6 Must-Try Restaurants in South Beach and Mission Bay, San Francisco

Located on the east side of the San Francisco Peninsula, the adjacent neighborhoods of South Beach and Mission Bay share a low-profile status, especially compared to the finance and commercial districts closer to downtown.

South Beach is primarily residential, so the restaurants inside its borders are tasty exceptions. Slightly more varied, Mission Bay is also more densely urban, with a healthy selection of bars, restaurants, cafes, and parks.

Residents living in and around these neighborhoods enjoy a wide range of restaurant options within walking distance from their homes.

From classic American cuisine to Japanese dining and Mediterranean, those interested in San Francisco luxury homes have plenty to try and explore. To tap into the pulse of this neighborhood, here are the top six must-try restaurants in South Beach, San Francisco.

178 Townsend St.
San Francisco, CA 94107

 

 

Those craving modern American cuisine can count on a good meal under the attentive and friendly service of those at Saison. Located in South Beach a block inland from Oracle Park, Saison cooks seasonal ingredients on wood fires. Its kitchen and dining room share space, making for a cohesive dining experience.

Saison extends that sense of partnership to the fishers, ranchers, and farmers who supply the fresh ingredients for their rotating, secretive menus. The restaurant’s intimate atmosphere lends itself to conversations punctuated by wine; Saison’s encyclopedic wine list comprises Old and New World vintages with an emphasis on Burgundy. If you need another reason to eat here, the restaurant earned three stars from the Michelin Guide in 2014 (note: reservations are required, and the tab for a tasting menu starts at $298).

300 Spear St.
San Francisco, CA 94105

 

 

The joint effort of Chef Nancy Oakes, Pam Mazzola, and Kathy King, Prospect is located at the base of the Infinity Towers, making it ultra-convenient for residents living in the sleek condos upstairs. Anyone interested in San Francisco luxury real estate should stop in and enjoy the New American cuisine made from old American sources (local, sustainable, organic ingredients).

Customers here can choose from an entrees menu that includes duck, steak, king salmon, and wild Alaskan halibut. To give you an idea, the salmon entree comes with fregola, chanterelles (mushrooms), corn from Coachella Valley, corn soubise, Bloomsdale spinach, pickled spring onions. A house favorite. If you’ve eaten your fill, ask for the summer lemon cake or peach shortcake to go.

Prospect is open Monday through Friday: expect a wait, or make reservations. The heated patio is the place to be on Thursdays and Fridays.

399 The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94105

 

 

Waterbar is a seafood-centric restaurant with incredible views of the San Francisco Bay and Bay Bridge. Just as the Bay and the Bridge are fixtures here, Waterbar has become a fixture in the San Francisco fine dining scene. It’s not uncommon to see a couple propose, or a business deal come to fruition. Waterbar is a stunning restaurant, a fantasy come to life.

It’s enough to make one wonder how Waterbar can advertise itself as family-friendly. The traditional dining room contains two vertical fish tanks kids would love. The 46-page drinks menu telegraphs the clientele you’d expect — suits from the Financial District and well-dressed foodie pilgrims. If it’s your first time at Waterbar, start with the oysters and let the waitstaff be your guide.

448 Brannan St.
San Francisco, CA 94107

 

 

Those who enjoy American and Japanese cuisine will love Alexander’s Steakhouse, a South Beach establishment near Oracle Park. Undoubtedly, the restaurant’s calling card is the sheer variety and quality of its domestic and imported Wagyu steak.

Patrons can bring their own wine for escalating corkage fees, or you can simply trust the establishments wine lists (it’s more modest than other restaurants on this list but gets the job done). Clearly, a great deal of thought went into the food menu — the seven varieties of Japanese Wagyu are perfectly understated. Alexander’s is a warm venue that successfully channels the toil of small farms in the U.S., Australia, and Japan into a fine dining experience, one worthy of anyone looking for San Francisco luxury real estate.

333 Brannan St. Suite 150
San Francisco, CA 94107

 

 

For a bright and lively dining experience, Rooh Indian cuisine is as striking as its sprightly décor. Boasting progressive Indian recipes and a fun atmosphere, guests visiting this restaurant, which also operates a location in New Delhi, can enjoy a “gastronomical journey through contemporary Indian food and artisanal cocktails,” according to Rooh’s proprietors..

Although the colorful pillows and cloth decorating the interior may transport guests from South Beach, it's easy-to-navigate menu ensures their dining experience is anything but confusing. First, you and your party can choose from four sharing platters (remember the house chutney sauce!). From there, one or more of the small plates will call to you. Yield, or else resist and turn your attention to the large plates, which include fresh takes on lamb and chicken plus dishes centered on artichoke and monkfish.

665 Townsend St.
San Francisco, CA 94103

 

A tiny restaurant serving sushi with big flavor, Omakase is a treat for those interested in San Francisco luxury real estate (and sushi). It’s just across Mission Creek from Mission Bay. The restaurant’s capacity is less than 20 people, so a wait is not out of the question The menu changes often — sometimes nightly — so you must place your trust in the chef, Jackson Yu, a Beijing native who moved to the Bay Area at 18 and worked at comparable Japanese restaurants before opening Omakase. All fish is imported directly from the Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo, which Jackson frequently visits to stay up on trends. You can expect the same attention to detail plus the warmth of hospitality when visiting Omakase.

The restaurants near South Beach and Mission Bay offer dishes inspired and sometimes imported across the globe without your having to leave the neighborhood. The above six locations are only the tip of the restaurant iceberg surrounding San Francisco luxury homes. For help in finding your perfect residence, contact Rises.co to guide you through the process.