Californios Reviews

Wonderful, attentive service combined with innovative cuisine and nice wine/beverage pairing. The concept of not presenting a menu beforehand (there's only 1 tasting menu available) will probably scare off many people, but we found it refreshing. It's similar to doing an omakase meal at a Japanese restaurant. If you opt for the wine/beer pairing, you don't have to make any decisions and can focus on the food. It minimizes the transactional aspect of dining out & makes you feel more like a guest. The service was fantastic: everyone was amazingly well-versed on all aspects of the food and seamlessly worked with each other. Super friendly as well, but in an appropriate professional fashion. Food is very nicely done, the flavors are very subtle. We eat out a lot, often at top-end & Michelin-starred restaurants around the country & the world. Thought they did a very nice job of creating an inviting, higher end, food-centric experience. I think the tasting menu is $97 & the beverage pairing is $60. Don't know how competitive that is for the local market, but we were very satisfied with our meal and the experience.

We thought this was going to be a modern take on old California cuisine, but it has nothing to do with California, old or new. It is an 11 course prix fixe meal, much of it composed of raw fish/ceviche, and much of it just plain weird, for example, uni on top of corn. There is no menu, but you can state your preferences beforehand. Every course comes with an elaborate explanation by the staff, and although the staff is excellent, the constant interaction becomes tiresome...and 11 courses are a lot. After about the eighth course, one wishes the entire experience would end. Some of the dishes were very good, other were very strange. The decor and ambiance are also odd; the black walls are not very inviting and the 70s music playlist was peculiar. This was a weird experience.

I am going to sound like a real snob saying this (so apologies in advance) but dining in the USA is so often a disappointing experience compared to Australia. With that in mind I was excited to be heading to Californios on our last night in San Francisco - well reviewed, one Michelin star, what could go wrong? Hidden behind a frosted glass shopfront in an average run of shops, you would miss Californios if you didn't have the street address. But behind the door is a smart, well laid out restaurant of around 32 covers with a series of tables and around 4 bar seats, which give you a great view of the kitchen. We opted for a table which was private but almost a little too dark. There is mood lighting and dining in the dark. One had to peer at the food and trying to read the wine labels was really quite hard. There is a set menu of 12 courses with some little, additional, bites to start and one extra course at the end. I won't review every course save to say that three courses were highlights and the rest were really unnoteworthy. The highlights were an abalone course, served in a broth with some olive and a scallion; a truly delicious saddle of lamb with a walnut and garlic sauce and some chargrilled local leeks; and an ice cream made with local mint and topped with a chocolate sauce. All three courses were excellent. The rest ranged from average to dull. The crab ceviche was pleasant, as were the beans and lime based soup. However, a scrambled egg course with miniature tortillas tasted of very little and was like baby food with crumbled potato chips on top. The trout lacked seasoning. The final "extra" pink cake tasted like supermarket cake. Final bill for two was $521. In Melbourne this is what I would pay for dinner for two with matched wines at Attica (one of the world's top 100 restaurants): an incomparable experience. Interestingly some of the reviews of that restaurant describe it as pretentious but nothing could compare with the spiel of the waiters at Californios. They were all delightful gentleman and one lady. But the hylerbolic pretention that they came out with had to be heard to be believed. And it felt so rehearsed that it lacked both humanity or authenticity - one felt like the next punter being fed the script, not a diner about whom they genuinely cared. Having looked at the price of similarly hyped restaurants in San Francisco this is perhaps a bargain. But honestly, despite being both a foodie and wine lover, I would rather have had a burger at the local diner.

There is no doubt in my mind that Californios is elevated Mexican cuisine at its finest with service to match!!! So many unique flavors and tasty combinations I can’t pick a favorite, though the 3 different type of tacos stood out. The fish and beef dishes were amazing and the sommelier’s choices were spot on. I haven’t seen their old location but the current space is chic, elegant and well laid out. Top-notch professional and friendly service all around. Whether it’s for a special occasion or a dinner out, Californios is the perfect spot for fine dining and well worth the price!! PS-Given it’s new location (355 11th St) TripAdvisor and Californios needs to update their listing.

Superb. The setting, service and food were all great. You don't get a menu, you get walked through each course by very attentive staff and then you get a copy of a menu to take home at the end. The lobster dish with rare peppers in a creamy style sauce with a blue corn crisp was the highlight followed by the wagyu beef. The French Pinot noir was excellent and overall I thought it was a great place for a date night. Deserves its Michelin star.

Californios is different and delicious. Each of the dozen dishes served was unique and beautifully served. It's expensive, but a great experience for a special occasion.

Very refined and yet super delicious The tasting menu is made of 20 plus small tapas like bite size dishes Excellent selection of fine wines The full course takes around 2 and half hours with very attentive services Well worth every penny

This review is LONG overdue. I had dined here back in February with my sister and our husbands, in celebration of Valentine's Day. Due to traffic, we were arrived a few minutes late (which I hate), but the host was extremely nice and welcoming. Now walking into the restaurant, it's like walking into someone's kitchen with the dining area right in the same spot. It's that intimate...and we loved it! To be in a dining space where the decor is very hip and classy, while being privy to the hustle and bustle of the chefs right behind really set the tone for what was coming. And the food!!! I was very anxious to see how Mexican flavors can translate to a menu in the style presented and from the get-go, it was one burst of complex and beautiful flavors after another. The courses flowed really well, from the savory tastes, through the vegetables, into the black cod and carne asada and with a beautiful finish of sweet (the churro w/ foie gras was certainly bold and fun, but the apple dessert course is still something burned in y brain). The service was impeccable - hosts were constantly checking in on our drinks, making sure that our glasses were filled with whatever we needed at all times. Fantastic experience, accolades are well-deserved. Cannot wait to go again.

The interior is luxe, the food is refined and the service is impeccable. It’s small and personal, with just 22 seats divided between tables and a chef’s counter. Everything feels carefully thought out form the black wood and leather interiors to the modern selection of paintings and a selection of music that manages to veer from hip hop classics to 70s pop. The meal consists of a seven-course tasting menu, which can be adjusted to accommodate vegetarians or other requirements. We started out with agua fresca – a tart/sweet blend of strawberry and celery juices, with a cilantro puree that rose up slowly from the bottom. What followed was beautifully plated dish after beautifully plated dish of delightful interpretations of Mexican dishes. The corn and rice chip with fermented pepper puree was a particular highlight –rich, smoky and unctuous. I could happily have gorged myself on a bowl of this umami delight. D

We enjoyed a 17-course meal at the chef's table and enjoyed watching the brigade assemble the dishes. This enabled us to learn more about the preparations, sourcing, etc. They seem to be constantly experimenting with new dishes, based on the available ingredients. We were at the tail end of the tried-and-true combinations for the season, before the next round of experimentation begins. We found the dishes creative and well-executed while remaining true to the Mexican flavor profile. No overworked molecular gastronomy, just layers of flavor, simply and beautifully presented.

My husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary at Californios last night. It was hands down one of the best meals I can recall enjoying. Every single course was very delicious and creatively and beautifully presented. The service was outstanding. There were 15 courses and I was worried whether I would be able to finish it all--I am a small person--but the portions are just right and I made it to the end with a smile. I particularly loved the cod taco, the potato soup, the quail, the venison, and the chocolate dessert. We had eaten before at their Mission location, which was cozy and dark, so this new space was unexpectedly fabulous. High ceilings, colorful paintings, large plants, comfortable seating, very spacious. Absolutely loved the vibe. I honestly enjoyed this more than the French Laundry. It is pricey but for all that we received it felt like an excellent value. Definitely going to come back.

Dining here was an amazing experience. The set degustation menu and wine pairing was great. Service was very attentive and the restaurant was intimate. I'm surprised that this restaurant doesn't have a stronger trip advisor profile. We have travelled through out the U.S., dining in some great Michelin star restaurants and this one for us was up there as the best! It was an experience that I doubt we'd get back home. Modern American / Mexican dining at its best!

Three of us dined here one evening over the Christmas period, and it was definitely an 'experience'! Firstly, you should be aware that you have to pay in full in advance and have to choose your 'slot' when booking from pre-defined sittings - totally to be expected with such a complex menu from a small restaurant where one table of 'no shows' would be a real problem. Also, the restaurant itself is very discreetly set back from the street with blacked-out doors so it is a bit of a surprise at first to walk straight into the small dining area on arrival, with a full view of the chef's station along one side of the room and a lot of staff milling around the small space. We arrived right on time, but had to stand around a little awkwardly in the doorway as our table was not ready and other guests were already waiting on the small bench seating/waiting area. Our coats were taken, a complimentary sparkling aperitif offered and after about ten minutes waiting we were shown to our table. This was not a major issue as there was plenty to look at while we were waiting as the chefs were preparing other diner's plates on the pass in front of us. The staff were all very friendly and looked after us extremely well throughout the evening; it was just not the slick start we expected from this standard of restaurant. We were each given a 'gift', which was the evening's menu in an envelope so we could choose whether or not to see what was coming (we chose not to 'sneak peak', and each dish was introduced separately by the staff as it arrived). We also each chose to have the drinks pairing with the meal, which was a fascinating selection of wines, cider, champagne, madeira, sake......I really enjoyed trying the different drinks with the dishes, but if you like red wine you may wish to order your own bottle as there was only one glass of red offered in the selection that we had. The dishes themselves were absolutely knock-out amazing; mostly small bites (some were two bites - we were helpfully informed by the waiting staff how many bites to use on each one!). There were many ingredients used that we had never tried before, and with my view of the pass the immense care that the (mostly young) chefs paid to every plate was a joy to watch. Whether we actually enjoyed each dish or not is obviously down to personal taste, but very little went back from our table. Each dish was presented on it's own carefully thought-out plate, and cutlery was kept to the minimum (most of these dishes were 'finger food' size and you are expected to eat with your hands). The attention to detail in the dishes was second to none, and it was very reassuring to see the head chef at the top of the pass inspecting every single dish before it went out. Stand-out dishes for me were an airy sea urchin delight, delightful little sticky rib tacos and the beautifully-made ice cream and chocolates. The only dish I struggled with was the plantain tamale which seemed to be all about the theatre and not about the substance - the truffles and caviar it came with were virtually tasteless. However, this is down to personal opinion and others may think differently! The plates were put before us in quick succession with no long waits between courses, even so the whole meal took nearly three hours which seemed to whizz by - it was so exciting to see what would come out next. There were a few 'niggles' - our table was in a fierce draught, and we had to ask twice for the aircon to be adjusted (otherwise I would have had to ask for my coat back as it was so cold on one side), we also had to ask for our table water to be topped up a few times which was disappointing as there seemed to be a gentleman who's only job it was was to pour water and the restaurant was not that big! There was also a slight muddle at one point where new cutlery, glasses and plates appeared and then suddenly disappeared again as the course sequence was obviously lost for a moment - but it was a busy evening and these things happen. There is also only one small, rather dark unisex restroom so you had to time your 'bathroom breaks' carefully - the staff were happy to let you know when it was free though. At over GBP £1000 for three people (with the drinks pairing and a bottle of sparkling water, plus tea/coffee), there is no denying that this is a very extravagant evening's dining. I found it a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Would I go back? No, because I could not justify the cost and I consider it a 'one-off' treat. Would I recommend it? Absolutely, if you can afford it - the opportunity to try all these amazing dishes at the world's only two Michelin starred Mexican restaurant is definitely one not to be missed. PS. If you don't think you like Mexican food, don't worry - there wasn't a refried bean in sight!

My husband and I dined at Californios recently during our holiday to the US and in all honestly this was our favourite meal of the entire trip! I had read about the restaurant online prior to leaving for our holiday, looking for something special to celebrate our anniversary and Californios seemed like it had a bit of buzz about it. We arrived to a warm & friendly welcome, the corner table, & complimentary champagne - a fantastic start to what was a beautiful night. The 24-seat restaurant is intimate & dark, but bursting with energy. The kitchen & chefs are in full view of the tables which serves as entertainment in itself as you watch them perfect their art. The 12 courses were just impeccable. So much detail & so much taste delicately presented. The staff were just fabulous, so friendly & professional. We absolutely loved our night at Californios!

Fantastic experience. A twist on Mexican food. We travel only for gastronomy experiences. This place was the best one in San Francisco.

Sat at the chefs-table, amazing to see the work they put in in every plate. Ended up with 19 different dishes, for me that was maybe 5 too many. Too full to enjoy the last ones. Great way to celebrate my birthday!

It's always a pleasure to find a chef that is able to elevate a traditional cuisine by still maintaining its roots - a sign of a truly great chef. The menu is world class. The atmosphere is very rustic, modern and still comfortable. Great service.

It took me two years since my last outstanding experience in Prague, to find a restaurant that could really impress me and my family. CALIFORNIOS under Chef Val Cantu is a must in the contemporary cuisine. Elegant space and decoration; impecable services and dressing style. It was hard to select the most sophisticated and tasteful dish - from the fideo to wagyu beef all of them showed an unique presentation. In all aspects, CALIFORNIOS reached the top position amongst all dining experiences we ever had. Bravo !!

This is by far the best Mexican food I have eaten and frankly, it was delicious and special alike. The space is modern and the decor modern Mexican. Staff are friendly and attentive and once seated, the tasting menu started. For me the highlight was the third dish, namely the tostada with tuna. Not sure how they managed to make a tostada that does not fall apart when being eaten. Astounding. The second highlight was dessert. But overall, the food was really good. Now to the few items that could be improved: First, at times the meal felt rushed. More than once did servers try to take away a plate before it was finished. Not acceptable for a two-star place. Even worse, putting down the check together with the petit fours is just tacky. This needs to be changed asap. The nonalcoholic pairing was, at times, a little on the weird side, too. Finally, having some tech bro in shorts and a tank top sitting in a two-star restaurant just begs for a minimal dress code. I know this is San Francisco, but have some respect for the culinary art! A tour of the kitchen and a brief chat with the Chef and team were absolutely amazing. Thank you! Would I come back? Not until the aforementioned details are fixed. Ah, and then there is the price, too... very very expensive...

No sign outside. If you don't know where you are going, you won't stumble on the restaurant. You don't know what it costs...go blind my friend and follow your taste buds...you will love the experience. Even reading the menu won't tell you what you are eating. Listen closely to the excellent wait staff...they will explain each and every beautifully displayed "bite". Enjoy every moment.

My wife and I went for our anniversary to celebrate the occasion expecting a Mexican cuisine. As far as I could taste, the main touch was Latin American not Mexican as they are presented in their website. They introduce Ceviche in the menu which is Peruvian, Arepas which are Venezuelan/Colombian and the main dish is Japanese Wagyu just to give few examples. On top of that, pairing comes with Spanish, French and Italian wines which was not expected for a Mexican menu. However, tacos were delicious. We were expecting more from a two Michelin star restaurant at 1,400$ price for two.

I have eaten in a fair number of good restaurants; several being Michelin star. This restaurant tops them all. I consider the meal we had here one of the highlights of my life and will be talking about it forever. There were 19 courses; each one memorable, delicious, superbly presented and appropriately proportioned. I can't believe I walked out of there not feeling over fed. Even the dishes used were unique. And the service; the best I have ever experienced. My son and family treated us to this meal so I have no idea of the cost but whatever it was, it was worth it. I loved it!!

Ah, a serene and lovely menu, from start to finish. My client and I came to Californios for dinner last night. It's located on 22nd St in the heart of the Mission, don't let that scare you away - look for the black wall with the door in it and walk-in (with reservations , of course). We had the 17 course chef's choice ($185 pp incl tip) paired with 8 champagnes, wine, and beer ($115). The pairing was perfect and so much more interesting than pairings that I've had at other top restaurants. To the sommelier - excellent finds! Another point of interest is that they do not give you the menu until the very end of the meal, as each course is served the waiter tells you what you will be eating or drinking. On one hand, that's great because I could never remember the menu and you don't really want to pick it up and read it with each course; on the other hand, if you are trying to have an intimate conversation, this might not be the perfect place. That said, each course was a little treat with a wonderful swirl of flavors. Mexican food in theory, but really haute cuisine with a nod to our South of the Border neighbors. The chef intermixed the heavier meat and cream dishes with fruit sorbets, or vegetables. Thank you chef, this is the way that I like to eat. My favorites: chicharron with caviar (OMG!), aguachile, fruit cup, and wagyu. This is one of the best meals I have ever had.

Can't say enough about the food we had and the wine pairing. Excellent experience. Uni, beans, swordfish, and so much more. Prepared to perfection. I did not feel the music (gangster rap), and artwork on the walls were appropriate for the theme, but easy enough to overlook. Service was over the top and maybe a little too much. Still,would highly recommend. Thanks for the great experience.

We very much enjoyed our dinner at Californios, until the check came and the total for four of us was $1096.00!! My husband and I had received a gift certificate for a wedding present and thought we would use it and treat another couple to dinner. Made the reservation, showed up and I guess it would have been nice for someone to tell us what the prix fixe price was alongside the detailed description of the food. Price is $156 per person a glass of wine is $25-40....a glass. The service really was impeccable but the automatically charged us 20% (which we would have added on our own )which is always presumptuous , especially for a table of four. The experience was great, food remarkable, we just got blindsided I guess.

this place was amazing, the attention to detail, thoughtfulness and care that went into every dish was simply beautiful! keep an open mind about each course and enjoy it for what it is. the tasting menu is a good 3 hour experience and is a wonderful journey! we sat at the chef counter and the staff was extraordinarily skilled and happy to talk about each dish presented. anybody who gave this place a bad review just didn't get it!

The dishes were so unique and delicious. I love to eat but just too much food for me as I was too full to really enjoy the last part of the menu.

This was our second visit to Californios and it was even better than our first. We spent three enjoyable hours that felt like an hour devouring 20+ delectable offerings from the kitchen. Service was very efficient and friendly. If you want to try sophisticated Mexican at its finest this is the place in SF. One suggestion: avoid the wine pairing. You would do better ordering off their wine list which is comprehensive and fairly priced.

Rarely do you find a restaurant that does it all. The 16 course menu is one gem after another in just the right order and each dish is unique and brings out another taste that continues to build during the amazing service and engagement that everyone including the family members brings to the meal. The space is luxuriously comfortable in the Mission but provides the perfect accompaniment to the food. Even the utensils and the plates surprise you course after course but have brilliant minds behind them all. Wine compliments each serving or select from a wine list the reflects the same degree of perfection. This is Mexican cuisine and imagination taken to a level that won't be matched.

So, I have now been here twice, most recently 2 nights ago. Both times a really wonderful dining experience. The restaurant is very small and almost hard to find in the Mission. The staff were exceptional. It is a no-choice multiple course meal and we also did the wine pairing. Maybe 15 courses, most small and fish/Mexican focused. 8 wines. Sounds like a lot but every course worth it. Chef came out for a few. Tables far enough apart that sound/privacy was good. Definitely worth it for foodies/special occasions. Downside - not Saison pricey, but with wine and included tip 325 pp. They are planning to start selling reservations a la Alinea...not sure how that will fly. Highly recommend.

I was really pleasantly surprised by Californios. Unlike some other Michelin-starred restaurants in San Francisco, Californios really stands out, with unique Mexican-influenced flavors and a really creative menu. They did a great job of incorporating local Bay Area ingredients. For instance, they had a fun spin on a traditional quesadilla that was made with sharp cheddar from Sonoma, chantarelle mushrooms from Northern California, and fermented sourdough tortillas. The final result tasted amazing. Another standout dish was the dungeness crab with hach pepper mole. The pepper (native to South America) added some great heat and bite to the chilled crab. I'm not usually a fan of tapas, because I always leave hungry. And, at first, I was worried that that would be the case here. However, after 16 rounds of tapas, I felt wonderfully content. Each bite was packed with flavor, sometimes subtle, sometimes bold. Pretty much every time though, delicious. Highly recommend!

I delighted in the tasting menu and the wine pairing at Californios. It was simply perfection! Creative, approachable and delicious — there were a few dishes and ingredients that initially met me with apprehension — only to be wowed and moved by the innovation and symphony of flavors. This is a two-star menu that I could experience over and over again and never grow tired. The service was meticulous, fun and relatable.

This must be one of the best restaurants, not only in SF, but in the whole of Calfornia, including most of the three start Michelin restaurants. Not only does it have a feeling of luxury once you pass the front door and is met by the most corteuos staff you could ever wish for, but the meal is at the same time deeply traditional, wildly inventive and just plain tasteful. Not once in a meal consisting of 15? courses do you get anything that is not rooted in tradition, either Mexican or south Californian, or where innovativeness is prioritized on behalf of taste and texture. Eating tortillas and tacos will never be the same again. The wine menu consists mostly of quite unknown wines, but they all match the courses perfectly. A mexican bubbly wine served with the entrees was just smakshing, just to mention one example. Tankfully, most beverages in the wine menu is just that - wine - and only one beer is served with a rather hot soup and some courses dominated by hot chili. Service is perfect and friendly. Expect to pay about 300 USD, and although it is not quite a bargain, it is a good deal. Reminds me of some of the best Scandinavian restaurants like Maeemo, Geranium or Noma, only based in a totally different culinary tradition.

A stunning evening at Californios in the Mission. The food and service experience was on par with two and three Michellin 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.

A restaurant with nondescript facade that serves impeccable high class dinner on a set menu – that is Californios, San Francisco in a nut shell. The dining experience of over 3 hours was surprisingly well taken. Each item in the 18-course dinner was served with an explanation of its ingredients and cooking methodology and heightened our appreciation of the food. The selection of wines was excellent and paired very well with the food. The chef also came to the table for closer contact. All the dishes were so palatable as to beggar description. Although its not an inexpensive place, it is highly recommended if you want to experience what fine dining is all about.

2 Star restaurant serving modern Mexican. Small dining space makes for an intimate experience with the counter seats overlooking the open kitchen my top choice. Impeccable and friendly service. All the staff and chefs were friendly and happy to chat with the solo diner. The food was packed with flavour and beautifully presented. I could not fault a single dish. The Uni taco and Wagyu beef were standout highlights but every dish met a very high standard. I highly recommend this restaurant in San Francisco.

We enjoyed dinner at Californios for the second night of our annual culinary weekend in San Francisco. And what a Mexican dinner it is! We’ve dined at Taco Maria in Costa Mesa and at Pujol, Quintonil, and Biko in Mexico City, and this was right up there with the best of them. The food was truly sublime and authentically Mexican, the timing and service were wonderful, and the atmosphere was relaxed and convivial while still exuding a sense of chic sexiness. The wine pairings weren’t perfect, but they were all very good—with a few mind-blowing and one that was a bit off for us. The entire service team here was an absolute blast—we really enjoyed getting to know them and interact with them in a way that is unusual for us at such fine dining. They knew their stuff about the food and wine, but they had fabulous senses of humor and genuinely appreciated our inquisitiveness and our curiosity. They even took note that we hadn’t loved the one wine pairing, in particular, and suggested our feedback was the reason they might change it. We really had fun here as much as an amazing dinner. A rare dinner, indeed! Our entire meal was a mere $341, including both our menus and both of us having the wine pairing. That is an absolute steal for a 2* Michelin meal in this city or in most places! We absolutely loved it and can not wait to return. Kudos to one of our new favorites! We loved it all and loved all of them!

Ok, during Dreamforce I decided to take a chance and look for some restaurants, off the beaten path, but highly acclaimed. So we jumped in an Uber (of course) and headed down to the Mission area. Took about 20 mins from Union Square. The car dropped us off in front of the place, on a side street in a semi residential area. It did not look right but I check the website of the restaurant and the photo of the facade and it looked like we were in the right place. When we went in, it was small and elegant. We were warmly welcomed and seated right away. Ok fast forward a little here....it's a 12 course meal, fixed price with the most amazing small and incredibly tasty dishes. We drank amazing wine. Loved the sommelier and the staff in general. We raved about everything. It took close to 4 hours as we savoured every bite and glass of wine. And our company. It was fantastic. Best meal ever. Seriously. Do not miss this place and be sure to have the time and budget to do it justice. Thank you for the best experience in dining amigos! My pictures suck, but check out the wines. Amazing!!!!!

Meticulously executed, super inventive, haute Mexican. No misses on our night from this kitchen. The wine pairing was excellent with my wife and I loving all but maybe 2 selections. If you're seriously considering going then by all means don't miss this most excellent and inventive restaurant. Dress among other diners wasn't nearly as upscale as I anticipated with a few t-shirts. Vibey decor with clubby music, but not loud. Small room with an entirely open kitchen on the side. Unassuming building in a very down to Earth neighborhood. So happy to have chosen Val Cantu's super enjoyable cuisine.

I can’t wait to visit Californios a third time. It was so good the first time in 2022 that on a trip last month I invited a friend to join me. From start to finish WOW! We were both super impressed. Creative, fresh, visually stunning and above all TASTY food, with superb drinks pairing and exceptional service, who could ask for anything more. My favorites were the ceviche, potato soup with caviar and, once again, the unmatchable trio of tacos. If you’re in or visiting San Francisco, this restaurant elevates Mexican food to an culinary art form and is a must for any foodie.

What I'm comparing it against: fine dining experiences in major cities. Overview: A 2-star Michelin restaurant and also one of the few restaurants to have 4 stars from the SF Chronicle. Elevated Mexican fare in prix fixe format only. TOCK reservations only. Vibe: Located in the Mission District, an area with a lot Latin/Hispanic culture, small artsy shops (including a wonderful fragrance shop called TigerLily), and a lot of wall art. In short, very different from the Union Square area. The restaurant itself is extremely small and intimate (a good thing). Dark, nice wall art, and a younger yet refined feel compared to places like Le Bernardin and Benu. Also, no classical music, but instead things like Ivy, The Smiths, and other 80s and 90s alt-rock and new wave. No dress code, but you want to dress up to some extent. I was at the Chef’s Counter. At other counters (like D.C.’s Pineapples & Pearls, for example), you marvel at how technical, orderly, and spacious the kitchen is. Californios’ kitchen, on the other hand, provides a different yet rewarding experience. It is much more intimate and closer, and the area where 4-5 chefs work seems almost cramped (but I don’t say this negatively). I just don’t know how they work effectively, but they do. What’s really fun to watch is the code-worded communication between all of them (think Peyton Manning as he’s communicating with the offense pre-snap). In other words, you don’t understand what’s being said; you only know that you’ll enjoy the outcome. Food: Wonderful, and the 2 Michelin stars is the appropriate rating. Elevated Mexican fare with a variety of meats, sauces, etc. You can also order an additional wine/beverage pairing (I just ordered a couple glasses a la carte). I believe the sommelier was at the French Laundry before coming to Californios. Several courses but I was not overly full (which was an issue at Benu the previous night). Service: Absolutely wonderful and genuinely warm—that applies to hosts, servers, and the chefs working under the Head Chef. Long story short—such a wonderful experience. I’d love to come here again someday (all the way from Virginia!). Covid-19 is temporary, but great food is forever. I hope the staff there is doing okay during this time. I would have posted 12 or so pics, but this website freezes every time I try, so you just get text from me I guess.

My first haut Mexican cuisine experience--and I loved it. My date, who is part Mexican, absolutely LOVED it and had a personal story to share behind almost every dish. It made for a very personal and romantic dinner! Service was impeccable. Atmosphere was classy, but subdued--it wasn't loud at all, yet it was quite full on a Thursday evening. Great wine pairing--totally recommended. From the outside, a bit hard to see at night. I'd definitely go back even to have the same dishes again, let alone try a new menu!

My wife and I had a wonderful dining experience. The staff was friendly and warm. The food was fantastic--eleven courses, in about an hour and a half. Good, but limited craft beer selection. Dinner is about $100 a person, with drinks and service a dinner for two was little less than $300. This is one of the best restaurants in San Francisco, a great place to bring out of town guests who are a little adventurous. Parking is difficult in the Mission, there are a few parking garages nearby. They are little expensive, but may be worth the hassle of looking for street parking. Hipsters and drunk clubber and bar crowds make up this neighborhood.

I will agree with other reviewers that many of the dishes show imagination and the presentation is good. But most of the dishes just didn't taste that good. Lobster in an apple peel cone sounds imaginative, but all I tasted was the apple. An uni dish with peas hardly had any flavor. One green taco was oily, and seemed a lot of trouble for the mash which was inside (which I never identified). As for the concluding meat dishes, the braised Wagyu was just okay, and gave no sense of Wagyu-ness, unlike a char-broiled Wagyu (also in a lengthy tasting menu) I had a month ago at Amber, a 3-Michelin star restaurant in Hong Kong. The very last meat dish, stewed lamb, was sour and bitter, and all the lamb flavor was smothered by the very heavy seasoning. The wine-pairing seemed haphazard. It is probably really hard to match most of these dishes, but then they shouldn't offer a pairing. My bill for one came to $330, including the 10% city tax and the compulsory 20% service charge. The total bill struck me as expensive relative to what I got. The restaurant is very small, about 30 seats, and considering the number of cooks in evidence, it must be difficult to survive financially, leading to such a price level, which greatly exceeds that of many 2-3 Michelin-starred restaurants I have dined at in Manhattan, except for Eleven Madison Park (see my review), which with the standard pairing costs exactly $450, all-in, and well worth it.

We opted for the wine pairing with special tour, got shown around the kitchen and wine cellar. we later learned it was the first night they did this; it was a little awkward but I loved it all the same. First, the cooking at this restaurant is absolutely top tier. Highly creative, but not gratuitously eccentric. Every single thing that came to the table had beautiful contrasts but also perfect balance. Chilis were used in most courses but never at the expense of balance. One dish consisted of tomato water (umami bomb!) plus a sort of tuna ceviche or aguachile in strawberry juice, plus a trio of three different melon slices, each with a uniqut tajin. Every. Single. Bite of this dish was deligihtful: the tajins enhanced the melons. The strawberry, whlie shocking, was a thought-compelling dressing for the tuna. And the tomato water was, well as good as tomato water gets (i.e. extremely tasty). Each element enhanced the others. The big finish was a shocking large portion of A5 Wagyu beef served with an impossibly delicious sauce based on squash seeds. My only complaint on this course was that there was too much meat! A5 is very rich, and while finally succeeded, it was not easy to polish off the whole serving. Things they could do that might merit a third Michelin star: staff should be more personally knowledgeable about the menu (the service overall was great, but we've come to expect all servers to know the whole menu). Wines were presented with what seemed to be rehearsed speeches about what to expect. This was not really necessary, but was also unconvincing. These canned offerings were in lieu of actual personal knowledge about the qualities of the wines, and of deeper knowledge about their provenance. Finally, there were a LOT of prestige items in the menu: caviar, wagyu beef...As if (this is pure conjecture) someone felt a need to justify spending such a sum for what could (by the ignorant) be dismissed as mere Mexican food. It is Mexican, using a lot of ingredients and techniques familiar to most people, AND the quality is among the best I've ever had. Now I enjoy caviar and Wagyu beef at least as much as the next guy, but I saw these luxuty items as a bit of distraction away from the genius of the cooking. One other thing: The music was too loud. Despite all this nit-picking, I strongly recommend this restaurant. Can't wait to go back!

We had a wonderful experience at Californios, and they did not disappoint! A common question -- is $97 worth the tasting menu? YES Upon arrival we were greeted, and shortly after recommended a couple wines that would match the tasting menu -- white recommended. Every single dish seems well thought out -- and I highly recommend sitting at the chef's table to watch them carefully prepare each dish to order. My favorite dishes included the soup, rockfish over grape sauce, wagyu beef ( cooked perfectly medium rare), frijoles, and the cactus sorbet. The entire dinner took a little less than 2 hours -- about 1.5 hours.

Comically pretentious. Food is under seasoned and not delicious. Wine pairing portions are skimpy and lots of talk about where the wine comes from while the portion barely covers the bottom of the glass. Worst of all the fish dish was so rotten and smelly we had to send it back and never received an apology or even an acknowledgment and the bill for four of us was close to a thousand dollars! If you want a delicious meal in San Francisco go,to The Progress on Fillmore street.

Great dining experience. Interesting flavors and unique dishes. Creatively presented. Interesting twist on Mexican style dining. Unusual ingredients and combinations. The lobster tAco was superb. The service was excellent however a common problem was understanding the descriptions of the ingredients of each dish. Great atmosphere and we love the Mission District in SAN Fran. Down side. Very thin wine list, skewed toward very expensive wines. Bring your own despite the $45 corkage.Overpriced beer. Common restaurant practice of trying to forced the sparkling water on you. Beware, tip included! Parking can be a problem.

In a city with quite a number of self important, $200+ per meal prix fixe menu restaurants, Californios has its work cut out for it trying to produce authentic Mexican food with local Bay Area ingredients. Further, the diner has to decide if eating Mexican is worth $200+. This is a fair question, because in Mexico City, it certainly is and dining is on a high international levels Californios has its work cut out for it. In many instances the small plate creations are really exceptional and you will long remember them. Some courses are just average, but on the whole the dining experience is worth the effort and the service and chef detail exceptional.

An awesome experience. Incredible food with fantastic wine pairings. Super comfortable atmosphere in a small room. Friendly, professional service. Everything about this place is superlative. I've eaten in 10-12 Michelin starred restaurants in Europe and the US. They were all obviously great. Californios is the only one I most want to visit again.

This was a great surprise. Impeccable hosting and quality. Impressive presentation of the dishes and unimaginable food taste. Californios took the leading position on our list of top Michelin restaurants.

My husband and I celebrated our 70th birthdays and had an amazing meal. The space is sophisticated with dark paneling, colorful art, comfortable tufted banquette seating and pillows for added comfort (there are also 6 seats at the bar where you can watch the chefs in the kitchen but we opted for comfort and privacy). Everyone who served us was knowledgeable about the food and wines (we included the wine pairing with our meal) and made us feel welcome. Our December 2, 2017 menu (which is presented after the meal ends to allow the servers to guide you through each delectable plate) reflects 19 items ranging from horchata to start and a digestif to finish. Every plate was an artistic presentation, flavors were unique, ingredients were excellent. Some of my favorites included the dried scallop chicharron, the mushroom tortilla, the lobster taco, the awesome bone broth (incredibly flavorful), the three beans with tiny caviar and gold leaf flecks as part of the presentation, the incredibly tender and flavorful wagyu beef and the squab breast. That's not to say the other dishes were mediocre - they were absolutely wonderful, too. The wine pairings complemented the dishes very well; many of the wines were from Europe (France, Germany, Spain and Portugal) and were interesting on their own and even better with the foods. The pairings weren't limited to wine as we had an artisanal ale (from Michigan) and a fermented cider from France. Our meal seemed a bit fast paced to begin, but the entire experience extended over 3 hours, so be prepared to savor each plate. Yes, this is an expensive meal, but if you are looking for an outstanding dining experience that is both exquisite in presentation, flavor and spot-on service, then try to score tickets to this 2-star Michelin restaurant.

Wow, this is one of SF best restaurants, and I have tried them all. Call it Mexican or just call it great food, but each of the 20 plus dishes ranged from good to outstanding with most in the outstanding range. Service here is excellent too. There is great attention to detail. Lots of interesting flavors and food on this surprise menu. Even the $150 price -- given the amount and quality of food -- is moderate and certainly worth every penny.

Wonderful experience! Located in the Mission District in a nice modern space, about 2 blocks off the main drag so a little quieter and less "hectic" all around. Space is calming, not too big to be overwhelming. Nice cozy dining experience. Oh and the food. Wow! The tasting menu is a great deal with course after course of carefully prepared bites. I think there were a total of 9 or 10. Each was artfully crafted and delicious. The portions seemed a little small at first until you realize that there are so many of them! Well sized and portion for a great dining experience. Cuisine has been described as "modern mexican" but I think it leans towards more modern. Wine pairing is a great value for money too!