San Francisco Bites

Located in the SoMa neighborhood of San Francisco, Marlowe's is a great little neighborhood spot with delicious burgers and a wide beer selection. But one treat they are known for are their Brussels sprout chips—they'll turn any veggie hater into...

You could walk right by this incredibly popular restaurant on Mission Street and not even be able to tell what it was, thanks to the misleading “Lung Shan Restaurant” sign out front. What will tip you off? The incredibly long lines of San...

At the restaurant Nopa in San Francisco's Western Addition, the long bar and communal tables are perfect places to perch on a weeknight. Go early, order an elderflower gimlet or a sparkling, minty Old Cuban (both off-menu). Don't miss the Mission...

For a chic stop on a San Francisco tour, take the Neiman Marcus elevator to the fourth floor and dine at The Rotunda. The lunch menu is varied and contains "light" options for the ladies who lunch. Travelers can revel in a quiet respite just off...

Ok, Chinatown isn't exactly Hong Kong, but they have some pretty nice dimsum in SF Chinatown, if you go to the right places. Also, the eats are cheap, so if you like dimsum, or if you've never had it, be sure to try it in SF Chinatown, the biggest...

There were seven of us having a fly-in family dinner at the Park Tavern in North Beach on the edge of Washington Square Park. Greg, who lives within walking distance, said it was one of his favorite restaurants. I now see why. All the food was...

Cotogna is dangerously close to the AFAR Media offices. This rustic sister restaurant to Quince opened last year, and the roomy bar is a cozy place to sit mid-day with a double espresso served neat in a Heath Ceramics cup. The pastas are all...

Outerlands is an Outer Sunset institution. The small restaurant near Ocean Beach serves local, organic cuisine in a rustic-chic setting. Covered floor-to-ceiling in warm, rough-hewn wood, the interior invites lingering over an artisan cocktail or...

Can't beat a buck for an Oyster! Hogs and Rocks is a great happy hour haunt in the mission. Super lively and fun. I shouldn't be telling you all this!

Head to Magnolia Gastropub & Brewery on any night of the week and you’ll find nothing but Haight locals. For the past 16 years, Magnolia has been brewing their beers in a small space directly below the restaurant, but they’ve recently expanded to...

The owners wanted a neighborhood pizza joint like they had growing up in Boston. The Dimitri is a pie they named after the guy who runs Noriega Produce up the road. It has every crazy thing on it: sausage, pepperoni,mushrooms, garlic. The bar...

For a spicy, Southern brunch, check out the Elite Cafe in San Francisco's Pacific Heights. The fans move slow, the eggs benedict is covered in ham hocks, and there are 5 different types of Tabasco sauce on the table.

There is always time for a cheese plate, especially at Say Cheese. Sample away at cheeses with ingredients like "triple cream" and "made with the finest goat's milk in France." Say Cheese has a cheese cooler packed with all shades of cheese—they...

There are many excellent restaurants in Florence, but this one was recommended to me by a local, and I'm so glad it was. Alessandro, the chef, recently returned after working in New York City for eight years. Located on a small street near the...

This Korean restaurant is hidden behind a garage. My impression was that it was some underground nightclub that had Korean food. It’s actually just a Korean restaurant that’s open late. The restaurant isn’t even behind the garage – the kitchen is!...

Some hot coffee, clam chowder and fresh bread - then on to the next meeting.... Tip: Go at a time of year and day when less tourists abound, and enjoy the classic outside if fortunate enough to have sunshine and get a table.

There's nothing more San Fransisco (or hipster) than buying a margharita (with pepperoni) and taking it to Dolores Park for some prime people watching. It may be easier than getting a seat in the restaurant. Don't forget the chilli flakes! How I...

This is all you need to know about the House of Nanking: If you've never been, the owner will take your menus and just start serving you food. It's an experience I'll never forget! The food is plentiful and delicious! Bonus: it's right around the...

Named after Chef Melissa Perello’s grandmother, Frances is a neighborhood fine-dining restaurant where the focus is on simple but elegant cuisine that lets the Northern California ingredients shine. The restaurant is only open for dinner and...

You'll get a taste of Lousiana in Brenda's cladenstine location which lies in the heart of the Tenderloin District. Worry not, you'll see hungry brunchers congregating outside. Once in, it's all about those beignets (including a crawfish flavour!)...

The Crème Brûlée Cart has three locations in SF, the most convenient location being in the financial district at Market and Sansome. Their first bricks and motar location is on Folsom. The cart also makes appearances at food truck events like Off...

Roam Artisan Burgers on Union Street in San Francisco is not your typical burger joint. The interiors are an artsy blend of wood, glass, and recycled fixtures and burgers can be made with a beef, turkey, veggie, bison, or elk patty. I can vouch...

The chef behind the open-hearth fire at Saison described this nasturtium wrap as the best taco in San Francisco. He could be right. The wrap may have been the most beautiful dish from Josh Skenes's tasting menu, but my highlight was a tuna...

If their New American–style brunch and dinner menus don’t tempt you to Bar Agricole, in SOMA, maybe their recent James Beard Award nomination for Outstanding Bar Program will. Cocktails run at $11 across the board, and head bartenders Thad Vogler...

Nicole Krasinski describes the novel concept of her restaurant State Bird Provisions as “dim sum and a great hors d’oeuvre party morphed into one experience.” She and her husband, chef Stuart Brioza, prepare beautifully executed...

Bun Mee recently opened near my house. Their Vietnamese sandwiches are just spicy enough, with the right amount of filling and at the right price. They also have great salads and sweet potato fries with curry aioli sauce. I've been having their...

Most dim sum places in the San Francisco Bay Area are pretty typical of what you can find in Asia, culture and all. And while I love authentic as much as the next person, there is a place that has elevated the art of the dumpling. I am not alone...

San Francisco gets a lot of great seafood and there are a ton of sushi restaurants, but when it comes to rolls there aren't that many places that knock your socks off. Blowfish Sushi to Die For in the Mission District will blow your mind with...

I crave this caramel-y roasted pork Banh Mi at Saigon Sandwich. The classic Vietnamese sandwich is on a fresh French baguette that is perfectly soft yet crispy, accompanied by fresh carrots, cucumbers, cilantro, and peppers, plus the most...

A San Franciscan watering hole since 1907, Comstock Saloon serves up classic cocktails (think Negronis and Manhattans) in the buzzing North Beach neighborhood. The bar is run by the bartending duo of Jeff Hollinger and Jonny Raglin, previously of...

The date-night dinner-and-a-movie standard has been taken to a new stylish height at this acclaimed restaurant in the Mission District. Grab a table on the patio under the strings of lights to dine on seasonal California cuisine while...

Wondering where to have a delicious Burger in a super local spot? Definitely check this out. Quentin Tarantino came here already three times. What are you waiting for?

This place is tiny, but it's one of my favorite places in my neighborhood. The menu is small so there are only a few choices, but no matter what you get, you'll be happy. Make sure to try the iced coffee. It's made with chicory, the way it's done...

This little bright and sunny restaurant in Potrero Hill serves seasonal and local food with an Italian influence. There is a little terrace outside that will give you a wonderful view of the city. Great wine list and daily specials, it's perfect...

Located in a former army barracks in San Francisco's Presidio, the Presidio Social Club is open for lunch and dinner. Here you'll find classic American dishes including mac 'n cheese, grilled chicken sandwiches, meat loaf, pot pies...all the...

God, I love this place. Like, I seriously LOVE it. Its central location and hip ambiance make it a great destination kind of spot. Grab drinks during happy hour then hit this place up...then grab more drinks! There are plenty of bars in the area...

I'm a self-proclaimed sushi snob on a mission to discover the best sushi in San Francisco. You know, the kind that melts in your mouth like butter. The bar of excellence: An airport sushi restaurant in Tokyo. I want my sushi to taste like THAT...

Really great food at a reasonable price especially for San Francisco. ( price that is). So if your are around this area of SF, do try you won't be disappointed.

A yam sandwich? Yes. I was skeptical too, but now I’m hooked. On certain days, it’s impossible deciding if I’m in the mood for a sweet, sour or savory meal. Even more difficult is deciding whether I’m craving the comfort of something warm- perfect...

Hollywood Cafe may be a short stones throw away from tourist filled fisherman's wharf but their meals are good enough to have locals coming back for more. The restaurant is small and the line may be long but I find it is all worth it when I dive...

I had driven by Tal-y-Tara many times taking notice of the horse statue out front and knowing I would have to stop there for tea one day. By now I have been there multiple times. They have an extensive and wonderful tea list to please ever tea...

You couldn't find a union more perfect if you tried. Bread wizard Josey Baker, who mastered the art of crafting whole wheat flour into complex, delicious loaves of bread, joins Jeremy Tooker of Four Barrel Coffee, one of the city's infamous third...

Skool restaurant in San Francisco is a double entendre. It serves mainly fish (which swim in schools) and there is a classroom theme to their menus and other touches. Located in the furniture district and owned by two married couples, one French...

Even if the food wasn't exceptional—and it is—I would come to Basil Canteen. The restaurant in San Francisco's SOMA area is gorgeous. Located in the historical Jackson Brewery building, they have kept the original architectural details of the...

With no sign above its unassuming storefront, Tartine is most easily recognized by the line that snakes out its door and down Guerrero Street. People patiently wait for flaky pains au chocolat (the best outside Paris, in my opinion), decadent...

I may move to San Francisco, for the sole reason of being close to Sushi Bistro. Just a few blocks from Golden Gate Park on Balboa Street, the restaurant looks unassuming from the outside. But, once you open the menu, you'll enter a world of...

This is an excellent place for brunch in Potrero Hill and more than worth the wait for a table, that you may find on a weekend morning. The two founders not only have a passion for food, as you can see from the cool exterior seating, they also...

For traditional German food in a cozy setting reminiscent of a traditional Bavarian Wirsthaus, you can’t beat Suppenküche in Hayes Valley. Owner Fabrizio Wiest, who was born and raised in Germany, worked as a graphic designer before he moved to ...

With its community tables and small bites, Barbacco serves great Italian food meant for sharing. They have a large bruschetta menu that can make up a whole meal if you try every one—easier to do than it might seem, since it's so difficult to...

I stumbled upon Ramen Underground on a cold Friday night after a movie. There is no sign on the building, (I'm guessing this is the underground part), but a line out the door of customers waiting to be seated in the cozy interior told me that I...

I like the informality of this San Francisco restaurant. The food is always good and the staff always friendly. The menu has a Southern influence so you can expect to see barbecue shrimp, gumbo, hush puppies, and of course fried chicken. It’s not...

With killer views of the waves crashing onto Ocean Beach, the Beach Chalet Brewery & Restaurant is one of the best places to grab a bite and watch the sunset in San Francisco. Before its current incarnation, the 1925 Spanish revival building...

El Mansour is a destination kind of place! It's really fun for big groups and special occasions. Not only is the food delicious, but the atmosphere is lively. The inside looks like a big Moroccan tent...And! There's belly dancers!

By far one of my favorite dining experiences in San Francisco, Credo gets its name from the Latin phrase "I believe". The restaurant's mantra is brought to life by dozens of colorful quotes from 'believers' ranging from Mae West to Steve Jobs that...

The artic char tacos were a tough choice, but we had to decide. The waitress had a very patient look on her face as we went back and forth from the the list of eight gourmet and very California-meets-Mexico tacos. The meat choices alone were...

Gott's is your standard roadside diner, except your burgers can be accompanied by Sauvignon Blanc and a blueberry milkshake. Ahi tuna might appear in that bun. Fries and onion rings are highly recommended, as are the fish tacos. Plenty of outdoor...

The Mission, San Francisco’s vibrant Hispanic neighborhood, has no shortage of taquerias. Choosing one can be difficult, but if you want a trip-worthy tortilla, head to La Palma. Located at 24th and Florida streets, La Palma is the only place in ...

The Wise Sons Deli menu claims that the Matzo Ball soup is "better than your Bubbies" I didn't have a Bubbie, but I did have this soup and it was...delicious. Savory broth with dill and the big ball had the consistency of polenta. My friend has...

Locanda’s reputation for authentic Roman food and fresh, local ingredients was already established long before it opened in 2005; this is, after all, a part of the small group of renowned restaurants opened by Craig and Annie Stoll of Delfina,...

Wednesday through Friday from 11:30 AM to 2:15 PM, Chef Leslie Carr Avalos' Universal Cafe is a great place for a week day brunch, if you can't quite wait to get to the weekend. You'll find indoor and outdoor seating in an inviting space that...

They had me at the yellow building. I love wandering the Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco and both Piccino restaurant and separate coffee bar, are lovely places to gather. The coffee bar on 22nd Street serves carefully crafted Sightglass...

I don't really know a lot about Peruvian food, but I do know that I want to know more and eat more of it. We had some delicious appetizers - the calamari was great. I don't remember the name of the dish, but it was a type a steak sautéed with...

Okay so it is a little cheesy to have Pinocchio marionettes dangling lifeless from a bar light fixture but after returning from Italy I was in the mood for fresh pasta and people watching and in no mood to judge. Trattoria Pinocchio is reasonably...

Located in historic Rincon Center, this little spot has a great offering of Southern African food, which is fairly hard to find in San Francisco. Amawele means twins and the two sisters who created this lunch spot have designed a great menu of...

Anchor & Hope is a great seafood restaurant located on the SoMa/FiDi border in downtown San Francisco. Specializing in seafood, I love to visit them for oysters and beer after work. They have yummy house made fries and a killer lobster roll. The...

With over 1300 reviews on Yelp, an appearance on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations, and a line that often snakes down the block, I won’t try to argue that Swan Oyster Depot is one of San Francisco’s best kept secrets. But I will...

It's late and you're moving between SOMA bars. Perhaps it's moving from Bloodhound to Raven to get your groove on. Or maybe it's vice versa to slow down into one of those Bloodhound old-fashioneds. Or maybe you're just ready to go home. When you...

If you're craving a delicious lunch before tackling Haight Ashbury or a little Mexican food after drinking all day at the Toronado, I recommend walking a few blocks down Divisadero and stopping at the Little Chihuahua Mexican Restaurant. Long a...

Ohhh i love this restaurant! It is a little gem tucked up at the top of the hill in Noe Valley- a tiny bit off the beaten track, this place is always offering a wonderful, warm atmosphere with a fantastic seasonal menu. Literally everything we...

Roka Akor, the newest restaurant to bring robata to San Francisco, recently opened in Jackson Square. There are other locations in Scottsdale and London. The San Francisco space—built out in beautiful wood and concrete—revolves around an open...

I am a big fan of fried chicken so I am always on the hunt for the good stuff. In San Francisco one of those spots is Farmer Brown's Little Skillet in SoMa. This tiny little spot in an alley attracts long lines for their fried chicken and waffles...

One of my favourite soups in Vietnam is a crab-and-tomato broth called Bun Rieu. I was thrilled to find in San Francisco, at a tiny stall called Soup Junkie. Don't miss his pho (flavourful broth, minimal accoutrements), and on Thursdays his banh...

I was not a fan of Miss Saigon's pho soups but their bun thit nuong was worth a shot, with thinly sliced pork and the required herbs and lettuce and noodles to boot. Easy to access from the main shopping area, and right off the BART.

Wayfare Tavern offers American dishes inspired by local cuisine at the turn of the century—pub food at its best! Located in San Francisco's Financial District, this spot is covered from wall to wall with business suits at lunch, so get there...

Traci Des Jardins' Jardinière in the Civic Center area of San Francisco serves California cuisine with a French touch. The restaurant is in a beautiful landmark building with a gorgeous staircase and bar area that I could not stop admiring!...

You could eat at Bar Jules every day for a week and never eat the same thing twice—not only because you want to try everything, but also because the lunch and dinner menus change daily. This colorful cafe in Hayes Valley keeps their New...

A bit of a holdover from days gone by, this is still a favorite spot. Delicious food (especially the Bo Luk Lac) and cocktails in a setting that makes you want to laze the night away...tucked down an alley on the edge of the Tenderloin and Union...

Some of the best pasta outside of Italy done with that San Francisco farm-to-table vibe drizzled on top...almost impossible to book, best bet is to show up early and hope for space at the bar while you enjoy a glass of wine and chat with other...

On a regular old Sunday, a crew of friends on photo safari stumbled into this hidden Dogpatch gem for creative cocktails and a diverse, fresh, and local offering of brunch items. The scents rolling out into the street drew us in, but the service,...

So they’re called Rip Van Wafels, my friends. And they are Rip Van Wawesome. What are they exactly? Delectable disks of caramel-filled waffles the size of your Heinekin coaster. These cookies were created by “Rip” an Amsterdamian who started...

In a city renowned for its "gastro-this" and "fusion-that," it was a surprise that my decadent waterfront meal at the Americano ended with a simple dessert. Simple, I soon learned, only at first glance. What looks like a standard ice cream...

Located in San Francisco's foggy Sunset District, Han IL Kwan's spicy Korean food hits the spot. Whether you are visiting the cliffs or the zoo, this neighborhood restaurant is the perfect end to a day. Parking is a bit difficult but you will see...

There's no need to fly all the way to Italy to try the pie that earned first place at the 2007 World Pizza Cup. Just head to North Beach and Tony's Pizza Napoletana, where chef-owner Tony Gemignani was the first American to win the...