Guidebook for San Francisco
Food Scene
We love this hole-in-the-wall! It seats less than 12 people, but it's ALWAYS PACKED! Probably because it's cheap, has big portions, and has great grilled 5 spice chicken and meat sauce over rice!!
29 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cordon Bleu Vietnamese Restaurant
1574 California StWe love this hole-in-the-wall! It seats less than 12 people, but it's ALWAYS PACKED! Probably because it's cheap, has big portions, and has great grilled 5 spice chicken and meat sauce over rice!!
Popular hangout spot, and they even have some outdoor seating perfect for hanging out with friends or people watching on sunny days or warm nights. Great food, great drinks. Pulled Pork Nachos!
24 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bell Tower
1900 Polk StPopular hangout spot, and they even have some outdoor seating perfect for hanging out with friends or people watching on sunny days or warm nights. Great food, great drinks. Pulled Pork Nachos!
MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE WINE BAR IN SF!! Great for small group of friends or romantic date. Popular happy hour so go early: a flight of 3 wines for $10 before 7pm; discounted cheese plate!
102 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Amelie San Francisco
1754 Polk StMY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE WINE BAR IN SF!! Great for small group of friends or romantic date. Popular happy hour so go early: a flight of 3 wines for $10 before 7pm; discounted cheese plate!
Great little restaurant, but always packed!! Dimly lit so great for dates. Gourmet street-food inspired food! Get the burger--it is awesome!!!
12 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Street Restaurant and Bar
2141 Polk StGreat little restaurant, but always packed!! Dimly lit so great for dates. Gourmet street-food inspired food! Get the burger--it is awesome!!!
Consistently great German comfort food. It always seems like Oktoberfest!!! Don't take reservations, but go early to get a table or put your name down and leave your #, and they will call! Friendly!
60 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Leopold's
2400 Polk StConsistently great German comfort food. It always seems like Oktoberfest!!! Don't take reservations, but go early to get a table or put your name down and leave your #, and they will call! Friendly!
Great popular hole-in-the-wall for fresh seafood! An SF classic institution!! Tip: don't go at peak lunch time or dinner time hours otherwise be prepared to wait in a line out the door.
144 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Swan Oyster Depot
1517 Polk StGreat popular hole-in-the-wall for fresh seafood! An SF classic institution!! Tip: don't go at peak lunch time or dinner time hours otherwise be prepared to wait in a line out the door.
Awesome neighborhood restaurant. Comfort food. Nice for a special occasion. $$$. Known for their melt-in-your-mouth Coca Cola Braised Pork Shoulder.
31 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Zarzuela
2000 Hyde StreetAwesome neighborhood restaurant. Comfort food. Nice for a special occasion. $$$. Known for their melt-in-your-mouth Coca Cola Braised Pork Shoulder.
Cute little french place. Doesn't ever seem too crowded. Nice walk from our house, and not too far from Alta Vista Park, which has gorgeous views of downtown!
15 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Chouquet's
2500 Washington StCute little french place. Doesn't ever seem too crowded. Nice walk from our house, and not too far from Alta Vista Park, which has gorgeous views of downtown!
DELICIOUS, CREATIVE brunch...line out the door every weekend,, go early and wait in line at 9am. VERY DIFFERENT, good if you are open-minded. Check yelp reviews for more info.
15 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Red Door Cafe
1608 Bush StDELICIOUS, CREATIVE brunch...line out the door every weekend,, go early and wait in line at 9am. VERY DIFFERENT, good if you are open-minded. Check yelp reviews for more info.
Great bakery in the morning with awesome coffee! Also well-rated, popular spot for dinner. call ahead for reservations on weekends!
12 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Baker & Banker
1701 Octavia StreetGreat bakery in the morning with awesome coffee! Also well-rated, popular spot for dinner. call ahead for reservations on weekends!
Upscale, popular japanese fusion restaurant with innovative foods. Most mindblowing though is their Japanese style toilet and all it's functions!
Bushi-Tei
1638 Post StreetUpscale, popular japanese fusion restaurant with innovative foods. Most mindblowing though is their Japanese style toilet and all it's functions!
Awesome coffee bar. Free coffee flight tastings on weekend afternoons. Great spot with free wi-fi. They even have empanadas and donuts with bacon on them (these sell out fast so go early!!)
67 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mymy
1500 California StAwesome coffee bar. Free coffee flight tastings on weekend afternoons. Great spot with free wi-fi. They even have empanadas and donuts with bacon on them (these sell out fast so go early!!)
Great little breakfast spot, known for their challah french toast!
49 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Olea
1494 California StGreat little breakfast spot, known for their challah french toast!
Consistently great crepes. Great for breakfast! Chill place.
21 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Crepe House
1755 Polk StConsistently great crepes. Great for breakfast! Chill place.
Awesome Peruvian-inspired tapas place known for their great ceviche and sangria!
30 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Fresca Fillmore
2114 Fillmore StAwesome Peruvian-inspired tapas place known for their great ceviche and sangria!
Classic establishment. Consistently popular. Best Prime Rib in town. Secret tip: They give you seconds if you ask for it! :)
111 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
House of Prime Rib
1906 Van Ness AveClassic establishment. Consistently popular. Best Prime Rib in town. Secret tip: They give you seconds if you ask for it! :)
We think this is the best steak place ever, and it is not superduper pricey!!! Cute and slightly quirky restaurant (Mardi Gras themed). Surf and Turf is also awesome!!
34 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bobo's
1450 Lombard StWe think this is the best steak place ever, and it is not superduper pricey!!! Cute and slightly quirky restaurant (Mardi Gras themed). Surf and Turf is also awesome!!
Amazing garlic noodles and crab. Fancy place where they give you a bib for the crab. DELCIOUS but $$$.
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Crustacean
1475 Polk StAmazing garlic noodles and crab. Fancy place where they give you a bib for the crab. DELCIOUS but $$$.
Our favorite Thai restaurant in the city and its cheap too! It's not in the best part of town though so I wouldn't recommend being there alone at night.
31 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
House of Thai
901 Larkin StOur favorite Thai restaurant in the city and its cheap too! It's not in the best part of town though so I wouldn't recommend being there alone at night.
Great french-style spot for breakfast! Croissants are heavenly!
30 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
La Boulange
2300 Polk StreetGreat french-style spot for breakfast! Croissants are heavenly!
Our favorite pizza place in the area. Absolutely addictively good and great little spot to grab pizza and a beer with friends.
59 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Za Pizza
1919 Hyde StOur favorite pizza place in the area. Absolutely addictively good and great little spot to grab pizza and a beer with friends.
Pizza Pino
Pizza spot. Open late.
Consistently great Mediterranean restaurant--small but nice for a low-key dinner!
104 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
La Mediterranee
2936 College AveConsistently great Mediterranean restaurant--small but nice for a low-key dinner!
Awesome Moroccan food a few blocks from our house. Love their mint tea and chicken with olives!
Tajine Moroccan Restaurant
Awesome Moroccan food a few blocks from our house. Love their mint tea and chicken with olives!
Great, small Greek spot. Great for casual dining.
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Myconos Greek Restaurant
1431 Polk StreetGreat, small Greek spot. Great for casual dining.
Nara
1515 Polk StClosest spot to get good sushi.
One of our favorite sushi spots. It's tiny and in the middle of a quiet residential neighborhood. Everything is so fresh, and it's relatively inexpensive!! Love this place!!
18 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sushi Rapture
1400 Leavenworth StOne of our favorite sushi spots. It's tiny and in the middle of a quiet residential neighborhood. Everything is so fresh, and it's relatively inexpensive!! Love this place!!
Nice, small, inexpensive restaurant with fresh fish and brown rice available.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Wayo Sushi Restaurant
1407 Van Ness AveNice, small, inexpensive restaurant with fresh fish and brown rice available.
Super duper popular breakfast spot. Tip: best to go early and on weekdays, otherwise expect a long wait!
58 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Dottie's True Blue Cafe
28 6th StSuper duper popular breakfast spot. Tip: best to go early and on weekdays, otherwise expect a long wait!
Great Afghani food spot. The pumpkin kadoo is amazing!!
10 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Helmand Palace
2424 Van Ness AveGreat Afghani food spot. The pumpkin kadoo is amazing!!
Loving Cup
2043 Polk StDelicious rice pudding and frozen yogurt!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuttimelon
601 BroadwayFrozen yogurt spot.
Escape From New York Pizza
1737 Haight StNice thin-crust pizza. Open late.
Great burgers, including vegetarian options. The "fry-fecta" is amazing: 3 types of fries!
156 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Roam Artisan Burgers
1785 Union StGreat burgers, including vegetarian options. The "fry-fecta" is amazing: 3 types of fries!
Tacolicious
741 Valencia StJust like it sounds. MMMmm.
Great little cafe with free wifi and an eclectic, vintage, italian theme. Great premium tea selection and cafe food options.
Cinque Terre Cafe
1477 Van Ness AvenueGreat little cafe with free wifi and an eclectic, vintage, italian theme. Great premium tea selection and cafe food options.
Ti Piacera Ristorante
1507 Polk StNice italian restaurant. Romantic.
Thai Spice Restaurant
1730 Polk StConvenient and not bad.
Shopping
Great little store to pick up a card, candle, coffee-table book, or small gift for someone, at great prices!!
One Half
1837 Polk StGreat little store to pick up a card, candle, coffee-table book, or small gift for someone, at great prices!!
Convenient sports store with a great selection and good prices!! Insider tip: FREE YOGA ON THE ROOFTOP every Sunday from 11am -12pm (BYO Mat). Plus, you get 10% stuff in the store afterwards.
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Lombardi Sports
1600 Jackson StConvenient sports store with a great selection and good prices!! Insider tip: FREE YOGA ON THE ROOFTOP every Sunday from 11am -12pm (BYO Mat). Plus, you get 10% stuff in the store afterwards.
Cute boutique store with awesome jewelry, hipster home decor, and cute clothes!
17 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Picnic
1808 Polk StCute boutique store with awesome jewelry, hipster home decor, and cute clothes!
This popular Lululemon store has free yoga classes and runs. Check website for more details.
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
lululemon
1981 Union StThis popular Lululemon store has free yoga classes and runs. Check website for more details.
Crossroads Trading
1901 Fillmore StGreat place to buy/sell/trade clothing!
MAC Cosmetics
45 Powell StMAC Pro Store. Great staff here! My wife loves this store!!
Drinks & Nightlife
Fun bar, not huge but always packed. Bigfoot statue in the back and a fireplace--very alpine lodgy decor. Fun drinks like the thin mint girl scout cookie drink!
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bigfoot Lodge
1750 Polk StFun bar, not huge but always packed. Bigfoot statue in the back and a fireplace--very alpine lodgy decor. Fun drinks like the thin mint girl scout cookie drink!
Fun, young crowd. One of the only places to dance in the area, and they happen to have cheap drinks and great music!!
Vertigo
1160 Polk StFun, young crowd. One of the only places to dance in the area, and they happen to have cheap drinks and great music!!
Great $1 oyster happy hour deals. On weekend nights, it turns into a great bar with dance floor, with a line out the door! :)
13 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mayes Oyster House
1233 Polk StGreat $1 oyster happy hour deals. On weekend nights, it turns into a great bar with dance floor, with a line out the door! :)
Black Horse London Pub
1514 Union StTiny tiny bar, but great atmosphere!
So much fun, always a blast. Song selection is great!! Bring cash since they only accept cash.
12 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Encore Karaoke Lounge
1550 California StSo much fun, always a blast. Song selection is great!! Bring cash since they only accept cash.
Best place nearby to see live music. Check their calendar to see who is playing. Great shows!
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Red Devil Lounge
1695 Polk StreetBest place nearby to see live music. Check their calendar to see who is playing. Great shows!
Kitschy bar with waterbeds, CB radios, truck beds, and 70s porn displayed prominently around the bar (dont forget to check out the floor). Watermelon beer and PBRs.
22 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kozy Kar
1548 Polk StKitschy bar with waterbeds, CB radios, truck beds, and 70s porn displayed prominently around the bar (dont forget to check out the floor). Watermelon beer and PBRs.
Rendezvous Tapas Lounge
2080 Van Ness AvenueRestaurant/bar.
Essentials
Great selection of cheeses, and other artisanal snacks!! Must try local favorites: Cowgirl Creamery's Red Hawk and Mt. Tam!
43 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cheese Plus
2001 Polk StGreat selection of cheeses, and other artisanal snacks!! Must try local favorites: Cowgirl Creamery's Red Hawk and Mt. Tam!
Convenient Whole Foods grocery store, with parking and also great coffee shop downstairs.
664 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Whole Foods Market
450 Rhode Island StConvenient Whole Foods grocery store, with parking and also great coffee shop downstairs.
Small but quality grocery, lots of organic things and a meat counter.
51 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Real Food Company
2140 Polk StSmall but quality grocery, lots of organic things and a meat counter.
Open late everyday till midnight, super convenient. Has milk, eggs, etc.
124 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
CVS
1059 Hyde StOpen late everyday till midnight, super convenient. Has milk, eggs, etc.
Everything Else
Great dog park, has small playground. Clean bathrooms, picnic tables.
107 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Lafayette Park
Washington StreetGreat dog park, has small playground. Clean bathrooms, picnic tables.
Great park. Head to north end of park for great views of SF! HUGE kids playground that can be fun for overgrown kids too :)
114 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Alta Plaza Park
Steiner StreetGreat park. Head to north end of park for great views of SF! HUGE kids playground that can be fun for overgrown kids too :)
An institution. Open really late, and very popular after last call at 2am. Insider tip: If the apple fritters are warm right out of the oven, you must have one--they are HEAVENLY!!
71 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bob's Donuts and Pastries
1621 Polk StAn institution. Open really late, and very popular after last call at 2am. Insider tip: If the apple fritters are warm right out of the oven, you must have one--they are HEAVENLY!!
Food truck party every Friday night. Dress warm, bring cash, and go hungry!!
161 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Fort Mason
2 Marina BlvdFood truck party every Friday night. Dress warm, bring cash, and go hungry!!
Super fun "sciency" museum and absolutely beautiful Palace of Fine Arts. Tip: make reservations for the Tactile Dome at the Exploratorium...it's an experience you won't forget!
432 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Exploratorium
Green StreetSuper fun "sciency" museum and absolutely beautiful Palace of Fine Arts. Tip: make reservations for the Tactile Dome at the Exploratorium...it's an experience you won't forget!
The Red Room
1390 California StFun bar with shuffleboard, darts, etc.
You Say Tomato
1526 California StGreat little British store!!!
Spencer and Daniels Wine Outlet
1541 Polk StDiscounted wines. Nuff said.
HIT Fit SF
1150 Sutter StNearby and convenient dropin classes that kick butt
TRX Training Center
1660 Pacific AveTRX workouts
Krav Maga SF
1455 Bush StGreat Krav Maga martial arts classes offered here