A tapas bar with a vermouth menu and a New American spot with a signature Gibson
by Zagat
Always on the hunt for the hottest new tables in San Francisco's rapidly changing dining scene? Stay up to date with our monthly shortlist. From a pair of impressive Mid-Market additions to a new NoPa spot for late-night stonepot — plus a Marina wine bar encouraging you to double down on wine pairings (both "complement" and "contrast" pours) — here are the 11 hottest restaurants to try right now.
Villon
All-day New American meals & drinks
www.properhotel.com
An elegant all-day restaurant and lounge lands in Mid-Market’s Proper Hotel, where chef Jason Franey (Campton Place, Restaurant 1833) offers a highbrow New American menu built on seasonal elements and themed cocktails by the BVHospitality (Trick Dog, Bon Vivants) team. There’s a main dining room plus a lounge and intimate private event seating in this restored building, which features soaring ceilings, muted colors and chic furnishings.
Gibson
Live-fire dishes & drinks in chic digs
www.gibsonsf.com
Chef Robin Song (Hog & Rocks) crafts the live-fire selections at this Tenderloin dinner destination tucked in the Hotel Bijou, where seasonal ingredients star in several shareable dishes and on a New American tasting menu. Cocktail options include classics and shrubs, and the art deco interior features arched windows, teal banquettes, mirrored columns and soaring ceilings with whimsical murals.
Eight Tables by George Chen
High-end, ornate Chinese tasting menus
www.eighttables.com
Chef George Chen balances Chinese tradition and innovation at this upscale, tasting menu-focused restaurant and bar within China Live; dishes like caviar dumplings and banana leaf-steamed black cod are served in an order established during the 10th-century Song Dynasty. The polished, second-floor space (accessed via a discreet alleyway and freight elevator) is luxe banquet hall meets upper-class Shanghai apartment – with indeed just eight tables.
Parigo
Chic wine bar with an elevated food menu
www.ParigoSF.com
Chef George Chen balances Chinese tradition and innovation at this upscale, tasting menu-focused restaurant and bar within China Live; dishes like caviar dumplings and banana leaf-steamed black cod are served in an order established during the 10th-century Song Dynasty. The polished, second-floor space (accessed via a discreet alleyway and freight elevator) is luxe banquet hall meets upper-class Shanghai apartment – with indeed just eight tables.
Ardiana
Modern Mediterranean-Italian eats & wine
www.ardianasf.com
Sharon Ardiana (Ragazza, Gialina) and her team put a Mediterranean-Italian accent on California ingredients at this Noe Valley neighborhood destination serving shareable small plates, salads, elevated entrees and thin-crust pizzas (including gluten-free versions). Expect a sophisticated yet approachable interior with blond-wood banquettes, mid-century-modern furnishings and seats at an L-shaped counter, plus bright blue accents and a wall of windows.
FoxSister
Edgy spot for Korean bar snacks & drinks
www.ardianasf.com
Korean anju (think handmade noodles, spicy fried chicken, rice cakes and other drink-friendly snacks), soju cocktails, wine and Asian beers are on offer at this edgy Mission bar and kitchen from Brandon Kirksey (flour + water, Slanted Door), where a wheatpaste wall mural, strings of lights and old-school tunes set the backdrop for bar and table seating.
Casey's Pizza
Thin-crust pies & beer in modern digs
www.caseyspizzas.com
A food truck mainstay brings its brick-and-mortar debut to Mission Bay, offering classic thin-crust, East Coast-style pies and seasonal specials, plus beer, wine and soda, in sleek, airy quarters with floor-to-ceiling front windows, wooden banquettes and a bold green tile bar overlooking the kitchen.
Barcino
Stylish spot for tapas & cocktails
www.barcinosf.com
The Absinthe Group (Bellota, Absinthe, Comstock) brings Catalan cuisine to Hayes Valley with this bustling dinner spot that presents sharable tapas, oysters and desserts, plus beer, cava and cocktails (including a selection of Spanish vermouths). Big windows, high ceilings, heavy beams and lush plants surround stylish banquette, bar and table seats.
Petit Marlowe
French bistro & wine bar with oysters
www.petitmarlowesf.com
The Big Night restaurant group (Park Tavern, Leo’s Oyster Bar, The Cavalier) is behind this elevated Marlowe spinoff set on the China Basin side of SoMa, where oysters, raw platters, French bites and fine wine are offered in an intimate, Parisian-inspired locale with a marble bar, cozy banquettes, vintage globe lights and a soundtrack of old-school French records.
Robin
Elegant spot for hyper-seasonal sushi
www.robinsanfrancisco.com
Adam Tortosa (formerly of 1760 and Akiko’s) chose Hayes Valley for his hyper-seasonal sushi spot offering locally sourced fish available omakase- or a la carte-style in the main dining room and on an omakase menu at the bar. There’s also wine, beer and sake by the bottle or the glass in the stylish, intimate dinner space that’s outfitted with the work of Bay Area artists – from Jered’s Pottery tableware, to FireClay Tiles behind the bar, to custom wooden tables and rose gold resin dripping down the walls.
Namu Stonepot
Buzzy locale for Cal-Asian combos
www.namustonepot.com
The brothers behind Namu Gaji located their buzzy Cal-Asian follow-up on Divisadero, creating a Nopa-Western Addition destination for playful stonepot rice combos, spicy sides, salads and desserts like baked mochi with dark chocolate ganache. The modern space is outfitted with walnut counters, colorful murals and an open kitchen.