Amy Sherman

There's so much to love about San Francisco: the dramatic views, charming architecture, vibrant culture, and stunning natural beauty, to name a few. What makes this lovely backdrop even better, of course, is the city's vibrant restaurants.   Undebatable is the fact that San Francisco has long been the envy of the world for its innovative, diverse culinary scene. In every neighborhood, long-standing family restaurants persist fervently, while up-and-coming chefs flock here to pursue their dreams and push the boundaries of flavor and technique. From the bounty of local produce available to the spirit of innovation that runs through the city, to the diversity of those who call this place home, it all comes together to create dining experiences you'd be hard-pressed to find elsewhere.  With all of this in mind, creating the list of best restaurants in San Francisco is no easy feat—we could have easily added another 50 deserving of recognition. But with this list, we aim to showcase the city's diversity. From classics like Zuni Cafe that have never wavered in quality in 40 years to buzzy new Michelin designees like sustainable seafood-focused Aphotic, we are confident these 49 best restaurants in San Francisco won't let you down.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in San Francisco🥑 The best brunch in San Francisco🍸 The best rooftop bars in San Francisco🛍️ The best thrift stores in San Francisco🎨 The best galleries in San Francisco

In town for a weekend and searching for the best place to party it up? San Francisco has an eclectic assortment of places that cater to your every whim: gay dance clubs, karaoke emporiums, salsa dancefloors and everything in between. Going to a nightclub in San Francisco is the perfect way to cap off a day of hiking this beautiful city’s paths, indulging in romantic meals, enjoying creative public art, and taking in that incredible vista of city, bay and ocean. San Francisco’s history as a music scene during the Summer of Love and the decades thereafter still exists here. Whether you’re enjoying live music or a DJ’s clever selection, you may still feel the echo of Sly and the Family Stone, Jefferson Airplane, Carlos Santana, the Grateful Dead, Journey and other bands who established themselves in the heart of San Francisco. So lift a glass, post up at the bar and chatter away when the lights go down in the city.

Wine tasting in Napa can feel like an extravagant activity, but there's still a good number of places where you can get a lot of bang for your buck. This is a dream day out for couples or groups of friends, and if you're looking for where to stay when you're there, we've got you covered below too.  On our list of the best wine tasting sessions in Napa, we've included some more high-end options as well as some for as little as $35. Some recommend booking and others offer walk-in sessions. Some are 1.5 hours while others are whole days of fun, and plenty of them include bottles you can take home too. Whatever your budget, here are the best wine tastings in Napa right now.  RECOMMENDED:🏠 The best Airbnbs in Napa🏨 The best hotels in Napa

San Francisco’s fun side is no secret. This city is packed with fantastic bars, clubs and restaurants, and you’re never short of things to do once the sun goes down. But SF isn’t all thumping clubs and huge beer halls: some of the best nightlife in the city have actually remained a secret.  Yep, we’re talking about speakeasies, and you’ll find them dotted all around the city, hidden where you’d least expect it. These are the most secretive, swankiest spots around, and the hidden doors, great cocktails and more make them a lot of fun. Think of it as a private club without the pretentious membership fees. Here are the best speakeasies in San Francisco right now.  RECOMMENDED:⭐ The best Michelin star restaurants in San Francisco🌮 The best restaurants in San Francisco🍸 The best rooftop bars in San Francisco📍 The best things to do in San Francisco This guide was updated by Amy Sherman, a writer based in San Francisco. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

In San Francisco, it would be wrong not to go for brunch. This city is known for its breakfast offerings (or rather, the meal that falls slap bang in the middle of breakfast and lunch), and the options are pretty much never ending. San Fran does not just offer your standard eggs and pancakes (though those are good here). Oh no.  Here you’ll find Bloody Marys to knock your socks off, catfish eggs benedict with home potatoes, and breakfast dim sum with mango pudding. You’ll get your hangover cured with crisp bacon and your day started right with a steady stream of mimosas. There’s no better city for it, so make a reservation at one of our top spots, or try your luck and show up. Here are the best brunch spots in San Francisco.  RECOMMENDED:🥞 The best breakfast in San Francisco☕ The best coffee in San Francisco🌮 The best restaurants in San Francisco🏨 The best hotels in San Francisco

By all means, keep dining out at the best restaurants in SF if that’s more your style, but if you’re craving a delicious meal at home, the best cooking classes in San Francisco will help sharpen your kitchen skills while expanding your palate. After all, sometimes you just need to eat at home (your wallet will thank you), and there’s no reason your at-home meals can’t be restaurant-quality. To give you a boost, cooking schools and classes throughout San Francisco offer an array of culinary topics in spaces that range from professional kitchens to homey environments. Whether you’re keen to cook your favorite Thai dishes, recreate your go-to Indian delivery order, or simply practice using a chef’s knife without stabbing yourself like a newbie, these lessons will have you cooking with gas in no time. Get ready to throw on an apron and get to work. Here’s our guide to the best cooking classes in San Francisco. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in San Francisco This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

The Internet is basically the world’s biggest singles bar, but that doesn’t mean you should limit yourself to swiping left or right. There is still something to be said for getting out of the house and meeting someone new the old-fashioned way—in a bar. And it all feels novel again coming out of the pandemic.  Fortunately, San Francisco offers bars for singles and everyone and anyone who is on the prowl. Whether you are looking for a hookup, a booty call, or true everlasting love, there is a spot for you. Choose from casual bars in the Mission with outdoor patios, a downtown beer hall, or the hottest cruise bar in SoMa; These bars are welcome proof that seeking connections with living, breathing humans doesn't have to be soul-sucking. Here are 12 of the best places to grab a drink — and meet someone, too. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best bars in San Francisco  

Coffee in San Francisco has long played an important in the city. The first cup of restaurant coffee in the West was actually served here, in 1846, and mega brands including Hills Brothers and Folgers got their start in San Francisco as well. Of course, the legacy wasn’t all big business here—in the 1950s, the Italian espresso houses of North Beach were popular meeting spots for the famous beat poets, too. Today, “third wave” coffee roasters are everywhere and great coffee isn’t hard to find in San Francisco. Looking for a jolt of caffeine before tackling the best things to do in San Francisco? We know some places downtown. Need somewhere to hunker down with a laptop? We've got you covered. No matter where you are in SF, here's where to find the best coffee in San Francisco.  RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in San Francisco

Looking for a quick meal on-the-go? These San Francisco food trucks serve some of the best dessert, dinner, lunch and breakfast in San Francisco without having to wait around for a table. Every day of the week, all over town, you’ll find great street food events in San Francisco, from Off The Grid and Soma StrEat Food Park to Spark and Truck Stop SF. And don't forget the roving trucks and permanent kiosks at local farmers markets. Head to one of these San Francisco food trucks for affordable, creative and convenient food and the chance to dine al fresco.  RECOMMENDED: Best restaurants in San Francisco

San Francisco is a wonderland of bargain bites. Depending upon the neighborhood, you can find affordable tacos, ramen, slices of pizza and banh mi sandwiches galore, but the real challenge lies in finding a complete meal in the $10 range. Look in the right places and you’ll find juicy Nepalese dumplings, authentic Greek specialties, Middle Eastern and Filipino food that all come in under budget. In addition to the classics, the newest options include destination worthy yet low priced versions of burgers, Asian bowls, vegan food and a restaurant from a popular food truck. Be sure to check the hours as some spots are only open for breakfast and lunch. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in San Francisco

As the home of the Warriors, 49ers, Sharks, A's, Giants and Earthquakes, there's never a lack of games to watch on TV in the Bay Area. But sometimes you want to watch with other die-hard fans, and that's where the best sports bars in San Francisco come in. Whether you prefer a gritty local dive bar or a modern San Francisco brewery, you can expect HD TVs, beer and rabid fans at these top spots. If you swear allegiance to a team based outside of the Bay Area, we have spots where you can feel at home. If you like to watch golf or tennis or boxing or race car driving, there are bars for that too. So order a craft beer, nosh on some wings and root along with other fans at the best sports bars in San Francisco.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best bars in San Francisco

One of the easiest ways to experience Napa Valley is on a fun tour. If you're planning to drive through Wine Country, consider booking an informative tour and tasting at one of the best wineries in Napa. If you'd rather leave the car behind, you can board a train, zip around on a Segway, peddle through the vineyards on a bicycle or take in the view of the valley from a hot air balloon. A standard Napa Valley wine tour will cover the history of the winery and explain how wine is made, but may also include venturing into the cellars, vineyards, and even a museum or art gallery before ending with a wine tasting. Afterwards, sit down at one of the best restaurants in Napa before you head home.  RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Napa