The Best Restaurants in North America and Top 20 Things to Do in San Francisco, California

The people behind the 50 Best websites have come out with a list of the 50 top restaurants in North America. And there’s a ton of Canadian content, including two of the top three!

Coming out on top overall was Smyth in Chicago, followed by Eight in Calgary and Pearl Morissette in Niagara wine region, Ontario. That’s two Canadian restaurants on the podium, which is quite something.

A lovely dish at Smyth in Chicago, voted the best restaurant in North America.

Here’s the top 20 for 2027

1. Smyth, Chicago
2. Eight, Calgary
3. Pearl Morissette, Lincoln, Ontario
4. Dakar NOLA, New Orleans
5. Mon Lapin, Montreal
6. Albi, Washington D.C.
7. Atomic, New York City
8. Quetzal, Toronto
9. Taniere 3, Quebec City
10. Cesar, New York City
11. Kalaya, Philadelphia
12. Le Veau d’Or, New York City
13. Le Bernardin, New York City
14. Kabawa, New York City
15. Violon, Montreal
16. Single Thread, Healdsburg, California
17. Published on Main, Vancouver
18. Jungsik, New York City
19. Penny, New York City
20. Emeril’s, New Orleans
21. Chubby Fish, Charleston, South Carolina
22. Saison, San Francisco
23. Aska, New York City
24. Moon Rabbit, Washington D.C.
25. Edulis, Toronto

For those of you keeping score at home, that’s three Canadian restaurants in the top five, five in the top ten and eight in the top 25. Montreal has two spots in the top 25, as does Toronto. The same goes for Washington D.C. and New Orleans.

New York City, regarded by many as the best food city in the world, garnered a remarkable eight spots in the top 25.

Smyth in Chicago is often cited as one of the world’s best restaurants. I haven’t dined there, but I had some incredible meals in Chicago on my visit in August. A recent poll of Conde Nast Travel readers named Chicago as the best big city in the U.S.

TOP TWENTY ATTRACTIONS IN SAN FRANCISCO

One of the world’s best  loved cities recently looked at data from visitors and came up with a list of the top 20 attractions in the City by the Bay. I can only surmise that they didn’t include cable cars as a single attraction, as there’s no mention of them on the list.

A convertible ride on the Golden Gate Bridge. Photo Courtesy San Francisco Travel Association.

Here’s the official top 20 attractions, according to San Francisco Travel. I also have a few recommendations of my own.

Oh, and in case you missed it, a recent Conde Nast Travel story put San Francisco number two on a list of the best cities to visit in the USA. It also was rated one of the 15 safest cities in the world. 

1. Golden Gate Bridge (one of the most iconic sights in the world)
2. Pier 39 (fun shops and restaurants, nice bay views, a carousel, and a colony of barking sea lions)
3. Golden Gate Park (one of North America’s top parks, complete with lush meadows, a Japanese garden and live bison)
4. Ghirardelli Square (a lively shopping and dining area near Fisherman’s Wharf, with handsome brick buildings)
5. The Presidio (a former military base that now features fine parks, The Walt Disney Family Museum and more)
6. The Ferry Building (fabulous food on the shores of San Francisco Bay)
7. Lombard Street (known as “the crookedest street in the world,” it’s a must-see for visitors to the city)
8. Alcatraz (tours of the former island prison site are a terrific way to spend a few hours)
9. SkyStar: This is a huge Ferris Wheel that’s located in Fisherman’s Wharf, offering fabulous city and bay views.
10. The California Academy of Sciences: A natural history museum, aquarium, planetarium and indoor rainforest all in one spot in Golden Gate Park.
11. The Legion of Honor: A gorgeous classic bit of architecture that houses an art museum on a hill overlooking the Golden Gate.
12. The Exploratorium: An interactive science centre on the waterfront that’s great for kids
13. Museum of the African Diaspora: A fine place to learn about the city’s large Black population and its history
14. San Francisco Musem of Modern Art: An outstanding art museum just south of Market Street
15. Yerba Buena Gardens: A large downtown park with attractive gardens and even an indoor ice skating rink
16. City Hall: One of the most beautiful civic structures in the U.S., with pretty gardens to boot.
17. San Francisco Zoo and Gardens; Great animal exhibits in a garden setting, with everything from exotic plants to California golden poppies.
18. The De Young Museum: A fine place in Golden Gate Park to check out amazing art from Africa, Oceania, and the Americas, as well as temporary exhibitions.
19. Coit Tower: A great  spot on Telegraph Hill built to honour San Francisco firefighters. The views are exceptional.
20. Salesforce Park: A 5.5 acre rooftop garden in the financial district with lovely flowers and plants. There’s even a free, glass gondola.

That’s a great list. Here are a few extra picks (no charge!) from a guy who grew up across the bay and visits the city regularly.

Sunset at Land’s End in San Francisco, California. Jim Byers Photo

Fort Point: A sturdy brick fort built during the U.S. Civil War that sits directly under the south side of the Golden Gate Bridge. When the waves are right, you might find surfers just offshore.

Corona Heights: This is a rocky outcropping high on a hill overlooking the city. It’s a fun, easy and rewarding hike. But parking can be tricky.

Baker Beach: An outstanding stretch of sand with fine views of the Golden Gate Bridge to the east and the Marin headlands to the north.

Lands End: This is a fabulous park and hiking area on the far western edge of the city. Amazing sunsets and walking trails. The San Francisco Crosstown Trail was created a few years ago and runs 27 km’s, from Candlestick Point in the southeast to Lands End.

Glen Canyon Park: This is a wonderful part of the Crosstown Trail that runs between the Glen Park BART station and Twin Peaks, passing through a lovely canyon filled with towering eucalyptus trees and craggy rocks. It’s a great spot for the kids to burn off some energy, or for adults to find a break from busy city life.

Alamo Square: The famous and beautifully finished Victorian homes along the square are known as the painted ladies. Ideal for an Instagram photo.

Haight Ashbury: Take a tour of this famous hippie enclave for something fun and different.

A tour of the Haight-Ashbury area of San Francisco. Love the retro outfit! Jim Byers Photo