California-style roadside classics – from Angus cheeseburgers to ahi tuna tacos – served from a bustling Ferry Building counter. The large outdoor patio is a popular lunch spot right on the Embarcadero.
Small NOPA corner counter serving high-quality chirashi boxes, sushi rolls, and Uji matcha lattes. Orders run through a tablet and come packed to go, ready for the short walk down to the Panhandle.
Slim, corridor-style bar pouring exceptional roasts against a backdrop of pineapple wallpaper. The white-walled room is standing-room tight, serving as a dedicated stop for precision coffee to go.
Energetic Marina restaurant centered on a wood-fired oven turning out authentic Neapolitan pizzas. House-made pastas are a staple; the wine list is a deep dive into Southern Italy's lesser-known vineyards.
Cow Hollow sports bar pouring more Fernet-Branca than anywhere else in the country. Crowds pack the room for games, with a chalkboard list managing the pool table in the back.
Lofty, skylit space in Russian Hill clad in white oak and centered on a sunken espresso bar. Baristas serve serious tasting flights and pastries over a low counter that leaves sightlines clear.
Compact Hayes Valley counter slinging Neapolitan pizzas from a white-domed wood oven. Seating is scarce, so most folded street-style pies and whole margheritas head straight out the door toward the nearby park.
Taco counter running the kitchen at Woods Lowside. Handmade corn tortillas carry homestyle fillings like charred broccoli and pork chile verde for the crowd drinking in the booths and heated parklet.
Lush, year-round garden on a corporate plaza, serving steakhouse classics and fresh oysters. Live piano music is a constant, setting the tone for date nights and celebratory group dinners.
Outer Sunset smash burger counter sharing a loud, narrow taproom and parklet with a local brewery. Lines form early for thin, crisp-edged beef patties and tallow fries, paired with beers from the back bar.
Small Richmond District cafe and daytime listening bar spinning vinyl on a high-fidelity sound system. Baristas mix Japanese and Filipino flavors, pouring banana cue lattes and single-cultivar matchas at an unhurried pace.
Former laundromat serving hand-rolled bagels by day and Detroit-style pizza at night. Vintage rock posters line the walls, old movies play on the TVs, and the soundtrack is strictly vinyl.
Compact West Portal takeout counter and Italian market slinging classic chicken parmesan, pizzas, and take-and-bake meals. Hot orders go straight to the tree-lit outdoor patio or get packed up with imported groceries to go.
Organic, sweetness-forward roasts anchor the menu at this industrial coffee bar. Sidewalk benches fill with dogs and salted maple lattes, while weekends bring a rush for discounted bags of beans.
Brightly lit storefront focused on authentic Yucatecan cuisine – think cochinita pibil and salbutes. The breakfast burrito is a local obsession and often sells out on weekends.
Laid-back, two-story taproom pouring a full lineup of entirely gluten-free craft beer. Flights of guava sours and rice-based ales cross the bar alongside a short menu of hot dogs on gluten-free buns.
