Nopalito

Nopalito in San Francisco's Western Addition neighborhood is one of the city's finest Mexican restaurants — a place that takes the food of Mexico seriously while drawing on the organic and sustainable farming networks that make California's ingredients exceptional. Opened as a sibling to the celebrated Nopa restaurant, Nopalito sources much of its produce from the same network of local farms, using seasonal California vegetables alongside traditional Mexican pantry staples like chiles, masa, and dried beans. The menu rotates with the seasons and is grounded in regional Mexican cooking: enchiladas suizas with tomatillo sauce and crema, slow-braised carnitas from heritage pork, handmade tortillas pressed and cooked to order, and tamales wrapped in banana leaves or corn husks. The tortillas, made from nixtamalized corn masa ground in-house, are among the best in the Bay Area. The drinks program features a well-chosen mezcal and tequila list alongside house-made aguas frescas and a beer selection. The dining room at 306 Broderick Street is casual and warmly lit, with a colorful aesthetic that reflects Mexican folk-art traditions. Nopalito does not take reservations; the best strategy is to arrive at opening time or to expect a wait, which is managed with a text-alert system. Weekend brunch at Nopalito, featuring exceptional chilaquiles and huevos rancheros, has developed its own devoted following in San Francisco, California.