With everything from MICHELIN-Starred experiences to laid-back neighborhood favorites, San Francisco is a great city for dining out as a party of one. Thoughtful bar seating, chef’s counters, and welcoming atmospheres create ideal settings for some of the best solo dining in San Francisco.
Indulge in an omakase experience in SOMA. Sample Mediterranean flavors at a stylish spot in Presidio. Enjoy playful takes on Cantonese classics at an acclaimed destination in Chinatown.
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Discover 10 restaurants for the best solo dining in San Francisco.
For traditional Cantonese dishes with a modern twist — try Four Kings (Chinatown)
Eater SF’s Restaurant of the Year in 2024, Four Kings brings playful Cantonese dishes to a nostalgia-fueled space in Chinatown. Get a front-row seat to the action at the open kitchen bar, where chefs prepare signature dishes like fried squab, mapo spaghetti, and XO escargot with milk bread. Pair your meal with a cold sake or a pot of fragrant jasmine tea. The warm, welcoming ambiance and lively open kitchen make it a great choice for dining solo in San Francisco.
For a stylish Mediterranean escape — try Dalida (Presidio)
Head to Dalida in Presidio for elegant, Mediterranean-inspired solo dining. The menu leans into Eastern Mediterranean flavors with dishes like fluffy pitas with hummus, spiced kibbeh, and lamb chops. Linger with a glass of wine or cocktail at the cozy bar, or grab a seat in the stylish dining room with custom nature-inspired wallpaper, repurposed furniture, and local art. Don’t miss the patio with Alcatraz views.
For fresh seafood and the best solo dining in San Francisco — try The Anchovy Bar (Western Addition)
This favorite from the team behind acclaimed spots State Bird Provisions and The Progress is ideal for dining solo in San Francisco. Grab a counter seat to watch chefs prepare stellar, seafood-forward small plates like West Coast oysters, anchovy toast, and cured in-house fish. Pair your meal with a a glass of vermouth or crisp white from the natural-leaning list.
For Filipino cuisine with California influences — try Abacá (North Beach)
Abacá is a stylish restaurant with a cool outdoor terrace serving Filipino-meets-Californian cuisine. Chef Francis Ang blends bold flavors with traditional techniques in dishes like smoked Bay scallops in seafood pancit and crispy chicken skin glazed in adobo. Creative Southeast Asian-inspired cocktails, like the pandan-infused vodka slushy, round out the experience. With its vibrant setting and warm hospitality, Abacá is an excellent choice for a solo outing.
For house-made pasta and lively Italian vibes — try Che Fico (North Panhandle/USF)
Che Fico brings a California spin to Italian cuisine. Dig into handmade pastas like agnolotti with braised short ribs or wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pizzas at the bar or in the lively dining room with an open kitchen and lush greenery. If you’re drinking, try one of the seasonal aperitifs or a glass for wine from the stellar Italian- and California-leaning list. With its rustic decor and high energy, Che Fico is an inviting place for dining solo in San Francisco.
For a refined omakase experience and some of the best solo dining in San Francisco — try AKIKOS (SOMA)
Head to AKIKOS for an intimate and high-end omakase experience. The expertly prepared nigiri highlights the freshest fish sourced from local purveyors and Tokyo’s famed Toyosu Fish Market. Signature dishes include shokupan (grilled milk bread topped with toro) and golden Kaluga caviar. The sake list has rare and premium selections to complement the meal. With minimalist decor and an elegant ambiance, it’s a great choice for an immersive and luxurious solo dining experience.
For cozy Italian dining with handmade pasta — try Corzetti (Downtown/Union Square)
Corzetti is where you go for food and vibes that channel the Italian Riviera. Menu highlights include stellar handmade pasta (pro tip: get the tagliatelle with braised beef shoulder) and elegant main dishes like branzino finished with lemon and rosemary. The deep Italian wine list has thoughtful pairings for each dish, while the bar provides a cozy setting for a solo meal.
For fresh seafood and wood-fired meats at a MICHELIN-Starred hotspot — try Angler (Financial District/Embarcadero)
MICHELIN-Starred Angler is a destination for its bold, seafood-focused dishes cooked over an expansive wood-burning hearth. Settle into the lodge-like space with exposed brick and taxidermy to enjoy dishes like grilled hand-diver scallops and an embered whole lobster. Add in Bay views, and you have all the ingredients for a perfect solo night out.
For seasonal Californian cuisine in an inviting setting — try Frances (The Castro)
At Frances, chef Melissa Perello’s seasonally-driven menu stars ingredients from top local farms and producers. Named in honor of the chef’s grandmother, the restaurant features a menu of refined, American dishes like celeriac soup with hedgehog mushrooms and risotto with fave green pistou, English peas, and crispy toasted breadcrumbs. The inviting, compact space and impeccable service make the spot an ideal destination for solo dining in San Francisco. Don’t miss the homemade sourdough.
For a three-course dining experience at a San Francisco classic — try Boulevard (Financial District/Embarcadero)
A San Francisco institution, Boulevard has been serving refined Californian cuisine in an elegant setting since 1993. Indulge in a prix-fixe three-course menu in the dining room, or order a la carte in the bar or lounge. The changing menu highlights seasonal and local ingredients, celebrating the flavors of California with elegant dishes like a Berkshire pork chop with blackberry and hickory syrup. The restaurant’s blend of history, sophistication, and impeccable service makes it a top choice for a memorable solo dining experience in the city.
San Francisco’s vibrant dining scene has no shortage of exceptional options. Whether you’re savoring handmade pasta at a cozy Italian pizzeria, enjoying pristine seafood at a chef’s counter, or indulging in wood-fired meats and seafood at a MICHELIN-Starred spot, these are the best restaurants for solo dining in San Francisco.
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