Has anyone recently been to San Francisco, that can tell us about a restaurant you loved? We've been there a number of times and have done the tourist things, both eating and sightseeing. We'd love new ideas for hidden gems.
We'll be taking public transportation and walking, not driving, and we love going to neighborhoods for good places. We're not vegetarians, have no food allergies, and are looking for good, but not fussy food (i.e. no foams or tiny food artfully placed.)
Thanks!
Not been recently, but House of Prime Rib on Van Ness. Tony Bourdain liked it, and so did I.
There are so many amazing places to eat in the city, it is hard to make recommendations without knowing your food preferences and budget. My favorite for a wonderful evening of California fusion food is Foreign Cinema in the Mission. It is housed in an old cinema and the play movies as you dine on an outdoor patio with lights twinkling overhead. Go at sunset or in the evening for the magic. You can see what movies are playing on their website.
If you provide more info on your budget and food preferences, I can make some other recommendations.
Love Thanh Long. All about the Dungeness crab!
Pricey and deservedly so.
KC ,
Tadich Grill on California St. is the oldest restaurant in SF. We went on a weeknight in January a few years back when they didn't take reservations, and our wait by the bar was entertaining. Customers happily mingled and conversed with each other while waiting for tables. All part of the friendly ambience. They now take reservations (somewhat recent change). Excellent old school steak and seafood menu. Great classic cocktails with a superior bar staff. Classy and classic service. It is one of our most memorable meals and we will happily return when in the city again. Right on the cable car line for California Street, but there are buses on California as well.
We also had fun wandering in the Ferry Bldg and picking up bread, pate, fruit and sweets from the vendors and at the farmer's market there. We sat on a bench watching the ferries arrive and depart as we ate lunch.
Definitely agree with Tadich Grill recommendation!
Thank you for these suggestions, everyone. I'm making a list and will report back after our October trip.
Slate, thanks for the reminder about the House of Prime Rib - we've gone a couple of times over the years and it was an excellent old-school place. Definitely on my list for this trip too.
Sandy, Foreign Cinema sounds exactly up our alley! I'll be checking that our for sure.
Our food preferences generally are American, Italian, French, Mexican, and Asian, but we are open to others. Price-wise, we're willing to spend up to $200 or so for a memorable evening, including a glass of wine, tax and tip.
Claudia, Thanh Long sounds fab! Will definitely look that one up.
Judy, I last went to Tadich Grill when I was in SF for work in my 30s. I am so happy it's still flourishing, and would love to go there again.
Also, the Ferry Bldg is an old fave, and since we are splurging on a room with a separate parlor, a picnic may well be in order.
When I was in SF for a conference last spring, my coworkers and I ate dinner at Hinodeya Ramen Bar several times. The outside is very unassuming, but the food is fantastic.
My other go-to restaurant in San Francisco is visiting the Buena Vista and having their Irish coffee. I usually end up having brunch there.
may not be there now, but my one magic chance would be Hang Ah Tea Room just off California in Chinatown. It has been a few years but very find memories.
My wife says the Golden Eagle. Don't know if they're still there either.
Little trip down memory lane....
If you like Chinese food: We love Dragon Beaux on Geary in the Richmond which has dim sum, hot pot and an à la carte menu. Reasonably priced, can be busy at times so you may want to make a reservation on line.
We also love Dim Sum Club on Taraval in the Sunset district. Both are favorites of local diners and both are easily accessible via public transit.
One of the highlights of our many trips to San Francisco is always the dining. Have a great trip!
Thanks KC for the clarification on your interests and budget. I will outline some of my favorites in the city. I am from the SF Bay Area, living 45 minutes from the City and go quite often.
Italian
For restaurants outside of North Beach my two favorites are (1) Seven Hills in Russian Hill is a farm-to-table Italian restaurant that is family run. Everything on the menu is amazing, the standouts are their house made pastas which are ~$30 and are large enough to share. (2) A16 in the Marina which has wood fired pizza’s excellent pastas and the best meatballs I have ever had, my husband hates meatballs and he loves these. The bonus of this area is that you are a short walk from the Marina and the Palace of Fine Arts, same price range as Seven Hills. (3) Flour & Water in the Mission, amazing pasta and pizza, very small and books early. A few minutes from Flour & Water is TrickDog an inventive cocktail bar with literary references.
In North Beach, so many great options, in fact, I have curated my own food tour from Chinatown to North Beach, DM me if you want me to send you a copy. Tony’s Pizza Napoletana run by the 13 time world Pizza champion. Pizza’s range from $29-38. Long lines, but absolutely worth the wait. Across from Tony’s is another Italian fixture, Original Joe’s. If you are in the mood for Cioppino, Sotto Mare in North Beach has the best in the City. Entrees range from $30 to $58 for the Cioppino. Also in North Beach is Molinari’s for amazing sandwiches and you can walk a few minutes to Washington Square Park to eat. In North Beach, we always go the cash only Cafe Trieste which was the first espresso coffee house on the west coast. If you are interested in a Comedy show, Cobbs is in North Beach, also City Lights Bookstore, home of the beat poets is in the same neighborhood as these restaurants.
Mexican + Bonus Recommendations
The best Mexican restaurants besides Californios (which is very expensive) are located in the Mission. A few of my favorites are Taqueria El Farolito which is a Mission institution and is very reasonable $10-$20, it is cash only. I also love Lolo which is a family owned Jaliscan restaurant with really inventive tapas. I love their ceviche, Spicy shrimp tacos with tropical relish service on jicama shells. They also have a great Tequila and Mescal selection, ranges you can eat well here for around $100. If you are in the Mission and want amazing bread, sandwiches and pastry, Tartine is the place to go. Also near Dolores Park is Bi-Rite Creamery, amazing ice cream, my favorite is the Snickerdoodle.
Asian
There are some amazing places in Chinatown, my favorite is Good Mong Kok for Dim Sum. They are take out only, but if you want to picnic, this is a great spot. Four Kings is legendary, but hard to get a reservation and a bit pricey. If you want an amazing wonton noodle soup, Hon’s Wun-Tun House is a walk-in only place that has been around for 40 years.
My favorite dim sum and Asian restaurants are on Clement street in the Outer Richmond. My favorite Dim Sum again is another take-out Good Luck Dim Sum also on Clement is Wing Lee Bakery. For something other than Chinese, you can try Burma SuperStar on Clement. I have been going here for more than 20 years. My favorite thing is the Tea Leaf Salad and the Burmese Curry. It is around ~$20-$30 per entree and everything is shareable.
Bonus: Tunnel Tops Park in the Presido is one of the best National Parks with stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge. They have a restaurant Il Parco that has sandwiches, salads that you can eat in a patio area or take to go and sit in the Adirondack chairs in the park looking at the Golden Gate. Also, there is a new food hall that has opened up recently in Presido which is next to the Tunnel Tops, it is getting rave reviews and if you want a few upscale fusion restaurant, Dalida is a good choice.
This is such great info - thank you, everyone. I appreciate the time you took to respond.
Special thanks to SandyO - intel from the locals is the best. I am excited to have a raft of places to choose from.
I like the Morris. Make sure you order their signature duck dish. I also like Rintaro, a Japanese izakaya. Bookings are a must.
Highly recommend Tommaso's for old school Italian.
For a great, reasonably-priced lunch near the wharf that doesn't feel like a tourist trap, try Codmother Fish & Chips.
barkinpark, thank you. I just looked up the Morris online, and seeing "neighborhood charmer in the Mission" made my eyes light up.
Thank you, nixit71. Tomassos is an old fave - I appreciate the reminder. And Codmother! Having a non-touristy fish option by the water will be lovely.
I've had several excellent high-end meals at Frances, which is in the Castro - expect $$$ and reservations necessary.
At the other end of the scale, Tony's Pizza is great - there is - or at least used to be - a carryout venue for slices around the corner.
Near Mission Dolores Park, Bi-Rite Market and Tartine Bakery - great for putting a picnic together to eat in the park.
I love Original Joe's, as was previously mentioned, as it feels like an old SF restaurant, great food, beautiful interior and bar, and always humming. The location is great in the middle of North Beach (and I recall a delicious butterscotch pudding they once had).
Thank you, markcw. Frances looks lovely. And I am always looking for good places to stock a picnic.
Thanks, DianeC. I have good memories of eating at Original Joe's when I was young - a return trip could be perfect.
Just a friendly reminder that, depending on your body's cold weather tolerance, do bring a jacket if you choose to sit outside. SF is always somewhat windy, even in summer.
Tony’s in North Beach is still good.
We like Scoma’s at Fisherman’s Wharf, but it’s off the beaten path so it doesn’t attract as many tourists.
Take the Cable Car to Fisherman’s wharf. Go to Scoma’s. Then have an Irish Coffee at Buena Vista. This is the way to experience SF in my humble opinion.
If you happen to be hungry and in The Marina, Pacific Catch is very very good. There is another SF location, but I've never been there.
Thanks, everyone. I now have enough dining ideas to stay for a month! This list will be a fun resource for other travelers too.
Barkinpark, you are so right! I remember being in SF years ago in June for a class with attendees from the Midwest, who thought "CA = CA" and brought shorts and sandals. "The coldest winter is a summer in SF" indeed. They all bought puffy jackets.
Mo R, I totally agree. Any dining experience is better with a cable car ride before and/or after. Love it.
Located off of Sacramento and Stockton streets, " Hang Ah Tea Room " is still there. I ride the Muni allover the city as well as taking BART.
You can access Hang Ah by taking the Bus "#1 Calif." from the Embarcadero or if coming from Union Square , take Bus # 30, or walk through the Stockton Tunnel to get to Sacrament Street on the other side and then turn right on Sac. go down a bit and turn left when you see the playground.
Thanks, Fred! Sounds fun.
UPDATE 9/24: We have to postpone our trip due to some family issues. I'll save all these great ideas for when we can reschedule. Thanks again to everyone who shared their favorite places.
@ KC....You're welcome.
"Hang Ah" is an historical site aside from its menu offerings. Obviously, the place needed to spruced up, refurbished and all that but look at photos along the wall if you're curious about SF Chinatown history. " Hang Ah" boasts of being the oldest restaurant in Chinatown if not that, it one of the few contenders for that claim. .
Another restaurant Chinatown I would recommend if you are after dim sum and that type of cuisine is "Great Eastern " on Jackson Street. Obama was there and photos of him with the staff are posted . The place is crowded with tourists, both American and European, and locals. The president's team did their research well in picking out this restaurant.
Walking up from the Embarcadero or Embarcadero Hyatt is ca. 20 mins, level ground to "Great Eastern. "
