Dinner in the Best Light: 5 San Francisco Restaurants That Get the Glow Right

Leave it to star designer Ken Fulk to get the lighting just right. Boulevard, a San Francisco institution, underwent a handsome renovation in 2022 and reopened with plush nooks, glimmering Tiffany lamps, and a classic, no-fail menu that covers both tasting and à la carte. It is especially fun to sit at the bar and take in the dim, warm space with a glass of bubbly in hand.

One of the spots responsible for the revival of San Francisco’s Portola neighborhood, Elena’s is a lively, gorgeous good time. Thanks to the tall ceilings and clever lighting, everyone looks fabulous here, and the menu adds to the celebratory feel with hearty Mexican plates and boozy cocktails.

Ever since reopening after the pandemic, this impossibly chic wine bar and small plates bistro has been serving all the vibes and all the flavor. Everything on the massive backlit menu displayed above the kitchen is excellent, but standouts like the airy Boursin omelet and the pâté en croûte are not to be missed. The lighting could not be better, with soft candlelight reflecting off the lacquered red ceiling, yet bright enough to read the menu.

Leave it to local dining-scene veteran Kai Boudizi to create one of the city’s sexiest, best-lit new restaurants. Bon Délire is casually French but colors outside the lines, and diners quickly fall in love with the projector screening films, the DJ booth, and a playful menu that includes indulgent œufs mayonnaise and one of the best burgers in town. The lighting here is just right, not too dark but perfectly flattering.

A Michelin-starred FiDi beauty, Quince excels in soft, flattering lighting and elegant interiors. The redesign, led by Steven Volpe and Diego Delgado-Elias, introduced floor lamps—a rare commodity—as well as warm sconces and large ceiling fixtures that cast an even, relaxing glow. The menu remains as exceptional as ever, with the signature giant tortelloni and hyper-seasonal vegetable variations firmly in place.