Restaurants in San Francisco, California

The San Francisco restaurants are known for their variety, and they range from upscale eateries to smaller establishments that specialize in quick and cheap. Class isn't the only thing that helps to distinguish the restaurants in San Francisco. Cuisine is another, and visitors can enjoy virtually every kind of cuisine on a visit to this spectacular city. San Francisco dining is renowned for its quality, and there may be no city in the country that is a finer place to enjoy some good food. There are more restaurants per capita in San Francisco than in any other U.S. city, and some of the most talented chefs in the world call the city home.

Many of the best restaurants in San Francisco benefit from the fact that some delicious wine and cheeses are made in Northern California. The area farms also add to the bounty with fresh vegetables and fruits. Because of this and the proximity to the sea, San Francisco restaurants often feature fresh produce and seafood. Enjoying some savory seafood is what many visitors have in mind when it comes to San Francisco dining, and it's hard to top the sourdough bread bowls filled with clam chowder than can be purchased at Fisherman's Wharf. Enjoying some fresh and steamy clam chowder on the waterfront is just one of the top joys to be had when it comes to dining in San Francisco.

Another treat unique to San Francisco is sampling or purchasing chocolate at Ghirardelli Square. This famous square, which is also home to an upscale housing complex and upscale shops, still features the historic chocolate shop that helped to put San Francisco on the map. Ghirardelli Square is also a good place to enjoy some fine dining in San Francisco, thanks to the fact that it is home to a few upscale eateries. Back across the street at Fisherman's Wharf, some of the shops sell chocolate as well as other goodies that can satisfy a sweet tooth.

For those who are truly interested in exploring the San Francisco dining scene, no visit to the city is complete without a trip to the Ferry Building. In addition to being a transportation hub, the Ferry Building is also home to shops, restaurants, and a great food market. Food enthusiasts or anyone looking for unique and fine foods will enjoy a visit to the Ferry Building Market, as the shops there offer up some of California's tastiest gourmet treats.

Since the best restaurants in San Francisco are extremely popular, it is often necessary to make reservations weeks in advance to secure a table. Some of the city's best San Francisco restaurants can be found at upscale hotels like the St Regis, and while guests will enjoy easy access to these restaurants, they can also be patronized by the public. There are quite a few consistent favorites when it comes to the best restaurants in San Francisco, though finding a good one often comes down to what individual diners have in mind and how padded their budgets are.

All of the main districts in the city boast a healthy selection of restaurants, so you're never far from a good place to eat wherever you find yourself in the city. Visitors might also enjoy side trips to regional destinations like Napa when they're not patronizing the San Francisco restaurants. Planning a visit around a specific festival can also be an option, as many of the San Francisco festivals showcase some good eats.