SF’s Hottest Dining Neighborhood of 2017

Welcome to Year in Eater 2017, Eater’s annual ritual of eulogizing the past 12 months. For 2017’s final week, Eater SF will be posting questions daily about San Francisco’s restaurant scene in the past year, with answers from those who know it best: Eater editors.

Today’s topic: What is SF’s best dining neighborhood?

Carolyn Alburger, Eater Cities Director

Barcino, RT Rotisserie, Robin — Hayes Valley had a really good year. Not to mention, Salt & Straw, Johnny’s Doughnuts, and Pisces have solidified its place as a dessert destination hood.

Hillary Dixler Canavan, Restaurant Editor, Eater National

Chinatown

Greg Morabito, Pop Culture Editor, Eater National

I don’t think I’m totally qualified to answer this question this year, but I will say that I’m really impressed by all the new places popping up in Downtown Berkeley, including Ippudo, Lucia’s, Les Arceaux, and Maker’s Common.

Caleb Pershan, Reporter

Hayes Valley, which hasn’t lacked for much, added a new glut of exciting restaurants like A Mano, Barcino, Robin, RT Rotisserie, and the Riddler, plus it scored ice cream from Salt & Straw, bagels from Wise Sons, and some of the city’s best doughnuts from Johnny Doughnuts. Hard to believe this ‘hood wasn’t always so chic, but Traci Des Jardins, whose flagship restaurant Jardiniere turned 20 this year, insists it was dicey when she moved in, once upon a time.

Ellen Fort, Eater SF Editor

Hayes Valley is the obvious answer, as hotspots like A Mano, The Riddler, Anina, and Barcino opened next to favorites like Rich Table, Absinthe, Souvla, and Monsieur Benjamin. However, the Tenderloin also had a busy year, with Hitachino Beer & Wagyu, Onsen, Gibson, Barnzu, Meraki Market, and Esan Classic joining the lineup.