Top 7 American Restaurants in San Francisco

San Francisco is home to a diverse and vibrant restaurant scene. No matter where you go, you can find a bustling restaurant that serves some of the best food in the state. If you’re craving some classic American dishes, you’ll have an easy time finding a suitable restaurant in San Francisco. Check out our top 7 picks below now!

Scrambling to find a last-minute Christmas gift for your loved ones? Surprise them with a virtual GiftYa card! GiftYa cards can be applied to a number of different restaurants around the city, including the ones we featured below. 

1. The Morris

Contemporary neighborhood favorite offering an eclectic selection of New American dishes

2501 Mariposa St. | Mission | themorris-sf.com

Located in the Mission neighborhood, The Morris offers an upscale and laid back dining experience for guests. The fire pits will keep you warm outside while you enjoy a glass of wine and sample some light appetizers. 

Some of its signature menu items include the smoked duck, charcuterie plate, and full monty burger. The Morris also offers weekly specials such as Fried Chicken Thursday and Taco Tuesday. If you want to enjoy some of The Morris’s signature cocktails at home, you can add special to-go packages to your order. 

“Duck liver mousse is one of my favorite things ever and they do it so well here. We enjoyed everything we had but would probably try the other things on their menu next time since everything sounded so good. I would love to try their charcuterie and burger on our next visit. The half order of smoked duck was plenty enough for the two of us and we ended up having the rest for dinner the following night.” - Yelp Review

Purchase a GiftYa card for The Morris. 

2. Nopa

Fresh and casual two-story restaurant offering a wide selection of American dishes and craft cocktails

560 Divisadero St. | Alamo Square | nopasf.com

At Nopa, you can find organic wood-fired cuisine cooked from fresh, seasonal ingredients. Their menu changes based on product availability and season, so make sure you double check the online selection before going. Right now, Nopa is serving savory winter dishes such as the Tomato Braised Butter Beans and the Brioche Burger Bun Kit. Cocktails, wine, and beer are also available. Since the start of the pandemic, Nopa has also begun offering pantry and cooking kits for families who want to take a little bit of Nopa home with them. 

“I just had the perfect Pandemic dinner to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday. Even in the middle of this insanity, Nopa comes up with amazing tongue tantalizing treats. I remembered as I put a forkful of duck into my mouth why I live in San Francisco. Passion, the passion of chefs who make amazing food. The passion of people who created restaurants based on an experience. I didn't even need their space to feel their joy and love to make food for us.” - Yelp Review

Purchase a GiftYa card for Nopa. 

3. Maven

Rustic and earthy gastropub known for its creative dishes

598 Haight St. | Lower Haight | maven-sf.com

Maven offers a refreshing and contemporary dining experience for guests. The second you step inside, you are greeted by a warm and vibrant atmosphere accompanied by the pleasing scent of delicious cuisine. Speaking of the food, you’ll find creative and inventive dishes like the Cauliflower Cavatelli, Kennebec Fries, and more on their carefully curated menu. If you have enough room in your stomach for dessert, the Rhubarb Crumble and Chocolate Mousse await you. If you would rather have another cocktail or glass of wine, that’s fine too. 

“As I think about the menu there were some items that jumped out more than others. Don't get me wrong everything tasted great but Let me tell you the two MUST haves from the appetizer menu: are those Chinatown sliders (which are to die for) and the grilled cheese sandwiches. Those two items get a double thumbs up from me. Those were so tasty we ordered them multiple times. In fact everyone loved them, and I do mean everyone loved them.” - Yelp Review

Purchase a GiftYa card for Maven. 

4. Prospect

Posh restaurant known for its creative New American dishes

300 Spear St. | SoMa | prospectsf.com

Located at the base of the Infinity Towers, Prospect offers a vibrant industrial environment for visitors. All of their dishes are sourced from local and sustainable ingredients. On the menu, you’ll find an extensive selection of wine, beer, and cocktails. 

Right now, Prospect is offering a special pop-up menu on Thursdays and Fridays. Seasonal cocktails and light dishes are featured on the menu. Crispy Fried Chicken Sandwiches, Tuscan Fried Chicken, and more have been served during these special pop-ups. 

“Modern, trendy, dressy/biz casual...Service was high quality.  Details on the table were taken care of. Glass of wine was continuously attended. Food. Had a surprisingly good lettuce salad with chestnuts and mandarins. It was simple and very tasty. Pork chop was a bit salty but well prepared otherwise. Pairing with Cab was a smart choice. Their wine list is extensive. For dessert. Merengue with banana and ice cream. Wow.” - Yelp Review

Purchase a GiftYa card for Prospect. 

5. 3rd Cousin

Urban industrial restaurant located in Bernal Heights

919 Cortland Ave. | Bernal Heights | 3rdcousinsf.com 

3rd Cousin is known for its unique and daily-changing menu that offers a wide selection of modern Californian cuisine. Inside, you’ll find a laid back and casual atmosphere that will immediately put you at ease. 

Due to the pandemic, 3rd Cousin is only open for take out Thursday to Saturday from 5-8pm. However, the wait for Thursday is definitely worth it. Red Pepper Pappardelle, Porcini Mushroom & Black Truffle Ravioli, and more delicious dishes are ready for your enjoyment. All dishes are served with a house salad and focaccia. Wine delivery is also available. 

“Believe the hype on the lobster risotto but you can skip the uni. The risotto is an excellent dish with a generous serving of lobster that supports the price. But "OK but do we need to spend another $20 to get the uni and caviar? We just have to, right? Will we regret not doing it??" The answer is: only do this if you are a huge uni geek. The star of this dish is the lobster and sauce.” - Yelp Review

Purchase a GiftYa card for 3rd Cousin. 

6. 20 Spot

Elegant wine bar offering a full dinner menu featuring American dishes

3565 20th St. | Mission | 20spot.com

Unfortunately, outdoor dining in San Francisco has recently been shut down. As a result, restaurants like 20 Spot are operating on a limited basis. But that doesn’t mean you can’t sample one of their signature wines or add it to your restaurant bucket list to visit once the pandemic ends. A limited food menu is also available. Broccoli pizza, shrimp ravioli, pork shoulder, and more are offered. 20 Spot has also started to offer a Dinner for Two Special. Guests can pick any appetizer, main dish, and dessert for just $30. 

“This is a great wine bar with a full dinner menu. The food is pretty good. It's got a nice laid back kinda-retro vibe. It has always been busy when I've gone so be aware that you may not get a table walking in (this was pre-Covid, of course). I appreciate that the wine list isn't all hipster. The owner can help answer questions about the wines and guide you to what you might like. Check it out!” - Yelp Review

Purchase a GiftYa card for 20 Spot. 

7. The Richmond

Upscale wine bar featuring a seasonal menu of fresh Californian dishes

615 Balboa St. | Inner Richmond | therichmondsanfrancisco.bestcafes.online

The Richmond is a popular upscale wine bar located in Inner Richmond. Fresh Californian dishes such as Seared Hanger Steak, Crab Cake, and Whisky Braised Oxtail Diver Scallop can all be found on the menu. Some guests prefer to order a la carte, while others would rather try one of their tasting menus. You can either choose the three-course tasting menu or five-course menu. Guests can also add an optional wine pairing to their dinner experience. 

“As the restaurant is still closed, the kitchen is open with only one item on the menu: a simple burger and fries combo for $15. I can't lie... this was the best burger in the city I've ever had. The patty was juicy. The buns were toasted and buttery. The three sauces perfectly complemented the burger, which was loaded with melted cheese. My to-go order was PACKED with perfectly well-done fries.” - Yelp Review

Purchase a GiftYa card for The Richmond. 

Whether you’re craving a classic American hamburger or some steak, you can find all of this and more in the great city of San Francisco. What restaurants do you plan on visiting next? Let us know in the comments!