San Francisco: what to eat and where

The city's signature dishes and the best places for each.

12 places in San Francisco · by Chef Amazing · updated October 20, 2026
Photo: zunicafe.com

1. 1

   Zuni Café

   California bistro · Hayes Valley

   Order: Whole roast chicken for two with warm bread salad

   Also on these lists: Romantic dinners in San Francisco, Where locals eat in San Francisco.

   1658 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
2. 2

   El Metate

   Mission

   Order: Super burrito with asada or chicken

   2406 Bryant St, San Francisco, CA 94110 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
3. 3

   Yank Sing

   SoMa

   Order: Shrimp har gow, Mandarin dumplings, Peking duck

   101 Spear St, San Francisco, CA 94105 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
4. 4

   Sotto Mare

   North Beach

   Order: Oysters on the half shell, Crab Louis

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing
5. 5

   La Taqueria

   Mission

   Get: Carne asada burrito, 'dorado' style (crisped on the griddle), no rice

   Order: Carne asada burrito (no rice, the house style)

   Also on these lists: Long lines in San Francisco, The best Mission burrito in San Francisco, Where locals eat in San Francisco.

   2889 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
6. 6

   Blue Mermaid

   Fisherman's Wharf

   Order: New England clam chowder

   495 Jefferson St, San Francisco, CA 94109 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
7. 7

   Tadich Grill

   Financial District

   Order: Chowder at lunch

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing
8. 8

   El Castillito

   Duboce Triangle

   Order: Burrito with crispy al pastor

   136 Church St, San Francisco, CA 94114 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
9. 9

   RT Rotisserie

   Hayes Valley

   Order: Rotisserie chicken with dipping sauces

   101 Oak St, San Francisco, CA 94102 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
10. 10

    Lai Hong Lounge

    Chinatown

    Order: Cheong fan with fish and yellow chives

    1416 Powell St, San Francisco, CA 94133 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
11. 11

    Anchor Oyster Bar

    Castro

    Order: Seafood combination, oysters, cioppino

    579 Castro St, San Francisco · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
12. 12

    Swan Oyster Depot

    Seafood counter · Nob Hill / Polk Gulch

    Get: The Sicilian sashimi, a crab back, and oysters

    Order: Crab Louie, oysters, seafood salad at the counter

    Also on these lists: Long lines in San Francisco, Where locals eat in San Francisco.

    1517 Polk St, San Francisco · Map · Add to Chef Amazing