When it comes to eating, San Francisco has an embarrassment of riches: Fresh produce from the Central Valley, local seafood, an abundance of organic foodstuffs, and driven, creative chefs. But the dining culture has been even stronger since the dotcom bust—belt-tightening helped to weed out the mediocre places that sprouted up in the late 1990s, and the latest generation of internet wealth has allowed talented newcomers to flourish.

Yet somehow, the city has managed to not be inundated with endless overhyped, overpriced startups (startup restaurants, at least). Food trumps flash here, and you can be wowed by everything from a humble burrito (Cancun on Market Street or El Toro, San Francisco Taqueria, or Poncho Villa in the Mission District) to highbrow crudo (raw fish). Plus, in this laid-back metropolis, dining alone rarely elicits any raised eyebrows. Many of San Francisco’s best restaurants are happy to let you and your BlackBerry settle in for a long meal.


South of Market (Soma): Bacar
448 Brannon Street
415-904-4100
In the shadow of Pac Bell Park, in the city’s growing business district south of Market Street known as Soma, Bacar is a haven for wine lovers dining alone. The restaurant offers nearly 50 varieties by the glass, 250 ml or 500 ml decanter, or even tiny two-ounce flutes. Though the full menu, which ranges from standards like short ribs to the more exotic like bone marrow, is available at the bar, that area can get a bit loud when the after-work/pre-baseball-game crowd descends. Instead, ensconce yourself in one of the booths for two at the back of the restaurant, where you can take in the loftlike space.

Dress: Suits to khakis
Prices: Expensive
Reservations: Recommended for a table; not taken for bar area
Close to: W Hotel San Francisco


Embarcadero: Slanted Door
1 Ferry Building, No. 3
415-861-8032
Reservations are tough to come by at this 12-year-old favorite. But if you are on your own, it’s surprisingly easy to find a spot at the bar among the couples and lone diners grabbing a bite before heading home on the ferry. Try to sit near the dining room so you can watch the sailboats pass under the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as you sample chef Charles Phan’s famed Vietnamese dishes. Half portions are available; the knowledgeable bartenders are happy to offer suggestions and let you try plenty of wines along the way.

Dress: Casual to dressy
Prices: Midrange
Reservations: Recommended for a table; not taken for bar
Close to: Hotel Vitale


Mission: Range
842 Valencia Street
415-282-8283
Though it’s still a bit rough around the edges, the Mission is home to some of this town’s more inventive restaurants. The Slanted Door got its start here. Delfina enjoys a growing reputation. Foreign Cinema shows films with dinner. This neighborhood restaurant has top-notch food. The full menu is served at the bar, which, unlike the more formal restaurant, has a homey feel and caters to solo diners and couples out for a drink and a bite. The menu, which often features favorites like crispy roast chicken and braised pork, changes regularly to reflect seasonal ingredients.

Dress: Jeans to jackets
Prices: Midrange
Reservations: Recommended for a table; not taken for bar
Close to: Parc Fifty Five Hotel