These 10 Unique Restaurants In San Francisco Will Give You An Unforgettable Dining Experience
By Stephanie Garr|Updated on January 19, 2023(Originally published January 16, 2023)
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Stephanie Garr
Author
Stephanie is a freelance writer and editor based in San Francisco, California. When she's not tapping at a keyboard, she can be found leading groups on gourmet chocolate walking tours (best job ever) or running the many lovely hills and stairs of the city (to burn off all that chocolate, of course). She also runs a travel blog with her husband at Big & Small Travel (bigandsmalltravel.com).
There’s no denying that San Francisco is known for its gastronomic pleasures—just check out some of the unique restaurants in Northern California. Since the City by the Bay also prides itself as being truly one of a kind, it makes sense that some of the city’s favorite eateries would reflect its special charm as well. So, if you’re curious to learn more about some of the best restaurants in California, here are 10 places where you can expect to have a unique dining experience in San Francisco.
1. Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar
Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar, 950 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA
Prepare to have one of the most unique dining experiences in Northern California when you dine at the Tonga Room. This restaurant and bar in the luxurious Fairmont Hotel have been taking San Franciscans to the tropics since 1945. The "lagoon" in the center of the restaurant, now a floating stage for a top-40 band, was once used as a pool. Enjoy a fancy drink (with an umbrella, of course), Pacific Rim Asian cuisine, and the periodic thunder and lightning from tropical rainstorms.
2. Foreign Cinema
Foreign Cinema, 2534 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
Wrap up date night with dinner and a movie all in one spot. Catch a classic film while indulging in oysters, organic pop tarts, and other inventive California cuisine on the covered and heated outdoor patio at one of the most unique restaurants in Northern California that attract guests from near and far for an evening out.
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3. SPiN
SPIN San Francisco, 690 Folsom St #100, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA
A farm-to-table restaurant inside a ping-pong club owned by Susan Sarandon? Doesn't that sound like the perfect recipe to be considered one of the best restaurants in California?
Don't be fooled by this SoMa restaurant/club's minimalist exterior: There's much sparkle to be had inside. The Ladies of AsiaSF—"world-famous" transgender stars—perform on the red dragon runway bar as you enjoy a prix-fixe menu of Asian-fusion cuisine and sip on sake and sugary cocktails while dining at one of the most unique restaurants in Northern California.
5. Lazy Bear
Lazy Bear, 3416 19th St, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
It's not the ambiance that makes this Mission District spot unique, but the reason you need to order tickets in advance. In Top Chef fashion, every night features a different multi-course tasting menu that's served at a communal table, and every course is given a detailed explanation of its ingredients and inspired by each chef. Therefore, you can expect that you'll have a unique dining experience at this Northern California restaurant.
6. Hawker Fare
Hawker Fare, 680 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
As you can see, you'll feel like you've been transported to Asia when during your unique dining experience in San Francisco. The menu includes some of the best street food you'll find outside of Asia.
7. Urban Putt
Urban Putt, 1096 S Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
Along with chowing down on classic pub grub like pizza and burgers, you and your friends will have a blast playing miniature golf at one of the most unique restaurants in San Francisco.
Built by self-made millionaire Forbes Thor Kiddoo, Forbes Island offers "fantasy fine dining aboard the world's only floating island." Learn more about the restaurant here.
Grab an octopus stool and enjoy fresh fish, oysters, and even caviar underneath jellyfish chandeliers at this Union Square favorite. And while the underwater theme may seem a bit cheesy, it's actually done with a sleek and swanky touch.
Get your meal with a whole lot of sass (and some freaky dolls and troll heads) at this gay-friendly spot that serves up dishes like Suck My Cuban and The Brie Whore. Read the rules and obey them. This ain't your average brunch spot.
Have you had a chance to eat at any of the unique restaurants in San Francisco that made this list? If so, feel free to comment below. For more unique eating experiences, take a look at some of San Francisco’s best tiny restaurants.
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Lolo is one of the best restaurants in California that's also been recognized as a unique place to dine in the country. Here are some fun facts about this quirky Latin-inspired restaurant:
As one of the cool restaurants in San Francisco, Lolo is decorated with colorful ceramics that'll make you feel as if you've been transported to Mexico.
Lolo is a family-run business located in the heart of San Francisco's Mission neighborhood.
Lolo offered both outdoor and indoor dining options.
This San Francisco restaurant is open from 5:30 - 10:00 pm every day but Sunday.
