Michael Solomonov's celebrated modern Israeli restaurant in San Francisco brings the vibrant flavors of the Levant to California. Hummus, mezze platters, and wood-fired lamb are elevated with California's exceptional local produce and seasonal ingredients.
Zahav on Kearny Street in San Francisco's Financial District is a modern Israeli restaurant bringing the vibrant, layered flavors of Levantine cuisine to California. Named for the Hebrew word for gold, Zahav was developed by chef Michael Solomonov — the James Beard Award-winning chef and restaurateur whose original Zahav in Philadelphia is credited with introducing modern Israeli cooking to American fine dining audiences — and its San Francisco expression brings the same founding principles to Northern California's extraordinary produce and hospitality culture. Every meal begins with the salatim spread: a selection of four to six small vegetable preparations — roasted beets, pickled cauliflower, carrot with cumin, eggplant with tahini — that arrive with warm house-made pita and establish the sharing, communal style that defines the Zahav experience. The tahini hummus, made with imported Soom tahini from Jerusalem and finished tableside with olive oil and spice, poured warm into a bowl and consumed with warm bread, is among the finest hummus served at any restaurant in California. Wood-roasted lamb dishes — lamb shoulder cooked long and slowly until yielding and deeply flavored — are the centerpiece of the main menu, alongside grilled fish preparations, kibbe, and an evolving selection of mezze. The wine program highlights Israeli producers from the Golan Heights, Galilee, and Judean Hills alongside domestic California selections chosen to complement the Levantine flavors. The dining room is warmly lit and animated, reflecting the generous, celebratory spirit of Israeli hospitality traditions. Zahav at 237 Kearny Street in San Francisco, California, accepts reservations for dinner daily and provides one of the most communal and generously spirited dining experiences in the city.
Location
237 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA 94108
Highlights
- Modern Israeli restaurant in San Francisco's Financial District from James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Solomonov of the Philadelphia Zahav
- Salatim spread — four to six small vegetable preparations with warm house-made pita — sets a communal, sharing-focused tone from the first moment
- Warm tahini hummus made with imported Soom tahini, poured tableside — considered among the finest hummus at any California restaurant
- Wood-roasted lamb shoulder slow-cooked until yielding — the centerpiece of a menu centered on Levantine fire-cooking and long-braising traditions
- Wine program highlighting Israeli producers from the Golan Heights, Galilee, and Judean Hills alongside well-chosen California selections
Tips for visiting
- The salatim and hummus spread is the must-order starter. Reserve in advance for weekends.
Accessibility
Zahav at 237 Kearny Street in San Francisco's Financial District is at street level with a step-free entrance from the sidewalk. The dining room accommodates wheelchair users; accessible restrooms are available within the restaurant and the surrounding Financial District streets are fully paved and accessible.
Frequently asked questions
What is salatim at Zahav?
Salatim are small Israeli vegetable salads — the equivalent of a mezze spread in Levantine dining tradition. At Zahav, every meal begins with a selection of four to six salatim, typically including roasted beets, pickled cauliflower, eggplant with tahini, and seasonal preparations, served with warm house-made pita.
Is Zahav designed for sharing?
Yes. The Zahav format is built around communal sharing — the salatim, hummus, and mezze dishes are all intended for the whole table to enjoy together. Larger groups benefit most from the format; the sharing style is central to the Israeli dining tradition that Zahav celebrates.
What is the most essential dish to order at Zahav?
The salatim and hummus combination is the essential starting point and should always be ordered. The wood-roasted lamb is the most celebrated main course. Together they represent the restaurant's philosophy of generous Levantine hospitality anchored by fire-cooking and fermented grain traditions.
Does Zahav have strong vegetarian options?
Yes. Much of Zahav's menu — the salatim, hummus, mezze plates, and grain-based preparations — is naturally vegetarian. The menu is particularly well-suited to plant-based diners, reflecting the deep vegetable-forward tradition of Israeli cuisine.