From the busy streets of Chinatown to the Mission, San Francisco‘s culinary scene is heavily influenced by Chinese cooking techniques, ingredients, and recipes. Sample everything from classic dim sum to playful Cantonese-meets-American mashups at these top Chinese restaurants in San Francisco.
Head to a Chinese food emporium in Chinatown for a wide selection of traditional dishes cooked on eight stations in a bustling dining room. Or sip on Szechuan-inspired cocktails in a plant-filled rooftop solarium in Union Square.
Whether you’re looking for a light bite or a full-on five-course feast, the best Chinese restaurants in San Francisco serve up great food for every occasion.
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For a Cantonese feast in a relaxed yet elegant atmosphere – visit Harborview Restaurant & Bar (Financial District/Embarcadero)
With panoramic views of the Bay Bridge and the Ferry Building, Harborview Restaurant & Bar is a multi-level Cantonese restaurant serving dim sum and banquet-style meals–ideal for large groups. Minimalist decor and natural lighting give the dining room a polished appearance, while the outdoor patio keeps guests warm with heat lamps. For dinner, you can’t go wrong with the beautifully bronzed Peking duck or the expertly prepared baked black cod. As for dim sum, don’t miss the BBQ pork buns.
For a wide selection of Chinese dishes prepared at eight stations – book a table at China Live (Chinatown)
Created by George Chen, China Live isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a full-on cultural emporium, complete with a tea shop and retail marketplace. Head to the onsite restaurant, where chefs use Chinese and Western kitchen equipment to prepare seasonal Chinese dishes at eight stations in full view of the bustling dining room. Ideal for a lunchtime meal, menu highlights include Taipei braised beef noodle soup or clay pot rice with cured duck.
For wok-fried noodles and house-made dim sum – visit HK Lounge Bistro (SOMA)
After the original location burned down, HK Lounge Bistro opened on Folsom Street, where it still serves up the same beloved house-made dim sum and Cantonese-style wok-fried dishes that made it a smash hit. Savor the softness of the cha siu bao bun skin and enjoy sliced beef ribeye chow fun with a hint of smoky char. Or, order your fill of iconic Chinese dishes like pillowy shrimp dumplings or steamed pork ribs in the cozy space.
For Szechuan-inspired cocktails in a rooftop garden – grab a table at Rise Over Run (Downtown/Union Square)
One of the best rooftop restaurants in San Francisco, Rise Over Run is a lofty solarium filled with tropical plants and velvet sofas. Come at happy hour for Southeast Asian and Szechuan-inspired cocktails created by star bartender Danny Louie and peak sunset views. The menu is all about seasonal plates inspired by Asian street food classics. Try the black pepper prawns or share a bucket of fried chicken with friends.
For modern Cantonese cuisine in a glamorous setting – try The Empress by Boon (Chinatown)
One of the most beautiful restaurants in San Francisco, The Empress by Boon is a modern Cantonese destination from acclaimed chef Ho Chee Boon, formerly of Hakkasan. Located in a historic Chinese banquet hall, the 7,500-square-foot space dials up the special occasion factor with geometric screens and royal blue sofas with skyline views. Go all in on the five-course prix fixe menu, with decadent, Cantonese-inspired hits like steamed shrimp and squid dumplings and a scallop and caviar roll.
For Southeast Asia bites in a sleek, ocean-inspired setting – find a table at Blue Whale Restaurant & Lounge (Cow Hollow)
Blue Whale Restaurant & Lounge is where you go for approachable, seafood-forward Asian-inspired dishes. Sheets of dented metal at the bar shimmer like water, while deep blue accents continue the ocean theme in the dining room. The setting is perfect for digging into standout dishes like oven-baked Chilean sea bass with a miso glaze or braised seafood noodles and crispy duck salad with pomegranate.
For spicy Szechuan specialties at a top Chinese restaurant San Francisco – reserve a table at Z & Y Restaurant (Chinatown)
Z & Y Restaurant is a Chinatown hotspot for its spicy Szechuan dishes stacked with ruby red dried chilis and tongue-tingling Szechuan peppercorn. Award-winning chef Lijun Han is known for his punchy flavors and luxe ingredients—think crispy Peking duck topped with caviar and tea-smoked rotisserie duck. Enjoy them in a cozy, old-school dining room that’s a go-to for large group gatherings.
For flavorful soup dumplings at one of the best Chinese restaurants in San Francisco – try Fusion Dumpling (Chinatown)
Don’t be followed by Fusion Dumpling’s nondescript exterior—the Chinatown favorite is one of the best Asian SF restaurants. This Shanghai-style dumpling house uses a special vinegar in its dipping sauces that takes the flavor to another level. Try the black truffle and wagyu soup dumplings or other dim sum offerings. Dining solo? Order one of the mini hotpots.
For playful Cantonese-American mashups at a top Chinese restaurant San Francisco – enjoy a meal at Four Kings (Chinatown)
Four Kings is a San Francisco hotspot for its playful Cantonese-meets-American fusion dishes. A 90s Cantopop soundtrack sets the mood, while polaroids and retro ’90s and Y2K Hong Kong memorabilia decorate the walls. Sit at the counter to watch chefs Franky Ho and Mike Long prepare dishes influenced by their Cantonese heritage and Bay Area upbringing. Standout dishes include salted egg and squash croquettes, mapo spaghetti, and clay pot rice with Chinese sausage and bacon.
For no-nonsense dim sum at a group-friendly favorite – book a table at Yank Sing (Financial District/Embarcadero or SOMA)
Grab your crew and head to Yank Sing, one of San Francisco’s best spots for traditional dim sum. While the Rincon Center location is slightly larger, both outposts have plenty of tables for spreading out with large groups. Choose from over 100 no-frills dim sum specialties, including dumplings, sesame balls, and steamed BBQ pork buns from loaded trolleys that roll past tables in the lively space. Cap the meal with a cup of oolong tea.
Enjoy everything from roast Peking duck to rich soup dumplings and playful Cantonese-American mashups at these top Chinese restaurants in San Francisco. From trendy rooftop bars with Szcechuan-inspired cocktails and Asian-forward street bites in Union Square to a traditional dim sum feast at a glamorous Chinatown favorite, you don’t want to miss out on a top Chinese restaurant San Francisco.
