Best Downtown Restaurants in San Francisco

Located in bustling Union Square, Farallon is a restaurant that is designed to look as though it is under water. It is only open for dinner, but with a full day on the links planned, that's going to be the only time you'll be going out for dinner anyway. They serve what they call Coastal Cuisine, but don't be fooled into thinking this is a casual restaurant. There's caviar appetizers from as far away as New Brunswick and entrees such as Alaskan King Salmon and Seared Mediterranean Dourade. Further, Farallon supports organic farming, responsible animal husbandry and sustainable fishing practices, so if you're looking for ecologically conscious fine dining, Farallon is it.

Farallon
450 Post St.
San Francisco, California 94102

To make reservations for yourself, a small party or a large group function, call (415) 956-6969.
www.farallonrestaurant.com/

For the Irishman (or woman) in all of us, there's The Irish Bank in the heart of downtown San Francisco. A pub first and foremost, with hundreds of beers and wines to choose from, The Irish Bank is also open for lunch and dinner. Lunch is filled with sandwiches, burgers and other casual dining foods such as shepherd's pie and bratwurst and sauerkraut. Lunch ranges in price from $8 to $13. Dinner is about the same price range, with selections such as Irish beef stew and chicken curry the most popular. Zagat.com said its fish and chips were the "best in the city" and that its beer selection was rated as "excellent." 7 x 7 Magazine wrote that its Alaskan cod was "perfect."

The Irish Bank
10 Mark Lane
San Francisco, California 94102

Reservations are encouraged by calling (415) 788-7152.
www.theirishbank.com/

Saha Arabic Fusion Restaurant offers a blend of Yemenese Arabic cuisine and California coastal cuisine with French spices and herbs. It won OpenTable.com's "Diner's Choice 2009 Award" and placed third in AOL.com's "Best Fine Dining Restaurants." Bill Addison of the San Francisco Chronicle also praised the restaurant's decor and cooking in a 2006. The dinner menu's entrees are moderately priced (nothing more than $27) and include such Mediterranean dishes as maklouba (layered dish of rice with allspice, pine nuts and cinnamon) and sage duck (duck breast marinated with honey, sage and mustard, grilled and served with roasted pears). There's also a customized three-course meal (soup or salad, one appetizer and an entrée) for only $40.

Saha Arabic Fusion Restaurant
1075 Sutter St.
San Francisco, California 94109

To make reservations for yourself, a small party or a large group function, call (415) 345-9547.
www.sahasf.com/index.html