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sf eats/drinks
29
items My personal SF dining diary. Featuring the spots with the best atmosphere, top-tier drinks, and the dishes I'm currently obsessed with
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eats
Martinis
Cocktails
eats
this is a collection of my favorite bites around the city. These spots hit that perfect balance of incredible food and an even better atmosphere.
My hands-down favorite sushi spot in the Marina. The atmosphere is upscale but high-energy, making it perfect for a Friday night out. Pro Tip: Don't skip the cocktail menu—their drinks are just as well-crafted as the rolls.
Mamanoko
he ultimate neighborhood 'cool kid' spot. It’s a vinyl bar meets pizza parlor with a vibe that's hard to beat. While the wood-fired pizzas are the star, their burger is a sleeper hit and easily one of the best in the city. Perfect for a casual date o...
Back to Back
Another 'duh' favorite! Whether I'm craving their pizza or a martini, this spot delivers. The chicken tenders and Caesar salad wrap are my low-key favorites, but the 'Marry Me' pasta is the real star. Honestly, you can't go wrong with anything on the...
Little Original Joe's
Fresh, vibrant, and my forever go-to. I can’t get enough of the red lentil wraps and half-and-half bowls. If you’re looking for a spot that hits the spot every single time, this is it.
Sumac
One of my absolute favorite fine-dining Italian spots in the city. The seasonal menu is always incredible and never fails to impress. Perfect for when you want a high-end meal that feels truly special.
Flour + Water
So incredibly delicious and the ultimate cute, romantic spot. Their seasonal food and amazing pastas make it a go-to for a dreamy date night. It’s warm, intimate, and hits the spot every single time.
Penny Roma
Truly incredible food and an atmosphere that feels timeless. The lamb is insanely good, and their martinis and negronis are some of the best in the city. A must-visit for a top-tier dinner.
Kokkari Estiatorio
The perfect cute and casual pizza spot. I truly love everything here, especially the mozzarella sticks and the soft serve. It’s high-quality food in a relaxed, easy setting
Flour + Water Pizzeria
A total neighborhood charmer and a great date night spot. The pasta is always on point, and their negronis and martinis are excellent. Love the outdoor seating when the weather is nice!
The Tailor's Son
A total SF staple that hits every single time. Between the iconic artichoke dip, the perfect chicken sando, and salty, crispy fries, you really can't miss. It’s also my go-to for a crisp, ice-cold dirty martini
Hillstone
Martinis
A guide to the most iconic martini pours in the city. From timeless mahogany-bar institutions to modern lounges, these are my favorite places to grab a glass in SF
This is my go-to for a killer dirty martini—they make them extra salty and ice-cold, just the way they should be. It’s also the rare spot that manages to have a great cocktail program while being a fun place to catch a game.
Harry's Bar SF
The vibes here are so upscale and timeless. I love coming here solo to sit at the bar; it’s the perfect spot to treat yourself to a yummy martini and some appetizers. The service is so seamless you’ll find yourself drinking them down like water.
Kokkari
They serve an amazing chilled dirty martini that hits the spot every time. The entire bar staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming—I love sitting here solo after work to unwind, especially if you can catch their happy hour menu
Park Tavern
I mean, duhhh! This is an absolute SF staple for a reason. They do every variety of martini perfectly. The low lighting makes it the ultimate vibe for a moodier date night or a fun, loud night out with the girls.
Martuni's
The whole cocktail list is incredible, but their dirty martini is seriously slept on. It’s so elevated and crisp, and they serve the olives chilled on the side which is such a nice touch. Great spot to catch up with a friend or just vibe out at the b...
Bar Iris
This is the spot for a truly 'top-shelf' experience. Their martinis are legendary—they’re famous for shaking them tableside (or right in front of you at the bar) so they arrive perfectly aerated and ice-cold. The atmosphere is intimate, dark, and sop...
Spruce
A Haight Street legend that feels like stepping into a film noir set. They are famous for their 'old school' approach—don't expect a menu of crazy flavors; just an ice-cold, bone-dry martini served in a space with incredible Art Deco murals and Middl...
Zam Zam - 1633 Haight St, San Francisco, California
Hidden down a Jackson Square alley, this is the ultimate spot for a 'glamour' martini. It has a 1930s supper club feel with live jazz and a giant ice bucket on the bar filled with chilling glasses. It’s the kind of place where you feel like you shoul...
Bix
If you want an 'elevated' version of a martini, this is it. They do a version with smoked Castelvetrano olives and rosemary oil that is literally world-famous. It’s refined, savory, and perfect for when you want something a little more sophisticated ...
House of Prime Rib
This is a total SF power-lunch and dinner staple. They have an incredible martini selection, but the real reason they’re on this list is the service. If you don’t guzzle your drink down immediately, they will actually come by and swap your glass for ...
Hillstone
Cocktails
My favorite SF spots for creative, well-balanced cocktails and the best atmosphere to match. No basic pours here just inventive drinks and great energy.
The ultimate 'OG' neighborhood spot. It has such a cool, rustic-chic vibe and a cocktail list that never misses. It’s also one of the few places where you can get a high-quality drink and still have fun playing a game of pool with a big group of frie...
Harper & Rye
The sister spot to Harper & Rye and just as iconic. The atmosphere is incredible—especially when the weather is nice and they open the retractable roof! In the winter, the fireplace makes it the coziest spot in the city for a slow drink. It’s my ...
Peacekeeper
This is where you go for a truly 'elevated' cocktail experience. It’s sleek, Japanese-inspired, and perfect for a moodier date night. Every drink feels like a work of art, and the flavors are so unique you won't find them anywhere else in the city.
Bar Iris
A total 70s-glam dream. This spot is small and intimate, which makes the 'vinyl bar' vibe feel even more special. The cocktails are inventive, the music is always on point, and it’s the perfect place to start (or end) a night out in the Marina.
For The Record
One of the most respected cocktail programs in SF for a reason. The staff is amazing and really takes the time to walk you through the menu. It’s a cute, bustling little spot in the Mission that somehow manages to be both high-end and totally approac...
True Laurel
A quirky, playful spot that is constantly pushing the boundaries of mixology. Their menu completely changes every six months—one season it might be a cookbook, the next a movie theme—so there is always something inventive to try. It’s industrial, bus...
Trick Dog
A neighborhood charmer with a sophisticated cocktail program that’s just as good as its Michelin-rated food. They have a really cool 'wine by the centimeter' program, but their house cocktails are the real sleeper hit. It feels intimate and warm, mak...
The Morris
An absolute Chinatown/North Beach legend. It’s a dive bar with a golden Buddha behind the bar and red lanterns everywhere. You come here for the 'Chinese Mai Tai'—a drink so famous (and strong!) it was featured by Anthony Bourdain. It’s unpretentious...
Li Po Cocktail Lounge
Tucked away in a hidden alley, this is the ultimate North Beach 'insider' gem. It has a sultry, low-lit speakeasy vibe with retro furnishings and a great jukebox. Their mixologists are masters of the classics—this is exactly where you go for a perfec...
15 Romolo