WHERE TO EAT IN

SAN FRANCISCO

HAYES VALLEY $$$$

Suppenküche 525 Laguna St, San Francisco suppenkuche.com This popular and lively restaurant and bar may not be ideal for you if you’re a wallflower. With communal tables and upbeat crowds, especially from the under 30 set, expect to break German rye bread with your neighbor. The Bavarian cuisine, with a menu more like a German wirsthaus, offers lighter versions of classic dishes like sauerkraut and sausages, spaetzle with oxtail stew, jägerschnitzel, and more. Don‘t be afraid to try the smoked pork chops, trout and magical mashed potatoes– you will be handsomely rewarded. Of course, wash it all down with one of Suppenküche’s wide range of excellent German beers.

LOWER HAIGHT $$$$

Nopalita 306 Broderick Street, San Francisco nopalitosf.com It would be impossible not to choose at least one Latin American restaurant to recommend and this Mexican restaurant is a standout. This is Nopalita’s original location in the Lower Haight neighborhood, but hit up the new, Inner Sunset location if you want more space. Stop in for brunch on the weekend, but everything on the menu is flavorful and delicious. Try the totopos con chile which are akin to nachos, but much more than that. Also, the quesadilla roja con chicarron (fried tortilla filled with cheese and savory, marinated pork), chilaquiles rojos en cazuela and fresh ceviche with mouth-watering tomatillo sauce are among our favorites. Quench your thirst with the almond horchata.

OUTER RICHMOND $$$$

Shanghai Dumpling King 3319 Balboa Street, San Francisco outerrichmond.shanghaidumplingkingsf.net While San Francisco’s Chinatown has many reliable, Chinese restaurants, we’re suggesting a place in the Outer Richmond area because this place is notable for its signature dish: the soup dumplings, xiao long bao. These Shanghai-style dumplings are satisfying and comforting with their generous size and flavorful broth. The only comparable dumplings in the U.S. are found on the East Coast at Joe’s Shanghai in lower Manhattan, which explains the massive popularity of this place. Expect a long wait and don’t forget to stop by an ATM before visiting Shanghai Dumpling King because this is one of San Francisco’s many cash-only eateries.

GLEN PARK $$$$

La Corneta 2834 Diamond St, San Francisco lacorneta.com You can’t leave San Francisco without a Mission-style burrito. Try La Corneta’s super “baby burritos” (which are anything but small) and who give all of their competitors a run for their money. La Corneta’s regulars love the quality of the food and the colorful atmosphere. We highly suggest the carnitas or beef tongue, lengua, cooked to moist, savory perfection. Don’t be intimidated by the queue snaking around the corner– lines move quickly here, but be sure to have bills on hand for this cash-only establishment. Feel free to stop into the original location in the Mission or another outpost in Burlingame.

INNER SUNSET $$$$

Arizmendi Bakery 1331 9th Avenue, San Francisco arizmendibakery.com A San Francisco mainstay for artisanal breads and pizzas since 2000, this bakery is a must-try. Forget Boudin’s sourdough and their long lines, instead opt for the sourdough here or anything appearing out of Arizmendi’s ovens (Irish soda bread, potato bread, etc.). Check their website, prior to your visit to review their rotating bread and seasonal pizza calendars. The bakery is usually bustling, feeding hungry commuters in the morning with delicious pastries. It is also consistently busy in the evenings, due to their popular and fresh pizza offerings, but you should be able to snag a table.

OUTER SUNSET $$$$

Toyose 3814 Noriega St, San Francisco toyose.org If you’re feeling peckish late at night, be sure to swing by this charming, renovated garage for excellent Korean food. Open from 6:00 pm to 2:00 am, Toyose is known for their seasoned, deep-fried chicken wings and flavored soju, Korean liquor. Pair your yogurt/watermelon/lychee/kiwi/other soju with the seafood pancake, fabulous kimchi beef fried rice, octopus udon or cheesy, corn and garlic fries. Diners love their inventive menu items and cozy environment so they are extremely popular. Reservations are encouraged, especially since Toyose does not seat many diners.

OUTER SUNSET $$$$

Pho Huynh Hiep - Kevin's Noodle House 1833 Irving St, San Francisco kevinnoodlehouse.com Many Vietnamese food lovers are on the search for the best bowl of phở (beef noodle soup), outside of Viet Nam and outside of Little Saigon in Southern California. Kevin’s Noodle House, also known as Phở Huỹnh Hiệp, is the self-proclaimed “Best Phở in Town”, and we agree. Try their delicious broth for yourself at one of their many NorCal locations in Oakland, Daly City, Concord & Walnut Creek. Order a bowl of the Đặc Biệt Xe Lửa special combo with thinly sliced steak, well-done brisket, flank, tendon & tripe. First time trying the soup? Order a bowl of phở tái, which has thin slices of steak. If you’re looking for something different, try Kevin’s hủ tiếu, which is a Central Vietnamese soup with thick, flat rice noodles. Expect minimal service at this bustling, budget-friendly restaurant. They only accept cash payments, but at about $6.50 a bowl, you’ll leave feeling like you ate more than your money’s worth.

FINANCIAL DISTRICT $$$$

Hog Island Oyster Co. 1 Ferry Building, Ferry Building Marketplace, San Francisco hogislandoysters.com The Hog Island Oyster Company, located in the Ferry Building, is known for their delicious oysters and seafood, harvested from their own oyster farms. Having worked with marine biologists, they specially designed and structured their farms to provide oysters with the cleanest water, ensuring their quality. On farmers’ market days, the line stretches outside, but the wait is worth it. If you’re a single diner or coupled up, it might be easier to try and sit at the U-shaped cooks’ counter. Other fabulous options are their famous clam chowder, grilled cheese made on ACME bread, shrimp and grits and whole, chilled Dungeness crab. They were awarded the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence 2014.

PACIFIC HEIGHTS $$$$

B. Patisserie 2821 California Street, San Francisco bpatisserie.com There is nothing like grabbing a coffee and pastry in the morning to start your day, and B. Patisserie is the place to do it. Their pastries were voted the best in all of San Francisco by our community and on TripAdvisor due to their inventive take on French classics. Don’t fear, B’s kouign amann remains traditional and exceptional. Taste one of their seasonal croissants– like the inventive banana chocolate almond or almond pear versions– and any of the tarts. Subtle combinations like green tea grapefruit pistachio in a tart, excellent coffee and cozy vibe help B. Patisserie to remain head and shoulders above the rest. Beware that they are closed Mondays.

LOWER PACIFIC HEIGHTS $$$$

Sweet Maple 2101 Sutter St, San Francisco sweetmaplesf.com This charming spot is known for their Millionaire’s bacon, which is free range bacon that is oven baked for “4 hours in maple syrup and brown sugar, cayenne, red and black pepper.” This menu item was featured on the television show “United States of Bacon”, and we are not surprised at its celebrity. This mouth-watering bacon is rich, decadent and something you must try. Their menu is solid all around, but we especially like the asparagus blackstone benedict, Swedish pancakes, breakfast sandwich or crab omelet or panini. The portions are huge and the service is wonderful. Be sure to arrive before 10:00 am to avoid long wait times. Sweet Maple was awarded the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence 2014.

JACKSON SQUARE $$$$

Quince 470 Pacific Ave, San Francisco quincerestaurant.com Their menu features Italian and French inspired tasting menus whose cuisine has been labeled as “rustic California-Italian”. Chef Michael Tusk, who cut his teeth on Bay Area institution, Chez Panisse, under the expertise of Alice Waters and Chef Paul Bertolli, branched out on his own to open Quince in 2003. This sumptuous, elegant dining experience quickly landed atop “Best Of” lists and remains there today with their three, well-deserved Michelin stars. You’ll find caviar and foie gras, among other rich delicacies, on the seasonal menus. You may want to reserve Quince for very special occasions due to the hefty price tag. Although these aren’t French Laundry prices, do expect to pay around $300 per person.

BERNAL HEIGHTS $$$$

La Santaneca 3781 Mission St, San Francisco La Santaneca is an authentic Salvadoran restaurant with delicious pupusas just like your abuela used to make. These soft, doughy “pancakes” are stuffed very full of various fillings (cheese, carnitas, zucchini, a leafy green called chipilín, beans, etc.) Additional menu items worth mentioning are the plantains with a side of beans with sour cream, and the fried yucca. If this Bernal Heights location is too much of a trek for you, try Balompie in the Mission district. After you’ve had your fill, head over Lelenita’s for a slice of some of the best très leches cake in all of San Francisco.

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