Introducing: Michelin’s Star-Studded SF Restaurants 2019

At Commis, chef James Syhabout helms an open kitchen that dazzles. His ever-changing tasting menu pays tribute to local produce—and as a Zero Foodprint restaurant, is dedicated to peak-season ingredients—which he transforms into ethereal and impeccably plated dishes. Pro-tip: save room for the bread and butter, which are not to be missed.

Al’s Place might be one of the Mission’s most exciting restaurants. Take the French fry—a pretty forgettable side in retrospect—which chef Aaron London has reimagined into a snack that is nothing short of sublime. The rest of the menu follows suit, where meat comes as a side, and vegetables are twisted and turned into brilliant creations that are packed with oomph.

A fine dining veteran (Atelier Crenn, Saison), chef Chris Bleidorn highlights heritage cuisine with bounty and game from the Pacific Northwest. That means live fire cooking, in-house dry-aging, and whole animal butchery, where everything (including dessert) gets a lick of the flames. It’s haute cuisine without the pretense, thanks in part to a whimsical 80s rock playlist.

Japanese for “twelve,” Jū-Ni offers an intimate dining experience where each of the three four-tops are attended to by their very own sushi chef. The technique-driven omakase is superb, with fish flown right out of Tokyo’s notorious Tsukiji fish market. Opt for the curated sake offerings, which beautifully complement the delicate cuts of fish.

Behind its unassuming looks, Kin Khao will make you rethink what Thai cuisine can be. Chef-owner Pim Techamuanvivit doesn’t compromise when it comes to her homeland’s bold flavors, and the Thai eatery is as authentic as it gets. House-made curry pastes and condiments are churned daily for fiery goodness.

A mushroom isn’t a mushroom until you’ve had one at Lord Stanley. The Russian Hill spot plays with seasonality and locality, culminating in wildly creative dishes that reimagine everything from onion petals to foie gras. Go à la carte or get the tasting menu—either way, you’ll be delightfully surprised by what arrives on the plate.

Despite its Chinatown location, Mister Jiu’s isn’t your typical Chinese restaurant. Chef Brandon Jew cleverly toys with the Chinese banquet tropes of his youth, and revisits them through a modern lens, adding a Bay Area twist here, flipping Cantonese classics there. The resulting dishes are delicious, addicting, and definitely worthy of a coveted Michelin star.

The tired French brasserie gets a jolt at chef Nicolas Delaroque’s gorgeous Nico. Here, local farmers and purveyors provide the goods, while the kitchen cooks up modern takes on decades-old techniques. Herbaceous libations and fine wines accompany the perfectly balanced cuisine, which could rival that of any neo-bistro in France.

The kitchen line-up at Protégé is enough to make one marvel: most of the major players trained under Thomas Keller at The French Laundry. But Protégé transposes fine dining into a casual neighborhood setting, spinning contemporary American cuisine with flair. Opt for the dining room for a four-course meal, or the lounge for à la carte. Either way, chef Anthony Secviar and master sommelier Dennis Kelly will have you hooked.

Located in the chic Hotel Les Mars, Chalkboard showcases an ever-seasonal menu that celebrates the bounty of Sonoma. Chef Shane McAnelly whips up dynamic small plates with flavors that span the globe, from just-picked salads to roasted meats and seafood. Pro-tip: accompany your meal with one of their excellent wine flights.

Housed in a century-old grocery store, Ciccio’s humble storefront hides a first-rate establishment. The family-run Ciccio operates in rustic Italian fare and warm service, delivering hearty pasta, pizza, and contorni with locally-sourced ingredients (some sourced as close as the owners’ garden) that feed the soul and the belly.

At Coqueta, regional Spanish dishes are crafted with the Bay Area in mind. The bustling Embarcadero locale features pintxos, tapas, open-faced sandwiches, and family-style plates that marry the best produce California has to offer with the flavor-rich heartiness of Spanish cuisine.

From a pizza truck to a Nob Hill mainstay, Del Popolo continues to churn one of the best wood-fired crusts in the Bay Area. The pies come out perfectly charred, chewy, and caramelized, and are topped with spectacular local ingredients, from kabocha squash to house-made sausage.

When a chef grows his own cilantro, chile, and epazote (Mexican tea), you know the food’s going to be good. And Gran Eléctrica, helmed by Ignacio Beltran (formerly of The Restaurant at Meadowood), is definitely worth the Napa detour. At this hip Mexican eatery, you’re here for the pillowy house-made tortillas, bright regional dishes, and excellent selection of tequila and mezcal.

A Japanese izakaya with Northern California sensibilities, Izakaya Rintaro combines the best of the East and the West. There, chef Sylvan Brackett executes deceptively simple dishes that betray the chef’s unparalleled attention to detail, while market-fresh produce round off this stunning, wood-paneled izakaya.

At Millennium, chef Eric Tucker transforms vegetables into gastronomical delights that could entice even the most dedicated carnivore. The high-end vegan restaurant works with small farms to showcase the best of local, sustainable and organic ingredients, with decadent desserts to boot.

Ever heard of salt koji? Head straight to Yuzuki and let chef Yuko Hayashi blow your taste buds away. The extraordinary seasoning is at the heart of the Japanese Washoku-style cuisine, which relies on seasonality and simplicity, and coaxes the umami out of every ingredient it touches, from fried chicken to marinated squid.