7 Best Restaurants in San Francisco, California

Head downstairs to this hole-in-the-wall ramen house for some of the most authentic noodles in town, served until 2 am. Hand-drawn pictures of specials punctuate a colorful interior with too-close tables and a couple of stools around the bar.

Look for the lines on busy Geary Street where Union Square blurs into the edges of the Tenderloin, and you'll find what eager ramen fans consider the city's best bowl. This was the first U.S. outpost of a prominent Tokyo-based ramen shop, and the quality and consistency of its noodles and broths continue to be spectacular. The decor on the walls is primarily a series of graphics explaining the scientific aspects of ramen; if you want a doctorate in ramen, this is a good place to start.

Homemade thin soba and thick udon, served either hot or cold with various toppings, are the stars of this low-key, charming restaurant with a wooden facade that looks like it was imported directly from the countryside. Seating is at wooden tables, where diners of every age can be heard slurping down big bowls of traditional Japanese combinations.

When the fog and wind roll into the Richmond, savvy locals dive straight into this all-you-can-eat joint serving Japanese shabu shabu and other hot pot options. Guests can pair an inventive soup base, like fire coconut crab or spicy miso, with the restaurant's signature, perfectly marbled Wagyu beef or Kurobuta pork for a satisfying meal. There's a full bar and a karaoke option for large groups.

For a little bonhomie before the symphony, it's hard to go wrong with this buzzy (and typically crowded) ramen spot. Noodles are the star of the menu, and deservedly so, but you'll also find izakaya-style small plates, including pot stickers and chicken fritters. Seating is at a premium in the mod Japanese/San Franciscan dining room with windows overlooking Franklin Street.

This energetic Japanese dining venue (part of Michael Mina's high-powered group) is a sleek, wonderful place that hosts both date nights and business deals at its tables and cocktail bar. The substantial menu can be overwhelming, so it's best to just graze around the sushi rolls, robata grill items, and a few small and large plates like homemade pork gyoza and miso yaki black cod.

Acclaimed chef Michael Mina has gotten on the ramen train with a big assist from Tokyo native and chef Ken Tominaga, and their FiDi collaboration is a popular lunchtime spot known as much for fast service as for Tokyo-style noodles–-the light, casual setting has sit-down service only at dinner. The menu also veers into sushi roll and poke bowl territory, and prices tend to add up; this is not your strip-mall ramen joint.