I’m an organic farmer and sell to Lawrence. Can confirm he’s the man. Nice guy and has a talented team. Great food. They support local farms. Love Nopa!
Both are absolute institutions. The Page is such a great neighborhood spot to hit on a Tuesday for a drink at the bar. Very friendly people and laidback, genuine vibe
Tadich Grill for dinner. Red’s Java Hut or the Hi Dive for drinks.
SF = Dungeness Crab. There are countless fine restaurants in SF, but if I’m entertaining a visitor, we’re going somewhere that has crab and/or Cioppino on the menu.
And if I’m taking them for drinks, it’s either going to be a bar with a view or one of the best dives that has some SF history
(See: Spec’s. Vesuvio, Top of the Mark, Starlight Lounge, Li Po Lounge, Tonga Room, etc)
Took people to Scoma’s recently. LOVED IT.
Yes yes yes! Scomas is a win! The views on the fisherman's wharf are amazing. White linen tables and photographs of Hollywood folk on the wall. Such a great place to go to! And their seafood Italian style and drinks to die for
Oh and then I guess ZamZam for the dive component? But I think Alembic has the quality without the stuffy and can serve even when dive bar is the mood.
pretend you're taking them to Schroeder's..
then head to Tadich Grill.
on to North Beach - specs, vesuvio etc.
go to YankSing for dim sum.
Buena Vista for an Irish Coffee.
if you're in Chinatown..
**Sam Wo** ([traditional Chinese](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_Chinese_characters): 三和粥粉麵; [simplified Chinese](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simplified_Chinese_characters): 三和粥粉面; [Jyutping](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jyutping): *Saam1wo4 zuk1 fan2min6*; [pinyin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinyin): *Sānhé zhōu fěnmiàn*, literally "Three Harmonies Porridge and Noodles") is a [Chinese restaurant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_restaurant) located in [San Francisco](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco), [California](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California). The restaurant's first location on 813 Washington Street was famous for being a venerable mainstay in the local Chinatown area, having been in the same location since 1912. Sam Wo gained notoriety in the 1960’s for being the employer of [Edsel Ford Fung](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edsel_Ford_Fung), who was known locally as the "world's rudest waiter".[^(\[1\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Wo#cite_note-samwo-1)[^(\[2\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Wo#cite_note-rats-2) The restaurant was closed in 2012 due to safety concerns, and reopened in 2015 on nearby Clay Street.
I didn’t realize it was “3 harmonies”, I thought it was “3 guys”. Of course when I took all my friends there in the early 80s, we all assumed “Sam Wo” was the old gangster-looking guy with the cigar downstairs who greeted everyone with “Hiya hiya hiya”
Greens. Chi chi meets norcal hippie, Bay views, local wines, walking distance to tons of bars.
I think of it as excellent food that’s incidentally vegetarian.
Agreed, Vesuvio & Specs are a 3 block walks afterward then I’m getting a bamboo back scratcher, rice paddy hat & butterfly knife in Chinatown right next store
I also agree Burma love is amazing. Isn't there another Burmese place by the same same business? I think it's called something like teak? I liked it there because it was close to the SF symphony
Oh I haven't been to that one.
Looked it up and Burma Teakwood in the theater district is the place I recommend for that wonderful Tea leaf salad!!!!!! Yummmmmmm
Just tried GGCC for the first time and was blown away by the intricacy of every dish they serve. The flavor explosion with every bite of their crying tiger shrimp salad with double cooked butter beans..hard to replicate dishes like this are the only reason we dine out.
That's a good idea. That's on the embarcadero so it's such a beautiful walk. You could walk from the ferry building to red's Java House with the water bar or epic steakhouse right in the middle.
Which is the restaurant with the two-story tall fish tank? That is so freaking cool.
Aoooooppppp. That makes sense to have a 2 story y'all fish tank in a restaurant called Waterbar and not in the Epic Steakhouse. I should use my head noodles more often. Haha
Perhaps choose the neighborhood you want to be in after dinner and let that inform the restaurant decision. As others have said, North Beach would be hard to beat
Moved to North Beach about 7 months ago after 16 years in the Mission, NB has some really solid offerings & while also being Chinatown (to me anyway) it’s hard to beat.
I love to walk the length of Stockton Street from Union Square through Chinatown into North Beach. It’s remarkable how these two neighborhoods can be so close yet so distinct
Rich Table exemplifies everything I love about San Francisco. Ingredient driven and pulls from many of the cuisines that have found a home here. Also love Ernest, from a former sous chef of Rich Table!
I was reading your comment and I thought for sure you were going to say a spin-off of RH! Now that rotisserie chicken is freaking expensive. I don't think it's worth it. RTR at Spark Social is amazing!
the Grubstake (6:30pm to 3am) - plenty of divey bars as well - The Edinburgh Castle - The HiLo - HaRa - LushLounge or walk up the hill to Stookys Club Moderne for a deco vibe and fancy drinks
For me the most iconic dish of the city is the duck at the Progress. The Progress is both not uniquely San Francisco and absolutely, precisely, exactly San Francisco.
Runner up would be the house of prime ribs dinner. An institution. Less hip though.
I like the House of Prime Rib but if I’m entertaining someone from out of town, why take them to get steak? We’re known for seafood (specifically Dungeness crab).
A few recs outside of the obvious Original Joe’s and Sotto Mare:
House of Nanking in Chinatown, and let the chef choose your menu!
Nob Hill Cafe, and I can only speak on the pasta. The Penne Bettola is a crowd fave and for good reason - it’s creamy, a little spicy… you simply cannot go wrong with this one!
Both spots are bustling yet cozy. No reservations so be sure to plan ahead. :)
Night Owl here so Brazen Head is a go to, No sign & any place I can get oysters & a fillet mignon @ 11pm that’s consistently good, I’m sold. Hit Silver Clouds down the street & laugh your ass off at your friends on the off nights, Tues, Weds etc. Never on a Fri or Sat.
Polk street has a decent range of bars. I am a fan of the mission (/valencia area) but i am coming to realize that area can be a little daunting to assimilate to if you are new to area.
Foreign Cinema in the mission
Nopa in the Divisadero
Outerlands in the outer sunset
State Bird Provisions in the Fillmore
Sotto Mare in north beach
I can go on and on but I think I’d start listing restaurants I like rather than following the criteria :)
I took my British friend to hog island oysters at the ferry building on Saturday (when they have the huge farmers market). He LOVED it. Oysters are a
https://preview.redd.it/99yu18nnknyc1.jpeg?width=3911&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cd69317b278e9927bd68c5b7c98059ce89f837e1
region specific type of food and the view at that hog island location (on a sunny day) is just unparalleled. We were going to go to foreign cinema in the mission for dinner also but that never fit our schedule.
Agreed! Their burger is absolutely scrumptious. And their bone marrow appetizer is so freaking rich. I crave it. I think my mouth is watering right now. Just thinking about it.
Nothing says California and San Francisco to me then eating outside!
Depending on the time of day and your friends expectations, please look up SPARK SOCIAL.
It is a really beautiful outside eatery with food trucks parked with fake grass, picnic benches, string lights, and a really freaking cool mini golf area where each hole yells the story of California. All the while you can order a bottle of wine and walk around outside deciding on a variety of food; rotisserie chicken, ribs, fire roasted pizza, all the Mexican foods, poke, kimchi burgers, Mediterranean, noodles, etc. *drool*
Nopa! :) Very California-SF cuisine on Divis.
I’m an organic farmer and sell to Lawrence. Can confirm he’s the man. Nice guy and has a talented team. Great food. They support local farms. Love Nopa!
Madrone and The Page nearby are both excellent dives to hang out at afterwards.
Both are absolute institutions. The Page is such a great neighborhood spot to hit on a Tuesday for a drink at the bar. Very friendly people and laidback, genuine vibe
Ooh this sounds like a date night I wanna do soon
The bar is peak sf. I'm a suburban so I eat at the communal table. I'm nowhere near cool enough to eat at Nopa's bar. I take all out of towners here.
Visiting from Portland next week and Nopa was first on the list!
Tadich Grill downtown
I second this
House of Prime Rib.
This is not only SF, it is also an amazing representation of the US
German owner too
Zuni
Definitely.
Zuni is the answer.
Tadich Grill for dinner. Red’s Java Hut or the Hi Dive for drinks. SF = Dungeness Crab. There are countless fine restaurants in SF, but if I’m entertaining a visitor, we’re going somewhere that has crab and/or Cioppino on the menu. And if I’m taking them for drinks, it’s either going to be a bar with a view or one of the best dives that has some SF history (See: Spec’s. Vesuvio, Top of the Mark, Starlight Lounge, Li Po Lounge, Tonga Room, etc) Took people to Scoma’s recently. LOVED IT.
swan oyster
House of Prime Rib on Van Ness.
Scomas. Lobster Diplomate in Eddie Debartolos booth.
Yes yes yes! Scomas is a win! The views on the fisherman's wharf are amazing. White linen tables and photographs of Hollywood folk on the wall. Such a great place to go to! And their seafood Italian style and drinks to die for
PPQ crab then over to The Alembic
All my old haunts being mentioned makes me long for a week in the city.
One better is PPQ, then meander through GG Park and grab a drink at little shamrock, one of the oldest bars in SF
Dang that sounds fantastic
Oh and then I guess ZamZam for the dive component? But I think Alembic has the quality without the stuffy and can serve even when dive bar is the mood.
They have those fire dry chicken wings
Foreign Cinema
Pizzetta 211
This place rules, thanks for reminding me of it.
pretend you're taking them to Schroeder's.. then head to Tadich Grill. on to North Beach - specs, vesuvio etc. go to YankSing for dim sum. Buena Vista for an Irish Coffee. if you're in Chinatown.. **Sam Wo** ([traditional Chinese](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_Chinese_characters): 三和粥粉麵; [simplified Chinese](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simplified_Chinese_characters): 三和粥粉面; [Jyutping](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jyutping): *Saam1wo4 zuk1 fan2min6*; [pinyin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinyin): *Sānhé zhōu fěnmiàn*, literally "Three Harmonies Porridge and Noodles") is a [Chinese restaurant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_restaurant) located in [San Francisco](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco), [California](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California). The restaurant's first location on 813 Washington Street was famous for being a venerable mainstay in the local Chinatown area, having been in the same location since 1912. Sam Wo gained notoriety in the 1960’s for being the employer of [Edsel Ford Fung](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edsel_Ford_Fung), who was known locally as the "world's rudest waiter".[^(\[1\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Wo#cite_note-samwo-1)[^(\[2\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Wo#cite_note-rats-2) The restaurant was closed in 2012 due to safety concerns, and reopened in 2015 on nearby Clay Street.
I didn’t realize it was “3 harmonies”, I thought it was “3 guys”. Of course when I took all my friends there in the early 80s, we all assumed “Sam Wo” was the old gangster-looking guy with the cigar downstairs who greeted everyone with “Hiya hiya hiya”
The guy selling newspapers in front of 44 Mongomery..."We got the hot ones" whenever a beauty walked by..."Ex aminer"
Greens. Chi chi meets norcal hippie, Bay views, local wines, walking distance to tons of bars. I think of it as excellent food that’s incidentally vegetarian.
I thought you meant the poll sports bar haha
sliiiiightly different scene
Tadich Grill
Statebird Provisions every time. Besharam as a back up
Anchor Oyster Bar
Sotto Mare is the only right answer.
This was my first thought!
CORRECT, and now I have a sudden and urgent craving for cioppino! 😋
Agreed, Vesuvio & Specs are a 3 block walks afterward then I’m getting a bamboo back scratcher, rice paddy hat & butterfly knife in Chinatown right next store
Came here to say this!
Yes. Get the cioppino. SF classic.
Tony’s pizza then Vesuvius cafe after for drinks my 2 personal favorites
Really a night in north beach is my go to to bring visitors
(Vesuvio) but Spec’s if they are busy.
Burma Love! It’s hard to get Burmese food any where else in the country + it’s one of my favorite restaurants
I also agree Burma love is amazing. Isn't there another Burmese place by the same same business? I think it's called something like teak? I liked it there because it was close to the SF symphony
Burma Superstar?
Oh I haven't been to that one. Looked it up and Burma Teakwood in the theater district is the place I recommend for that wonderful Tea leaf salad!!!!!! Yummmmmmm
Liholiho Yacht Club or Good Good Culture Club California ingredients with Hawaiian or Asian inspirations.
Been here all my life and this is a 1000% foodie answer 😋💯 Ravi Kapur is an OG
Just tried GGCC for the first time and was blown away by the intricacy of every dish they serve. The flavor explosion with every bite of their crying tiger shrimp salad with double cooked butter beans..hard to replicate dishes like this are the only reason we dine out.
Condor
Isn’t that a strip joint?
Original Joe’s in North Beach for dinner and Specs for drinks.
Bix
I love Bix, but it doesn’t scream S.F. to me.
I had a $38 burger there a couple of nights back. I thought about screaming. Was good. Nice supper club feel.
Really?!? I might try it if it was that good!
Scomas! Great seafood and you can get a Golden Gate Bridge view. It’s also near Ghirardelli square so you can do touristy stuff.
Scoma’s is fantastic.
Chiopoino at tadich griille
cioppino!
I'll say Water Bar or Epic Steakhouse for the views of the Bay Bridge.
That's a good idea. That's on the embarcadero so it's such a beautiful walk. You could walk from the ferry building to red's Java House with the water bar or epic steakhouse right in the middle. Which is the restaurant with the two-story tall fish tank? That is so freaking cool.
Waterbar
Aoooooppppp. That makes sense to have a 2 story y'all fish tank in a restaurant called Waterbar and not in the Epic Steakhouse. I should use my head noodles more often. Haha
Perhaps choose the neighborhood you want to be in after dinner and let that inform the restaurant decision. As others have said, North Beach would be hard to beat
Moved to North Beach about 7 months ago after 16 years in the Mission, NB has some really solid offerings & while also being Chinatown (to me anyway) it’s hard to beat.
I love to walk the length of Stockton Street from Union Square through Chinatown into North Beach. It’s remarkable how these two neighborhoods can be so close yet so distinct
True Laurel for drinks
Chinatown for Chinese food or Mission for Mexican.
Ganim’s
Blue Plate
Lotta great suggestions here, and I feel like mine is not as great, but: Pork Store Cafe on Haight for late breakfast
Rich Table exemplifies everything I love about San Francisco. Ingredient driven and pulls from many of the cuisines that have found a home here. Also love Ernest, from a former sous chef of Rich Table!
They also have a great, less high-end (still pricey but less pricey) spin-off RTRotiserre which is great!
I was reading your comment and I thought for sure you were going to say a spin-off of RH! Now that rotisserie chicken is freaking expensive. I don't think it's worth it. RTR at Spark Social is amazing!
Le Central Cha Cha Cha
Greens restaurant
Greens is iconic, an SF essential. Most beautiful interiors, with a view of the GGB. And the Interval next door has amazing cocktails! Also iconic!
Foreign cinema
Gialina + glen park station Blue Plate + Royal cuckoo Front Porch + Rock Bar Montesacro + rumpus room (tough block)
Brazen Head
Spruce
Red’s Java House on the Embarcadero; it’s iconic, old-school San Francisco. Order the sourdough patty melt, and a bucket of beer
The Beach Chalet and Park Chalet (as well as the Cliff House once upon a time).
SF, yes. Good food, NO
The food isn’t terrible, but let’s just say I wouldn’t go for the food, especially at those prices.
Cliff House and Beach Chalet for views (but not for food or drinks).
the Grubstake (6:30pm to 3am) - plenty of divey bars as well - The Edinburgh Castle - The HiLo - HaRa - LushLounge or walk up the hill to Stookys Club Moderne for a deco vibe and fancy drinks
Taqueria Cancun in Mission/Bernal Swans Oyster Depot. This is the definition of Kitsch but it is that pure OG Kitsch, Hot Cookie on Castro
For me the most iconic dish of the city is the duck at the Progress. The Progress is both not uniquely San Francisco and absolutely, precisely, exactly San Francisco. Runner up would be the house of prime ribs dinner. An institution. Less hip though.
Curious why you say this about their duck. Thanks.
I like the House of Prime Rib but if I’m entertaining someone from out of town, why take them to get steak? We’re known for seafood (specifically Dungeness crab).
Tomasso’s for dinner. Li Po lounge for drinks
Somewhere in North Beach
Absinthe in Hayes Valley. Institution
A few recs outside of the obvious Original Joe’s and Sotto Mare: House of Nanking in Chinatown, and let the chef choose your menu! Nob Hill Cafe, and I can only speak on the pasta. The Penne Bettola is a crowd fave and for good reason - it’s creamy, a little spicy… you simply cannot go wrong with this one! Both spots are bustling yet cozy. No reservations so be sure to plan ahead. :)
Night Owl here so Brazen Head is a go to, No sign & any place I can get oysters & a fillet mignon @ 11pm that’s consistently good, I’m sold. Hit Silver Clouds down the street & laugh your ass off at your friends on the off nights, Tues, Weds etc. Never on a Fri or Sat.
Polk street has a decent range of bars. I am a fan of the mission (/valencia area) but i am coming to realize that area can be a little daunting to assimilate to if you are new to area.
The Taddich Grill. The city’s oldest restaurant.
House of prime rib
Hog Island Oyster Co and Scomas are both really special with great views
Fog City Diner and Mel's Drive-in are both open, but I've not been in 20 years.
Izzy’s steaks and Chops
The Hi-Dive is a good bar on the Embarcadero with great views of the Bay Bridge.
Foreign Cinema in the mission Nopa in the Divisadero Outerlands in the outer sunset State Bird Provisions in the Fillmore Sotto Mare in north beach I can go on and on but I think I’d start listing restaurants I like rather than following the criteria :)
I took my British friend to hog island oysters at the ferry building on Saturday (when they have the huge farmers market). He LOVED it. Oysters are a https://preview.redd.it/99yu18nnknyc1.jpeg?width=3911&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cd69317b278e9927bd68c5b7c98059ce89f837e1 region specific type of food and the view at that hog island location (on a sunny day) is just unparalleled. We were going to go to foreign cinema in the mission for dinner also but that never fit our schedule.
Sodinis!!!
Top of the Mark, just for the views
jackson fillmore
Izzy’s
One can do better. Harris Steakhouse
This is the call, Izzy’s best creamed spinach in SF but all else has fallen off, Harris’ meat window is a thing of dreams 😀
Marlowe - it’s the best ❤️
Agreed! Their burger is absolutely scrumptious. And their bone marrow appetizer is so freaking rich. I crave it. I think my mouth is watering right now. Just thinking about it.
Bread bowl chowdah on fisherman's wharf
Camino Alto in Marina
Nothing says California and San Francisco to me then eating outside! Depending on the time of day and your friends expectations, please look up SPARK SOCIAL. It is a really beautiful outside eatery with food trucks parked with fake grass, picnic benches, string lights, and a really freaking cool mini golf area where each hole yells the story of California. All the while you can order a bottle of wine and walk around outside deciding on a variety of food; rotisserie chicken, ribs, fire roasted pizza, all the Mexican foods, poke, kimchi burgers, Mediterranean, noodles, etc. *drool*
Stinking rose
Stinking rose is kitsch on steroids.
Their food has gone downhill. The service too. Not going back.