Best restaurant
1. GARY DANKO Can nothing knock Danko off its first-place block? Perhaps if it skimped on the five-star service. Or maybe if the kitchen just phoned in the dishes. They show no signs of doing either and thus remain readers’ poll royalty. 800 North Point St., S.F., 415-749-2060.
2. BOULEVARD The perfect space, the perfect view. You’re smitten and never tire of this romantic, special-occasion treat. 1 Mission St., S.F., 415-543-6084.
3. THE SLANTED DOOR Fans of Charles Phan keep this favorite hopping, and it’s testimony to the restaurant’s continued excellence that it still takes months to get a decent reservation. Ferry Building Marketplace, S.F., 415-861-8032.

Best new restaurant
1. MAVERICK Gussied-up American classics turn heads at this hip Mission hangout. Our readers’ radar quickly picked it out as a star. 3316 17th St., S.F., 415-863-3061.
2. RANGE It’s the perfect partnership: Bacar’s former chef du cuisine and Delfina’s former front-of-house head. The restaurant’s a huge hit in a competitive neighborhood. 842 Valencia St., S.F., 415-282-8283.
3. MAMACITA Talk about a winning formula: Marina dwellers pack this upscale Mexican spot nightly. A few come for the chicken enchiladas—the rest for fancy margaritas and the scorching-hot pickup scene. 2317 chestnut st., s.f., 415-346-8494.

Best meal under $10
1. PLUTO’S Rising from the number-two spot last year, this minichain is well loved for its well-priced salads, meats, and sweets. 627 Irving St., S.F., 415-753-8867; 3258 Scott St., S.F., 415-775-8867; 482 University Ave., Palo Alto, 650-853-1556.
2. NICK’S CRISPY TACOS When you crave carne asada and fruity agua fresca, but find yourself in Russian Hill and not the Mission, this is the only low-tech, high-flavor taco joint that will suffice. 1500 Broadway, S.F., 415-409-8226.
3. LA TAQUERIA A mere fiver can buy a whole lot of taco at this tidy hangout. The name, in its simplicity and finality, says it all. 2889 Mission St., S.F., 415-285-7117.


Best splurge restaurant
1. GARY DANKO Don’t let the tourist location fool you: Danko diners say this elegant experience is well worth the expense. 800 North Point St., S.F., 415-749-2060.
2. BOULEVARD Silken service and Nancy Oakes’s evolving menu keep diners clamoring, no matter how cher the menu. 1 Mission St., S.F., 415-543-6084.
3. MICHAEL MINA The chef-owner’s restaurant has supplanted the French Laundry this year to take third place. 335 Powell St., S.F., 415-397-9222.


Best outdoor dining
1. FOREIGN CINEMA Even La Dolce Vita flashing on the wall doesn’t distract from a fine crock of salt cod brandade. Huddle under a heat lamp and dig in. 2534 Mission St., S.F., 415-648-7600.
2. THE RAMP Regulars celebrate the sunny locale, relatively easy parking, and no-fuss grub at this massive eatery. 855 China basin, S.F., 415-621-2378.
3. SAM’S ANCHOR CAFE Great views, a frothy and intoxicating Ramos Fizz, and an eyeful of single, spandex-clad cyclists on the make. Dining alfresco here has many payoffs. 27 Main St., Tiburon, 415-435-4527.


Best weekend brunch
1. THE TERRACE AT THE RITZ-CARLTON
The stunning outdoor patio hums during the popular Sunday jazz brunch. The menu brims with classy variety. On offer are caviar, made-to-order omelets, rack of lamb, and, of course, flutes of champagne. 600 Stockton St., S.F., 415-296-7465.
2. MAVERICK The see-and-be-seen weekend breakfast is a smooth chaser after a rough night out—or maybe it’s the blackberry mimosas. Biscuits and gravy and cornmeal-buttermilk pancakes don’t hurt, either. 3316 17th St., S.F., 415-863-3061.
3. ELLA’S Homemade granola, oven-fresh sticky buns, and gourmet scrambles pack in the hungry masses, huddled over that second (or third) refill of the bottomless cup of coffee. 500 Presidio Ave., S.F., 415-441-5669.


Best vegetarian restaurant
1. GREENS A winner by a landslide for the fifth year in a row, this landmark is long past its salad days, but it hasn’t lost its bite. Fort Mason Building A, S.F., 415-771-6222.
2. MILLENNIUM When plant eaters want to toast their own good taste, they sup here on Chef Eric Tucker’s award-winning, globally conscious cuisine. 580 Geary St., S.F., 415-345-3900.
3. HERBIVORE For everyday meals at reasonable prices, locals head to this low-key brunch, lunch, and dinner staple. 983 Valencia St., S.F., 415-826-5657; 531 Divisadero St., S.F., 415-885-7133.


Best steak house
1. HARRIS’ When you crave meat, you want it old-school—like a saucy Steak Diane eaten among dark paneling and on massive leather banquettes. 2100 Van Ness Ave., S.F. 415-673-1888.
2. RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE It’s the sizzle that sells the steak, and this popular national chain has plenty of crackle and pop. 1601 Van Ness Ave., S.F., 415-673-0557.
3. HOUSE OF PRIME RIB The namesake cut is carved tableside, and salad is tossed there, too. The creamed spinach and mashed potatoes are sides worth saving room for. 1906 Van Ness Ave., S.F., 415-885-4605.


Best Indian restaurant
1. INDIAN OVEN People love a reasonably priced curry paired with housemade bread, so this long-time favorite sweeps the polls again. 233 Fillmore St., S.F., 415-626-1628.
2. NAAN ’N’ CURRY And a whole lot more. High spice and high value make this a favorite for a quick bite on either side of the Bay. 642 Irving St., S.F., 415-664-7225; 533 Jackson St., S.F., 415-693-0499; 336 O’Farrell St., S.F., 415-346-1443; 398 eddy st., s.f., 415-775-1349; 2366 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley, 510-841-6266.
3. GAYLORD iNDIA RESTAURANT A bit of Bombay with bayfront views, this massivedining room is popular for its phonebook-size menu of curried and tandoor-oven specialties. 201 Bridgeway, Sausalito, 415-339-0172.

Best French restaurant
1. FLEUR DE LYS Readers say “Mais oui” yet again to this special-occasion favorite. 777 Sutter St., S.F., 415-673-7779.
2. LA FOLIE Star restaurateur Roland Passot’s crown jewel still sparkles with elegance and whimsy. 2316 Polk St., S.F., 415-776-5577.
3. CHAPEAU! Hats off to this 8-year-old husband-and-wife-run bistro with a familiar array of classic French cooking. 1408 Clement St., S.F., 415-750-9787.

Best Italian restaurant
1. DELFINA Craig Stoll can do no wrong on his ever-changing seasonal menu. It beat out the competition by a margin as wide as the housemade tagliatelle is long. 3621 18th St., S.F., 415-552-4055.
2. ACQUERELLO Moving up a notch from last year, this intimate showcase for regional Italian cuisine and wine has so many devoted followers that the owners schedule culinary holidays in the homeland. 1722 Sacramento St., S.F., 415-567-5432.
3. INCANTO Italian aficionados flock here not only for the food, but also for wine seminars, whole-beast dinners, and special events. 1550 Church St., S.F., 415-641-4500.


Best Japanese restaurant
1. OZUMO Dainty bites abound at the dining room’s sushi counter, and the boisterous sake lounge up front is the place to be after work. 161 Steuart St., S.F., 415-882-1333.
2. SUSHI RAN Marin’s pride and joy could make even the most content city dweller
cross the Golden Gate. Artfully prepared morsels of fresh fish, laced with vegetables, herbs, or sauce, are unparalleled. 107 Caledonia St., Sausalito, 415-332-3620.
3. EBISU Always on, always packed, this inner Sunset standby promises sparkling fish and a wide range of snacks and starters to share. 1283 Ninth Ave., S.F., 415-566-1770.


Best taqueria
1. LA TAQUERIA Locals go loco for the compact perfection of authentic tacos that taste better in pairs. 2889 Mission St., S.F., 415-285-7117.
2. PANCHO VILLA TAQUERiA Everyone has a taqueria they swear by, but this one scores points for fresh ingredients, speedy service, and consistent quality. 3071 16TH ST., S.F., 415-864-8840; 365 S. B ST., San Mateo, 650-343-4123.
3. GORDO TAQUERiA With many Bay Area locations serving up Mexican favorites in grande portions, it’s no wonder so many have found so much to love. 1239 9th Ave., S.F., 415-566-6011; 5450 19th Ave., S.F., 415-668-8226; 2252 Clement St., S.F., 415-387-4484; 1423 Solano Ave., Albany, 510-528-8226; 2989 College Ave., Berkeley, 510-204-9027.


Best wine list
1. BACAR Readers are impressed by quantity as well as quality. This “wine salon” is stocked with 1,000 bottles, 100 of which are served by the glass. 448 Brannan St., S.F., 415-904-4100.
2. GARY DANKO The vast collection at this much-lauded fave spans 15 countries and two centuries. 800 North Point St., S.F., 415-749-2060.
3. A16 Basilicata, Sicilia, and Puglia are just a few of the southern Italian regions whose wines are featured on A16’s acclaimed list. 2355 Chestnut St., S.F., 415-771-2216.


Best pizza
1. ZACHARY’S chicago pizza That deep-dish crust is chewy, and that chunky, sweet-and-tangy sauce is so delicious, you almost wish the slices were smaller so you could eat more than one. 1853 Solano Ave., Berkeley, 510-525-5950; 5801 College Ave., Oakland, 510-655-6385.
2. PIZZA ORGASMICA Spicy rosemary potatoes, scallops, pine nuts, buttermilk sauce, and Brazilian-style chicken are just a few of the signature toppings on hand. 3157 Fillmore St., S.F., 415-931-5300; 823 Clement St., S.F., 415-386-6000.
3. AMICI’S EAST COAST PIZZERIA Community involvement, responsible business practices, and health-conscious menu items. Clearly there’s more here to love than just the pie. eight Bay Area locations, www.amicis.com.

Best bread
1. THE ACME BREAD COMPANY In the upper crust of the sourdough world, Acme leaves just the crumbs for the competition. 1601 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley, 510-524-1327; Ferry Building Marketplace, S.F., 415-288-2978.
2. TARTINE Bread does not wait for you here; you must wait for it. But you’ll feel like you won the lottery when going home with a loaf. 600 Guerrero St., S.F., 415-487-2600.
3. BOUDIN BAKERY Whether filled with soup or twisted into seasonal shapes, Boudin’s bread apparently has local as well as tourist fans. 13 Bay Area Locations, www.boudinbakery.com.


Best dessert
1. CITIZEN CAKE The faithful are willing to withstand less-than-stellar service in exchange for creative cookies, tarts, and, yes, cakes. 399 Grove St., S.F., 415-861-2228.
2. TARTINE Is it possible to tire of Tartine’s coconut cream tarts? On the off chance that happens, there’s plenty more to enjoy, like seasonal bread puddings and the best pain au chocolat in town. 600 Guerrero St., S.F., 415-487-2600.
3. JUST DESSERTS Some come just for the cake and cup of joe, but the cookies and seasonal fresh fruit tarts make a regular coffee date seem like an occasion. three Bay Area locations, www.justdesserts.com.