San Francisco food guide: The best restaurants in San Francisco

With its natural beauty, vibrant neighbourhoods and must-see attractions, it’s easy to fall in love with San Francisco. During your cruise to the city by the bay, you’re certain to work up an appetite while exploring this incredible destination. Stop off at one of these breakfast, lunch or dinner spots as you explore: 

• Breadbelly
• Sweet Maple
• Tartine Manufactory 

1408 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA 94118

Breadbelly is a cheery cafe and bakery that blends Asian and Californian influences to create delicious coffees, baked goods and light bites. It’s renowned for its kaya toast with squiggles of green coconut pandan jam, everything-spiced bun with onion jam and cream cheese and yuzu Americano. The cafe actually started life as a pop-up from chefs who were inspired by their Chinese and Filipino-American heritage and various travels across the continent of Asia. Today, it’s well known as a trusted establishment - you can choose anything here and never go wrong. 

2101 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94115

Sweet Maple, which was founded in 2010, is a laid-back neighbourhood restaurant, coffeehouse and meeting place that serves breakfast, brunch and lunch. The popular spot has a simple approach to its menu: it combines top-quality locally-sourced organic ingredients. On the menu, you can expect to see delicious dishes like sugar-glazed millionaire’s bacon, which is bacon baked in brown sugar with cayenne and red and black pepper, sweet potato pancakes and deep-fried French toast. Delicious! 

595 Alabama Street, San Francisco, CA 94110 

Tartine Manufactory is a famed artisanal bakery and cafe located in the heart of San Francisco’s Mission District. Most loved for its freshly-baked bread, decadent pastries and rustic sandwiches, Tartine Manufactory is driven by the need to deliver the best possible product and experience for their guests. The team don’t compromise on quality or taste and that’s evident in the dishes served from 8 am to 11 am every single day. The lavender and honey yoghurt and sweet hot cross buns come highly regarded. 

• Kantine
• La Cocina Municipal Marketplace
• Palm City 

1906 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

After spending more than a decade in Copenhagen, Chef Nichole Accettola decided to create her own gathering place for good Scandinavian food in San Francisco. Kantine, which is the Danish word for canteen, is the place to enjoy a hearty lunch with Scandinavian influences and seasonal, organic and sustainable ingredients. Smørrebrød’s (open-faced sandwiches) are popular here - each one is neatly layered with things like curried herring, apples and capers or smoked chicken with crispy chicken skin. 

101 Hyde Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 

Take your tastebuds on a gastronomic journey at La Cocina Municipal Marketplace. Named by San Francisco Chronicle as one of the Top 25 Restaurants in the Bay Area in 2022, this spacious and airy food hall gathers over 50 merchants offering a wide array of bright and delicious global options. From Mexican to Guatemalan, Senegalese to Nepalese, you’re certain to find something tasty, whether you dine in or order takeout. But do remember, La Cocina Municipal Marketplace is only open for lunch during the week. 

4055 Irving Street, San Francisco, CA 94122 

Palm City is a neighbourhood gathering space in the Outer Sunset whose owner aims to share their love of good food and even better wine. At first glance, you might think you’ve stumbled upon a hidden gem but Palm City is exceptionally popular, with hopeful customers lining the streets each weekend. Which is to say, weekdays are the best time to stop by. The Philly-style hoagies are a must - it’s what the restaurant is most well-known for. You won’t go wrong with the mortadella, finocchiona, mozzarella, parmesan, arugula and nduja mayo sarnie. 

• Liholiho Yacht Club
• Rintaro 
• The Laundromat 

871 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94109

Liholiho Yacht Club is a family-owned bistro born of lasting positive change. It is the brainchild of Chef Ravi Kapur, whose heritage-driven menu showcases influences from Hawaiian, Chinese, Japanese and Korean cuisine. And when it comes to the food, you won’t find similar dishes anywhere else in the city by the Bay. From the duck liver toast with jalapeño and pickled pineapple to the roasted octopus with curried raisins, castelvetrano olives, butterball potatoes and fresh coriander, you can’t go wrong. 

82 14th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 

Owned and operated by Sylvan Mishima, who was born in Kyoto and raised in northern California, Rintaro is a cross between traditional Japanese izakaya and fresh California cooking. Stepping inside Rintaro, which is located in the bustling Mission District, is like stepping into a calming private spa thanks to its intimate atmosphere and soothing decor. The sample menu consists of shareable plates that will land on your table like welcome gifts - be sure to try the kabocha korokke followed by the yakitori aka momo. 

3725 Balboa Street, San Francisco, CA 94121 

There may not be many laundromats left in San Francisco now but who enjoys doing the washing, anyway? Eating fantastic pizza and chewy, plump bagels is far more fun and luckily, The Laundromat does both of those things very well. Located in the Richmond District, The Laundromat is famous for its organic, hand-rolled, boiled and baked bagels and delicious Detroit-style pizza served alongside local beers and natural wine. As you may expect, eating here is a relaxed affair - almost like dining in someone’s living room!