The Bottom Line
Serving casual, expertly-prepared Mediterranean food in a bustling light-filled dining room, the ever-popular Zuni has been going strong for 30 years.
Pros
- Fresh, expertly-prepared Mediterranean food
- Excellent wine list
- Pretty, light-filled dining room
Cons
- Can be noisy
- Reservations sometimes difficult to secure
- Staff can be aloof
Description
- 1658 Market Street; 415-552-2522
- Zuni Café
- Valet parking
Guide Review - Zuni Cafe
Zuni Cafe may be San Francisco’s most iconic restaurant. Opened in 1979, this classic eatery has garnered an international reputation for its simply prepared, ingredient-driven Mediterranean cooking.
Housed in a pie wedge-shaped building with windows looking onto market street, Zuni’s long copper topped bar draws crowds of all walks of life, from celebrities to out-of-towners and everything in between. In the evenings, patrons linger here with a cocktail, have quiet conversations, and people-watch.
Reservations are sometimes hard to come by, but you can take your chances at the walk-in tables clustered near the bar; a full menu is served here. Towards the back and upstairs are white linen draped tables and an impressive collection of artwork, many by local artists. Some items on Zuni’s menu are signature dishes, others change daily. The Caesar salad, classic burger, shoestring fries, and roast chicken for two are celebrated preparations, as is the extensive selection of fresh oysters, which changes daily.
The atmosphere is as appealing as the food, with floor-to-ceiling windows and large floral displays on the bustling bar. Diners take in the tempting smell of wood oven roasted chicken from every seat in the house. Be sure to avail yourself of the extensive wine list and homey desserts. Cheese plates and digestifs are also served at the end of the meal.
Housed in a pie wedge-shaped building with windows looking onto market street, Zuni’s long copper topped bar draws crowds of all walks of life, from celebrities to out-of-towners and everything in between. In the evenings, patrons linger here with a cocktail, have quiet conversations, and people-watch.
Reservations are sometimes hard to come by, but you can take your chances at the walk-in tables clustered near the bar; a full menu is served here. Towards the back and upstairs are white linen draped tables and an impressive collection of artwork, many by local artists. Some items on Zuni’s menu are signature dishes, others change daily. The Caesar salad, classic burger, shoestring fries, and roast chicken for two are celebrated preparations, as is the extensive selection of fresh oysters, which changes daily.
The atmosphere is as appealing as the food, with floor-to-ceiling windows and large floral displays on the bustling bar. Diners take in the tempting smell of wood oven roasted chicken from every seat in the house. Be sure to avail yourself of the extensive wine list and homey desserts. Cheese plates and digestifs are also served at the end of the meal.