Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in SOMA

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

East BayMarinPeninsulaSan Francisco

Neighborhoods

AlamedaAlbanyBerkeleyBernal HeightsChinatownCivic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

181 restaurants available nearby

1. Marlowe

4.5

Awesome(2930)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • SOMA

Booked 44 times today

Opened in 2010 and relocated to its current location in 2014, Marlowe is a New American bistro located in San Francisco’s Soma neighborhood in the former COCO500 space. Brought to you by Executive Chef Jennifer Puccio and award-winning San Francisco designer Ken Fulk, Marlowe focuses on classic comfort foods with flavorful twists, like Chef Puccio’s signature Marlowe Burger, seasonal poulet vert, brussels sprouts chips and quail egg topped steak tartare. Taking inspiration from the butcher shops of the past, Marlowe is designed with a sleek but comfortable feel, featuring white subway tiles, white marble, deep blue banquettes, wood block tables and specials listed on rolls of butcher paper.

2. BISTRO 888

4.8

Exceptional(1795)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • SOMA

Booked 7 times today

Contemporary upscale Restaurant and Bar "BISTRO 888" in downtown San Francisco offers a modern Californian Cuisine designed by Executive Chef Norma Whitt. Along with serving delicious entrees using local ingredients, BISTRO 888 offer guests and extensive selection of wines, craft beer, and hand-crafted cocktails.

3. Pazzia

4.8

Exceptional(288)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • SOMA

Booked 5 times today

Authentic Tuscan restaurant serving seasonal Italian fare with all the convivial charm and allure of the Florentine neighborhood of San Frediano.Opened in 1998 and located in the heart of what was then considered the city’s industrial warehouse district, tucked away on SoMa's Third Street, PAZZIA's buzzing dining room and outdoor patio quickly became a local favorite and destination spot for those “in the know”. From fresh house made pasta, thin crust pizza, grilled meats and seasonal specialties to classic Italian aperitivo cocktails and convivially energetic Italian staff, PAZZIA is the perfect spot for a date night, family gathering, office function or delicious night out with friends.PAZZIA offers indoor seating in a spacious dining room with banquette seating and views of the open kitchen, a more intimate lounge room with bar seating and tables around a fireplace and sheltered outdoor tables with heat lamps along the wide front patio.

A photo of The Rotunda at Neiman Marcus - San Francisco restaurant

4. The Rotunda at Neiman Marcus - San Francisco

4.7

Exceptional(6228)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 90 times today

The Rotunda serves afternoon tea seven days a week beginning at 1:30 p.m. A tea experience reservation is necessary to enjoy our daily tea service. Any dietary restrictions must be noted at least 24 hours in advance of your reservation.Please use link below to reserve your tea experience.https://www.opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=889&restref=889&experienceId=35326Let THE ROTUNDA® host your next Baby or Bridal Shower. We pride ourselves on creating the perfect menu and ambience for your event in our chic and inviting atmosphere. Pamper the glowing bride- or mother-to-be in your life with the shower of her dreams or a lavish luncheon.*February 22, the outside elevator is under construction. Enter through any of the outside NM entrances, take any elevator to the 4th floor.

A photo of Laurel Court Restaurant & Bar - Fairmont San Francisco restaurant

5. Laurel Court Restaurant & Bar - Fairmont San Francisco

3.7

Very Good(1821)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Unspecified • Nob Hill

Booked 9 times today

Laurel Court Restaurant & Bar dazzles with its soaring domed ceilings, commanding columns, Tuscan-style frescoes and ornate detailing. Enjoy seasonal menus that collaborate closely with Bay Area organic farmers, ranchers and sustainable seafood purveyors for a coast-influenced dining experience.

A photo of Original Joe's - San Francisco restaurant

6. Original Joe's - San Francisco

4.7

Exceptional(4302)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • North Beach

Booked 131 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.

7. Bon Delire

4.6

Exceptional(221)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• French • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 64 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.

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

8. Little Original Joe's -- Marina

4.8

Exceptional(83)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio

Booked 51 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!

9. Elena's

4.6

Exceptional(638)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Forest Hill / West Portal

Booked 119 times today

Welcome to Elena's -- a place where a family’s love for authentic Mexican food is celebrated and combined with California-inspired elements and signature Mexican-American dishes. We offer reservations for up to 8 guests via OpenTable. At the time of your reservation, we kindly request the entire party be present to be seated. Tables will be held for up to 10 minutes after the reservation time. For parties that arrive later, the table will be released but we will do our best to accommodate the reservation with the next available table. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming you to Elena’s!

10. Zuni Cafe

4.7

Exceptional(7942)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Modern European • Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness

Booked 118 times today

Zuni Café opened in San Francisco, California on February 15, 1979. Our daily changing menus are inspired by seasonal organic ingredients and incorporate traditional French and Italian cuisine. As Zuni continues to evolve, in its own distinctive and delicious way, it strives to remain the way it’s always been: at the same time rustic and cosmopolitan, audacious and familiar, intimate and convivial.RESERVATIONS ARE TAKEN UP TO 4 WEEKS IN ADVANCE.TABLES ARE RESERVED FOR A 2 HOUR TIME LIMIT.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

A
Alfie
London •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Food was excellent, refined but generous with complex flavours. The place was buzzing even on a Tuesday
More info
MarlowePrice: Moderate• American• SOMA
•
4.5
L
lisaVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •6 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Great food (burger, tuna tartare, and truffle fries) and wonderful ambiance. Love this place!!
More info
The Rotunda at Neiman Marcus - San FranciscoPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Downtown / Union Square
•
4.7
R
RobertVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •25 reviews
5.0
Dined on Mar 5, 2025
Absolutely the best Always a great time at Pazzia
More info
PazziaPrice: Expensive• Italian• SOMA
•
4.8
B
BlissVIP
Portland / Oregon •9 reviews
5.0
Dined on Feb 20, 2025
The Laurel Court completely exceeded our expectations. It’s hard to know what you’re going to get at a hotel restaurant. Even at a Fairmont! All 8 of us were extremely happy with our lunches. Club sandwiches, Caesar salad, a bruschetta appetizer, side salads, hot and fresh french fries. Everything was delicious. It isn’t inexpensive, but we had a lovely time and will absolutely come back the next time we have an occasion to!
More info
Laurel Court Restaurant & Bar - Fairmont San FranciscoPrice: Moderate• Unspecified• Nob Hill
•
3.7
K
KVIP
Toronto / Ontario •7 reviews
5.0
Dined on Feb 15, 2025
Outstanding server. Very professional and courteous. Though it was a lunch booking, we were not rushed. He made sure we are served with drinks and have needed time to review the menu. Both tomatoes and mushroom soups were yummy. The salad portion was generous too.
More info
BISTRO 888Price: Expensive• Californian• SOMA
•
4.8