Maria Isabel
Michelin Plate · Bon Appétit Best New Restaurant · Wine Spectator Award of Excellence
Our verdict
Maria Isabel is Laura and Sayat Ozyilmaz's contemporary Mexican restaurant in Presidio Heights, linking Laura's Acapulco upbringing and Guerrero–Sinaloa roots with Northern California produce and seafood. Choose the à la carte menu or the $90 chef's tasting, backed by modern Mexican cocktails and a women-led wine list.
Pearl is the En Primeur Club membership app, where members save venues, book tables and use the concierge.
A Pacific-coast conversation between Mexico and California
Maria Isabel opened in 2026 at 500 Presidio Avenue. Its name honors executive chef Laura Ozyilmaz's mother, Isabel, and sister, María, while the restaurant's nighttime character recalls evenings in Acapulco. Laura and co-executive chef Sayat Ozyilmaz build the menu around her roots in Guerrero and Sinaloa and the shared Pacific coastline of Mexico and California.
What to eat
The kitchen nixtamalizes heirloom corn in-house and works with Oaxacan corn, Chiapas chocolate, Presidio-grown herbs, local farms and California seafood. The current à la carte menu moves from aguachile negro and ceviche Acapulqueño through sea urchin tamalito, duck carnitas enmoladas, lamb-rib barbacoa, black cod zarandeado and dry-aged Akaushi rib eye. A six-to-seven-course chef's tasting is $90 and requires full-table participation.
Drinks
The current house cocktails are Ser un Sol, Truchita, Claro Que Si, Medianoche, Mas Sabe el Diablo, Vesperado and Pedro Paramo; margaritas include Seasonal Spicy, Classic and Margarita de Tommy. The bar uses fermentation, clarification and carbonation with pox, tequila, mezcal, sotol and corn whiskey. The cellar spans California and Mexico—especially Baja and Querétaro—plus Chile and Argentina; the by-the-glass opening selection highlights women winemakers. Spirit-free options include chilate, tascalate, posol, tea and nonalcoholic beer and wine.
Planning your visit
Dinner is served Tuesday through Saturday from 5 to 9 PM. Reservations open at 7 AM, 30 days in advance on a rolling basis. A few counter and walk-in seats may be available. The indoor-only dining room is wheelchair accessible; street parking is limited, so arriving early or using rideshare is sensible.
Frequently asked questions
When is Maria Isabel open?
Dinner is served Tuesday through Saturday from 5:00 to 9:00 PM; the restaurant is closed Sunday and Monday.
How do reservations work?
Reservations release on OpenTable at 7:00 AM, 30 days in advance on a rolling basis. Walk-ins are accepted when space permits, including two counter seats reserved for walk-ins.
What menus are available?
Maria Isabel offers a current à la carte dinner menu and a six-to-seven-course chef's tasting for $90 per person. Full-table participation is required for the tasting menu.
Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?
Vegetarian and pescatarian tasting menus are available for $100 with advance notice. Vegan tasting menus are not available, and allium or nightshade allergies cannot be accommodated within the tasting menu.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellations within 48 hours and no-shows are charged $48 per person. The grace period is 10 minutes.
Is there private dining?
Yes. Maria Isabel has two group-dining spaces and accepts private-event and full-buyout inquiries at events@mariaisabelsf.com.
What is the corkage fee?
Corkage is $40 for the first 750 ml bottle, $60 for a second bottle and $100 for a magnum.
Is the restaurant accessible and child-friendly?
The indoor dining room offers wheelchair-accessible and ADA seating. The restaurant does not offer high chairs, booster seats, stroller space or a children's menu.
Cuisine Lens
Comparable venues nearby, for context on price, style, and recognition.
| Venue | Cuisine | Price | Awards | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maria IsabelThis venue (the venue you are viewing) | Contemporary Mexican | $50–100 | Michelin Plate · Bon Appétit Best New Restaurant | Not listed |
| Gracias Madre | Plant-Based Mexican | Not listed | Not listed | Mission |
| Suavecito Birria and Tacos | Modern Birria Taqueria | $20–30 | Not listed | Lower Nob Hill |
| La Vaca Birria | Authentic Mexican Birria Taqueria | $20–30 | Not listed | Mission |
| Hecho | Upscale Mexican | $30–50 | Not listed | Castro |
| Tacolicious | California-Mexican Tacos | $30–50 | Not listed | Marina |
Recognition history
Dated appearances from independent guides and award organizations, with the underlying list record or original source where available.
Michelin Plate
Michelin · 2026 Michelin Plate
Bon Appétit Best New Restaurant
Bon Appétit
Wine Spectator Award of Excellence
Wine Spectator
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Maria Isabel
The wine
Maria Isabel holds the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, which Wine Spectator gives to lists of usually 90 or more selections.
- Wine Spectator
- Wine Spectator Award of Excellence
Details
- Elegant
- Sophisticated
- Date Night
- Special Occasion
- Open Kitchen
- Fermentation
- Clarification
- Carbonation
- Women Winemakers
- Local Sourcing
- A La Carte
- Tasting Menu
- Modern Mexican Cocktails
- Mexican Spirits
- Spirit Free Cacao And Masa Drinks
- Vegetarian With Advance Notice
- Pescatarian With Advance Notice
Current opening hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- 5–9:30 PM
- Wednesday
- 5–9:30 PM
- Thursday
- 5–9:30 PM
- Friday
- 5–9:30 PM
- Saturday
- 5–9:30 PM
- Sunday
- Closed
Hours can change for holidays and private events. Hours as of .
Casual elegant with lively decor and immersive atmosphere.