The Top 5 Michelin-Starred Restaurants In San Francisco, According To Reviews

There's no shortage of delicious restaurants in San Francisco, California. The busting city on the west coast of the U.S. has long been known as a foodie-favorite. In fact, in 2025 it was dubbed the "Culinary Capital of America." From the bustling streets of the oldest Japantown in America to the glamorous Union Square, visitors will find plenty of mouthwatering fine-dining options to choose from. Cuisine from around the world can be sampled in San Francisco. There's something to tempt even the most discerning palettes, but if you want to enjoy a meal that's truly unforgettable, you should make a reservation at one of the city's top Michelin-starred restaurants.

People who adore delicious food and fine-dining experiences have been trusting the Michelin Guide since the early-1900's. Most travelers are likely familiar with the prestigious Michelin star ratings, but it may come as a surprise that the guide is actually produced by the same French company that makes Michelin tires. It was originality created to encourage drivers to get out and explore new destinations so that they would eventually need to purchase more tires, but eventually Michelin stars became known as some of the most renowned awards a dining establishment could receive.

San Francisco is home to 30 different restaurants with Michelin stars, including three different restaurants with three stars — the highest possible Michelin rating that indicates "exceptional cuisine" worthy of a special trip. To put things into perspective, there are only 157 restaurants in the entire world with three Michelin stars. According to the Michelin Guide and Google reviews, Atelier Crenn, Quince, Benu, Kiln, and Lazy Bear are the top 5 options to choose from in The Golden Gate City.

Atelier Crenn first opened its doors in 2011. It's located in the affluent Cow Hollow neighborhood, which is well-known for its lively nightlife and gorgeous Victorian-style architecture. The restaurant is owned by its head chef, Dominique Crenn. She grew up in France, where she learned to cook from her mother and grandmother. Surprisingly, she never studied at a culinary school, and holds no culinary degrees. She learned purely from experience, which makes her accomplishments even more special. Within a year of opening, Atelier Crenn received its first Michelin Star. The following year, it received another, which made Crenn the first woman in the U.S. to receive two Michelin stars. In 2018, the restaurant was given its third Michelin Star.

According to the Michelin Guide, Crenn's restaurant shows off "inspired culinary style that combines her upbringing in Brittany with her present-day evolution in California." The pescatarian food "skillfully weds a panoply of delectable sauces and impeccably prepared seafood, a true testament to Crenn's mastery of French cuisine — and a loaf of exquisite brioche from her grandmother's recipe drives the point home," the Michelin website states. San Francisco is one of the best cities in America for seafood lovers, and Atelier Crenn is sure to impress anyone who enjoys the freshest catch of the day. 

People who have dined at the restaurant have confirmed it's truly exceptional in Google reviews. It has an average of 4.6 stars based on over 700 reviews. April Z called her Atelier Crenn visit "a dining experience that feels like poetry written to nature," in a review left on Google.

Quince has been a favorite fine-dining establishment in San Francisco for over two decades, and has a total of three Michelin stars. It originally opened in 2003 in the Pacific Heights neighborhood, but in 2009 the location moved to Jackson Square. According to the Michelin Guide, the owners recently updated the space. Head chef Michael Tusk and his wife Lindsey own the restaurant together, and the ever-changing menu consists of French-Italian cuisine made from locally-sourced ingredients.

"The commitment to seasonality and locality is striking, with much of the produce sourced from their partner farm. Dinner here celebrates the season with an array of elegant presentations," the Michelin Guide states. It also notes that pasta is a major highlight. Guests can expect dishes like lamb "cooked in the fireplace [and] arranged with a springtime melange of fava beans, green garlic, and edible blossoms, and accompanied by freshly-baked bread tinted by vegetable ash."

On Google, Quince has an average rating of 4.6 stars based on 700-plus reviews. "Dining at Quince was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we arrived, every detail reflected precision, grace, and care. The atmosphere was calm, elegant, and inviting," Jeremy Warren wrote in a Google review. "The seasonal tasting menu was outstanding. Each course felt purposeful and beautifully executed, with ingredients that clearly spoke to California's best farms and producers. The presentation, flavor balance, and pacing were all flawless," he added.

Like Atelier Crenn and Quince, Benu has received three Michelin stars. The restaurant opened in 2010, and serves a menu inspired by Asian and French cuisines. It's located in the trendy SoMa (South of Market) neighborhood. Chef Corey Lee was born in South Korea, but grew up in the U.S., where he studied under some of the most iconic chefs in the country.

The Michelin Guide describes Benu as "an oasis in the center of the city." Dishes like faux-shark's fin, xiao long bao, and barbecued quail with XO sauce are a few menu items highlighted on Michelin's website. The restaurant also serves a thousand-year-old quail egg, a traditional Chinese delicacy.

Benu has received over 700 reviews on Google with an average rating of 4.6 stars. "All the dishes were excellent, and the wine pairing complemented them so well! The ingredients felt really fresh and high quality. As a Korean, many dishes felt very authentic, while some were creatively reimagined and I loved the combination of both," Doah Kwon wrote in a Google review.

Kiln is one of the new kids on the block in the San Francisco fine-dining scene. The restaurant opened in 2023, and is located in the Hayes Valley neighborhood. Despite only being open a few years, it's already received two Michelin stars. Kiln was also a finalist for the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant in 2024. Chef John Wesley serves up contemporary cuisine with Nordic influences. There's a unique tasting menu each night with 18-20 courses. The entire experience lasts 2-3 hours.

"The creative energy is consistent throughout the meal, offering plenty to impress guests. Opening snacks like a crispy curlicue of puffed beef tendon captures this ethos, while others, like a squab breast lacquered with burnt honey and served with a truffled jus, display a classical bent," the Michelin Guide states. Guests can expect lots of cured meat and fermented foods.

Kiln has a Google rating of 4.8 stars based on over 130 reviews. "I recently celebrated my birthday at Kiln SF, and it was truly unforgettable. We indulged in their 20-course tasting menu, which was a culinary journey from start to finish. Each course was beautifully presented, thoughtfully explained, and absolutely delicious; an experience that went far beyond just a meal," Google user HMB wrote in their review. They also loved being given special gifts like a photo and keepsake menu after their meal. They mentioned that the ambiance of the restaurant was pleasing, and they enjoyed the modern music that played throughout their meal.

Lazy Bear is another wonderful choice with two Michelin stars. In 2014, the current restaurant opened in the Mission District neighborhood, but it actually began as an "underground restaurant" that Chef David Barzelay ran out of his apartment. Barzelay was known for throwing incredible dinner parties, and eventually began hosting them in a "secret" warehouse space before finally opening Lazy Bear, according to the restaurant's website.

The Michelin Guide describes the space as "swanky," and mentions that it's "decked out like a mogul's hunting lodge." Lazy Bear's menu is just as impressive. "The menu has a sweeping creative scope, drawing on both nostalgia and current culinary trends with a confident swagger," according to the Michelin Guide. Expect innovative contemporary cuisine inspired by traditional American flavors. The menu changes regularly, but expect options like oysters and Wagyu ribeye. Unique menu items like whipped scrambled eggs with maple, bacon, and hot sauce, and pork and beans are also featured in sample menus on Lazy Bear's website.

Lazy Bear has received plenty of rave reviews on Google. It has an average ranking of 4.8 stars and over a thousand reviews. "Dining at Lazy Bear was one of the best culinary experiences we've had in San Francisco. From start to finish, the pacing was perfect, as the courses flowed naturally without ever feeling rushed or drawn out, which made the evening feel effortless and immersive. The staff was incredibly attentive, and took the time to walk us through each dish and pairing with just the right balance of detail and enthusiasm," Brad Hover wrote in his review.

San Francisco is certainly one of the best cities where you can eat at top Michelin-starred restaurants. With 30 options to choose from, your biggest challenge is going to be deciding where to book your reservation. For our list of the top five Michelin-starred restaurants in San Francisco we relied on the current Michelin Guide. We chose to only include restaurants that had received at least two Michelin stars at the time of writing. We narrowed our search further by reading hundreds of Google reviews for each restaurant. Only restaurants with at least 100 reviews and average ratings of at least 4.5 stars were considered. With so many excellent choices, San Francisco is a city all food lovers should add to their bucket list.