Bay Area Restaurants Named 'Global Tastemakers' By Food & Wine

SAN FRANCISCO — Bay Area eateries earned several coveted spots on Food & Wine's first-ever "Global Tastemakers" rankings, which enlisted readers and experts alike to scour the globe for the best eats and drinks, from cozy neighborhood spots to Michelin-rated staples.

The publication worked with research firm M&RR to survey readers through the end of last year and tapped 150 industry professionals to nominate some of their favorite places in the U.S. and beyond.

The rankings cover several types of "best," from bars and restaurants to airlines and airport menus and hotel and cruise options.

Here are a few areas where the Bay Area excelled.

With a remarkable three Michelin stars already secured, San Francisco's Benu, helmed by chef Corey Lee, made Food & Wine's shortlist for best U.S. restaurants, rounding out the top 10.

"The restaurant feels like a tranquil oasis in the center of San Francisco," the publication writes. "The dishes are contemporary interpretations of classics like xiao long bao and Korean beef barbecue. What unites them all is Lee's singular insistence on perfection."

Food & Wine readers also named the San Francisco International Airport as the nation's best for dining, shouting out a stable of solid options, including Boudin Bakery, Cat Cora's Kitchen, Koi Palace, and the airport outpost of Napa Valley's Mustards Bar & Grill.

"Today, SFO is a buzzing transportation hub with some world-class amenities," Food & Wine writes. Among its many features are nearly 70 dining options that are representative of the Bay Area's vibrant culinary scene."

The City also shined in broader categories, ranking as the nation's third-best for both food and neighborhood restaurants. Readers gave the nod to La Taqueria, Taqueria El Farolito and El Gran Taco Loco, along SPQR's Michelin-starred pasta and a packed roster of Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese fare.

San Francisco and Oakland both made the top 10 for their food truck scenes, ranking fifth and ninth respectively. In San Francisco, Food & Wine shouted out Tokachi Musubi, Kayma, Mi Morena and The Chairman. In Oakland, readers were fond of Yummy Yummy Hibachi, Southern Fried Vegan, Big Boyz SmokeHouse & Kitchen, Tacos Mi Rancho and La Grana Fish.

>> Check out the full Food & Wine Global Tastemakers 2023 rankings here.