San Francisco: 8 restaurants tested and approved

We had heard that we ate well in San Francisco, we must admit that it turned out! Not only is the food good, but the choice is varied, from small, vibrant cafes for brunch or a quick meal to chic, renowned restaurants. In this regard, no less than 30 establishments in the city and its surrounding areas hold at least one Michelin star!

During our short 3-day stay in April 2024, we were able to discover a few restaurants. Here is a list of 8 places tested and approved by Silo 57 in San Francisco:

You feel a bit like home when you enter this neighborhood restaurant run by a San Franciscan couple. Open from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., you can eat there at any time of the day, or opt for a takeaway meal. If you need a good lunch before a long day exploring the city, we highly recommend the breakfast burrito.

690 Mission St, San Francisco, thegrovesf.com

Located in the heart of Chinatown, this restaurant is run by Michelin-starred chef Ho Chee Boon. The latter offers reinvented Cantonese cuisine while retaining traditional culinary techniques. As it is a fixed menu that changes frequently, we let ourselves be carried away by the chef’s desires, the exceptional decor, the beautiful wine list and the view!

838 Grant Ave, San Francisco, theempresssf.com

Already named the best street food truck in the city by the San Francisco Magazine, The Chairman offers typically Asian street food. The short menu includes small Buns steamed and baked filled with fresh ingredients. We came across the food truck by chance when we were in theTunnel Tops of the Presidio. Our choice fell on the steamed miso tofu bun. We found it good and fresh, but we would have preferred a little more sauce for even more flavors.

Check the website to find out where The Chairman truck is located.

Opened very recently, the cuisine of this establishment on the Californian coast transports us to the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Using traditional cooking techniques, Alora transforms local and seasonal ingredients into a varied menu of delicious small dishes to share. Hummus, eggplant dip, and muhammara are all shareable dishes that are absolutely worth a trip to Pier 3.

Pier 3, Hornblower landing, San Francisco, visitalora.com

Due to its location right in the heart of Japantown, The Fermentation Lab is a nice place to grab a drink and a bite to eat during the Cherry Blossom Festival. The atmosphere is relaxed, the choice of food is varied. There should be something for everyone. We went there at brunch time and couldn’t resist the plate of French toast which was perfectly delicious.

1700a Post St, San Francisco, fermlabsf.com (a 2nd address exists on Market Street)

When visiting Japantown, it’s impossible not to succumb to the call of matcha. We opted for a vanilla and matcha soft serve ice cream from the Matcha Cafe Maiko chain as an afternoon snack and we didn’t regret it at all!

Several addresses, matchacafe-maiko.com

If you want to treat yourself to a more festive evening, Chotto Matte is the perfect place! The restaurant chain recently opened in San Francisco and does not go unnoticed with its approximately 400 seats including the terrace. We eat classics of Nikkei cuisine, executed to perfection! Personally, we fell in love with the tuna tataki and the crispy sushi with spicy tuna.

50 O’Farrell St, San Francisco, chotto-matte.com/sanfrancisco

Absolutely EVERYONE who had ever been to San Francisco advised us to go to this legendary place where fortune cookies are made by hand. We then ventured into the small alley during the Chinatown Night Market (which takes place on the 2nd Friday of the month from March to November) and we found the lady alone in her little shop folding her biscuits, taking care to place the small paper inside. We were able to taste a freshly made biscuit and our taste buds were won over!

56 Ross Aly, San Francisco, goldengatefortunecookies.com

BONUSES

Street food during the Cherry Blossom Festival

We were able to try some typically Japanese street food during the Cherry Blossom festival which takes place every year in April in Japantown in San Francisco. The food kiosks offer original dishes and our choice fell on grilled mochi. This is the famous little rice “cake”, but instead of being cold, it is heated and served with mozzarella cheese, yakiniku sauce (Japanese barbecue sauce) then finally sprinkled with furikake. It wasn’t bad, but let’s just say we’re going to continue eating our cold mochi for dessert.

We traveled to San Francisco at the invitation of the San Francisco Travel Association.

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