Diners' Choice: Californian restaurants in San Francisco

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Californian 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!

Frances

4.8

4.8 (3716)

$50 and over

Californian

The 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

RigelVIP

Dined 6 days ago

One of my favorite restaurants in SF for over 10 years. Beignets are amazing

Aziza

4.7

4.7 (2992)

$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

Alexander

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent food and service. Ingredients were outstanding. Cauliflower, cornbread and branzinno were superb

MKT Restaurant and Bar

4.9

4.9 (1268)

$31 to $50

Californian

Downtown / Union Square

About the restaurant

MKT Restaurant & Bar at Four Seasons San Francisco offers a sophisticated and inviting space that effortlessly blends modern elegance with a warm, welcoming ambiance. Perfectly situated within the iconic Four Seasons Hotel, MKT provides an exceptional setting for private dining experiences, whether for intimate dinners, business meetings, or special celebrations. With versatile event spaces, including private dining rooms designed for exclusive gatherings, MKT is ideal for hosting everything from milestone birthdays to corporate functions. The restaurant’s sleek yet comfortable design, combined with its renowned culinary offerings, ensures that every event is memorable. Whether you're planning a cocktail reception or a formal dinner, MKT delivers a distinctive atmosphere tailored to your needs.

Top review

ErickVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Server was great. Really enjoyed our time. Atmosphere and service was top notch.

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Experience

Summer Brunch Series at MKT

Nightbird

4.8

4.8 (877)

$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.

Consumer Advisory
Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, eggs, seafood or shellfish may increase risk of foodborne illness especially if you have medical conditions.

Top review

AndrewVIP

Dined on Jun 18, 2025

Absolutely fantastic! Incredible presentation with the preparation and flavor to match.

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Experience

Bar Bites at Linden Room

Experience

Private Dining in The Nightingale Room

Boulevard

4.8

4.8 (9215)

$50 and over

Californian

Financial District / Embarcadero

About the restaurant

Chef Nancy Oakes, Chef Dana Younkin and our entire team, look forward to welcoming you to a refreshed and reimagine 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

Reina

Dined 6 days ago

Absolutely wonderful and delicious food. Service was excellent and we totally enjoyed every aspect of our experience. Great value for the price, not snooty or Napa high brow, very comfortable. Lived it.

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Experience

Summer Softshell Series - Chef's Counter & Lounge

Experience

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

Prelude

4.7

4.7 (114)

$50 and over

Californian

Financial District / Embarcadero

About the restaurant

Prelude, a part of Omakase Restaurant Group, offers a modern take on Southern cooking, blending cherished family recipes with Bay Area ingredients and contemporary techniques.

Executive Chef Celtin Hendrickson-Jones—inspired by his Alabama roots and shaped by time at Niku Steakhouse and Commis—reinterprets the nostalgic flavors of his childhood with an elegant touch.

The cocktail program balances modern mixology with playful, Southern-inspired twists, while the wine list highlights both emerging and established producers, highlighting the best-of-class in each category.

With warm, engaging service that keeps things fun and approachable, and a dining room appointed with plush velvet, Prelude invites guests to enjoy high-end dining without the pretense.

Top review

Richard

Dined 2 days ago

Could not have had a better dining experience! The room is, in a low-key way, exceptionally attractive and greatly enhanced by sophisticated lighting. Every staff member with whom we interacted was both friendly and professional. The food was exceptional - the menu you might view online greatly undersells the complexity and creativity of their offerings. For example, my “Red Snapper” was not, as you might expect, a broiled, grilled, or sautéed filet … rather, it was a fillet wrapped around a shrimp mousse, tightly wrapped into a torchone, poached, then sliced into rounds, and plated on a subtle sauce. And do not pass on The Side (there is but one), I.e., the grits. They defy any expectations you may have of the dish, I promise you! All-in-all, a wonderful meal.

Foreign Cinema

4.8

4.8 (8971)

$31 to $50

Californian

Mission District

About the restaurant

Foreign Cinema is a one-of-a-kind, nationally acclaimed restaurant blending independent films with California-Mediterranean cuisine. Enjoy a stylish indoor dining room with a full bar and fireplace, or relax in our heated and covered outdoor courtyard where 35mm film screenings begin at dusk.

For those seeking a more intimate experience, our private dining options include the mezzanine, amate terrace, and gallery, thoughtfully curated by Modernism West. Our vibrant DJ/live music bar, Laszlo, serves craft cocktails, zero-proof options, a full dinner menu, and lively tunes to end your night.

We are currently accepting reservations for both the heated and covered outdoor patio and indoor dining up to 60 days in advance. Standard seating refers to indoor dining. For groups of 9 or more, please reach out to our private dining department at janine@foreigncinema.com for booking details.

Top review

StephanieVIP

Dined 4 days ago

This place is very fun and has a great vibe. My only issue with the size of the portions. Very, very small for the price. I think my halibut was maybe 2 ounces.

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Experience

Guest Chef Series: Cowgirl Creamery

Experience

Guest Chef Series: Jeremiah Tower

Garibaldi's on Presidio

4.8

4.8 (2361)

$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

MarkVIP

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

Very nice, quaint and reasonably quiet. We had the Black Cod and Flat Iron steak. The cod was melt in your mouth and the steak was tender with a delicious reduction.

State Bird Provisions

4.7

4.7 (3421)

$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

JeffVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Fun vibe and great format with super creative dishes.

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Experience

Friends in Town: Published on Main + Deer & Almond

Nopa - San Francisco

4.7

4.7 (3676)

$31 to $50

Californian

North Panhandle / USF

About the restaurant

Nopa is a San Francisco gathering place north of the Panhandle, serving urban rustic food and specializing in organic wood-fired cuisine. We serve simple dishes created with seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms and purveyors.

Top review

Alexis

Dined 3 days ago

The food was so impressive. I love how they combine fruits in mini dishes. The service was incredible, everyone was very attentive and well coordinated

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