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1
Swan Oyster Depot
Anthony Bourdain called it his favorite seafood spot in America.
1517 Polk Street, San Francisco, CA 94109 Full write-up → -
2
Tadich Grill
Operating since 1849, widely cited as California's oldest restaurant.
240 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94111 Full write-up → -
3
House of Prime Rib
A 1949 prime rib house on Van Ness that serves essentially one thing, carved tableside from silver domed carts.
Do not order a starter, because the salad, the creamed spinach, the Yorkshire pudding and the potato all arrive with the beef anyway.
1906 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94109 Full write-up → -
4
R&G Lounge
Anthony Bourdain featured this Chinatown Cantonese restaurant on No Reservations.
631 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA 94108 Full write-up → -
5
Molinari Delicatessen
An 1896 North Beach delicatessen that cures its own salami and builds sandwiches to order at the back counter.
Go before 1pm or after 2pm to miss the queue, know your sandwich before you reach the counter, and carry it two blocks up to Washington Square, where there are benches and lawn.
373 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133 Full write-up → -
6
Sam’s Burgers
Anthony Bourdain ate here on The Layover and called it "top three in the world." plus It's great for late night food after the bar.
618 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94133 Full write-up → -
7
Red’s Java House
A burger shack on Pier 30 that has been feeding the waterfront since 1955.
Come at lunch rather than late in the day, and take the double cheeseburger out to the back patio.
Pier 30, The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105 Full write-up → -
8
Zam Zam
A 1941 Haight Street bar built around a horseshoe counter and a Persian mural, famous for its gin martini.
Sit at the bar rather than at a table, bring cash, and order the gin martini, or the smaller pour they still call a Bruno.
1633 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117 Full write-up → -
9
Comstock Saloon
A restored 1907 Barbary Coast saloon with a pre-Prohibition cocktail list.
Order the Pisco Punch. Live jazz and a sawdust floor.
155 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94133 Full write-up → -
10
Li Po Cocktail Lounge
The 1937 Chinatown dive famous for its secret-recipe Chinese Mai Tai.
916 Grant Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94108 Full write-up → -
11
Tonga Room
A 1945 tiki bar in the Fairmont basement with an indoor lagoon and rainstorms.
Mai Tais by the lagoon while a band plays on a floating barge. It "rains" every 20 minutes.
950 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94108 (Fairmont Hotel) Full write-up → -
12
Mr. Bing’s
A 1967 corner dive on Columbus with its original neon, where Bourdain ended his San Francisco night.
Go after dark so the original neon is lit, take a parklet seat if the weather allows, and order the Old Fashioned.
201 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133 Full write-up → -
13
Toronado
A Lower Haight beer bar since 1987, with around 50 taps of Belgian and craft.
Serious beer list, zero frills. Grab a sausage from Rosamunde next door.
547 Haight Street, San Francisco, CA 94117 Full write-up → -
14
4505 Burgers & BBQ
The Divisadero barbecue where Bourdain was handed the Presidential Platter and said life was suddenly very, very good.
Grab a table in the back yard before you order if you are with a group, and get the brisket and the Frankaroni rather than trying to recreate Bourdain's platter.
705 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117 Full write-up → -
15
Ferry Plaza Farmers Market
Foodwise's year-round farmers market outside the Ferry Building. Saturday 8am to 2pm, Tuesday and Thursday 10am to 2pm. EBT and Market Match accepted.
Come on Saturday for the market at full tilt. Restaurant chefs shop the stalls alongside everyone else, and the Foodwise Classroom runs free cooking demos in the morning.
1 Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA 94105 Full write-up →
Last updated August 18, 2026
