San Francisco is a heaven for food enthusiasts, boasting an impressive lineup of Michelin-starred restaurants that push the boundaries of creativity, flavor, and culinary excellence. The Michelin Guide has long been the gold standard for dining, and in San Francisco, where food culture thrives, Michelin stars are the ultimate mark of distinction.
But what exactly is a Michelin-starred restaurant? Michelin stars are awarded by anonymous inspectors from the Michelin Guide, based on the quality of food, mastery of technique, personality of the chef in their cuisine, and consistency. Restaurants can receive up to three stars:
- One Star signifies a very good restaurant in its category. Excellent food, consistently prepared, worth a stop.
- Two Stars indicates excellent cooking worth a detour. High-quality ingredients, inspired dishes, and refined techniques.
- Three Stars is the highest honor, awarded to exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey. A once-in-a-lifetime dining experience with flawless execution and creativity.
With that in mind, here’s a look at some of San Francisco’s top Michelin-starred restaurants, where the art of cooking reaches new heights.
🌟🌟🌟 Three-Star Michelin Restaurants (Worth a special journey)
These are the elite, truly exceptional dining experiences:1. Atelier Crenn
Stars: ★★★ (Three Michelin Stars)
Cuisine: Contemporary French (Pescatarian emphasis)
Location: 3127 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94123 (Cow Hollow)
Details:
Led by Chef Dominique Crenn, the first female chef in the U.S. to receive three Michelin stars, Atelier Crenn
offers an unforgettable dining experience. The menu is a poetic journey, inspired by nature and personal stories,
with each dish meticulously crafted to reflect Chef Crenn’s culinary artistry. Expect avant-garde presentations with
a focus on sustainability, including her signature dish, “A Walk in the Forest,” which combines flavors and textures
of earth, mushrooms, and herbs. Dining at Atelier Crenn feels like stepping into a world where art and food merge.
What to Order: The full tasting menu (12–14 courses) with highlights like cauliflower & caviar and Monterey Bay abalone.
Insider Tip: Reservations are hard to come by, so book well in advance. Opt for the wine pairing to enhance the experience.
2. Benu
Stars: ★★★ (Three Michelin Stars)
Cuisine: Contemporary Asian-influenced (Korean–Cantonese fusion)
Location: 22 Hawthorne St, San Francisco, CA 94105 (SoMa)
Details:
Chef Corey Lee’s Benu is a masterpiece of contemporary Asian cuisine, blending the flavors of Korea, China,
and Japan with modern techniques. The 15-course tasting menu is a symphony of precision and creativity,
with highlights like thousand-year-old quail egg and foie gras xiao long bao (soup dumplings). Every dish at
Benu feels like a harmonious balance of tradition and innovation, and the service is impeccable, making the entire
experience feel intimate and exclusive.
What to Order: Foie gras-filled soup dumplings, a twist on the classic. The complete tasting menu, especially barbecued quail and the quail-egg amuse-bouche.
Insider Tip: Don’t miss the tea pairing, which is just as thoughtfully curated as the wine list.
3. Quince
Stars: ★★★ (Three Michelin Stars)
Cuisine: Contemporary Californian/Italian
Location: The complete tasting menu, especially barbecued quail and the quail‑egg amuse-bouche. (Jackson Square)
Details:
Located in a historic building in Jackson Square, Quince offers an elevated dining experience with its fusion
of Italian and Californian cuisine. Chef Michael Tusk’s devotion to seasonal ingredients is evident in every dish,
and the multi-course tasting menu is a celebration of farm-to-table freshness. The ambiance is sophisticated yet warm,
making it perfect for special occasions. From handmade pastas to perfectly seared meats, Quince showcases culinary
elegance with each bite.
What to Order: Seasonal tasting menu, look for house-made pasta and duck-based preparations. Agnolotti del Plin, delicate pasta parcels filled with seasonal ingredients.
Insider Tip: For a more intimate experience, ask for the chef’s table, where you can watch the magic unfold in the kitchen.
🌟🌟 Two-Star Michelin Restaurants (Worth a detour)
Refined, polished, and consistently outstanding:1. Acquerello
Stars: ★★ (Two Michelin Stars)
Cuisine: Elegant Italian / Contemporary
Location: 1722 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Details: Set beneath a distinctive pitched ceiling, Acquerello is a warm, refined establishment led by Chef Suzette Gresham
since 1989. It’s celebrated for beautifully composed, handmade pastas—like a stunning carrot-ginger terrine—and an exceptional cheese and
dessert cart. Their deep wine and Champagne cellar is expertly navigated by sommeliers
What to Order: Start with the carrot and ginger terrine or cheese plate, followed by signature handmade pasta; finish with
mignardises from the sweets cart—especially pastes de fruits and caramel rolls.
2. Birdsong
Stars: ★★ (Two Michelin Stars)
Cuisine: Contemporary American
Location: 1085 Mission St, San Francisco, CA
Details: Chef Matthew Accarrino crafts a clean, seasonal tasting menu served in a sleek, intimate dining room.
The cuisine highlights nuanced flavors and refined techniques, offering an elegant yet approachable culinary narrative.
What to Order: Indulge in the chef’s seasonal tasting menu, featuring standout courses like pristine vegetable preparations,
perfectly cooked seafood, and artful desserts.
3. Californios
Stars: ★★ (Two Michelin Stars)
Cuisine: Contemporary Mexican (Tasting Menu)
Location: 355 11th St, SoMa, San Francisco, CA
Details: Chef Val Cantu elevates Mexican traditions with inventive 13–14 course tasting menus packed with flavor,
theatrical presentation, and bold creativity. Signature dishes include grilled squab and masa tacos, fish ceviches, mezcal battered
seafood tacos, and playful sweetcourses like grilled banana with caviar and purple dulce de leche. This resto is known for its
approachable yet luxe service and vibrant drink pairings
What to Order: The full tasting menu—don’t miss the aquachile ceviche, codorniz (grilled quail taco), mezcal-battered
fish taco, and the iconic grilled banana with caviar course.
4. Kiln
Stars: ★★ (Two Michelin Stars)
Cuisine: Californian with Ancient/Fire Techniques
Location:149 Fell St, San Francisco, CA
Details: Elevated to two stars in 2025, Kiln is revered for its focused menu spotlighting fire-and-smoke-preserved
ingredients. With a minimalist, chef-led dining experience, dishes showcase a deep respect for flavor purity and ancestral techniques
like wood-fire cooking.
What to Order: Select fire-roasted mains—such as fish or meat—paired with smoked vegetable sides and preserved condiments.
5. Lazy Bear
Stars: ★★ (Two Michelin Stars)
Cuisine: Modern American, Communal Tasting Menu
Location: 3416 19th St, San Francisco, CA
Details: An interactive Chef’s-table style restaurant with communal seating and theatrical service. What begins as snacks
leads to a multi-course journey of seasonal, ingredient-driven dishes plated at your table. It blends fine dining with comfort in a uniquely
social environment.
What to Order: The complete tasting experience, featuring savory dishes and seasonal sweets that highlight communal
sharing and creative plating.
6. Saison
Stars: ★★ (Two Michelin Stars)
Cuisine: Contemporary / Californian
Location: 178 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA
Details: Formerly a three-star, Saison remains a fire-focused temple of refinement. Its tasting menus are built around
top-quality ingredients cooked over hearth and flame, in a dining room with a warm ambiance that balances structure with fluidity.
What to Order: Opt for the tasting menu focused on wood-fired dishes—featuring meats, seafood, and vegetables—paired
with carefully curated wine options.
7. Sons & Daughters
Stars: ★★ (Two Michelin Stars)
Cuisine: Contemporary American / New American
Location: 708 Bush St, San Francisco, CA
Details: In an intimate, 30-seat townhouse setting, this restaurant excels in sustainable sourcing and flavor-forward,
elegant tasting menus. Known for personalized service and vibrant flavors, it’s an understated gem ideal for a refined yet welcoming
experience
What to Order: The tasting menu—with courses highlighting seasonal produce, seafood, or poultry—offers a balanced
progression of flavors and textures.
🌟 One-Star Michelin Restaurants (Very good, worth a stop)
Consistently excellent, great options for various tastes:1. 7 Adams
Cuisine: Californian / Contemporary
Location: 1963 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94115
Details: A fresh addition to the Michelin scene, 7 Adams offers an inventive tasting menu that highlights seasonal
California produce. The intimate, modern setting and thoughtful plating create an inviting yet refined experience.
What to Order: Go for the full tasting experience—look out for standout vegetable-focused dishes and delicate
seafood preparations.
2. Angler SF
Cuisine: Seafood / Contemporary Californian
Location: 132 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105
Details: Overlooking the Bay Bridge, Angler specializes in live-fire cooking with seafood and seasonal vegetables.
The warm decor and prime location offer a cozy yet sophisticated atmosphere.
What to Order: Wood-fired bigeye tuna, roasted cauliflower with vadouvan, quail, and end with their salted caramel
soft-serve sundae.
3. Aphotic
Cuisine: Seafood / Omikase-style
Location: 816 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Details: A moody, maritime-themed spot offering an 11-course seafood tasting menu featuring oyster ice cream and
fermented fish-bone broths. Also houses a distillery for innovative cocktails.
What to Order: Full omakase menu—oyster ice cream, dry-aged fish, and house-distilled spirits.
4. Kin Khao
Cuisine: Thai / Contemporary
Location: 55 Cyril Magnin St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Details: A refined take on Thai classics, Kin Khao pairs regional recipes with California ingredients. Casual vibe
with punchy, authentic flavors.
What to Order: Hor mok mushroom mousse, rabbit green curry, caramelized pork belly, black rice pudding.
5. Le Comptoir at Bar Crenn
Cuisine: French / Classic
Location: 3131 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94123
Details: A quaint atelier space within Atelier Crenn’s world, offering a pared-down yet elegant counter-style
French menu.
What to Order: Seasonal French bistro dishes—cheese or charcuterie boards and refined petits plats.
6. Mister Jiu’s
Cuisine: Chinese / Contemporary
Location: 28 Waverly Pl, San Francisco, CA 94108
Details: The first Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant in SF with artful modernization of Cantonese classics
in a stylish loft setting.
What to Order: Salt-and-pepper soft-shell crab, smoked abalone, modern dim sum.
7. Nari
Cuisine: Thai
Location: 1625 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94115
Details: Upscale sibling to Kin Khao, Nari offers refined Thai dining with elegant presentation and complex,
layered spices.
What to Order: Tasting menu with royal-style curries, crab dishes, and mango desserts.
8. Niku Steakhouse
Cuisine: Japanese Steakhouse
Location: 61 Division St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Details: A high-end Japanese steakhouse focused on premium Wagyu beef and minimalist decor, blending Japanese
tradition with modern elegance.
What to Order: A5 Wagyu, foie gras, and house-made kimchi.
9. Nisei
Cuisine: Japanese-American
Location: 2316 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Details: Offering Japanese-American tasting menus in a stylish and intimate setting, blending technique with local,
seasonal flavors.
What to Order: Crudo, nigiri selection, uni toast.
10. O’ by Claude Le Tohic
Cuisine: French
Location: 165 O’Farrell St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Details: Haute French cuisine with opulent flair in a refined atmosphere. Chef Claude Le Tohic presents meticulously
plated dishes with premium ingredients.
What to Order: Caviar amuse, duck breast, soufflé.
11. Osito
Cuisine: Californian / Live Fire
Location: 2875 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Details: Known for wood-fired tasting menus and a communal setting. Osito emphasizes seasonality and fire-focused
techniques in a warm, open kitchen environment.
What to Order: Charcoal-grilled meats, seasonal vegetables, homemade bread and spreads.
12. San Ho Won
Cuisine: Korean / Contemporary
Location: 2170 Bryant St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Details: Contemporary Korean BBQ elevated with creative sauces and house-fermented banchan in a chic, modern space.
What to Order: Short rib galbi, kimchi jjigae, soy-glazed chicken wings.
13. Sorrel
Cuisine: Californian / Italian
Location: 3228 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94115
Details: A blend of Californian and Northern Italian cuisine using hyper-local ingredients. Casual elegance with a
focus on handmade pasta and seasonal vegetables.
What to Order: Ricotta gnudi, squid ink risotto, and duck breast.
14. Ssal
Cuisine: Korean / Contemporary
Location: 2226 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Details: A refined Korean fine-dining experience in Nob Hill, offering tasting menus that reimagine Korean flavors
with modern plating.
What to Order: Galbi, soy-marinated black cod, kimchi varieties.
15. State Bird Provisions
Cuisine: Californian / Small Plates
Location: 1529 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115
Details: Known for inventive, seasonal small plates served dim-sum-style, this buzzy restaurant mixes whimsy with
serious culinary craft.
What to Order: Fried quail (the “state bird”), sourdough pancakes, duck liver mousse.
16. The Progress
Cuisine: Californian / Contemporary
Location: 1525 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115
Details: Sister restaurant to State Bird, this elegant spot delivers shareable family-style plates that mix global
influences with California ingredients.
What to Order: Duck with peanut fried rice, scallop crudo, seasonal market vegetables.
Conclusion: A Star-Studded Experience
San Francisco’s Michelin-starred restaurants are more than just places to eat, they’re destinations for culinary adventure. Whether you’re in the mood for the poetic creations at Atelier Crenn, the modern Asian influences at Benu, or the farm-to-table elegance of Quince, each restaurant offers a unique, unforgettable experience that leaves you craving more. So, next time you’re planning a special night out, why not indulge in the very best that the Bay Area has to offer?
Have you dined at any of these Michelin-starred gems? Let us know your favorite in the comments below!
Also don't forget to check out best Chinese, Indian, and Mexican restaurants in San Francisco