Finally sharing my go-to list of San Francisco restaurants and bars! It all started with a Google Sheet years ago, documenting where I've eaten, what I liked and didn't care for in the overall experience. As a local who's grown up with a fine humble ...
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Favorites
The OG's
Drinks +
Bites+
Sweets+
Feelin' Fancy
Favorites
Downtown/Union Square ❤️ With a 360 view at the top, sip on a martini, or a classic cocktail of your choice, dance the night away with a mix of nostalgic hits, you’ll stay a while, or more like hours. The ambience is quite intimate for a date night if you’re feeling boujie, ...
Starlite Room
FiDi❤️ Go To spot for an after work HH drink. Bar is hard to miss- it’s in the same building as Blue Bottle Coffee. Solid bar for flavorful cocktails and small bites, just in case you get a little hungry sipping on your drink. Local Tip: check their website before you stop by because it is a favorite to be closed for private events
The Treasury
Fort Mason❤️ Weirdly I just found out that this sits in the “FortMason” neighborhood. As a local I’ve just been saying it sits by Aquatic Park or near Sundae Square. Buena Vista not only serves up some heavy boozy Irish Coffee’s, but a really good patty melt. Unf...
The Buena Vista
SOMA❤️ If you’re looking for a stop after The Treasure, this is the bar for real food or to continue on the appetizers track. One of my favorite bars with food, and has an intensive beer selection and drink specials. + bartenders are hospitality. Local Tip: whatever day you go you'll have a good time! Grab a table or sit at the bar.
Louie’s Bar
Polk Gulch❤️ Romantic, dining here for a “just girls” or date night for 2 is the vibe .Heavy on the wine selection, and some light cocktail options for drinks. I enjoy ordering a charcuterie board and classic French bites. Local Tip: Reserve via Resy, HH Daily 4p...
Amelie San Francisco
Inner Sunset❤️
This is a staple in my neighborhood. A bit expensive, but the flavors and service of this mom/pop shop brings a smile to my face when the cashier knows me as a regular.
Local Tip: Can't go wrong with any order imo. Crunch combo, verm...
Lower Haight Jules may be in hot demand right now but it is definitely worth it. I've made 9pm dinner reservation as my first time, and my second was at a more reasonably timed dinner- both very good! The atmosphere is cozy, cool, laid back, just what you're look...
My order: spritz cocktail, buns, cesar salad w/ anchoives, spicy rony w/ fermented garlic honey, + sorbet or ice cream
*Tip*: weekends/weekdays walk-ins w/o resy, arrive @ 5pm. There may be more of a wait on weekends imo. For reservations, RESY will help you with that. How to score a reservation? look everyday at 10pm, or get notified by the app when something opens ...
Dogpatch Originally located on Hugo Street between 3rd and 4th avenue, Wooly Pig introduced the neighborhood to their crunchy bahn mi's before outgrowing their space.
Wooly Pig
Chinatown
A staple where nostalgic flavors are met with snacking on crunchy savory chicken wings. There’s other traditional Chinese dishes you can order, which is why I’d suggest dining with more than 2 people.
Local Tip: have some cash on you. Th...
Capital
Little Saigon
Introduce by a takeout order during the pandemic, I now constantly crave dry noodles with soup on the side. The dumplings are full and the noodles are perfection giving you the option to pair with a little sriracha, hoisin sauce while s...
Hai Ky Noodles
Parkside
Don’t be fooled, this isn’t your tradition IHOP.
Order some dumplings, hand pulled noodles with scissors to cut and crunchy savory rolled pancakes with a filling.
Local Tip: take the L Taraval, stops right in front. Street parking can be a...
House of Pancakes
Inner Sunset❤️
Local Tip: just order the wings. Skip everything else, not worth it. Prices have been raised, don’t be surprised.
SAN TUNG 山東小館
Central Richmond❤️
Han Il Kwan
Outer Sunset Cuisine: Vietnamese
Pho Ga
Little Russia❤️
Boiling Hot Pot
Mission/Potrero Hill❤️ This is 1 out of the 5 bars that placed San Francisco on the map for the beauty and science of well made cocktails, aka mixology. Grab a drink at Trick Dog because of their creativity and effort they place in their menu design. Hungry? Tbh their kale... Local Tip: don’t order off menu, just stick to what they are offering. I know the full bar is tempting, and you’ll want a dirty martini but this is not the place. You’ll receive a poorly measured cocktail that will leave you with a bad taste in your ...
Trick Dog
Hayes Valley Growing up, I ate at Zuni’s in my grade school uniform snacking on fries. Famously known for their chicken, which holds bit of a hefty price is the hot item to order. Yes and no on my hot list because it’s either juicy and delicious or dry. Zuni is a...
I'm a sucker for a bar with food. Why? Because I get the munchies when I drink a cocktail or two. A snack before an actual meal, develops a crave for what I actually want my next meal should be.
Union Square/ Tenderloin Bottle Club Pub is a chill spot in the city where the drinks are just as good as the food. They’ve got classic pub bites like smash burgers, fish & chips, and even some solid veggie options — perfect for soaking up a few drinks with friends.
Local Tip: Go early if you want a seat and snag the fish & chips or smashburger — they’re crowd favorites and pair perfectly with a cold beer or a good whiskey.
Bottle Club Pub
Nob Hill Peacekeeper is one of those laid‑back neighborhood bars where you can grab a solid drink and a tasty bite without any fuss. The food menu hits the spot — simple, satisfying pub‑style dishes that go great with a cold beer or a cocktail. It’s the kind ...
Local Tip: Find a table and swing by early if you want a seat, and don’t sleep on their food — pair something hearty with their rotating draft list for a low‑key, easygoing night.
Peacekeeper
Nob Hill ❤️ Cozy ambience for a girls night or date night, serving good food to share or order for 1-2 people. With a selection of local beer and wine, Key Club can be your first or last stop before you venture out. It’s a great spot to grab a drink before headi...
Key Klub SF
North Beach I was introduced to this bar earlier this year and have visited during a busy weekend and weekday. Both days, you're able to get a seat and a drink ( that's a plus!). Like any bar, it is loud and you sound like you're yelling, which you probably are.
Local Tip: Try stopping by on a weekday and actually use your inside voice.
Bar April Jean
North Beach❤️ Another cozy bar, with vintage vibes, live jazz, and classic cocktails. I've only have drank here, so I can speak for the food. Walk in's you may find a spot at the bar, booth or standing table.
Comstock Saloon
Mission To Be Reviewed
Bar Gemini
Outer Sunset Cuisine: Hot Pot
Fiery
Hayes Valley *Live Music* This is my go-to spot for a small bite to eat and a few cocktails. Try to snag a lounge seat in the back area, near the dj corner. Volume is medium, but can get loud later in the night.
Phonobar
Mission Rock *Rooftop* Cavana SF is a laid-back rooftop bar between Oracle Park and Chase Center. Expect tequila-heavy cocktails, tasty small bites, and plenty of seating inside and outside. Great spot to hang before or after a game.
Cavaña
Tenderloin*Rooftop* Local Tip: Reserve via OpenTable
Rise Over Run
Downtown*Rooftop* Local Tip: Reserve via OpenTable
Shelby’s Rooftop
Bites+
Multiple Locations With a handful of locations in SF, it gives you a hefty flavorful bahn mi with many options other than a traditional order. Local Tip: I'd recommend going with a group of people, order different bahn mi's then switch what ½ you'd like to try. Garlic Butter Chicken, Roasted Duck, 5 Spice Chicken etc- see?! too many options, and they all sound so good.
DragonEats
Hayes Valley I've only order takeout from here, and I approve their packaging, attention to detail and flavor for a meal at home.
Local Tip: Busier on weekends, you'll have to wait.
Dumpling Home
Duboce Triangle
Shanghai Dumpling King
Outer Sunset❤️ This was a pandemic find when I craved dumplings, and I'm very grateful to have found it. My order: cucumber salad, tofu stick salad, fish and green pepper dumplings in seaweed soup and if I'm feeling extra hungry I'll order the spicy beef noodle sou...
Local Tip: you have the option to order dumplings either steamed or in a light seaweed soup. I highly recommend the soup version, its cozy and compliments whichever dumpling you order. Dipping sauce- chilli oil and vinegar. yum!!
Yuanbao Jiaozi
Inner Richmond Cuisine: Vietnamese
Lily
Brisbane Cuisine: Hot Pot
Round N Round Pot
Financial District*Rooftop*
The Third Floor
Mission
Tartine Manufactory
Hayes Valley Any given day order a frozen yogurt with baklava or sour cherry sauce. It's so addicting! If I lived near a Souvla, I'd probably be there everyday just for that.
Food is a bit of a hit or miss, imo not the most flavorful Greek food in SF.
Souvla
Hayes Valley
RT Rotisserie
Hayes Valley
Italian Homemade
Sweets+
Hayes Valley❤️ Whenever I'm in the area, this is my spot. Yes, I will make a stop just for a mango coconut boba drink or sesame anything. *drooling over here… thinking of doordashing it * Everything made in house, sweetness can be modified to your liking.
Urban Ritual
Multiple Locations❤️ A location that opened in the Inner Sunset was a good, and bad idea. Why? because I could go everyday but I have self-control. Local Tip: 50% sweetness, is sweet. Id suggest go the 30% sweetness route.
Chinatown
This longtime Chinatown dive bar is home to Miss Connie’s iconic Mai Tais. Start your night here or end it here — either way, you’re in for a good time.
Local Tip: look away or don’t ask whats in the Mai Tai. May taste sweet and good at fi...
Li Po Cocktail Lounge
North Beach/Chinatown❤️
Vesuvio Cafe
Union Square❤️
Tucked away on Maiden Lane, Iron Horse serves classic cocktails — the perfect spot to slip into after a busy workday or a day of shopping in Union Square.
Local Tip: Happy Hour Monday- Friday 2pm til 7pm, Closed Sundays
Iron Horse
Chinatown
Buddha Lounge
Duboce Triangle/ Near Castro Similar to Hayes Valley’s Smuggler’s Cove, Last Rites offers a tiki-inspired speakeasy vibe with themed cocktails layered in complex, savory, fruity, and vibrant flavors. The space has more seating than you might expect, and although there may be a l...
Local Tip: Feeling hungry afterward? Shanghai Dumpling King always hits the spot.
Last Rites
Hayes Valley Cozy neighborhood bar + strong drinks
Brass Tacks
Hayes Valley Another fun, vibrant neighborhood bar that also has a pop up in their patio area. Drink selection is good, wide range of every liquor on menu. *Patio does close at 10pm, and crowd moves inside.*
Financial District *Live Music* A cool, underground spot, Local Edition offers an intimate, low-lit atmosphere that instantly sets the mood. Known for its cozy vibe and classic cocktails, it’s the kind of place where conversation flows easily and the evening feels just right. Wheth...
