Lunch Spots in San Francisco for Every Occasion

The Waterfront

Bay Bridge views abound at The Waterfront. No matter where you look, you’re treated to some of San Francisco’s most iconic scenery–with some great local fare to enjoy, as well.

The Waterfront has been a favorite since it opened in the 1960s. Only a mile from Fisherman’s Wharf, visitors and locals alike should stop in at least once during their time in the City by the Bay. Must-have lunch dishes include the wild gulf prawn cocktail, salmon burger, and butternut squash risotto.

The Waterfront offers an upscale lunch, so prepare your pocketbooks for an average price in the range of $50-100 per person.

Sabella & La Torre

If you’re looking for classic seafood to complement timeless views, look no further than Sabella & La Torre. Opened in 1927, this family-run establishment has been a major player in Fisherman’s Wharf for nearly 100 years.

There are no wrong choices on this menu. A variety of fish sandwiches are served on classic sourdough or delicious brioche, and the Chef's Platter of fried scallops, prawns, and calamari is perfect for sharing. 

McCormick & Kuleto's Seafood & Steaks

McCormick & Kuleto’s boasts three stories of pescatarian paradise. This restaurant has been in business since 1974, keeping visitors and locals happy with the freshest ingredients and daily rotating specials like whole Dungeness crab and whole red snapper. While you’ll likely find a bill in the $50-$100 range, it's money well spent.

Waterbar Restaurant

Waterbar is arguably the waterfront spot in the city. The ingredients here are of the highest quality and always fresh, from the shellfish to the caviar. 

Lunch at Waterbar can be on the more expensive side, but that doesn't mean that it's prohibitive. A daily prix fixe lunch deal offers clam chowder and grilled mahi mahi at Restaurant Week prices.

Fog Harbor Fish House

There’s no more iconic restaurant on PIER 39 than Fog Harbor Fish House, which has been feeding visitors for more than two decades–and consistently winning awards while doing so.

If you want a simple, straightforward taste of classic San Francisco, this family-run establishment is sure to hit the spot. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu; but we have a special place in our hearts (and bellies) for the classic clam chowder. 

More Restaurants with Great Views

Bini’s Kitchen

While you might not often find yourself saying, “I really want Nepalese food for lunch,” Bini’s Kitchen is sure to change that. This SoMa hotspot serves the best Nepalese food in the Bay Area, thanks in large part to the restaurant’s namesake and chef, Bini Pradhan. Try the gurkha chicken (stewed in yogurt, tomatoes, and spices), the baigun bharta (grilled eggplant braised with onions, tomatoes, and spices), or palungo paneer (homemade paneer cheese and spinach sauteed with red chilies and garlic). When you need something quick, flavorful, and unique, keep Bini’s Kitchen on your short list.

Tadich Grill

Tadich Grill is a mainstay in the Financial District, serving up fresh fish and classic cocktails in unpretentious digs. No fuss; just quality meals day in and day out. That’s why it's the oldest continuously-running restaurant in the entire state of California! Try their two clam chowder varieties, the Tadich seafood platter, or the Cosmopolitan salad.

Learn More About Tadich Grill

Basil Canteen

Basil Canteen has been keeping SoMa fed since 2008, serving Thai dishes and innovative cocktails. The ambiance is just as good as the food, with a fun blend of modern styling and classic exposed brick. Basil Canteen has shorter hours, so don’t wait long to grab a table. The restaurant stays open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on weekdays.

Little Skillet

Little Skillet has an exciting menu filled with soul food, including their beloved chicken and waffles alongside innovative brunch cocktails like the Old Soul Fashioned and the Cajun Bloody Mary. Get in line early; locals love this spot and it may be tough to get a table. Lunch is served here seven days a week.

Leleka

Leleka is fun and unpretentious. This budget-friendly, local haunt serves delicious Ukrainian dishes near the Financial District. Beet salad, cabbage rolls, and a plethora of belly-filling dumplings are up for grabs here at very low prices.

Spruce

Spruce is all about simple, upscale dining focused on fresh and imaginative takes on Californian cuisine. The drinks alone should be enough to have you vying to get in the door, with a wine list 3,500 bottles long! 

When Spruce opened in 2007, it was named Esquire Magazine’s "Best New Restaurant in America” and has been pushing the boundaries of both food and drink ever since. The restaurant has a proprietary partnership with an organic farm in Woodside, California, meaning that no matter when you go, you’re treated to the freshest ingredients.

Cotogna

Cotogna offers a taste of the Old Country in the heart of San Francisco that keeps travelers and locals alike singing its praises. Cotogna sources the best in all things–food and staff. The restaurant is known for its meat, both spit-roasted and grilled, as well as the fish cooked in their wood-burning oven. Their pasta dishes are not to be missed, either.

With a menu that changes daily, no two experiences at Cotogna will ever be the same. 

Kin Khao

Located in the upscale Parc 55 Hotel near Union Square, Kin Khao is an ambitious eatery, pushing the boundaries of traditional Thai food. The proprietor and head chef, Pim Techamuanvivit, is on a mission to, in her words, “liberate her beloved Thai cuisine from the tyranny of peanut sauce.” If you want to experience some of the best Thai food outside of Thailand, this is the spot for you.

La Mar Cocina Peruana

A product of celebrity chef Gastón Acurio, La Mar Cocina Peruana serves Peruvian seafood.  If you’re looking to expand your taste buds, try the nikkei cebiche, the laqueado tiaditos, or croquetas chifa. La Mar offers quiet indoor seating and open-air outdoor seating on its rear patio and pier. 

More San Francisco Fine Dining

The Old Clam House

There are few places quite like The Old Clam House. This spot has been in San Francisco since the start of the Civil War! After more than 150 years in business, their passion for food is still alive. The restaurant sources sustainably caught seafood from local fishermen, ensuring you have the freshest ingredients. If you’re unsure of what to get, go with the signature cioppino.

Scoma’s Restaurant

Opened in 1965, Scoma’s has been serving the freshest pier-to-table seafood for well over half a century. While it was once just a simple local spot that served the local fishermen, it’s now one of the most widely-recognized restaurants in the Bay Area. Their budget-friendly two-course lunch special is served weekdays until 4:00 p.m., and offers a choice of soup or salad and an entree.

Greens

If you’re looking for a vegetarian spot with an iconic legacy, head to Greens. Greens has been serving innovative and sustainable vegetarian cuisine since 1979 and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. Appetizers include a coconut risotto cake and "fava-cado" toast, while peak season mains include roasted hakurei turnips, a maitake mushroom Reuben, and creamed spinach pizza.

Balboa Cafe

Balboa Cafe has been a classic American-style eatery for more than 100 years and still maintains its original design. The food menu is simple and incredibly well done; but the star of the show is the cocktail menu. The bartenders are so talented that they'll make even the trendiest of beverages seem bold and new again. (We're looking at you, espresso martini...)

Red’s Java House

In 1955, a pair of seafaring brothers bought Franco’s Lunch on Pier 30 and turned it into Red’s Java House, a spot still standing at water's edge to this day. Red’s Java House is a classic lunch spot, serving hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, beer, and all the most American-sounding lunch staples you can think of.

John's Grill

Where the movers and shakers of San Francisco go for a power lunch, John's Grill is an institution that serves up a hearty lunch menu of prime steaks, heaping portions of seafood, and its singular Jack LaLanne salad. Prices are high for a mid-day meal, but you never know who you might see at the next table.

Roxanne Cafe

The Roxanne Cafe is a Union Square lunch classic, and has been here since the 1980s. What makes this spot unique is that this classic American cafe offers some phenomenal Italian dishes. You’ll find plenty of classic sandwiches and salads, as well; but if you’re looking for some underrated red sauce Italian dishes, this is the spot you need to know about.

Sears Fine Food

Sears Fine Food is a classic diner. While the Swedish pancakes are the most well-known item on their menu, you’ll find a host of great lunch choices like sandwiches, burgers, and pasta dishes.

Last Drop Tavern

Last Drop Tavern is modeled after a classic English tavern in both its ambience and its menu. You’ll find some English classics sprinkled among the classic American pub food. Like all the best taverns, it’s an unfussy local meeting spot where strangers become friends.

Cesario’s

If you’re looking for a great Union Square lunch, Cesario’s has to make your list. Located in the Marines' Memorial Club & Hotel, this classic Italian spot is unassuming but delicious. At Cesario’s, you’ll find all the classic pasta dishes alongside plenty of hearty entrees to fuel a long day of sightseeing.

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