What are the best beef dishes in San Francisco?

Based on diner recommendations, the best beef dish in San Francisco is at Delfina. We compared 21 restaurants serving beef dishes.

How much do beef dishes cost in San Francisco?

Beef dish prices in San Francisco range from $3.00 to $368.00 across 21 restaurants.

Best Beef Dishes in San Francisco

21 restaurants compared

Price range: $3.00 – $368.00

Avg recommendation: 90%

Top 5 Beef Dishes in San Francisco (Quick Answer)

Based on diner recommendations across 21 restaurants:

Wood-Grilled Short Rib Stracotto for Two at Delfina, $68.00 (Mission District)
Burger with Housemade Brioche at Outerlands, $16.00 (Outer Sunset)
Pastrami Sandwich at Tommy's Joynt, $13.40 (Civic Center)
Pho Bo (Beef Pho) at Pho 2000, $8.75 (Tenderloin)
Maccaronara at A16, $19.50 (Marina)

Scroll down for detailed comparisons, prices, and diner tips for each restaurant.

All 21 Beef Dishes

Wood-Grilled Short Rib Stracotto for Two

Delfina

Mission District·$$$

$68.00

Grilled short rib braised in wine and vegetables, served for sharing.

Tip: This dish takes 10-15 minutes to prepare. Order it early in the meal so you're not waiting at the very end.

Burger with Housemade Brioche

Outerlands

Outer Sunset·$$

$16.00

A beef patty served on house-made brioche with secret sauce and seasonal vegetables.

Tip: Come on Wednesday nights when burger night is featured — the bread is housemade and the sauce is secret, making it worth the trip.

Pastrami Sandwich

Tommy's Joynt

Civic Center·$

$13.40

Spiced, cured beef pastrami carved fresh to order.

Tip: If you've had pastrami at New York delis, this version is less peppery but still well-spiced and definitely worth trying.

Pho Bo (Beef Pho)

Pho 2000

Tenderloin·$

$8.75

Traditional beef pho with your choice of meat cuts.

Tip: Order it with rare steak and well-done brisket — you get both textures in one bowl.

Maccaronara

A16

Marina·$$$

$19.50

Fresh pasta with Neapolitan ragu cooked low and slow for 8 hours.

Tip: Share if dining for two—the portion is generous and rich. The ragu is filling.

House Crispy Beef

R&G Lounge

Chinatown·$$

$17.95

Crispy beef strips with garlic and scallions in a savory sauce.

Tip: Order at least two plates for a group of 4 — this dish goes fast and everyone wants seconds.

Steak au Poivre

Chapeau!

Inner Richmond·$$$

$38.00

Ribeye crusted with cracked black peppercorns, finished with a cognac cream sauce.

Tip: Specify your doneness preference when reserving — Chef Philippe takes steak cooking seriously and respects specific requests.

Shaking Beef

Thanh Long

Outer Sunset·$$$

$18.50

Marinated beef cubes seared until crispy, tossed with lime and onions.

Tip: A lighter main than the seafood-heavy menu suggests — order this for brightness and a change of pace.

Carne Asada Corn Quesadilla

La Taqueria

Mission District·$

$6.50

Single corn tortilla filled with cheese and charred carne asada, cooked on the plancha until the cheese melts, topped with cilantro, onion, guacamole, and beans.

Tip: Get the quesadilla instead of a burrito if you want something lighter and cheaper but still substantial.

#10

Cote de Boeuf

Chapeau!

Inner Richmond·$$$

$48.00

Bone-in ribeye roasted until golden, served with bone marrow sides.

Tip: This is the restaurant's most luxurious main — order it for a special occasion or celebration.

#11

Pho Bo

Turtle Tower

Financial District·$

$13.00

Beef pho with rare steak slices and a richer broth than the chicken version.

Tip: Get here before noon if you want to eat at a table — lunch crowds are steady and seating fills up fast.

#12

Kung Pao Pastrami

Mission Chinese Food

Mission District·$$

$18.00

Tender pastrami wok-cooked with peanuts, dried chilies, and Sichuan peppercorns in the traditional kung pao style.

Tip: Call ahead if you want pastrami dishes — they can run out if it's a busy service. The pastrami quality varies, so it's worth asking before you come.

#13

Carne Asada Tacos

El Farolito

Mission District·$

$3.00

Soft flour tortillas filled with grilled steak, onion, cilantro, and salsa.

Tip: Ask for your carne asada rare or medium — they can adapt to preference and it makes a big difference in tenderness.

#1495% recommend

Super Burrito with Carne Asada

El Farolito

Mission District·$

$10.00

A massive burrito wrapped around grilled beef, sour cream, guacamole, cheese, beans, and rice.

Tip: Come after midnight when the counter is quieter but the kitchen is still in full swing. You'll get your order faster than daytime rush.

#1595% recommend

Carne Asada Super Burrito

La Taqueria

Mission District·$

$10.50

Riceless burrito filled with grilled beef, pinto beans, guacamole, cheese, sour cream, and cilantro-onion mix.

Tip: Arrive before 11:30 AM on weekdays or before opening on weekends to avoid the 30-40 minute lines that form by noon.

#1692% recommend

Pho Dac Biet

Pho 2000

Tenderloin·$

$9.25

Special combination pho with brisket, flank, tendon, tripe, and beef balls.

Tip: Get the Pho Dac Biet if you want the full experience. The broth is noticeably richer than plain beef pho, and the variety of cuts is unmatched.

#1790% recommend

Tagliatelle al Ragù

Sociale

Presidio Heights·$$$

$22.00

Fresh egg pasta ribbons with long-simmered Bolognese ragù and Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Tip: This is the anchor pasta dish—available most days. Order it if you're unsure what to choose.

#1888% recommend

Steak Frites

Absinthe Brasserie & Bar

Hayes Valley·$$$

$29.00

Grilled steak with chicory salad and black garlic jus, served with crispy fries.

Tip: Ask for the steak medium-rare — it arrives that way by default, but it's worth confirming your preference.

#1988% recommend

Wood-Fired Meat Course

Saison

SoMa·$$$$

$368.00

Rotating seasonal meat, typically beef or duck, grilled over the oak hearth.

Tip: The meat course reflects what the team sourced that day. The oak fire imparts a subtle, not heavy, smoke that complements rather than masks the protein.

#2086% recommend

Beef Bourguignon

Absinthe Brasserie & Bar

Hayes Valley·$$$

$34.00

Braised beef in red wine with mushrooms, pearl onions, and bacon.

Tip: Perfect for cold weather — the braise arrives hot and the wine sauce is warming.

#2185% recommend

Brisket Sandwich

Tommy's Joynt

Civic Center·$

$13.75

Hand-carved fresh brisket on bread with your choice of sides.

Tip: Get the brisket — it's carved fresh to order and the meat quality is genuinely good. The mashed potatoes are the better side.