San Francisco Restaurants
It has been said that you could eat out in San Francisco every night for ten years and still not get to all that the city has to offer. The city’s multicultural roots and eclectic neighborhoods reveal themselves best through food. A simple walk through San Francisco’s neighborhoods, with their enticing aromas and beautiful restaurants, is enough to make anyone hungry.
Cheap Eats: The best part about eating in the city is that there is a perfect spot for literally every price point. Some of the most satisfying meals in San Francisco don’t cost more than a few dollars. The key is to be bold and really jump into the many ethnic neighborhoods and colorful cultures that the city has to offer.
The first and main suggestion in this arena is Chinese cuisine. With a huge Chinese population, it’s only natural that the city holds some of the most amazing Chinese restaurants in the country, at some even more amazing prices. Walking through the narrow streets of Chinatown, for example, you’ll see bustling stores with duck and chicken hanging from the windows, as well as hot steamed buns, pastries and dim sum dishes. Natives line up in front of Golden Gate bakery on Grant Avenue to pick up piping hot egg custard tarts and fluffy sponge cake cones.
Chinatown is not the only place in the city – or necessarily the cheapest – for great Chinese food. Noriega Street, Clement and Irving are all peppered with Chinese restaurants to satisfy the Sunset and Richmond districts’ large Chinese populations.
For a different but no less affordable flavor, hike it over to the Mission District. The area was once almost solely populated by Mexican residents and businesses. Over the years, more and more young hipsters and families have moved into the Mission, but the flavor remains. A favorite taqueria in the neighborhood is El Farolito, a no-frills establishment with delicious meat burritos and casual picnic-style tables.
Atmospheric Eats: For some, the delightful prices of a hole in the wall surpass any need for ambiance. But for those who want to look at something nice while enjoying your meal, there are plenty of cute mid-priced locations in San Francisco as well.
Polk Street in the city’s Russian Hill district is a great street to stroll down with a date, stopping for a luscious latte and crispy chocolate croissant at Le Boulange or one of the city’s best burgers at Street restaurant.
Other scenic areas include Union Street, where food highlights include trendy Thai food chain Osha Thai and bustling Asian fusion restaurant Betelnut, which serves unique umbrella drinks. For a more European flavor, Chez Maman offers delicious steamed mussels and pomme frites.
The Gourmet Experience: If a vacation for you isn’t complete without a luxurious dining experience, there’s no need to fear – San Francisco has got you covered. From old-school classics to modern marvels, San Francisco knows all about the art of food.
One of the city’s favorite special occasion restaurants is Restaurant Gary Danko, located at the edge of San Francisco’s historic North Beach district. The seven-year-old restaurant, named after its renowned chef, has received enormous accolades, including six five-star ratings from Mobil. The restaurant is known for its warm wood interior, impeccable service and modern cuisine.
A more classic location is Boulevard, near the ever-growing Embarcadero area. The restaurant embraces nostalgic belle époque style, Boulevard serves a modern American menu with a distinctly French influence.
Another local classic is Fleur De Lys on Sutter Street, run by star chef and “Top Chef” regular Hubert Keller. Keller, who has worked as chef and owner for nearly 20 years, creates an impressive classic French menu, including a scrumptious French cheese and caviar menu.
Finally, no mention of celebrity cooking would be complete without Michael Mina and his self-named restaurant in the Westin St. Francis hotel in downtown San Francisco. The pristine establishment mixes gourmet classics, like caviar and foie gras, with irreverent dishes, like a high-class root beer float.