What are your San Francisco food favorites?

With many trips to San Francisco under my belt over the past few years, I have to say that I’m quite fond of eating in the city. I always have friends and readers heading to the  Bay Area so I wanted to share some of my San Francisco food favourites!

Read more: My San Francisco coffee guide! Click here.

While spending time in San Francisco, I have eaten at places like Mission Chinese, Izakaya Yuzuki, and Brenda’s Soul Food. I have also had some tasty Mexican at places like El Farolito, Taqueria, and Tacolicious. I have also had some treats at “do not miss” places like Tartine Bakery and Craftsman and Wolves. I’m not totally sold on Mission Chinese to be honest, though. I had an okay meal there but it didn’t wow me to go back again or to want to wait in the lineup. Hipster hype? I think so. I’d rather find a legit spot in Richmond, a suburb known for its Asian restaurants.

Read More: 5 Things To Do In Oakland California

A local friend brought us to Commonwealth one night and we had an incredible prix fixe meal with wine pairing. They describe themselves as a progressive American restaurant. Whatever they are, they are good. The kitchen sent over a few extra dishes and every single thing was incredible. Desert was a peanut butter semifreddo and I was pretty upset that I had no more room in my belly. 

Fifth Floor Restaurant and Lounge (which has now become Dirty Habit inside Hotel Palomar) is not somewhere I’d typically go but my friend knew Chef David Bazirgan. We went by to have a drink and say hello and he ended up making us a few dishes. He had made us an amazing Catalan octopus dish in particular! I’d definitely go back and share a bunch of things with someone.

Here are some photos of my San Francisco food favourites that I would definitely go back for:

San Francisco Food Favorites – Breakfast 

Brenda’s is a soul food restaurant in downtown SF. It’s super busy but I went solo and snagged a bar stool seat. Be warned of the lineups…but the food is really good!

This was the pork belly with cheddar grits special at Brenda’s Soul Food! OMG!

A plain but delicious beignet from Brenda’s

Dotties is typical diner type food. It’s not mind blowing but I was staying close to hear for a few days and I met up with some friends and it was fine. I don’t expect mind-blowing all the time but if you want a diner-ish breakfast, go here.

A scramble at Dotties

My friends and I shared a whole bunch of breakfast dishes and shared at Dotties

San Francisco Food Favorites – Mexican food

I live in San Diego. We have great Mexican food. San Francisco has decent Mex food in the Mission. Great if you don’t get access to Mexican food all the time but nothing crazy IMO.

Carne asada burrito from Taqueria El Farolito in The Mission

Tacos from La Taqueria in The Mission

Modern Mexican at Tacolicious – photo courtesy of Flickr

San Francisco Food Favorites – Other categories:

Another artisanal bakery to go to in the Mission besides Tartine (see below under sweet tooth), is Craftsman and Wolves. My friend Ida took me here just to have the savory muffin with a soft boiled egg inside.

How do they do this?!!! Definitely, get “Rebel Within” at Craftsman and Wolves

Tin is a decent Vietnamese restaurant downtown. I’m sure there are better ones in the Asian suburb but I had a good pho here one really cold night.

Pho at Tin

Augies is a Montreal smoked meat sandwich pop up. They were having a pop up at a bar downtown and we went because we wanted some plus poutine. The sandwiches were great. I think their Facebook lists where they will be popping up.

Augies Montreal smoked meat sandwich!

San Francisco Food Favorites – Nice dinner spots:

Commonwealth calls themselves progressive American. I’m not sure what that means exactly but the food we had here was delicious. We had a prix fixe dinner with wine pairing and they even sent over extra plates for our group to enjoy. It was more of a spendy place but it was awesome.

Commonwealth – photo courtesy of the restaurant

Izakaya Rintaro is a Japanese small plates restaurant. It’s definitely delicious. I recommend going here with a group so you can order several dishes and share.

Yakitori at Izakaya Rintaro

Sashimi at Izakaya Rintaro

San Francisco Food Favorites – For the sweet tooth:

Tartine Bakery is a must. It’s seriously amazing. All of it. Break, pastries, cakes, everything. Just go here. There are lines but go at random times and sometimes you’ll catch a short line.

Tartine Bakery goodness!

Do you love Tres Leches cake? The one at Tartine is amazing!

Love ice cream? I do! Smitten is a nitrogen ice cream place, meaning they take cream, sugar, and flavorings to make ice cream on the spot with liquid nitrogen. It’s so good!

 

 

 

 

• I’ve always wanted to get ice cream at Bi-Rite Creamery but the damn lineup is insane!

Drinks:

Hipster boba at the Boba Guys in the Mission! It’s good though!

Trick Dog Bar is an awesome bar!!! They change their menu and theme monthly!!!

Trick Dog

San Francisco Food Favorites – Events:

Off The Grid is a food truck gathering/festival that happens weekly in SF. I’m not sure if they change venues but we went to it on a Sunday afternoon and laid down a blanket at Presidio Park near Golden Gate. The best part was also the Blood Mary cocktail cart that came around.

A snap chat from Off The Grid at Presidio Park

A banh mi sandwich from Little Green Cyclo

The creme brulee from The Creme Brulee Cart is off the charts!!!!! OMG!

Next time I go to San Francisco I would like to eat at State Bird Provisions and Swan Oyster Depot.  I’d also love to try more San Francisco food trucks and perhaps a day trip over to Daly City to check out some Filipino food spots.

So much to eat, always so little time! Please share any San Francisco food favorites in the comments. I love recommendations!

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