The Hottest Restaurants in San Francisco Right Now, June 2017

Tipsters, readers, friends and family of Eater usually all have the same question: Where should I eat right now? Restaurant obsessives want to know what's new, what's hot, which favorite chef just launched a sophomore effort, where to sip the cocktail of the moment. And while the Eater 38 is a crucial resource covering old standbys and neighborhood essentials across the city, it is not a chronicle of the 'it' places of the moment. Thus, we offer the Eater Heatmap, which will change continually to highlight where the foodie crowds are flocking at the moment — even if that might be an older spot.

Check out the map of the Bay Area's hottest restaurants right now below (ordered alphabetically), and drop any feedback in the comments section.

January updates: Coin-Op Game Room, Flores, Almanac Taproom and Beer Garden

February updates: Alba Ray's, Contrada, Over Proof, The Riddler, Uma Casa

March updates: China Live, Rooh

April updates: Media Noche, Old Kan

May updates: The Kebabery, Navi Kitchen

June updates: A Mano

Gumbo, oysters, Sazeracs, and Hurricanes are all on deck at this new Cajun spot in the Mission, from the team behind Popson’s and Causwells. It’s a refreshing departure from California cuisine, though ther’s plenty of beautiful local produce involved— chef-partner Adam Rosenblum spent time at some of New Orleans’ best restaurants, and he has brought that passion West.

A brightly hued new restaurant from a former techie and the chef from Rasika in DC has landed on Van Ness, offering a new interpretation of traditional Indian cuisine. Small plates, tandoor, and boozy cocktails are part of the charm at lunch and dinner.

The latest from Adriano Paganini’s Back of the House Restaurant Group (Super Duper, Belga, Beretta) focuses on handmade pastas in a sleek, casual Hayes Valley space. Chef Freedom Rains has put together a carefully crafted modern Italian menu and a full service bar stocked with amaro and digestifs should keep the vibe from veering too far towards the “fast” part of fast-casual.

Jessi and Jennifer Singh have brought a party-forward, "inauthentic Indian" restaurant to San Francisco, complete with a self-serve beer fridge, laid-back vibe, and bold dishes like Colonel Tso's cauliflower. It all makes for a buzzy place for a flavor-forward dinner and drinks.

China Live is a massive 30,000-square-foot restaurant and retail space in the heart of Chinatown. It's got multiple options for eating, including the Oolong Cafe with grab-and-go items, a bar, and the Market Restaurant with dim sum-style offerings. Eventually there will also be a fine dining restaurant called Eight Tables. Check out Eater SF's full guide to the hotspot here.

Cow Hollow's newest neighborhood hotspot is a pizza- and pasta-laden dining experience from chef Jason Tuley (Parlour, Picco). Wild boar rigatoni, squid ink bucatini with Dungeness crab, and Neopolitan-style pizzas are the draw, plus wines from Italy and California.

Flores, the latest from the crew behind Uno Dos Tacos, features traditional Mexican food, from Lolinda executive chef Alejandro Morgan’s point of view. Fresh tortillas are the centerpiece for dishes like mole negro poblano, duck confit enchiladas and pork shoulder carnitas. Cocktails, beer and wine round out the lively scene, which unfolds in a dining room lined with festive murals.`

The team from Camino has opened a quick-service spot in Oakland’s Longfellow neighborhood, offering a slim menu of kebabs (lamb, chicken, or king trumpet), served as a sandwich or plate, with accompanying salads (carrot, beet, sauerkraut). There’s also beer and wine, to accompany the crew’s flavorful food that is draped with herbs, pickles, and yogurt sauces.

Cuban food through a Miami lens is the order of the day at Media Noche. The stylish fast-casual spot in the Mission offers a menu of media noches (a hot, pressed Cubano with ham, pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on brioche) with small places like croquetas and yuca fries. Beer, wine, and sangria make it an ideal stop for a bite day or night.

After multiple delays, sommelier Paul Einbund has finally opened his first restaurant with chef/partner Gavin Schmidt. A menu of dishes like the already famous chicken dumpling with foie gras, and a Dungeness crab porridge with carrots and lemongrass have drawn in neighbors and industry folk alike. Add in Einbund's extensive wine list, and a selection of vintage Chartreuse, and you've got the whole package.

Chef Preeti Mistry’s new all-day cafe in Oakland is now open, offering brekki, Highwire coffee, sandwiches and salads, and a very pleasant patio situation. Mistry’s band of playful South Indian-inspired food is on display with items like the Croque Gadame with brown sugar chai spiced bacon, fried egg, white cheddar, pickled onions, and tamarind ketchup.

After months of delays, chef Kim Alter's (Haven, Plum) first solo project is here, and it was worth the wait. The minimal, but cozy space sets the scene for Alter's tasting menu ($125) that changes with the seasons. A "two minute quail egg" topped with brown butter hollandaise and snuggled into a nest of fried leeks starts things off, with subsequent dishes showing off California produce at every turn. The accompanying wine list is offbeat and filled with unique varietals. After dinner, head next door to the seven-seat Linden Room for a nightcap.

Chef James Syhabout (Commis, Hawker Fare) has partnered with former Linden Street Brewery brewer Adam Lamoreaux on Old Kan, a brewery and restaurant in West Oakland. The menu is laid-back, casual food with a headlining cheeseburger, moules frites, wings, and the like. The difference is that it's prepared by a Michelin-starred chef and his team. Go for beers, burgers, and above-average salads.

The crew at ABV has taken its love of cocktail pairings to the next level— specifically one level up, on the mezzanine above the bar. It's a special enclave called Over Proof that is designed to pair food with cocktails (rather than the other way around). The concept will rotate quarterly. The second theme is Double Back, a Tokyo-style drinking den focused on whiskies from Japan, Scotland, and America. It's a reservations only menu for $60 (plus tax and tip), available Wednesday through Friday.

Champagne, caviar, and the coziest corner in Hayes Valley are all part of The Riddler's many feminine wiles. It is, after all, helmed by a crew of badass females, including owner Jen Pelka, culinary consultant Shannon Waters, and wine director Marissa Payne. Ladies aren't the only ones loving this elegant take on a European Champagne bar— it's quickly become must-hang spot for San Franciscans of all stripes. Don't miss the tater tot waffle, topped with prosciutto or smoked salmon and caviar.

The newest dining destination from Bacchus Management Group (Spruce, Village Pub) is a gleaming beacon of whiskey at the corner of Post and Larkin. The building is over 100 years old, with exposed brick, original steel beams, and now a host of swanky modern updates. A menu of upscale comfort food like dry-aged steak au poivre and souped up tater tots make this a posh dinner and late night destination.

The long-awaiting expansion from Liz Prueitt and Chad Robertson of Tartine Bakery has arrived, and it’s a doozy. The combination bakery, coffee shop (and roastery), ice cream shop, restaurant, and bar is now open for lunch (expect the ice cream component and dinner to open shortly). It’s a gorgeous space in the same building as Heath Ceramics, offering an all-day respite with some of the very best breads, pastries, sandwiches, and basically everything, in town. Check out our guide on how to navigate the Manufactory here .

After years of working towards his personal take on Portuguese food, chef-partner Telmo Faria (Tacolicious) has opened SF's only restaurant representing the cuisine. Expect classic dishes like caldo verde, paired with cocktails and wine from beverage director and operating partner Nora Furst.