XICA

Name: XICA
Address: 1265 Battery Street, San Francisco, CA, 94111, US
Telephone: (415) 757-0694
Price range: $$
Rating: 4.8

XICA: Chef-driven Mexican cuisine with vibrant design and gluten-free dining in SF.

4.8(5 reviews)

mexican

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About

XICA, located at 1265 Battery St Suite 100 in San Francisco, is a Mexican restaurant celebrated for a beautiful, modern setting and attentive service. Diners praise chef Maria Esquivel’s menu—from pork empanadas and fish tacos to the Bad Bunny margarita with mezcal and fresh catches—each dish described as layered and chef-inspired. Noted as 100% gluten-free, XICA offers a safe, high-quality dining experience.

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Location

1265 Battery St Suite 100, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA

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Information

1265 Battery Street

San Francisco, CA, 94111

(415) 757-0694 www.xicasf.com/

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Services

Gluten-Free Mexican Dining

Enjoy a full menu of Chicana cuisine in a 100% gluten-free environment with no risk of cross-contamination, perfect for celiac and gluten-sensitive diners.

Chef-Driven Brunch

Savor unique brunch offerings like chicken and churro waffles and huevos rancheros, crafted with indigenous-inspired flavors and fresh ingredients.

Creative Cocktails

Sip on signature drinks such as the Bad Bunny margarita with mezcal and carrot juice, blending traditional Mexican spirits with innovative twists.

Appetizers & Small Plates

Share dishes like pork empanadas, Macha Corn Ribs, and fish tacos, all featuring high-quality, tender ingredients and homemade sauces.

Dessert Specialties

Indulge in standout sweets like crispy waffle churros, a customer favorite that perfectly balances sweetness and texture.

Event & Group Dining

Host gatherings in a beautifully designed space with a relaxed vibe, ideal for sharing large margaritas and family-style plates.

4.80 · 5 reviews

Overall rating

Daniel Rose

via Google

· 9 months ago

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

malcolm green

via Google

· 10 months ago

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.

Perry

via Google

· 1 year ago

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.

Lena van der Giet

via Google

· 1 year ago

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!

beyza simsekoglu

via Google

· 1 year ago

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. 🧿🙏🏻

Tropisueno is a vibrant Mexican restaurant and bar in San Francisco near the Moscone Center. Guests hail its fresh, made-from-scratch salsas, generous portions, and flavorful tacos like beef cheek and Baja tacos, plus standout margaritas. The outdoor garden adds charm, and many praise value for brunch or lunch, though service experiences vary.

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malcolm green

via Google

· 10 months ago