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Bay Area Bites' Downtown San Francisco Restaurant Guide for Visitors

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Hundreds of thousands of people visit San Francisco every year. But, where do they all eat? Photo: Trey Ratcliff/Flickr
Hundreds of thousands of people visit San Francisco every year. But, where do they all eat? Photo: Trey Ratcliff/Flickr

So you're visiting San Francisco, or you have out-of-town guests staying in the city and want to point them in the right direction for food. We've compiled a rough guide of San Francisco bites in the downtown area -- since that's where the vast majority of tourists stay and explore. Some of these are classic San Francisco (oysters on the bay, hipster bars, hole-in-the-wall burritos) and some are lesser-known spots that are must-visits because of their tasty food or unique meals. Try some; try all. We're just keeping you on your toes.

The guide is primarily aimed at downtown San Francisco and divided into quicker eats for lunch, sit-down places for dinner (or a big lunch), coffee and tea spots, and bars. If you want to venture further afield and ride BART a few stops, we've also suggested a few places that you may have heard of or that would make any list of places to visit in the city on the Bay. Use the Google Map at the bottom to find locations and to plan your eating foray.

Let us know what you think after you try some of these. Or, tell us what we missed that our visitors simply have to eat while they're here.

FOOD - Lunch, Snacks, Quick Hits

Photo: Gary Yost Photography for CUESA/Flickr
Photo: Gary Yost/Flickr

Ferry Building Farmers Market
Farmers Market, $$
Ferry Building Plaza
(415) 291-3276
Tues, Thurs, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sat, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Why? Local farmers sell produce, meat, and cheeses. Be sure to get a Rueben sandwich from the Wise Sons booth on Tuesday or Thursday – though be warned that there may be a line. And check out the sandwiches from 4505 Meats on Thursday.

Photo: Renee Suen/Flickr
Photo: Renee Suen/Flickr

Hog Island Oyster Co.
Oysters, $$
San Francisco Ferry Building
(415) 391-7117
Mon-Thurs, 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. Fri, 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sat, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sun, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m
Why? Sit next to the water and enjoy fresh oysters from nearby Tomales Bay. Inside the Ferry Building Marketplace.

Photo: dsleeter_2000/Flickr
Photo: dsleeter_2000/Flickr

Cowgirl Creamery
Cheese, Sandwiches, $$
San Francisco Ferry Building
(415) 392-4000
Café: Mon-Sat, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sun, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Why? Buy the local cheeses at their store or visit the Sidekick Café and Milk Bar for sandwiches and snacks. Inside the Ferry Building Marketplace.

Photo: Andi Fisher/Flickr
Photo: Andi Fisher/Flickr

Yank Sing
Dim Sum, $$$
49 Stevenson St
(415) 541-4949
101 Spear St (at One Rincon Center)
(415) 781-1111
Both locations open: Mon-Fri, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Why? For some of the best dim sum in the city. Try the soup dumplings and pork buns. Make reservations or take to-go.

Photo: torbakhopper/Flickr
Photo: torbakhopper/Flickr

Zero Zero
Italian, Pizza, $$
826 Folsom St.
(415) 348-8800
Sun-Thurs, 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m., Fri, Sat, 11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m. (Mon- Fri, closed 2:30 – 4 p.m.)
Why? For the pizza (try the Fillmore) and the salted ice cream.

Photo: Dave Carner/Flickr
Photo: Dave Carner/Flickr

Katana-Ya
Japanese, Ramen, $$
430 Geary St.
(415) 771-1280
Everyday, 11:30 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Why? Go to try the extra spicy ramen (or any of the ramen).

Photo: Frank Chen/Flickr
Photo: Frank Chen/Flickr

Taqueria Castillo
Mexican (burritos), $
10 Mason St.
(415) 986-0426
Mon-Sat, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Why? You can’t visit San Francisco without visiting a hole-in-the-wall taqueria that secretly has amazing food. Get the super burrito and you’ll have leftovers. Cash only.

Photo: Jun Seita/Flickr
Photo: Jun Seita/Flickr

Super Duper
Burgers, $
721 Market St.
(415) 538-3437
Mon-Wed, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. Thurs, Fri, 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. Sat, 10:30 a.m. – 11 p.m. Sun, 10:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
783 Mission St.
(415) 882-1750
Mon-Sat, 10:30 a.m. – 11 p.m. Sun, 10:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
98 Mission St.
(415) 974-1200
Mon-Fri, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sat, Sun, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Why? The motto is: fast food burgers, slow food values. Yes, it’s a chain, but it’s a San Francisco chain. Small burgers made from Niman Ranch beef, and be sure to get a shake with that.

FOOD – Sit-down/Fine Dining

Photo: Dennis Yang/Flickr
Photo: Dennis Yang/Flickr

Farmerbrown
Soul Food, $$
25 Mason St.
(415) 409-3276
Tues-Thurs, Sun, 5:30 – 10 p.m., Fri, Sat, 5 – 11 p.m. (Weekend brunch: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.)
Why? San Franciscans brunch at a higher-than-average rate; join them. If you can’t make it for weekend brunch, you can still try the fried chicken and waffles, and the jalapeno cornbread.

Photo: Suzi Edwards-Alexander
Photo: Suzi Edwards-Alexander

Slanted Door
Vietnamese, $$$
San Francisco Ferry Building
(415) 861-8032
Mon-Sat, lunch 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Sun, lunch 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.; everyday, afternoon tea 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., dinner 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Why? Modern Vietnamese with views of the Bay. Call to make a reservation. Inside the Ferry Building Marketplace. Bonus: The Slanted Door just won the 2014 James Beard award for Outstanding Restaurant in the country.

Photo: Courtesy of Michael Mina SF/Instagram
Photo: Courtesy of Michael Mina SF/Instagra

Michael Mina
California, $$$$
252 California St.
(415) 397-9222
Lunch: Mon-Fri, 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Dinner: Sun-Thurs, 5:30 – 10 p.m., Fri, Sat, 5:30 – 10:30 p.m. (Lounge opens 11:30 a.m. Mon-Fri)
Why? Michael Mina is known for his high-quality American-style food, with five restaurants around San Francisco. Try the one that is his namesake. The tasting menu will give you a range of plates and you’ll leave having earned the title of “foodie.”

Photo: Courtesy of 5A5 Steak Lounge
Photo: Courtesy of 5A5 Steak Lounge

5A5 Steak Lounge
Steak, $$$
244 Jackson St.
(415) 989-2539
Mon-Thurs, 5 – 10 p.m. Fri, Sat, 5 – 10:30 p.m. Sun, 5 – 9 p.m.
Why? For one of the best steakhouses in the city. Get the truffle fries and Hamachi shooters with your meat.

Photo: Yuichi Sakuraba/Flickr
Photo: Yuichi Sakuraba/Flickr

Colibri Mexican Bistro
Mexican, $$
438 Geary St.
(415) 440-2737
Mon, 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m., Tues-Thurs, 11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m., Fri, 11:30 – midnight Sat, 10:30 a.m. – midnight, Sun, 10:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Why? For sit-down Mexican food, Colibri is the place to go. The most popular dish is the chicken mole and on the weekends try the bottomless mimosa brunch.

COFFEE/TEA:

Photo: Jake Przespo/Flickr
Photo: Jake Przespo/Flickr

Blue Bottle
Coffee, $$
66 Mint St.
(415) 495-3394
San Francisco Ferry Building
No phone
Both locations: Mon-Fri, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sat, Sun, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Why? Blue Bottle coffee is micro-roasted and hand-made. This is not the place to go for a quickly rushed cup of caffeine. The Mint Plaza location also serves breakfast.

Photo: Scott Beale/Flickr
Photo: Scott Beale/Flickr

Samovar Tea Lounge
Tea, $$
730 Howard St. (Yerba Buena Gardens, upper terrace)
(415) 227-9400
Sun-Wed, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Thurs-Sat, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Why? Sit overlooking the park and enjoy a cup of tea with light food.

BARS:

Photo: Zagat Buzz/Flickr
Photo: Zagat Buzz/Flickr

Bourbon & Branch
Bar, $$$
501 Jones St.
(415) 346-1735
Everyday, 6 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Why? The speakeasy-style bar may seem over-the-top and hipster (and sooo San Francisco), but the atmosphere is something you have to experience and the drinks are delicious. Try the cucumber gimlet. Call ahead for reservations and the “secret” password. And, yes, that hidden door you walked right past is the front entrance.

Photo: Jennifer Conley/Flickr
Photo: Jennifer Conley/Flickr

Press Club
Wine bar, $$$
20 Yerba Buena Lane
(415) 744-5000
Mon-Thurs, 4 – 11 p.m. Fri, Sat, 2 – 11 p.m. Sun, 2 – 8 p.m.
Why? When you visit the Bay Area, you have to drink some wine. It’s a rule. Enjoy the variety offered at Press Club in their lounge. Check that a private event hasn’t blocked out the place first.

Photo: Adam Jackson/Flickr
Photo: Adam Jackson/Flickr

Cellarmaker Brewing Co.
Beer,$$
1150 Howard St.
(415) 863-3940
Tues-Fri, 3 – 11 p.m. Sat, noon – 11 p.m. Sun 2 – 8 p.m.
Why? If beer is your thing. Do a sampling of all their local brews.

FURTHER AFIELD:

(looking for San Francisco adventure)

Photo: Meg Hourihan/Flickr
Photo: Meg Hourihan/Flickr

Bi-Rite Creamery
Dessert, Ice cream, $
3692 18th St.
(415) 626-5600
Sun-Thurs, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Fri, Sat, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Why? For the small-batch ice cream, made from local ingredients. Be sure to try the salted caramel flavor.

Photo: Jenly/Flickr
Photo: Jenly/Flickr

Tartine
Bakery, $$
600 Guerrero St.
(415) 487-2600
Mon, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Tues, Wed, 7:30 a.m. – 7 p.m., Thurs, Fri, 7:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sat, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sun, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Why? Tartine may be the most well-known bakery in San Francisco. Get fresh warm bread after 4:30 p.m. or sweets anytime. Expect a line – a long line.

Photo: Premshree Pillai/Flickr
Photo: Premshree Pillai/Flickr

Trouble Coffee Co.
Toast, coffee, $$
4033 Judah St.
(800) 555-1212
Everyday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Why? You heard of $4 artisan toast? This is where it started. Trouble Coffee is small; it’s hip; and it serves very few things: coconuts, cinnamon toast, coffee. But, what it serves it serves well. Cash only.

Photo: Alanna Hale
Photo: Alanna Hale

ICHI Sushi + NI Bar
Sushi, $$$
3282 Mission St.
(415) 525-4750
Mon-Thurs, 5:30 – 10 p.m. Fri, Sat, 5:30 – 11 p.m.
Why? ICHI just opened its new, bigger location and the popular spot has been packed with sushi-lovers. Make a reservation and just do omakase – the chef will bring you a series of tasty dishes.

Photo: karmacamilleeon/Flickr
Photo: karmacamilleeon/Flickr

State Bird Provisions
American, tapas, $$$
1529 Fillmore St.
(415) 795-1272
Sun-Thurs, 5:30 – 10 p.m. Fri, Sat, 5:30 – 11 p.m.
Why? Because it just tastes so good – and you can judge for yourself if it’s worth the hype. Make reservations if you can get them, or stand in line before it opens.

Photo: Wally Gobetz/Flickr
Photo: Wally Gobetz/Flickr

La Taqueria
Mexican, burritos, $
2889 Mission St.
(415) 285-7117
Mon-Sat, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sun, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Why? It is a fact universally recognized that the highest concentration of the best burritos is in the Mission. If you venture to the neighborhood on BART, then you’ll want to check out a classic taqueria and La Taqueria is the worst-kept secret in the area. Get the carne asada burrito and the carnitas taco with everything on it.

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Use the Google Map below to find the different places in our list or sort by category. Let us know in the comments if we forgot your favorite downtown San Francisco spot or places you always take out-of-towners.

View Full-Sized Map

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Want some more options? Check out the Union Square Checklist from Check, Please! Bay Area! If you are looking for great eateries in San Francisco’s Union Square the producers of the show selected 10 of the best restaurants from past seasons near the iconic landmark.

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