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Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in Cole Valley

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178 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Bambino's Ristorante restaurant
1. Bambino's Ristorante
4.7
Exceptional(560)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Cole Valley
Booked 4 times today
In a warm, open and attentive setting, Bambino’s Ristorante offers a tasteful and varied mix of classic Italian and original fare. We serve Dinner, Lunch and Weekend Brunch. Reserve or drop in for anything from a snack to a celebration.
A photo of House of Prime Rib restaurant
2. House of Prime Rib
4.8
Exceptional(15754)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steak • Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
Booked 210 times today
62 years of loyal customers can't be wrong. We are grateful to all of our customers, employees, and critics (...though we may not always agree!). The only way to find out the truth is with a visit. Oft imitated, never duplicated. Thank you in advance.
A photo of Elena's restaurant
3. Elena's
4.7
Exceptional(418)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Forest Hill / West Portal
Booked 81 times today
Welcome to Elena's -- a place where a family’s love for authentic Mexican food is celebrated and combined with California-inspired elements and signature Mexican-American dishes. We offer reservations for up to 8 guests via OpenTable. At the time of your reservation, we kindly request the entire party be present to be seated. Tables will be held for up to 10 minutes after the reservation time. For parties that arrive later, the table will be released but we will do our best to accommodate the reservation with the next available table. Reservation requests via phone or email are not available at this time. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming you to Elena’s!
A photo of Che Fico San Francisco restaurant
4. Che Fico San Francisco
4.7
Exceptional(1849)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • North Panhandle / USF
Booked 78 times today
Che Fico, is a California Italian restaurant from Chefs David Nayfeld and Matt Brewer in San Francisco's NOPA neighborhood. The food focuses on Italian cuisine through the lens of California. It’s our vision of Northern California as if it is a region in Italy, our connection to the region, and our love for Italian culinary practices. The rustic, market-driven menu features handmade pasta, pizzas, antipasti, housemade salumi, meat, and fish plus dishes from the Jewish-Roman heritage known as “Cucina Ebraica.” The beverage program focuses heavily on both Italian and Californian wines with a cocktail program that utilizes a variety of spirits, amaros, and seasonal ingredients. Che Fico is a place to gather with friends and enjoy warm hospitality, food, and drink, through an approachable menu and convivial ambiance.
A photo of Foreign Cinema restaurant
5. Foreign Cinema
4.8
Exceptional(8778)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Mission District
Booked 115 times today
Foreign Cinema is a beloved neighborhood gem in San Francisco's Mission District. It's a unique dining experience combining Californian-Mediterranean cuisine with independent films, creating an airy, chic atmosphere. Reviews rave about the inventive food, attentive service, and fantastic ambiance. One reviewer said, 'Foreign Cinema is one of those extraordinary gems in an ever changing culinary world.' Another highlighted, 'It’s definitely a classic place to visit if you’re looking for a great date spot or some nice solo dining.' It's an oasis in a neighborhood that's not to be missed!
A photo of Nopa - San Francisco restaurant
6. Nopa - San Francisco
4.6
Exceptional(3513)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • North Panhandle / USF
Booked 70 times today
Nopa is a San Francisco gathering place north of the Panhandle, serving urban rustic food and specializing in organic wood-fired cuisine. We serve simple dishes created with seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms and purveyors.
A photo of The Progress restaurant
7. The Progress
4.9
Exceptional(2443)
Price: Very Expensive
• Contemporary American • Western Addition
Booked 53 times today
The Progress is a vehicle for a completely local production. Innovative meals are served with memorable wine & cocktails. The Greatest Dinner Party Ever.
A photo of Little Original Joe's -- Marina restaurant
8. Little Original Joe's -- Marina
4.8
Exceptional(47)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio
Booked 37 times today
Welcome to Little Original Joe's -- an Italian-American neighborhood eatery featuring pizza, pasta, and parmigiana in San Francisco's Marina neighborhood! Limited reservations are available for up to 6 guests -- we look forward to seeing you soon!
A photo of Kokkari Estiatorio restaurant
9. Kokkari Estiatorio
4.9
Exceptional(9088)
Price: Expensive
• Mediterranean • Financial District / Embarcadero
Booked 137 times today
Kokkari (pronounced “Ko-Kar-ee”) is a small fishing village located on the islands of Samos in the Aegean Sea, whose name is derived from the small onions that were once produced in the nearby fields. Its fertile soil and Mediterranean climate translated into an abundance of fresh produce as well as treasured seafood and game. Legend tells that Kokkari is the site where Orion, a mighty hunter and a young man of gigantic stature and great beauty, fell in love with the daughter of the king of Chios. For the love of her, Orion forged the island for wild game and seafood to prepare elaborate banquets in celebration of their love. Today, we hope you will enjoy your own celebration as you dine at Kokkari Estiatorio on food “fit for the Gods” prepared with an Aegean palate and the style of innovative California fare.
A photo of Zuni Cafe restaurant
10. Zuni Cafe
4.6
Exceptional(7826)
Price: Expensive
• Modern European • Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
Booked 139 times today
DINNER:Tuesday - Sunday5:00 pm – 9:30 pmLUNCH:Friday, Saturday, Sunday11:00 am – 4:00 pmWe are closed on MondaysRESERVATIONS ARE TAKEN UP TO 4 WEEKS IN ADVANCE.TABLES ARE RESERVED FOR A 2 HOUR TIME LIMIT.
‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Christian
    California Central Coast •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    Went for my boyfriends birthday, as a first timer it most definitely won’t be our last! The service from Ian was AMAZING of itself but the food was perfect! Such an awesome experience and we cannot wait to come back with friends and family.
    More info
    House of Prime RibPrice: Very Expensive• Steak• Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
    •
    4.8
  • Douglasvip
    San Francisco Bay Area •206 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    While the noise level is very high, the food and service is excellent!! The beet salad was possibly the best either of us have ever eaten, the agnolotti is exceptional, and the chocolate desert was rich without over doing it! What a fantastic evening we were able to share at a truly exceptional restaurant in SF. Thanks for making it special.
    More info
    Che Fico San FranciscoPrice: Expensive• Italian• North Panhandle / USF
    •
    4.7
  • Alson
    San Francisco Bay Area •4 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    Upscale Mexican food in the sunset district. Authentic taste and flavors but spice level is scaled down for clientele. Nothing very spicy. Still, food was tasty! Good ambience, excellent service. Clean throughout. This is definitely not the mission district experience, if that’s what you’re looking for. But very good authentic food in a clean, upscale pleasant environment. Not a taqueria!
    More info
    Elena'sPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Forest Hill / West Portal
    •
    4.7
  • Joevip
    San Diego •19 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    We had such a fantastic time at Foreign Cinema! From the warm welcome when we arrived to the excellent servers and the delicious food, it was an all star visit. It's no wonder Foreign Cinema is an icon in San Francisco. We can't wait to go back!
    More info
    Foreign CinemaPrice: Expensive• Californian• Mission District
    •
    4.8
  • JC
    Cleveland / Akron / Canton •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Nov 2, 2024
    Authentic Italian restaurant in the heart of Cole Valley. Hard to find this level of quality and service at reasonable prices these days.
    More info
    Bambino's RistorantePrice: Moderate• Italian• Cole Valley
    •
    4.7

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