San Francisco Food: The Best In The City From Cultures Around The World

Brad and I lived in San Francisco for 4 years before traveling for a bit and settling in Nashville. Friends and family often ask us where to eat in San Francisco when they are visiting and I usually send them a list of our old favorite restaurants plus new places we discover each time we visit.  Here are our favorite San Francisco food experiences from cultures around the world:

El Farlito 

Mexican, In the Mission – Brad was a (at least) weekly customer here when we lived in SF and he always ordered the super quesadilla suiza (huge, cheap, greasy, meaty, cheesy goodness). We also love their fresh pineapple juice.  

House of Nanking 

Chinese, In Chinatown – Great, fresh, unique Chinese food. The Nanking chicken is our favorite. We love to go and pretend it’s our first time and let the staff bring out whatever is fresh, but be prepared to over eat.

Foreign Cinema 

Californian-Mediterranean, In the Mission – This place is an old school favorite for sure.  Great food, great wine and they show foreign and independent films on a painted brick wall in their covered outdoor courtyard.   

Cha Cha Cha 

Spanish, In the Haight and Mission – The two locations have a very different ambiance, but the food is the same. Good tapas and sangria – my favorite is the fried plantains.

The Stinking Rose 

Italian, In North Beach – a little touristy, but you’ll get your garlic fill and you can’t go wrong with Italian in North Beach.  Lots of garlic! The forty clove chicken is delicious.

Boudin

California, In the Wharf (and all over the city actually) – Famous for their clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl and it’s yummy.

Tartine Bakery 

French, In Mission – This bakery is amazing.  Go early (we went before they opened and still waited in line) and try several things.  The morning bun is famous here – but the bread pudding will knock your socks off.

Brenda’s French Soul Food 

Southern, In the Tenderloin – my friend Trish (from college in New Orleans) brought me here one visit and it was a fun throw-back to our college days.  We both got the shrimp and grits and both laughed when the grits came out (they did not look like our traditional southern grits) but the dish was awesome.  

Plouf 

French, in the Financial District – A beloved french restaurant where we ate mussels and fries outside in an alley among cafe lights and french servers. Bon Appetit!

Commonwealth Restaurant

American, in the Mission – They have a nightly tasting menu and also an a la carte menu. The food is very creative and fun to try. Also, they donate a portion of each month’s revenue to local nonprofits. Make a reservation early.

Eureka!

American, in Berkley – We stopped here on our way to the concert at the Freight and Salvage – and the veggie burger was a winner – plus lots of beer options.

Ferry Building Market 

In the Financial District – The market opened just after we moved from SF but I spend hours here every time I visit.  It is a great place to grab a few things (cheese, bread, treats) and then sit outside and enjoy lunch or dinner by the bay. Some favorites here (but you can’t go wrong with anything in the building):

• Cowgirl Creamery and Cowgirl Sidekick – amazing cheese and at the Sidekick, get some flavored steamed milk.  
• Miette – the french macaroons are fresh and delicious.
• Recchiuti confections – The salted caramels are life changing.
• Mariposa baking company – Awesome gluten free baked goods.
• Acme bread – Yummy artisan bread.  
• The Slanted Door – Modern, fresh Vietnamese food. They also have a to-go spot also in the ferry building with a slightly different menu called Out the Door where you can get some quick things to go.
• Bourlette’s – Breakfast & lunch. Last time, we shared poached eggs and a brioche french toast. Aside from Brad’s, of course, the french toast was the most delicious I’ve had in my life. 

The moral of the story is that you can’t really go wrong with San Francisco Food including flavors from around the world. I can’t wait to get back! Do you have a favorite San Francisco dining spot?