The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter
Old Mandarin Islamic Restaurant 老北京 is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

1. Old Mandarin Islamic Restaurant 老北京

7.6
3132 Vicente St (at 43rd Ave), San Francisco, CA
Chinese Restaurant · Outer Sunset · 73 tips and reviews

EaterEater: The small dining room features mostly communal seating, and is ideal for feasting on Mandarin cuisine, including the crowd favorite cumin lamb, Beijing-style hot pots, and crunchy tofu. Read more.

2. Outerlands

8.6
4001 Judah St (at 45th Ave), San Francisco, CA
American Restaurant · Outer Sunset · 259 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Chef Yoni Levy together with pastry chef Brooke Mosley are continuing the traditions of amazing bread, gorgeous fog-friendly food and a laid-back beach vibe. Read more.

Spruce is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

3. Spruce

8.9
3640 Sacramento St (btwn Spruce & Locust St), San Francisco, CA
New American Restaurant · Presidio Heights · 133 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Nestled deeply in Presidio Heights, Spruce is a refined neighborhood restaurant. White tablecloths, a fantastic wine list, and great service are hallmarks. Read more.

Zazie is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

4. Zazie

8.7
941 Cole St (btwn Parnassus Ave & Carl St), San Francisco, CA
Breakfast Spot · Cole Valley · 360 tips and reviews

EaterEater: The brunch lines here are truly absurd, but once you're facing a plate of gingerbread pancakes, eggs Benedict, and perfect home fries, the annoyance of the wait will recede. Read more.

La Ciccia is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

5. La Ciccia

9.1
291 30th St (at Church), San Francisco, CA
Italian Restaurant · Fairmount · 76 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Not so much San Francisco Italian, as pure unadulterated regional Italian, this family-run sparkler is free of pretension and full of love. Don’t miss the sea urchin pasta. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.

Aster is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

6. Aster

1001 Guerrero St (at 22nd St), San Francisco, CA
New American Restaurant · Dolores Heights · 44 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Brett Cooper offers dishes a la carte, as well as a very reasonably priced four-course tasting menu at $65; brunch is another easy point of entry, offering a selection of house-baked breads and more. Read more.

La Taqueria is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

7. La Taqueria

9.2
2889 Mission St (at 25th St), San Francisco, CA
Burrito Restaurant · Mission District · 443 tips and reviews

EaterEater: It wouldn’t be San Francisco without The Mission’s squadron of gut-busting taquerias. This one continues to lead the pack with unwavering rave reviews for its sublime, spot-on Mexico staples. Read more.

Beretta is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

8. Beretta

9.0
1199 Valencia St (at 23rd St), San Francisco, CA
Italian Restaurant · Mission District · 489 tips and reviews

EaterEater: This Mission hotspot is always packed, with good reason. The menu is rife with antipasti, pizzas, pastas, risottos, and rotating daily specials like cioppino and short ribs. Read more.

Californios is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

9. Californios

3115 22nd St (btwn Capp St & S Van Ness Ave), San Francisco, CA
Mexican Restaurant · Mission District · 43 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Chef Val M. Cantu (Sons & Daughters) has created a stylish prix fixe menu that offers a Mexican-inspired take on the traditional tasting experience. Read more.

Foreign Cinema is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

10. Foreign Cinema

9.3
2534 Mission St (btwn 21st & 22nd St), San Francisco, CA
New American Restaurant · Mission District · 362 tips and reviews

EaterEater: With North African and Mediterranean menu leanings and a deepened wine program, it's one of the city's most romantic restaurants, with staggering decor and engaging food. Read more.

Lazy Bear is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

11. Lazy Bear

9.1
3416 19th St (at San Carlos), San Francisco, CA
New American Restaurant · Mission District · 84 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Chefs deliver the modern American dishes to the table themselves and invite you to come into the kitchen to peer over their shoulder while they work. Read more.

Namu Gaji is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

12. Namu Gaji

499 Dolores St (at 18th St), San Francisco, CA
Korean Restaurant · Mission Dolores · 182 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Menu standouts include the KFC (chicken wings), stonepot rice, okonomiyaki, and dumplings. It's worth going in early for happy hour, the only time gamja fries and Korean tacos are served. Read more.

Nopalito is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

13. Nopalito

8.8
306 Broderick St, San Francisco, CA
Mexican Restaurant · Panhandle · 261 tips and reviews

EaterEater: From the addictive totopos con chile to the comforting tortilla soup to the killer carnitas, there's something for everyone here. Read more.

Zuni Café is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

14. Zuni Café

8.7
1658 Market St (at Rose St), San Francisco, CA
New American Restaurant · Civic Center · 318 tips and reviews

EaterEater: It's the utility belt of restaurants: good for brunch, for late-night dining, for oysters and a cocktail at the bar, or for a lovely sit-down meal with a date. Read more.

Rich Table is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

15. Rich Table

8.8
199 Gough St (at Oak St), San Francisco, CA
New American Restaurant · Lower Haight · 188 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Don't miss the sardine chips, porcini doughnuts, seasonal salads, and pastas. Read more.

Souvla is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

16. Souvla

9.0
517 Hayes St (at Octavia St), San Francisco, CA
Souvlaki Shop · Hayes Valley · 243 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Order their rotisserie roasted lamb, chicken, pork or sweet potato in pita or salad format (or order it Greek-style, which means fries on or in it). Read more.

Petit Crenn is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

17. Petit Crenn

8.7
609 Hayes St (at Laguna St), San Francisco, CA
French Restaurant · Hayes Valley · 55 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Inspired by the cuisine of Brittany, chef Dominique Crenn's neighborhood spot offers a dinner party vibe, with impeccable, family-style dishes. Read more.

State Bird Provisions is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

18. State Bird Provisions

8.6
1529 Fillmore St (btwn Geary & O'Farrell St), San Francisco, CA
New American Restaurant · Fillmore District · 219 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Whether it's savory pancakes stacked with local cheese, delicious crudos, or a new take on tofu skin, the flavor profiles are always eye-opening. Read more.

SPQR is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

19. SPQR

7.8
1911 Fillmore St (btwn Bush & Pine St), San Francisco, CA
Italian Restaurant · Lower Pacific Heights · 171 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Try to score seats at the chef's counter and don't miss the exceptional wine list, curated by award-winning sommelier Shelley Lindgren. Read more.

Swan Oyster Depot is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

20. Swan Oyster Depot

8.3
1517 Polk St (btwn Sacramento & California St.), San Francisco, CA
Seafood Restaurant · Polk Gulch · 217 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Open only for lunch, Polk Street’s 100-year-old gem still churns out the best crab, oysters and sourdough in town. Read more.

House of Prime Rib is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

21. House of Prime Rib

8.9
1906 Van Ness Ave (btw Jackson & Washington), San Francisco, CA
Steakhouse · Polk Gulch · 314 tips and reviews

EaterEater: There is no more accurate way to describe House of Prime Rib than by its apropos name — it serves one thing and one thing only on its menu, and it does that roast beef very, very well. Read more.

Stones Throw is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

22. Stones Throw

1896 Hyde St (btwn Green & Vallejo St), San Francisco, CA
American Restaurant · Russian Hill · 92 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Smart but unpretentious small plates like octopus okonomiyaki and puffed potatoes with egg and cauliflower mousse, and one of the city's most engaging, descriptive, and smartly curated drink lists Read more.

Liholiho Yacht Club is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

23. Liholiho Yacht Club

9.2
871 Sutter St (btwn Jones & Leavenworth St), San Francisco, CA
Hawaiian Restaurant · Lower Nob Hill · 161 tips and reviews

EaterEater: The Hawaiian-Indian-NorCal cuisine results in dishes like poppy seed steam buns with beef tongue and kimchi that are uniquely Kapur's, and it's all in a high-energy space. Read more.

Del Popolo is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

24. Del Popolo

8.7
855 Bush St (btwn Taylor and Mason), San Francisco, CA
Pizzeria · Lower Nob Hill · 82 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Followers of Darsky's Neapolitan-inspired pizzas line up for beautiful antipasti like farrotto with wild morel mushrooms, sweet corn, prosciutto and egg yolk. Read more.

Kin Khao is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

25. Kin Khao

8.4
55 Cyril Magnin St (Ellis St), San Francisco, CA
Thai Restaurant · Downtown San Francisco-Union Square · 188 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Don't overlook the selection of unparalleled curries — all cooked from spice pastes that are made fresh daily in house. Read more.

Tony’s Pizza Napoletana is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

26. Tony’s Pizza Napoletana

9.1
1570 Stockton St (at Union St), San Francisco, CA
Pizzeria · North Beach · 466 tips and reviews

EaterEater: World Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani's Neapolitan is an award-winner and his on-site pizza school attracts students from across the country. Read more.

Original Joe's is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

27. Original Joe's

8.2
601 Union St (at Stockton St), San Francisco, CA
Restaurant · North Beach · 107 tips and reviews

EaterEater: From baked lasagna to calf’s liver with bacon and onions, the classics are all here, plus a secretly great burger and fries, for lunch, dinner, and brunch. Read more.

Cotogna is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

28. Cotogna

9.2
490 Pacific Ave (at Montgomery St), San Francisco, CA
Italian Restaurant · Jackson Square · 236 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Cotogna is the casual Italian restaurant of your dreams, an easy E38 pick. Good luck getting a table, though. Read more.

Tosca Cafe is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

29. Tosca Cafe

8.4
242 Columbus Ave (at Pacific Ave), San Francisco, CA
Italian Restaurant · North Beach · 119 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Now owned by NYC restaurateur Ken Friedman and chef April Bloomfield, the food and cocktails are top-notch. Best of all, it serves food til 1 a.m., and drinks til 2 a.m. Read more.

Z & Y Restaurant is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

30. Z & Y Restaurant

8.4
655 Jackson St (btwn Cooper Alley & Wentworth Pl), San Francisco, CA
Szechuan Restaurant · Chinatown · 189 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Though it's known for the spicy "Chicken with Explosive Chile Peppers," Z & Y has a deep bench of dishes from mushu pork to ma-po to frog in flaming chile oil. Read more.

Leo's Oyster Bar is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

31. Leo's Oyster Bar

8.4
568 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA
Seafood Restaurant · Financial District · 39 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Leo's opened with a retro splash, immediately luring diners to its petit dining room and bar for oysters, clams, lobster rolls, and classic cocktails. Read more.

Akiko’s Restaurant & Sushi Bar is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

32. Akiko’s Restaurant & Sushi Bar

431 Bush St (at Mark Ln.), San Francisco, CA
Sushi Restaurant · Downtown San Francisco-Union Square · 166 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Our rec? Tell your server what kind of meal you're in the mood for and what price you'd like to pay, and just put yourself into the hands of those experienced chefs. Read more.

Yank Sing is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

33. Yank Sing

8.3
101 Spear St (inside Rincon Center), San Francisco, CA
Dim Sum Restaurant · Financial District · 229 tips and reviews

EaterEater: It's expensive for dim sum, but you pay for what you get at Yank Sing. Here, flavors are cleaner than you'll find anywhere else, and the xiao long bao and custard tarts are exemplary. Read more.

Mourad is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

34. Mourad

8.8
140 New Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA
Moroccan Restaurant · SoMa · 84 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Choose from a la carte options like duck basteeya and family-style, large format dishes of lamb and short rib, or go for the tasting menu. Read more.

Benu is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

35. Benu

7.9
22 Hawthorne St (at Howard St), San Francisco, CA
New American Restaurant · SoMa · 93 tips and reviews

EaterEater: A unique mix of East and West flavors bring Corey Lee's French technique, California produce, and Korean heritage into focus, with dishes like foie gras xiao long bao. Read more.

Saison is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

36. Saison

8.3
178 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA
New American Restaurant · South Beach · 64 tips and reviews

EaterEater: The nightly dishes change often, achieving the artsy, evocative heights chefs of Josh Skenes' ilk aspire to, but — most importantly — they are damn delicious. Read more.

Deli Board is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

37. Deli Board

9.1
1058 Folsom St (at Russ St), San Francisco, CA
Sandwich Spot · SoMa · 270 tips and reviews

EaterEater: This SoMa deli doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to heaping finely-crafted meats onto its pillow rolls. The menu changes daily, but it always includes Romanian pastrami. Read more.

Cockscomb is one of The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter.

38. Cockscomb

564 4th St, San Francisco, CA
New American Restaurant · SoMa · 81 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Beef heart tartare, foie gras deviled eggs with chicken skin, and an entire roasted pig head with a gold leaf-adorned snout are just a few of the memorable dishes here, backed up by solid cocktails. Read more.