San Fran is a city that I know well. My favorite thing to do there is walk around and discover the latest in creative and ethnic food. It’s such a great way to soak up the vibe that’s so unique to this place.
I hope you find these recommendations helpful! Walk, eat, enjoy and fall in love with San Fran!
Feel free to connect with me via e-mail me at sheree@immersaglobal.com
Updated Jan. 2019
San Francisco Eats:
Authentic Cantonese Chinese Cuisine. Go here for the salt & pepper crab! Well-known throughout the city!
631 Kearny St
b/t Commercial St & Clay St
Burma Superstar (Inner Richmond)
Flavorful and beautifully presented Burmese food. (The tea-leaf salad, pictured above, is better than the ones I actually in Burma!) Their mains are great too. I had the shrimp curry last. They also have fun rice options. Let the waiter help you pick the right one for your dish. Highly recommend. (Stroll around Clement when you’re done. My plan next time is to try as many of these cute little restaurants, markets and bakeries as possible!)
309 Clement St
b/t 5th Ave & 4th Ave
E&O Kitchen and Bar (Union Sq / Financial District)
BEST HAPPY HOUR:
Mon-Sat from 3-6pm (confirm hrs)
High quality and varried bar bites and nice wines. Corporate, yet inviting ambiance. Highly recommend.
314 Sutter St
Pancho Villa Taqueria (In the Mission)
I eat here every single time I’m in SF! I LOVE, LOVE the prawn tacos here. This is a NO FRILLS (at all) typical taqueria. It would be the type of spot you’d find in calle 8 if it were Miami. (No wine…I think they may have beer.) I do not recommend the “aguas” or the desserts here. They are all loaded up with way too much sugar!
3071 16th St
Dandelion Chocolate (in the Mission)
Really cute cafe/ chocolate atelier. Walk around and try the samples. I love the 85% and higher. Cute to hang out for an hour or so. I think they offer workshops...
740 Valencia St, San Francisco,
Bi Rite Ice Cream (in the Mission)
If you like ice cream, you’ll love all the flavors they have here. Hand made, small batch really neat flavors. Warning: There’s usually a bit of aline, but it’s worth it!
3692 18th St.
Great Ramen place in a fun, modern space. We just discovered it last month while fleeing from Irma. Very comforting food, so it was perfect. Wine choices are great, too!
174 Valencia St
Golden Boy Pizza (North Beach)
If you’re feeling deprived of extra calories and love pizza, you must go here. It’s a funky, no frills place in the heart of North Beach. I love the claim & garlic pizza. REALLY, REALLY good. If you’re with someone, just have some mints on hand afterwards.
542 Green St
b/t Jasper Pl & Bannam Pl. North Beach/Telegraph Hill
Yank Sing (Financial District)
The absolute BEST dim sum in San Fran. (Careful because it can get expensive)
It’s in a bank building, so don’t be put off by that. Awesome, awesome, awesome!!
101 Spear St. b/t Mission St & Howard St
Woodhouse Fish Co (on Fillmore. Lower Pacific Heights)
This feels like a New England restaurant. Very solid food and service (and wine list!) If you like oysters, they have Dollar Oysters on Tuesdays that pair very well with the New Zealand Sav Blanc or their champaign by the glass (can’t remember which one it was). They lobster rolls and fish and chips are also very good. You must try the amazing Cioppino here at some point. It’s a well-known San Fran dish and they do it beautifully here.
1914 Fillmore St. b/t Wilmot St & Bush St
(There are 2 locations, this is the one that I know well). Once you finish here, take a stroll down Fillmore. Feels like a street you’d find in East Village.
If you like tequila and mezcal, you’ll really enjoy this place. So many small production labels you’ve never heard of. Fun bar with a cool vibe. There’s an upscale version of a taqueria adjacent to it. Very tasty food. You can get hammered and eat well all in the same space! Ha!
741 Valencia St
Arsicault Bakery (Inner Richmond)
The BEST croissant in town (no joke!)
Not much room to sit, but you can grab a great drip coffee and pastry to go. (Closed on Mondays)
397 Arguello Blvd. B/t Euclid Ave & Cornwall St
**Right around the corner from Arsicault Bakery, you’ll find the amazing CLEMENT STREET which I highly recommend. There you’ll find many Asian restaurants (i.e. Burma Superstar). Also every SUNDAY they have the Clement St. Farmer’s Market (between 2nd and 4th Aves) which is absolutely gorgeous! Grab a croissant and walk over!
FUN THINGS TO DO:
Traditional Japanese bath and relaxation house. Great for 2-3 hours to relieve stress. They have a cute little restaurant as well that serves small plates, tea and safe to enjoy after your bath. See website for info regarding bathing suit optional days. I was introduced to this concept in Japan many years ago. I love it!
466 Eddy St
The Pirate Store (in the Mission)
Eclectic little store that sells pirate accessories to benefit the student writing center & workshops. I never actually need any of the stuff here, but I do like to support the writing center. (You can actually see the students working with tutors in the back of the store!)
826 Valencia St
Go to a concert at the SF Jazz.
One of few dedicated music venues in the country that is just for jazz. We go all the time and have never been disappointed.
201 Franklin St
One of my favorite museums in the country. Always have well-curated exhibits. The cafe is decent enough for a quick bite.
151 3rd St