Bold, New American dishes take center stage at this seasonal, family-style restaurant from acclaimed chefs Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski. Why Melissa loves it: “You see Stuart and Nicole’s commitment to whole-animal and whole-vegetable cooking shine through here. It feels like a dinner party among friends with a lovely family-style format that encourages sharing and conversation over beautifully crafted, seasonal dishes."

This restaurant from the State Bird Provisions and The Progress team is where you’ll want to go to feast on the best oysters, clams, mussels, other small fish, and more. Why Melissa loves it: “This is another brilliant concept from Stuart and Nicole, a place that centers the anchovy in numerous varieties. It’s ideal for a light aperitivo, and you can always expect the freshest ingredients.”

Craig and Annie Stoll opened this neighborhood trattoria to much acclaim in 1998. It’s still going strong with seasonal pastas, artisanal pies, and other exemplary Cal-Italian cooking. Why Melissa loves it: “This is just one of my favorite Italian places in the city, period. Craig and Annie have given it this deep, refined trattoria soul, and the warmth is just so genuine. Their pizza is perfectly executed, and their pastas manage to be both perfectly seasonal and completely timeless.”

Chefs Franky Ho and Mike Long create dishes informed by their Cantonese heritage and Bay Area upbringing at this award-winning restaurant. Why Melissa loves it: “There’s a special kind of honesty in the cooking at Four Kings, where local sourcing meets a genuine, multi-generational story. It’s a vibrant addition to Chinatown that manages to be both a technical standout and a beacon of Cantonese nostalgia. They make me excited for the next generation of Bay Area cooking.”

The menu evolves with the seasons at chef Kim Alter’s fine-dining restaurant. That means you can always expect a rollicking, whimsical meal thanks to her creativity. Why Melissa loves it: “Kim Alter’s menu at Nightbird is one of the most personal and creative expressions of a tasting menu happening right now in San Francisco. The experience is sophisticated, whimsical, and seasonal all at once, without ever feeling stuffy. She just tells such a wonderful story on the plate.”

Che Fico has remained one of the most popular restaurants in the city since its debut in 2018 thanks to chef and owner David Nayfeld’s wood-fired pizzas and handmade pastas. Why Melissa loves it: “This place just perfectly captures the energy and romance of a Roman holiday. David Nayfeld’s expertise—from whole-animal butchery to stunning pizzas and Roman classics—makes every single visit feel completely memorable, like you’ve been transported.”

Dishes like the roast chicken with bread salad and shoestring fries are definition: San Francisco. That’s reason enough to visit the late Judy Rodgers’s iconic restaurant. Why Melissa loves it: “Zuni is a very special, important place; it truly is a birthplace of California cuisine. Judy Rodgers’s incredible legacy and cuisine continue to deliver that timeless ethos of seasonality and simplicity. If you haven’t had the whole roasted chicken and the Caesar salad here, you’re missing out."

The James Beard Award-nominated restaurant claimed the 3rd spot on The San Francisco Chronicle’s most recent Top 100 list for chefs Evan and Sarah Rich’s simple, seasonal cooking. Why Melissa loves it: “Evan and Sarah Rich have created something truly rare here—a place that feels high-energy and neighborhood-chic while delivering the highest level of technique. The menu is a playful, sophisticated love letter to California."

Global flavors inform the market-driven menu at chef Brandon Rice’s spacious, light-filled Mission District restaurant bedecked with Maneki-Neko cats. Why Melissa loves it: “Brandon has a wonderful way of making globally inspired flavors feel incredibly personal and refined. At Ernest, the cooking is bold and expressive, yet there’s a restraint that keeps everything feeling balanced and intentional. It’s the kind of place where you can see the chef’s hand in every dish, and the atmosphere has

A remarkable wine list—with more than a dozen options by the glass—come together with dishes like lobster mushroom risotto at this restaurant from Palm City’s Dennis Cantwell and Monica Wong. Why Melissa loves it: “I love the quiet confidence of this space; it’s a neighborhood gem that feels unassuming yet intriguing at the same time. There’s an understated elegance in how they approach their drinks and small plates—everything is refined, focused, and highlights a real respect for seasonality."