21 Things You Must Eat in San Francisco
The fabulous city of San Francisco is a perfect holiday destination. Although the city is known for the Golden Gate Bridge, perfect weather, the Hollywood hills, the state bird, and much more, the culinary delights of San Francisco are on equal footing with all of these other attractions. The edible discoveries that one could make in San Francisco are countless and include varieties of seafood, Chinese food, and cuisine from a vast selection of Michelin Star restaurants. To ensure your culinary experience in San Francisco is as memorable as possible, we have compiled a list of the top 21 things to eat in this diverse Californian metropolis, along with some of the best restaurants in San Francisco. One of the things to keep in mind while reading this blog is that, while eating food might be an experience taken for granted, the person making the food will pour their skill, effort, and love into the meal you will consume. When you bite into any meal at a restaurant, you are eating the result of someone’s passion for what they do. Keep this in mind and as a lifelong policy, appreciate food and those who make it for the joy and judgment of the world. If extra bags are a hindrance, look up our San Francisco Luggage Storage services before you head out to fill your bellies!
Burritos
Although Chipotle may hold a monopoly on burritos today, San Francisco actually has its own unique variant of a burrito that actually dates back to the 1960s. Affectionately dubbed “Mission Burritos” (as they came from the Mission District), the classic tortilla-meat snack quickly took the city by storm. The Mission Burrito can be distinguished from other burritos by the increased size, the extra ingredients, and the aluminum foil that it is served in. They come in different flavors and there are hordes of taquerias throughout Mission District and beyond who offer these king-size burritos for all palates. If you’re a believer in the New York hot dog or the Texan barbecue, the San Francisco burrito will not disappoint you. Even if you aren’t a believer, try it anyway to get an idea of all San Francisco has to offer your taste buds with concern to its take on a burrito. To this day, while the burrito remains widely popular across the United States, the Mission Burrito continues to dominate San Francisco. Additionally, it continues to amaze and impress tourists who want to explore Californian cuisine.
Seafood
One of the factors that make the city of San Francisco famous is its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. While people generally tend to point to the city’s infallibly sunny weather, its beautiful beaches, or its amazing sunsets, they tend to overlook the culinary benefits of living close to the ocean (and specifically in the Bay Area). Naturally, you can’t go wrong with San Francisco’s delightfully fresh seafood. Head out to the Bay Area and you would be spoilt for choice for delicious seafood. The most famous local seafood dish is the Dungeness Crab available through early summer by the end of spring during the crab season. Typically the Dungeness Crab is used to prepare other seafood dishes such as Cioppino. Make the most of this glorious time and sink your jaws into this crispy, delectable treat.
So what’s the deal with Cioppino? With a city full of seafood joints, this seafood soup finds its own fan base owing to a combination of Italian cuisine, a fresh catch from the Bay Area, and a red wine broth. Could one ask for more? This dish consists of the seafood (which is typically dungaree crabs, shrimps, clams, fish squid, etc.), served with tomatoes in wine sauce. The dish is also complemented with San Francisco’s signature sourdough, which can be dipped into the cioppino. Typically the dish has clams or crab but can be served with a variety of other seafood. Once tasted, it is easy to see why this particular dish stands out from the countless specialties San Francisco has to offer. There is a certain feeling of being full when one finishes eating. What most people seek is not only the feeling of being full but the feeling of being satisfied and content after a meal. San Francisco’s cioppino soup is guaranteed to leave this feeling in your heart and a good taste in your mouth.
Fresh Produce
The farm to the table might be the latest fad throughout the world, but it has been a norm in San Francisco for a long time. The Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture, or CUESA, organized a number of farmer’s markets throughout the city and their produce is turned into sumptuous delicacies a short walk away from a high-end restaurant or food truck. We all need our veggies and nutrition, and where better to get both of those things than at one of San Francisco’s farmer’s markets. Upon sampling some of what Mother Nature has to offer, you may never want to eat fast-food ever again. Be sure to come back to the markets that you like, in order to take more great produce. Good natural ingredients are difficult to come by these days, it is always best to know where your food is coming from, hence the worldwide movement. You can eat in peace, knowing your food comes from the purest source of nutrition in existence.
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Beverages
Anchor Beer: When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Founded at the end of the 19th century, Anchor Steam Beer is famous for its trademark craft beer, having been operational for a large period of San Francisco’s history. The beer gets its name from its rather unique fermentation process. The foggy climate of San Francisco was the key to this unique process and resulted in the creamy texture and dark hue of the beer once fully distilled. Tasting this beverage is more than just a dive into liquid perfection, it’s a dive into history. There is nothing better to share with a friend or a loved one than San Francisco’s favorite beer. So go ahead, make merry while sampling this delightful craft beer. Taste it, and you’ll find it is like tasting the foggy night sky of San Francisco.
Brut IPA: From a city renowned for its Anchor craft beer comes a new addition of champagne-flavored beer that bubbles and mimics the behavior of its alcoholic sister. Now you may be thinking, more alcohol? But it will interest you to know this champagne-style beer was only invented in 2017. To pass up an opportunity to try a unique beer variant that was recently invented would be aking to passing up free tickets to Disneyland. For those alcohol enthusiasts, rest assured your expectations will be surpassed by this flavorful beverage. The San Francisco nightlife offers you this new alcoholic specialty in nearly every bar, to make your tasting experience more enjoyable.
Wine: Please tell me you didn’t think we’d get through a list of things to eat in SF without mentioning wine? No? Whew! From a city surrounded by Napa and Sonoma, you might be expecting some classic Californian wine. Amidst the offerings, Chardonnay is the best bet. As mentioned above, the city is famous for its Anchor Beer and Brut IPA, both very popular types of local beverages. Be sure to note that while beer is what San Francisco is most known for, the wine does not go unnoticed. There are several wineries that you can select from to tour. Some of these include the Chateau Montelena, the well-known Winery Collective, and the Dogpatch Wine Works. These wineries each offer tours and wine tastings for those who are of age. You can not only sample the delicious blends and variants that are made in San Francisco, but you can learn the true process behind the creation of it. And to reiterate, you’d be most likely to encounter Chardonnay on your travels around the city, and you’ll be glad that encounter occurred.
Japanese
Kitchen Kura is an authentic Japanese restaurant that is only a short walk from the Golden Gate Park and is possibly one of the best places to dine in San Francisco, especially after a day of sightseeing. Drop off your excess bags at San Francisco baggage storage and come here. Feel free to sample delicious Japanese dishes such as teriyaki, unagi don, and calamari tempura. There is nothing stopping you from indulging, so don’t hesitate. After all, that’s what the San Francisco culinary experience is all about. Aside from delicious food, those who are not too well-versed in Japanese culture now have a chance to observe it firsthand. Anyone familiar with American History will know Japanese-Americans were a big part of California’s history. As you walk in the Golden Gate Park, and you hear that initial purr from your stomach, take a long look at the gorgeous California sunset and prepare to feast like a king.
Bakeries
The sourdough bread of San Francisco gets its tangy flavor from the unique climate and has caught the attention of many tourists exploring the city. Sink your teeth into the soft grain, feel the crunch of the crust, detect the different flavors, and relish the rush of satisfaction that will follow the feeling of the dough pleasantly sliding down your esophagus. Many San Francisco restaurants will have these in abundance. Similar to San Francisco’s anchor beer, this bread is unique to the city due to its unique process. San Francisco’s sourdough can be found adjacent to many dishes. Seafood dishes in particular, such as clams, are generally served with sourdough bread to complement it.
Have a bit of a sweet-tooth? We’ve got you covered. A soufflé is designed to take your breath away with its fluffy exterior and melting creamy interior. Though not unique to San Francisco, Cafe Jacqueline at North Beach is the best place to gorge on some delicious soufflés. Even though they have been around for a while, to this day they are still a must eat when traveling in San Francisco or the Bay Area. San Franciscans will assure travelers that eating a soufflé is a golden experience. Try it, and it will quickly become your new best friend. Starting with the crispy outside layer, then working your way to the warm softness of the inner layer, then savoring the contrast in texture. Finally swallowing the treat and savoring the warm sensation emanating from your stomach. There are very few dishes in the Bay Ares that come close to the quality and care of how the soufflé is made. Fresh, heavenly, and a sure pick for locals, this dish is essential.
Chinese
Chinatown has always been one of the most popular hangouts in the whole of San Francisco. What makes it unique is an array of authentic Chinese restaurants that offers world-famous delicacies such as dim sum, salt and pepper crabs, and chicken wings. Boasting a variety of takeout dishes, fried plates, stews, custards, and dumplings, San Franciscans would say Chinatown is the ideal neighborhood to visit if you’re seeking some variety in your diet. Dim Sum is the perfect meal to have late in the morning, with quality sauces, custard buns, delicious rice, salads, and other tasty dishes. You may find the gorgeous dishes mentioned above both at a Michelin starred restaurant to age-old eateries. Keep in mind that the location you’ll be dining at is as important as the quality of the food. Simply refer to yelp when looking for the best space. While you’re at it, look for Verteo San Francisco, the best space for luggage storage in San Francisco.
Similar to what Chinatown brings to the table, Nihonmachi is the Japantown of San Francisco offering all kinds of Japanese cuisine ranging from standard sushi joints, ramen stew joints, to street-side noodle houses. As mentioned above, the restaurant Kitchen Kura boasts some of the best Japanese cuisines in San Francisco. However, when you’re in Nihonmachi you’ll have a much broader selection, and you’ll be immersed in Japanese Culture as you bite into your pancakes. Be sure to also try the local sushi, and stop at any sushi bar you deem the best. You may even want to delve a bit deeper into Japanese cuisine and you could try rare dishes such as fried agemono in this cultural corner of San Francisco.
Coffee
There is a unique coffee shop at every corner of San Francisco and famous cafes like Blue Bottle Coffee or Philz have roots in this city. So whenever you need to take a break from exploring the city, unwind with a classic local brew of coffee to recharge your batteries. Coffee powers society, and is a quick source of energy. There is no place that is more important to have energy than in a major city that you are unfamiliar with. When the fatigue begins to seep up your legs, that’s when you know it’s time to grab an espresso and indulge in the bittersweet combination of sugar and coffee beans.
Ice Cream
There is no better place to soothe your nerves and calm your senses than munching on ice cream at Bi-Rite Creamery on the corner of Dolores Park. You can get every flavor one can imagine added with local intensity. Suit up for a long line of revelers. With a beautiful location, perfect flavors, and an extensive list of flavors to choose from, the Bi-Rite Creamery is indeed the place to go to calm the nerves. Try up to three different flavors of local ice cream, and to sample the ice cream that every San Franciscan eats. If you’re worried about dragging the kids all the way to Dolores Park, the sight of this place might induce a sugar rush before they even step inside. It has excellent service, flavors that practically came out of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and a wide-open space. What were your other two wishes?
Not technically San Francisco…
Oakland is a testament to a long African American history and nothing symbolizes it more than soul food across its gorgeous restaurants such as Brown Sugar Kitchen, Lena’s Soul Food, and numerous BBQ shops. Go bagless with luggage storage in San Francisco and enjoy the delicious, lip-smacking food. You will not go wrong with food made out of these heavenly ingredients. Whenever you bite into a piece of fried chicken, not only will you feel the crunch and the aftertaste, but you will feel the culture and roots laid down in Oakland. The food you’ll receive there will give you the sensation of eating a family dinner. You will feel calm, protected, and you’ll basically feel at home in Oakland. There is nothing better for the mind and body than soul food cooked with love.
…and for those who want to splurge.
With over 300 restaurants on the iconic Michelin Star list, San Francisco has the highest density of fine dining restaurants in the US. Some of these restaurants are considered to be the best in the city. Not all of them are heavy on budget and one can find an array of affordable Michelin starred restaurants to soothe your gastronomic senses. The food at these restaurants includes but is not limited to meat, stew, salad, and cake. Make no mistake, these restaurants boast the highest quality eats in San Francisco. Make sure to look at reviews before choosing a restaurant. After all, any Michelin Star restaurant will have stellar service and unforgettable food, but you want it to be an unforgettable experience. You can go to one certain San Francisco restaurant and it may very well be the best experience of your entire life. A Michelin Star rating does not mean all the restaurants with the rating are equal, and it is always best to find out more about a certain restaurant before committing your time and expense to one.
While having some spring in your step and flowers in your hair, San Francisco’s life will demand some stretchy pants as you sample every kind of delicious cuisine on offer. Enjoy the sights and sounds of this glorious city while munching on some of the best food and drinks that one can imagine. Please don’t allow something as trivial as time constraints or diet preferences to prevent you from experiencing the true majesty of San Francisco’s classic dining experience. When people ask you next time where you picture your next vacation, respond you imagine yourself driving through Chinatown, and stopping to gorge on every little plate that catches your eye. When they ask, “beach time?”, respond “beach time with some crab to go!” Dim Sum, seafood, clam chowder, fried chicken, these are the reasons you visit San Francisco. Because eating is never about a need to taste, it’s about being adventurous and being dazzled by the creations great chefs whip up.
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