We came here with no expectations. Michelin stars aren’t the way to impress someone. The friendliness of the staff, the perfection of each plate, and the taste of each bite make this a must try if you love experiences. It is an unassuming building in a less than desirable area of San Fran but it’s 100% worth it.
To start, the staff is amazing. They’re welcomjng, kind, and they even remembered me despite having been there only once, 18 months previously. They are passionate about the food, the wines, and the stories behind them. In every respect they are your guides through an extraordinary adventure.
And then there’s the food. Californios has two Michelin stars for reason; the flavors are bright, layered, and so very exciting. The dishes are distinctly Mexican but I can’t help but notice an Asian influence. For example, at my last visit I was served a squab broth with pomegranate seeds. The presentation was reminiscent of miso soup, even down to the bowl.
I’ve been fortunate enough to eat at some truly amazing restaurants around the world. While not every Michelin winner merits rave reviews, Californios stands amongst the best of those that do. If you enjoy the magical whimsy of Robuchon or the sheer exuberance of Guy Savoy, you will find this Mission district gem a complete delight.
We've been in California for 2 weeks now and dined from Napa to Los Angeles. Hands down this was the best meal we have been served! Each dish was amazing with 3 dessert dishes that were elegant, refined and completely satisfying. The staff was wonderful, the dining room was very comfortable and Chef Val humble when I congratulated him on such an amazing meal. He immediately credited his team. I am excited to follow this young and very exciting chef!!!
Wow, wow, wow. Hands down the best place in San Francisco. Great food, wine, and people. My rating: Bases loaded. Bam, grand slam home run! Don't stop, run to Californios.
I walked in and immediately felt my chucks were a mistake. It took about .5 seconds until the staff put my insecurities to rest. This place is THE PLACE. Every course created with tweezers and genuine interest. The staff are eager and inventive and the food is perfect, even the music was brilliant. Please don't go with arrogance or snobby attitude, it'll be you who is out of place. New favorite restaurant.
We travelled from New Zealand to celebrate my husband's birthday at Californios, and are so very glad we did. An elegant black building, not too big, filled with sparkling chandeliers, cosy seats and focussed, talented staff. 16 courses of contemporary Mexican cuisine, little artworks each and every one. An excellent wine list and informative attentiveness sealed the deal for us. We'll be back, 12 hour flight or not!
Vanessa Zamora Martinez
+5
A real treat for the senses. From the moment we walked in we were greated with beautiful decor, sparkling wine, and the friendliest people in San Francisco. The owners are Amazing and truly go above and beyond to make you feel at home. The music selection is as eclectic and immursing as the dishes themselves. Everything from the oyster appetizers to the foie gras ice cream was delicious. Each course was presented beautifully and expertly paired with wine from all parts of the world. I highly recommend Californios and will return on my next trip to SF.
A stunning evening at Californios in the Mission. The food and service experience was on par with two and three Michelin star standard. The dishes were thoughtful and inspired, and flawlessly executed. We sat at the bar overlooking the service area, and were entranced and entertained watching the small brigade of chefs work through the 15 course tasting menu for the 30 or so diners in the restaurant. Most impressive were the wine pairings, developed by the chef's partner. Each wine had interesting character unto itself, and not every one was delicious in itself. But they were each perfectly matched to their accompanying course. All in all, it was a tour de force of culinary brilliance. I would gladly go again.
Warm upscale atmosphere. Friendliest service ever! Very, very knowledgeable of entrées entrées as well as wine list! A must go!
Clarence Roslin Sierra
+5
Californios has been always my go to Fine Dining Restaurant in SF since they open...Food was superbly exquisite & delicious..presentation was clearly work of Artistry as well innovation. Val Cantu by far was the Best Chef & Owner that revolutionized the New Millennial Food...not only I love the friendly attentive Staff & Chefs...overall I highly recommend this fine dining experience to a Foodies....Bon Appetite!!!!!
Janine Dangelewicz Peluffo
+5
Still my favorite dining experience in SF. Highly recommend as the food presentation and flavors alongside the beverage pairing combined with excellent service---- is out of this world.
We had an amazing meal. Everything felt true to the traditions of Mexican cuisine, yet you could tell the chefs had fun drawing outside the lines.
Wow! Fantastic staff and the food was just amazing!
The meal was incredible. The dinning environment is even better.
Everything was so well done. Delicate but balanced. Came home very satisfied. The staff was super enthusiastic to explain the dishes. I wish the server has come back to check if I wanted to wine pairing from the start but I think it was just a misunderstanding. I was very impressed with everything from start to finish and the presentation was gorgeous for every dish.
Flavors and textures were out of this world. Top notch service and knowledgeable staff. Can't wait to go back!!
Run, do not walk, to eat at this restaurant. It is some of the most delicious and inventive food. Don't be daunted by 16 courses, at the end, you will want more and more.
Hard to imagine more imaginative, creative dishes than what the amazing team comes up with throughout the evening! Elegant, quiet but fun atmosphere, personal attention with flair, and overall a 6 star experience - on a scale of 1-5 ;-)
Great experience and ambiance. The owners are a try delight and very professional. Thank you everyone that made our visit such an memorable one!
fabulous tasting menu to celebrate my 50th birthday!
One of the best meals I have had in SF in a long time! Michelin Star well deserved! Thank you!
Indescribably well-executed and creative food. Impeccable service. Just dine here, already.
What a lovely evening we had at Caifornios SF. Surprises in every course and charming, on spot service.
The service.
The food.
The drinks.
The ambiance.
The everything.
Is simply 5 stars. Welcome to the Mission.
Check out my brother's food!! It's awesome!!!
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There are certain restaurants you visit just for the food and others you visit just for the experience. Californios is a restaurant that excels in both. Chef Val Cantu and his team brought forth amazingly unique dishes and impeccable service in a trendy yet relaxing environment. Each dish presented was a delight for both the stomach and the eyes. Everything was beautifully plated and the flavor combinations were amazingly balanced. There were so many dishes that it's difficult to pinpoint a single favorite, but honestly thats a testament on how good the food actually is - very rarely can I say that I enjoyed every dish at a restaurant. As for the service, it was top notch. The service staff were attentive without being overbearing and the read our family's needs very well. It's easy to tell that the people working there really enjoy their jobs. Overall, the meal was an absolute delight and the restaurant would be an excellent option if you're looking for an impressive date night or special night out.
Going to a fine dining restaurant can sometimes be a risk. Will the food be good? How will you be treated? Will it be worth the price? Californios is worth every penny. Food is packed with flavor, the menu seems thoughtfully planned, service is great, atmosphere is great, and the drink pairing really showcases the sommeliers knowledge. If you’re considering celebrating a milestone in your life and want to go to of the many Michelin star establishments in San Francisco, I would highly recommend Californios. A great demonstration of Mexican gastronomy!
Each dish was a bite of heaven. They thought about the flavor of each bite. Service was incredible. The climate and environment was very relaxing and perfectly paced. A great experience if you are looking for a spot that every single course is unique and nothing like you expect.
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Mexican food taken to the next level, and definitely worthy of 2 Michelin stars. The quail & pineapple taco in particular was striking, but really every single savoury dish was fabulous. Stellar locally-sourced ingredients, bold flavour combinations, outstanding craftsmanship.
The veggie replacements I got in lieu of the seafood dishes were lovely (that mushroom taco!!).
We were celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary and enjoyed the lovely touches, from the complementary glasses of bubbly to the card and chocolates - thank you!
3 (small) things need fixing:
- I don’t like to read about a yummy sounding dessert item in the paper menu I’m given at the start of the meal, and not getting it on my table. The explanations I got for its absence were confused and confusing.
- The floating island had a very, very eggy flavour. I’m very aware it’s made of egg whites, but it shouldn’t taste so eggy.
- The music isn’t right. Hip-hop / trap is the last thing I want to hear while I’m having a Michelin star dinner, no matter how on trend it is.
Visited in Aug 2023
Only if I could give a rating of 6 out of 5, I would have done so. I have visited fine dining places across Asia, Europe & US , and Californios is probably the 2nd best place I’ve ever dined at (a place in Bangkok called Gaggan Anand being my #1). Californios has everything - excellent service, a supremely well thought-out & mouth watering menu, beautiful food presentation, and amazing drinks/cocktails.
It is very difficult to choose a few dishes as my favourites as I can’t recall any dish where I didn’t say ‘wow’. One of the most exciting parts of the menu were the tortilla dishes. The meat preparations were also so perfectly done/made. And to round off the desserts were exquisite too.
Service was top notch and they even accommodated a last minute reservation change for me (of course that is subject to availability).
A 1000% recommendation for any person visiting San Francisco. This place needs to be on your bucket list of F&B establishments to visit.
Well deserve the 2 Michelin Star. Probably the best meal i had in my whole west coast America trip.
The way they present Mexican food was something worth to be proud of.
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I have visited Californios twice. Both times were consistently excellent.
My first visit was in 2021 just after the restaurant reopened after lockdown. The meal was extravagant, decadent but it was a little too large. The waiter did warn us that the chef was still experimenting after the long shutdown from COVID, and as such they needed to do some editing. We counted over 20 unique dishes across the 8 courses. Most memorable was the tacos. Not just because you rarely get tacos at a Michelin star restaurant, but because there were five different masterfully executed flavors. The ingenuity to deliver something comfortingly familiar and yet surprisingly unique in flavors is the chef's true calling.
In 2022 I returned and had another excellent experience. Unlike the year before the meal was mercifully smaller and more targeted.
The staff is attentive and you will never want for anything, but they are young so they’re still learning grace.
The wine pairing was well executed but there was nothing outstanding in vintage or rarity.
We dined outside in the courtyard both times. It is well protected from the elements and is fine even on a chilly San Francisco evening. You aren’t isolated from other guests, but not on top of one another either. Intimate enough for date night.
If you are visiting San Francisco this is my top recommendation for tasting menus in the city. Sure Benu still has its 3-stars, but it’s honestly playing it safe and too similar to other Michelin restaurants. Californios is uniquely California and worth the visit.
Way beyond my expectations. The service staff were incredibly kind - knowledgeable and were able to answer every question. The food and presentation were spectacular. We're so spoiled here in the Bay Area with the culinary arts that we are surrounded by. We sometimes take for granted what we have at our fingertips. Then we visit a place like this with it's simple decor and unassuming address, and we're smacked in the face with an experience that is absolutely unforgettable.
Being from Texas, Tex-Mex can be found on almost every street corner. A traditional or authentic Mexican meal is normally prepared in the cheapest manor possible. I have visited many Mexican restaurants that called themselves "Fine Mexican Dining" but still had all the normal Mexican dishes that you find in every other restaurant. Not at Californios. The chef took the Mexican cuisines and infused it with so much style and flavor that you will want to experience as often as you can. Not only is the chef from Texas, but he and the other chefs made our night out in San Francisco a memorable one. The food was excellent. For someone who does not like seafood, I ate every bit. The service was on point, explaining every detail of the meal, from the pairing of the wine to how each dish was prepared and suggested how to eat it for the full experience. At the end of our meal, we had the opportunity to meet the chefs and the wine vault.
I will recommend this place.
Best Michelin star restaurant we have been to! We travelled to SF to try 3 Michelin star restaurants in 3 days and Californios took 1st place — no questions asked. Food was out of this world and service was top tier. We will be back!
Truly elevates Mexican cuisine to another level. The food was not only creative but also delicious. I came here with my significant other for my birthday and it was an incredible experience. Definitely a must try! Both of us loved it and will be coming back :)
Nice Robot (nicerobot)
+5
This is the greatest take of Mexican food I’ve ever experienced. Though I have encountered experimental Mexican dishes at some upscale fusion-style restaurants, this was an entire course of interesting and flavorful interpretations. From the tortillas to the sauces, the combinations of flavors were recognizable while also being pleasantly surprising and having an unexpectedly long finish.
Although we went there to experience the food and I don’t tend to care about service unless the service is bad, the service here was attentive, informative, and friendly. The indoor seating is comfortable though I can imagine at busy times, it may feel a little crowded. We ate early so it was fairly empty for most of the meal.
If you like to experiment with flavorful food, do yourself a favor and eat here.
Truly celebrates Mexican cuisine and elevate it to the next level. Everything was sooooo delicious (those 🌮! I can just eat them for the rest of my life 😍) They also can adjust the ingredients a bit to adapt your dietary which I am always very thankful and excited when a Michelin star restaurant is willing to do so - it shows not just they are considerate to their guests, and also confident that their cuisines will still be amazing. Not too many places offer non-alcoholic beverage pairing , and when seeing one I definitely need to try - most of them are super creative and 😋 Californios is no exception! You can totally tasted that the beverage team put a lot of effort and thoughts to come up with this pairing, and it suited so well with the dishes (don’t always need alcohol to make you like the food 😉) A must-come-back place for me!
Absolutely incredible Mexican contemporary food. Pretty easy to get reservations just book a few hours ahead on a weekday. David was our captain service was great.
A meal? YES
A glorious experience? YES
A celebratory, playful, creative, tactile immersion in love & fine dining? ABSOLUTELY!
It’s hard to describe the 3.5-hour extravaganza that was dinner last night. It was so much more. It was a vacation all by itself.
Without a doubt, it was the greatest restaurant experience I’ve ever had. What a joy it was to meet several of the inventive chefs, who personally delivered food to our table. And, what made it even more special was the loving care provided by our table captain, Naomi Smith. We will remember this night forever.
I cannot explain the wonderful experience we had at the restaurant. We discovered them online when we looked up restaurants in the area. It is the only 2 Michelin star Mexican restaurant so we had to try out their tasting menu. They had amazing drinks as well! We couldn’t make it through all the dishes and it had nothing to do with the beautiful and tasty food they delivered. We travelled from NC to there and it was 10pm in SF while 1am in NC so we were just tired.
I admired every dish they bought out. They were carefully constructed and conscientious of my gluten-intolerance.
You need to give this place a chance! It’s definitely high end and yet if you are adventurous in your food, you will enjoy it.
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As I prep for yet another upcoming apartment move, I’ve been trying to visit local restaurants within easy walking distance of my current place. This is of course subjective, but let’s say somewhere reachable in a leisurely 15 minute stroll. Luckily for me, there is an abundance of excellent dining options including Californios, a contemporary fine-dining interpretation of Chef Val Cantu’s Mexican heritage.
I tried Californios a few years back when they were in a smaller space in the Mission. My dining experience then was pretty mixed. I really liked the menu on paper, but there were too many execution errors and the service was cold. Since they relocated last year to the former Bar Agricole space, many of my friends have visited and every single one loved their experience. With so many rave reviews, I was eager to give Californios another try.
The new SoMa space is airy and grand, with a sizable courtyard for outdoor dine, a spacious kitchen, an impressive wine cellar, and a full bar area. I appreciated the friendly and approachable service, and my dining experience also matched the initial impressions. On seating, we were presented with a very detailed and thoughtful menu which also featured the names of the entire staff.
The tasting menu was about 14 courses, portioned appropriately so that I was comfortably full afterwards, but not overly so. There were many standouts, but I especially loved the middle courses of tlacoyo and tacos, with the DIY accompaniments. The alfonsino fish taco in particular was my favorite, perfectly cooked with incredibly crispy scales. The very different, but equally standout lamb barbacoa taco on a sourdough tortilla was a close second. I would be very happy if Californios offered a taco tasting menu someday! The queso and bean filled tlacoyo was also treat with the addictive huitlacoche crema.
Other highlights included the ceviches, the uni caviar sope, and the rack of lamb served with mole amarillo and morels. My sweet tooth loved the numerous, yet light desserts, especially the chocolate cornmeal tart with savory cacao nib salsa macha.
In lieu of wine, my table chose to enjoy a few cocktails with the tasting menu. The cocktails were fine, but not notable. I had a great prior experience with their wine pairing, and given their extensive selection by co-owner and Michelin sommelier of the year Charlotte Randolph, I would opt for wine on my next visit.
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Californios, a prestigious two-star Michelin restaurant, stands as a beacon of culinary excellence, redefining the boundaries of Mexican cuisine. This dining haven is a true celebration of flavors, where each dish is a carefully orchestrated symphony that transcends traditional expectations.
The artistry displayed in Californios' presentation is nothing short of spectacular, offering a visual feast that mirrors the explosion of tastes that follow. The menu is a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation, showcasing the depth and richness of Mexican culinary heritage.
Service at Californios is exceptional, with a knowledgeable and attentive staff adding to the overall dining pleasure. The ambiance, an elegant yet unpretentious setting, enhances the intimate and immersive experience.
Californios' commitment to culinary brilliance is evident in every aspect, making it a destination for those seeking an unparalleled exploration of Mexican flavors. The two Michelin stars are a testament to its unwavering dedication to providing a dining experience that lingers in the memory, a true culinary masterpiece.
Our recent experience at Californios was absolute perfection and along with a side trip at Yosemite, the highlight of our trip to San Francisco. Every bite of food, from start to finish, was beyond delicious and beyond beautifully and meticulously presented. The beverage pairing was also perfection. You could not ask for more helpful, knowledgeable, friendly and respectful wait staff. The atmosphere was at once relaxed and elegant; the décor, dinner wear and plating, unique. We were so well looked after. There was not a single misstep the whole evening. I could go on and on about this marvel of a restaurant, but honestly, words cannot do it justice. You must venture here and experience it for yourself. I am sure you will be as amazed and impressed as we were and at the end, realize you will have had one of the most special and memorable evenings of your life.
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