The Complete Guide to Eating and Drinking in San Francisco (2024)

San Francisco has Mission-style burritos, Dungeness crab, and sourdough bread bowls the size of a kiddie pool, so there’s no shortage of unforgettable dining experiences to be had in this foggy city by the bay. Even if you’re committed to the idea of tying on a plastic bib and digging into a bowl of cioppino at one of San Francisco’s over-the-top tourist traps, we’ve got resources to help. But for those discerning diners who want to find where locals really eat, this guide unearths the city’s true treasures.

Welcome to San Francisco

The elegant red lines of the Golden Gate Bridge have long served to welcome newcomers to San Francisco and the West, where myriad cultures commingle and coexist in this 7-by-7 metropolis. The result? A culinary wonderland crammed into a remarkably small space — a place where you can marvel at La Taqueria’s iconic rice-free burritos in the Mission, and be not more than four miles from the oldest Chinatown in America with its century-old institutions. In North Beach, family-run Liguria Bakery still serves massive sheets of focaccia 113 years after it first opened its doors, and just a couple of miles away in the shadow of Japantown’s Peace Pagoda, pristine sushi, and steaming bowls of ramen abound. This is a city with award-winning Burmese dining, exquisite croissants, and vibrant Malaysian cuisine.

As you know, Eater puts out tons of maps detailing the best places, food, and drink in the Bay Area. Below, we cherry-pick the top one or two points on our most popular maps to help time-starved eaters prioritize which spots to visit.

Hot Restaurants

Of all the new restaurants to enter the San Francisco dining scene in recent months, the most exciting include the debut of Little Original Joe’s in the Marina, from the same family that owns Original Joe’s in North Beach and Elena’s, a new Mexican restaurant that’s been a hit in the West Portal neighborhood since its debut in early 2024. At Little Original Joe’s, expect a beautiful restaurant with plush banquettes, hearty pasta dishes like Joe’s house-made meat ravioli, pizzas, and five styles of parmigiana, including a prosciutto with spicy vodka sauce version.

Down the street, Tiya debuted in early May from chefs (and brothers) Sujan and Pujan Sarkar, and the restaurant puts a California spin on Indian cuisine. There are both a la carte and prix fixe menu options and dishes feature produce from small local producers, meaning there will be updates to the menu as the seasons change. For the summer, expect to see bites such as an elegant pani puri decorated in flowers and filled with bright passionfruit water; duck seekh kebabs with apricot and chile chutney; and a standout butter chicken with smoked red pepper makhani. There’s even a vegan tasting menu for those who are interested.

Dalida, a gorgeous new Eastern European restaurant overlooks the Presidio’s Main Parade Lawn. Owners and co-chefs Laura and Sayat Ozyilmaz, who opened Noosh before splitting with the restaurant in 2019, draw inspiration from Sayat’s home country of Turkey to create a menu that blends California ingredients and sensibilities with Mediterranean cooking traditions. Don’t skip the uni-topped tahdig, octopus and sujuk, freshly baked bread, and Middle Eastern pasta dishes.

Patricia Chang

Patricia Chang

Essential Restaurants

If you need to narrow down the Essential 38, splurge on a meal at the Progress, the restaurant from acclaimed chefs Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski. While perhaps their restaurant State Bird Provisions first garnered attention for the couple — and deservedly so — the Progress is their restaurant ambitions fully realized. The restaurant features powerful dishes and strong techniques, such as their showstopper duck and a not-so-secret off-menu hot dog that walks the line between casual (read: hot dog) and fancy (it comes in a house-made milk bread bun and is topped with bonito, fried shallot, garlic, and more). Out in the Mission, drop into Rintaro, a local favorite from chef Sylvan Brackett. If the weather’s right sit on the outdoor patio of this Japanese izakaya and enjoy bites from their charcoal grill, like the kanpachi kama, or yellowtail amberjack collar, or snag an order of beautifully sliced sashimi. For an old-school experience, head over to House of Prime Rib, where chefs in toques carve meat on carts that roam the dining room and martinis are the “specialty co*cktail.” And don’t forget to lunch at Zuni Cafe for the single most classic dining experience in town. The famous roast chicken is a must.

Pizza

Pizzetta 211 is the gem of the pizza map. But there’s a whole slew of hot and fresh newcomers that showcase the depth of the San Francisco pizza scene with a range of styles to try. At Outta Sight, grab a floppy New York-style slice and keep your eyes peeled for specials like vodka or al pastor pies. Meanwhile, at Square Pie Guys in SoMa or Ghirardelli Square, it’s all about the crispy-edged Detroit-style pizzas. Don’t forget to order the ranch trio and, if you have room, the excellent Szechuan wings. For a classic experience, head to Golden Boy for a thick slab of Sicilian style that’s best enjoyed at nearby Washington Square Park. At Tony’s in North Beach, you can even gather up a group of up to six friends and indulge in a pizza tasting menu that spans seven styles of pie.

Ice Cream

If you must narrow down the ice cream map, the pro move is to hit Bi-Rite Creamery for a scoop of something hand-made and seasonal and then take your treat to Dolores Park. At the Ferry Building, Humphry Slocombe rocks the more esoteric flavors, including “secret breakfast,” made with bourbon and cornflakes. For a classic experience, try Mitchell’s Ice Cream in the Mission, where you’ll find yourself surrounded by real ones who know to delve deep into the Mitchell’s menu, ordering flavors such as halo halo, a take on the classic Filipino dessert, or Tropical Four, a mix of banana, guava, mango, and pineapple flavors.

Sushi

The most essential sushi spot on our sushi map is Akikos, which relocated to a sleek new space, ushering the longstanding restaurant into an elegant new era. Temaki, or hand rolls, are still popular in the Bay Area, but there’s perhaps no better place to get a taste than at this counter spot from the team behind Michelin-starred Ju-Ni. For a San Francisco take on sushi, complete with local fish and a hip interior, check out Robin in Hayes Valley — and because, of course, there are also several sushi options for vegan and vegetarian diners including standard-bearer Shizen and newcomer Chīsai Sushi Club, which offers top-notch vegetarian omakase.

Beer

If you only go to one Bay Area brewery, know that Cellarmaker is the San Francisco-born microbrewery aficionados return to again and again. The SoMa brewery closed in late 2022, but you can still get a pint at Cellarmaker’s House of Pizza in Bernal Heights. Meanwhile, the Howard Street space is now home to a new iteration of the historic San Francisco brewery Enterprise. If you’re downtown and wandering through Salesforce Park, the elevated rooftop gardens along Mission Street, have an outdoor beer moment with Barebottle Brew Co. and their new beer garden.

Bars

Start with these 12 co*cktail bars, compiled by our companion publication Punch, which range from Mission stalwarts to tropical co*cktail havens to true industry darlings.

Then head to the underground drinking den the Felix or the sky-high and uber swanky new Starlite, both near Union Square, for a taste of San Francisco’s vibrant downtown bar scene. At the Felix, a speakeasy-style entry gives way to a loungey space often filled with loud music and a high-energy crowd. Drinks pull in Asian ingredients including lychee, chrysanthemum, and makrut lime. If you want to try one of San Francisco’s hottest bars, rooftop bar Cavaña in Mission Bay offers an impressive selection of spirits made throughout Latin American countries — or opt for a more classic experience at House of Shields, a more than 100-year-old institution. Looking for something with more style? In the Mission, try True Laurel for a world-class co*cktail experience (and a patty melt that will blow your mind) or the charming new Bar Gemini for natural wine with bites by a Michelin-recognized restaurant.

True Laurel

Outdoor dining

Craving Chamorro cuisine on a lively covered patio? How about burgers and fries on the literal dock of the Bay? We’ve got suggestions for both the former and the latter on the outdoor dining map. And since we’re now in the era of permanent parklets in San Francisco, there is a handful worth going out of your way to see. California-Italian restaurant Cotogna might have the swankiest outdoor dining setup in town and Red Window’s colorful outdoor dining set up on Columbus wins points for atmosphere and views of the city lights at night.

For a city that’s only seven miles by seven miles, San Francisco has so many amazing neighborhoods, each with a slightly different food scene. But here are a few particularly tempting areas to start — complete with what to eat and drink in each.

North Beach:

Despite its well-deserved reputation as a historic “Italian immigrant” food neighborhood, you’re not going to find the city’s best pasta in North Beach — hit up Flour + Water for that, though the restaurant also operates its new pizzeria on Columbus. But North Beach has nooks to explore and old-school charm to spare. Stop for a coffee at Caffe Trieste, a cannoli at Stella Pastry, and a beer at the Saloon, which claims to be the oldest bar in the city. If you come hungry for Italian-American fare, get the cioppino at Sotto Mare or the pizza from Tony’s Pizza Napoletana. If you’re patient and don’t mind placing a reservation over the phone, old-school spot Cafe Jacqueline is still a favorite for its cloud-like souffles. Also: you will not find focaccia better than the freshly baked slabs coming out of Liguria Bakery. Finally, for a nightcap, you must head to Vesuvio, a Beatnik favorite.

The Mission:

In the late 1990s, the Mission’s dining scene was just getting onto the map. Now, the Mission’s exploding dining scene is home to our city's most renowned restaurants: Places like Lazy Bear, Prubechu, Foreign Cinema, and buzzy newcomer Piglet and Co. Not to mention taquerias. Walk down 24th Street to get a taste of the neighborhood's Mexican foundation. Stroll Valencia Street to bask in hip-yet-pricey chocolate bars, smoothies, and co*cktails. The ideal day starts with a morning bun or some croissant variation at Tartine Bakery, continues on to a perfect smash burger at Wesburger or a top-notch sandwich from chef Charles Phan’s Chuck’s Takeaway, followed with a pit stop at the El Gallo Giro taco truck. Grab drinks at a classic like the award-winning Trick Dog or chill on the back patio of Casem*nts, a modern take on an Irish pub.

What about the East Bay?

Patricia Chang

Real ones know the truth: Some of the most exciting dining in the Bay Area can be found on the other side of the bridge in the East Bay. Look beyond just the classics, includingChez Panisse, which continues to holdbragging rights as a pioneer in the California cuisine movement. Check out the essential restaurants of the East Bay for favorites like Lulu, a sunny spot for California-Palestinan brunch, andSoba Ichi, the only restaurant in the Bay area making buckwheat soba noodles from scratch. The East Bay dining scene also offers plenty of hot new spots to try — the Salty Pearl brings oysters close to Oakland’s Jack London Square area, Edith’s Pie now serves sweet and savory pies from morning to night, and Burdell aims to redefine soul food for California diners.

Chinatown:

The oldest and largest Chinatown in the country, San Francisco’s Chinatown attracts throngs of tourists through the Dragon’s Gate, and it’s a true food destination. Grant Avenue is the main pedestrian thoroughfare, and while you wander around the shops, munch on barbecue pork buns from Washington Bakery. For classic Chinese American restaurants with white tablecloths, lazy susans, and dim sum carts, try Sam Wo, , or City View. But there have also been several new-school restaurants opened in recent years: Michelin-starred Mister Jiu’s, massive emporium China Live, and Four Kings, which has made waves for its nostalgia-inducing Hong Kong food. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch egg tart standard bearer Golden Gate Bakery during its ever-changing business hours.

The Richmond & the Sunset:

“The Avenues,” as locals refer to the Golden Gate Park sandwich made by these two adjacent hoods, are beloved holdouts from “old San Francisco” — before Square, Facebook, and Uber were running everyone's lives. You’ll find another excellent enclave of Chinese food, along with pockets of classic Russian, Korean, and Japanese foods. It’d be easy to spend an entire day eating your way through the neighborhood like a local. If you’ve got less time than that: In the Richmond, north of the park, fans of dim sum should troll Clement Street with a portable dumpling from Good Luck Dim Sum in hand, hit Cinderella Bakery for meaty piroshki, or sit down for dinner at Pasta Supply Co., a refreshingly affordable option for fresh pasta and fun wine; whatever you do, don’t miss the iconic kaya toast and other beautiful baked goods at Breadbelly. In the Sunset, south of the park, Fiorella’s Sunset outpost sports a secret rooftop patio perfect for enjoying pizza and pasta, Palm City is a Philly-style hoagie destination, and Andytown is your stop for a hot coffee to bring to the often-foggy beach.

Glossary of San Francisco Food Terms

Mission-style burrito:

A flour tortilla wrapped around various and (sometimes) sundry combinations of meat, cheese, beans, and rice. Always wrapped in tin foil. Usually a gut bomb.

Boudin:

The first San Francisco brand to apply French bread technique to the region’s native sourdough yeast (c. 1849), Boudin now makes loaves in the shapes of lobsters and crabs for San Francisco beginners to ogle on Fisherman’s Wharf. Mostly in malls, airports, and other touristy places, they make a mean soup bread bowl too.

Brandon Jew:

Hometown hero and winner of the 2022 James Beard Award for Best Chef: California Brandon Jew is, of course, the name behind Chinatown fine dining destination Mister Jiu’s but he also offers up Mamahuhu, a counter service spot where he gives Cantonese-American classics like sweet-and-sour chicken and beef and broccoli the care and quality ingredients they deserve. To dine at Michelin-starred Mister Jiu’s is to fall in love with America’s oldest Chinatown.

Dominique Crenn:

Since opening her three-Michelin-starred namesake, Atelier Crenn, the French chef has shot to stardom. She has since filmed an episode of Chef’s Table on Netflix, opened her casual restaurant Petit Crenn, and debuted Bar Crenn, an upscale wine bar serving the recipes of French masters next door to Atelier Crenn. For the time being, Petit Crenn remains closed.

Dutch Crunch:

Little-known outside of Northern California, this is a prized sandwich bread among locals. It’s dense and doughy with a crunchy, crackly top — the result of a coating of rice flour, butter, sugar, and yeast before it’s baked. The result is a semi-sweet, crisp exterior with a fluffy interior that’s perfect for any and all sandwich combinations.

Parklet:

If you’ve been here for more than a minute you’ve probably noticed one of these structures sitting in a parking lot or spilling out from the sidewalk and into the street. These outdoor dining and drinking spaces started as an emergency measure during the pandemic but are now allowed to exist permanently thanks to Mayor London Breed’s Shared Spaces program.

Tartine:

Starting with the original Tartine Bakery on Guerrero Street, co-founders Chad Robertson and Liz Prueitt are expanding their empire in the Bay Area and beyond (a bakery in Seoul now serves morning buns in Korea). Tartine Manufactory is the biggest and brightest so far, with beautiful breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and bread, pastries, and coffee all day.

Xiao Long Bao:

These little dumplings, also known as soup dumplings, are thin-skinned darlings filled with meat and broth. Most frequently served at dim sum restaurants, they’re a Bay Area favorite from Chinatown to the Inner Richmond and beyond. One of the city’s favorites is Yank Sing, though many argue that China Live is the new XLB hot spot. Here’s a list of dumpling destinations around town.

Reservations to Make in Advance

Californios, Chez Panisse, House of Prime Rib, Lazy Bear, Good Good Culture Club, Mourad, Nari, Nopa (brunch), Rich Table, San Ho Wan, Zuni Cafe

Follow the Stars

Though Michelin stars aren’t always the end-all, be-all of restaurant ratings, they’re still a good indication of what’s hot and high-quality. Northern California currently boasts an impressive 52 Michelin-starred restaurants from Mendocino’s Harbor House Inn to Aubergine the restaurant at L’Auberge Carmel. If you’re looking to find a more affordable but still Michelin-approved meal, try one of the 65 — yes, you read that right — Michelin Bib Gourmands, which includes options as far east as the Sacramento suburbs.

Head Out of Town

If San Francisco is only one stop on your itinerary, here are some guides to help you find gems in Half Moon Bay, Sacramento, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Carmel. Of course, wine country is also just a short drive away and whether you’re looking to tour a one-of-a-kind wine cave or for a wine tasting that comes with an excellent dining experience, we’ve got you covered. Don’t miss Napa Valley’s impressive restaurant scene, the drive-worth dining in Sonoma, or the backroad wineries of the Russian River Valley. For a more unexpected adventure head east to California Gold Country to find epic roadside pies, groundbreaking rural breweries, and the home of some of the oldest grapes in the country.

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