Budget
Underdog
Great menu with several varieties of both meat- and veggie-based hot dogs, with an emphasis on local, organic ingredients. Super-friendly staff and a great atmosphere. In a very tiny space, with only a couple tables.
Gordo's
Cheap, reliable, rapid burritos and tacos.
Howard's
Awesome breakfasts.
Joe's Ice Cream
A classic American ice cream parlor with an Asian twist.
Polly Ann Ice Cream
Boasts a collection of over FIVE HUNDRED homemade flavors. Fifty-four flavors are available daily.
Khan Toke Thai House
An excellent and reasonably priced Thai restaurant with much better ambiance than your average Thai place.
Toy Boat Dessert Cafe
Filled with vintage toys and a lively atmosphere, this fun restaurant serves ice cream, cakes, tortes, muffins and more. You can grab a breakfast or lunch there, but really just come for the treats.
Ming Tai Wun-Tun Noodle
Huge shrimp wontons/shui gow/shrimp dumplings.
Toasties
Best Crab Melt in SF. Also try the Turkey/Avocado Sandwich. Crispy Garlic Fries and homemade Clam Chowder.
Taiwan Restaurant
Famous for their dumplings.
Chabaa Thai Cuisine
Cheung Hing Chinese Restaurant
Cantonese BBQ classics and the best roast duck in the city.
Bashful Bull Too
Chicken-fried steak with country gravy and American breakfast standards: It's the last full breakfast before the Pacific.
Pho Quan Ngon
Northern Vietnamese.
Art's Cafe
Tiny traditional diner with some Korean specials.
Sweet Delite
Excellent tapioca drinks and a large selection of Asian sweets.
Johnny's Hamburgers
Le Soleil
Gourmet Vietnamese cuisine. Try the soft shell crabs and the appetizer platter - yum!
Sunrise Deli and Cafe
Awesome falafel.
Pho Phu Quoc (PPQ)
Recently renovated neighborhood favorite. Savory and affordable Vietnamese dishes in a crowded, bustling atmosphere. Excellent rice and noodle dishes.
Pho Hoa Clement
Super-cheap Vietnamese pho and sandwiches.
Arizmendi Bakery
Chocolate things !!! and yummy pizza.
ABC Bakery Cafe
Hong Kong style restaurant and bakery.
Midrange
Yum Yum Fish
Eat high-quality sushi for low prices in this eclectic combination French fish market/Japanese sushi bar. The atmosphere isn't much, but the fish is definitely yummy and plentiful.
Ton Kiang
Arguably the best dim sum outside of Chinatown, this restaurant serves moderately priced Hakka cuisine, but make sure to go there between the hours of 10AM and 4PM where they serve a traditional dim sum with servers that walk around and proffer dishes and tea. Make sure to come early on the weekends, as many locals and tourists line up to have a dim sum lunch.
Tay Giang Restaurant
A great Vietnamese restaurant with an extensive menu.
Schubert's Bakery
Cakes, pastries, cookies, and more; first opened in 1911 by a German immigrant.
Troya
Turkish/Mediterranean cafe with occasional live music and some outdoor seating.
San Tung
Lines form down the block to eat at this dumpling house.
Marnee Thai
$6-$12
Miyoshi Sushi & Grill
Although the name has changed over the years, the quality of the food hasn't. This humble family owned establishment serves up some of the best and cheapest sushi and Japanese food! It is a MUST stop for those staying in the Richmond area.
S&E Cafe
Midwestern American food as seen through Hong Kong eyes: complete meals include soup, roll, coffee or HK milk tea, entree, rice or spaghetti, Jello or Chinese bean soup dessert. Extensive list of unusual beverages from Ovaltine to Ginger Coke to green tea milk shakes; Chinese food available after 10PM only. Coffee shop ambiance with TVs at low volume usually tuned to a Chinese station.
Q
Modern American comfort food. Good wine list and several local beers on tap. A fun place to eat and almost always busy.
Clement Street Bar & Grill
Traditional American food in a casual environment. A popular spot for weekend brunch.
Park Chow
Eclectic menu, all delicious; busy on any given night. Whether in the mood for a hamburger, thai noodles, or a portobello sandwich, this place has it, which is good for when friends cannot decide on what to eat. Heated outdoor seating when it's not raining. Bar seating also. Has a sister restaurant in the Castro District.
Hong Kong Seafood Restaurant
Sit-down dim sum.
New Eritrea
Huge platters of Eritrean Ethiopian food are served up here, along with native beers and lots of Injera bread. Portions are not for the timid. The staff is very friendly. Don't miss the sauteed mushrooms.
Nizario's Pizza
Pizza by the slice.
Burma Superstar
Outstanding Burmese restaurant that draws people from all over the city. Get there early; it will be crowded--the line will be huge.
Mandalay Restaurant
Burmese/Chinese, a friendly, local favorite.
Golden Gate Pizza
Italian and Indian favorites, delivery available.
Spices!
One of the best and most popular Chinese restaurants in the neighborhood. Try one of the many varieties of "stinky tofu", a popular street food in Taiwan. The name identifies the dominant flavor.
Giorgio's Pizza and Italian Dining
Fun Family style pizza and italian restaurant. Great authentic Italian pizza and pasta dishes in a warm and cozy environment. Can get busy during peak dinner hours, also has pizza by the slice for fast take-out.
Ebisu
Often cited as the best sushi on the West Coast of the United States.
Crepevine
A laid back California-style eatery with a largely Brazilian staff. Scrambles, omelettes, sandwiches, soups, and, of course, crêpes, fill the chalkboard menu. The chicken vegetable soup is a favorite. Free refills on coffee. No reservations necessary.
Beach Chalet Brewery & Restaurant
Brewery and restaurant featuring live music, American bistro cuisine, hand crafted ales, and a panoramic view of the ocean.
Top end
Aziza
Unique Moroccan cuisine made with local organic ingredients. Reservations recommended.
Cliff House
At the far end of the Outer Richmond, overlooking the ocean, with a great restaurant Sutro's and a more informal bistro. Ideal to watch a sunset or a fogbank over the Pacific Ocean. Reservations strongly recommended for Sutro's.
Thanh Long
Vietnamese restaurant featuring roasted crab. Dinner only.
Food markets
Village Market
Small, inviting food market featuring organic produce, wine, beer, and coffee to-go.
4th and Geary Farmer's Market
Inexpensive fresh fruits and vegetables, and a decent selection of your basic grocery needs which might not be covered as well by the local Asian groceries. Only takes cash and check.
New May Wah Supermarket
Huge compared to others in the area authentic Chinese supermarket. They have just about everything.
| This guide uses the following price ranges for a typical meal for one, including soft drink: | |
| Budget | $10 or less |
| Mid-range | $10 - 20 |
| Splurge | $20 or more |
A thriving restaurant area is to be found in the Inner Sunset around 9th Avenue and Irving Street. There is also a major Asian shopping district in the Outer Sunset on Irving from 19th to 27th Avenues with restaurants, supermarkets, a Taiwanese bakery, and tapioca drink places. Another small restaurant and shopping district in the Outer Sunset is located along Noreiga Street.
In the Richmond district there is a major Asian shopping district on Clement Street from 2nd to 12th Avenues with restaurants, markets, a number of dim sum Cantonese snacks, literally `touch-the-heart' vendors, Hong Kong style bakeries, as well as Japanese, Thai, Burmese, and Korean restaurants, and tapioca drink places. Most other ethnic cuisines are represented as well. Not many tourists here.