3 Best Restaurants in San Francisco, California

Coqueta

$$$

With its Bay Bridge views and stellar Spanish tapas, celebrity chef Michael Chiarello's San Francisco restaurant is a big hit that’s equal parts rustic and chic, a lively destination for both small bites and larger meals. Toothpicked pintxos (small snacks) like quail egg with sausage are a tasty way to start, but the real draws are the inventive cocktails, luscious paella, and dazzling selection of cured meats.

Spanish Lunch Dinner $$$
San Francisco, California, 94111, USA
415-704–8866
coquetasf.com
Known For
  • smoked salmon montadito (a small sandwich)
  • sangria from a porrón (a pitcher that people also drink from)
  • churros with chocolate
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential

The Commissary

$$$$ | Presidio
Order a Spanish brandy riff on a Negroni and a few tapas, then get ready for one of the city’s top Spanish dining experiences right by the Walt Disney Museum. Chef-owner Traci Des Jardins and her team does a fantastic job incorporating local produce and Bay Area spirit to tapas bar classics like patatas bravas and warm cheese fritters. The best seat in the house is the L-shape chef’s counter but only earlier at night when the kitchen is humming.

Zarzuela

$$ | Russian Hill

Full-blooded Spaniards swear by the paella at this tiny old-world-style bistro, complete with matador posters on the wall. Also not to be missed is the homemade sangria—or any of the impressive roster of tapas prepared by Madrid-bred chef Lucas Gasco. Arched windows overlook Hyde Street and the cable cars rolling by. Riding the Powell–Hyde line to and from dinner adds to the romance of the evening and saves you the nightmare of parking in this neighborhood.

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