Zuni Café

MacKenzie Chung Fegan

“1658 Market St., San Francisco Is there a better way to spend a lazy Friday afternoon than at Zuni with a Bloody Mary, a burger, a towering plate of shoestring fries and a quivering slice of Gteau Victoire? If there is, let us know and we’ll meet you there. In the meantime, we’ll be basking in the ethereal light that streams through the windows of the idiosyncratic triangular space and bounces off the copper bar. Since it opened in 1979, Zuni has been a place where City Hall power brokers rub shoulders with gays about town and families celebrate birthdays. All of them consider the restaurant to be their personal special spot, and they’re all right. Payment options: Credit cards accepted Drin”

MacKenzie Chung Fegan

“See on map #10 in 2025 San Francisco GenreCalifornian Price$$$ San Francisco is [a city full of iconic restaurants](https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/best-classic-restaurants-sf-bay-area/) and, while we love them for their atmosphere, history and sense of place, [only a few still execute well enough to make this list](https://www.sfchronicle.com/food/restaurants/article/top-100-zuni-cafe-20176056.php). Chief among them is Zuni, which, for nearly half a century, has defended its title as the favorite restaurant of City Hall types, gays about town and your mother-in-law. Address 1658 Market St., San Francisco Have you been? [Bookable on](https://www.opentable.com/zuni-cafe?utm_source=sfc&ut”

Paolo Bicchieri

“Zuni Cafe began in 1979 as a Southwestern-themed restaurant, but became a Cal-cuisine icon under the leadership of the late Judy Rodgers, who entered its kitchen in 1987. She built Zuni’s reputation with her burgers, Caesar salad, bloody Marys, and of course, the [famous roast chicken](/2022/8/15/23279569/how-to-make-perfect-roast-chicken-zuni-cafe) for two with bread salad. It’s still one of the city’s most beautiful and delightful rooms to while away an afternoon. * [Book a table on OpenTable](http://www.opentable.com/zuni-cafe?ref=9040) * [1658 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Zuni%C2%A0Cafe%2C%201658%20Market%20St%2C%20San%20Francis”

“**Open for:**Brunch, lunch, and dinner **Price range:**$$$ It’s been written in the most important annals of San Francisco history (read: cookbooks) and believe the hype: Zuni Cafe is the real deal. The triangle sandwich-looking building is one of the city’s remaining restaurant darlings. The famous chicken, served with that loving warm bread salad, is maybe for more than the two people the menu recommends. The shoestring fries are as crispy and salty as you’re hoping they’ll be, making eyes toward you beneath the warm and dim lighting. **Best for:** Soaking up the old-school San Francisco energy over a few legendary dishes of chicken and fries. * [Book a table](https://reservations.safegrap”

Matt Tillquist

“Before the Hayes Valley we know today, there was Judy Rogers and Zuni Cafe. While the glory days of Judy and Zuni are behind us, the classics at this institution remain just that. Don’t overthink it — order the chicken, a cocktail, and a pile of fries. You’ll get it. * [Book a table on OpenTable](http://www.opentable.com/zuni-cafe?ref=9040) * [1658 Market St, San Francisco, CA, 94102, US](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Zuni%20Cafe%2C%201658%20Market%20St%2C%20San%20Francisco%2C%20CA%2C%2094102%2C%20US) * [+14155522522](tel:14155522522) * [Visit website](http://www.zunicafe.com/) ![A side view of a roasted chicken cut into pieces.](https://platform.sf.eater.com/wp-content/upl”