5 San Francisco restaurants to try in August

A trio of power players—”Top Chef” alum Nelson German, restaurateur Guma Fassi, and Golden State Warrior Draymond Green—joined forces to open this stylish Afro-Caribbean lounge in Nob Hill. German’s fusion menu draws inspiration from his Dominican heritage and Fassi’s Ethiopian roots and features tibs, arroz con pollo, and sambusas paired with tropical-inspired cocktails. It’s all served in a glossy black, two-story space—keep an eye out for celebs and pro ballers in dark corners.

Chef James Yeun Leong Parry has been showcasing his refined approach to modern Chinese cooking in pop-ups across the city since 2023. At Happy Crane’s new permanent home in Hayes Valley, his MICHELIN pedigree and personal roots shine in creative takes on dim sum, noodles, and char siu, available in a tasting menu format or à la carte. It’s all served in a sleek space with a big horseshoe bar and floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

This modern French bistro comes from a couple of Frenchmen who met at a MICHELIN-Starred restaurant in Bordeaux. Chef Simon Mounier’s refined menu wows with dishes like oysters chopped up over steak tartare and sashimi piled back into the fish, while partner Florent Thomas picks out the French- and California-leaning natural wines. Linger with a glass or two on the secluded wooden patio with lush plants just steps from Golden Gate Park.

Sun Moon Studio landed in West Oakland with a bang in 2024, when The San Francisco Chronicle crowned this tiny tasting menu destination the Bay Area’s best new restaurant—and MICHELIN quickly followed with a coveted Star. Blue Hill at Stone Barns alums Alan Hsu and Sarah Cooper put seasonal California ingredients front and center in dishes like Monterey spot prawn with tofu milk and bold desserts like shiso ice cream at this intimate, four-table spot that’s leveled up the Bay Area’s elite fine-dining scene.

MICHELIN-pedigreed wife-and-husband team Meichih and Michael Kim opened this intimate, deeply personal gem of a restaurant in Menlo Park in June. Their Korean and Taiwanese heritages shine in dishes like lu rou (braised pork) lasagna and scallion croissants served alongside creative tea-infused and soju cocktails. Don’t miss the showstopping “Karat Cake” dessert, a twist on the classic gilded with gold flakes, almost as luxurious as the modern interiors glowing with warm wood and dark marble.