Where to Eat & Drink in San Francisco
4505 Burgers & BBQ
The Divisadero barbecue where Bourdain was handed the Presidential Platter and said life was suddenly very, very good.
A16
Marina Neapolitan pizza restaurant on Chestnut Street, open since 2004. VPN-certified pizza and Southern Italian cooking.
Arsicault Bakery
Bon Appétit named it Best New Bakery in America, mostly on the strength of the plain croissant.
Bob’s Donuts
A 24 hour Polk Street donut counter, family run since 1977, known for apple fritters and a giant donut challenge.
Buddha Lounge
A Chinatown dive with red lanterns, a jukebox, and stiff, cheap pours.
Butter & Crumble
North Beach croissants and cruffins that rotate monthly. Open Thursday through Sunday only.
Californios
World’s first 3 Michelin stars Mexican Restaurant. 16-course tasting menu. Heirloom corn is grown specifically for the restaurant.
Capo’s
Tony Gemignani’s Chicago-style pizzeria in North Beach, near his Napoletana flagship. Deep-dish, stuffed, and cracker-thin tavern pies.
El Farolito
A Mission taqueria going since 1983, known for the Super Burrito and for still serving long after the bars close.
Golden Boy Pizza
Square focaccia slices at a North Beach counter since 1978. Slices run $4 to $6, and the clam and garlic is the signature.
Good Mong Kok Bakery
Chinatown bakery on Stockton Street, open since 1977. Steamed char siu bao (barbecue pork buns) is the signature; cash only and fast counter service.
Hon’s Wun-Tun House
Hong Kong-style wonton noodle soup with hand-wrapped wontons and clean broth. So Tasty!
House of Nanking
Two-time Chopped champion on Food Network. The family was the subject of the docuseries Chef Dynasty: House of Fang
House of Prime Rib
A 1949 prime rib house on Van Ness that serves essentially one thing, carved tableside from silver domed carts.
House of Shields
A 1908 SoMa saloon with no clocks, where Warren Harding reportedly had his last drink.
Li Po Cocktail Lounge
The 1937 Chinatown dive famous for its secret-recipe Chinese Mai Tai.
Liguria Bakery
One product since 1911: focaccia, cut to order and wrapped in white paper tied with string.
Local Edition
A speakeasy in the basement of the old San Francisco Examiner, among the printing presses.
Molinari Delicatessen
An 1896 North Beach delicatessen that cures its own salami and builds sandwiches to order at the back counter.
Mr. Bing’s
A 1967 corner dive on Columbus with its original neon, where Bourdain ended his San Francisco night.
Orphan Andy’s
If you are out late in the Castro, this is where you end up. Open since 1977, and open around the clock most of the week.
Red’s Java House
A burger shack on Pier 30 that has been feeding the waterfront since 1955.
Red’s Place
Bills itself as the oldest bar in Chinatown.
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.
Sotto Mare
North Beach seafood counter on Green Street serving cioppino, fresh oysters, and Dungeness crab in a 30-seat dining room. No reservations for parties of two; parties of three or more can book.
Specs’ Twelve Adler Museum Cafe
A North Beach dive since 1968 with walls covered in seafaring memorabilia.
Tartine Bakery
The Mission bakery that set the standard for the city. Pastries $5 to $8, and fresh country loaves come out at 5pm daily.
Tony’s Pizza Napoletana
Tony Gemignani’s North Beach flagship, where seven ovens turn out about a dozen pizza styles. The wood-fired Margherita that won the 2007 World Pizza Cup in Naples is capped at 73 a day.
Trick Dog
A Mission cocktail bar whose menu changes theme twice a year. Two-time James Beard semifinalist.
Uji Time Dessert
First shop in the Bay Area to serve taiyaki ice cream in fish-shaped cones baked to order. The Fish Cone is the house specialty.
Zam Zam
A 1941 Haight Street bar built around a horseshoe counter and a Persian mural, famous for its gin martini.
