The vegetarian and back-to-the-farm revolution of the 1960s Bay Area spawned the ultimate food city of the day, which today is known for some of the freshest, healthiest and most diverse cuisines in the world. Not to mention these are the most unique and exclusive cuisines you will only find in San Francisco. The people from around the globe travel to the city to sample everything from Zuni's chicken to Mission burritos to Castro cookies to the unique fare of Frances, the Castro’s first gourmet restaurant.
Don’t miss these only-in-SF gems.
As you are seated, you’ll no doubt notice that classic films are projected on the wall throughout the evening. Speakers at each table allow you to listen in, or drown the movie out so you can talk about the amazing food: curry fried chicken, steak with cocoa and lavender rub and homemade pop tarts. The outdoor seating is perfect for those rare warm San Francisco nights–or just sit under one of the heat lamps and order one of the original cocktails that will make you flush in no time flat.
Looking for world-class vegetarian cuisine? Greens Restaurant gets its relaxing, healthy atmosphere from the source: It’s run by a local Zen centre in Fort Mason. With veggie cookbook author Annie Somerville at the helm, the restaurant has offered local, organically-grown food, transforming the machine shop in which it’s based to a cavernous testament to the beauty of the bay it overlooks. And that’s not all that’s transformed, as Greens helped usher in the health-eating trend for which California is still famous. The menu changes with the seasons, so you’ll always get a new treat.
You might remember the name from Tales of the City, Armistead Maupin’s classic feel good series on the joys of queer San Francisco. In the book, Brian Hawkins is a waiter at Perry’s with the best gossip. Good news: Perry’s is still around, and more of an institution than ever. The original restaurant, opened in 1969, introduced New York-style hubbub to laid-back San Francisco, and even today it’s a little slice of the Upper East Side.
Tartine:
Winner of various awards, Tartine is run by Elisabeth Prueitt and Chad Robertson, recognized as among the best pastry chefs in the country. They’ve elevated bread-making to an art form, crafting each loaf with a delicate care. You can place orders for bread three days in advance — that’s how in-demand Tartine‘s food is. It’s also walking distance from the Castro and Dolores Park, and you’ll often find it packed with queers of various sorts.
Pizzeria Delfina:
Delfina’s pizza is the stuff legends are made of. Inspired by the best of New York and Italian cuisine, it has brought an international touch to San Francisco pizzerias. Lines are typically long and, of course, there are plenty of organically-grown and locally-sourced ingredients. Nothing formal going on here — just really good food in a really fun atmosphere. Just up the street from Tartine, make it your dinner spot before heading to the bakery for dessert.
San Tung:
Here’s to meals worth waiting for! Although this place doesn’t take reservations and the waiting can be long, locals flock from miles around to wolf down the moo shu pork, dry fried chicken, and famous dumplings. Don’t stuff yourself on potstickers before the main course comes, tempting through it may be — you’ll need room for the popular cham-pong seafood noodle soup. This is a great place to experience authentic Chinese food in the colorful and bustling Sunset ‘hood.
First came Del Popolo‘s pizza truck, which denizens literally followed around the city to get the perfect Neapolitan style pies. Now there’s a fixed location on Nob Hill with eight pizzas, salads, beer and wine. Fittingly, the huge pizza oven is the oracle around which the restaurant radiates.
This 30,000-square-foot culinary homage to one of the world’s great cuisines is located in the heart of Chinatown. Check out the sheng jian bao dumplings, Sichuan lobster and Peking duck with kumquat glaze in sesame pockets, among other creative local delicacies.
So wait for nothing and get a taste of one of the best and the most exclusive cuisines of the world.