s the technique-rich, yet simple approach to food, or the open, familiar atmosphere and stellar service, Frances' honest, focused approach has resonated with customers and critics alike.

Top review

Zachary

Dined 1 day ago

a neighborhood gem… a menu worthy of regular exploration. a staff worthy of praise.

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New Year's Eve at Frances

Cultivar

4.8

4.8 (239)

$31 to $50

Californian

Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio

About the restaurant

Mo-Sat: Food until 9pm, Wine until 10pm Sun: Food until 8:45pm Wine until 9pm
Sat/Sun: Brunch: 11am-3pm
Cultivar San Francisco is an wine-centric farm to table restaurant by Cultivar Wine. The menu is inspired by locally-sourced seasonal ingredients including from our culinary garden at Caspar Estate. The menu complements hand-crafted wines from our Cultivar Winery and boutique wines from California and beyond. Cultivar Wine club flights are available. Cultivar Wine Club members get 20% off their Cultivar wine and Cultivar food. Join our Cultivar Wine Club!

Our back patio has a fireplace, heaters and festive lighting, perfect setting for a private dinner or a celebration. Sidewalk tables on Chestnut have heaters, great for people watching and guests with dogs.
Seasonal dishes and Cultivar Wines available for take out and to go.
Our location is near the Lyon St. entrance to the Presidio, near the Palace of Fine Arts and in the Marina District of San Francisco.

Top review

LilyVIP

Dined 7 days ago

The pop music wasn’t amazing but the brunch and mulled wine were delicious as always

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Experience

Taco Tuesday

Experience

Charcuterie Board & Bottle

Experience

Happy Hour at Cultivar SF

State Bird Provisions

4.8

4.8 (3237)

$50 and over

Californian

Western Addition

About the restaurant

State Bird Provisions started as a recipe for serving quail, it has slowly evolved into a restaurant without any programmed elements.

Top review

Alex

Dined 5 days ago

Absolutely incredible meal! Everything about it from start to finish was near perfection! Firstly, the hospitality is on point. A server is always right there when you need them to be and they made the amazing suggestion to get half an order of each of the pancakes rather than a full order of one. The servers that come around with the trays of food also know what they’re doing. When I ordered a single oyster for myself and my partner made a comment about not liking oysters, the servers gave us an extra one for free just so my partner could try it. This was an absolutely amazing opportunity to show not just above-and-beyond hospitality, but also that the restaurant truly believes in the quality of its food. And you know what? My partner did say it was the best oyster he ever had! They’re known for their quail however, I just think it’s not meaty enough of a bird for how it was prepared (Most parts were more breading than quail). As for everything else I tried, I just can’t think of any criticisms at all. I guess I could complain about my glass of rosé but that’s entirely my fault. I went with sparkling when I should have gone with still. The hit of the night were the blue corn-pepita pancakes with braised bacon and coffee butter. I wasn’t even going to order it until the server made the suggestion and I’m glad they did! The pecorino and ricotta pancakes are good too just not as good. The wedge salad is all the right balance of flavors with a nice crunch of lettuce to feel extra bright and fresh. The fried brussel sprouts are paired with an incredibly deep cashew satay sauce. The umami richness is impeccable. The almond financiers with duck liver mousse are another example of perfect balance in flavor. The financiers are light and fluffy and the mousse is smooth and delicate. I thought the burrata and bread dish came a too late into the night for us to fully enjoy however the peanut milk was the perfect cap to our evening.

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A photo of Chocolate Mint Ice Cream Sandwich Blackberries of a restaurant

Garibaldi's on Presidio

4.6

4.6 (2311)

$31 to $50

Californian

Presidio Heights

About the restaurant

Discover Garibaldis, the perfect neighborhood restaurant, pleasing loyal locals and jet-setters alike for over 30 years! Garibaldis is the quintessential neighborhood restaurant. With a dining room stylish, comfortable, service professional, friendly and a seasonal Cal-Med menu loaded with reliable favorites. Garibaldis is the rare spot perfect for anything from a first date to a family supper. Devotees return again and again for the generous portions, great wine list and specialty cocktails served at the cozy, full bar.

Top review

BarbaraVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Always fabulous. Service great. Atmosphere is perfect

Boulevard

4.7

4.7 (9087)

$50 and over

Californian

Financial District / Embarcadero

About the restaurant

Chefs Nancy Oakes, Chef Dana Younkin and our entire team, look forward to welcoming you to a refreshed and reimagined Boulevard! The dining room features a 3 course prix fixe menu with a multitude of choices. For the more spontaneous sorts; our bar, lounge and chef's counter is available on a walk-in basis and limited reservations. An a la carte menu is offered in these areas. For private events and larger groups, please check our our website.

Top review

Helene

Dined 1 day ago

We have been coming to Boulevard since 1996. I have always loved the ambiance, but it is even more inviting at Christmas. The food, menu selection, and service were wonderful. Noting that they are now offering a prix fixe menu only, which was fine for us. I don't believe you can pop in for a small bite - maybe at the bar.

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Experience

Wine Vault - $2,200 F&B Minimum - Semi Private

Experience

NYE Early Dinner - Two Course $135 each - 2 Hours

Experience

NYE at Boulevard $285 per person

Foreign Cinema

4.8

4.8 (8810)

$31 to $50

Californian

Mission

About the restaurant

Foreign Cinema is a one of a kind, nationally acclaimed restaurant combining independent films with California-Mediterranean cooking. Enjoy an airy yet chic setting, complete with indoor dining room with a fireplace, outdoor courtyard with 35mm film screening starting at dusk, mezzanine, gallery curated by Modernism West & full bar in the main dining room. Foreign Cinema has something for everyone including their DJ/live music bar, Laszlo. Enjoy special happy hours, uniquely craft cocktails, zero proof selections, full Foreign Cinema dinner menu, and lively music to end your evening.

We are currently booking for Outdoor Patio & Indoor/Standard seating 60 days in advance. A ‘standard seating’ reservation is indoor dining. Reservations for 10+ may be booked through private dining department - contact janine@foreigncinema.com for more information.

Top review

Tyler

Dined 2 days ago

A culinary treat! Every dish was fusing with flavor and excitement! Such a fun atmosphere with a fun movie playing on the large wall! Why doesn't this restaurant have a Michelin Star?

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Experience

New Year's Eve Dinner 2024/2025

Rosemary & Pine

4.8

4.8 (6)

$30 and under

Californian

SOMA

About the restaurant

Discover our neighborhood gem offering a comforting dining experience with seasonal California cuisine.
Enjoy elevated breakfast classics, soups, salads, and sandwiches, served for breakfast, lunch, and weekend brunch at our new location.

Top review

OpenTable DinerVIP

Dined on 3 Nov 2024

The food was delicious! The service was excellent and the owner was so fun to chat with! Made our birthday girl feel very special!

Nightbird

4.7

4.7 (824)

$50 and over

Californian

Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness

About the restaurant

Nightbird offers a 12 Course , from chef, owner and James Beard Nominated, Kim Alter. It is an elegant boutique restaurant in the heart of San Francisco (Hayes Valley) embracing California's freshest, seasonal, local ingredients. the price of the menu is $195/person with a 16% service charge, 6% Heathy SF, and tax.
Please understand we have 10 tables in our dining room, for that reason we do have the policy below.
Cancellation policy: If cancelled after the 48 hour window, we charge the card on file $195 per person.
For parties over 4 people, one weeks notice is needed for a cancellation. If cancelled after the 5 working day window, we charge the card on file $195 per person.

Top review

JohnVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Joyous experience. Our third or fourth time here, fabulous food and service each time. Maz and Jordan are extremely attentive and friendly. The dishes are exquisite and delicious. The Taste of the ocean dish is a must. So good. The menu changes seasonally, with some staples on there year round.

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Experience

Bar Bites at Linden Room

Experience

Private Dining in The Nightingale Room

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