Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in San Francisco

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

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

Firefly Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (3084)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Noe Valley

About the restaurant

We serve food that, more often than not, accesses that part of our deepest soul where genuine expression can flow forth. We have always tried to give our food and service our best selves, as honest and vulnerable as we can muster. We strive to be a place where you might actually have a real connection; maybe with your server, maybe with your food or maybe with your possibly gracious host who is ACTUALLY glad you’re there.

Oh, you wanted a restaurant description? Sorry. Can’t really help you there. We’re not so big on labels. Our food is hard to nail down as we are constantly evolving and entirely seasonal and personal. We’ve used “Food you eat” as a tag line on occasion and that remains accurate. We could also describe it as “Food we really want you to eat”. When you’re here, tell us what you would call it.

Top review

Teru

Dined 2 days ago

The desert which was pricy was the tiniest piece of key lime pie I have ever seen!!! Two of us were going to split it and it was a tablespoon?

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Popular dish

Key Lime Pie

The Progress

4.8

4.8 (2587)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Western Addition

About the restaurant

The Progress is a vehicle for a completely local production. Innovative meals are served with memorable wine & cocktails. The Greatest Dinner Party Ever.

Top review

Andre

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent restaurant and food. The staff was very attentive as well! I’ll definitely come back on my next visit to San Francisco.

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Experience

Radio-Coteau at The Progress

Octavia

4.8

4.8 (2710)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Pacific Heights

About the restaurant

Octavia is the sister restaurant of Frances, helmed by award-winning Chef Owner Melissa Perello. Octavia serves dinner five nights a week in an elegant and relaxed neighborhood setting. Beautifully defined flavors and seasonally driven cuisine are the cornerstones of Octavia’s menu. Leveraging longstanding relationships with the region’s top purveyors and farms, Octavia's daily evolving selections spotlight Chef Perello's commitment to sustainability and the Bay Area’s wealth of agricultural resources.

Top review

DanielaVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Great food, lovely ambience and nice staff. I highly recommend their tagliatelle with mushrooms ragù. I appreciated the wine selection and thank you for the Barolo Chinato!

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Experience

Large Party Reservation (7-12 people)

Blue Plate

4.8

4.8 (1518)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Bernal Heights

About the restaurant

The Blue Plate opened in 1999 as a casual spot where friends and neighbors can enjoy the best ingredients our seasons have to offer. Owners Cory Obenour and Jeff Trenam have created a space that feels like a home, with three distinct dining rooms each appointed with the work of local artists. In the back, a lush, night-fragrant garden offers an exotic retreat from the bustle of the city. The kitchen stays committed to using the highest quality local produce and meats in classic American and rustic Mediterranean dishes. Through a working friendship with Bay Area farmers, the Blue Plate is expanding the notion of "the blue plate special" to include dining that is casual, affordable, delicious and responsible.

Top review

LouisVIP

Dined on Jun 5, 2025

Deviled eggs and grilled octopus are delicious. Nice wine list.

Spruce

4.7

4.7 (5533)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Presidio Heights

About the restaurant

Open for lunch (two courses/$65), brunch (three courses/$98), and dinner (three courses/$125), Spruce offers seasonal prix-fixe menus crafted by Chef Mark Sullivan. Each menu offers a wide range of options, as well as luxurious additions (examples: caviar, truffles) for supplemental prices. Our cuisines is complemented by an extensive wine list which holds "Wine Spectator" magazine's highest honor, a Grand Award. The bar/lounge is available for walk-ins on a first-come, first-serve basis. We look forward to welcoming you to Spruce soon!

Top review

Corey

Dined 2 days ago

We went for our 18th anniversary and it was wonderful. I am in a wheelchair with sensory issues and they did a great job of accommodating us. A beautiful, romantic and very tasty dinner.

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4.6

4.6 (291)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio

About the restaurant

Although we try to accommodate every request for the back patio, we are experiencing high demand and have limited seating in order to observe social distancing. We also offer outdoor seating on the sidewalk and new parklet, as well as limited indoor seating. Thank you for understanding and we look forward to seeing you soon!

We are following the health guidelines to keep our guests and staff safe. Due to these circumstances, we kindly ask that you do not show up early or late, and honor a 1.5 hour maximum duration to your reservation.

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Top review

Kathryn

Dined on Jun 1, 2025

Lovely wait staff. Quiet and cozy . We ate early on a Saturday. Fresh ,fresh?fresh Pam seared Salmon. Amazing panacota with mango mouse.ill go back again

The Rotunda at Neiman Marcus - San Francisco

4.7

4.7 (6296)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Downtown / Union Square

About the restaurant

The Rotunda serves afternoon tea seven days a week beginning at 1:30 p.m. A tea experience reservation is necessary to enjoy our daily tea service. Any dietary restrictions must be noted at least 24 hours in advance of your reservation.

Please use link below to reserve your tea experience.

https://www.opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=889&restref=889&experienceId=35326

Let THE ROTUNDA® host your next Baby or Bridal Shower. We pride ourselves on creating the perfect menu and ambience for your event in our chic and inviting atmosphere. Pamper the glowing bride- or mother-to-be in your life with the shower of her dreams or a lavish luncheon.

The Rotunda is located on the 4th floor of Neiman Marcus. We are accessible through our elevator on the Geary Street entrance or through any NM entrance.

Top review

JudyVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Beautiful environment for an elegant occasion with excellent food.

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4.6

4.6 (2732)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

SOMA

About the restaurant

Prospect is from the team behind San Francisco's acclaimed Boulevard. Partners Nancy Oakes (James Beard award-winning chef/owner of Boulevard), Pam Mazzola and Kathy King, have created a restaurant that pays tribute to contemporary American cuisine. Whether it's a cocktail and a bite at the bar, a casual meal at the communal table, guests will receive exceptional hospitable service. A warm modern space in the heart of SOMA, Prospect has become an anchor for the community.
A separate dining room is available for private events.

Top review

HowardVIP

Dined 3 days ago

This was an outstanding meal, the appetizers:santa Barbara Uni and Hokkaido scallop were wonderful and we shared the the spring onion foccacia with yogurt, mint baba ghanoush and tiny tomatoes, delicious, innovative. I had the flet mignon as entree, perfectly grilled with amazing sides. Best of all, I based my food selection on the sommelier's wine suggestions a white and red burgundy, which were extremely delicious, and paired well with the food! Overall a great meal, comparable to the best in SF.

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Experience

Daily Happy Hour

Hazies

4.6

4.6 (16)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Western Addition

About the restaurant

Hazie's is a vibrant restaurant in the heart of San Francisco, offering a unique dining experience. Our diverse menu features everything from innovative cocktails to delicious brunch options, catering to a variety of tastes. Led by chef Joey Altman, Hazie's dishes showcase a fusion of global flavors, drawing inspiration from Asian, Mediterranean, Californian, and Mexican cuisines. Whether you're in the mood for savory duck carbonara, a crispy chicken sandwich, or a refreshing tuna poke bowl, there's something to satisfy every palate. The atmosphere at Hazie's is inviting, with a modern ambiance, comfortable seating, and warm lighting. Our friendly and attentive staff ensures that your dining experience is enjoyable from start to finish. Whether you're seeking a casual lunch with friends, a romantic dinner date, or a lively family brunch, Hazie's is the perfect destination for every occasion. Come and embark on a culinary adventure with us!

Top review

KennyVIP

Dined 6 days ago

This is THE vibe. Food and drinks were top notch, and the staff was warm and friendly. The pork dumplings were HUGE (and please just give me more and more sauce).

One Market Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (4348)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Financial District / Embarcadero

About the restaurant

One Market Restaurant is open for indoor (and outdoor!) dining. Lunch (including pickup & delivery) Monday-thru-Friday 11:30am-2pm feauturing Mark ‘n Mike’s NY Style Delicatessen and One Market Restaurant Favorites
Dinner: Monday-thru-Friday 5-8pm (pickup & delivery available 4-8pm) featuring our One Market Restaurant dinner menu plus Signature Sandwiches from Mark ‘n Mike’s NY Style Deli! PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT ACCEPT DINING ROOM RESERVATION FOR HAPPY HOUR. GUESTS WHO RESERVE IN THE DINING ROOM FOR HAPPY HOUR WILL BE MOVED TO LOUNGE, BAR or OUTDOOR PATIO.

http://omr-mnm2go.square.site for more info. and current online menus.

One Market Restaurant To-Go & Delivery Sanitation Protocols
• Trained all employees on how to limit the spread of COVID‐19.
• Regular, and consistent, sanitation of all preparation surfaces, kitchen equipment, utensils and other surfaces.

Please note we no longer accept Lark Creek Restaurant Group Gift Cards

Top review

LeslieVIP

Dined 5 days ago

An incredible experience of food, service and atmosphere!

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