As a businesswoman who loves to meet for a working lunch, I wanted to share some of my favorite San Francisco Lunches destinations. Whether your definition of a Power Lunch means it’s delicious but fast, ensuring you’re not out of the office too long, or a boozy lunch that may last for hours, there is sure to be somewhere on this list perfect for your next power lunch meeting. As always, if you have any spots in mind that you enjoy and would recommend please comment on this and share your suggestions so I can check them out. Like all of my Top 10 lists, there is no order to these restaurants and it will change frequently as I discover new additions to share with you. For more San Francisco restaurant recommendations, check out my blog post here!
Top 10 San Francisco Lunches To Experience
Kokkari Estiatorio
Lunch at Kokkari Estiatorio is an experience in itself. Here, they live by something called “philoxenia,” or the magic of turning strangers into friends. The interior exudes the coziness of a rustic Mediterranean inn, with a crackling fireplace, handcrafted pottery, and fresh flowers welcoming you. Not only is the atmosphere lovely, but Kokkari offers heavenly Greek cuisine with a warm, homey vibe that’ll make you feel like you never want to leave. 200 Jackson Street (at Front St.) San Francisco, CA 94111
Leo’s Oyster Bar
One of the newer spots on this list is Leo’s Oyster Bar, which, since their recent opening, is quite the hot spot. Leo’s Oyster Bar was opened by the team behind Park Tavern and The Cavalier. It is one of the coziest, most intimate lunch settings in San Francisco’s FiDi. I’ve dined here for a few power lunches and had the Lobster Roll both times. It is that good! If you come in the evening, have a drink in their back tiki bar. It’s both swanky and charming! I love coming here for my San Francisco Lunches. 568 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94111
The charming back dining and bar area. So cute you’ll never want to leave!
Luce Restaurant at The Intercontinental Hotel
Michelin Star awarded Luce Restaurant at The Intercontinental Hotel is a power lunch not to be missed. Led by Chef Daniel Corey this restaurant always offers an incredibly curated menu combining seasonal ingredients with amazing flavor and presentation. They also have a delicious dinner tasting menu at $95 which is quite a steal considering this is 9 courses and a Michelin ranked restaurant or $150 with wine pairings. I have dined here almost a dozen times each time being pleasantly surprised by the menu, ingredients, and stunning presentation. Check it out and see for yourself. This is one of my all-time favorite San Francisco Lunches! 888 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Chef Daniel Corey
One Market Restaurant
One of the best Prix fix lunch menus in San Francisco is at One Market Restaurant located on Market basically at the Embarcadero. They offer a 3-course lunch where guests enjoy a Salad, Main, and Dessert for $27 which is called the Market Lunch. Talk about a great deal that’s also delicious and a bumping scene. When I dined I ate next to San Francisco Mayor London Breed, so talk about a hot spot! And their wine director Tonya Pitts (shown below) is fabulous so as you dine she’ll make wine pairing suggestions to go with the amazing food by Chef Mark Dommen. Trust me this is a lunch spot (or dinner as well) not to be missed! 1 Market St, San Francisco
Me and my lunch date Yasemin!
Me, Chef Mark Dommen, and wine director Tonya Pitts!
The soup is poured tableside. This is one of my favorite touches a restaurant can do when serving soup. and the soup was just as delicious as it looked!
The Waldorf Salad is one of the salad options for the pre-fixe lunch. I’m not usually a Waldorf Salad girl but I fell in love after having this one. The greek yogurt was so light and yummy paired with perfectly seasonal ingredients. Kudos to Chef Mark and team on this delicious appetizer.
The lovely Tonya Pitts who’s their Wine Director and Sommelier surprising us with a super OLD Talbott Chardonnay from the central coast. This wine was amazing and paired perfectly with my fish entree. Thanks, Tonya and Chef Mark for spoiling us during this visit.
I ordered a fish as my main and it was beyond flavorful, juicy, and delicious. It was great because I left lunch not weighted down or in a food coma as I typically would after a hearty lunch.
Chef Mark Dommen, and wine director Tonya Pitts came by to say goodbye before we left!
Pabu Izakaya
Pabu Izakaya has the best prix fixe lunch I have experienced in San Francisco. For $35 you select between a starter, an entree, and a dessert. And, let’s be honest, if you’re at Pabu, you would be missing out if you didn’t drink one of their delicious cocktails. I enjoyed the Seaweed Salad, Chilean Sea Bass (which was to die for), and a few desserts. You really can not go wrong with whatever you order at this amazing lunch destination. 101 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111
The incredible Miso Black Cod entree I enjoyed during my lunch visit. So amazing and flavorful.
The desserts on the lunch menu are so yummy. I recommend ordering a few such as Green Sea Sorbet and the Donut dessert, both delicious.
The Four Seasons MKT Restaurant & Bar
As we all know, the Four Seasons is a destination for luxury, amazing service, and a fabulous guest experience which makes it perfect for an important business lunch. I’ve dined at MKT Restaurant a few times both for lunch and dinner and have loved both experiences. I think it’s an incredible spot for a business power lunch because of its beautiful view overlooking Market Street, its convenient location, and, of course, the incredibly delicious food. My favorite items on the menu are the burger (shocker, right?) and the Arnold Palmer Iced Tea. They freeze both the lemonade and iced tea into large cubes so they melt evenly at the same time. It is incredible! Visit and see for yourself how delicious these San Francisco Lunches can be. Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, 757 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Waterbar
Waterbar has one of the most beautiful views in San Francisco, making the setting the perfect backdrop for a power lunch. If you’re a Lobster Roll fan, come on Friday when their incredible Lobster Roll is served. If you’re not, any day of the week is a good day for Waterbar as it is one of the best spots for lunch. Delicious food, top-notch service, and a team that you will adore make this place unstoppable. Definitely one of my favorite San Francisco Lunches! 399 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105
The delicious Credo Appetizer.
The spectacular Lobster Roll is served on Fridays only during lunch. Get there early as they sometimes sell out!
Wayfare Tavern
It would not be a FiDi list without including the adored Wayfare Tavern. This is a spot that is really perfect for any occasion– lunch with a colleague, a lunch date, or even a ladies’ lunch. The menu is amazing, their house-made popovers are a must-try. Plus, their burger and deviled eggs are a few more favorites. Hopefully, you’ll run into Owner & Chef Tyler Florence who’s beyond talented and very approachable! This spot certainly belongs on my list of Best San Francisco Lunches. 558 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94111
The incredible Wayfare Tavern Burger. As if the burger isn’t enough it comes with avocado AND bacon. Delicious! This is so delicious it’s on my Top 10 Burger list, see the entire Top 10 San Francisco Burger list here.
Zuni Café
No list of iconic San Francisco spots is complete without mentioning Zuni Café. Since its opening on February 15, 1979, Zuni Café has earned recognition like the James Beard Foundation Award for ‘Outstanding Restaurant’ in 2003 and ‘Outstanding Service’ in 2018. With a commitment to seasonal organic ingredients and a blend of French and Italian cuisine, Zuni’s daily changing menus reflect sustainability, featuring produce, meat, and fish that are predominantly farmed or harvested sustainably. 1658 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States
Thanks to the various restaurants that generously hosted me to visit and experience their food. As always, I only write about restaurants that I experience, enjoy, and am proud to endorse and share with my readers. Happy Dining!
What do you think?