Top-Notch San Franciscan Restaurants Of All Cuisine Stripes

1. Lazy Bear

Have you heard of a ‘communal dining experience?’ Or instead of placing a reservation for a restaurant, have you bought a ticket for one? This is what you are in store for at Lazy Bear: You start in an upstairs living room where you snack and mingle. Then everyone is ushered downstairs to the dining room and seated at a long 'communal’ table. Lazy Bear not only delivers delicious food, but also fosters a social, energetic atmosphere.

Lazy Bear

Address: 3416 19th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110

Website: Lazy Bear

2. Souvla

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Souvla (@souvla)

If you have a Greek tooth, especially for rotisserie roast meats, and are in San Fran, then Souvla is the restaurant for you. This hip, sleek Greek restaurant opened in San Francisco 2014. Then added another location in San Fran in 2016. And again in 2017. Souvla is immensely popular, which isn’t surprising considering that its fries have made a slew of ‘best fries’ lists. Don’t forget to try their salads topped with delectable Greek yogurt sauces.

Souvla

Address: 758 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA 94110

Website: Souvla

3. Yank Sing

If someone says great dim sum in San Francisco, think Yank Sing. There are two locations, one on Spear Street and another on Stevenson Street. Both are filled with large clothed tables, in a dimly lit large room, with trolleys weaving through tables. Both are splendid. Yank Sing was listed in the SF Chronicles top 100 restaurants list in 2014. If you go to San Francisco, don’t pass up a chance to try authentic dim sum.

Yank Sing

Address: 101 Spear St., San Francisco, CA & 49 Stevenson St., San Francisco, CA

Website: Yank Sing

4. Shizen

Japanese food is usually slim pickings for vegetarians, but not here. Meet Shizen, the vegan sushi bar & izakaya of San Francisco. An izakaya is a casual place to eat after work, which describes Shizen aptly. The restaurant opens at 5:00pm and closes at 10:00pm. The beautifully lit wood interior is the place to go after work or if you’re in town and are a sushi lover who wants to try the vegan side of the cuisine.

Shizen

Address: 370 14th St., San Francisco, CA 94103

Facebook: Shizen

5. House of Prime Rib

Okay, okay, I hear you, maybe vegan food, even if it is sushi, isn’t your thing. Well, I give you a carnivore’s delight (technically you’re an omnivore but whatever), House of Prime Rib. This is an English-style restaurant that opened in the 1940s. A fact that wouldn’t surprise you if you walked into the old-school style restaurant. The food hasn’t changed that much either, it’s still all about the prime rib and martinis. This is a San Francisco landmark you do not want to miss, especially if your idea of a good meal includes a copious amount of meat.

House of Prime Rib

Address: 1906 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94109

Website: House of Prime Rib

6. Little Delhi

There is really nothing quite like eating ethnic food from the nucleus of a diaspora. Little Delhi in San Francisco is one such place. From the moment you cross its threshold, you have no doubt that Little Delhi is authentic Indian food. This is the real deal for all Indian-food lovers. In this cozy Indian eatery you will find north Indian cuisine, and those hard-to-find Indian dishes along with above-par, tasty staples such as naan, tandoori chicken, and lamb rasala. And for San Francisco, it is relatively cheap as well!

Little Delhi

Address: 83 Eddy St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Website: Little Delhi

7. La Ciccia

A post shared by Kaitlyn Geremia (@kaitlyngeremia) on May 6, 2017 at 8:56pm PDT

I’d wager a pretty penny that you have never had Sardinian food. Sardinia is a large Italian Island between France and Italy in the Mediterranean Sea. The cuisine is very similar to regular Italian cuisine, but your average Italian restaurant doesn’t serve octopus stew. If you are looking for a nice, small spot to sit down in and gorge on homemade spaghetti and choose from a myriad of wine selections, take a skip and a hop, and find your way to La Ciccia.

La Ciccia

Address: 291 30th Street, San Francisco, CA 94131

Website: La Ciccia

8. Swan Oyster Depot

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by erin ng (@eringgg)

Food reviewers don’t often call a restaurant an institution, but an exception was made for Swan Oyster Depot. Since 1912, the Swan Oyster Depot has been serving fresh fish, clam chowder, and oysters galore. It is a no frills lunch counter with friendly down to earth service. When the sea salt air drifts up your nostrils and wafts down to your belly, and seafood becomes need-food, then head to Swan Oyster Depot. The smoked salmon is recommended!

Swan Oyster Depot

Address: 1517 Polk Street, San Francisco, CA 94109

Facebook: Swan Oyster Depot

To the Bay!

See, there really is no place quite like the Bay! Where else can you enjoy communal eating, Greek food, Chinese food, Japanese food, prime ribs, Indian food, Sardinian food, and seafood? Okay, maybe a few other cities. But tell me, do any of them have the bay charm too?