From luscious pasta in North Beach to pillowy pork buns in Chinatown, San Francisco’s food scene is an entrée to the city’s romance and unique neighborhoods. It’s a gourmet paradise here, with prime dining options for all budgets, diets and occasions.
To get a taste of the city’s gastronomy, we asked concierge Chris Ennis from InterContinental San Francisco about stand-out restaurants, neighborhoods and dishes for the best foodie trip to San Francisco.
Featured photos: Epic Steak by Hardy Wilson, Flour + Water by Krescent Carasso, cioppino by Stanislav Ostranitsa.
Ennis has been a concierge in San Francisco for 14 years and lives in the city with his wife and rescued kittens. An SF Giants fan, avid traveler and certified sommelier, Ennis enjoys riding his motorcycle on roadtrips around California and golfing at Gleneagles Golf Course in McLaren Park.
Where are the foodie neighborhoods in SF?
San Francisco is a “foodie” paradise. Neighborhoods around the city offer everything from ethnic foods to Michelin-starred temples of food. Some of the favorite neighborhoods we like to send our guests to are Hayes Valley, with Rich Table and Robin; NOPA, with Che Fico, Nopa and Ju-Ni; Japantown, with Nari, Sobakatsu and Sasa.
The Mission, while not glamorous, has a wealth of great dining, with Mexican, Central American, Thai, Japanese and some of the best pasta in San Francisco at Flour + Water and Itria.
North Beach has world-class bakeries and delicatessens, plus Quince and Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, run by 13-time World Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani.
SOMA is home to several Michelin-starred restaurants including Benu, Saison, Californios and Niku Steakhouse. Plus, there’s Luce in the InterContinental, which has also received a nod from Michelin.
Chinatown is famous for its restaurants: everything from small mom-and-pop spots to renowned fine dining such as Mister Jiu’s, Empress by Boon, China Live and the new hot spot Four Kings.
What dishes and/or drinks scream “San Francisco”?
San Francisco is the home of sourdough bread, Irish coffee, cioppino and Ghirardelli chocolate. We are also famous for our sweet Dungeness crab.
Best spots to eat like a local?
Locals have many favorite neighborhood spots to dine. Mission Rock Resort, The Ramp, Red’s Java House and Pier 23 offer good casual food with views of the bay. The Castro District, Noe Valley and the Marina District offer fun, friendly, local fare.
Fine dining that’s worth the splurge?
Worth-it splurges would include La Mar Cocina Peruana, Epic Steak, Boulevard, Acquerello and Perbacco.
Is it easy to find accommodations for dietary restrictions?
Fortunately, most all San Francisco restaurants are able to accommodate vegetarian, vegan and celiac diners.
