Where To Eat In San Francisco This Month: November 2025’s Best New Spots

San Francisco’s food scene just got a serious upgrade, and trust me, you’re going to want to clear your calendar. November brought us a fresh wave of restaurants that are already turning heads and filling tables faster than you can say reservation.

From Ethiopian comfort food to bakeries that’ll ruin all other croissants for you, these spots are serving up everything your taste buds have been craving without even knowing it.

1. Meski

Where spices meet soul, this Nob Hill newcomer is rewriting the rules on Ethiopian dining. Meski brings flavors so bold they practically announce themselves before the plate hits your table. The injera here isn’t just a vessel, it’s practically a character in the story.

Every dish feels like someone’s grandmother perfected it over decades, then decided to share it with the world. The spice blends are complex without being aggressive, warming you from the inside out.

Go hungry, leave transformed, and probably already planning your next visit before you’ve even paid the check.

2. Bosco

This SoMa stunner is what happens when Italian tradition gets a California attitude adjustment. Bosco doesn’t apologize for being ambitious, and neither should you when ordering half the menu. The pasta is made in-house, which sounds fancy until you taste it and realize it’s actually necessary.

Chef-driven without the pretension, every plate arrives looking like edible art that you almost feel guilty destroying. Almost.

The seasonal approach means the menu shifts, but the commitment to flavor stays rock solid. Bring someone you actually like talking to because you’ll be here a while.

3. MODI

However you felt about Indian food before, prepare for a complete recalibration. MODI sits near the Salesforce Transit Center, serving dishes that make you question every curry you’ve ever eaten.

The spice levels are chef-calibrated, not dumbed down, which means your taste buds finally get the respect they deserve. Each bite delivers layers of flavor that unfold like a really good plot twist.

The naan emerges from the tandoor with that perfect char-to-fluff ratio. Downtown just got exponentially more delicious, and your lunch break will never be the same again.

4. Turtle Tower

When pho dreams become reality, they look a lot like this Financial District gem. Turtle Tower specializes in Northern Vietnamese cuisine, which means the broth has been simmering longer than your last relationship lasted. Clear, fragrant, and deeply satisfying, every spoonful tells a story.

The menu stays focused rather than sprawling, which is exactly how it should be. Fresh herbs arrive in generous bunches, lime wedges beg to be squeezed, and the noodles have that perfect slippery texture. Lunch crowds form early because word travels fast when soup this good exists.

5. Nopa Fish

Are sustainable seafood and mind-blowing flavor mutually exclusive? Nopa Fish at the Ferry Building proves they absolutely aren’t. The fish counter gleams with the day’s catch, so fresh it practically introduces itself.

Everything gets treated with respect and minimal fussing because quality ingredients don’t need costumes. Grilled, steamed, or raw, each preparation lets the ocean speak for itself.

The Embarcadero location means you can watch ferries glide by while demolishing a plate of perfectly cooked halibut. It’s the kind of spot that makes you feel healthier just for eating there.

6. Crustacean

Though San Francisco has seen Crustacean before, this Financial District rebirth feels like a homecoming with an upgrade. The legendary garlic noodles remain unchanged because some things are sacred.

Whole roasted crab arrives cracked and ready, butter-drenched and utterly shameless about the mess you’re about to make. Vietnamese fusion done right means bold flavors that don’t cancel each other out.

The atmosphere skews upscale without being stuffy, perfect for impressing someone or just treating yourself. Bring your appetite and maybe a change of clothes because elegance goes out the window once that crab hits the table.

7. Ama

Did someone say omakase without the mortgage payment? Ama near the Transamerica Pyramid delivers Japanese precision at prices that won’t require a second job. The sushi bar is where magic happens, each piece assembled with the kind of care that borders on meditation.

Fish quality rivals spots charging double, which makes you wonder why anyone bothers with those places anymore. The rice temperature is perfect, the fish glistens, and the wasabi has actual heat.

Sit at the bar if you can because watching the chefs work is half the entertainment and all of the education.

8. Arsicault Bakery

Hence the long lines that form before most people have finished their first coffee. Arsicault Bakery’s Mission Rock outpost brings their award-winning croissants to the waterfront, and suddenly your morning routine needs a major revision.

These aren’t just pastries, they’re architectural marvels that shatter into a million buttery shards with each bite. The almond croissant alone justifies the pilgrimage, stuffed with frangipane that somehow stays creamy despite the baking process.

Pain au chocolat features actual chocolate batons, not sad chips. Everything sells out, so arrive early or prepare for heartbreak.

9. The Mess Hall

When comfort food meets California sunshine, you get The Mess Hall at Presidio Tunnel Tops. This isn’t your typical tourist trap despite the prime location overlooking the bay.

Burgers arrive juicy and properly seasoned, fries come crispy enough to audibly crunch, and salads don’t feel like punishment. The casual vibe matches the park setting perfectly, making it ideal for post-hike refueling or pre-sunset snacking.

Portions are generous without being grotesque, and everything tastes like someone actually cared about making it well. Plus, that view doesn’t hurt when you’re deciding where to eat.

10. Shoji

However you pictured the perfect izakaya, Shoji in Yerba Buena probably exceeds it. Small plates arrive in waves, each one a tiny masterpiece of Japanese bar food elevated beyond recognition. Yakitori skewers char perfectly, their smoky aroma announcing dinner before you even see the plate.

The space feels intimate without being cramped, moody lighting sets the tone for a meal that unfolds slowly. Everything begs to be shared, which is the whole point of izakaya dining anyway.

Order more than you think you need because restraint becomes impossible once the food starts flowing.