Once similar in energy level to the quieter Richmond District, the Sunset has in recent years become a dining destination of its own. Look for a wide range of ethnic foods, as well as all-American food at better-than-downtown prices.

Ebisu
1283 9th Avenue
(415) 566-1770
Lunch, dinner
Voted as having the best sushi in San Francisco by several local magazines and weeklies, Ebisu lives up to the hype.

P.J.'s Oyster Bed
737 Irving Street
(415) 566-7775
Lunch, dinner
A longtime favorite for connoisseurs of Cajun cuisine, this restaurant hasn't stopped celebrating Mardi Gras since it opened in 1979.

Thanh Long
4101 Judah Street
(415) 665-1146
Dinner
This popular crab house shares owners with Crustacean, which has branches in San Francisco and Beverly Hills.

Ganges Indian Vegetarian Restaurant
775 Frederick Street
(415) 661-7290
Dinner
The Ganges relies solely on word of mouth, and the word is "hot."

Hotei
1290 9th Avenue
(415) 753-6045
Lunch, dinner
The simple Japanese-flavor decor is appropriately understated, and the authentic food is priced to sell.

House Restaurant
1269 9th Avenue
(415) 682-3898
Lunch, dinner
This Inner Sunset restaurant specializes in combining classic Western dishes with Eastern flavors.

Marnee Thai
2225 Irving Street
(415) 665-9500
Lunch, dinner
Some clever thinking went into the design of Marnee Thai, one of San Francisco's best Thai restaurants.