Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
Rules need not apply in San Francisco: concrete warehouses can become cozy bistros, duck-fat cauliflower and oysters are daily dietary requirements, and…
Must-see restaurants in The Bay Area
San Francisco
For wine with a side of food and people-watching, Union Larder sets the scene with backlit wine bottles rising to the ceiling and vaulted windows…
The Haight & Hayes Valley
Sure, you could get the Cobb salad, but go the whole hog for the smoked-rib plate – 4505 butchers its own humanely raised pork and grass-fed beef, so ribs…
San Francisco
Since you asked nicely, pastry chef Alison Okabayashi will hand over your choice of all-American treats: mini apple pies, carrot cupcakes and sculpted…
The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill
Mission barflies and globetrotting gourmands find common ground at Danny Bowien's cult-food dive. Kung pao pastrami burritos, lamb dumplings with Greek…
The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill
Entire Mission street-art movements have been fueled by El Tonayense tacos over the past 25 years. Burritos and quesadillas are generous to a fault, and…
Japantown, Fillmore & Pacific Heights
Gone in six bites, these little banh mi (Vietnamese sandwiches with pickled vegetables) leave lips buzzing. Five-spice chicken packs sweet heat and…
The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
Happening and swank, Belga resembles a European brasserie, with side-by-side tables flanking red-leather banquettes – fitting for northern French and…
The Haight & Hayes Valley
The Haight's obligatory mid-bender stop for a hot slice. Pesto with roasted garlic and potato will send you blissfully off to carbo-loaded sleep, but the…
The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill
Find a seat on the pier at rickety umbrella tables for Bloody Marys and people-watching, and do it fast – once the Warriors stadium is finished 50 feet…
Heart of the City Farmers Market
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
Bringing farm freshness to the city's concrete-paved center since 1981, this nonprofit, farmer-operated market is on a mission to provide local,…
North Beach & Chinatown
Once an old boys' club, this modern, women-owned bistro makes cheeky California updates to continental classics: Kobe beef tartare with duck liver pâté on…
San Francisco
Yes, there's a wait, but do you see anyone walking away? Blame it on fragrant moh hinga (catfish curry), tangy vegetarian samusa soup, and traditional…
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
Eureka! Wedged between brokerage firms under the glowing sign that says Au (the periodic-table symbol for gold) is an elusive FiDi find: a memorable lunch…
San Francisco
Warm up on Golden Gate Park's south side with South Indian fare in a low-lit storefront bistro. The house specialty is paper dosa, a massive crispy lentil…
San Francisco
Since 1977, Anchor has been Castro's port of call for sustainably sourced local oysters, Dungeness crab, seafood salads, and San Francisco cioppino …
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
Ever get a sushi craving, but you're hungry enough for a burrito? Join the crowd at Sushirrito, where fresh Latin and Asian ingredients are rolled in rice…
North Beach & Chinatown
Decadent cravings worthy of a William S Burroughs novel are satisfied by this patio pub tucked between XXX entertainment venues. For brunch, the free…
Marin County
The oh-so-English Pelican Inn lures in visitors almost as much as the beach itself. Hikers, cyclists and families come for pub lunches inside its dark,…
San Francisco
With a wink and a nod at the Scandinavian sailors who settled the Castro, Finn Town serves hearty, hangover-relieving American classics – duck confit hash…
Oakland
Hopscotch's premise is quintessentially California: upscale American diner food with a Japanese twist, and seasonal cocktails. The diner/Japanese marriage…
The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
The ideal refueling spot while you're browsing Union St boutiques. Follow your salads and house-made soups with rich organic polenta with gorgonzola and…
San Francisco
Date night awaits up Nob Hill and down the stairs. To make your grand entrance to Venticello's two-story-high dining room, you descend via a staircase –…
The Haight & Hayes Valley
Quit pretending you're considering the sensible Niçoise salad and go for the restorative brunch everyone needs mid-shopping spree: buckwheat crepes…
Marin County
This scruffy joint hiding under Hwy 101 is where local Latinos go for cheap, authentic Mexican fare. The tacos are tasty, burritos huge and the stews –…
San Jose
Located in San Jose's tiny Japantown, this fun Hawaii-themed bar serves filling island-style plate meals (sesame chicken is da best) and pupus (snacks or…
San Jose
A bustling Mexican place specializing in parrilladas (grilled meat, seafood and vegetables served on a cast iron dish and meant to be eaten family style),…
San Jose
Jamaican jerk chicken, pork, salmon and tofu are the house specialties of this beloved Caribbean-barbecue kitchen, which also fries catfish, snapper and…
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
Lets be clear: the quality of the food isn't really the point here. The point is that you're eating something in San Francisco, the place has existed in…
Marin County
Book a romantic table at sunset for riveting views of Angel Island, the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco. Caprice mostly features mediocre surf ‘n’…
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
Mom and the cooks shout at each other in Thai, hardly anyone speaks English and the room is grungy, but the tangy-hot home-style cooking hits the spot on…
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
For a business lunch in an elegant space defined by a sky-high ceiling and classy in-laid brick, Salt House offers delectable meals of pork ramen with…
The Peninsula
Pull over to this roadside coastal-view haven for hearty barbecue plates and sandwiches to wash down with beers brewed on the premises. Self-proclaimed …
Oakland
A warehouse-sized space in Uptown, this social gathering spot is just as good for date night as it is for groups getting ready for a night out. Peruse the…
The Haight & Hayes Valley
Find moments of clarity on foggy Hayes Valley nights with restorative, eye-opening bowls of proper ramen. Housemade broth brings bottomless flavor to…
San Francisco
When windy Ocean Beach leaves you feeling shipwrecked, drift into this chic beach bistro for organic Californian comfort food. Brunch demands Dutch…
Japantown, Fillmore & Pacific Heights
The Fillmore may be foggy, but your lips will feel tropical heat at Isla Vida. Chef Jay Brown lives up to his soul food reputation with savory, fluffy…
The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill
Paula Tejeda bakes empanadas fresh daily at her deli in the Mission's historic 1915 Redstone Labor Temple (check out the murals inside). Her savory pocket…
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
The name is a throw-down of pizza credentials – '00' flour is the secret to puffy-edged Neapolitan crust – and these pies deliver on that promise, with…
Excelsior
This is a true Filipino eatery, where the clientele show up as big family groups and eat their silog (garlic fried rice), sisig (marinated pork and…
