Best Restaurant, Best Splurge Restaurant, Best Restaurant for Eating at the Bar, Best Restaurant Worth the Wait
Since it opened nine years ago, Gary Danko has swept the readers' polls—winning all the major categories, (except in its inaugural year, when it won only Best New Addition). The comfortably chic Fisherman's Wharf real estate features a seasonal five-course prix fixe menu, a wine list with more than 1,800 bottles from 15 countries, and a not-to-be-missed artisan cheese cart. It can take months to snatch a weekend reservation, but you can always take your chances at its 11-seat, full-menu bar.
800 North Point St., S.F., 415-749-2060, garydanko.com

Best New Restaurant in 2007–2008
Beloved by its Presidio Heights neighbors and local politicos alike, Spruce masters swank and class with its subdued walls, faux-ostrich chairs, and white linens. Mark Sullivan, who is also the chef at Woodside’s Village Pub, has brought his highly regarded steak to the city—or try the bresaola or duck rillette from Spruce’s own temperature-controlled charcuterie-curing room.
3640 Sacramento St., S.F., 415-931-5100, sprucesf.com

Best Spot for a Meal Under $10
The bright orange-and-blue-painted walls of Papalote—which is named after the soaring kites that owners Miguel and Victor Escobedo used to follow through Chapultepec Park as part of a birthday tradition—make you feel as if you’ve stepped into one of Mexico City’s many taquerias. The authentic rice and beans, fresh guacamole, and pico de gallo are also inspired by the Escobedos’ birthday picnics at the park.
3409 24th St., S.F., 415-970-8815; 1777 Fulton St., S.F., 415-776 0106, papalote-sf.com

Best Restaurant for Dining with a Crowd
With hundreds of unique San Francisco restaurants, we’re tongue-tied wondering how Buca di Beppo won you over. It doesn’t have the local, seasonal pickings you’ve come to love (see the readers’ poll winner for best new trend: organic)— but this once family-owned, now nationwide chain does have all your Italian faves, from chicken marsala to eggplant parmesan, as well as plenty of space to let your party grow.
855 Howard St., S.F., 415-543-7673, bucadibeppo.com

Best Weekend Brunch
If you can’t decide between sweet and savory, order both from Maverick’s chock-full weekend brunch menu. Happy breakfasters can go for a strawberry-rhubarb mimosa alongside executive chef Scott Youkills’ duck confit hash with poached eggs and mushroom cream, or a Texan Migas scramble with an order of pecan-crusted french toast.
3316 17th St., S.F., 415-863-3061, sfmaverick.com

Best Heated Alfresco Dining
After their tenures at Zuni Café and Chez Panisse, chefs Gayle Pirie and John Clark spent years abroad studying restaurant concepts before refining their Mediterranean-inspired menu at Foreign Cinema. Take in a variety of foreign and indie films on their large screen while sitting outdoors on the mezzanine, or keep it rustic indoors by the large hearth.
2534 Mission St. S.F. 415-648-7600, foreigncinema.com

Best Late-Night Bites
Nopa’s organic kitchen offers some invigorating combinations, like the pork chop with grilled peaches, escarole, and olive tapenade, and the grilled leg of lamb with eggplant salad, mizuna, and salsa verde. The restaurant’s late hours (the kitchen stays open till 1 a.m. every day) are a welcome rarity in the Panhandle.
560 Divisadero St., S.F., 415-864-8643, nopasf.com

Best Uniquely S.F. Restaurant
After 29 years strong, Zuni is still all that you love. The menu, with daily specials, continues to serve Judy Rodgers’ famous roast chicken (well worth an hour's wait) and classic burger, while the restaurant’s environment continues to reflect the diversity of its native city. You said it: Zuni Café is truly San Francisco.
1658 Market St., S.F., 415-552-2522, zunicafe.com

Best Hamburger
It must be Barney’s more affordable prices that put it ahead of S.F.’s spendier burger-joint gems. After 30 years in business, the chain now has 10 locations across the state. Stray from your usual burger and fries and try a Greek burger with feta, cucumber, and avocado, served in pita bread.
3344 Steiner St., S.F., 415-563-0307; 4138 24th St., S.F., 415-282-7770, barneyshamburgers.com

Best Bartender/Mixologist
Usually found creating new drinks in her downtime, Sierra Zimei of Four Seasons Bar deserves all her accolades. She recently won a Hendrick’s Gin contest at Rye, which garnered her a round-trip ticket anywhere in the U.S. The winning combination? Zimei’s Secret Garden, made with Hendrick’s Gin, cucumber slices, and fresh grapefruit and lime juices, plus homemade simple syrup infused with cilantro.
757 Market St., S.F., 415-633-3000

Best Chinese Restaurant
With Hunan and Mandarin cuisine at reasonable prices, Eliza’s is a must for satisfying your Chinese-food cravings. Unlike most Chinese restaurants around San Francisco, Eliza’s keeps it simple and light.
1457 18th St., S.F., 415-648-9999; 2877 California St., S.F., 415-621-4819

Best Japanese Restaurant
The elegant floor seating, the butcher’s block tables, the slick sake bar, and the sizzling robata grill lift Ozumo a step above other sushi destinations. Enjoy farmers’ market vegetables, grilled meats, and, of course, fresh fish with your choice from a seemingly endless list of accompaniments.
161 Steuart St., S.F., 415-882-1333, ozumo.com

Best Italian Restaurant
Owners Craig and Annie Stoll continue to pack a full house at Delfina, especially after chef Craig won a James Beard Award this year. Delfina’s daily menu features such items as Wolfe Ranch quail with fennel sausage, polenta, and vin santo. Named in honor of Craig’s former stomping grounds, Ristorante Da Delfina in Tuscany, the Stolls’ version is still the same Mission trattoria you’ve loved for a decade.
3621 18th St., S.F., 415-552-4055, delfinasf.com

Best Indian Restaurant
South Indian cuisine has charted new territory in the vibrant Mission District haven of Dosa. The various dosas (similar to crêpes) with your choice of fillings, served with coconut and tomato chutneys and a lentil dipping soup, are temporarily transporting.
995 Valencia St., S.F., 415-642-3672, dosasf.com

Best South-of-the-Border Restaurant
Named after the three types of 100 percent Blue Agave Tequila (blanco, reposado, and añejo), Tres Agaves serves fresh margaritas that complement its authentic cuisine—rumor has it the restaurant even sends staff to Jalisco, Mexico, for training.
130 Townsend St., S.F., 415-227-0500, tresagaves.com

Best New Food Trend
Organic is to San Francisco as barbecue is to Texas. Organic, now more attainable and comprehensible for everyone, is healthier for you and the environment. With fuel prices skyrocketing and our planet warming, this is one trend we all want to be part of.

Best Taco Truck
With the average cost of an entrée below $5, how can you not love El Tonayense? Specializing in tacos and burritos, the truck won you over with its low prices and fast service, which allows plenty of time for seconds.
2598 Harrison St., S.F., 415-641-6195; 3150 24th St., S.F., 415-550-9192

Best Lunch Break from Work
Whether you're after glass noodles at the Slanted Door, a portable salumi cone at Boccalone, ratatouille at Mistral, or a good ol' burger at Taylor's Automatic Refresher, the Ferry Building has you covered. Take as little or as much time as you need, with food to go or three-course meals, complete with your favorite pick-me-up cocktail.
Ferry Building Marketplace, Market St. at Embarcadero, S.F., 415-693-0996, ferrybuildingmarketplace.com

Best First-Date Restaurant
Delicious food and energetic ambience—without the what-to-talk-about lull of a three-course meal—make Foreign Cinema the perfect setting for romance. Enjoy the creative menu, a bottle of wine, and (we hope!) a great conversation, all while watching a film any night of the week. If all goes well, end the night with a specialty cocktail at Laszlo, the adjoining and always hopping bar.
2534 Mission St. S.F. 415-648-7600, foreigncinema.com