San Francisco Dinner Recommendations

[CBearse]

 

Looking for dinner recommendations for an upcoming group golf trip to San Francisco and Pebble Beach. We will have (5) people in San Francisco for three nights and (7) in Pebble Beach for six nights.

 

I have already been recommended Original Joe's in San Francisco and was thinking about booking Epic Steak also (looked like cool views on website). East coast group from West Virgina, looking for a place to get a nice seafood dinner as well.

Edited April 3 by CBearse

[supergriff34]

Last time i was at epic steak the food left a lot to be desired. 

 

[aloha b.]

Original Joe's Westlake in Daly City is very good and popular. It's not too far from Harding Park. I would suggest getting reservations. 

For seafood, The Waterfront Restaurant for seafood is good and has views of the bay and Baybridge.

For steaks Alexander's Steakhouse or Harris Restaurant both in the City.

Pictures from Westlake Joe's and Alexander's. 

[James the Hogan Fan]

I like to recommend Nation's Hamburgers for quick, no frills diner fare for breakfast and lunch to anyone visiting the bay area.

 

For more dinnery, upscale fare:

The Beach Chalet on the west end of Golden Gate park has excellent views and atmosphere with solid (higher-priced) food options and and a reasonable selection of in-house brewed beers, and happy hour offerings.

 

I recently had a good meal at Capurro's next to Ghirardelli Square. Mid-price seafood, in a bit more of a touristy spot. My pasta was excellent, my wife thought the salmon was a tinge dry, online reviews are mostly positive. If you eat there (or are in the area) you MUST go to the Ghirardelli Ice Cream shop a block over. (Or you can cross that one off in Monterey as well)

 

[Chanceman]

Uber Eats means you can eat in. My choice in Sfo.

[aloha b.]

If you wanted to try Alexander’s Steakhouse, I know the manager at their sister restaurant The Sea By Alexander’s Steakhouse in Palo Alto and I could let him know that your party will be eating at Alexander’s and he would ensure that you’re well taken care of.

[Mullenboy]

8 minutes ago, aloha b. said:

If you wanted to try Alexander’s Steakhouse, I know the manager at their sister restaurant The Sea By Alexander’s Steakhouse in Palo Alto and I could let him know that your party will be eating at Alexander’s and he would ensure that you’re well taken care of.

That's a very cool offer.  You also really know your food.   Well done.

[aloha b.]

9 minutes ago, Mullenboy said:

That's a very cool offer.  You also really know your food.   

If you'd like a really high end dining experience in San Francisco, there's two 3 Michelin star restaurants Quince and Atelier Crenn. 

Dominique Crenn was the first and only female chef to earn 3 Michelin stars.

[chrisbellaire]

Tadich Grill

[oldmotor]

37 minutes ago, chrisbellaire said:

Tadich Grill

I second this!

[Gxgolfer]

Yelp and google are very accurate in ratings. . Size of group and budget? 
 

House of Prime Rib is a favorite for all. 
 

Thai or Vietnamese crab

 

Lots of good taquerias. 
 

Sushi or seafood. 
 

Monterey/Carmel/Seaside has a few places but spread out and type of food as well. 
 

Sandbar is a local seafood favorite 

Monterey fish house makes a lot of people’s list. 
Tarpys

 

[StoutKing]

10 hours ago, oldmotor said:

I second this!

I third

[carrera]

I previously recommended Westlake Joes for a post-golf meal if you are playing Harding or staying south of SF.  It has been a few years for me, but I have never had a bad meal or experience at Boulevard which is in downtown SF near the waterfront.  I have been to Tadish Grill a gazillion times for lunch but never for dinner, but I imagine it would be just as good.

[dono]

If you are in the city of SF I second @Chanceman Uber eats. ok out on the peninsula as others recommended. On the second part of your trip the RIO GRILL in Carmel was great.

Edited April 7 by dono

[Gxgolfer]

The City is small compared to many others and there are better parts of the city than others. Most courses are in the Sunset and Richmond side which is fine. 
 

San Francisco and the Bay Area is still a food Mecca for anyone who has traveled and compared to anywhere else. 

[jkman]

Skip Epic steak house. For steak, go to Alexanders or Osso. 

 

Some of my favorites to consider depending on what you are looking for: Kokkari Estiatorio, Angler, The Shota, Lazy Bear, Sotto Mare, Wayfare Tavern, R&G, Rooh SF.

 

If you happen to be near golden gate park, stop by the golden gate park golf course (9 hole course) for a burger dog at the clubhouse - it's the same burger dog from Olympic Club https://www.hotdogbills.com/

 

Too many to list! 

[jzkhockey]

13 hours ago, carrera said:

I previously recommended Westlake Joes for a post-golf meal if you are playing Harding or staying south of SF.  It has been a few years for me, but I have never had a bad meal or experience at Boulevard which is in downtown SF near the waterfront.  I have been to Tadish Grill a gazillion times for lunch but never for dinner, but I imagine it would be just as good.

Westlake joes still lives up to its popularity.

 

I didn't like Epik Steak too much, but the view is nice.

 

Depending on where you stay(in or out of the city) will probably dictate where you'll eat.

 

Lots of good recommendations here. If you want some things that you can't get where you are from:

 

Chinese:

1. Dumpling home - really good soup and normal dumplings, no reservations though so wait could be a while

2. Mr Jui's - michelin star chinese

3. House of NanKing - If you bring a lot of people it is family style and they will keep bringing you food until you tell them to stop. Family run and an sf staple

3. City View Restaurant - dim sum for white people. Trust me, you want white people dim sum if you do it

 

Sushi:

Okane - attached to a Michelin star sushi restaurant(omakase) this is the chiller and more day to day focused sushi restaurant

jū-ni - supposed to be best in Sf, but I haven't been

 

Other Asian:

1. YakiniQ Korean BBQ - depending on the age of your group this could be the most fun dinner or hell.

2. Marufuku Ramen - great ramen

3. Daeho Kalbijjim - heavy korean beef soup

 

Burritos/Mexican: WARNING - these are in the mission. The mission is a complicated area of town. It is 100% safe, but there are a decent amount of weird s*** going on down there(homeless, stolen merchandise being sold in the open on the street, general things you don't want to see). Great bars though if you want to bar hop.

1. Taquería El Farolito - this is the popular one. I think it's ok. Their soccer team is now beating some pro teams now which is cool

2. Taqueria San Jose - I like this place better

 

Brunch:

1. Zazie - for brunch if you do not play one day

2. Sweet Maple - good brunch. unlimited mimosas in multiple flavors. $20 giant bacon called "milionares bacon"

 

Other:

1. Firenze By Night - different type of Italian than original joes, but very good and local

2. Balboa Cafe - San Francisco staple for expresso martinis. Owned by the governor. serves dinner that's pretty good.

3. Burma Superstar - everyone loves it in the city. Like India, china, Thai fusion.

 

If you are doing the drive down the coast you may want to stop at the taco bell in pacifica for the absurdity of it and maybe a beer, then get food somewhere else.

Edited April 8 by jzkhockey

[carrera]

12 hours ago, jzkhockey said:

Firenze By Night

Good call.

[MysteryV]

On 4/6/2024 at 8:02 AM, aloha b. said:

If you'd like a really high end dining experience in San Francisco, there's two 3 Michelin star restaurants Quince and Atelier Crenn. 

Dominique Crenn was the first and only female chef to earn 3 Michelin stars.

 

Quince is nice - but be warned - it's 3 - 4 hours and more "Modernist Experience" than great food (though the food was very good).

 

 

On 4/6/2024 at 9:42 AM, Gxgolfer said:

House of Prime Rib is a favorite for all. 

 

One of the top 5, universally loved, must visit restaurants in SF.  You cannot go wrong here if you can get in.

 

14 hours ago, jkman said:

Skip Epic steak house. For steak, go to Alexanders or Osso. 

 

Some of my favorites to consider depending on what you are looking for: Kokkari Estiatorio, Angler, The Shota, Lazy Bear, Sotto Mare, Wayfare Tavern, R&G, Rooh SF.

 

If you happen to be near golden gate park, stop by the golden gate park golf course (9 hole course) for a burger dog at the clubhouse - it's the same burger dog from Olympic Club https://www.hotdogbills.com/

 

Too many to list! 

 

#Facts.  Skip Epic UNLESS the goal is just a great view (which is does deliver).

 

Kokkari is wonderful. 

 

12 hours ago, jzkhockey said:

Burritos/Mexican: WARNING - these are in the mission. The mission is a complicated area of town. It is 100% safe, but there are a decent amount of weird s*** going on down there(homeless, stolen merchandise being sold in the open on the street, general things you don't want to see). Great bars though if you want to bar hop.

1. Taquería El Farolito - this is the popular one. I think it's ok. Their soccer team is now beating some pro teams now which is cool

2. Taqueria San Jose - I like this place better

 

 

Anyone who posts a list of Mission Burritos which does not include La Taqueria is clearly from out of town.  😉

 

 

If I were to choose two spots:

House of Prime Rib - Great food, great atmosphere, gem of an establishment

La Taqueria - Mission Style burritos which have been around for 45ish years and continue to be the best burrito on earth.  Must visit.

 

If you want a Steakhouse:

Bobo's

 

If you want overpriced, middle of the road seafood with a cool view / atmosphere:

Water Bar (this is a very specific rec - I've never spent my own money here but have taken customers here on the company card regularly)

 

If you're feeling adventurous:

Chinese Hot Pot (iPot, Shabu House (japanese), Shabu Club) - these are places you cook your own food and may need some guidance if you haven't been before.  This is a very caveated recommendation as it's definitely not for everyone.

 

Brothers - again not for everyone.  You will leave smelling like burnt grease in the best possible way.  You cook your own food

 

Fast Food:

In N Out Daly City - depending on where you're from - it might be worth a visit.

 

 

[jzkhockey]

26 minutes ago, MysteryV said:

Water Bar (this is a very specific rec - I've never spent my own money here but have taken customers here on the company card regularly)

 

If you want the epik steak view, but with better food this is the place. Not my favorite, though I did see Willie Brown there once.

 

I like Sam's for seafood.

[acemac14]

On 4/8/2024 at 2:16 PM, MysteryV said:

 

Quince is nice - but be warned - it's 3 - 4 hours and more "Modernist Experience" than great food (though the food was very good).

 

 

 

One of the top 5, universally loved, must visit restaurants in SF.  You cannot go wrong here if you can get in.

 

 

#Facts.  Skip Epic UNLESS the goal is just a great view (which is does deliver).

 

Kokkari is wonderful. 

 

 

Anyone who posts a list of Mission Burritos which does not include La Taqueria is clearly from out of town.  😉

 

 

If I were to choose two spots:

House of Prime Rib - Great food, great atmosphere, gem of an establishment

La Taqueria - Mission Style burritos which have been around for 45ish years and continue to be the best burrito on earth.  Must visit.

 

If you want a Steakhouse:

Bobo's

 

If you want overpriced, middle of the road seafood with a cool view / atmosphere:

Water Bar (this is a very specific rec - I've never spent my own money here but have taken customers here on the company card regularly)

 

If you're feeling adventurous:

Chinese Hot Pot (iPot, Shabu House (japanese), Shabu Club) - these are places you cook your own food and may need some guidance if you haven't been before.  This is a very caveated recommendation as it's definitely not for everyone.

 

Brothers - again not for everyone.  You will leave smelling like burnt grease in the best possible way.  You cook your own food

 

Fast Food:

In N Out Daly City - depending on where you're from - it might be worth a visit.

 

 

Yes for La Taqueria for Burritos and Tacos (ask for Dorada ... you wont be disappointed) and Papalote also has great burritos.

 

R&G Lounge is a classic Chinese restaurant --> Better get the salt and pepper crab and dive in with your hands. Harbor View or Yank Sing for Dim Sum is a must one weekend morning.

 

San Tung has epic sweet and crispy chicken wings.

 

Tadich Grill is an old staple, but unsure of the quality anymore, but I also just haven't been in forever. Scoma's is a good fresh seafood spot.

[wtoomey]

Sotto Mare (fish) and Sodini (Italian) both a Green St. in North Beach. 
 

On the Peninsula, Town and Izzy’s, both in San Carlos, both steak.