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7 Not-To-Be-Missed San Francisco Eats
A compiled list of my favourite San Francisco eats I’ve deemed “not-to-be-missed” during your stay.
Note: Many restaurants may have reduced opening hours, and may be temporarily closed or only offering takeout due to Covid-19. It is recommended to visit the restaurant’s website for more information before visiting the restaurant.
I have to say, out of everything I experienced in San Francisco during my student exchange, the food in this city is one of the most unforgettable. I’ve narrowed down the most delicious food experiences I had in SF for your reading pleasure, in no particular order, and I highly recommend taking notes and making sure you do not miss these!
1. Taqueria Cancun – 2288 Mission St. – Mission District
Okay I may have lied, this one is at the top of the list for a reason. The Mexican cuisine in California is generally pretty amazing (in my experience), and SF is no exception. I love a good burrito, and though there are seemingly dozens of taquerias on Mission St alone, Taqueria Cancun gets an honorable mention. The people are great, the food is delicious, and all for a very fair price.
2. San Francisco cafe’s – Literally everywhere
Okay so I know that this technically isn’t an “eat”, but this city is one of the most caffeinated places I’ve ever seen, so I had to include cafes on the list. Not only are there the usual chain coffee houses, but San Francisco is brimming with local cafes to experience and enjoy.
With that being said, I firmly believe that there is a cafe for everyone in this city, and it’s really worth visiting a few in different neighbourhoods if you’re a coffee lover. My honorable mention here goes to Bazaar Cafe in the Richmond district. It’s located in an, albeit, more residential area, but if you find yourself in Richmond, I’d highly recommend checking this place out. It’s a very laid back atmosphere, their soups and bagel sandwiches are delicious, and they have really comfy chairs and couches. What more could you ask for?
3. Hot Cookie – 407 Castro St – The Castro
While you’re in the Castro, I’d definitely recommend checking out Hot Cookie. It’s exactly what it sounds like – a baked goods spot, though it is certainly…shall we say…provocative? First of all, the cookies are de-licious, and in true Castro fashion, some of their most popular cookies are phallically shaped. In any case, these cookies are soooo tasty and (dramatics warranted) offer an unforgettable SF experience.
4. Off The Grid – 2 Marina Boulevard, Fort Mason Centre – Marina District
Undoubtably one of the coolest food experiences in San Fransisco, a night out at Off The Grid is a must. Dozens of food stalls and food trucks gather in Fort Mason to bring the city its best quick eats, tasty drinks, and a fun atmosphere. If you’d like to take advantage of this experience while you’re in San Fransisco, I’d recommend checking out their website here for updates, as they are currently open for takeout only, and their location may have changed due to Covid concerns.
5. Kitchen Story – 3499 16th St – The Castro
One of the many things this city is really great for is brunch. Most places that serve brunch in San Francisco have bottomless mimosas, and though some are more expensive than others, it is a full experience and totally worth treating yourself. The honorable mention here goes to Kitchen Story in the Castro. This place has a really great vibe, fair prices, and really, really good food. They can accommodate big groups as well, so it’s a great spot for celebrations or just a regular brunch with your squad. I spent many a weekend afternoon here, and it’s a must eat in my books.
6. Mission Cheese – 736 Valencia St – Mission District
Mission Cheese is a wine and cheese bar in the Mission district, and I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a treat-yo-self kind of night. It is definitely more on the expensive side, but it is a full experience and worth the price if you’re into that sort of thing. Wine, beer, cheese, charcuterie, and other tasty snacks all under one chic-meets-industrial roof in the heart of the Mission, Mission Cheese is a good, tasty time. They also offer subscriptions to their Wine and Cheese clubs if you’re staying in SF for a long period of time, or want to give a tasty gift to a San Francisco local.
7. The Ferry Building – 1 Ferry Building – Embarcadero
So hear me out on this one. If you’ve read my Ultimate San Francisco Travel Guide, you’ll know that I have serious love for the Ferry Building. This is one of my favourite places in the city, and it has partly to do with the seemingly endless food and drink options they have here. Yes, there are many other types of shops here, but you’ll get some really great local artisanal eats in the Ferry Building, which, I’d be lying if I said wasn’t one of the main reasons for my love for this place. They also have a farmer’s market on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, located at the front of the building, and really, who doesn’t love a farmer’s market?
There are SO many great places to eat in San Francisco, and honestly, even spending six months in the city didn’t allow me to experience as many as I’d have liked to. These 7 must-eats are my favourites and what I’d recommend everyone check out, but there is so much unforgettable, delicious food to love in this city. My advice would be to experience as many different foods and restaurants in the city as humanly possible while you’re in San Francisco, it’s so worth it.
Here are some other posts you might find helpful (and the ones linked throughout this post, in case you missed them):
11 Best (And Affordable) Must-Haves For City Travel
Guide To The Best Views In San Francisco
Ultimate San Francisco Travel Guide