San Francisco is a compact hilltop city of about 874,000 people on the tip of a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, known for the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, Alcatraz, Victorian houses, fog and a food scene built on Bay Area produce and seafood.
San Francisco's food scene is built on Northern California produce, Dungeness crab and Pacific seafood, a 175-year-old sourdough tradition, and immigrant communities from China, Mexico, Italy, Vietnam, Burma and Japan. The city's signature dishes include cioppino, the Mission burrito, dim sum in Chinatown and SoMa, Italian focaccia in North Beach and fine dining in Jackson Square. It is a compact city, so a walkable block can span a $5 bun, a $12 burrito and a Michelin-starred tasting menu.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define San Francisco.
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Italian
American
Burmese
Creole
Ice Cream
Food tours & tastings in San Francisco
Eat your way through San Francisco with a guide.
Browse food experiences in San FranciscoWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Reserve dinner at destination restaurants such as Quince, Gary Danko, Mister Jiu's and Rich Table weeks ahead through each restaurant's own website or booking platform.
A tip of 18-20 percent is customary at sit-down restaurants; many SF restaurants add a mandatory 3-5 percent surcharge for staff healthcare; check the bill.
San Francisco eats early: many kitchens stop serving around 9:30-10:00 PM, except late-night Mission taquerias and North Beach slice shops.
Swan Oyster Depot, Sotto Mare and Mama's on Washington Square take no reservations; arrive 30 minutes before opening to avoid long waits.
Carry a jacket; many restaurant patios are chilly in the evening fog.
Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are widespread across San Francisco, with strong vegetarian menus in the Mission, Haight and Hayes Valley, and most mid-range and upscale restaurants mark allergens on the menu. Halal, kosher and plant-based options are easy to find. Travellers with allergies should tell staff when ordering, since taquerias and bakeries do not run separate prep areas.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $40-65 per person per day: a taqueria burrito, a Chinatown bakery lunch, a North Beach pizza slice and a food-hall dinner (USD) | Street food, local eateries, and simple restaurants. |
| Mid-range | $15-40/meal | Sit-down restaurants with good service and varied menus. |
| Upscale | $40+/meal | Fine dining, international cuisine, and premium experiences. |