Best Restaurants for People Watching in Chinatown

32 restaurants available nearby

1. Tosca Café

4.7

Exceptional(152)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • North Beach

Booked 18 times today

A legendary hangout in North Beach since it opened in 1919, and even more so from the 1980's onward when Jeanette Etheredge took over Tosca. Locals including Willie Brown, Lars Ulrich and Francis Ford Coppola were regular fixtures, Hunter S Thompson wrote his column for the SF Examiner in the corner booth, Bono, Lauren Hutton, and Mikhail Baryshnikov played pool in the back room, singing Opera and drinking Tosca House Cappuccinos. When Restaurateur Anna Weinberg and Interior Designer Ken Fulk heard Tosca Cafe was closing they joined forces to save it. As the new owners and passionate fans of the original establishment their goal was to return Tosca to its rightful place as a San Francisco institution. As Mikey Rapin wrote in Bon Appétit magazine: “It’s the kind of joint Beats got bounced, Bono belted opera, and a bullet hole memoralizes the night an A-LIST actor disagreed with a rockstar's choice of music"

A photo of Mona Lisa Mare e Monti restaurant

2. Mona Lisa Mare e Monti

4.7

Exceptional(154)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • North Beach

Booked 9 times today

Mona Lisa Mare e Monti , in San Francisco, serves classic Italian dishes crafted with top-quality local and seasonal produce in its charming and welcoming eatery. Mare e Monti is located in the Heart of North Beach's Little Italy. Our Restaurant specializes in Authentic Italian Seafood and Steaks. We also offer a variety of different cuts of Pasta's, which are created in house everyday! We are best known for our Bistecca Fiorentina, which is a 24oz porterhouse steak. Our Seafood is brought to use daily by our local Fishermen. Some of our most popular seafood dishes are our Zuppa Di Pesce or our Whole Dungeness Crab plate. We Look forward to seeing you soon, Ciao!

3. Barbara Pinseria

4.5

Awesome(176)

Price: Moderate

• Pizzeria • North Beach

Booked 10 times today

Barbara is a lively Italian restaurant inspired by the rustic tradition of Roman pizzerie, opening in San Francisco’s historic Italian district of North Beach in September 2018 to serve as the neighborhood destination for casual dinning. We feature an energetic open kitchen, creating fresh takes on classics as well as original inventions showcasing seasonal and local ingredients, transporting taste of the eternal city to San Francisco. We offer craft cocktails, Italian and Californian wines, indoor and outdoor seating, and Barbara's fun, warm, style pairs well with the restaurant’s classic Italian comfort and friendly spirit.

A photo of Little Original Joe's -- Marina restaurant

4. Little Original Joe's -- Marina

4.9

Exceptional(58)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio

Booked 56 times today

Welcome to Little Original Joe's -- an Italian-American neighborhood eatery featuring pizza, pasta, and parmigiana in San Francisco's Marina neighborhood! Limited reservations are available for up to 6 guests -- we look forward to seeing you soon!

5. Starlite

4.4

Awesome(159)

Price: Expensive

• Cocktail Bar • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 81 times today

Starlite is a historic San Francisco cocktail bar with nearly a century of vibrant stories. Renowned for hosting lively parties and attracting iconic figures like Alan Ginsberg, Starlite invites guests to the Beacon Grand’s 21st-floor, featuring refreshed interiors by San Francisco designer Alice Crumeyrolle. The atmosphere is set with rich velvet fabrics and a jewel-tone palette inspired by the Art Deco Era, paying homage to the city’s icons. Crafted by Scott Baird of Trick Dog fame, the cocktails are both playful and meticulously made. Michelin-award-winning chef Johnny Spero curates a menu that celebrates San Francisco’s culinary artistry, drawing inspiration from international fare. Enhancing the experience are nightly, all-vinyl DJ sets by music director Nina Tarr.

6. Boulevard

4.7

Exceptional(9096)

Price: Very Expensive

• Californian • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 50 times today

Chefs Nancy Oakes, Chef Dana Younkin and our entire team, look forward to welcoming you to a refreshed and reimagined Boulevard! The dining room features a 3 course prix fixe menu with a multitude of choices. For the more spontaneous sorts; our bar, lounge and chef's counter is available on a walk-in basis and limited reservations. An a la carte menu is offered in these areas. For private events and larger groups, please check our our website.

7. The Progress

4.8

Exceptional(2467)

Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary American • Western Addition

Booked 63 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.

8. Bon Delire

4.6

Exceptional(107)

Price: Expensive

• French • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 75 times today

Bon Délire’s chic yet approachable atmosphere draws inspiration from the cafés, lounges, and bistros of Paris. The interior boasts a sculpted horseshoe-shaped wooden bar, plush banquettes, and vibrant, European-imported furnishings that invite intimate dining and lounging. Guests can enjoy indoor seating with views of the Bay Bridge, or relax at the outdoor cafe-style seating, framed by planter boxes and umbrellas, perfect for people-watching along the Embarcadero.At night, the space comes alive with flickering projections of vintage French films and a relaxed, nostalgic soundtrack of throwback French and American tunes, making Bon Délire a sophisticated yet cozy setting for private and semi-private events.

9. Foreign Cinema

4.8

Exceptional(8816)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Mission District

Booked 129 times today

Foreign Cinema is a one of a kind, nationally acclaimed restaurant combining independent films with California-Mediterranean cooking. Enjoy an airy yet chic setting, complete with indoor dining room with a fireplace, outdoor courtyard with 35mm film screening starting at dusk, mezzanine, gallery curated by Modernism West & full bar in the main dining room. Foreign Cinema has something for everyone including their DJ/live music bar, Laszlo. Enjoy special happy hours, uniquely craft cocktails, zero proof selections, full Foreign Cinema dinner menu, and lively music to end your evening.We are currently booking for Outdoor Patio & Indoor/Standard seating 60 days in advance. A ‘standard seating’ reservation is indoor dining. Reservations for 10+ may be booked through private dining department - contact janine@foreigncinema.com for more information.

A photo of STK - San Francisco restaurant

10. STK - San Francisco

4.0

Excellent(1284)

Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 119 times today

STK Steakhouse is “not your daddy’s steakhouse,” offering a high-energy dining experience that artfully combines the superior quality of a traditional steakhouse with a Vibe Dining atmosphere unlike any other. Delectable cuisine, upscale cocktails and an elevated Happy Hour, along with an in-house DJ and chic décor, all come together to offer a memorable fine dining experience that keeps guests enjoying their evening from drinks to dinner to late night. STK’s menu features reimagined classic American cuisine for lunch, brunch and dinner with unique local flair infused into each location’s menu. The brand’s beef program focuses on the highest quality, delicious and craveable steaks while emphasizing transparency and traceable sourcing practices.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

A
AudreyVIP
Los Angeles •26 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
The roasted tomato burrata with pesto starter was amazing. I had the kale salad with salmon and my husband had the chicken pot pie. It was all delicious. Servers (we sat at the bar) were very attentive. Seems to be a neighborhood spot as all the customers seem to know each other, which is nice. We’ll definitely be back.
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Little Original Joe's -- MarinaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio
•
4.9
K
Karen
San Francisco Bay Area •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
I was treated like a Queen at Mona Lisa Mare e Monti tonight for my Birthday dinner. Giovanni, the waiter, provided the most excellent service; so friendly and professional. And the food! So fresh and delicious, and with such beautiful presentation. This is my favorite special occasion restaurant in North Beach!
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Mona Lisa Mare e MontiPrice: Moderate• Italian• North Beach
•
4.7
T
TZVETENINA
San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Starlite is an amazing place if you want to have a magical experience! One of the best rooftop in San Francisco! The staff was so friendly and helpful. We were served right away! The drinks were DELICIOUS! Our bartender Mark was fantastic! And of course the locations and the view were breathtaking! I am definitely coming back!
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StarlitePrice: Expensive• Cocktail Bar• Financial District / Embarcadero
•
4.4
E
EmilyVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •9 reviews
5.0
Dined on Dec 15, 2024
Tosca remains one of my absolute favorites in San Francisco. The space, food, service all excellent. The night we went was Santa Con (ooops) + a huge private birthday party in the back room so it was bonkers, but the team did everything they could to keep it going! Will go back soon.
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Tosca CaféPrice: Expensive• Italian• North Beach
•
4.7
L
Lenora
San Francisco Bay Area •62 reviews
5.0
Dined on Nov 26, 2024
Hate to reveal this BUT the pizza crust was unbelievably wonderful crisp and chewy ! All pastas (4 ordered ) cwere outstanding !
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Barbara PinseriaPrice: Moderate• Pizzeria• North Beach
•
4.5

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Chinatown

Best Restaurants for People Watching in Chinatown

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32 restaurants available nearby

1. Tosca Café

2. Mona Lisa Mare e Monti

3. Barbara Pinseria

4. Little Original Joe's -- Marina

5. Starlite

6. Boulevard

7. The Progress

8. Bon Delire

9. Foreign Cinema

10. STK - San Francisco

See what locals rave about

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