The Mission — burritos and the 30-year war
La Taqueria (Mission St): no rice, pure meat and beans. James Beard Award 2017. El Farolito (Mission & 24th): bigger, messier, open late. The debate over which is better has been running 30 years and will never end. Try both and pick a side. Tartine Bakery: morning buns. Wait in line. Worth it. Mission District audio guide →
North Beach — Italian that means it
Tony's Pizza Napoletana: world pizza champion. Margherita with San Marzano tomatoes. Wait in line. Molinari Delicatessen (since 1896): Italian subs, house-cured salami. Caffe Trieste: espresso where the Beat poets argued. Our North Beach audio guide walks you from coffee to pasta to the bookstore.
Chinatown — dim sum and the fortune cookie factory
Good Mong Kok Bakery: pork buns for $1.50. Cash only. R&G Lounge: salt-and-pepper crab. Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory: still handmade, 50 cents a photo. Our Chinatown audio guide covers the food and the earthquake survival story.
Ferry Building — oysters and coffee
Hog Island Oyster Co.: oysters from their own Tomales Bay farm. Blue Bottle Coffee: pour-over, one cup at a time. Saturday farmer's market: the best food event in the city. Our Ferry Building guide covers the clock tower and what to eat in an hour.
Fisherman's Wharf — the clam chowder you actually want
Skip the chain chowder bowls. Swan Oyster Depot (since 1912): crab salad, smoked salmon, 18 bar seats. No reservations. Wait in line. Worth it.
Richmond District — the best Chinese food in the city
Dragon Beaux: hot pot and dim sum. Burma Superstar: tea leaf salad — worth the wait. The Richmond is where Chinese families in SF actually eat.
Walk off the meal with an audio guide
Every neighborhood has a walking route with stories. Free previews on every guide.