Yes, Hillstone/Houston’s is a chain, but a good one — the kind of reliable place you can count on for perfectly executed steaks and dependable burgers and salads. This SF location is supremely scenic, right across from Pier 33, and frequent live jazz performances set the scene for memorable meals.

Seafood lovers will rejoice in La Mar and its Peruvian take on the fresh catch from the ocean. The vibe is festive, the setting is breezy, and the flavors are big and bright. In addition to a slate of fruity — surprise! — pisco cocktails, it serves plates with punchy flavors, like tiraditos (described as "Japanese sashimi Peruvian style"), empanadas, and big portions of seafood or meat.

The Ferry Building is one of the few places in San Francisco that can regularly pull in tourist and local crowds. And there’s little wonder why: its seemingly endless selection of stalls and restaurants pack a punch in terms of top-notch noshing and tasteful window shopping. Nab a seat at Hog Island for some of the city's most beloved and fresh local oysters; stop by Red Bay for a cup of quality coffee; go to Acme, home to some of the city's best breads; head to Gott's, where you can grab one of its famous greasy burgers; and end the day at Humphry Slocombe for a scoop of unconventionally flavored ice cream. Perhaps the best time to stroll through the Ferry Building, though, is on Saturday mornings, when the famous farmers market sets up shop along the pier. See this list of Eater’s picks for the best dishes at the Ferry Building marketplace.

Located in the bustling Ferry Building, Boulette's Larder and the attached Boulibar feature a constantly changing menu that integrates seasonal produce with upscale, Mediterranean flair. Lunch and brunch tables are communal, creating a festive environment, while dinner is served in a separate, more intimate setting.

Tried-and-true upscale dining — think Dungeness crab cakes and prime rib dinners with a piano accompaniment — have sustained One Market restaurant since 1993. Wine director Tonya Pitts and chef/partner Mark Dommen have been holding it down at the restaurant nearly that long, keeping up with the changing times (Google, for instance, wasn’t always the anchor tenant of the space above the restaurant) with menu tweaks and fewer white table cloths.

Chef Joshua Skenes’ sequel to three-Michelin-starred Saison is a stunner, with views of the Bay Bridge and a gorgeous open kitchen. The menu is served a la carte at dinner and lunch by suited servers, though it’s a casual atmosphere. An ever-changing menu has offered dishes like live scallop crudo, baby abalone, and hot fried rabbit that have garnered critical acclaim. Reservations are a must.

This classic after-work haunt is packed with happy hour drinkers and diners chowing down on Perry’s burgers. Expect basic but pleasing pub food like potato skins and fried calamari, with hearty dinners like pot roast and spaghetti with meatballs. It’s also a pleasant destination for brunch on the patio overlooking the Bay Bridge.

Located just off the Embarcadero on a quiet block in SoMa, the two-year old Gozu offers a luxurious all-wagyu tasting menu (13 to 15 courses currently starting at $195 per person), prepared in front of guests by chefs at a live-fire grill that’s surrounded by a horseshoe counter. For a different dining option, guests can book a “drinking appointment” in the Whisky Lounge and sample a variety of rare Japanese whisky and a la carte food items.

Though Hog Island down the street is the more popular destination for oyster diehards, Waterbar provides an even classier setting — your choice of a patio, modern dining room, or bar seat with a bay view. As is the case for most Embarcadero hot spots, the tall bridge-facing windows open up to impressive views of the bay.

A solid example of San Francisco cuisine, Prospect serves well-executed plates of what are now modern American classics: beef tartare, tuna crudo, pork chop, and strip steak. The quiet dining room is upscale but comfortable, filled with modern chandeliers and a large concrete fireplace that divides the room, which makes it perfect for business meetings and intimate dates alike.

Opened in the 1930s and renamed Red’s in 1955, Red’s Java House serves a lot more than java — favorites include its fish and chips, hot dogs, and burgers served on San Francisco sourdough rolls. It’s old school, classic, and typically busy as a before and after Giants game spot. If the timing is right, don’t miss Red’s Bloody Mary — it’s a good one, best enjoyed with views of the Bay Bridge in the background.