What to Eat in San Francisco: A Food Guide

What to eat in San Francisco

• Sourdough at Boudin / Tartine

  Boudin has run since 1849; Tartine (Mission) is the modern reference — US$8–12.

• Dungeness crab + cioppino at Anchor Oyster Bar / Sotto Mare

  Wharf tourist traps overprice — go Castro (Anchor) or North Beach (Sotto Mare).

• Mission burrito at La Taqueria / El Farolito

  The origin of the Mission burrito — US$12–15 for a full meal.

• Dim sum at Yank Sing / Hong Kong Lounge

  Yank Sing (SoMa) is the classic; Hong Kong Lounge (Richmond) is local favourite.

What to drink

Tap water safe + excellent (Hetch Hetchy). Blue Bottle + Ritual + Sightglass are the coffee classics. Anchor Steam + Sierra Nevada + Lagunitas beer; Napa/Sonoma wine 90 min away.

Dining etiquette and practicalities

• Tipping 18–22% at restaurants; SF Health Mandate surcharge often added.

• 9.5% SF sales tax added at register (not in menu prices).

• Cannabis legal in private residences (21+); no public consumption.

Where to eat in San Francisco

• Union Square / Nob Hill

  Central hotels, cable-car turnaround, shopping — Fairmont, InterContinental Mark Hopkins, Ritz.

• Fisherman's Wharf / Embarcadero

  Ferry Building food hall, Alcatraz ferry, waterfront hotels — Hyatt Embarcadero, Argonaut.

• SoMa / Yerba Buena

  Museums (SFMOMA), tech HQs, boutique hotels — St Regis, Four Seasons, W San Francisco.

• Mission

  Best restaurants (Foreign Cinema, Lazy Bear, Californios), mural walks, LGBTQ+ Castro extension.