Must-see restaurants in San Francisco

  • Mama's

    North Beach & Chinatown

    Generations of North Beachers have entrusted the most important meal of the day to Mama and Papa Sanchez, whose sunny Victorian storefront diner has…

  • Tropisueño

    Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa

    Last time you enjoyed casual Mexican dining this much, there were probably balmy ocean breezes and hammocks involved. Instead, you're steps away from SoMa…

  • Iza Ramen

    The Haight & Hayes Valley

    Bay Area chef Ritsu Tsuchida caters to San Francisco's picky eaters with vegetarian miso ramen and tsukemen (noodles for dipping, not soaking in soup)…

  • 21st Amendment Brewery

    Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa

    Perfectly placed before Giants games, 21st Amendment brews stellar IPA and Hell or High Watermelon wheat beer. The vegetarian-friendly bar-and-grill menu …

  • Dinosaurs

    San Francisco

    Monster banh mi (Vietnamese sandwiches) stomp hunger with your choice of beef, lemongrass chicken, portobello, or pork with pâté on crusty French bread…

  • Tony's Coal-Fired Pizza & Slice House

    North Beach & Chinatown

    Fuggedaboudit, New York pizza loyalists: in San Francisco, you can grab a cheesy, thin-crust slice from nine-time world-champion pizza-slinger Tony…

  • Cockscomb

    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…

  • Union Larder

    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…

  • El Tonayense Taco Truck

    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…

  • 4505 Burgers & BBQ

    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…

  • Pretty Please Bakeshop

    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…

  • Mission Chinese

    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…

  • Bun Mee

    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…

  • Escape from New York Pizza

    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…

  • Belga

    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…

  • Ramp

    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…

  • Park Tavern

    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…

  • 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,…

  • Burma Superstar

    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…

  • Golden West

    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…

  • Masala Dosa

    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…

  • Anchor Oyster Bar

    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 …

  • Sushirrito

    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…

  • Naked Lunch

    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…

  • Finn Town Tavern

    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…

  • Rose's Café

    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…

  • Venticello

    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 –…

  • Chez Maman West

    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…

  • Red's Java House

    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…

  • Sai Jai Thai

    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…

  • Salt House

    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…

  • Nojo Ramen Tavern

    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…

  • Outerlands

    San Francisco

    When windy Ocean Beach leaves you feeling shipwrecked, drift into this chic beach bistro for organic Californian comfort food. Brunch demands Dutch…

  • Chile Lindo

    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…

  • Zero Zero

    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…

  • Isla Vida

    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…

  • Pampanguena Cuisine

    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…

  • Super Duper Burger

    San Francisco

    Upgrade from drive-thru dinners at Super Duper, serving made-to-order burgers with top-quality, humanely raised beef, non-GMO fries, and dreamy milkshakes…

  • Lai Hong Lounge

    North Beach & Chinatown

    Like a greatest-hits album, Lai Hong's menu features remastered dim-sum classics: properly plump shrimp dumplings, crisp Peking duck, baked barbecue-pork…

  • Balboa Cafe

    The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers

    Equal parts bar and grill, Balboa is a mainstay for classic cooking in a pub operational since 1913. The decor retains an old-world look, with massive oak…

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