Where locals eat in San Francisco

The neighborhood places residents go back to, with what to order at each.

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

1. 1

   Zuni Café

   California bistro · Hayes Valley

   Get: the roast chicken with bread salad; ask for it when you sit down

   The caesar too.

   Also on these lists: Romantic dinners in San Francisco, San Francisco: what to eat and where.

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

   Swan Oyster Depot

   Seafood counter · Nob Hill / Polk Gulch

   Get: the crab back, oysters and clam chowder at the counter

   18 stools since 1912.

   Also on these lists: Long lines in San Francisco, San Francisco: what to eat and where.

   1517 Polk St, San Francisco · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
3. 3

   Burma Superstar

   Burmese · Inner Richmond

   Get: the tea leaf salad and the platha with dip

   No reservations, so expect a wait.

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing
4. 4

   Delfina

   Italian · Mission

   Get: the spaghetti with tomato and the roast chicken

   The 18th Street Italian room.

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing
5. 5

   Nopa

   California cuisine · NoPa

   Get: the flatbread, the pork chop and the burger late

   Divisadero's neighborhood restaurant.

   560 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94117 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
6. 6

   Golden Boy Pizza

   Sicilian pizza · North Beach

   Get: the clam and garlic square and a pepperoni slice

   Cheap, crisp focaccia-style pizza.

   Also on the list: Long lines in San Francisco.

   542 Green Street, San Francisco, CA 94133 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
7. 7

   La Taqueria

   Mission

   Get: the carnitas burrito, dorado style

   A Mission taqueria for decades.

   Also on these lists: Long lines in San Francisco, San Francisco: what to eat and where, The best Mission burrito in San Francisco.

   2889 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
8. 8

   Tommaso's

   Italian pizza · North Beach

   Get: a pizza from the wood oven and a plate of pasta

   Old-school North Beach.

   1042 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA 94133 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
9. 9

   Fiorella

   Italian · Outer Richmond

   Get: a pizza and a pasta, or the green eggs and ham pizza at brunch

   Casual Outer Richmond Italian spot known for thin crust pizzas and homey pastas in a cozy room.

   2339 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94121 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
10. 10

    Outerlands

    New American cafe · Outer Sunset

    Get: the Dutch pancake at brunch

    A warm room near Ocean Beach.

    Map · Add to Chef Amazing
11. 11

    Terzo

    Mediterranean small plates · Cow Hollow

    Get: the calamari and the hummus, with a glass of wine at the bar

    Cow Hollow spot for Mediterranean small plates and wine, a relaxed date night favorite in the neighborhood.

    3011 Steiner St, San Francisco, CA 94123 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
12. 12

    The Laundromat

    American gastropub · Outer Richmond

    Get: a pizza and a bottle of natural wine

    Full on weeknights with neighbors.

    3725 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94121 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing