Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in San Francisco

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in San Francisco? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Sushi Hakko

4.9

4.9 (301)

$50 and over

Japanese

Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio

About the restaurant

**Welcome to Sushi Hakko on Union St. + Fillmore St.**
We'd like to offer our tasting menu that's reflecting Chef Alex Kim and his team's pursuit of top notch sushi experience. Our approach is a harmonious crossover of authentic Edo-mae style with Western skill. From fish to rice, cooking rice to garnish prep - a true synergy of not only Californian but Japan.

**Sushi Bar Experience**
For the best experience of our tasting menu, we'd recommend the sushi bar seating, where chef will serve and explain the dish by dish, piece by piece with an extensive information of the skills and ingredients.

**Regular Tables**
Our regular tables are also available for the tasting menu and you can make a reservation at any time slot to your convenience.

*Large Group*
For any party of 7 or more, please kindly call us at 415.814.2886 or email at sushihakko@gmail.com. We will get back to you asap.

All parties will be subject to a 20% service charge.

We look forward to serving you soon.

Top review

Ryan

Dined 7 days ago

An unforgettable sushi experience for any sushi enjoyer!

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Experience

Sushi Hakko Bar Experience

Experience

Sushi Hakko Table Experiences

Xebec-sf

4.9

4.9 (88)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Western Addition

About the restaurant

Are you ready to embark on a mouth-watering journey down the Mediterranean coast, infused with the tantalizing flavors and techniques of Japan? Join us now to experience this meeting of cultures that will leave your taste buds craving for more!

Top review

IreneVIP

Dined on Jun 27, 2025

Delicious food, quick service for a meal before the symphony. We will happily eat here again.

Nisei

4.7

4.7 (107)

$50 and over

Japanese

Russian Hill

About the restaurant

Nisei presents a contemporary approach to Japanese American cuisine by combining deep Japanese flavors, refined cooking technique, and Northern California's finest ingredients. The restaurant is a personal reflection of Chef David Yoshimura's unique experience as a Michelin starred chef and second generation Japanese American, or Nisei.

Nisei can accommodate most severe allergies with advance notice, however due to the nature of the tasting menu format, we can not meet all dietary restrictions or aversions. In order to maintain the spirit of our cuisine, the following items can not be removed: Salt, sugar, soy sauce, and egg cooked into items.

All Experience prices below reflect a 20% Service Fee and 8.63% SF Sales Tax applied to the base price of each experience. This Service Fee goes towards paying our employees a livable wage as well as providing health insurance.

Top review

Esther

Dined 7 days ago

Wonderful, attentive staff. Absolutely beautiful, creative delicious dishes.

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Experience

Day in the Life of Chef David Yoshimura

Experience

Summer Menu at Nisei

Piglet & Co

4.7

4.7 (66)

$31 to $50

Asian

Mission District

About the restaurant

Piglet & Co presents nostalgic flavors in the form of modern Asian comfort food. Located in Mission District of San Francisco. Our non-traditional menus are inspired by childhood memories, meals shared with us by elders, and our favorite dishes from night markets and Taiwan. Our menu changes often to reflect the current seasons.

See our website for events and service times

SF Eater's Best New Restaurants in America 2023,
Sf Eater's Essential 38,
Infatuation SF Best Brunches in San Francisco

Top review

Blake

Dined on Jun 15, 2025

Every single dish we had for brunch was outstanding!

Four Kings

4.7

4.7 (214)

$30 and under

Chinese

Chinatown

About the restaurant

## 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,

Top review

HowardVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Love this place! Consistent food! Great service. Always a hit… if u can get in

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Experience

Friends in Town Featuring Hunnybee 9/21/25

Prelude

4.7

4.7 (115)

$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 6 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.

The Radiant Table - San Francisco

4.7

4.7 (15)

$50 and over

Fusion / Eclectic

Financial District / Embarcadero

About the restaurant

The Radiant Table is an immersive dining experience, thoughtfully designed for those who are passionate about food, storytelling, and authentic connection. Imagine enjoying a trio of oysters and watching ocean waves crash and roll across the table or tasting the earthy profile of a mushroom while the forest floor grows to life right in front of you.

Guests are seated at shared tables accommodating up to eight people, encouraging conversation and discovery. At its heart, The Radiant Table seeks to spotlight the incredible culinary talent of the Bay Area region.

Each night is a special moment in time, never to be repeated. The Radiant Table features a new chef and multi-course menu every night.

WHAT’S INCLUDED
🍽️ A four-course dinner by a different chef each night
🌌 Immersive 3D art projected on your table
🍾 Welcome drink in lounge upon arrival
🍷 Curated beer, wine & cocktails available for purchase
👨‍🍳 Meet the chef and hear the story behind the menu

Top review

Alexandra

Dined 7 days ago

One of a kind experience. Amazing food and scenery was fantastic. The kids said they wish they could come all the time. We will remember this experience forever I’m sure of it. Well worth it!

Altovino

4.6

4.6 (25)

$31 to $50

Italian

Nob Hill

About the restaurant

Altovino is a charming neighborhood restaurant offering a rotating menu of thoughtfully composed dishes that showcase the progression of the San Francisco seasons and capture the spirit of the regional Italian table.
The wine list encompasses a range of Italian wine, both classic and unique.

Top review

DebbieVIP

Dined on Jun 13, 2025

This Neighborhood gem offers wonderful food with friendly service. Interesting dishes. Will be back!

Memento SF

4.5

4.5 (116)

$30 and under

Fusion / Eclectic

Noe Valley

About the restaurant

Welcome to Memento SF. A New American cuisine in San Francisco’s Noe Valley. An oasis in the center of the city, where tastes and atmosphere collide in the perfect song. We feature a small, eclectic menu that hits every note to perfection. From extraordinary takes on the familiar to the truly unexpected, experience a vibrancy bursting from every dish. More than a restaurant, Memento SF is an expression of love. A celebration of local art and music tucked in a welcoming neighborhood hotspot. The perfect place for a cocktail or cozy date night, whether it’s your first meal together or your 20th anniversary. Our featured dishes include our famous Crispy Curry Chicken and our Za'atar flat bread has become a fan favorite. Try some of our low ABV cocktails and you'll be pleasantly surprised; specifically Purple Rain which has also become a top item on our menu.

Top review

DelphineVIP

Dined on Jun 20, 2025

Wonderful neighborhood restaurant. Excellent food, creative drinks and superb service.

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Experience

Happy Hour at Memento SF

Jang

3.9

3.9 (51)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Korean

Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness

About the restaurant

Experience Korean Dining Like Never Before. At Jang, we honor the essence of Korean cuisine through a daring blend of tradition and modernity. Named after the cornerstone of Korean flavor—fermented sauces—our restaurant is dedicated to celebrating this foundational ingredient while reimagining its role in contemporary dining.

Our chefs craft each dish with the finest seasonal produce sourced from local farms and the best proteins and fish from around the globe. This commitment to quality ensures that every meal is not only a tribute to traditional Korean flavors but also a canvas for innovation. By blending time-honored techniques with cutting-edge culinary artistry, we create a harmonious symphony of ingredients that highlight the rich, umami-packed depth of our fermented sauces.

At Jang, our menu is a curated selection of dishes designed to push the boundaries of Korean cuisine. Offering an unforgettable dining experience that seamlessly merges authenticity with avant-garde flair.

Top review

Jason

Dined on Apr 30, 2025

Amazing, is like an Speak easy, very nice place and amazing food.

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