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San Francisco · checked November 14, 2026
10 classic restaurants in San Francisco that still hit the spot
The oldest has been open since 1867; the youngest, 1979. Every one is still getting the praise today, and each card says what to order and how to get in. Oldest first.
1Since 1867A photo like it · Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 4.0
Sam's Grill
Order: Crab Louie and the cioppino, in a curtained booth
Why it still hits the spot: Founded in 1867 as a fish stall and on Bush Street since 1874, it claims to be the third-oldest restaurant in San Francisco. The SF Standard found it still looking and feeling like a banker's lunchroom in late 2025, with white tablecloths, bow-tied waiters and an owner who says business is nearly at its peak.
Good to know: Weekday lunch is the classic hour. Ask for one of the curtained booths when you book.
Where we found it: SF Standard: Old-school restaurants aren't dying, they're having breakout years (2025-11) · SF Standard: SF's third-oldest restaurant has served kingmakers and common folks for over 150 years (2023-03) · Roadfood: Sam's Grill
2Since 1909A photo like it
New Lun Ting Cafe
Order: The marinated pork chop rice plate with soup and a drink
Why it still hits the spot: The Chinatown cafe locals call the Pork Chop House, open since 1909 and still cash only. It closed for months after a deadly car crash in March 2026 and reopened in June, so a plate here now also supports a neighborhood landmark that came back.
Good to know: Bring cash. Split the plate if you are saving room for lunch at Swan Oyster Depot.
Where we found it: Chef Amazing: Where to eat in San Francisco (Chinatown to Swan morning) (2026-11) · NBC Bay Area: Longtime Chinatown 'Pork Chop House' reopens after deadly crash in March (2026)
3Since 1912A photo like it · FordsFishShack, CC BY-SA 4.0
Swan Oyster Depot
Order: Dungeness crab Louie, a half dozen oysters and a cup of chowder, eaten at the marble counter
Why it still hits the spot: An 18-stool seafood counter on Polk Street since 1912, still run by the same family. The Chronicle notes it as the one legacy restaurant on its Top 100, and Opinionated About Dining ranked it 46th on its 2025 North America casual list.
Good to know: No reservations and cash only. Closed Sunday. Get in line before the doors open or go in the middle of the afternoon.
Where we found it: Chef Amazing: Where to eat in San Francisco (crab and oysters at Swan) (2026-11) · SF Chronicle: The classic S.F. restaurants that readers will never stop going back to · Pearl: Swan Oyster Depot (Opinionated About Dining 2025, #46 casual North America) (2025) · Time Out San Francisco: Swan Oyster Depot
4Since 1937A photo like it · Vegan Feast Catering, CC BY 2.0
Original Joe's
Order: The red-sauce Italian-American classics, and the Joe's Special scramble the house is named for
Why it still hits the spot: It began as a 14-stool counter in 1937 and came back to North Beach in 2007 after a fire, across from Washington Square. In May 2026 The Bold Italic said it feels as if it has been there for 80-plus years, and Chronicle readers ranked it second among the city's classic restaurants.
Good to know: Walk-ins can wait on a Friday night; book ahead for dinner.
Where we found it: The Bold Italic: red-sauce Italian legend Original Joe's (2026-05) · SF Chronicle: The classic S.F. restaurants that readers will never stop going back to · Time Out San Francisco: Original Joe's
5Since 1949A photo like it · Andy / Andrew Fogg from near Cambridge, UK, CC BY 2.0
House of Prime Rib
Order: Prime rib carved at your table, the spinning-bowl salad and Yorkshire pudding
Why it still hits the spot: The prime rib room since 1949, with rolling carts and a salad tossed in a spinning bowl. The Chronicle says it has made 19 of its 26 Top 100 lists, and OpenTable diners rate it 4.8.
Good to know: Book ahead; it is the city's hardest steak table to get on short notice.
Where we found it: Chef Amazing: Where to eat in San Francisco (prime rib) (2026-11) · SF Chronicle: Zuni Cafe is one SF restaurant that's been on every Top 100 list (notes House of Prime Rib at 19 of 26) · SF Chronicle Top 100: House of Prime Rib (2018)
6Since 1965A photo like it · Eugene Kim, CC BY 2.0
Tommy's Mexican Restaurant
Order: A Tommy's margarita (fresh lime, agave, 100% agave tequila), then a Yucatan-style plate
Why it still hits the spot: A family place on Geary Boulevard at 24th Avenue since 1965, where Julio Bermejo turned his parents' restaurant into a tequila landmark. The Chronicle credits him with changing how Bay Area bars think about tequila, and the city proclaimed Aug. 24, 2025 Tommy's Mexican Restaurant Day for its 60th year.
Good to know: Ask about the tequila flight of small margaritas, the Chronicle's pick for learning the difference between bottles.
Where we found it: Richmond Sunset News: Tommy's Mexican Restaurant, Richmond institution, celebrates 60 years (2025-10) · SF Chronicle: Tommy's Mexican restaurant in SF has a secret margarita menu · SF Chronicle: The classic bars that make San Francisco
7Since 1965A photo like it · Gryffindor, Public domain
Scoma's
Order: Petrale sole doré, the cioppino and a Bloody Mary
Why it still hits the spot: Albert and Joseph Scoma opened on Pier 47 in 1965 with six stools and their mother's recipes. Chronicle critic MacKenzie Chung Fegan called it a 60-year-old institution that does not rest on its laurels, and it ranked 43rd on the Chronicle's 2025 Top 100.
Good to know: A Wharf landmark the Chronicle still ranks among the city's best; go for a late lunch to miss the crowds.
Where we found it: SF Chronicle: Scoma's is an SF seafood classic going strong on Fisherman's Wharf · SF Chronicle: 100 best restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area, ranked (2026, shows 2025 rank) (2026) · Scoma's: history
8Since 1973A photo like it · lauren.topor, CC BY 2.0
La Taqueria
Order: The riceless burrito, carnitas or carne asada
Why it still hits the spot: Miguel Jara's Mission taqueria, open since 1973, still the burrito other shops are measured against. The Chronicle's Top 100 praised it in 2025, where it ranked 59th.
Good to know: Almost always a line, and hours are shorter than most taquerias, so check before you go.
Where we found it: Chef Amazing: Where to eat in San Francisco (riceless burritos since 1973) (2026-11) · SF Chronicle: Top 100 restaurants in the Bay Area 2025 (2025) · SF Chronicle Top 100: La Taqueria (2018)
9Since 1978A photo like it · Dario Alvarez from Orense, España, CC BY 2.0
Golden Boy Pizza
Order: The clam and garlic square, or a pepperoni square, on focaccia crust
Why it still hits the spot: Sicilian-style focaccia squares sold by the slice since the late 1970s, a North Beach late-night habit. The Infatuation says the clam and garlic pie tastes like ocean water and a garlic patch, and calls it a must-try.
Good to know: Cash only. The Parkside branch has a much shorter line than the North Beach original.
Where we found it: The Infatuation: Golden Boy's fluffy focaccia squares are well worth the wait · The Infatuation: 22 iconic dishes that define SF · SF Chronicle: S.F. icon Golden Boy Pizza opening new location
10Since 1979
Zuni Cafe
Order: The whole roast chicken for two with warm bread salad, the Caesar, and an oyster or two
Why it still hits the spot: The wood-fired roast chicken and bread salad is the dish the whole city measures a chicken by. The Chronicle says Zuni is the only restaurant on every one of its Top 100 lists since the first in 1996, and it ranked 10th in 2025.
Good to know: Order the chicken when you sit down; it takes about an hour to roast. Book on OpenTable.
Where we found it: SF Chronicle: Zuni Cafe is one SF restaurant that's been on every Top 100 list · SF Chronicle: 100 best restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area, ranked (2026) (2026) · Chef Amazing: Where to eat in San Francisco (James Beard-winning roast chicken) (2026-11)
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How we pick: open 40+ years and still praised now; our own stories and guides first, then this year's critics and best-of lists; every place checked open. Photos marked "a photo like it" show that kind of food, not that place's. Chef Amazing is not paid by any place on this page.
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Researched and published by Chef Amazing, from our own stories, this year’s critics and food press, and a check that each place is open. Nobody pays to be on our lists: how we pick. Spot something wrong? Tell us and we fix it.