10 must-book restaurants in San Francisco’s Mission District

Meats cooked over a wood-fired asador and Latin American small plates are menu highlights at Lolinda. Credit: Lolinda
A table set with grilled steak, skewered corn, yams and sausage, and half-eaten plates at Lolinda, one of the best steak restaurants in San Francisco, on OpenTable.

Choose from a wide variety of cuisines from Nepalese to Oaxacan and California fusion fare when you book a table at one of the best restaurants in the Mission District in San Francisco.

Dig into Cali cuisine while watching movie screenings on a lush patio. Indulge in stellar sourdough crust pizza. Dance to live DJs while enjoying Senegalese dishes.

Find your next favorite hot spot and book a table on OpenTable now.

Discover 10 of the best restaurants in the Mission District, San Francisco.

For a classic Californian night of dinner and a movie — reserve a table at Foreign Cinema (Mission District)

An outdoor patio is full of people under strung lights as a movie is projected onto the wall at Foreign Cinema in the Mission District, San Francisco. Book on OpenTable.
Crowds flock to Foreign Cinema for outdoor movie screenings while dining on the outdoor patio. Credit: Foreign Cinema

Foreign Cinema is where you head for top-notch Californian cuisine with outdoor movie screenings. The warm, inviting dining room has a fireplace and an open kitchen, while nightly films start at dusk on the partially covered, heated courtyard. Expect seasonal menus with elegant dishes like Pacific mahi-mahi with fingerlings potatoes and Romanesco broccoli.


For wood-fired Argentinean steaks in a celebration-friendly steakhouse — book a table at Lolinda (Mission District)

Candlelit tables, half-moon black leather banquettes, and cattle motifs deck the dining room at Lolinda in the Mission District, San Francisco. Book on OpenTable.
Lolinda’s luxe dining room sets the stage for a celebratory meal of grass-fed Argentinean steak. Credit: Lolinda

Step into Lolinda for a stunning setting of black leather banquettes and candlelit tables to enjoy a special meal of cuisine and drinks inspired by Latin America, Spain, and Argentina. Expect ceviche, empanadas, and roasted bone marrow with crostini along with premium wood-fired steaks. For group gatherings and special occasions, order the asado mixto (barbecue mix for two) or extend the party upstairs at El Techo, an open-air rooftop spot for margaritas and sweeping city views.


For trendy Thai cuisine at one of the best restaurants in the Mission District, San Francisco — make a reservation at Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine (Mission District)

At Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine - San Francisco in the Mission District, San Francisco, a huge bone in short rib with Panang curry sits on broccoli with a side of blue rice. Reserve on OpenTable.
Don’t miss out on Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine’s signature slow-braised, bone-in short rib in Panang curry with blue rice. Credit: Farmhouse Kitchen

Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine is a destination for modern Thai dishes. This trendy spot is run by chef Kasem “Pop” Saengsawang, champion of the Food Network’s “Thai Takedown” episode of Chopped. Spices flow freely, and locals rave about the volcano cup with stir-fried noodles, bone-in braised short rib, and housemade Godmother sauce.

For a refined spot with elegant Italian dishes — ensure your table awaits at Itria (Mission District)

A close-up of mafaldine ribbon pasta topped with crushed black pepper, herbs, and bread crumbs at Itria, one of the best restaurants in the Mission District, San Francisco, available. Book on OpenTable.
Indulge in mafaldine pasta with a creamy cheese and egg sauce at Itria. Credit: Itria

Itria is one of the best restaurants in the Mission District in San Francisco. The refined Italian spot boasts a charming, rustic-chic vibe. Start with Miyagi oysters or pappardelle with roasted pork sauce, and then share a family-style glazed lamb belly. For special occasions, go all in on the six-course chef’s tasting menu.


For refined Italian favorites in a relaxed atmosphere — visit Beretta (Mission District)

A bird’s eye view of colorful risotto dishes ranging from dark squid ink to yellow saffron to creamy mushroom alongside bowls of olives at Beretta in San Francisco. Reserve a table on OpenTable.
Head to Beretta for Italian small plates like squid ink risotto and saffron risotto with mushrooms. Credit: Beretta

Check out Beretta for classic Italian comfort food in a modern, elegant trattoria setting. Gorgeous dark wood, community-style tables set the stage for savory antipasti, hearty risottos, and thin-crust pizzas. Ingredients are fresh, organic, and seasonal whenever possible. Bonus points for vegetarian and vegan options.


For Nepalese small plates, momos, and more — head to Dancing Yak (Mission District)

An aerial view of juicy dumplings arranged creatively around an orange sauce with garnishes at Dancing Yak, one of the best restaurants in the Mission District, San Francisco. Reserve on OpenTable.
Dancing Yak is a destination for Nepalese fare. Credit: Dancing Yak

Dancing Yak brings homemade Nepalese comfort food to San Francisco. This restaurant has a hip vibe with dark green banquettes and colorful lighting fixtures. Order up the rice and lentils daal bhat, traditional stir fry shapta, or the house special lamb shish kabab. Pair your meal with a glass of raski, the traditional home brew of Nepal.


For Oaxacan-inspired dishes at a family-owned favorite — book a table at Donaji (Mission District)

At Donaji, one of the best restaurants in the Mission District, San Francisco, a mint-green tricycle with an attached trailer, which has cactuses in it, sits under a brightly colored painting of a grasshopper—book on OpenTable.
Enjoy Donaji’s colorful walls while feasting on bold Oaxacan dishes. Credit: Donaji

Head to Donaji, where you’ll find Oaxacan-inspired cuisine with Instagram-ready walls. You’re here for the enchiladas with the 20-ingredient black mole sauce. Choose from chipotle pulled chicken, braised beef, potato soyrizo, or cheese. Sign up for the cooking class with chef Isai Cuevas and learn how to make fresh ground masa. 


For Senegalese fare and a group-friendly spot for dancing — reserve a table at Bissap Baobab (Mission District)

An aerial view of a spread of Senegalese dishes like pasteles, fried plantains, wings, and marquesitas (Latin crepes) at Bissap Baobab, in the Mission District, San Francisco. Book on OpenTable.
Bissap Baobab is where you go for Senegalese fare. Credit: Bissap Baobab

Bissap Baobab is a bustling spot known for traditional Senegalese dishes and West African-California fusion fare. Fuel up for an evening of dancing to late-night DJs with playful small plates like fried plantains and pasteles (African empanadas) or hearty bowls and mains. Wash it all down with one of the restaurant’s homemade juices or hibiscus margarita pitcher for the whole crew.


For a taste of North Africa at one of the best restaurants in the Mission District, San Francisco — check out Gola (Mission District)

At Gola, one of the best restaurants in Mission District, San Francisco, a table spread of plates showcases the menu. There is an octopus salad, seafood dish in a creamy yellow sauce, a stuffed eggplant and more—book on OpenTable.
Enjoy chef Rafik Bouzidi’s Tunisian-inspired dishes at Gola. Credit: Gola

Gola is an ode to chef-owner Rafik Bouzidi’ homeland of Tunisia. Expect a compact menu of North African- and Mediterranean-inspired dishes that meld local ingredients with Tunisian spices. Dig into favorites like lamb tagine, grilled branzino, and Tunisian deviled eggs in a charming setting.


For Japanese fare and sushi in a chic atmosphere — grab a table at Sushi Shio (Mission District)

A premium piece of nigiri sushi topped with green wasabi sauce at Sushi Shio in San Francisco—book on OpenTable.
Premium sushi and sashimi await at Sushi Shio. Credit: Sushi Shio

Sushi Shio is where you go for upscale Japanese fare for a business meal or special occasion. The clean-lined, chic space encourages socializing over a high-quality tasting menu. Go for the five-piece exclusive that includes two kinds of sea urchin and Japanese wagyu beef with truffle.

With its diverse and dynamic food scene, the Mission District is one of San Francisco’s best dining neighborhoods. From a family-owned Mexican restaurant with nods to the Oaxacan coast to Persian plates standouts at a charming spot and a hip destination for Nepalese stir fry and momos, check out these top restaurants in the Mission District.

The 10 best restaurants in the Mission District, San Francisco fill up quickly, so book your seat on OpenTable.

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