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Best Authentic Restaurants in The Castro

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211 restaurants available nearby

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A photo of L'Ardoise restaurant
1. L'Ardoise
4.8
Exceptional(3476)
Price: Expensive
• French • The Castro
Booked 23 times today
French Bistro serving traditional and authentic fare in a cozy atmosphere.
A photo of Canela Bistro Bar restaurant
2. Canela Bistro Bar
4.8
Exceptional(1611)
Price: Expensive
• Spanish • The Castro
Booked 3 times today
Take a trip to Spain without your passport! Established in 2011, Canela's Spanish and California cuisine has been drawing in locals and visitors alike. Crafted with a mix of ingredients and wines imported from Spain as well as California's bounty, Canela's mix of tapas and paella is made to please. Mat Schuster, Canela’s executive chef, has dedicated his life to creating sophisticated and unforgettable flavors with you in mind. Honored to be awarded a Certified Restaurant from Spain by the Spanish Trade Commission, we offer over 75 bottles of unique wine from Spain, some that you will only find here. Whether you want to have a formal dinner, casual tapas, small plates, paella, glass of wine, and homemade dessert, come to Canela and be assured that you will find what you are looking for.
A photo of Cafe Mystique restaurant
3. Cafe Mystique
4.8
Exceptional(43)
Price: Moderate
• Mediterranean • The Castro
Booked 4 times today
We feature American, Italian and Mediterranean dishes using fair-trade products from local markets. Every plate that comes out of our kitchen is rich in authentic flavors and ingredients.Thanks for dinning at Cafe Mystique where you find a delicious and fresh gourmet food.
A photo of Castro Indian Restaurant & Bar restaurant
4. Castro Indian Restaurant & Bar
4.6
Exceptional(24)
Price: Moderate
• Indian • The Castro
Booked 1 time today
Our chef: Arun Dangi has curated modern indian dishes still retaining its authentic flavors and traditional cooking style. Our take on pizza, pasta, salad and sandwiches are incorporated with aromatic herbs and spices used in Indian curries and also cooking method in a flavorful way.
A photo of Elena's restaurant
5. Elena's
4.7
Exceptional(868)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Forest Hill / West Portal
Booked 146 times today
Welcome to Elena's -- a place where a family’s love for authentic Mexican food is celebrated and combined with California-inspired elements and signature Mexican-American dishes. We offer reservations for up to 8 guests via OpenTable. At the time of your reservation, we kindly request the entire party be present to be seated. Tables will be held for up to 10 minutes after the reservation time. For parties that arrive later, the table will be released but we will do our best to accommodate the reservation with the next available table. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming you to Elena’s!
A photo of Four Kings restaurant
6. Four Kings
4.7
Exceptional(226)
Price: Moderate
• Chinese • Chinatown
Booked 7 times today
## Four Kings: A Nostalgic Journey Through Cantonese Cuisine Step into Four Kings and be transported to a vibrant world of nostalgia and flavor. This San Francisco gem, helmed by chefs Franky Ho and Mike Long, serves up a modern take on Cantonese cuisine, infused with the chefs' personal memories and a playful spirit. The atmosphere is electric, with 90s Cantopop tunes filling the air and retro Hong Kong memorabilia adorning the walls. The open kitchen allows you to witness the culinary artistry firsthand, as chefs prepare dishes like the signature **fried squab** and the innovative **mapo spaghetti**. The menu is a celebration of bold flavors and unexpected combinations. Start with the **XO escargot with milk bread**, a decadent treat that will leave you wanting more. For a taste of tradition, try the **Hong Kong black peppered steak**, cooked to perfection and bursting with savory notes. Vegetarians will delight in the **garlic pea shoots**, a simple yet flavorful dish that showcases the freshest ingredients. Four Kings is more than just a restaurant; it's an experience. It's a place to gather with friends, share delicious food, and reminisce about the golden age of Hong Kong cinema. So come hungry, come curious,
A photo of Che Fico San Francisco restaurant
7. Che Fico San Francisco
4.7
Exceptional(2063)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • North Panhandle / USF
Booked 75 times today
Che Fico, is a California Italian restaurant from Chefs David Nayfeld and Matt Brewer in San Francisco's NOPA neighborhood. The food focuses on Italian cuisine through the lens of California. It’s our vision of Northern California as if it is a region in Italy, our connection to the region, and our love for Italian culinary practices. The rustic, market-driven menu features handmade pasta, pizzas, antipasti, housemade salumi, meat, and fish plus dishes from the Jewish-Roman heritage known as “Cucina Ebraica.” We also offer a tasty Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. The beverage program focuses heavily on both Italian and Californian wines with a cocktail program that utilizes a variety of spirits, amaros, and seasonal ingredients. Che Fico is a place to gather with friends, family or a date night and enjoy warm hospitality, food, and drink, through an approachable menu and convivial ambiance.
A photo of Kokkari Estiatorio restaurant
8. Kokkari Estiatorio
4.8
Exceptional(9392)
Price: Expensive
• Mediterranean • Financial District / Embarcadero
Booked 191 times today
Kokkari (pronounced “Ko-Kar-ee”) is a small fishing village located on the islands of Samos in the Aegean Sea, whose name is derived from the small onions that were once produced in the nearby fields. Its fertile soil and Mediterranean climate translated into an abundance of fresh produce as well as treasured seafood and game. Legend tells that Kokkari is the site where Orion, a mighty hunter and a young man of gigantic stature and great beauty, fell in love with the daughter of the king of Chios. For the love of her, Orion forged the island for wild game and seafood to prepare elaborate banquets in celebration of their love. Today, we hope you will enjoy your own celebration as you dine at Kokkari Estiatorio on food “fit for the Gods” prepared with an Aegean palate and the style of innovative California fare.
A photo of Wayfare Tavern restaurant
9. Wayfare Tavern
4.5
Awesome(8022)
Price: Moderate
• American • Financial District / Embarcadero
Booked 149 times today
Wayfare Tavern is a true American tavern in the heart of San Francisco, offering an authentic dining experience. Its menu, crafted by Chef Tyler Florence, features traditional American dishes and a selection of locally sourced wines. The restaurant's design, inspired by Victorian-era parlor and an Edwardian men's club, adds to its authenticity. Reviewers frequently mention the restaurant's 'well-executed' food, 'comfortable' ambience, and 'seamless' service. One reviewer even noted the vibe of the restaurant as 'classic'.
A photo of MESKI restaurant
10. MESKI
4.5
Awesome(126)
Price: Expensive
• Ethiopian • Nob Hill
Booked 21 times today
Meski will marry Ethiopian and Afro-Latin flavors in dishes like a T-bone steak in a berbere-coffee rub, above, served with chile-glazed plantains and pigeon peas.Meski, named after Fassil's late mother, will serve dishes like sancocho, a Dominican meat stew, infused here with Ethiopian spices. Sambusas will made from yuca, the fried pockets filled with berbere-spiced beef or lentils. As they've developed the menu, German said he's been delighted to notice parallels between his native Dominican cuisine and Ethiopian food. His mother's steak encebollado stew, for example, reminds him of Ethiopian beef tibs.Please note due to high demand and the intimate size of our restaurant, reservations for parties of five or fewer are allotted a 90-minute dining experience. 120 minutes are allotted for parties of six.

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Discover best authentic restaurants in The Castro

Discover the heart of authentic dining in San Francisco's vibrant Castro District. This area is renowned for its eclectic and genuine culinary offerings, where each restaurant promises a unique taste of local and international flavors. In your search for authenticity, you'll find establishments that emphasize farm-to-table ingredients, reflecting the rich agricultural bounty of the San Francisco Bay Area. The dining scene here is characterized by a warm, inviting ambiance that compleases both locals and visitors alike, making it a true foodie's delight. Restaurants in The Castro stand out for their commitment to quality and passion for service, often featuring menus that are both inventive and deeply rooted in tradition. Whether you're craving an intimate dining experience or a lively meal in a bustling setting, the authenticity of The Castro's culinary landscape offers something for every palate. Delight in the expertise and care that go into every dish, crafted to offer not just a meal, but a memorable dining experience in one of San Francisco's most iconic neighborhoods.

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