Top Rated Restaurants & Cafes in San Francisco

Named after the owner's mother whose recipes have inspired the menu, Hazel serves a fusion of traditional Southern food with inspirations taken from Texas, Georgia, and Louisiana. The interiors are also inspired by the owner's childhood home. Golden accents dominate the 70s-themed space featuring a lot of TVs, pool tables, a mural of Hazel and beautiful artwork. The menu is dotted with comfort food such as Tater Tot Nachos and Hazel's Fried Chicken, with the bar serving over 200 different whiskey options, craft cocktails, and beers.

Helmed by NYC's culinary scene stalwarts Aris Tuazon and Jim Harvey Sy, Manila Bowl introduces authentic Filipino cuisine to San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood. The menu predominantly features Filipino-style rice bowls with flavors and ingredients that represent the diverse food culture of the Southeast Asian island nation. The signature dishes on the menu include chicken adobo bowl, beef pares bowl, bangus sisig bowl and vegetarian laing bowl. You can also customize your own bowl by choosing from a wide selection of rice base, protein and toppings.

With over 30 years of combined high-end restaurant experience in San Francisco and New York, wine director, Maz Naba and chefs, Sarah and Evan Rich, have created the newest buzz-worthy restaurant in the San Francisco Bay Area. Rich Table is located in the chic neighborhood of Hayes Valley and offers fine dining cuisine in a casual setting. The menu at this charming eatery changes daily, with a focus on balancing rich and exciting flavors in carefully conceived dishes that are simple in presentation. Reservations are advised as this up and coming restaurant is a foodies must visit.

A brainchild of chef Kim Alter, Nightbird is a celebrated culinary spot of the city. Delighting gourmands since 2016, this place is a personification of class and sophistication. Decked in wooden undertones, the interior is rustic yet chic with yellow lights casting a warm glow over the surroundings. The ambiance sets a perfect mood for their five-course menu which features creatively done dishes that are plated with utmost thoughtfulness and taste just as good as they look. Well-crafted cocktails take your dining bliss to a yet another high thus ensuring that discerning patrons look forward to their regularly changing menu.

Cadillac Bar and Grill is a casual Mexican eatery situated in vibrant SoMa. The ambiance is lively and the staff personable, which makes for a great night out on the town. The restaurant highlights real Mexican dishes packed with flavor that pair well with their specialty hand-shaken margaritas made with fresh ingredients. Savor aperitivos like queso flameado or chicken panchos, followed by signature puffy tacos filled with ingredients like turkey chorizo, slow-braised pork or grilled steak. Seafood enthusiasts can opt for the grilled red snapper with Veracruzano sauce or the mesquite-grilled prawns. Excellent happy hours between 3p and 6p from Monday to Friday means this place is always abuzz with energy; it's a great place to unwind with friends after a long day.

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.