Guidebook for San Francisco
Food Scene
Pakwan
3182 16th StQuick, cheap, and tasty Indian/Pakastani $
Little Delhi
83 Eddy StreetMy favorite spot for Indian food in the city! $
Low-key, but super tasty. House made tofu and mochi are not to be missed. You'll need a reservation. $$
35 locals recommend
Eiji
317 Sanchez StLow-key, but super tasty. House made tofu and mochi are not to be missed. You'll need a reservation. $$
Arguably the best burrito in SF for dinner or late night. The 3 sauces are the best here. La Taqueria next door is very good as well (but not open late). Both $
169 locals recommend
Taquería El Farolito
2779 Mission StArguably the best burrito in SF for dinner or late night. The 3 sauces are the best here. La Taqueria next door is very good as well (but not open late). Both $
Arguably best ice cream in SF! Novel way of making the ice cream too. Enjoy on the Patricia Green (park in Hayes Valley).
216 locals recommend
Smitten Ice Cream
432 Octavia StArguably best ice cream in SF! Novel way of making the ice cream too. Enjoy on the Patricia Green (park in Hayes Valley).
Really good ice cream! And less crowds and lines than the location next to Dolores Park. Enjoy at nearby Alamo Square Park.
651 locals recommend
Bi-Rite Market
3639 18th StReally good ice cream! And less crowds and lines than the location next to Dolores Park. Enjoy at nearby Alamo Square Park.
Rich Table
199 Gough StCalifornia tasting menu, very tasty. You'll want a reservation. $$$
Really tasty Greek/Mediterranean. Make any menu item "greek-style" for fries inside. $
196 locals recommend
Souvla
517 Hayes StReally tasty Greek/Mediterranean. Make any menu item "greek-style" for fries inside. $
Mama Ji's
4416 18th StLow-key Chinese spot at the edge of the Castro. $$
My favorite cafe in the city. Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday stay tuned for live music at dinner.
95 locals recommend
Cafe du Soleil
400 Fillmore StMy favorite cafe in the city. Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday stay tuned for live music at dinner.
Kate's Kitchen
471 Haight StreetClassic SF brunch spot, without the absurdly long lines.
Plow
1299 18th StClassic SF brunch spot, with the absurdly long lines ;)
Tacolicious
741 Valencia StRenowned as the best Ramen in the city (veg and non veg). No reservations, so watch out for the long lines!
39 locals recommend
Mensho Tokyo SF
672 Geary StRenowned as the best Ramen in the city (veg and non veg). No reservations, so watch out for the long lines!
Saigon Sandwich
560 Larkin StTo be enjoyed in Yerba Buena Park next door. Don't miss the spiked smoothies and garlic fries.
179 locals recommend
Super Duper Burgers
721 Market St To be enjoyed in Yerba Buena Park next door. Don't miss the spiked smoothies and garlic fries.
Humphry Slocombe
More ice cream!
Salt & Straw
2201 Fillmore StIce cream shop originally started in Portland.
My favorite Thai food in the city. Don't miss the corn fritters. Low key (because in the Richmond) but sometimes has lines. Just take the N line all the way.
54 locals recommend
Marnee Thai Restaurant
2225 Irving StMy favorite Thai food in the city. Don't miss the corn fritters. Low key (because in the Richmond) but sometimes has lines. Just take the N line all the way.
Favorite dim sum, bit of a trek to the Richmond... but worth it! Get some authentic bubble tea after.
64 locals recommend
Hong Kong Lounge
5322 Geary BlvdFavorite dim sum, bit of a trek to the Richmond... but worth it! Get some authentic bubble tea after.
Favorite Burmese in the city. Watch out for the lines at dinner, but lunch is way better! $$.
114 locals recommend
Burma Love
211 Valencia StFavorite Burmese in the city. Watch out for the lines at dinner, but lunch is way better! $$.
Arguably best deep dish in SF (the other is Patxi's in Hayes Valley).
360 locals recommend
Little Star Pizza
846 Divisadero StArguably best deep dish in SF (the other is Patxi's in Hayes Valley).
Shopping
Haight-Ashbury
Lots of local shops and quirky stores!
Where all the brand name stores are (Macy's, Uniqlo, H&M, etc.) + the famous Powell street trolley.
817 locals recommend
Union Square
333 Post StWhere all the brand name stores are (Macy's, Uniqlo, H&M, etc.) + the famous Powell street trolley.
Arts & Culture
Music venue sometimes bringing in some big name artists, always <$25.
200 locals recommend
The Independent
628 Divisadero StMusic venue sometimes bringing in some big name artists, always <$25.
Walk around Mission & Valencia to check out some awesome street art.
163 locals recommend
Valencia Street
Valencia StreetWalk around Mission & Valencia to check out some awesome street art.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great food menu, and locally made brews. Nice jump off point for the other Lower Haight bars: Mad Dog in The Fog, Molotov's, Noc Noc, and Danny Coyle's.
36 locals recommend
Black Sands Brewery
701 Haight StGreat food menu, and locally made brews. Nice jump off point for the other Lower Haight bars: Mad Dog in The Fog, Molotov's, Noc Noc, and Danny Coyle's.
Bruno's
2389 Mission StSuper fun dance club!
1 Margarita and you'll be set for the rest of the night (no jokes).
46 locals recommend
Latin American Club
3286 22nd St1 Margarita and you'll be set for the rest of the night (no jokes).
Teeth
2323 Mission StGet to the back patio!
Lots of bars and night clubs on lower Polk Street. It's a bit more rowdy, and skews early 20s.
61 locals recommend
Polk Street
Polk StreetLots of bars and night clubs on lower Polk Street. It's a bit more rowdy, and skews early 20s.
Lots of great electronic DJs play here, always ticketed/cover. This strip (11th street) has some fun bars/clubs including Bergerac (below Audio), Butter (dive), and DNA Lounge aka Bootie SF (4 room club known for bootleg and mashup music).
28 locals recommend
Calle-11 Nightclub
316 11th StLots of great electronic DJs play here, always ticketed/cover. This strip (11th street) has some fun bars/clubs including Bergerac (below Audio), Butter (dive), and DNA Lounge aka Bootie SF (4 room club known for bootleg and mashup music).
Smuggler's Cove
650 Gough StRum bar, definitely go for a cocktail (or punch bowl).
Whitechapel
600 Polk StGin bar
Sometimes has live music; walk around nearby to check out the street art.
89 locals recommend
The Valencia Room
647 Valencia StSometimes has live music; walk around nearby to check out the street art.
Great DJs (mostly electronic), amazing popcorn, and cool vibes. Shows in the basement on weekends.
46 locals recommend
Monarch
101 6th StGreat DJs (mostly electronic), amazing popcorn, and cool vibes. Shows in the basement on weekends.
A favorite around Divisadero street. Great DJs (mostly hip hop and electronic) or live music, dancing, and reasonably priced drinks. Smaller venue and can have long lines depending on who's playing. Usually $5-10 cover.
131 locals recommend
Madrone Art Bar
500 Divisadero StA favorite around Divisadero street. Great DJs (mostly hip hop and electronic) or live music, dancing, and reasonably priced drinks. Smaller venue and can have long lines depending on who's playing. Usually $5-10 cover.
Parks & Nature
Bernal Heights
One of my favorite views of the city.
Iconic SF Park. Bring some beer, wine, snacks, and a blanket. You'll find everything else there :). Best views are from SW corner.
1244 locals recommend
Mission Dolores Park
19th StreetIconic SF Park. Bring some beer, wine, snacks, and a blanket. You'll find everything else there :). Best views are from SW corner.
Duboce Park
Scott StreetSmall dog park filled with locals.
Good vibes and views. Bring a jacket as the wind might pick up on the hill here.
84 locals recommend
Alamo Square Park
Hayes StreetGood vibes and views. Bring a jacket as the wind might pick up on the hill here.
Too much to explore in any amount of time-- it's bigger than Central Park, Manhattan. Check out the De Young Museum while you're out here. Or go disc golfing!
1721 locals recommend
Golden Gate Park
Too much to explore in any amount of time-- it's bigger than Central Park, Manhattan. Check out the De Young Museum while you're out here. Or go disc golfing!
Panhandle
Nice green area, next to the Marina. Pick up any drinks or food at the Safeway around the block. Walk along the ocean (or rent a bike from here to cross Golden Gate bridge)
161 locals recommend
Fort Mason
2 Marina BlvdNice green area, next to the Marina. Pick up any drinks or food at the Safeway around the block. Walk along the ocean (or rent a bike from here to cross Golden Gate bridge)
Sightseeing
Family friendly neighborhood with some of the best views of the city. They film movies here sometimes!
33 locals recommend
Potrero Hill
Family friendly neighborhood with some of the best views of the city. They film movies here sometimes!
Entertainment & Activities
Lower Haight
Great area for buying records and getting your hair cut!