Xica

It's on the pricy end of what I'd pay for street tacos but very tasty indeed. Chips were delicious and the "Bad Bunny Carrot" Margarita was fantastic (good reason to drink "carrot juice"). Staff were engaging and picky kids ate up the tacos like I starved them of nutrition. Overall, great place to dine, especially after hiking Coit Tower/Filbert stairs.

Great food and service. Had the enchiladas and they were amazing. Using fresh masa tortillas, covered in red/ green sauce that was finger licking worthy. Also had the papa tacos, very great. They also had gluten-free options.

malcolm green

Xica Chef Maria Esquivel’s Xica has got to be one of the top 10 standout restaurants in San Francisco. Upon entry, it is clear that no detail was overlooked. It is as beautiful and aesthetic as the photos of her food are in the reviews that drove me to want to try this food. The service to me was especially wonderful. My waitress upon my prodding told me about her favorite dishes on the menu and her enthusiasm in describing these dishes led me to want to try two of the three recommendations that she made. She spoke on the fresh catch of the day coming from underneath the Golden Gate Bridge, and after she described the mashed potatoes, i was sold. The fish was beautifully plated. Almost too pretty to eat. (ALMOST!!!)The quality of Chef Maria’s upgrade of comfort food to find cuisine is unparalleled . I have to admit that I really forgot that I was in a Mexican restaurant .The Bad Bunny margarita with Mezcal to me, is an amazing standout cocktail that I’m craving right now as I’m writing this review. The fresh carrot juice is the clincher. The pork empanadas are just ridiculous. The photos don’t do it any justice. The meat is so tender and succulent. The empanada is fried perfectly and the sauces Bring it all together like Ohtani’s MVP season. I also ordered the fish tacos. Now I have to be honest I am not a consumer of tilapia at all but everything i had eaten so far was just so good and i wanted another appetizer size plate with my cocktails. The tacos did not disappoint. The fish was wonderfully treated and perfectly fried and had this amazing coleslaw with a homemade Chingona sauce that absolutely made this dish a winner. I would gain a lot of weight if I lived in San Francisco because I would be at this restaurant a lot. I intend on coming back here very soon as chef Maria took a moment to say hello to me and tell me about the inspiration for her menu. Best meal I had this trip hands down.

Daniel Rose

Best Mexican food ever. From the taquitos, corn ribs, empanadas, fish tacos etc etc. beautiful setting, delicious food, friendly staff. You can tho wrong. Wish they had one in NYC

beyza simsekoglu

The atmosphere was truly amazing, and the cocktails were unbelievably good. We ordered a large mango margarita for the table. The staff were very sweet and kind. We got fried corn and fries to share. We especially loved the corn! It was really delicious (just a little spicy) (Macha Corn Ribs). My boyfriend had the Beso Del Mar and absolutely loved it. I had the Enchiladas and highly recommend it. Very filling and incredibly fresh. 🧿🙏🏻

Perry

I was planning a trip to the exploratorium and happened to see this pop up on maps. Saved it and immediately forgot about it. Well after we went to the exploratorium we went looking for lunch and I suggested this place. And dayum what a fire find! Everything was perfect—the staff, service, vibe, location, and the food of course. We ordered chips and salsa and a cheese quesadilla off the main menu, and chicken and CHURRO waffles and a huevos rancheros off their brunch menu. I won't describe our food in detail, but I will say this: whoever designed this recipes is a real chef. Nothing was too salty, spicy, or sweet. But everything had layers and well combined flavors that were *chef's kiss* You should absolutely hit this place up, if you're in the fence. Fwiw I'm from Texas and we have plenty of good Tex Mex and Mexican. This was something else though (not Cali Mex, which I decidedly don't prefer) and it felt like...home?... Ok pause, I just looked it up while writing this and IT IS something else: Chicana cuisine—which is apparently a unique blend of Mexican American cuisine that leans into indigenous cooking methods. Maybe that's the "home" feeling I was picking up on. Anyway. 11/10. Just go.

Steve Engle

Might be my new spot for brunch. The elotito appetizer was delicious but a little awkward to eat. We had their creative take on chicken and waffles, duck confit quesadilla, and mole chilaquiles. No notes, but the chilaquiles was my personal favorite.

Ken Lotherington

Visiting from Canada. Food is phenomenal. Esp. the corn ribs. We also loved the chicken tostadas and the enchiladas. We sat outside with the lovely sound of the fountain close by. Totally recommend!

R Jackson

It's on the pricy end of what I'd pay for street tacos but very tasty indeed. Chips were delicious and the "Bad Bunny Carrot" Margarita was fantastic (good reason to drink "carrot juice"). Staff were engaging and picky kids ate up the tacos like I starved them of nutrition. Overall, great place to dine, especially after hiking Coit Tower/Filbert stairs.

Patanisha

This is my new number one restaurant! As a Foodie, I found heaven here. From fried chicken to fish, everything danced with flavor. As a Photographer, I appreciated all of the intentional design and decor. The staff was professional and friendly, it felt like home.

Sriram Rangaramanujan

Had a fantastic time here! The ambiance and staff are really nice. It was super easy to get a reservation for two on a Friday. The food and drink selection is great. I highly recommend the Carrot Margarita, Potato Taquitos, Chile Relleno and flan!

Todd Shissler

XICA restaurant in San Francisco is a must-try for anyone looking for a delicious and authentic Mexican meal, especially if you have dietary restrictions. I was particularly impressed with the quality of the food and the fact that they have a gluten-free kitchen. I started with the guacamole and chips, which were made with fresh, ripe avocados and perfectly seasoned. The chips were crispy and warm, and the guacamole was creamy and flavorful. For my main course, I had the chicken enchiladas, which were made with tender chicken, mole sauce, and melted cheese. I was also able to order the enchiladas with gluten-free tortillas, which was a huge plus for me. Overall, I had a wonderful dining experience at XICA. The food was exceptional, the service was friendly, and the atmosphere was lively. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a delicious and authentic Mexican meal, regardless of their dietary restrictions. In addition to the above, I would like to emphasize that I was particularly happy with the fact that XICA has a gluten-free kitchen. Someone in our party has celiac disease, and it can be difficult to find restaurants that offer gluten-free options. XICA, however, has a dedicated gluten-free kitchen, which means that I can order anything on the menu with confidence. I am so grateful to XICA for making it possible for my family to enjoy a delicious and authentic Mexican meal without having to worry about getting sick. XICA is also kid friendly.

Yashash Gaurav

Food was amazing. Fish tacos were amazing and the loaded fries were so good we ordered a second serving. The caramel on the brownie, ice cream was good as well. The corn ribs - very meh. Though it’s a very beautiful place and is very well decorated. Good vibes.

D B

I tried several dishes on the menu and every one of them was fantastic. But if I had to pick a favorite, it would be the fried fish tacos. The service was awesome, and made my experience that much better. I look forward to going back in the near future!

The food is delicious, gluten free for any celiac folks out there. The staff are great the drinks delicious. I was there several times, party of two and party of 10. Very accommodating and the prices aren't insane. So if you're looking for a place by the waterfront, it's a good one!

This is Mexican cuisine redefined through fresh, healthy ingredients. I absolutely loved the purple corn tortillas and the tacos! Many of the flavors here remind me of Oaxaca, and the decor feels truly authentic. While it’s definitely on the pricier side, the prime location makes it worth it. If you’re visiting San Francisco and just stepped off a cruise ship, this is the perfect spot for great food and drinks!

Loved that the entire menu is gluten free. The fried fish tacos were really good. Guac was less chunky than I prefer, and the duck quesadilla was a bit dry. Churros were incredible, a treat since as a gluten intolerant person I normally can’t eat churros. Vibe and service were great.

We had such a great time at Xica. The food was amazing and it was a great touch and twist to the traditional food from back home. Twe loved everything, from the Guacamole, to the ceviche to the mole. The elotitos were so delicious as well. Our server Brad was very friendly and the owners who came to greet us as well. We are thankful to have found this restaurant and will definitely be back when in town. Highly recommend!

Sacha Patera

The food is delicious, gluten free for any celiac folks out there. The staff are great the drinks delicious. I was there several times, party of two and party of 10. Very accommodating and the prices aren't insane. So if you're looking for a place by the waterfront, it's a good one!

Charlie Andrews

Loved that the entire menu is gluten free. The fried fish tacos were really good. Guac was less chunky than I prefer, and the duck quesadilla was a bit dry. Churros were incredible, a treat since as a gluten intolerant person I normally can’t eat churros. Vibe and service were great.

Evan

This is Mexican cuisine redefined through fresh, healthy ingredients. I absolutely loved the purple corn tortillas and the tacos! Many of the flavors here remind me of Oaxaca, and the decor feels truly authentic. While it’s definitely on the pricier side, the prime location makes it worth it. If you’re visiting San Francisco and just stepped off a cruise ship, this is the perfect spot for great food and drinks!

Miguel Varela

We had such a great time at Xica. The food was amazing and it was a great touch and twist to the traditional food from back home. Twe loved everything, from the Guacamole, to the ceviche to the mole. The elotitos were so delicious as well. Our server Brad was very friendly and the owners who came to greet us as well. We are thankful to have found this restaurant and will definitely be back when in town. Highly recommend!

Melissa Pérez Santana

Food is flavorful, well presented, fast served. The place's ambiance is great, super clean, lively! I loved the Abuela's mole chicken 5/5 spot on mole flavor and tender chicken texture. The enchiladas divorciadas 4/5 were missing variety in the filling like mushrooms. Taquitos 5/5 had a flavorful salsa. Michelada 5/5. Only service was a little slow to sit us down, but the rest of the service was pretty good. I would come back!

Pete Rodriguez

My wife and I went to dinner last Saturday with a friend. Great location. Nice place with very high ceilings and lovely painted murals, it felt spacious, peaceful atmosphere... Good service and very good food. We had chips, guacamole, enchiladas divorciadas, taquitos and chicken mole and all were excellent. The tres leches flan was beyond excellent. The wine was good. The wine list is limited, they were out of several beers an wines. Overall would highly recommend Xica!

Had a great lunch at XICA. I sat outside on the terrace in the sun, which made the whole experience even better. The steak fajitas were delicious, full of flavour and perfectly cooked. Great atmosphere, friendly service, and a really nice spot to relax and enjoy Mexican food in San Francisco. Would definitely come back!

We visited Xica in San Francisco and I was immediately impressed — the entire restaurant is 100% gluten-free, which means no risk of cross-contamination. As someone with celiac disease, that gave me real peace of mind, and I had no symptoms after eating here. The interior is beautifully designed, with a clean, modern look and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. We ordered: • Quesadilla – 💲11 House-made large tortilla with cheese. • Street Tacos – 💲18 Three tacos topped with onion and avocado salsa. • Waffle Churros – 💲16 Crispy, sweet, and absolutely delicious — easily the highlight of the meal. I’d come back for those alone! While the dishes were generally tasty, I personally found the tacos a bit too meat-heavy. I was hoping for more fresh elements like tomato or greens to balance the flavors. That said, the ingredients were high quality, and the overall experience was still enjoyable. If you’re gluten-free, Xica is a fantastic and safe choice in San Francisco — and definitely don’t skip the waffle churros!

Lena van der Giet

We visited Xica in San Francisco and I was immediately impressed — the entire restaurant is 100% gluten-free, which means no risk of cross-contamination. As someone with celiac disease, that gave me real peace of mind, and I had no symptoms after eating here. The interior is beautifully designed, with a clean, modern look and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. We ordered: • Quesadilla – 💲11 House-made large tortilla with cheese. • Street Tacos – 💲18 Three tacos topped with onion and avocado salsa. • Waffle Churros – 💲16 Crispy, sweet, and absolutely delicious — easily the highlight of the meal. I’d come back for those alone! While the dishes were generally tasty, I personally found the tacos a bit too meat-heavy. I was hoping for more fresh elements like tomato or greens to balance the flavors. That said, the ingredients were high quality, and the overall experience was still enjoyable. If you’re gluten-free, Xica is a fantastic and safe choice in San Francisco — and definitely don’t skip the waffle churros!

Although the atmosphere was so cute, the food was not to our liking. Would suggest they add a Carne Asada on the menu - we were disappointed that wasn't an option. We ordered Steak Fajitas. It was sliced steak with spinach tortillas - not steaming hot on cast iron with onions as they should be. I guess we should have checked the menu prior to, but this place came recommended by our friend who lives in San Francisco, so we just trusted the process. The fajita steak was really bland and unsalted. Not really our idea of traditional Mexican food. The expensive cocktails were small on liquor and heavy on ice. They also didn't have two red wines we wanted by glass. They also bussed our table with a wet cloth as we sat finishing up and chatting. That can wait until we leave?! Party of 4 with a $400 bill for a meal we were not really pleased about. Will not return.

It was over one hour from arriving to getting our food. Fish tacos and the breaded chicken. It was unbelievably overpriced for the amount of food we received. They did comp the third "order" of chips that we didn't ask for after an hour of waiting for our main order. It wasn't even busy out. You pay $5 for a single can of soda and $15 for chips and salsa. Would not recommend.

Birdie Hamilton

It was over one hour from arriving to getting our food. Fish tacos and the breaded chicken. It was unbelievably overpriced for the amount of food we received. They did comp the third "order" of chips that we didn't ask for after an hour of waiting for our main order. It wasn't even busy out. You pay $5 for a single can of soda and $15 for chips and salsa. Would not recommend.