Dining

Greens 2 Marina Blvd., Fort Mason, Building A, San Francisco, CA 94123
A legendary vegetarian restaurant with a panorama view of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands, this eatery has a constantly-changing menu dedicated to the seasonal harvests of local (and organic) farms.

 

The Snug 2301 Fillmore St., San Francisco, CA 94115
Founded by four friends, this alum-owned (Zachary Schwab (C’11)), casual restaurant has the finest California brew, a quaint cocktail bar, and serves limited—but mighty—lunch and dinner menus featuring classic Americana faire.

 

Tadich Grill 240 California St., San Francisco, CA 94111
Founded in the 1800s by Croatian immigrants, this eatery is a seafood-centric restaurant with the best cioppinos in town.

 

Mission Burritos

Where does one find the best burrito in The Mission? The competition is fierce, but here are a few places we recommend while you’re in The Mission:

• La Cumbre 515 Valencia St., San Francisco, CA 94110 Credited by locals as the originators of the “Mission-style burrito,” this popular restaurant is known for its fresh ingredients and authentic Mexican dishes.
• Taqueria El Farolito 2779 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94110
  This cash-only taqueria is a carry-out restaurant that always has a line going out the door—but that’s probably because they have outer-wordly burritos!
• Taqueria Cancun 2288 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94110
  Experience a burrito that is guaranteed to change your life at one of the most popular burrito spots (especially for the after-hours crew).

 

Mission Tacos

Here to help you taco the town is a list of four taquerias certain to provide you with mouth-watering tacos in the Mission:

• La Taqueria 2889 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94110
  Opened in the early 1970s, this cash only taqueria has excellent steak (carne asada), pork (carnitas), and chorizo tacos.
• Taqueria San Jose 2830 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94110
  If you find that the line is too long at La Taqueria, venture across the street to find some of the tastiest tacos al pastor (pork) in San Francisco.
• Taqueria Vallarta 3033 24th St., San Francisco, CA 94110
  Experience a taste of the traditional Mexican taco, right in the heart of the district.
• Tacos El Patrón 1500 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94110
  Head to this taqueria to try the irresistible and trendy birria (beef) tacos, served with a tasty broth for dipping.

Spruce 3640 Sacramento St., San Francisco, CA 94118
Head to the Presidio Heights neighborhood for an intimate dining experience at this Michelin-starred restaurant. Try any of their elaborate dishes—especially their famous Spruceburger.

 

Buck’s of Woodside 3062 Woodside Rd., Woodside, CA 94062
Known for its venture capitalist and tech-entrepreneur customer base, this subtle gathering spot features hearty food and an eclectic souvenir scavenger hunt.

 

Wayfare Tavern 558 Sacramento St., San Francisco, CA 94111
Located on a side street near San Francisco’s Financial District, this tavern is owned by celebrity chef Tyler Florence and is noted as having top-tier brunch foods—chicken and waffles to be exact.

 

In-n-Out Multiple locations
No visit to California is complete without a visit to the state’s famous burger chain. Don’t forget to order something off their secret menu.

 

Cafe Greco 423 Columbus Ave., San Francisco, CA 94133
Sit on the sidewalk outside Cafe Grecco while enjoying one of the best Illy cappuccinos—and award winning tiramisu, cannolis, and gelato—in town.

 

Molinari Delicatessen 373 Columbus Ave., San Francisco, CA 94133
Taste San Francisco’s version of an Italian deli sandwich (or heroes) at Molinari, an old-school deli. After you grab your sandwich, head to Washington Park, just two blocks away, and immerse yourself in the heart of North Beach.

 

Bellota 888 Brannan St., San Francisco, CA 94103
If you are in the mood for food inspired by the regional cuisines and traditions of Spain, head to Bellota, and prepare to be wowed by a meal and live music.

 

Boulevard 1 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94105
Journey to Chef Nancy Oakes’ recently reopened, classic restaurant on the Embarcadero waterfront, and taste her famous pork chop.

 

Wildseed 2000 Union St., San Francisco, CA 94123
If you are walking around the Marina, Chestnut Street, or Union Street, stop by Wildseed and experience their California-style vegan food and unique cocktails.

 

Nopa 560 Divisadero St., San Francisco, CA 94117
Visit Nopa for delicious Moroccan-inspired vegetarian tagine and organic wood-fired cuisine.

 

Aziza 5800 Geary Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94121
Transport yourself to Morocco at Michelin-star Chef Mourad Lahlou’s restaurant, located in the Richmond District. His Basteeya and couscous are not to be missed.

 

Mourad
Sister Restaurant of Aziza and near the Financial District, this James Beard award nominated restaurant features authentic Moroccan design in modern interpretation.

 

Beit Rama 138 Church St., San Francisco, CA 94114
If you are near the Castro and craving Mediterranean cuisine, head to Beit Rama for the best Middle Eastern food in San Francisco.

 

Wood Tavern 6317 College Ave., Oakland, CA 94618
If you happen to make your way to Berkeley—or the Rockridge area of Oakland—stop by the Wood Tavern for the best fish sandwich on Acme sourdough bread that you’ve ever had.

 

Zuni Cafe 1658 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94102
A legendary restaurant on San Francisco’s Market Street, this highly sought restaurant is known for its roasted chicken in a panzanella (bread) and espresso granita with a touch of whipped cream. Californian simplicity at its best.

 

Haghdough 1221 Fell St., San Francisco, CA 94117
This bakery brings the richness of German-inspired desserts to the streets of San Francisco!

 

International Smoke 301 Mission, San Francisco, CA 94105
Founded by Michael Mina and Ayesha Curry and inspired by their mutual passion for international cultures, this unique restaurant offers flavorful, smoked dishes.

 

Balboa Cafe 3199 Fillmore St., San Francisco, CA 94123
Get a taste of the highly talked about Balboa Espressotini and Balboa Burger at this Hoya affiliated cafe.

Original Joe’s 601 Union St., San Francisco, CA 94133
Noted as one of the best Italian restaurants in North Beach, Original Joe’s serves traditional Italian-American dishes and excellent cocktails (every meal starts with traditional sourdough bread from Boudin Bakery).

 

North Beach Restaurant 1512 Stockton St., San Francisco, CA 94133
Enjoy Tuscan culinary excellence in a relaxed atmosphere that has been a favorite for many San Franciscans since 1970.

 

Tony’s Pizza Napoletana 1570 Stockton St., San Francisco, CA 94133
Tony’s Award-winning margarita pizza is not to be missed. Grab a slice and enjoy the view of Washington Square Park just across the street from the restaurant.

 

Jupiter’s 2181 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94704
Enjoy handcrafted ale, live music, and great pizza in Jupiter’s outdoor garden dining area.

 

The Cheese Board Collective 1512 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94709
Taste the heart of California-style pizza at this worker-owned pizza spot. You can also purchase gourmet cheese in their adjacent cheese shop!

 

Cotogna 490 Pacific Ave., San Francisco, CA 94133
Known for their raviolo al’ Uovo and world class wine list, this upscale restaurant offers a classy take on traditional Italian dishes. *Reservation is required.

 

Heroic Italian 572 Castro St., San Francisco, CA 94119
Enjoy a true Italian hero loaded with meats and cheeses imported directly from Italy and produce sourced from local farms.

 

Delfina 3621 18th St., San Francisco, CA 94110
If you have a taste for fresh, homemade pasta, check out this Italian restaurant located in the Mission.

 

Mario’s Bohemian Cigar Store Cafe 566 Columbus Ave., San Francisco, CA 94133
This classic North Beach restaurant, which was once an old cigar store, has delicious simple, Italian-inspired focaccia sandwiches.

Monsieur Benjamin 451 Gough St., San Francisco, CA 94102
Check out this San Francisco bistro rooted in traditional French cooking.

 

Cafe Jacqueline 1454 Grant Ave., San Francisco, CA 94133
This classic, romantic restaurant is known for its intimate aesthetic and beautifully crafted souffles.
*Reservation is required.

 

Benu 22 Hawthorne St., San Francisco, CA 94105
Dine here to enjoy a prix-fixe, non-menu style dining experience of contemporary asian cuisine.

Yank Sing 101 Spear St. (Rincon Center), San Francisco, CA 94105
The oldest dim sum house in San Francisco and known for its “xiao lung bao” (juicy steamed pork dumplings with a broth), this restaurant is the go-to place for a classic, authentic Chinese meal.

 

Empress by Boon 838 Grant Ave., San Francisco, CA 94108
Located in the heart of Chinatown, Michelin-starred Executive Chef Ho Chee Boon provides exquisite twists on traditional Cantonese cuisine.
*Reservation is required.

 

Harbor View 4 Embarcadero Center (Street Level), San Francisco, CA 94111
Authentic Cantonese Chinese cuisine is this restaurant’s speciality. With views of the Ferry Building, enjoy dim sum in the day and fine Chinese cuisine in the evening.
*Reservation is recommended.

 

Good Mong Kok Bakery 1039 Stockton St., San Francisco, CA 94108
A dim sum takeaway on Stockton Street, this eatery is great for grabbing a quick bite while you’re on the go!

Slanted Door Ferry Building, #3, San Francisco, CA 94111
Have a beautiful dinner at Charles Phan’s gorgeous Vietnamese restaurant overlooking the bay.

 

Le Colonial 20 Cosmo Pl., San Francisco, CA 94109
Enjoy Vietnamese cuisine that accentuates bold flavors of regional ingredients throughout Vietnam.

Omakase 665 Townsend St., San Francisco, CA 94103
This restaurant has a reputation of being the Bay Area’s most authentic sushi restaurants.

 

Ju-Ni 1335 Fulton St., San Francisco, CA 94117
With its name meaning “twelve” in Japanese, this restaurant only has 12 seats! Groups of four guests experience a personalized, dining experience at this exclusive sushi bar.
*Reservation is required.

 

Akiko’s 431 Bush St., San Francisco, CA 94108
Centrally located in the heart of San Francisco, this family-owned and operated restaurant offers unique Japanese fare.

 

Yoshi’s Oakland 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland, CA 94607
Enjoy a nice, relaxed atmosphere with live music and Japanese fusion-style cuisine.

 

Ozumo 161 Steuart St., San Francisco, CA 94105
This high-end, Japanese dining experience located on the Bay’s waterfront is great for its authentic cuisine and unique cocktails—whether you’re looking for a place to go during happy hour or for an intimate rendezvous.

 

Shizen 370 14th St., San Francisco CA 94103
For vegan food-lovers, Shizen offers a wide variety of vegan sushi and other meatless plates in a minimalist wooden setting.

Kokkari Estiatorio 200 Jackson St., San Francisco, CA 94111
Consistently rated one of the top restaurants in San Francisco, Kokkari provides guests with the old-world charm of a rustic Mediterranean country inn and culinary Greek aesthetic.
*Reservation is required.

House of Prime Rib 1906 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94109
If you are not into someone messing around with your prime rib, this place is for you. House of Prime Rib serves the highest quality beef in the Bay Area (their meats are aged for 21 days!). *Reservation is required.

 

Miller & Lux 700 Terry A Francois Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94158
Located in the Chase Center with breathtaking views of the Bay, this restaurant offers high quality steaks with impeccable flavor and is noted as having the best angus beef burger in the Bay Area.

 

Buckeye Roadhouse 15 Shoreline Highway, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Located on the edge of Sausalito and known for their smoked ribs and smoked chicken wings, this restaurant is a Marin County staple that is not to be missed. The Buckeye Roadhouse is located on the edge of Sausalito and Mill Valley right off the freeway.

Waterbar 399 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105. Stop by this restaurant and stake out a spot because the Bay Bridge Bay views from here are spectacular. Don’t miss the $3 oyster happy hour (it starts at 4 p.m.)!

 

Swan Oyster Depot 1517 Polk St., San Francisco, CA 94109
Belly up to the counter in this narrow space for the best oysters you’ve ever had in your life.

 

Ancora 557 Valencia St., San Francisco, CA 94110
Enjoy a divine dining experience in San Francisco’s newest Michelin-starred seafood restaurant.

 

Fish 350 Harbor Dr., Sausalito, CA 94965
Located next to the harbor in Sausalito, this restaurant provides fresh, local seafood on an outdoor patio, inviting customers to take in the view of Marin County and the surrounding bay.

 

Scoma’s of Sausalito
Enjoy this quintessential seafood restaurant on the waterfront in Sausalito.

 

Leo’s Oyster Bar 568 Sacramento St., San Francisco, CA 94111
Step into Leo’s Oyster Bar in the Financial District and be transported to Palm Beach during your meal.

Amber India 25 Yerba Buena Ln., San Francisco, CA 94103
Dine in San Francisco’s finest Indian restaurant. Enjoy the best biryani (fragrant jasmine rice with chicken curry) and sea bass in the Bay area.

 

Chaat Corner 320 3rd St., San Francisco, CA 94107
Enjoy the feeling of a home cooked meal at this restaurant.

Caffe Trieste 601 Vallejo St., San Francisco, CA 9413
A staple in North Beach for over 50 years, this coffee house serves fresh espresso and is where the Beat generation once gathered.

 

Bob’s Donuts and Pastry Shop 1621 Polk St., San Francisco, CA 94109
Grab a fresh donut at San Francisco’s notorious donut establishment.

 

Sightglass 270 Seventh St., San Francisco, CA 94103
Enjoy a fresh-brewed cup of joe at this independent, sibling-owned coffee shop!

 

B Patisserie 2821 California St., San Francisco, CA 94115 Located on the outskirts of Pacific Heights, Belinda Leong’s B. Patisserie is a James Beard award winning french pastry shop. Enjoy their delicious treats, and try their famous Kouign Amman.

 

Arsicault Bakery 397 Arguello Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94118
Named “Bakery of the Year” by Bon Appetit, locals dutifully form winding lines down the block to grab a piece of heaven in the morning here. The almond croissant has a particularly loyal fan base.

 

Tartine Bakery Multiple locations
No visit to San Francisco is complete without a visit to Tartine Bakery for a chocolate croissant. While their croissants are to-die for, we encourage you to explore the variety of their cream pies—coconut, lemon, chocolate, banana…the list goes on. Expect to wait in line if you head to the original Tartine located on Guerrero St.

 

Cafe Strada 2300 College Ave., Berkeley, CA 94704
This famous cafe in Berkeley, known for their delicious mocha, sits right across from campus and is frequented by many attendees of University of Berkeley.

 

Coupa Cafe Multiple Silicon Valley locations in Palo Alto, Stanford, and Redwood City
Coupa Cafe is a coffee place where ideas are born and venture deals are negotiated, with locations on campus at Stanford and off-campus in the neighboring Palo Alto and Redwood cities.

 

Boichik Bagels
Try the West Coast bagels that the New York Times has raved about in the Bay Area.

 

Rize Up Sourdough Epicurean Trader, Ferry Building
Born in 2020, Rize Up is a Black-owned bakery that is rapidly changing the way people think about Sourdough bread.
*Available at Epicurean Trader in the Ferry Building, and in participating markets and restaurants.