Budget
Ali Baba's Cave
Quick and friendly Mediterranean food. Shish-kabob will take some time, but you can walk out or dine in with a shawerma or falafel in under two minutes. Watch out for the platters -- the servings are huge.
All You Knead
A cavernous space filled with fishtanks and comfortable booths, All You Knead serves up huge and hearty brunches as well as casual diner-style dinner meals. Eggs benedicts are a specialty.
Citrus Club
This is an excellent noodle house with dishes chosen from all Asian traditional cuisines. Portions are generous, with an emphasis on flavor over presentation. Decent prices and an unpretentious decor make for a pleasurable group meal.
Estela's Fresh Sandwiches
The name speaks true. Also try Estela's delicious fruit smoothies.
Kate's Kitchen
Breakfast - Southern style. If you're really hungry, try the French Toast Orgy. Expect a long wait for weekend brunch just like everywhere else in San Francisco.
Katz's Bagels
Bagels, pizza, and free wi-fi. Dine in and enjoy the portrait gallery and a garden view.
La Cafe du Soleil
Coffee, pastries, salads, sandwiches, pastries, soup of the day, beer & wine bar, live free jazz most Sundays 5-8PM, outdoor seating. Chic, casual, family friendly. Free wi-fi, but limited power outlets.
Love 'n Haight
Often overlooked, but a neighborhood favorite. A family-owned sandwich joint with an Asian flair. Meat and fake meat sandwiches made to order. Try the "veg" duck.
Metro Caffe
Burgers and cheesesteaks.
Rosamunde Sausage Grill
Delicious sausages and not much else. Now with a vegan choice! Get here early Tuesday 11am to get in line for their once a week burgers. They sell out instantly! Get it for here, to go, or bring it next door to Toronado and have it with some beer.
Midrange
Thep Phenom
Sometimes called the best Thai in San Francisco; call ahead as this restaurant can be very busy. Or walk in with a small party and have a Singha in the back while you wait to be seated at a family-style table.
Cha-Cha-Cha
Popular Cuban tapas place. Good sangria. Typical wait is 1-2 hours on weekends, and they don't take reservations. Great bar, always crowded with a fun 'artsy' crowd. Be warned, the sangria packs a punch!
The Grind
Coffee shop with breakfast, lunch, and an amazing array of desserts, pastries, and munchies. Indoor and patio seating.
Indian Oven
This Indian restaurant is on the expensive side, although it is pretty good. Expect a wait any day of the week.
Memphis Minnie's
Great southern-style barbecue and oddly enough sake.
Axum Cafe
This Ethiopian restaurant is very affordable. Try the vegetarian sampler. If you are hungry, order for two. Wash it down with an Ethiopian beer 2 kinds.
Naan 'n' Chutney
Indian and Pakistani.
Rotee
A casual, inexpensive Indian restaurant with modern decor and excellent food. No alcohol license, but patrons can bring their own beer from the liquor store across the street.
Mythic Pizza
Pizza by the slice.
Pork Store Cafe
Extremely popular breakfast spot. Always a line on the weekends. Very inexpensive and friendly diner atmosphere and food.
Squat & Gobble
Cafe and crepery, part of a small San Francisco chain. Popular for breakfast and lunch, crowded on weekends. Outdoor dining on the back patio when the weather is nice. The side potatoes are a favorite.
Squat & Gobble
This is the chain's other Haight location.
Asqew Grill
Serves an array of flame-grilled skewers prepared in unexpected ways.
Top end
Kan Zaman
A popular Middle Eastern restaurant, success has made Kan Zaman a difficult place to get a table. Reservations are practically mandatory, with wait times up to 2 hours on weekends. The hazards come with a payoff: Kan Zaman has fine food at reasonable prices, of course, but the atmosphere is raucous and exciting. Belly dancers perform nightly, and a postprandial hookah pipe shared around a table is de rigueur. Definitely a night on the town.
RNM
The most upscale and expensive restaurant in the neighborhood. The small plates of comfort food will warm you up.