Did you know that
San Francisco is widely considered the food capital of the US? It's not necessarily official since New York City is also still in the running, but it remains a notable part of the city. San Francisco undoubtedly has a world-class culinary scene, complete with diverse cuisines, awesome vibes, and high-quality hotspots. Let's focus on the latter, for this instance. The Bay Area boasts several Michelin-starred restaurants, each more fabulous than the next. Among the most popular include Lazy Bear on 19th Street, Saison on Townsend Street, Quince on Pacific Avenue, and Kiln on Fell Street. They prove that San Francisco has what it takes to reign supreme over the culinary world.
Angler
Located in the waterfront
Embarcadero district, Angler offers a feast for the eyes and the taste buds. You can see the striking Bay Bridge and Treasure Island from here, which is more than enough reason to check this place out. However, if that's not enough, indulge in their high-quality haute cuisine. Half sea-bream with coconut & swarnadwipa, anyone? Or some wood oven-roasted half chicken with lettuce? You can enjoy all of this and more in one Michelin-star bistro at 132 The Embarcadero!
Address: 132 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105, United States
Source: Angler San Francisco Instagram Page
Atelier Crenn
Dominique Crenn made history as the first female chef in the US to earn three Michelin stars. If that's not enough to convince you to check Atelier Crenn out, what will? Perhaps the well-curated menu of French cuisine? Crenn grew up in Brittany and enthused her beloved hometown into her menu of European haute cuisine. And with award-winning chef pâtissier Juan Contreras heading the pastries and desserts, your taste buds are in for a good time!
Address: 3127 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94123, United States
Source: Atelier Crenn Facebook Page.
Benu
Much like Aterlier Crenn, Benu is also one of the very few three-time Michelin-starred restaurants in San Francisco. It's no surprise to see why, considering that Chef Corey Lee crafts each dish as if it's a work of art. They don't just look good, but they taste good, and, more importantly, will make you feel good. Benu goes above and beyond in whipping up vegan, seafood, and meat courses that adhere to any customer's dietary needs and restrictions. Hence, the place offers a culinary experience you won't ever forget!
Address: 22 Hawthorne St, San Francisco, CA 94105, United States
Source: Benu Instagram Page.
Kiln
Kiln boasts two Michelin stars under its belt, and it's all thanks to Chef John Wesley. This Michelin Young Chef Award winner offers a unique, Nordic-inspired menu amidst the many other hotspots on Fell Street in
Haight-Ashbury, one of the Bay Area's most popular neighborhoods. Its location gives it stiff competition, but Kiln still knocks it out of the park with its burnt honey-drizzled squab breast lacquered paired with truffled jus. Moreover, the dishes always come out looking like a work of art, each more Instagram-worthy than the next.
Address: 149 Fell St, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States
Source: Kiln SF Facebook Page
Lazy Bear
The
Mission District may boast many of the best places to eat in San Francisco, but Lazy Bear arguably stands head and shoulders above most of them. The communal hotspot at 3416 19th Street boasts two Michelin stars, after all, thanks to Chef David Barzelay and his talented crew of culinary professionals. They're the geniuses behind many of Lazy Bear's classic American dishes, including their mouthwatering smoked beef sando and fried pig's head sandwich, to name a few. What's not to love?
Address: 3416 19th St, San Francisco, CA 94110, United States
Source: Lazy Bear Facebook Page
Mister Jiu’s
Though it's easy to get lost in
Chinatown's labyrinth of restaurants and diners, you'd do well to stop by Mister Jiu’s on Waverly Place. Not only does it boast one Michelin star under its belt, but it's also one of the newer hotspots in town. For it to earn such recognition in a relatively short amount of time proves that there's something worthwhile to expect here. Naturally, this includes their fabulous seasonal menu of Chinese delicacies, especially their Pecking-style roast duck and black pepper-seasoned oysters.
Address: 28 Waverly Pl, San Francisco, CA 94108, United States
Source: Mister Jiu’s Facebook Page
Niku Steakhouse
Classic steak prepared Japanese-style? Yes, please! One look at Niku Steakhouse's succulent beef tartare and wagyu tsukune, and you'll instantly understand why the place earned one Michelin star. Every bite will even convince you that they serve more, especially if you indulge in their ember-roasted main steaks, be it their King River filet mignon or Westholme wagyu tomahawk. Now, most of these may cost you hundreds of dollars, but rest assured that every cent is worth it!
Address: 61 Division St, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States
Source: Niku Steakhouse Facebook Page
Quince
Contemporary Californian cuisine is alive and well in Quince, another rare three-time Michelin-starred restaurant along Pacific Avenue. Chef Michael Tusk opened this elite hotspot to provide the perfect space for a farm-to-table eatery, ensuring that every dish you order is the freshest it could be. Their farm is even near the city, located only 30 miles away from
San Francisco's central neighborhoods. From its lushest greens to its most succulent fruits, each bite will tantalize your taste buds in new and exciting ways.
Address: 470 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133, United States
Source: Quince Instagram Page
Saison
Two Michelin-starred Chef Richard Lee heads the kitchen at Saison, one of the most refined spots on this list. He crafted the restaurant’s haute French menu, consisting of the country's most sumptuous dishes and delicacies. There's champagne mignonette-soaked oysters, chicken liver mousse, steak tartare, and deviled eggs, to name a few. If you can afford it, you can also enjoy some quality Kaluga Reserve or Parfait À La Mina caviar. Talk about high class, right?
Address: Arc Light Apartments - 178 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94107, United States
Source: Saison Facebook Page
Sons & Daughters
The nine-course tasting menu at Sons & Daughters on Bush Street may cost as much as $295.00 per head, but one bite is enough to understand why it deserves such a high price tag. With two Michelin stars under its belt, this fabulous hotspot is one of the very few vegetarian places on this list. Sustainability is the name of the game here, too, as they only make use of the freshest produce from the best farms nearby. What more could a vegetarian foodie in San Francisco ever ask for?
Address: Prado 704 Bush LLC - 708 Bush St, San Francisco, CA 94108, United States
Source: Sons & Daughters Facebook Page
San Francisco’s Michelin-starred restaurants prove that the city truly deserves to be known as America’s food capital. Spread throughout the Bay Area, these high-class hotspots serve quality cuisine at its finest.
