San Francisco: Best Food

Our Local Expert Says:

Don't miss this "new" San Francisco institution. Inside, you'll find fantastic foods and crafts local to the area, and outside on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, the Farmers Market brings together local growers to sell their tasty fruits and vegetables.

Description:

While ferries still run from this historic building, it's also been transformed into a veritable shrine to food. The San Francisco Ferry Building Marketplace is chockablock with eateries, specialty culinary stores, and gift shops. Dining highlights include the mouth-watering burgers at Taylor's Refresher, the decadent sandwiches at Lulu Petite (the egg salad with truffle-artichoke pesto on brioche is truly the nectar of the gods), and the Vietnamese-inspired deliciousness of SF's legendary Slanted Door. Shopping for some special culinary treats? Stock up on loads of rare mushrooms and truffle salt at Far West Fungi, the finest fromage at local fave Cowgirl Creamery's Artisan Cheese Shop, and creative chocolate flavor combinations Rechiutti Confections. Want to sample local farmers' bounty? The San Francisco Farmer's Market convenes behind the Ferry Building every Tuesday and Saturday, and features stalls upon stalls of produce, meat, eggs, cheese, baked goods, and prepared foods (we love the tamales and crepes, but everything is tasty). Vendors are friendly and always willing to allow shoppers a sample taste or a detailed explanation of farming practices. After all that munching, take a brisk walk on the Embarcadero past piers and views of the Bay Bridge.

Description:

The recipient of the coveted James Beard cooking award, chef Gary Danko practices his genius at his eponymous, 65-seat restaurant. Luxurious appetizers, flavorful entrees, and decadent desserts are the true crowd pleasers. Try the Lobster Salad with Fennel, Citrus, Avocado and Mustard Tarragon Dressing or an entree of Seared Maine Scallops with Black Truffle, Leek and Potato Puree. Indulge in the special Flambeed Pineapple with Macadamia Nuts and Cocounut Sherbert, prepared tableside and with gusto. An outstanding wine list featuring hundreds of California and French bottles is available (prices vary).

Description:

This huge Shanghai-style restaurant features clean linens, good service and an outstanding array of dishes. The menu runs several pages and there are always a good number of daily specials available, in addition to fabulous Dim Sum ordered from rolling carts. You could probably eat here every day for a month and always have something new. The Deep-fried Fishcakes are done to crispy perfection on the outside and seasoned with just the right mix of garlic, peppers and seaweed. The Chicken Soup is also noteworthy both as a light lunch in itself or a starter for one of the wonderful noodle entrees that come with a variety of toppings. For something a little more fancy, the Wine-Marinated Squab, served cold, makes for a piquant dining experience.

Description:

Many say the best restaurant in San Francisco is the Slanted Door. While the food is famous in its own right, the prime location – inside the historic Ferry Building and overlooking San Francisco Bay, perfect for a sunset cocktail and evening meal - contributes to the overwhelming popularity. The menu includes sure-fire palate-pleasers that utilize sustainably-farmed meat and seafood, as well as farm-fresh, seasonal produce. Reservations are booked for a month in advance, so plan ahead. If you can't get a reservation, sit at the bar where both the California Vietnamese fusion cuisine and the service are just as good.

Description:

This wildly popular bakery-cafe is sleek and contemporary with its pale wood and light-filled space. The baked goods, the true reason to come here, take the art of the pastry beyond the ordinary. Cookies, tarts, and the award-winning cakes are to die for. Have a soft spot for cupcakes? Flavors rotate daily, including chocolate-hazelnut, key lime, and Persian delight, a very special combination of rosewater-infused buttercream, pistachios, saffron cream, and candied violets. Yes, that's right! The dining menu is a tad overpriced, but offers light California fare--perfect for having enough room left for the true star here, dessert. The service is friendly and quick.

Description:

The food here can be summed up in six words: really big, really good, really cheap. That is why Pancho Villa is so popular. The place is huge, offering plenty of room to sit and savor your meal. Enjoy the local artwork displays as you eat your taco, quesedilla, burritto, nachos, or special platter. Chicken, beef, beans, tofu, pork, chile verde, chili colorado, tongue, seafood, cheese, vegetables are your options. Take your pick of fillings for your entrees. Toppings include sour cream, guacamole, lettuce, and a variety of home made salsas. The service is friendly and quick.

Description:

A throwback to the dining of yesteryear, Scoma's eschews trendier trout preparations and fancy digs for good old-fashioned seafood served in huge portions amid a very casual windowed waterfront setting. Gourmands should skip this one. But if your idea of heaven is straightforward seafood classics -- fried calamari, raw oysters, pesto pasta with rock shrimp, crab cioppino, lobster thermidor -- served with a generous portion of old-time hospitality, then Scoma's is as good as it gets. Unfortunately, a taste of tradition will cost you big time. Prices are as steep as those at some of the finest restaurants in town. Personally, I'd rather splurge at Gary Danko, but many of my out-of-town guests insist we meet at Scoma's, which is fine by me since it's a change of pace from today's chic spots, and the parking's free.

Description:

A hip Japanese place nestled in the heart of San Francisco's Embarcadero District, it is famous for its succulent fish and the special Omakase Menu. Something scrumptious is always cooking up at the Charcoal Robata Grill such as fresh fish, lobster, chicken, lamb, duck and Kobe beef. The Sake lounge features a large variety of Sake and Japanese Beer. If you are bored of Sushi and Grilled Meats, go for the Omakase Special Menu that is made to order at least one day in advance.