Best Casual Restaurants in Downtown / Union Square

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

East BayMarinPeninsulaSan Francisco

Areas

AlamedaAlbanyBayviewBerkeleyBernal HeightsChinatown

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeaway only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

272 restaurants available nearby

1. The Parthenon

4.4

Awesome(83)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mediterranean • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 17 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.

2. Bodega SF

4.7

Exceptional(75)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Vietnamese • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 20 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.

3. Cable 55

4.6

Exceptional(24)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Unspecified • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 4 times today

From January 13-16, 2025; to better serve all of our guests, the following policies will apply to all tables.- Dining time limit of 90 minutes- $35 Food & Beverage minimum per person- Automatic 18% gratuity added In the heart of San Francisco’s popular neighborhood at Market and Fifth, the contemporary Cable 55 restaurant is found in the sleek Parc 55 San Francisco - a Hilton Hotel, offering tourists and residents a stylish venue and delicious change of pace from rich American classics by infusing them with a light, local flair. As a Surfrider Foundation Ocean Friendly Restaurant, Cable 55 is dedicated to sustainably serving you.

A photo of ABSteak by Chef Akira Back - San Francisco restaurant

4. ABSteak by Chef Akira Back - San Francisco

4.5

Awesome(46)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Korean • SOMA

Booked 13 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 Delarosa - Yerba Buena restaurant

5. Delarosa - Yerba Buena

4.4

Awesome(49)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • SOMA

Booked 15 times today

Delarosa is an Italian-style restaurant in downtown San Francisco. It has a free and open design with large, communal tables for many different guests to share during a meal. There is also stool seating around the edges of the restaurant near the bar area. This is a well lit restaurant with long lines of bright pendants lights hanging from the ceilings. Pizza is the main focus at Delarosa, but other Italian cuisine is also offered. During the weekdays, a lunch and dinner menu is offered with frittis, paninis, spiedinis and pasta with your choice of sauce meats and toppings. A large variety of pizza is also offered, including the delicious margherita or spicy marinara pizzas. On weekends, guests can order from the brunch menu for a lighter meal of traditional breakfast dishes, appetizers or pizzas. The bar at Delarosa serves from a selection of popular international and Italian wines.

A photo of Tratto - San Francisco restaurant

6. Tratto - San Francisco

4.3

Awesome(845)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 7 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.

7. The Harlequin

4.4

Awesome(103)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • SOMA

Booked 6 times today

1920's revival cocktail bar, restaurant and lounge offers an elevated cocktail program paired with a decadent New American cuisine featuring pizza's, pastas, steaks, and burgers. Happy Hour daily from 4pm to 6pm featuring $2 oysters and discounted beer and cocktails. Located in the center of San Francisco's Yerba Buena district, steps from Moscone Center and Union Square, The Harlequin is great for groups and private / corporate events. Private dining is also available in our Aviary.

A photo of Biscuits and Blues restaurant

8. Biscuits and Blues

4.7

Exceptional(2007)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Southern • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 1 time today

Located in the heart of San Francisco's historic Theater District, Biscuits and Blues is a West Coast musical landmark where every seat provides an up-close, live music experience. Our all-ages supper club is a great place for the whole family to experience America's greatest musical heritage! We have live music six nights a week featuring national and Bay Area acts. Our full bar and soulful Southern menu compliments the savory sounds of our top-notch talent. If you’re trying to decide between food and music, you can indulge in both with us! Show times and prices may vary and are dependent on specific acts. No refunds-no cancellations for show tickets. Every ticket has a seat. Singles will be assigned a bar seat or shareable table seat when available.

9. Cafe de la Presse

4.6

Exceptional(1918)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• French • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 5 times today

For centuries, cafes the world over have provided patrons with entertainment that draws on all walks of life. In these gathering places of art, politics, fashion, and everyday events, cafe-goers partake in a unique convergence of eclectic culture and traditional cuisine. Parisian-inspired Cafe de la Presse continues the trend with international literature, classic fare, and the age-old pastime of dining, relaxing, and conversing in a vibrant atmosphere.

10. Rise Over Run

4.4

Awesome(204)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 12 times today

Gaze out over sweeping views of the San Francisco skyline at Rise Over Run, the lush outdoor rooftop and indoor solarium. Share a South East Asian inspired cocktail — by local legend Danny Louie — or snack on food offerings of Executive Chef Morgan Depaulo.Walk-ins are welcomed and encouraged! Reservations are nice, too.For private event and large group inquiries please email us at SFOTL_events@hilton.com

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

OT
OpenTable DinerVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Truly one of the best dining experiences in SF— and I’m a big foodie.
More info
ABSteak by Chef Akira Back - San FranciscoPrice: Very Expensive• Korean• SOMA
•
4.5
M
MaribethVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •11 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Excellent meal - excellent service - the food & drinks were great!
More info
Bodega SFPrice: Moderate• Vietnamese• Financial District / Embarcadero
•
4.7
D
Dayana
Tahoe / Reno Area •1 review
5.0
Dined on 15 Feb 2025
The service and food are great! Really kind and special people making fresh, flavorful food.
More info
The ParthenonPrice: Moderate• Mediterranean• Downtown / Union Square
•
4.4
M
Michael
Cleveland / Akron / Canton •27 reviews
4.0
Dined on 13 Feb 2025
Great good but be assertive if you want to be served - which isn’t a bad thing if you know the deal but if you’re not used to asking for service - ask.
More info
Delarosa - Yerba BuenaPrice: Moderate• Italian• SOMA
•
4.4
R
RyanVIP
Orange County •38 reviews
5.0
Dined on 17 Nov 2024
Absolutely a phenomenal meal and service! First time dining at Cable 55 and first time staying at Parc 55. The staff is very friendly and attentive. I’ll definitely be back!
More info
Cable 55Price: Moderate• Unspecified• Downtown / Union Square
•
4.6

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