In recent years, Bon Appetit and U.S. News named San Francisco the best food city in the country. This means that deciding what to eat in San Francisco can sometimes pose a challenge because the choices are endless.
Rather than waste your time debating the myriad options for where and what to eat in San Francisco, check out our short list of culinary highlights. From savory dumplings and sweet buns to soul-satisfying chicken made two different ways, our list includes some of the best food in San Francisco.
Keep reading for our top 9 foods to try when you eat in San Francisco.
Croque Madame at Foreign Cinema
Brunch in the bright and airy inner courtyard at Foreign Cinema (2534 Mission Street) is a wonderful respite from the hustle and bustle of the city, one that’s punctuated with delicious dishes such as the croque madame. This hot sandwich is loaded with slices of Parisian smoked ham, melted Gruyere, creamy bechamel sauce, all topped with a fried egg.
Sip on a spicy Bloody Mary or a specialty cocktail while you wait for your croque madame to arrive. Don’t forget your decadent sandwich comes with a pile of crispy French fries! Even after almost 25 years in business, Foreign Cinema’s kitchen still puts out some of the best food in San Francisco. Be sure to book your table in advance.
Xiao Long Bao at Dumpling Home
The xiao long bao—also known as Chinese soup dumplings—at Dumpling Home are really, really good. Juicy and flavorful with a delicate, pleated wrapper, these tasty little dumplings are served piping hot in a bamboo steamer basket.
Go for lunch with a couple of friends so that you can try a few xiao long bao (XLB) variations. Pork is our go-to, and you can’t go wrong with the shrimp or zucchini squash XLB. Additional dumpling options that are worth a try at this casual Hayes Valley eatery include the pork and chive dumplings, pork dumplings in sesame sauce and chili oil, as well as juicy pork bao.
Oysters at Hog Island Oyster Co.
The Ferry Building Marketplace is home to the SF outpost of the Hog Island Oyster Co. This spot serves up incredibly fresh oysters from its farm in Tomales Bay, CA, alongside several bivalve alternatives hailing from Washington and British Columbia, Canada.
Settle into your seat along the Embarcadero waterfront, and take in beautiful views of the Bay complete with sailboats and ferries cruising by. Then order six, 12, or a cool two dozen oysters. Follow that up with a hearty bowl of the garlicky-tomato seafood stew or the beer-battered fish and chips.
Morning Buns at Tartine Manufactory
A soft, springy interior with a crackly, caramelized exterior make the morning buns at Tartine Manufactory a truly delightful treat. Skip the sit-down restaurant and instead head to the pastry counter to pick up a couple of these cinnamon-and-orange-zest-spiked buns.
Don’t be surprised if you find yourself tempted by the array of baked goods on display. From the pain au chocolate to the tahini babka, the pastries at Tartine Manufactory (or sister bakery Tartine) are all made with love—and a whole lot of butter. Which is why they’re so easy to wolf down, whether for breakfast or an afternoon snack.
Margherita Pizza at Tony’s Pizza Napoletana
When it comes to making Neapolitan-style pizza, 13-time World Pizza Cup champion Tony Gemignani knows how to throw down. Stop by Tony’s Pizza Napoletana in North Beach for a classic margherita pizza that’s adorned with San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte mozzarella, torn basil, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
If you’re with a group, you can also try one or more of the many pizza styles on Tony’s menu. We like the sweet-and-savory Cal Italia, gold medal winner of the Food Network Pizza Champions Challenge, or the Pizza Porto, winner of the Pizza All-Stars in Porto, Portugal.
Chicken for Two at Zuni Café
Elegant Zuni Café (1658 Market Street) may be middle-aged (it got its start in 1979), but it’s still going strong. A multiple James Beard award winner, the restaurant may be best known for its organic whole chicken for two, which has stayed on the menu by popular demand for 35 years.
Zuni’s succulent chicken gets served with a side of warm bread salad, which echoes the stylings of an Italian panzanella. The bird needs about an hour to roast to perfection in the wood-fired brick oven. So take that time to sample a couple of appetizers while catching up with your dining partner.
Mission Burrito at El Metate
Mexican food in general is a must eat in San Francisco. More specifically, you really can’t visit the city without trying a Mission burrito at least once. Known for their big size, these burritos are flavor bombs that will fill you up for hours on end.
Lucky for you, there are a number of great options to choose from, including homey and humble El Metate in the Mission District. Ask for the al pastor burrito, spit-roasted pork marinated with smoky chili peppers, rice, beans, and salsa fresca wrapped in a flour tortilla. And sample the wide array of spicy sauces at El Metate’s salsa bar.
Insider’s tip: Burritos are one of our fav on-the-go foods! Don’t miss our other top picks for street food in San Francisco.
Ice Cream at Garden Creamery
The ice cream at Garden Creamery is the best there is in the city. Hands down. No contest. Run, don’t walk, to the Mission, and then get ready to be dazzled by the mouthwatering selection of slow-churned scoops. Some are made with a Hawaiian or Asian twist, and all are made in small batches with Straus organic dairy.
Vanilla lilikoi (passion fruit), Japanese milk coffee, Rodriguez Farms strawberry, and matcha gold (toffee) ice cream are just a few of the flavors that satisfy the sweet-tooth cravings of locals and visitors alike. Garden Creamery also has non dairy options available like the vegan Thai tea and coconut ice creams.
Dry Fried Chicken Wings at San Tung
If you’re feeling peckish after a day spent touring Golden Gate Park, then swing on over to no-frills Chinese restaurant San Tung. Grab a plate of the finger-licking-good dry fried chicken wings, deep-fried with garlic, ginger, and roasted red chili peppers. And while you’re there, round out your meal with the dry sauteed string beans, hand-pulled noodles in dry black bean sauce, and mu shu pork.
San Tung has been around since 1986, but it still draws big crowds. Though it may take 10-20 minutes to get seated (San Tung doesn’t take reservations), it’s well worth the wait.
