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Best Authentic Restaurants in Downtown / Union Square

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218 restaurants available nearby

A photo of The Parthenon restaurant
4.5
Awesome(62)
Price: Moderate
• Mediterranean • Downtown / Union Square
Booked 25 times today
Welcome to The Parthenon, your gateway to the authentic flavors of Greece nestled in the heart of San Francisco. As a Mediterranean Wine Bar and Mezes, we offer a rich tapestry of Greek culinary delights that will transport your taste buds to the sun-kissed Greek islands.Our menu is a celebration of traditional Greek cuisine, with a contemporary twist.Pair your meal with a selection from our Mediterranean Wine Bar, and don't forget to save room for our delectable sides, including Greek Fries and Garlic Fries.
A photo of Corzetti restaurant
4.4
Awesome(368)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Downtown / Union Square
Booked 27 times today
Step off the bustling streets of Union Square and into a glamorous, coastal Italian getaway. Corzetti is a Ligurian restaurant and bar that evokes summers spent on the Italian Riviera where life moves at a slower pace, and seaside restaurants serve up menus influenced by the day’s catch and peak-season produce from the region.Chef Tali Missirlian's focus on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and handmade pasta reflects our commitment to sustainability and quality. You'll find fresh seafood-forward dishes on our menu including pizza, pasta and more, which pair perfectly with creative cocktails from our bar and an extensive list of Italian wines. Come in for lunch, happy hour, or a quick dinner before a show. Host birthday parties and get togethers in our private dining room. From our cozy and intimate atmosphere to our knowledgeable and attentive service, Corzetti invites you to savor the essence of Liguria's relaxed seaside culture in the heart of the city.
A photo of O' by Claude Le Tohic restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(468)
Price: Very Expensive
• Contemporary French • Downtown / Union Square
Booked 6 times today
Located on the 5th floor of ONE65 San Francisco, O' is Chef Claude Le Tohic's inaugural solo venture after earning Meilleur Ouvrier de France, winning the James Beard Award for Best Chef in America and carrying the coveted 3-Michelin star rating at Joël Robuchon Las Vegas. Luxurious but not pretentious, O’ offers modern French cuisine with elegant and attentive service. O' offers a 5-course Tasting Menu for $210, and a 9-course Grand Tasting Menu for $295. Optional wine pairings are available, along with a wine list of 1000+ selections from the USA and France. Please note that 20% service charge (which includes gratuity) and 1% San Francisco Health Mandate is added onto every check.Though dinner attire is always encouraged, we ask our guests to abide by "smart casual" dress code; no shorts, t-shirts, or sandals.
A photo of Historic John's Grill restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(7403)
Price: Expensive
• American • Downtown / Union Square
Booked 94 times today
John's Grill has been a San Francisco tradition since 1908. This historic restaurant is one of the city's oldest and most famous and is a favorite of celebrities who enjoy great steaks, expertly prepared fresh seafood with excellent service and a one of a kind atmosphere. John's Grill was a setting in author Dashiell Hammett, The Maltese Falcon.
A photo of ABSteak by Chef Akira Back - San Francisco restaurant
4.4
Awesome(26)
Price: Very Expensive
• Korean • SOMA
Booked 6 times today
Korean steakhouse with dry-aged meats, expertly crafted cocktails and world-class service where the heart and soul of authentic Korean flavors seamlessly intertwine with the essence of a fine steakhouse.
A photo of Bodega SF restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(55)
Price: Moderate
• Vietnamese • Financial District / Embarcadero
Booked 22 times today
Bodega SF is an evolution of Matthew Ho’s family's restaurant, Bodega Bistro, which operated from 2003-2017 out of San Francisco’s Tenderloin District, serving traditional Northern Vietnamese cuisine. The brand’s success continued as Ho organized pop-up events, eventually transitioning to meal packages throughout the pandemic to meet demand. In 2022, Ho and his partners opened Bodega SF’s brick-and-mortar location, again located in the Tenderloin District, bringing high-quality Vietnamese cuisine back to the community with a modernized, casual fine dining experience. The family-style concept allows visitors to sample its variety of authentic, creative dishes.
A photo of Bouche restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(1916)
Price: Expensive
• French • Downtown / Union Square
Booked 14 times today
Bouche is a California-French restaurant with an oft-changing seasonal menu created by the renowned Parisian Chef Jeremy Blaringhem. The beer and wine list is centered on small producers from both California and France. Our Kitchen Is Exclusively Offering seasonal Menu.A brunch service a la carte is offered Sat & Sun 11am-2.30pm in our outdoors heated parklet area only.Items on the menus are subject to change with seasonOur goal is to share our passion for food and wine in our romantic & sexy "hole in the wall" restaurant. Come and fall in love with our recipes and style of cooking served by our wonderful team wearing a big smile. Be Brave enough to order our signature dish "The adventurous". A blind dish created to challenge your palet and boundaries.Nothing Fancy... Simply expect real food, real ingredients , real people , real laughs ... a love experience.As a small family business we really appreciate your support.Bon appétit
A photo of bota tapas and paella bar restaurant
4.4
Awesome(946)
Price: Expensive
• Tapas / Small Plates • Downtown / Union Square
Booked 7 times today
Bota is an authentic Spanish style tapas and paella bar located in the heart of Union Square in San Francisco. A place to go to share food, savor rustic flavors and enjoy Spanish wine in a casual, yet chic, environment. Inspired by the concept behind our name “BOTA”, a vessel to share wine with the people around you.
A photo of Dirty Habit restaurant
4.3
Awesome(836)
Price: Moderate
• Unspecified • Downtown / Union Square
Booked 8 times today
Our bar-centric concept plays host to a vivid social scene and creative craft cocktail menu with an emphasis on rare brown spirits. In a prime location perched five floors above the streets of the developing high-tech start-up epicenter in SOMA, Dirty Habit serves as an intimate hideaway for locals seeking inventive offerings and a sociable dining atmosphere, both inside the restaurant and on the spacious, heated outdoor dining room.
A photo of Tratto - San Francisco restaurant
4.2
Awesome(833)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Downtown / Union Square
Booked 4 times today
Re-Opening June 2, 2021A spirited, bar-driven restaurant serving rustic Italian fare with modern sensibilities. Tratto means the stroke of a pen or a mark in Italian, nodding to both the neighborhood’s artistic history and the name of The Marker, the boutique hotel next door. Tratto’s flavorful menu of simple, delicious and shareable dishes coupled with casual, communal-style dining creates a neighborhood bar experience inspired by the Italian tradition of “aperitivo,” or happy hour.Guests can enjoy playful twists on classic Italian cocktails, boozy Italian sodas, and beer and wine from California and Italy, including a jug of house wine from the taps.Choose from a wide selection of traditional small-plate antipasti, house-made pastas and pizzas, entrees served family-style, seasonal side dishes, and classic Italian desserts including ice creams, gelatos and sorbets.

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Discover best authentic restaurants in Downtown / Union Square

Discover the charm of authentic dining in the heart of San Francisco's bustling Downtown/Union Square area. This vibrant locale is renowned for its diverse and dynamic dining scene, offering a plethora of options that cater to lovers of genuine, high-quality meals. Whether you're craving the rich flavors of Asian American cuisine, the delightful bites of European tapas, or the classic comfort of Italian dishes, this district has something to entice every palate. Each restaurant in this selection is celebrated for its commitment to authenticity, from the carefully curated menus to the thoughtfully designed interiors that reflect their cultural heritage. Patrons can expect not only a feast for their taste buds but also an engaging atmosphere that enhances each dining experience. These establishments stand out for their ability to merge traditional recipes with local influences, creating a unique dining experience that is both genuine and innovative. Perfect for food enthusiasts and culinary adventurers alike, Downtown/Union Square is truly a cornerstone of authentic dining in San Francisco.

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