The TOP 10 Modern Restaurants in San Francisco

What is it? Friends Only sits at 1501 California St, a ten-minute walk from Union Square. This farm-to-table restaurant focuses on contemporary, creative cooking within a space designed for fine dining.

Why we love it: The restaurant commands a 4.96 rating across over fifty reviews, a rare consensus for a destination that prioritizes high-end, creative plates. While it sits within 1,500 meters of the busy Yerba Buena Gardens, the dining room offers a private, romantic atmosphere that feels distinct from the surrounding city rush.

Good to Know: Friends Only leans into a strict smart and elegant dress code, so save the denim for your walk over from the Transamerica Pyramid.

What is it? Nari sits at 1625 Post Street, a ten-minute walk from Union Square and roughly an eight-minute stroll from Grace Cathedral. It is a Michelin-starred destination that balances modern, luxury dining with a focus on Vietnamese cuisine.

Why we love it: The kitchen manages a rare feat in San Francisco by anchoring complex, modern Vietnamese flavors within a formal, romantic setting. With a guest rating of 4.64 from nearly 500 reviews, it succeeds because it treats the high-end, fine dining experience as a vehicle for tradition rather than a departure from it.

Good to Know: Given the smart and elegant dress code, Nari is a preferred choice for special occasions when you want to avoid the city’s more casual dining landscape.

What is it? The Wild is a restaurant located at 201 Spear Street, suite 120. It sits a ten-minute walk from the Ferry Building Marketplace and is situated within striking distance of the Yerba Buena Gardens and SFMOMA.

Why we love it: This is a destination for those who prioritize a contemporary, farm-to-table approach in a fine dining setting. The price point reflects its position as a high-end choice for the area, and with an average guest rating of 4.72, it consistently executes its creative menu to a high standard for a discerning crowd.

Good to Know: The Wild requires a smart and elegant dress code to match the terrace atmosphere, so plan your attire accordingly for the outdoor seating.

What is it? LUCE is a Michelin-starred restaurant located at 888 Howard St. It sits a short five-minute walk from the Yerba Buena Gardens and is equally accessible from the Children’s Creativity Museum.

Why we love it: While many venues in the area lean toward casual walk-ins, LUCE commits to a formal, modern dining experience that warrants its price point. It balances a farm-to-table focus with the precision expected of its Michelin status, appealing to those who prefer a calculated, romantic atmosphere over a bustling crowd. The Wine Spectator Excellence Award underscores a commitment to the bottle that complements the contemporary menu.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code at LUCE is strictly observed, so expect to see guests in full business attire or formal evening wear.

What is it? Dalida sits at 101 Montgomery St, Suite 100, just a five-minute walk from the Transamerica Pyramid. This restaurant focuses on Mediterranean, seafood, and farm-to-table cooking in a setting that balances fine dining with a terrace.

Why we love it: While many spots in the Financial District lean toward the utilitarian, Dalida prioritizes a romantic, fine-dining environment that feels distinct from the surrounding glass towers. With a guest rating of 4.74 from over 600 reviews, it succeeds by grounding an expensive, upscale menu in the reliability of its farm-to-table sourcing.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code at Dalida suggests a transition from the nearby Union Square boutiques to the dining room, so leave the business casual at the office if you want to match the terrace atmosphere.

What is it? Robin is a Michelin-starred Japanese fusion restaurant located at 620 Gough Street. It sits a ten-minute walk from Hayes Valley and roughly twenty minutes from the War Memorial Opera House.

Why we love it: This is an expensive, luxury-focused space that manages to bypass the stuffiness often found in fine dining. By blending Japanese techniques with creative fusion sensibilities, the kitchen delivers a singular experience that justifies its high 4.77 rating from over 500 diners.

Good to Know: The menu at Robin prioritizes an adventurous approach to sushi, so be prepared to step away from traditional expectations when ordering.

What is it? Sons & Daughters is on 18th Street, a ten-minute walk from the grass at Dolores Park and roughly eight minutes from Mission Dolores. It holds two Michelin stars and maintains a Wine Spectator Excellence Award.

Why we love it: The kitchen focuses on modern, creative, farm-to-table cooking that justifies its place at the top of the city's price tiers. With a guest rating of 4.80 across over 300 reviews, the consistency here separates it from the more casual dining options found on nearby Valencia Street. It offers a refined, romantic atmosphere that prioritizes fine dining precision over the bustle of the surrounding neighborhood.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code at Sons & Daughters reflects the serious nature of its modern, farm-to-table tasting menus.

What is it? The Palm Court at RH San Francisco sits at 590 20th St, a twenty-minute walk from Oracle Park. This fine dining restaurant specializes in a farm-to-table approach with a contemporary menu focused on seafood.

Why we love it: The space prioritizes a high-end, beautiful aesthetic that elevates the typical dining experience. With nearly 400 guests providing a 4.68 rating, the venue succeeds by balancing the precision of contemporary seafood preparations against a bright, refined atmosphere.

Good to Know: Given the farm-to-table focus of The Palm Court at RH San Francisco, request a table on the terrace to best appreciate the transition from the indoor dining room to the outdoor setting.

What is it? The Slanted Door sits at 6000 Bollinger Canyon Rd Suite 1300 in San Ramon. This Michelin-starred restaurant specializes in Vietnamese and South East Asian fusion cuisine.

Why we love it: It offers a fine dining experience that balances the precision of its Michelin-starred kitchen with the openness of a terrace setting. With a guest rating of 4.54 from 344 reviews, it serves as a reliable destination for those seeking a mid-priced meal just a short walk from the Bishop Ranch Regional Preserve.

Good to Know: The Slanted Door maintains a smart and elegant dress code, so trade the casual wear for something polished to match the view.

What is it? Wayfare Tavern is a Michelin-starred restaurant located at 201 Pine Street. It sits a five-minute walk from the Transamerica Pyramid and is within ten minutes of Chinatown and Union Square.

Why we love it: This restaurant bridges the gap between farm-to-table sourcing and classic, refined preparation. While the neighborhood is crowded with options, the 4.62 rating from over 2,700 guests suggests a level of consistency that anchors its reputation for fine dining. It manages to feel romantic despite being positioned in a high-traffic area.

Good to Know: The kitchen focuses on farm-to-table ingredients, so consult the seasonal menu updates to see how the modern approach currently interprets classic styles.