Tasting menus, Michelin stars and the chefs redefining San Francisco.
Tasting menus, Michelin stars, and the kitchens redefining what fine dining means in San Francisco.
Atelier Crenn in San Francisco is Dominique Crenn's three-Michelin-star Cow Hollow flagship, a poetry-of-cuisine vegetable-and-seafood tasting in 30 seats.
Tip: Sit at the chef's counter in the back for a longer hand-off and more conversation with the line.
Saison in San Francisco is a three-Michelin-star hearth-driven tasting in SoMa, with live-fire seafood and California game over an oak fire that runs all night.
Tip: Counter seats face the fire; the four-top tables at the back catch less of the kitchen action.
Quince in San Francisco is Michael Tusk's three-Michelin-star Jackson Square room, an Italian-inflected California tasting from the Fresh Run Farm produce supply.
Tip: The neighbouring Cotogna sister room runs the same kitchen at a quarter the price, with walk-in seating.
Benu in San Francisco is Corey Lee's three-Michelin-star modern Korean American tasting in SoMa, with a 14-seat counter and a 30-course pace through three hours.
Tip: The bar at sister Monsieur Benjamin takes walk-ins and runs the same culture on a bistro budget.
Californios in San Francisco is Val Cantu's two-Michelin-star modern Mexican tasting in SoMa, with masa from heritage corns nixtamalised in-house every morning.
Tip: The wine pairing is a strong commit; the agave pairing is the move if you want sotol and mezcal.
Lazy Bear in San Francisco is David Barzelay's two-Michelin-star Mission tasting room run as a communal dinner party for 40 guests across two long tables.
Tip: Bring a notebook; the kitchen hands out a course list and pencils, and the menu rotates fast.
Birdsong in San Francisco is Christopher Bleidorn's two-Michelin-star Pacific Northwest tasting in SoMa, with a hearth-cooked menu rooted in foraging and shellfish.
Tip: The kitchen-counter four-top is the best seat; ask for it when booking opens at 09:00 Pacific.
Kin Khao in San Francisco is Pim Techamuanvivit's one-Michelin-star regional Thai room near Union Square, with a kitchen set menu rotating the rabbit green curry.
Tip: The $95 set menu is better value than ordering a la carte; ask whether the cold larb is running.
Octavia in San Francisco is Melissa Perello's one-Michelin-star Pacific Heights room with a day-boat fish set menu and a long market-driven a la carte.
Tip: The heirloom tomato course in August is the year's set piece; book at the end of July to land an August seat.
Mister Jiu's in San Francisco is Brandon Jew's one-Michelin-star Cal-Chinese flagship in Chinatown, with whole-duck dinners and an upstairs cocktail room.
Tip: Book the whole roast duck 48 hours ahead by phone; it does not appear on the website ordering form.
Rich Table in San Francisco is Evan and Sarah Rich's one-Michelin-star Hayes Valley room near the opera house, with the city's most-cited house pasta program.
Tip: The chef-counter tasting is the best seat in the room and adds a hand-rolled pasta supplement.
Spruce in San Francisco is Mark Sullivan's one-Michelin-star Presidio Heights bistro with a dry-aged steak programme and a cellar that runs into the thousands.
Tip: The bar room takes walk-ins; the side-cart cheese trolley is the closing move regardless of where you sit.
Peak food season in San Francisco is year-round.
Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.
service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.
Ask the next local you meet what they would order. San Francisco rewards trust.