Downtown SF’s 15 Best Restaurants for Lunch, According to Allset

Make the most of your lunch break in downtown San Francisco. These 15 restaurants are cherry picked by Allset, based on the user feedbacks. Try out these great lunch spots and get $30 towards your first three meals with code MEDIUM (iOS /Android).

1. La Mar Cebichería Peruana

Photo: La Mar Cebichería Peruana

Located on San Francisco’s Embarcadero, La Mar, a Peruvian restaurant can satisfy your cravings for a bit of tropical spice in cold SF weather. With a beautiful view of the Bay and sleek decor, La Mar was opened by celebrity chef Gaston Acurio.

La Mar represents diverse ethnic backgrounds, from Latin American to Asian infusion. Their empanadas, Peruvian classics, and anticuchos — grilled skewers inspired by food carts on Peru’s bustling streets — are worth a special trip. We particularly like their Anticuchos ($16), Cebiche ($19), Empanadas ($14), and Jalea ($24).

pier 1 1/2 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105

2. Doc Ricketts

Photo: Doc Ricketts

Doc Ricketts offers creative, refined, and approachable Northern California cuisine, using San Francisco and Monterey Bay’s freshest ingredients. The restaurant also has a thoughtfully designed wine and cocktail list. Try out their DR Burger ($15), Kale Salad ($12), and Fried Chicken Sandwich ($13) for a quick lunch bite.

124 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

3. Dirty Water

Photo: John Storey

A paleo-friendly restaurant, Dirty Water offers wild game, the freshest fish and locally sourced, fresh vegetables. This restaurant also offers an astonishing selection of beers, and over 100 professionally selected wine from around the world. We like their The Dirty Burger ($17), Sunchoke Soup ($14), and Roccolo Salad ($16 ) — light summer lunch to complement slightly warm sunny days in SF.

1355 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103

4. B44 Catalan Bistro

Want a taste of Catalunya, Spain? Opened by Chef Daniel Olivella, B44 Catalan Bistro features paellas, tapas and an award winning wine list that tantalizes your senses. Their menu is fish-based with plenty of fresh salads and finest tapas. Check out their Paella ($23), Seared Scallops Salad ($16), and Tapas Piquillo Peppers ($13).

44 Belden Pl, San Francisco, CA 94104

5. MoMo’s

Located directly across from AT&T Park, MoMo’s serves inspired American Bistro Cuisine. This convenient restaurant offers both inside and outside dining. Their Wood Fired Pizzas ($15-$17), The House Burger ($16), and Roasted Chicken D’Anjou Pear Salad ($18) are perfect to fuel up during your lunch break.

760 2nd St, San Francisco, CA 94107

6. Rosa Mexicano

An upscale, modern Mexican restaurant, Rosa Mexicano was opened by chef and co-founder Josefina Howard. This restaurant serves locally sourced ingredients, combined with a stylish and festive decor, and a tropical, fun vibe. This restaurant features indoor tables, an outdoor patio, and private dining room. Their signature Tacos ($15) is not to be missed. We think their Ceviche de Camarones ($14) is worth trying for lunch.

30 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105

7. Bask

Bask is a tapas bar located in the Financial District of SF. The dishes are based on high quality and seasonal ingredients sourced locally. Their dishes are simple, and natural, not based on sophisticated sauces or spice combinations. We particularly like their Bask Salad ($15), Bask Burger ($14), and Grilled Tuna ($20).

42 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94111

8. Fringale

Voted by Zagat as one of the “5 Best Bistros in SF”, Fringale is one of the first French bistros in SF. Also awarded the Diner’s Choice 2015 by OpenTable and featured in Michelin Guide 2016, Fringale offers an elegant French menu with well-selected wines. The restaurant is small and cozy, casual and classy, perfect for a relaxed lunch. Their Traditional Duck Confit, Salade Nicoise, and Onglet Steak à la Parisienne are just a few of their $20 signature dishes on their lunch menu.

570 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94107

9. Thoughts Style Cuisine

Classy. Minimalist. Stylish. The combination of fashion and food with hand-selected ingredients from all over the world. Thoughts Style Cuisine marries authentic Thai cuisine with fresh Italian ingredients, making it a stylish, Asian Fusion restaurant. Their dishes Pad Thai and Beef Garlic with Fried Eggs ($13) are particularly popular. And if you’re feeling a bit cold with SF weather, you may want to check out their Hong Kong Porridge with Twinsie Donuts ($13).

139 8th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

10. Aquitaine Bistro

Aquitaine is not merely a wine bar; it is also a full-on restaurant. Inspired by the wines and cuisine of South West France, Aquitaine Bistro serves the cuisine and wines of Gascony. Their lunch menu is simple, yet delicious. With dishes like the Bavette Steak ($23), Aquitaine Burger ($14), and Duck Reuben ($14), you can have a filling lunch to keep your energy levels up in the afternoon. And, the portion is generous, so you may want to go with an empty stomach.

175 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94104

11. Amici’s East Coast Pizzeria — King St

Photo: Amici’s East Coast Pizzeria

“Thin-Crust Pizza Paradise” (Zagat). “The Best Caesar Dressing in the History of the Universe” (San Francisco Bay Guardian). These are just a few of the accolades Amici has won for its infamously delicious, freshly-made pizzas baked in brick ovens. And since their pizzas are baked directly on the super-hot brick floor, their distinct crust is crispier than the typical American pizza. We like their Amici’s Combo and Milano Pizzas ($13.75), Spinach Salad ($7.75), and Cheese Ravioli with Pesto ($13.75).

216 King St, San Francisco, CA 94107

12. Shido

Located in Hayes Valley/Mid-Market border, Shido is a chic Japanese restaurant offering quality sushi, sashimi, teriyaki, and classic bento options. For an intimate Asian lunch gathering, look no further. With polished interior featuring dark-wood tables, slate tiles, and natural light, this restaurant is ideal for quick lunch to catch up with your colleagues. Their Sushi Lunch ($18), Salmon Teriyaki Bento Box ($14), and Ramen ($15) — decent price point for quick Japanese food.

1655 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103

13. La Briciola

La Briciola offers authentic Northern Italian food in the heart of SoMa. The restaurant serves Tuscan and Piedmontese cuisine, serving delicious, traditional, home-made pastas and dishes. La Briciola offers a diverse lunch menu made of fresh ingredients. We’d recommend that you try their Ravioli con Pomodoro ($18), Pollo alla Milanese ($15), and Scaloppina di Limone ($18).

489 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94107

14. Lers Ros Thai — Larkin

Photo: John Storey

Lers Ros is a local favorite serving authentic, unique and fresh Thai dishes, premium beverages and wines. If you’re looking for international and exotic, healthy cuisine, you’d want to try this place out. Their Pad See Ew noodles, Kuay Tiew Phed Toon duck soup, and Pad Thai are only $10.95 each — quite reasonable for a quick Thai lunch.

730 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94109

15. The Lunchpad

This cozy sandwich place offers a wide range of the basic sandwiches and fun combinations such as their B.L.WHAAAT! Sandwich ($9), featuring habanero candied bacon, greens, tomatoes, red onions, and roasted garlic aioli. Who can say no to their Chicken Lil Sandwich ($9.50)with a roasted chicken salad with a pesto aioli, as well as their Turkey Drizzle Sandwich ($13)?

581 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Try out these great lunch spots and get $30 toward your first three meals with code MEDIUM (iOS /Android).

by Nicole Lana and Dimitri Nikulin