Best Father's Day Restaurants In San Francisco

If you want to take your dad to a San Francisco restaurant on his special day, you might as well choose one named after four of the biggest men in the city's long, colorful history. The Big 4 is named after the four industrialists (Huntington, Hopkins, Crocker and Stanford) who linked the country's two largest rail systems and together ruled the Pacific West for much of the nineteenth century. This Nob Hill restaurant, located appropriately in the Scarlet Huntington Hotel, offers locally-sourced seasonal breakfasts, lunches and dinners that include a popular burger, a variety of egg and waffle dishes and good pot pie. The Big 4 opens early and closes late, giving families plenty of flexibility to celebrate together around dad's busy schedule.

Finding a place on Father's Day with as many food choices as the Presidio Picnic would be hard. This Sunday event on the Presidio's main parade ground brings together more than 35 restaurant vendors and food trucks for an all-day fun brunch-in-the-park. The season's lineup (this weekly event runs from April through October) includes the Jewish deli Shorty Goldstein's, Del Popolo Pizza and the ever-popular Girl Friday Zeppole with their signature Italian-style doughnuts and handmade dipping sauces. Lots of food, people and dogs make this a nice, casual way to spend a Father's Day outdoors San Francisco style.

For the meat-loving dad in the family, the 5A5 Steak Lounge is a good option. The unusual name comes from the designation for "A5," the top grade of Japanese Wagyu beef served in abundance at this restaurant. Although Wagyu is the specialty here, there are plenty of other menu options, including less pricey meats, lobster tempura and the always popular macaroni and cheese. The dining room features a spaceship looking domed ceiling and a digital flame leaping behind the bar.

On any Sunday of the year, a sporting event of some importance is sure to be on television, and many dads will be watching it. (Hint: Check out the date for the U.S. Open Golf Championship final round this year.) Tap 415 is a family friendly sports bar run by two chefs with some serious cooking credentials, specializing in creative burgers and sandwiches served on house made bread. Milkshakes for either kids or adults are also available. Tap 415 is located in SOMA's Westfield Centre, so everyone can go shopping for dad after the big sports viewing is over.

Soul food and gospel music are a great combination, and 1300 On Fillmore successfully brings the two together every Sunday for a lively brunch. Located since 2007 in the Fillmore Jazz District, the David Lawrence restaurant has a warm dining room with deep armchairs and historical jazz photos covering the walls. If your dad craves authentic southern-style poutine, skillet fried chicken and chocolate banana pie, this is the place for him on Father's Day.