Copra

Amid the sea of high-end restaurants in SF, Copra stands out. The Fillmore spot (from the people behind Ettan in Palo Alto) is turning out new takes on South Indian classics that feel downright celebratory. Slow-cooked octopus is brightened up with pomelo and dill. Chutneys that range from wild gooseberries to ghost chilies are deeply flavorful (and nose-clearing). And delicate rasam poori are refreshing with the subtlest hint of tangy passionfruit. Plus, at what other upscale spot can you get down and dirty over a bowl of extra-napkins-required, shell-on crab curry? Even the inside of this place is a party. It looks like a spot where you'd host a wedding reception with its Tulum-core-beach-house aesthetic. Macrame, hanging plants, and shelves full of baskets and ceramic pots are everywhere. Lean into this over-the-top feel. After all, you’re here to celebrate in a place that’s as impressive as the meal.