San Francisco's newest restaurants are breathing life into neighborhoods all across the city.
At both under-the-radar gems and high-profile destinations, menu options run the gamut from an $8 burger to a luxurious $325 seafood tower. There’s plenty of comfort food in between—notably, plenty of pizza and the appearance of the Cal-classic French dip at not just one, but two new spots.
These eight spots are fitting the moment beautifully.
Casa Sofia Kitchen and Bar
Casa Sofiia's mole albóndigas
(Courtesy of LemonAd Media)
Casa Sofia is a restaurant named for the owner's daughter—and what an homage it is. Carlos Altamirano has really pulled out all the stops at his latest restaurant, located just steps away from the ballpark. The soaring space welcomes you in with a beautiful contemporary mural of the restaurant's namesake by local artist Letty Samonte.
Peru is well represented on the menu with many classics, including a stunning local halibut ceviche, anticuchos, and lomo saltado. But there are also Mexican tacos, mole albóndigas, and lamb with Argentinian chimichurri sauce. Servers smoothly navigate you through the myriad options at every turn. The pastry program, offering crullers, housemade pies, cake, and ice creams, is led by Edgar Valenzuela. Like the rum, pisco, cachaça, and mezcal cocktails, they alone would be reason enough to go. You can have an upscale meal here, enjoy the game, or both at the same time.
// 701 Second St. (South Beach), casasofiasf.com
Maggie & Macs
(Courtesy of Maggie & Macs)
Locals may fondly remember Park Chow, which closed in 2019; that family-friendly spot with a lively bar was a neighborhood fave. Just a block away, with a menu full of comfort-food staples including burgers, tacos, pizza, and sandwiches, Maggie & Macs is clearly channeling its energy. Friendly and affordable, most entrees hover between $20-25 (the most expensive item is a $30 hanger steak), and there's a kids' menu to boot. The hostess and servers couldn't be more smiley if they tried.
If you've spent time in Golden Gate Park and are craving a soothing French onion soup; a hefty French dip with deliciously pink slices of tri-tip served on a crusty baguette; or a shareable, thin crust pizza—or if you just want to grab a seat to watch the game—this is the neighborhood spot for you. Named for the owner's daughters, it's truly a welcoming place for everyone.
// 1396 9th Ave. (Inner Sunset), maggieandmacs.com
Hamburguesa Bar
(Amy Sherman)
Hamburguesa Bar feels like a burger joint and a dive bar. It succeeds at both. The vibe is very much retro, with decor aptly described as "Midwestern basement in the ‘70s." A relatively inexpensive spot in SoMa, you'll find tech workers and conference attendees standing in line for a spot in a booth or at the bar until closing at midnight. There are not many beers on tap, but there are more than 20 bottles and cans of mostly Mexican, alongside old-school brews like Hamm’s, Budweiser, and Shiner Bock.
You can opt for either a 3-½-ounce smashburger for $8, embellished wonderfully with queso fundido and pickled jalapeños on a soft bun, or one of their thick-style tavern burgers. Splurge on the Black Label, an eight-ounce patty which comes with truffle butter, mushroom ragout, demi-glace, and white American cheese. It arrives with a salad, but by all means, don't skip the duck fat fries. While a bit soggy, they are nevertheless delectable.
// 78 Second St. (SoMa), hamburguesabar.com
Maria Isabel
Maria Isabel's choco ta-corn
(Isabel Baer)
Laura and Sayat Ozyilmaz's dazzling restaurant, Dalida, drew inspiration from Sayat's heritage. Now it's Laura's turn with her take on Mexican food at a restaurant that lifts you from a foggy corner in Presidio Heights and takes you on a highly personal whirlwind tour of Mexico. The menu features not just the cuisine of Laura's home region of Guerrero, but also the Pacific Coast of Mexico, with specialties from Sinaloa, where she also has roots, along with touches from her time in Mexico City and Oaxaca—all reimagined with meticulous technique and flair.
The impressive wine and bar programs, as well as the renovated space, are stunning. Delicate seafood and masa-based dishes, earthy mole, and tangy salads show the full range of complex flavors. Corn is the throughline, and standout dishes include chochoyotes and mushrooms; a bowl of donut-shaped blue masa dumplings with huitlacoche, mushrooms, guajillo chiles, and a side of luscious bone marrow; the sea urchin tamalito de maíz with corn crema, Mexican vanilla oil, and fermented habaneros; and the whimsical "Choco Ta-Corn," a masa waffle shell filled with sweet corn semifreddo and strawberry preserve.
// 500 Presidio Ave. (Presidio Heights), mariaisabelsf.com
Grand Lake Kitchen
(Courtesy of Grand Lake Kitchen)
To say the neighbors are excited about Grand Lake Kitchen would be putting it mildly. Dining in the corner spot feels like being surrounded by family. Everyone seems to want to share their recommendations for favorite dishes and their enthusiasm for a comfortable place to grab a drink or enjoy a leisurely meal.
The original restaurant in Oakland built its reputation on brunch, but standout selections from the rest of the menu include the seafood toast made with something seasonal such as crab or sardines, the French dip sandwich made with brisket, and the housemade mini donuts dusted with cinnamon-and-nutmeg sugar. Low-key and informal, it's the kind of casual spot the neighborhood has clearly been lacking.
// 1199 Church St. (Noe Valley), grandlakekitchen.com
Rose Pizzeria
(Courtesy of @dine.n.dav)
If Rose Pizzeria looks like it has always been a pizzeria, that makes sense. It was once the original Village Pizzeria and features a restored classic checkered-tile floor and vibrantly painted green walls. The menu is very similar to that of the original Rose Pizzeria, and for that, we are thankful. Lauded as one of the best pizzas in the nation, we can't help but agree.
A massive spicy Caesar under a blanket of pecorino (made with miso rather than anchovies) has a bright freshness that complements the pizzas. The pizza is a beguiling blend of New York and Neapolitan styles, thin and crisp but also chewy and light, made with stone-milled flour, and local produce and mozzarella. The spicy goat horn peppers make the Old Faithful with sausage and red onion a favorite; the She Wolf with burrata, capers, olives, and garlic confit is a winner as well. A casual spot with no pretensions, if you want a side of anchovies, ranch dressing, or their green sauce, they are happy to oblige.
// 1 Clement St. (Inner Richmond), rosepizzeria.com
Clementina
Clementina's costoletta alla Milanese
(Albert Law)
Located on Clement Street, the casual, trattoria-style restaurant from owners Gianluca Legrottaglie and Viviana Devoto is the epitome of hospitality. Decorated with vintage items, it feels so cozy, that it’s hard to imagine it hasn't always been there. The entire menu is gluten-free—notably the baguettes, focaccia, pizza, and pasta.
The rustic-style pizza and toothsome pasta dishes will satisfy just about anyone. Those who swear Italians never pair cheese with seafood will be surprised by the juicy mussel gratin topped with crunchy breadcrumbs and gorgonzola. It's a unique pairing, but it works. More classic dishes like vitello tonnato, made with slices of beef, not veal, and costoletta alla Milanese—a thinly pounded, breaded, and fried bone-in pork chop served with a tangy honey-mustard red cabbage slaw—are perfect for sharing.
// 343 Clement St. (Inner Richmond), clementinasf.com
JouJou
Steamed mussels at JouJou
(Courtesy of JouJou)
JouJou answers the question, "Can a restaurant be decadent and French and still à la carte?" San Francisco has some wonderful French restaurants these days. If Bon Délire is San Francisco's take on a bistro, JouJou is San Francisco's take on a brasserie. Several different spaces allow diners the option to feast on seafood at the raw bar; enjoy a cocktail in the "menagerie," a pretty glassed-in bar; or dine in the cozy-yet-chic dining room.
The hits on the menu are the seafood towers; the intense chicken liver mousse served with Sauternes gelée, seasonal fruit jam, and brioche; and a perfectly executed French omelet served with a savory Americanine sauce with crab, bay shrimp, and lobster. It's rich food that satisfies. The massive prime rib of Berkshire pork is another standout and invites sharing. Caribbean touches grace some of the classic dishes, including tropical fruits and peppers.
// 65 Division St. (Design District), joujousf.com
