Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant
- 4.7Food
- 4.7Service
- 4.6Ambience
- 4.4Value
Noise • Moderate
202620252024
From the OpenTable editors: Drop a pin in Chinatown for your mapo spaghetti needs—the playful Four Kings pop-up now has a permanent address. Watch chefs Franky Ho and Mike Long prepare crowd favorites like fried squab and chili crisp pig head in an open kitchen in the lively dining room, complete with retro '90s and Y2K Hong Kong memorabilia and a Cantopop soundtrack.
Executive chef: Mike Long & Franky Ho
Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.
Four Kings reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.
Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant
Noise • Moderate
San Francisco Bay Area
Chinese
San Francisco
Hot spot
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July 7, 2026
San Francisco‘s restaurant scene ranks among the finest in North America, with more MICHELIN-Starred establishments than any city outside of New York. The best restaurants in San Francisco span multiple neighborhoods and cuisines, from classic prime rib carved tableside to innovative multi-course tasting menus that push culinary boundaries. Whether seeking MICHELIN-starred fine dining or creative small plates in the Western Addition, these essential San Francisco restaurants define the city’s reputation for culinary excellence. Reservations are highly recommended at these top dining destinations. What the experts say: “Dinner at the new cool-kid restaurant of the year or the myriad decades-old institutions proves it: the Paris of the West cooks on the cutting edge.” —Paolo Bicchieri, writer living on the coast with bylines in the San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Examiner, Eater SF, KQED, and more “San Francisco is without a doubt one of the best dining destinations in America. We have it all—from multiple Michelin-Starred restaurants to your favorite mom-and-pops. The city is a diverse melting pot of deliciousness.” —Omar Mamoon, San Francisco-based writer with bylines in the San Francisco Chronicle, Esquire, Condé Nast Traveler, and more and cookie dough professional—find him on Instagram “SF is a top dining destination: There are always new and hot places to chase down a reservation at, and our longtime classics age like fine wine, offering consistency, top ingredients, and tuned service that create memorable experiences and repeat customers.” —Marcia Gagliardi, SF-based restaurant columnist and founder of the insider tablehopper newsletter (since 2006!); pre-influencer; on Instagram: @tablehopper
Published by OpenTable
July 7, 2026
San Francisco is a city that rewards the curious. From its fog-draped avenues to its sun-soaked Mission murals, the food scene here moves fast — and right now, it’s moving faster than ever. Whether you’re chasing the city’s latest must-book table or revisiting a neighborhood institution that’s somehow cooler than it’s ever been, there’s no shortage of reasons to plan your next meal in SF. The coolest restaurants in San Francisco span every register: fiery Cantonese late-night kitchens, tasting menu destinations earning international attention, a James Beard-winning dining room where dim sum carts circulate the room, and a MICHELIN-starred coastal Indian restaurant that’s become one of the hardest reservations in the city. These are the venues with real momentum right now — the places people are excited about, talking about, and lining up to get into. What the experts say: “San Francisco’s aesthetic might get memed for Patagonia vests and crypto-branded hoodies. But there’s a distinct coolness in its restaurant scene. Many of the country’s cooks cut their teeth here, and diners the world over know it.” —Paolo Bicchieri, writer living on the coast with bylines in the San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Examiner, Eater SF, KQED, and more “What makes a restaurant cool? It starts with the people, of course. The line cooks and chefs that prepare your food behind the house, and the hospitable front of house that ties it all together.” —Omar Mamoon, San Francisco-based writer with bylines in the San Francisco Chronicle, Esquire, Condé Nast Traveler, and more and cookie dough professional—find him on Instagram “SF is more about substance over style. For a restaurant to be cool here, it has to be delicious, creative, and a little hard to get into—and it’s always a good sign when you spot restaurant industry folks on their day off.” —Marcia Gagliardi, SF-based restaurant columnist and founder of the insider tablehopper newsletter (since 2006!); pre-influencer; on Instagram: @tablehopper Ready to book? Explore the coolest restaurants in San Francisco right now — secure your table instantly on OpenTable, and earn loyalty points for every single reservation by opting in. Scoring a table at San Francisco’s coolest restaurants just got easier — set a Notify Me alert on the OpenTable app and get notified the instant availability drops.
Published by OpenTable
July 7, 2026
San Francisco‘s culinary scene has always been defined by its rich Chinese food culture with Chinatown serving as the beating heart since the Gold Rush era. Today, chefs honor centuries-old traditions and reimagine classics through a California lens. From tableside Peking duck to fiery Sichuan peppercorns that dance on your tongue, the city offers some of the country’s most compelling Chinese dining. Discover the best Chinese restaurant in San Francisco and book your table instantly on OpenTable. What the experts say: “Chinese chefs from around the world have decided San Francisco is the place to throw down the gauntlet. That looks like brilliant pop-ups, upscale Cantonese comfort joints, Halal-friendly family-run spots, and much, much more.” —Paolo Bicchieri, writer living on the coast with bylines in the San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Examiner, Eater SF, KQED, and more “The Chinese food scene in San Francisco reflects the vast regional diversity of the country. From mouth-numbing fiery Sichuan fare to powerfully potent Canto cooking that’s full of wok hei, we’ve got it all. We’re so lucky.” —Omar Mamoon, San Francisco-based writer with bylines in the San Francisco Chronicle, Esquire, Condé Nast Traveler, and more and cookie dough professional—find him on Instagram “While Chinatown is predominantly known for Cantonese cuisine, some of my favorite Chinese restaurants are widespread in neighborhoods all over the city, where you can find more regional styles of Chinese cookery as well.” —Marcia Gagliardi, SF-based restaurant columnist and founder of the insider tablehopper newsletter (since 2006!); pre-influencer; on Instagram: @tablehopper
Published by OpenTable
July 7, 2026
The best restaurants in Chinatown San Francisco sit at the intersection of history, innovation, and one of the most dynamic dining scenes in the country. San Francisco has long been a restaurant town—defined by ambitious chefs, globally inspired menus, and neighborhoods where food culture feels woven into everyday life. Chinatown, in particular, offers a rare concentration of legacy Chinese kitchens, destination dining rooms, cocktail-driven lounges, and new-school spots reshaping how the neighborhood is experienced. From banquet-style feasts and classic Sichuan heat to late-night bars and refined tasting menus, this is a place where diners can explore decades of tradition alongside modern creativity. What the experts say: “The country’s first Chinatown is as fine a place for dinner as it ever has been. The dozens of dim sum parlors and the country’s only MICHELIN Star-holding Chinese restaurant garner lots of attention—for good reason.” —Paolo Bicchieri, writer living on the coast with bylines in the San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Examiner, Eater SF, KQED, and more “San Francisco is home to both the first and one of the largest Chinatowns in America; as such, it’s got a sprawling collection of incredible restaurants, including Four Kings, one of The Best New Restaurants in America according to some dude at Esquire (that might be me).” —Omar Mamoon, San Francisco-based writer with bylines in the San Francisco Chronicle, Esquire, Condé Nast Traveler, and more and cookie dough professional—find him on Instagram “Something I really love about our inimitable Chinatown is that while you can always return to your preferred casual, old-school spot, there are also always new places opening, with some from a younger generation of SF chefs.” —Marcia Gagliardi, SF-based restaurant columnist and founder of the insider tablehopper newsletter (since 2006!); pre-influencer; on Instagram: @tablehopper This guide spotlights the best restaurants in Chinatown San Francisco for travelers, locals, and anyone planning their next reservation-worthy meal. Whether you’re after celebratory Peking duck, boundary-pushing Chinese American cooking, or a stylish bar to cap the night, these are tables worth securing. Explore the list below and book instantly on OpenTable to lock in your Chinatown dining plans.
Published by OpenTable
January 14, 2026
Paolo Bicchieri praises Four Kings, highlighting fried squab, claypot rice with Chinese sausage and bacon, and a Singaporean crab atop fried milk bread, along with a Chongqing hot rabbit. The vibe blends izakaya energy with chef-driven plates, and walk-in odds are limited.
Published in Eater San Francisco
November 19, 2025
The piece surveys the evolving landscape of Chinese American cuisine, using Four Kings in San Francisco as a case study in reimagining tradition. It also explores regional styles, generational shifts, and the pressures facing Chinatown eateries today.
Published in American Community Media
October 21, 2025
Two former Mister Jiu's chefs bring a bold Cantonese menu and a lively scene to San Francisco's Chinatown. The piece spotlights fried squab and other signature dishes that helped the restaurant gain national attention and Michelin recognition.
Published in Food & Wine
September 16, 2025
Four Kings, a Cantonese-inspired spot from Mister Jiu’s alums, serves crispy seven-day dry-aged squab and XO escargot. It offers walk-ins at a 10-seat bar all night, with reservations released three weeks ahead at noon.
Published in The Infatuation
July 30, 2025
A guide to San Francisco spots that draw long waits, with nearby places to grab a drink or dessert while you queue. Four Kings is featured with tips on walk-ins at the counter and reservations, plus nearby Li Po Cocktail Lounge for a pre- or post-wait drink.
Published in The Infatuation
Portions lean toward small-to-medium, designed for sharing tapas-style rather than single large entrees. Guests often order several plates to sample the menu; many recommend 3–6 dishes for two people. Some dishes (squab, seafood plates) are richer and feel more substantial, while vegetables and small bites come in smaller portions, so plan to share and order a few staples plus a special.
There’s no official waiting-list policy stated, but guests report long waits and frequent walk-in queues during busy hours. Reservations fill quickly; many guests recommend booking well in advance or trying late walk-in times. If you’re flexible, arriving later in the evening improves your chances but specials may be sold out.
Busiest: Friday–Saturday evenings and early prime dinner times (6–8pm), when reservations are hardest to get and specials sell out quickly. Quietest: later seatings (around 9:30–10pm) or less-busy nights like Thursday or Sunday evenings, when walk-ins have a better shot at a table.
Warm, energetic, and nostalgic, Four Kings mixes 90s Cantopop, retro Hong Kong posters, and a bustling open kitchen for a vibrant Chinatown vibe. Guests consistently describe it as cozy, loud, and lively; great for groups and casual celebrations, but not a quiet, formal evening.
Casual dress is appropriate, the spot is comfortable and informal while still delivering an elevated dining experience. Guests typically come dressed casually for a fun night out.
Yes, Four Kings is a lively, cozy spot that many guests recommend for a fun date night. Expect nostalgic 90s Cantopop, warm attentive service, and shareable, flavor-forward Cantonese plates (think fried squab, XO escargot, mapo spaghetti). The space is small and can be loud, so opt for a table reservation if you want a slightly quieter experience; counter seats are more cramped but energetic. Book ahead, reservations are hard to get but worth it for a memorable night out.
Generally yes, guests bring families and teens, and staff have accommodated children and toddlers. The kitchen’s bold flavors skew spicy and rich, so consider choosing milder dishes for younger kids. Note the space is small and counter seating can be tight; an earlier table or calling ahead for a more comfortable spot is recommended.
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