San Francisco's Best New Restaurants Of 2023
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San Francisco's Best New Restaurants Of 2023
An influx of walk-in and counter-service spots opened in 2023, and we embraced spending less time scouring the internet for reservations at buzzy high-end places. We got our hands on stacked muffulettas, perfect tacos, and steaming hot udon bowls—and all we had to do was show up, order, eat, and leave. Or more accurately, roll out the door because we consumed one too many chili jam-coated chicken wings. Eating in SF this year was, as always, a lot of fun. And we have these 12 places to thank. Looking for the best restaurants in San Francisco, full stop? Check out our guide to the 25 highest-rated in town.
photo credit: Carly Hackbarth
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
That first bite of the extra juicy and crispy al pastor.
A Perfect Order For A Late Dinner
One al pastor taco, one asada taco, one fish taco, and one shrimp taco.
The Best Time To Go
9pm on a Friday night for some of that pre-going-out fuel.
Collective Team Visits
7
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
That first bite of the extra juicy and crispy al pastor.
A Perfect Order For A Late Dinner
One al pastor taco, one asada taco, one fish taco, and one shrimp taco.
The Best Time To Go
9pm on a Friday night for some of that pre-going-out fuel.
photo credit: Carly Hackbarth
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
Our first whiff of the aromatic curry.
A Perfect Order For Date Night
Scallop and lemongrass “shots” (conversation starters), the aromatic curry (to keep conversation going), and coconut ice cream.
The Best Time To Go
Before 5pm on a weeknight, if you want any hope of getting a seat reserved for walk-ins.
Collective Team Visits
5
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
Our first whiff of the aromatic curry.
A Perfect Order For Date Night
Scallop and lemongrass “shots” (conversation starters), the aromatic curry (to keep conversation going), and coconut ice cream.
The Best Time To Go
Before 5pm on a weeknight, if you want any hope of getting a seat reserved for walk-ins.
photo credit: Carly Hackbarth
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
One forkful of papaya salad brought on a soul-curing spice burn.
A Perfect Order If You Like It Hot
Green papaya salad, chicken wings, and crispy rice salad.
The Best Time To Go
Whenever you’re in the mood to drink soju cocktails and wine, and celebrate something (or someone) special.
Collective Team Visits
6
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
One forkful of papaya salad brought on a soul-curing spice burn.
A Perfect Order If You Like It Hot
Green papaya salad, chicken wings, and crispy rice salad.
The Best Time To Go
Whenever you’re in the mood to drink soju cocktails and wine, and celebrate something (or someone) special.
photo credit: Erin Ng
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
As soon as the deceptively simple binchotan-grilled squid skewer hit the table, and time slowed down.
A Perfect Order For A Leisurely Dinner
Fritto misto, lobster salad, focaccia, and beef tartare to share. One ravioli carbonara per person, and several bottles of wine.
The Best Time To Go
6:30pm on a Friday or Saturday, so you have lots of time to eat everything on the menu and catch up with your table mate.
Collective Team Visits
6
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
As soon as the deceptively simple binchotan-grilled squid skewer hit the table, and time slowed down.
A Perfect Order For A Leisurely Dinner
Fritto misto, lobster salad, focaccia, and beef tartare to share. One ravioli carbonara per person, and several bottles of wine.
The Best Time To Go
6:30pm on a Friday or Saturday, so you have lots of time to eat everything on the menu and catch up with your table mate.
photo credit: Carly Hackbarth
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When our sandwich maker poured an entire bag of potato chips onto the egg salad sandwich.
A Perfect Order For A Park Picnic
⅛ of a muffuletta slice, chocolate chip cookie, and a bag of Voodoo chips.
The Best Time To Go
Lunchtime on a sunny day.
Collective Team Visits
5
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When our sandwich maker poured an entire bag of potato chips onto the egg salad sandwich.
A Perfect Order For A Park Picnic
⅛ of a muffuletta slice, chocolate chip cookie, and a bag of Voodoo chips.
The Best Time To Go
Lunchtime on a sunny day.
photo credit: Carly Hackbarth
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When a bite of fatty tuna handroll made an ASMR-like crunch that sent us into a meditative state.
A Perfect Order For A Solo Date At The Bar
Miso soup, the five roll set, and a hot green tea.
The Best Time To Go
7pm on Fridays. Walk in after drinking a frozen peach cocktail from Macondray across the street.
Collective Team Visits
5
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When a bite of fatty tuna handroll made an ASMR-like crunch that sent us into a meditative state.
A Perfect Order For A Solo Date At The Bar
Miso soup, the five roll set, and a hot green tea.
The Best Time To Go
7pm on Fridays. Walk in after drinking a frozen peach cocktail from Macondray across the street.
photo credit: Carly Hackbarth
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When we pulled a mozzarella stick apart and the cheese was the length of our wingspan.
A Perfect Order For Four
One Hawaiian pie (add ranch), one cacio e pepe pie, mozzarella sticks, and a soft serve swirl. And then more mozzarella sticks.
The Best Time To Go
Before strolling (or bar-hopping) through North Beach.
Collective Team Visits
8
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When we pulled a mozzarella stick apart and the cheese was the length of our wingspan.
A Perfect Order For Four
One Hawaiian pie (add ranch), one cacio e pepe pie, mozzarella sticks, and a soft serve swirl. And then more mozzarella sticks.
The Best Time To Go
Before strolling (or bar-hopping) through North Beach.
photo credit: Brit Finnegan
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
The staff pulled up an extra table to fit all the food we ordered, and we finished everything.
A Perfect Order For Two
Fresh cucumber salad, chicken wings, and three orders of dumplings (xiao long bao, shengjianbao, and boiled napa cabbage).
The Best Time To Go
At 5pm, when early birds can walk right up to a table.
Collective Team Visits
6
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
The staff pulled up an extra table to fit all the food we ordered, and we finished everything.
A Perfect Order For Two
Fresh cucumber salad, chicken wings, and three orders of dumplings (xiao long bao, shengjianbao, and boiled napa cabbage).
The Best Time To Go
At 5pm, when early birds can walk right up to a table.
photo credit: Carly Hackbarth
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
After shaking the fermented serrano hot sauce onto the meatiest oysters we’ve ever laid eyes on.
A Perfect Order For A Shellfish Splurge
The Big Shucker seafood tower with oysters, shrimp, lobster, and mussels, paired with a lobster roll and smoked trout salad.
The Best Time To Go
12pm on a Friday to drink white wine, shoot back oysters, and watch designer dogs strut down Fillmore Street.
Collective Team Visits
4
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
After shaking the fermented serrano hot sauce onto the meatiest oysters we’ve ever laid eyes on.
A Perfect Order For A Shellfish Splurge
The Big Shucker seafood tower with oysters, shrimp, lobster, and mussels, paired with a lobster roll and smoked trout salad.
The Best Time To Go
12pm on a Friday to drink white wine, shoot back oysters, and watch designer dogs strut down Fillmore Street.
photo credit: Brit Finnegan
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
The second the creamy dashi broth hit our tongue.
A Perfect Order For The Meal Equivalent Of A Weighted Blanket
One bowl of curry udon with wagyu beef, seasonal vegetables, and a custardy egg.
The Best Time To Go
Dinner, any day, any time.
Collective Team Visits
7
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
The second the creamy dashi broth hit our tongue.
A Perfect Order For The Meal Equivalent Of A Weighted Blanket
One bowl of curry udon with wagyu beef, seasonal vegetables, and a custardy egg.
The Best Time To Go
Dinner, any day, any time.
photo credit: Carly Hackbarth
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When we saw the staff behind the counter ladle thick, caramelly gumbo into our bowl.
A Perfect Order To Share
One chicken and sausage gumbo, a shrimp po’boy, and the banana pudding.
The Best Time To Go
5pm, before they sell out of gumbo.
Collective Team Visits
5
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When we saw the staff behind the counter ladle thick, caramelly gumbo into our bowl.
A Perfect Order To Share
One chicken and sausage gumbo, a shrimp po’boy, and the banana pudding.
The Best Time To Go
5pm, before they sell out of gumbo.
photo credit: Melissa Zink
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When a server repeatedly refilled our café de olla for free.
A Perfect Order For A Massive Breakfast
The Chucky’s breakfast burrito filled with arrachera, and covered in green salsa and pickled red onions.
The Best Time To Go
Any time you have three hours to spare.
Collective Team Visits
5
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When a server repeatedly refilled our café de olla for free.
A Perfect Order For A Massive Breakfast
The Chucky’s breakfast burrito filled with arrachera, and covered in green salsa and pickled red onions.
The Best Time To Go
Any time you have three hours to spare.