Top Rated Restaurants & Cafes in San Francisco

People watch and indulge in the fabulous dining at this San Francisco favorite. Known equally well for its affluent clientele and its oven-roasted chicken, this hot spot is worth the wait. Dinner entrees are nominally priced, though specials will cost you a bit more. If you are not enamored with the dinner scene, try visiting late mornings or early afternoons when you can sip on a latte (or scarf a Gorgonzola-topped burger) and watch the fog lift.

While the mythical and much-hyped liqueur after which this establishment is named is not served here, many equally potent concoctions are. Specialty drinks, such as the Perfect Pear and the Ginger Rogers, seem to contain pure alcohol, and even a standard margarita packs an unbelievable wallop. If you're looking for something to help mitigate the effects of a strong drink, then ditch the regular bar peanuts for Absinthe's bar snacks. This bar offers bread with a smooth fig spread, croque monsieur and more. The menu changes daily, but any antipasto platter of cured meats is sure to please, as will the particularly rich duck confit. You can enjoy your meal in the main room or at a cafe-style table on the sidewalk, but if you're looking for a quieter spot, book a table in the private dining room.

Casual, bright and cheerful, Papito West is a nice little Mexican eatery serving a selection of delicious Mexican fare, open for lunch and dinner. The restaurant is not you're usual fast-food spot, rather it takes pride on the freshness and quality of its ingredients and even features a raw bar where you can enjoy fresh cevice, crudo and oysters. With a great selection of mouth-watering gourmet burritos, try out combinations like the duck confit burrito, papa con chorizo prepared with homemade Mexican chorizo and vegetariano with crispy tofu and wild mushrooms. The interesting wall mural adds a unique touch of character to the space. The restaurant is a popular lunch spot, with office goers crowding it for their mid-day dose of Mexican fare.

Situated close to Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco, Baia is a cozy Italian restaurant. This sophisticated restaurant is owned and managed by Matthew Kenney. The menu offers a wide range of plant-based meals that take you through the traditional flavors of Italy. Some of the items served here includes pastas, salads, pizzas, frittata and more. To complement their meals, they even serve an extensive variety of wines, cocktails and beers. The restaurant also offers space to host private and corporate events here.

MOYA is a great place for drinks and Ethiopian food in SOMA. Try one of their specialty organic Ethiopian coffees or teas. If you are new to Ethiopian cuisine, you might be surprised to learn that no utensils are needed; eating is done with your right hand only. If you are an Ethiopian food lover, you will find this restaurant authentic, delicious and satisfying. Try ordering the Ingudai Tibs, which is a wonderfully made Ethiopian mushroom sautee, the Doro Tibs and traditional Ethiopian injera bread. The vegetarian foods are also delicious; the veggie sampler is amazing.

In an area that is remarkably devoid of grocery stores, Harvest Urban Market stands as an oasis of speciality food, fresh produce and pre-packaged, healthy meals. The store boasts an impressive variety of fresh organic produce, speciality foods, wine, beer, coffees, and other items you would expect to find at a market. Apart from offering an array of pre-packaged deli meals like salads and sandwiches, the store also has a hot deli section where you can order freshly prepared meals to-go and an extensive salad bar. Their cafe serves coffee and light snacks throughout the day, while breakfast is served until 3p daily. Catering services are available as well. Although it's prices may be somewhat higher than competitors, it's convenient location and delicious offerings have made the Harvest Urban Market the go-to choice for many.