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Best Restaurants for Special Occasions in Cole Valley

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169 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Bambino's Ristorante restaurant
1. Bambino's Ristorante
4.7
Exceptional(560)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Cole Valley
Booked 4 times today
In a warm, open and attentive setting, Bambino’s Ristorante offers a tasteful and varied mix of classic Italian and original fare. We serve Dinner, Lunch and Weekend Brunch. Reserve or drop in for anything from a snack to a celebration.
A photo of House of Prime Rib restaurant
2. House of Prime Rib
4.8
Exceptional(15755)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steak • Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
Booked 220 times today
62 years of loyal customers can't be wrong. We are grateful to all of our customers, employees, and critics (...though we may not always agree!). The only way to find out the truth is with a visit. Oft imitated, never duplicated. Thank you in advance.
A photo of Che Fico San Francisco restaurant
3. Che Fico San Francisco
4.7
Exceptional(1849)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • North Panhandle / USF
Booked 91 times today
Che Fico, is a California Italian restaurant from Chefs David Nayfeld and Matt Brewer in San Francisco's NOPA neighborhood. The food focuses on Italian cuisine through the lens of California. It’s our vision of Northern California as if it is a region in Italy, our connection to the region, and our love for Italian culinary practices. The rustic, market-driven menu features handmade pasta, pizzas, antipasti, housemade salumi, meat, and fish plus dishes from the Jewish-Roman heritage known as “Cucina Ebraica.” The beverage program focuses heavily on both Italian and Californian wines with a cocktail program that utilizes a variety of spirits, amaros, and seasonal ingredients. Che Fico is a place to gather with friends and enjoy warm hospitality, food, and drink, through an approachable menu and convivial ambiance.
A photo of Nopa - San Francisco restaurant
4. Nopa - San Francisco
4.6
Exceptional(3514)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • North Panhandle / USF
Booked 72 times today
Nopa is a San Francisco gathering place north of the Panhandle, serving urban rustic food and specializing in organic wood-fired cuisine. We serve simple dishes created with seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms and purveyors.
A photo of Foreign Cinema restaurant
5. Foreign Cinema
4.8
Exceptional(8778)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Mission District
Booked 135 times today
Foreign Cinema is a unique dining experience that has been praised for its enchanting ambiance, excellent food and attentive service. It's often chosen for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, and celebrations. The outdoor and indoor dining areas, along with the impressive wine list, add to the appeal. The restaurant's commitment to quality and attention to detail has made it a favorite for many.
A photo of The Progress restaurant
6. The Progress
4.9
Exceptional(2443)
Price: Very Expensive
• Contemporary American • Western Addition
Booked 53 times today
The Progress is a vehicle for a completely local production. Innovative meals are served with memorable wine & cocktails. The Greatest Dinner Party Ever.
A photo of Kokkari Estiatorio restaurant
7. Kokkari Estiatorio
4.9
Exceptional(9088)
Price: Expensive
• Mediterranean • Financial District / Embarcadero
Booked 111 times today
Kokkari (pronounced “Ko-Kar-ee”) is a small fishing village located on the islands of Samos in the Aegean Sea, whose name is derived from the small onions that were once produced in the nearby fields. Its fertile soil and Mediterranean climate translated into an abundance of fresh produce as well as treasured seafood and game. Legend tells that Kokkari is the site where Orion, a mighty hunter and a young man of gigantic stature and great beauty, fell in love with the daughter of the king of Chios. For the love of her, Orion forged the island for wild game and seafood to prepare elaborate banquets in celebration of their love. Today, we hope you will enjoy your own celebration as you dine at Kokkari Estiatorio on food “fit for the Gods” prepared with an Aegean palate and the style of innovative California fare.
A photo of Altamirano restaurant
8. Altamirano
4.8
Exceptional(60)
Price: Moderate
• Peruvian • North Panhandle / USF
Booked 39 times today
NOW OPEN! Altamirano Restaurant & Bar is a new Peruvian restaurant, conveniently located in the NOPA neighborhood of San Francisco. Open the door to a spacious bar that flows seamlessly into the luxe dining room, with the exhibition kitchen in full view. Meander outside to the dynamic outdoor dining courtyard, featuring a fire pit, ample seating, a bar, and a TV to watch your favorite sports teams. Led by a team of culinary and hospitality professionals, service is comfortable yet elevated. Overseen by Chef Carlos Altamirano and led by Chef Eric Chumacero, the menu is a modern take on the flavors of Peru. Bold tastes and unique preparations will delight your senses and pop on your palette. Drinks highlight traditional Peruvian ingredients but with a contemporary twist. We can't wait to welcome you soon!
A photo of Niku Steakhouse restaurant
9. Niku Steakhouse
4.8
Exceptional(783)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • SOMA
Booked 42 times today
Located in San Francisco’s Design District, Niku Steakhouse is a meat-focused restaurant, highlighting an in-house dry aging program, exclusive cuts of coveted Japanese A5 wagyu with an emphasis on wood fired cooking. Niku, by the Omakase Restaurant Group, hosts a dining room oriented around a roaring custom binchotan charcoal and wood-fired grill, where guests watch as Executive Chef Dustin Falcon (Lazy Bear, The French Laundry) and his team prepare steaks to perfection. At Niku, there is a true marriage of American and Japanese sensibilities. Falcon’s cooking is driven by the terroir of Northern California — which finds its way onto the menu through foraged ingredients and products from local farmers — met with the highest quality domestic and A5 Japanese Beef.
A photo of Original Joe's - San Francisco restaurant
10. Original Joe's - San Francisco
4.7
Exceptional(4162)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • North Beach
Booked 121 times today
Original Joe’s is the quintessential, classic San Francisco dining experience. A fabric of the City for over 80 years, it is located in the heart of the historic and majestic North Beach, a mecca for natives, tourists, and culinary aficionados alike.Original Joe’s is the oldest of all existing Joe’s restaurants in the country and is the innovator of what is now nationally known as the “Joe’s Concept”. With its signature red leather booths, legendary smooth cocktails, and renowned Italian American menu, Joe’s has come to signify its own Northern Californian category of food and symbolizes classic Italian American comfort food at its finest.
‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Christian
    California Central Coast •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Went for my boyfriends birthday, as a first timer it most definitely won’t be our last! The service from Ian was AMAZING of itself but the food was perfect! Such an awesome experience and we cannot wait to come back with friends and family.
    More info
    House of Prime RibPrice: Very Expensive• Steak• Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
    •
    4.8
  • Robin
    Hawaii •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    We really enjoyed our dinner at Nopa. Beginning with the bread and butter. All I can say is order it. Next we had the Tortelli which was excellent (not to be missed). We also had the Tagliatelle with the bolognese sauce which was very good. For dessert we had the key lime pie which was good but the ice cream that came for the birthday person was outstanding. Our server who was excellent said it was ginger snap but it didn’t taste like ginger. Best ice cream I’ve ever eaten. Can’t wait to go back for my birthday and have that ice cream.
    More info
    Nopa - San FranciscoPrice: Expensive• Californian• North Panhandle / USF
    •
    4.6
  • Douglasvip
    San Francisco Bay Area •206 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    While the noise level is very high, the food and service is excellent!! The beet salad was possibly the best either of us have ever eaten, the agnolotti is exceptional, and the chocolate desert was rich without over doing it! What a fantastic evening we were able to share at a truly exceptional restaurant in SF. Thanks for making it special.
    More info
    Che Fico San FranciscoPrice: Expensive• Italian• North Panhandle / USF
    •
    4.7
  • Joevip
    San Diego •19 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    We had such a fantastic time at Foreign Cinema! From the warm welcome when we arrived to the excellent servers and the delicious food, it was an all star visit. It's no wonder Foreign Cinema is an icon in San Francisco. We can't wait to go back!
    More info
    Foreign CinemaPrice: Expensive• Californian• Mission District
    •
    4.8
  • JC
    Cleveland / Akron / Canton •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on 2 Nov 2024
    Authentic Italian restaurant in the heart of Cole Valley. Hard to find this level of quality and service at reasonable prices these days.
    More info
    Bambino's RistorantePrice: Moderate• Italian• Cole Valley
    •
    4.7

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