San Francisco's Best Restaurants - Direct From An SF Native!

I have spent nearly my entire life in San Francisco and wanted to share with people my favorite restaurants, by cuisine. Just tell them Michael sent you!

• Italian - Fior D'Italia, Cap's Corner
• Indian - Shalimar
• Chinese - Green Garden, House of Nanking
• Vietnamese - Ana Mandara, Le Colonial
• Burmese - Burma Superstar

Some of San Francisco's best restaurants are located within 2 blocks of the picture located to the right, including The Big Four and  Le Colonial. San Francisco is known for its diverse international cusine. Many people refer to San Francisco as one of the most European cities, and boasts world class cuisine from not only Europe, but Asian, India, and many other parts of the globe.

Italian

• Fior D' Italia, located in San Francisco's historic North Beach, is one of the oldest Italian restaurants in the country. My favorite dish, which is not even on the menu (you need to ask the waiter if the chef will prepare it for you) is the Chicken Parmigiana ("Chicken Parm"). I recommend getting it with a side of their pesto pasta! 

Indian

• Shalimar, with several locations in San Franciso and the South Bay, is arguably the most authentic Indian cuisine  in the Bay Area. It is also very well priced. You can dine for less than $20 per person. The restaurant was started by several Indian taxi drivers who were searching for great Indian food during their breaks from driving. They ended up starting one restaurant and have expanded over the last several years. The chicken tikka is amazing.  

Chinese

• Green Garden, located in North Beach, is an inexpensive, yet outstanding Chinese restaurant that is know for using fresh ingredients. My favorite dish is the spicy basil chicken (ask for it with white meat). It is also a great lunch spot.

• House of Nanking consistently is rated among the best Chinese restaurants in the city, and, like Green Garden, is a very simple restaurant with an emphasis on the quality of the food over the decor. Often, the owner who also doubles as a waiter will be your server, and he is famous for ordering for you. 

Vietnamese

• Ana Mandara, owned by the actor Don Johnson, is located in Ghirardelli Square, and has an amazing ambience, not to mention food. It is pricey, but a great place to take guests. They have an upstairs lounge area that is also great for entertaining, complete with Jazz on certain nights. Their signature dish is the Mekong Basa, a light flakey fish that is lightly sauteed, and top with a sweet lemon sauce. I also recommend their claypot chicken, and their garlic noodles are a great side dish. Make sure to save room for dessert, or if you like, the famous Ghirardelli ice cream shop/parlor is just up the stairs from the restaurant. If you really want some amazing ice cream, though, after your meal, take the Hyde Street cable car line, which is 2 blocks from the restaurant, up the hill and get off at Hyde/Union. On the corner is Swenson's ice cream parlor, a San Francisco treat!

Burmese

• Burma Superstar is one of the best kept secrets in the city. It is always crowded. An amazing place to take visitors, although it is quite simple and unpretentious, but nonetheless very authentic. What is burmese food? I would liken it  to a combination of Indian and Asian (Vietnamese), with a hint of other cuisine from the region. The food is so good you will want to order the entire menu.