Where To Go For The BEST Food In San Francisco
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The United States has so many cities full of wonderful and highly regarded restaurants. Be it the windy city of Chicago, the wide variety of stellar spots in New York, or even the bright lights of Los Angeles, all are known as top cities when it comes to the culinary arts. But the best food in San Francisco may be better than all of them.
San Francisco has the reputation of being an incredible dessert city, but it’s so much more than that. It’s a variety of prestigious Michelin Star restaurants to overlooked hole in the wall spots housing unbelievable hidden gems. It’s petite pastries in all colors and flavors to world renowned pizzas. It’s the bold ambition to create something new and delicious while also paying homage to the past. It’s the culinary works of art flowing perfectly with the rest of the picturesque city that help give San Francisco so much vibrant personality; and show why this is one of if not the best food cities in the United States.
Keep scrolling to read WHERE TO GO FOR THE BEST FOOD IN SAN FRANCISCO!
1.) Son and Garden
Very colorful and bursting with fresh personality, this unique restaurant in San Francisco is an Instagram dreamscape. Bright flowers cover the walls and ceiling, neon lights illuminate soft cloth booths, and fun vibes fill the entire eatery. But this restaurant isn’t just an energetic atmosphere for fun pictures; the food is just as lively and noteworthy. The menu features playfully whimsical takes on delicious items, be it fun presentation or added ingredients that take ordinary meals and give them new life in terms of look and taste. With a fun environment and great food to match, it’s no wonder Son and Garden is one of the most interesting and best tasting spots for brunch in San Francisco.
Price- $30 for a meal
Must Have- Hawaii Scramble Omelette
Son and Garden are known for their outlandish and delicious meal combinations, and the Hawaii Scramble Omelette may be the best tasting of them all. Taking a taste of both land and sea, this dish blends fresh shrimp with ripe vegetables, a spicy aioli sauce, and sweet pineapple salsa. It is the perfect sweet and savory breakfast meal that brings in pure island vibes.
2.) Ghirardelli
When it comes to food, San Francisco is probably most famous for their delectable treats, and Ghirardelli stands as the premier golden standard. The chocolate and ice cream paradise has built up such a delicious reputation that when you’re in the city, it’s almost mandatory to indulge in the infamous sweets of Ghirardelli. Founded in San Francisco over a century ago, this small West Coast sweets shop has exploded into the chocolate empire it is today. Whether it’s the ice cream shop with plenty of amazing desserts, watching the rich and flowing process inside the chocolate factory, or even exploring the surrounding shops and restaurants, if you want the best chocolate and sweets of San Francisco, Ghirardelli and Ghirardelli square is the place to go.
Price- $15 for a meal
Must Have- Gold Rush Sundae
Of course, if you’re heading to Ghirardelli, then you’re coming to sample some fine chocolate and ice cream. Lucky for you, the Gold Rush sundae has both. Scoops of pure vanilla ice cream are slowly enveloped by layers of oozing white chocolate and thick, rich caramel both twisting and mixing into a dessert of decadent deliciousness as golden as the fields of the Russian Ridge Preserve. Just one bite will have you rushing to get another taste of the pure ice cream gold.
3.) B Patisserie
B Patisserie epitomizes what a top tier bakery should be. They’re happy to provide tantalizing pastry creations to wake you up in the early morning or savory lunchtime meals that fit whatever you’re craving. Even their freshly baked breads are so fine you would think you bought them from the bakeries of Paris. San Francisco is home to many cafes and pastry shops, but with the quality, care, and expertise found at B Patisserie, it’s clear that this spot stands above the rest.
Price- $20 for a meal
Must Have- Blueberry Pineapple Pastry
It’s hard to choose from the many delicious looking pastries inside their display case, but one dessert stands above the rest. A vibrant bar shaped piece of heaven, this pastry immediately lets you know you’re in for something spectacular. After taking a bite of the light and smooth cream, you’re greeted with an explosion of fruity flavor. Sweet pineapple melding with the slight tartness of the blueberries, plus hints of vanilla for a little something extra. With the pineapple and blueberry pastry from B Patisserie, you get sweet fruits working in tandem to deliver a petite treat that perfectly hits the spot.
4.) Beep's Burgers
How about a place that feels like a classic West Coast eatery, somewhere you think of when watching movies or TV shows? Or maybe a burger so good it puts all the other San Francisco burgers to shame? Well, at Beep’s Burgers you can have both! One of the many drive up burger joints synonymous with the warm weather of California, this spot is the definition of a hole in the wall diner that blows away all expectations. With just a couple of outdoor chairs and a small enclosed kitchen, you wouldn’t think much of this place, but that’s what makes this such a unique restaurant in San Francisco. Beep’s Burgers proves you don’t need anything fancy, no frills to distract and dazzle you, no giant menu with dozens of different choices, just a couple of grills and some burgers. And that’s how you know it’s good. If a restaurant has been able to stay open for more than a couple decades, mainly serving one thing, then that’s because they make that thing better than anyone else. And in the case of Beep’s Burgers, thriving for over 60 years, selling almost exclusively burgers, that’s because their burgers are the best burgers in San Francisco.
Price- $20 for a meal
Must Have- A Burger
We could tell you about the soft buns. The warm, melty cheese and fresh vegetables. The heavenly patty that melts in your mouth with every bite you take. Even the coating of savory sauce that ties everything together. But the only way to really appreciate the best burger in San Francisco is to try it yourself.
5.) Yank Sing
Hope you’re hungry! Within walking distance of Oracle Park, Yank Sing is a shmorgishborg enthusiasts paradise. Plate after plate of different Asian delicacies each becoming more and more delicious, flood your table in a constant carousel of culinary creations. Just when you think this meal can’t get any better, you smell the tantalizing aroma of a new dish being wheeled by. It may seem a little overwhelming at first, but after your first bite, you will be eating your way through the entire menu.
Price- $40 for a meal
Must Have- Baked BBQ Pork Bun
Little dumplings of joy, these mini buns are the fantastic meal you didn’t know you were missing. Light and super soft buns stuffed with sweet pork and a zesty sauce make these the highlight of Yank Sing and one of the highlights of all Asian food in San Francisco. The only downside is they are only available on the weekends.
If you’re going during the week, try the Shanghai Kurobuta Pork Dumplings.
6.) Cotogna
No matter where you go, Italian food is usually pretty good, but it isn’t often that you find an Italian restaurant that is this incredible. Sharing a building and kitchen with the highly acclaimed Quince restaurant, Cotogna (the offspring of Quince) has garnered quite a reputation in its own right. Among the quiet Northeast corner of the city, a short walk from Coit Tower, this must stop spot is now regarded as the premier Italian restaurant in the Bay Area. With a small indoor seating area and an outdoor area made of glass enclosed heated dining stalls, Cotogna brings a certain charm and flourish you can feel. While the smooth wooden tables and full potted olive trees are nice, it’s the Italian specialties that gave this spot its rise to notoriety. Fresh handmade pasta, divine sauces and spices, and splendid presentation to match all elevate this Italian spot into a place with some of the best food in San Francisco!
Price- $$50 for a meal
Must Have- Raviolo di Ricotta
A large ravioli may not seem like the extravagant meal you were expecting, but this is no ordinary ravioli. This large handmade pasta cocoon houses the most unbelievably perfect silky ricotta cheese, a savory drizzling of olive oil, and a special surprise waiting in the center. Sure, that doesn’t sound too complicated, but Cotogna is just better than the rest, and after all, sometimes the simplest things can also be the best.
7.) One65
Sweets galore! Wall to wall sugary creations of all shapes and sizes, sweets to tarts, chocolatey to fruity that dazzle visually and taste even better. A French style pastry shop specializing in the finest of dessert delicacies, One65 shows you how wide the world of desserts can be. In the mood for petite chocolates dotted with accenting flavors? How about cream filled macarons with an assortment of different combinations? So many tantalizing treats, from familiar favorites to desserts you have never even heard, yet suddenly demand a sample. A place with such passion and creativity as One65 is why San Francisco has gained the reputation of the dessert capital of the United States. The only regret you will have at this San Francisco restaurant is not being hungry enough to try them all.
Price- $15 for a meal
Must Have- Mango Passion Fruit Exotic
The “exotic” name attached to this dessert is certainly fitting given the exotic mix of flavors within this dish. A soft and creamy bar of sweet mango, tart accompaniments of passion fruit puree, and coconut mousse take you on a tropical journey through dessert nirvana.
8.) Tony's Pizza Napoletana
Upon walking into this dive bar like restaurant, you wouldn’t expect to find what many consider to be the best pizza in California. However, yet again, the best food in San Francisco proves to be in the most obscure of places. Winner of numerous worldwide awards and pizza accolades, Tony’s Pizza Napoletana presents a plethora of pizza delights. With a tremendous amount of different pizza options, you can bite into any Italian creation and look forward to one of the best pies you have ever had! So sit back and grab a drink at the bar, or more importantly, grab a slice of the best pizza in San Francisco and enjoy.
Price- $30 for a meal
Must Have- Pizza Margherita
A classic pizza staple, the Margherita Pizza doesn’t try to dazzle with unnecessary flair or unwanted additions; no it’s simply a perfect blend of ingredients and flavors. And the Pizza Margherita from Tony’s Pizza Napoletana is at the top of the list. Awarded the Best Pizza Margherita in the world, as well as many other awards, this pie takes the best from around the globe and finds a way to make it even better. Using the freshest ingredients, warm and melty cheese, a smooth savory sauce, and fresh basil atop a soft buttery crust. For as highly regarded as this pie is, it’s so good it may even be underrated.
9.) Mitchell's Ice Cream
Everybody knows, on a warm summer day, there’s only one treat that hits the spot… Ice cream! And the best ice cream in San Francisco is at Mitchell’s Ice Cream. It’s not often that small ice cream shops gain such notoriety, but Mitchell’s Ice Cream found the secret to handmade ice cream that blows past the competition. Their ice cream is so good and popular that there’s a deli-style ticket system to keep the crowds organized. Between the variety of ever changing delicious flavors, the handmade quality, and the friendly atmosphere, Mitchell’s Ice Cream is the place to go for your frozen treat.
Price- $5 for a meal
Must Have- Ice Cream of course
So many different flavors of sweet and exotic combinations plus new flavors that rotate as the seasons change it’s nearly impossible to pick a favorite. Dozens of sweet and savory scoops, each seemingly better than the last. I mean, you know they have good ice cream when people are buying gallon tubs at a time.
10.) Bini's Kitchen LLC
The best food in San Francisco takes you through Michelin star spots to hole in the wall diners, but what about a restaurant that is almost overlooked entirely? Tucked in the extra sidewalk space between 2 tall buildings, Bini’s Kitchen LLC is so small and hidden you could easily walk right past it without noticing. But within this secret spot that blends into the background is a meal that undoubtedly stands out. I know what you’re thinking, how can a place so small and unassuming be one of the spots for the best food in San Francisco? The answer is simple. By consistently producing unbelievable meals time and time again. Serving up Nepalese favorites, this kiosk produces incredible meals full of Far East flair. From their spicy curry tomato sauce covered chicken to the wonderful dumpling like momos, there’s no question Bini’s Kitchen LLC is the best hidden gem restaurant in San Francisco.
Price- $20 for a meal
Must Have- Gorkha Chicken
For most people the Momos are the main attraction, but the real star of the show is the Gorkha Chicken. Juicy and tender pieces of chicken seasoned to absolute perfection. Topped with a rich tomato based curry sauce that adds a savory touch to the meal with a hint of spice for another delicious level to the meal. Served over a bed of rice to soak up the rest of that spectacular sauce, who knew Nepalese food could be this fantastic?
11.) The Progress
You can’t talk about the best food in San Francisco and not mention one of the best restaurants in San Francisco, The Progress. Just a short walk from the iconic Painted Ladies, this fine upscale restaurant popping with new age American flavor is an establishment that exudes top quality and the highest of culinary standards. Light, upbeat music plays in the background to keep the acceptingly fun atmosphere rolling, and green plant life with wood panelled walls, it feels as if you have stumbled upon the most elegant beach house in the Bay area. But enough about the decor, the food is where The Progress makes its name. Serving Michelin Star food that rotates immaculate item for immaculate item as the seasons change. The Progress throws away conventional cooking methods and brings a modernized approach of unique mixtures and out of the box ideas. It’s their daring to be differently delicious that rightfully earned them a Michelin Star and elevated them into of if not the best restaurant in San Francisco.
Price- $40 for a meal
Must Have- Sausage
The sausage has everything you need to make a delicious meal. Savory smoked sausage that melts with every bite. Sweet yet not overpowering apricot spread that adds a fantastic layer to the already fantastic dish. Even a crunchy bonus from the almonds slices. All these pieces coming together in perfect harmony for a dish so tantalizingly tasty you will be ordering a 2nd portion before you’re done with the first.
12.) Kin Khao Thai Eatery
Just down the street from the picturesque Union Square, Kin Khao Thai Eatery is a great spot to broaden your culinary horizons. Serving a menu of more traditional Thai specialties that may seem unconventional to the Americanized dishes, Kin Khao takes a bold approach that rewards anyone adventurous enough to try them. Like the mushroom packed Mushroom Hor Mok that is a savory and sweet spread, or the Khao Kan Jin, an amazing street food dish of blood sausage steamed in banana leaves. The food may sound a bit peculiar at first, but there’s no arguing the delicious results.
Price- $$50 for a meal
Must Have- Caramelized Pork Belly
While the Mushroom Hor Mok is considered the signature dish, the Caramelized Pork Belly is the unsung hero of Kin Khao Thai Eatery. Tender and crispy yet soft pieces of pork marinated and cooked into wonderful pieces of flavorful joy. With a hint of sweet deliciousness, these slices of pork melt in your mouth in a way that can’t be replicated. It is dishes like these that garnered their well deserved Michelin Star.
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