Golden Gate Bridge

San Francisco Foodie Neighborhood Guide

Explore the city's best culinary destinations, from Chinatown dim sum to Mission burritos

Explore Food Neighborhoods

San Francisco is known for its Chinatown food, North Beach Italian cuisine, and scrumptious seafood [1]

Chinatown San Francisco
Chinese Cuisine

Chinatown

America's oldest Chinatown, famous for dim sum and authentic Chinese cuisine. Walk through the Dragon Gates on Bush Street. [2]

Must-Try Dishes

Dim Sum Soup Dumplings Egg Tarts

Top Spots

  • Good Mong Kok Bakery [5]
  • Palette Tea House [5]
  • Fortune Cookie Factory [1]
Tony's Pizza North Beach
Italian Cuisine

North Beach (Little Italy)

San Francisco's Italian district with amazing bistros and pizza parlours. Tony's Pizza Napoletana won "Best Pizza in the World" in Italy! [1]

Must-Try Dishes

Neapolitan Pizza Fresh Pasta Gelato

Top Spots

  • Tony's Pizza Napoletana [1]
  • Cotogna [2]
  • Golden Boy Pizza [5]
Fisherman's Wharf Pier 39
Seafood

Fisherman's Wharf

Iconic waterfront with famous sourdough bread and fresh seafood. Visit Boudin Bakery, using the same sourdough starter since 1849! [2]

Must-Try Dishes

Clam Chowder Dungeness Crab Cioppino

Top Spots

  • Boudin Bakery [1]
  • Anchor Oyster Bar [5]
  • Fog Harbor Fish House [1]
Mission District Mural
Mexican Cuisine

Mission District

Home of the legendary Mission-style burrito. La Taqueria is arguably the most famous destination for a true Mission burrito. [5]

Must-Try Dishes

Mission Burrito Tacos Quesabirria

Top Spots

  • La Taqueria [5]
  • Taqueria El Farolito [5]
  • Flour + Water [5]
Western Addition Restaurant
Modern American

Western Addition

Home to some of SF's most innovative restaurants including State Bird Provisions with its dim-sum style service of creative small plates. [4]

Must-Try Dishes

Small Plates Fried Quail Seasonal Mochi

Top Spots

  • State Bird Provisions [2]
  • The Progress [2]
  • Nopa [2]
Udon Japantown
Japanese Cuisine

Japantown

One of the best meals in SF! Try the Mentai Cream Udon - rich, perfectly emulsified, creamy but not overly heavy. [5]

Must-Try Dishes

Udon Noodles Onigiri Matcha

Top Spots

  • Udon Mugizo [5]
  • Kissako Tea [5]
  • Maiko Matcha Cafe [5]

Iconic SF Foods

Must-try dishes that San Francisco is famous for

Dim Sum
Dim Sum
Sourdough
Sourdough Bread
Mission Burrito
Mission Burrito
Cioppino
Cioppino

Food Videos

Watch these guides for more foodie inspiration

San Francisco's BEST Neighborhoods for Foodies (2024)

Ultimate guide covering Richmond, Pacific Heights, SoMa, North Beach, and Mission District

Top FOODS to EAT in SAN FRANCISCO 2024

From Dungeness Crab to Prime Rib to Sourdough - the essential SF food tour

Sample 2-Day Food Itinerary

A curated food journey through San Francisco's best neighborhoods

1 Day 1 - Waterfront to North Beach

Morning

Breakfast at Pinecrest Diner

Classic American diner fare - pancakes, eggs, and coffee in a retro setting [4]

Mid-AM

Boudin Bakery at Pier 39

Sourdough bread bowl with clam chowder - a San Francisco staple [1]

Lunch

Tony's Pizza Napoletana

World-champion pizza in North Beach - try the Margherita [1]

Afternoon

Walk through Chinatown

Stop at Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory and sample dim sum [2]

Dinner

State Bird Provisions

Dim-sum style service with creative small plates - order the fried quail [2]

2 Day 2 - Mission & Beyond

Morning

Tartine Manufactory

No weekend trip to SF is complete without Tartine bread [2]

Mid-AM

La Taqueria

The most famous Mission burrito - try the carne asada [5]

Lunch

Flour + Water

Best pasta in SF - the saffron soprese with clams is incredible [5]

Afternoon

Garden Creamery

Hawaiian and Asian-inspired ice cream - try the lime Thai sorbet [5]

Dinner

Zuni Café

Three-time James Beard winner - legendary roasted chicken [2]

Food Walking Tour

Follow this route from Cafe Buena Vista through North Beach and Chinatown [1]

1

9 AM - Cafe Buena Vista

Start with breakfast and an Irish Coffee

2

10 AM - Ghirardelli Square

Chocolate treats and shopping

3

11 AM - Lombard Street

Walk the famous crooked street

4

12 PM - North Beach / Little Italy

Pizza at Tony's & dessert at Stella Pastry

5

1 PM - Coit Tower

360° views of SF and the Bay

6

2 PM - Lush Gelato

Sweet treats before Chinatown

7

3 PM - Chinatown Dragon Gate

Photos and exploring Grant Ave

8

4 PM - Dim Sum & Fortune Cookies

End with Chinese treats

Sources

  1. [1] Must Eat in San Francisco Foodie Tour - The Foodie's Travel Guide
  2. [2] Weekend in San Francisco Itinerary for Foodies - Chef Denise
  3. [3] A Foodie's Guide to San Francisco: What & Where to Eat - Backpacking With My Lens
  4. [4] San Francisco for foodies: a one day itinerary - Virgin Atlantic
  5. [5] Where to Eat When you Visit San Francisco - Austin Food Adventures