At the Table of Innovation: San Francisco’s New Restaurants, Global Fusion, and Bold Flavors

SAN FRANCISCO (May 5, 2025) — San Francisco’s dining scene is breaking new ground this season with bold flavors, inventive fusion, and a fresh wave of culinary creativity across the city. Here’s what’s new — and next — on San Francisco’s table.

Global Fusion & Cultural Crossroads

Opened in April, Meski delivers an avant-garde diasporic concept, reimagining contemporary Afro-Latin cuisine through an Ethiopian lens. Co-founded by NBA Champion Draymond Green, restaurateur Guma Fassil, and Top Chef’s Nelson German, the restaurant offers an elevated yet soulful take on diasporic cuisine. Meski features lush interiors inspired by Black Girls Green House and a cocktail program as adventurous as the menu.

Modí is a new inventive Mexican-Italian fusion restaurant, where "the Mediterranean Sea meets the Caribbean Sea, the forest meets the Tropical Jungle, and the intriguing flavors of Mexico meet the classic ones of Italy.”

Morella, San Francisco’s first Argentinian-Italian restaurant, celebrates the gastronomic influences that immigrants from European countries, particularly Spain and Italy, had on Argentinian cuisine in the decades following the mass migrations at the turn of the 20th century. Morella features traditional empanadas, wood-smoked meats, pastas and internationally inspired drinks — all meant to be enjoyed in the bright, convivial space.

Outta Sight Pizza II from Mister Jiu’s alumni Peter Dorrance and Eric Ehler serves classics and fusion by the slice in its new Chinatown location. Toppings range from Peking duck to tandoori butter masala on crisp, chewy granny or crisp standard slices.

Bombay Brasserie takes diners on a journey through India’s culinary landscape, from the aromatic spices of the North to the coastal flavors of the South, all meticulously crafted with a French twist under Executive Chef Thomas George.

Newcomers & Fan Favorites

After 14 memorable years on Sacramento Street, Chef Tyler Florence’s first Bay Area restaurant, the iconic Wayfare Tavern, relocated to a larger two-story building in the Financial District this April. The upgraded space features a reimagined design inspired by the splendor of San Francisco’s rich culinary history and retains the restaurant’s Barbary Coast character.

There’s an OG Chef Cast at Foreign Cinema, a Mission District icon itself. The restaurant is hosting a five-night guest chef series saluting icons of San Francisco's culinary history. Upcoming events feature legendary chefs Bruce Hill (Bix, Zero Zero) on May 8, Jeremiah Tower (Stars) on September 25, and Cowgirl Creamery on October 16. The series showcases collaborative menus, curated cocktails and wines and the chefs’ cookbooks.

A new entry to the Mission’s dining and drinking scene is Bar Brucato, from Brucato Amaro’s founders James and Sierra Clark. The venue—housing a distillery, tasting room, and restaurant– features Brucato Amaro’s complete line of liqueurs and a menu of California-Mediterranean cuisine. Distillery tours can be booked on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as feature tastings of upcoming releases of Brucato’s modern amaros and liqueurs native to California.

Merchant Roots moved from a small location to one with five times the space (4,500 square feet) last year, yet it still serves only 12 people per seating. Chef/owner Ryan Shelton remains true to his vision of intimate, fully immersive conceptual meals. Four quarterly-changing menus feature meticulously curated food and beverage pairings and music, lighting, and décor to match. His summer experiential tasting features a 14-course savory and sweet menu themed “Sleepover - Bedtime Stories and Nursery Rhymes.”

Big Finish, a new laidback wine tavern in the Mission District, is pouring 48 taps from around the world and serving elevated bar food. Glasses of wine are priced from $9 to $12.

Altamirano by Chef Carlos Altamirano celebrates the rich Peruvian culture while incorporating local California produce for a contemporary twist, bold flavors and unique preparations. The restaurant is in NOPA (north of the Panhandle) and features an outdoor dining courtyard with a fire pit, ample seating, and a bar.

Chef Bradley Kilgore opened his first San Francisco restaurants, Café Sebastian and Mad Lab Gelato & Kakigori, at the historic Transamerica Redwood Park. Next up at the Transamerica Pyramid Center is Kilgore’s fine-dining Ama.

Longtime Dogpatch favorite Piccino opened a second location in the Presidio at the Letterman Digital Arts Center. The seasonally driven menu includes antipasti, hand-tossed pizza, homemade pasta, and a selection of entrees, craft cocktails and wine—ingredients sourced from Piccino’s Healdsburg farm and the Organic Garden at Skywalker Ranch.

Miguel Escobedo, the chef and founder of Al Pastor Papi, opened a pop-up location in April in San Francisco's historic Union Square. Known for its authentic Mexico City-style al pastor, Al Pastor Papi has garnered a devoted following since its inception in 2018.

Top Chef’s Tu David Phu debuted GiGi’s, a Vietnamese wine bar featuring a menu that includes standout banh mi and wagyu hot dogs.

Fifty Vara, a neighborhood kitchen and bar serving creative takes on San Francisco cuisine, opened in the Outer Sunset. Complementing the creative menu is a rotating selection of house-brewed beers enjoyed in a fresh, coastal atmosphere that reflects the neighborhood’s connection to nature.

French is more than the flavor of the month in San Francisco. Michelin-starred chef Bruno Chemel opened Le Parc Bistrobar in the Galleria Park Hotel near Union Square, bringing a taste of Paris to the city. Other French venues that recently opened include Caché in the Inner Sunset, whose chef hails from a two-star Michelin restaurant in Bordeaux; Michael and Lindsay Tusk’s chic Verjus, styled as a cave à manger; and Galinette, a beach bistro in the Outer Sunset.

The second location of Little Original Joe’s in the Marina has drawn crowds since its opening in 2024. The restaurant and bar serve elevated casual Italian American food.

Cheezy's Artisan Pizza opened at food hall Saluhall, marking award-winning U.S. Pizza Team member David Jacobson's first independent restaurant project. The concept features a five-day, slow-fermented sourdough base for three distinct styles: Neo-Neapolitan, Grandma Style, and Gluten-Free options. Smish Smash also opened in the food hall, bringing the ultimate smashed burger patties and specialty sauces.

Club Fugazi announced the lineup for the 2025 Chef’s Series at Dear San Francisco, the critically acclaimed intimate, immersive circus experience created by Bay Area natives and The 7 Fingers co-founders Shana Carroll and Gypsy Snider. Each month, guests will have the opportunity to savor signature dishes from a different restaurant, expertly curated and presented in the vibrant ambiance of Club Fugazi.

Revived Icons

Izzy’s Steaks & Chops reopened in the Marina District this year following a six-month restoration and renovation. The nearly 40-year-old family-owned restaurant with Barbary Coast saloon roots is known for its comforting cuisine, classic cocktails, and warm hospitality.

Seal Rock Inn Restaurant has been revived by its new owner. Chef and chocolatier Alfred Schilling serves a menu reflecting his French heritage. Located two blocks from the historic Cliff House and Sutro Baths, the half-century-old dining room and its stunning views remain the same.

Turtle Tower, the renowned pho and Northern Vietnamese restaurant, made its comeback downtown this year, opening on California Street.

North Beach neighborhood icons, Park Tavern on Washington Square and North Beach Restaurant, have reopened. Park Tavern is under the culinary direction of American chef and partner Jonathan Waxman.

Magnolia Brewing in Haight Ashbury has reopened with new, local owners. The refreshed venue features a 17-tap system and brews beer using its seven-barrel brewing system, producing favorites like Kalifornia Kolsch and Proving Ground IPA.

On the Embarcadero

The team behind Michelin-starred Sorrel (Chef Alex Hong and Director of Operations Joel Wilkerson) will debut Parachute Bakery and Arquet Restaurant in the San Francisco Ferry Building. Slated to open in June, Parachute will offer a morning-through-afternoon bakery and café experience, plus a retail area filled with house-made packaged products. Next, Arquet will open as a full-service restaurant, lounge, and bar. Helmed by a Michelin-starred culinary and service team, the restaurant will highlight locally sourced ingredients, wood-fired cooking, and seasonal vegetables.

Parachute and Arquet join a thriving variety of venues in the Ferry Building Marketplace. Nopa Fish is also slated to debut there this year, and recent openings include Lunette Cambodia, Ocean Malasada, and Palmvy.

Downtown’s waterfront Embarcadero, which the Ferry Building anchors, is becoming a buzzy culinary destination. New restaurants like Alora (serving modern Mediterranean cuisine) and Bon Délire (a chic, creative take on a Parisian bistro) have joined stalwarts such as Epic Steak, Waterbar and La Mar.

Culinary Corridors on the Rise

The corridor between SoMa’s waterfront Oracle Park (home to the San Francisco Giants) and Mission Bay’s Chase Center (home to the Golden State Warriors) has seen a surge of fan-favorite openings.

Mission Rock, the new 28-acre mixed-use development in Mission Bay, welcomed Flour + Water Pizza Shop. The shop serves the team's signature 13-inch pizzas, "Big Slice" squares, and fan-favorite antipasti in a casual setting steps away from China Basin Park and McCovey Cove.

Arsicault Bakery opened on the ground floor of Verde in Mission Rock, joining nearby Ike’s Love & Sandwiches. Next up are Quik Dog and a new restaurant by the Che Fico team.

Surrounding Chase Center, the 11-acre Thrive Center recently welcomed the Bay Area’s favorite Filipino fusion spot, Señor Sisig, along with Kayah by Burma Love, Taco Primo, and Splash at Thrive City, a state-of-the-art, 30,000 square foot sports bar and restaurant. Splash encompasses two levels and features three bars, over 75 televisions, an elevated menu, and multiple indoor and pet-friendly outdoor entertainment areas.

New and existing outlets such as Che Fico Pizzeria, Cupcakin’ Bake Shop, Dumpling Time, Gott’s Roadside, Harmonic Brewing, Miller & Lux, GluGlu, and Philz Coffee will be joined by Fikscue Craft BBQ.

The Yerba Buena neighborhood, the city's premier arts and convention district, will welcome eight new businesses in 2025, adding to the 18 that opened in 2024. Shoji, a Japanese-style café and cocktail lounge from The Shota crew, opened in April. It joins Golden Eye Social, Sextant Coffee Roasters, Hungry Table, West Coast Sourdough, El Dorado, Hey Tea and Dabao Singapore.

Coming Soon

Opening this summer is The Happy Crane, a contemporary Chinese restaurant. Chef James Yeun Leong Parry’s debut restaurant will pay homage to the authenticity of Chinese cuisine whilst reimagining it in a fun and inviting atmosphere. James brings culinary credentials, having worked in internationally acclaimed restaurants, including Bo Innovation and Ta Vie in Hong Kong and Nihonryori RyuGin in Tokyo. In 2017, he moved to the Bay Area to work at Chef Corey Lee’s celebrated three-Michelin-star Benu, before becoming the head chef of Palette Teahouse and then launching The Happy Crane as a pop-up in 2023.

JouJou, the next restaurant from Michelin-starred Lazy Bear chef David Barzelay and True Laurel’s Colleen Booth, is slated to open soon in SoMA. Inspired equally by great restaurants and louche lounges, JouJou will bring French food to the table through the California lens of Chef David Barzelay.

Founders Danielle Thoe and Sara Yergovich will bring Rikki’s, the Bay’s first bar prioritizing women’s sports, to 2223 Market St. The owners aim to open the women’s sports bar in time for the Valkyries’ first WNBA season.

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