Michelin-Starred Restaurants in San Francisco | Best Places to Eat
Looking for a standout meal in San Francisco? With so many options, choosing can feel overwhelming—but that’s where Michelin-starred restaurants in San Francisco come in. These spots are more than just places to eat; they’re where chefs turn ingredients into art. From cozy neighborhood gems to high-end dining rooms with sweeping views, the variety is impressive. Pull up a chair—your next great meal might be just around the corner.
Three-Star Michelin Restaurants
Atelier Crenn (Cow Hollow)
Chef Dominique Crenn made history as the first female chef in the U.S. to earn three Michelin stars in 2018, and she continues to hold that distinction. Atelier Crenn’s pescatarian, dairy-free menu highlights ingredients sourced from a regenerative farm. Its commitment to sustainability earned it a Michelin green star alongside its three stars.
- Michelin rating: 3 stars + 1 green star
- Cuisine: French
- Price: $100+
- Location: 3127 Fillmore St, San Francisco
- Website: https://www.ateliercrenn.com
Benu (Yerba Buena)
Led by Chef Corey Lee, Benu blends traditional Korean elements with modern Asian influences. Dishes like faux shark fin soup and xiao long bao showcase technical mastery. Located in SoMa, the restaurant is known for its calm ambiance, described as a “refuge in the city.”
- Michelin rating: 3 stars
- Cuisine: Contemporary American
- Price: $100+
- Location: 22 Hawthorne St, San Francisco
- Website: http://www.benusf.com
Quince (Jackson Square)
Marking its 20th anniversary, Quince underwent a stylish renovation while maintaining its focus on seasonal ingredients from its partner farm, Fresh Run Farm. Dishes often highlight local produce, like an agnolotti filled with white asparagus. Quince’s sustainability efforts earned it a green star as well.
- Michelin rating: 3 stars + 1 green star
- Cuisine: Californian
- Price: $100+
- Location: 470 Pacific Ave, San Francisco
- Website: http://www.quincerestaurant.com
Two-Star Michelin Restaurants
Acquerello (Nob Hill)
Since 1989, Acquerello has specialized in elegant Italian cuisine. Chef Suzette Gresham’s menu features handmade pastas and a highly regarded cheese plate. Michelin praised the restaurant’s extensive Italian wine selection and attentive service.
- Michelin rating: 2 stars
- Cuisine: Italian
- Price: $100+
- Location: NEAR VAN NESS &, 1722 Sacramento St, San Francisco
- Website: http://www.acquerellosf.com
Californios (Mission)
Chef Val Cantu reinvents Mexican culinary traditions with contemporary techniques. Signature offerings include lime-cured hamachi and complex, flavor-packed sauces. The modern yet warm atmosphere complements the creative menu.
- Michelin rating: 2 stars
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Price: $100+
- Location: 355 11th St, San Francisco
- Website: http://www.californiossf.com
Lazy Bear (Mission)
Lazy Bear’s communal dining setup encourages interaction between guests and chefs. The multi-course tasting menu showcases nostalgic flavors reimagined, such as oysters served three ways. Its rustic setting resembles a modern hunting lodge.
- Michelin rating: 2 stars
- Cuisine: Contemporary American
- Price: $100+
- Location: 3416 19th St, San Francisco
- Website: http://www.lazybearsf.com
Birdsong (SoMa)
Chef Christopher Bleidorn focuses on live-fire cooking and responsibly sourced meats. Highlights include lacquered quail and Parker House rolls. Birdsong’s high ceilings and open kitchen enhance the dining experience.
- Michelin rating: 2 stars
- Cuisine: American
- Price: $100+
- Location: 1085 Mission St, San Francisco
- Website: http://www.birdsongsf.com
Saison (South Beach)
Known for fire-based cooking techniques, Saison uses the hearth as a focal point for its dishes. Chef Richard Lee now leads the kitchen, serving inventive items like barbecued caviar wrapped in seaweed.
- Michelin rating: 2 stars
- Cuisine: Contemporary American
- Price: $100+
- Location: 178 Townsend St, San Francisco
- Website: https://www.saisonsf.com
Sons & Daughters (Union Square)
Recently earning a second star, Sons & Daughters emphasizes locally sourced seafood and produce. Notable plates include cured California trout and applewood-roasted quail. Chef Harrison Cheney’s leadership has refined the menu’s focus.
- Michelin rating: 2 stars
- Cuisine: Contemporary American
- Price: $100+
- Location: 708 Bush St, San Francisco
- Website: http://www.sonsanddaughterssf.com
One-Star Michelin Restaurants
Angler SF (SoMa)
Angler SF brings open-flame cooking to the forefront. Michelin highlighted dishes like fried quail and roasted cauliflower seasoned with vadouvan. The restaurant’s waterfront location offers sweeping bay views.
- Michelin rating: 1 star
- Cuisine: Seafood
- Price: $100+
- Location: 132 The Embarcadero, San Francisco
- Website: https://www.anglerrestaurants.com
Le Comptoir at Bar Crenn ( Cow Hollow)
This intimate dining counter provides a pescatarian tasting menu alongside a thoughtful wine selection. Michelin praised the salt-brined beet tartare topped with caviar. Le Comptoir’s commitment to sustainability earned it a green star.
- Michelin rating: 1 star + 1 green star
- Cuisine: French
- Price: $100+
- Location: 3131 Fillmore St, San Francisco
- Website: https://www.barcrenn.com
Kin Khao (Tenderloin)
Chef Pim Techamuanvivit reinterprets traditional Thai recipes using local ingredients. Dishes like rabbit green curry and spice-forward plates set Kin Khao apart.
- Michelin rating: 1 star
- Cuisine: Thai
- Price: $50-$100
- Location: 55 Cyril Magnin St, San Francisco
- Website: http://www.kinkhao.com
Mister Jiu’s (Chinatown)
Blending Cantonese traditions with Californian produce, Chef Brandon Jew’s menu includes favorites like crispy roast duck and snapper with ginger-scallion sauce. The restaurant’s modern setting contrasts with its historic neighborhood.
- Michelin rating: 1 star
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Price: $100+
- Location: 28 Waverly Pl, San Francisco
- Website: https://www.misterjius.com
State Bird Provisions (Western Addition)
Famous for its dim sum-style service, State Bird Provisions offers inventive plates like pan-seared guinea hen dumplings. Plan ahead—reservations often fill up 30 days in advance.
- Michelin rating: 1 star
- Cuisine: Contemporary American
- Price: $50-$100
- Location: 1529 Fillmore St, San Francisco
- Website: http://www.statebirdsf.com
The Progress ( Western Addition)
Run by the same team behind State Bird Provisions, The Progress serves family-style dishes on hand-crafted plates. Highlights include Liberty Farms duck with crispy peanut fried rice.
- Michelin rating: 1 star
- Cuisine: Contemporary American
- Price: $100+
- Location: 1525 Fillmore St, San Francisco
- Website: http://www.theprogress-sf.com
The Shota (Financial District)
Specializing in Edomae sushi and kaiseki, The Shota uses ingredients imported from Japan. Signature dishes include kasugo nigiri and seasonal seafood plates.
- Michelin rating: 1 star
- Cuisine: Japanese
- Price: $100+
- Location: 115 Sansome St, San Francisco
- Website: https://www.theshotasf.com
Sorrel (Pacific Heights)
Sorrel features house-made pastas and herbs grown on its rooftop garden. Michelin called attention to the smoky potato zlikrofi and ricotta gnudi.
- Michelin rating: 1 star
- Cuisine: Italian
- Price: $100+
- Location: 3228 Sacramento St, San Francisco
- Website: http://www.sorrelrestaurant.com
SSAL (Russian Hill)
This modern Korean restaurant offers multi-course menus focusing on seasonal ingredients. A standout is the black cod, grilled for a crispy skin that contrasts with its tender flesh.
- Michelin rating: 1 star
- Cuisine: Korean
- Price: $100+
- Location: 2226 Polk St, San Francisco
- Website: http://ssalsf.com
San Ho Won (Mission)
Chefs Corey Lee and Jeong-In Hwang specialize in charcoal-grilled meats using custom lychee wood charcoal. Galbi and pork belly are standout offerings.
- Michelin rating: 1 star
- Cuisine: Korean BBQ
- Price: $100+
- Location: 2170 Bryant St, San Francisco
- Website: http://sanhowon.com
O’ by Claude Le Tohic (Union Square)
Housed within the ONE65 complex, O’ offers multi-course French menus with California influences. Expect dishes like abalone with seaweed butter and seasonal vegetable plates.
- Michelin rating: 1 star
- Cuisine: French
- Price: $100+
- Location: 165 O’Farrell St, 5th Floor, San Francisco
- Website: https://one65sf.com
Nari (Japantown)
Located inside Hotel Kabuki, Nari serves family-style Thai dishes with a refined touch. Michelin praised the grilled Monterey squid and sticky rice accompaniments.
- Michelin rating: 1 star
- Cuisine: Thai
- Price: $100+
- Location: 1625 Post St, San Francisco
- Website: http://www.narisf.com
Osito (Mission)
Dining at Osito revolves around live-fire cooking at a central hearth. Guests share a communal table while enjoying dishes that balance fire-roasted meats with seasonal vegetables.
- Michelin rating: 1 star
- Cuisine: Contemporary American
- Price: $100+
- Location: 2875 18th St, San Francisco
- Website: https://www.ositorestaurant.com
Niku Steakhouse (Design District)
One of the few Michelin-starred steakhouses in the country, Niku features in-house dry-aged meats and premium Japanese wagyu. The Imperial Wagyu filet and grill-charred Brentwood corn are menu highlights.
- Michelin rating: 1 star
- Cuisine: Steakhouse
- Price: $100+
- Location: 61 Division St, San Francisco
- Website: https://www.nikusteakhouse.com
Nisei (Russian Hill)
Chef David Yoshimura merges Japanese heritage with modern American cuisine. Michelin praised the matsutake broth and purple sweet potato desserts.
- Michelin rating: 1 star
- Cuisine: Japanese-American
- Price: $100+
- Location: 2316 Polk St, San Francisco
- Website: https://www.restaurantnisei.com
Hilda and Jesse (North Beach)
New to the Michelin list, Hilda and Jesse specializes in brunch and tasting menus focused on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Notable dishes include buttermilk pancakes and inventive small plates.
- Michelin rating: 1 star
- Cuisine: Contemporary American
- Price: $50-$100
- Location: 701 Union St, San Francisco
- Website: http://www.hildaandjessesf.com
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