San Francisco has always been a special place for me. My introduction to the city was during a legendary (at least in my family) summer road trip with my Dad and brother. We started in Denver and ended in Seattle, with stops at several national parks and West Coast cities along the way. Even with visits to Los Angeles (now my longtime home), the Oregon coast, and National Parks like the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Yosemite, San Francisco still left a lasting impression. I returned a couple times in high school. Since 1995, I’ve only skipped San Francisco one year: 2020.

Of course food has always been a major draw. Some of my favorite bites of all time have been in San Francisco. I still smile thinking about eating in Chinatown at House of Nanking during their ’90s peak under Peter Fang’s direction. Charles Phan’s vibrant Vietnamese food at the original Slanted Door in the Mission was similarly memorable. Dim sum feasts, dumplings galore, and seasonal dinners at Boulevard, overlooking the Bay Bridge, also expanded my mind. So did waiting for blowout breakfasts at Mama’s on Washington Square. Waiting for pastries at the original Tartine Bakery when they first opened was also special. So was waiting for, and eventually enjoying, a crab fueled lunch at Swan Oyster Depot’s counter with my wife. San Franciscans clearly enjoy waiting in lines. Nearly as much as they like double parking.

I’ll also never forget multi-stop dinners with my high school friend Ben when he lived near Laurel Village. I’ve nearly burst at the seams many nights in San Francisco. On (maybe) my most gluttonous night, Ben and I ate meals at Cinderella Bakery and Rosamunde Sausage Grill, only to make room for Burma Superstar by running up and over Divisadero Street to the Marina. Cap’n Mike’s Holy Smoke smoked King salmon at the Ferry Building farmers market is also unforgettable.

Travel dynamics are different now that I have two daughters who understandably don’t want to spend every moment in restaurants. However, I still love exploring San Francisco with my wife and family when possible. I’ve posted about many San Francisco culinary adventures since 2005. Learn about my favorite San Francisco food experiences since 2021.

Abacá – Fisherman’s Wharf ↓
Must Order Dishes: BBQ Sticks (Especially Beef Tongue + Guinobatan Longganisa), Seafood Palabok (When Available)

Arsicault Bakery – Civic Center + Inner Richmond ↓
Must Order Dishes: Double Baked Blueberry Almond Hazelnut Croissant (Seasonal), Ham & Cheese Croissant, Kouign Amann, Palmier, Plain Croissant, Quiche

b. patisserie – Pacific Heights ↓
Must Order Pastries: Kouign Amann, Kouign Amann Ends, Savory Sablé, Seasonal Kouign Amann

Bitchin’ Baklava – Outer Richmond ↓
Must Order Baklava: Almond with Dark Chocolate Chips, Cashew, Hazelnut, Walnut

Breadbelly – Outer Richmond ↓
Must Order Dishes: Kaya Toast, Mt. Tam Basque Cheesecake, Not-Ube Tart, Shrimpwich

Butter & Crumble – North Beach ↓
Must Order Pastries: Large Pastry Box (Preorder through Hotplate), Blackberry Ricotta Swirl, Bruschetta Danish, Cinnamon Strawberry Swirl, Everything Ham & Cheese

Dumpling Home – Hayes Valley ↓
Must Order Dishes: Crab & Pork XLB, Pork XLB, Juicy Pork Bao, Scallop & Winter Melon XLB (Special)

Ernest – Mission ↓
Must Order Dishes: Koshihikari Fried Rice, Parker House Rolls, Sushi Rice, Kakigori (Seasonal)

HK Lounge Bistro – SoMa ↓
Must Order Dishes: Crispy Mary’s Chicken (Preorder), Steamed Red Dragon Cod (Special), Salt & Pepper Shell-On Prawns (Special), Stir Fried Water Spinach in Cast Iron Pot

Holy Nata – Financial District ↓
Must Order: Natas

Kuma Sushi + Sake
Must Order Dishes: Nigiri Tasting, Sake-Masu Box

Lokma – Outer Richmond ↓
Must Order Dishes: Branzino, Calamari, Grilled Lamb Kofte, Manti, Spreads Trio

Loquat – Hayes Valley ↓
Must Order Pastries: Chocolate Halva Brownie, Labne Cheesecake, Olive Oil Spelt Cake w/Earl Grey Glaze, Poppy Seed Walnut Babka

Maison Nico – Financial District ↓
Must Order Dishes: Brioche Feuilletée Loaf, Quiche

The Mill – NoPa ↓
Must Order Dishes: Almond Butter Toast, Cinnamon Sugar Toast, Smoked Trout Toast, Country Bread, Whole Grain Wonder Bread

Ming Kee – Westwood Park ↓
Must Order Dishes: BBQ Pork, BBQ Pork Neck, Roast Duck, Soy Sauce Yellow Chicken

Mom Dumpling – Parkmerced ↓
Must Order Dishes: Pan Fried Pork Bao, Pork XLB, Fresh Cucumber with Garlic Sauce, Thinly Sliced Pig Ear with Spicy Sauce

Mộng Thu Cafe – Tenderloin ↓
Must Order Dishes: #1 (Rice Noodle Rolls with Shrimp Fritters), Bun Bo Hue

Mr. Bread – Outer Sunset ↓
Must Order Dishes: Portuguese Egg Custard Tarts

San Ho Won – Mission ↓
Must Order Dishes: House Menu, Galbi Mandu

Sandy’s – Haight-Ashbury ↓
Must Order Dishes: Muffuletta, Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie

Swan Oyster Depot – Nob Hill ↓
Must Order Dishes: Crab Back, Louie 3-Way Combo with Bay Shrimp, Dungeness Crab + Prawns, Sicilian Sashimi

Yasukochi’s Sweet Stop – Historic Japantown ↓
Must Order Cake: Coffee Crunch