People Watching Restaurants

For a truly unique San Francisco experience, there are few options that offer a better example of California's cutting edge design and cuisine than at the Moss Room at the Academy of Science, in Golden Gate Park. Hidden below the museum like a rare gem is a restaurant dedicated to producing extraordinary cuisine with ingredients from local sources and a nod to classic French preparation. The dramatic dining room with its namesake living wall of moss and fern is an ideal choice for a dining destination unlike any other in the Bay Area.

The savory pork, fish, and vegetable dishes of Catalonian cuisine often aren't very well represented in the United States, which is unfortunate. However, San Francisco is lucky enough to host restaurants like B44 that not only present authentic dishes from Catalonia, but in true gourmet fashion. Located in Belden Place, B44 offers this unique style of food that has garnered acclaim from critics all over the world. At this authentic Catalonian eatery, guests will find flavorful seafood dishes like Cazuela, award-winning Arros Negre, and a wide selection of popular, creamy Catalonian desserts. Diners can enjoy fine dishes like these in …

There’s a bit of Rome right in the heart of San Francisco. 54 Mint presents bold flavors with imaginative pairings and infuses a bit of Italy into everything they prepare. This combination restaurant and wine bar is located downtown on the historic Mint Plaza and attracts locals and tourists alike with its charming décor and ambiance. 54 Mint has a comprehensive wine list and food menu as well as community seating in their wine cellar which can also be rented out for private events.

Infused with the flavors and colors of the seasons, San Francisco’s Yield Wine Bar invites guests to come in and try something new. They believe in providing high quality dishes and wines that won’t break the bank. Yield’s cuisine is a contemporary American and Thai fusion. The menu is full of unique combinations and flavors sure to entice any palate and Yield’s knowledgeable staff is more than happy to recommend dishes and wine pairings. The ambiance is tranquil and romantic with a hint of excitement and complete with a chic decor. Yield is a great place to swing by for …

Feeling dirty? Ike’s Place in the Castro is a sandwich shop with attitude and dirty sauce to boot. “Ike’s Dirty Secret Sauce,” a staple of all Ike’s specialty sandwiches, is among the many things that makes Ike’s Place so unique to San Francisco. Opened in 2007, this local sandwich joint bakes their bread fresh to order and piles on all the fixings for every jam-packed, fresh and filling sandwiches. Their extensive sandwich menu has delectable options for carnivores and herbivores alike, but it’s their attention to detail that makes Ike’s Place a local favorite in Fog City.

Fans of Thai food living in San Francisco probably already know the name Osha Thai, and those who don't are missing out on a fun and delicious dining experience. While the restaurant may have locations all around town, the Osha Thai in Cow's Hollow represents everything that customers love about the eateries. It begins with a chic and modern design that is both comfortable and aesthetically intriguing, treating diners to exceptional sights as well as tastes. The accommodating bar area is a popular first stop for customers, as it serves a large list of beer, liquor, wine, and specialty cocktails …

At Palomino, guests can feel like they’re visiting the happiest place on earth. With a menu boasting “The Everyday Happy Hour,” Palomino’s suggests pairing their all day $5 drink specials with a special brand of upscale bar snacks such as Prosciutto Flatbread, Dungeness Crab and Artichoke Dip, and Potatoes Gorgonzola. Who can resist? Palomino serves up California style cuisine with a touch of something special. With selections for both lunch and dinner, patrons can drool over their signature entrée’s, steaks, pastas, and pizzas—more notably their Wild Mushroom, Cured Ham, and Goat Cheese Flatbread, a customer favorite. Located on San Francisco’s …

Vampires beware! The Stinking Rose is known throughout San Francisco as being the number one restaurant for fans of garlic and excellent food. Located in North Beach, the restaurant goes through over 3,000 pounds of the garlic each month, and diners visit again and again to indulge in the Californian-Italian cuisine. The Stinking Rose is best known for its Dungeness Killer Crab: a fresh crab weighing over two pounds and roasted in a secret garlic sauce until succulent and juicy. The garlicky goodness extends to the rest of the restaurant’s menu, which includes seafood skillets, tureens, surf and turf, pastas, …

Located in Haight-Asbury, San Francisco’s most colorful Historic district, lies a Tapas restaurant and bar that revolutionizes the marriage of healthy dining and intense flavor. Caribbean and Cajun flavors are staple of importance at Cha Cha Cha, a restaurant that can prove that eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to eat bland. Serving up spicy, hot dishes such as Lechon Asado (roast leg of pork), and Arroz Con Pollo (roasted chicken with spicy vegetables), guests can be introduced to new flavors as well as dine on classic flavors. With options for lunch and dinner as well as drinks and dessert, …

Exclusively located at the Fairmount Hotel in San Francisco, The Tonga Room and Hurricane Bar is sure to let you get your tiki on island style. All platters from their extensive menu are served “family style” so they can be enjoyed by all in attendance. Specialty concoctions served in coconut glasses combined with their tropical décor and Pacific Rim cuisine amount to a unique experience as you are whisked away on a short tropical vacation right in the middle of San Francisco. Come join in the concept of ohana as you become a part of The Tonga Room and Hurricane …

Since 1916, The Buena Vista Café in Fisherman’s Warf has been a San Francisco landmark. In 1952, with aid from Pulitzer-Prize winning travel writer Stanton Delaplane, the then-owner of the Buena Vista perfected the recipe for their now legendary Irish Coffee. The drink is so popular, the Buena Vista serves up to 2,000 Irish Coffees a day. Should you choose to bypass the Café’s claim to fame, there is a full bar that features a long list of specialty drinks including the Akvavit w/ Beer Snit, the New Orleans Fizz, and the Nutty Irishman. The kitchen serves traditional American fare …

Come take in a bit of history at PIER 39’s Fog Harbor Fish House. Surrounded by historic landmarks like Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Bay Bridge, Fog Harbor Fish House is a waterfront restaurant that serves a wide variety of seafood cuisine from their award-winning Clam Chowder to the Garlic Roasted Whole Dungeness Crab. Voted Best Scenic View in San Francisco, diners are able to soak in the romantic sights of the San Francisco harbor while watching the restaurant’s chefs prepare their freshly caught fish and bake classic sourdough bread daily.

Since 1882, The Northstar Café has served the thirsty of North Beach strong drinks and cold beer. One of the areas longest and latest Happy Hour specials runs Monday through Friday from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and features $3 beers and well drinks. Free popcorn provided to those looking for a light snack. Board games and free pool keep guests entertained. A local favorite, The Northstar Café is a great choice to grab a drink in a friendly and casual environment after work, or just whenever.

Named after Unione Sportiva, a popular soccer team from Palermo, Sicily, U.S. Original Restaurant in North Beach has been serving guests for over twenty years. A favorite appetizer, the Antipasti de Mare with clams, mussels, shrimp, baby calamari, and scallops on a bed of ice cold lettuce with capers, celery, minced red onion, and tomato served with lemon wedges and a light red wine vinaigrette will whet the appetite for the main course. Daily specials abound, and the Osso Bucco, served on Saturdays, has some locals claiming it to be the best in San Francisco. Open for lunch and dinner …

Established in 1993 as a crepery on Fillmore Street, Squat & Gobble has expanded to five San Francisco locations. Open daily from 8am-10pm, Squat & Gobble has no timetables set for any of its daily menu items. That means you can order a Charbroiled Angus Chuck Burger at 9am or a Belgian Waffle at 7pm. An exclusive brunch menu is served on Saturday & Sunday before 3pm and includes specialties such as the decadent French Toast Indulgence and the savory Southern Style Chicken Fried Steak & Eggs. Squat & Gobble, Marina includes a delightful patio for an outdoor dining experience …

Taqueria La Cumbre in the Mission District of San Francisco claims to be the birthplace of the now ubiquitous Super Burrito. Whether or not Taqueria La Cumbre is responsible for the legendary Mission style Super Burrito, the rest of the menu has diners returning to sample their varied offerings. Dishes such as the pollo asada plate, multiple types of quesadillas, hot caldos, and tacos give plenty of options to hungry patrons. The quality, flavor, and texture of the house carne asada is raved about. The habanero sauce, only available on Friday and Saturday, steps up the flavor profile of those …

Open late every night of the week, Taqueria Zorro in North Beach has been serving up fast Mexican fare for a decade. Offering guests a choice of black, whole, and refried beans, four kinds of salsa at the salsa bar, as well as 10 kinds of meat including spicy chicken, marinated chicken, roast pork, char-broiled pork, beef, and fish, Taqueria Zorro has something for nearly everyone. Taqueria Zorro is one of the few places in San Francisco that serves California burritos. This Southern California staple is essentially a carne asada burrito with French fries. The next time it is late, …

Thanh Tam II in the Mission offers those looking for a taste of Vietnam a way to curb their hunger pangs. The menu includes various Pho offerings, perfect for those brisk San Francisco nights. The Bahn me is famously affordable, as is the majority of the menu. The dining area is cozy, and the service good, but should diners choose to stay home, delivery is available. Returning patrons rave about the Imperial Rolls, Garlic Noodles, Shaken Beef Salad, and Lemon Grass Tofu and Vermacelli bowls. For an affordable Vietnamese meal in the Mission, Thanh Tam II delivers.

Tacolicious is admittedly not a traditional San Francisco taqueria. While incorporating Mexican ingredients into every one of the restaurants offerings, Tacolicious sees itself as a San Francisco restaurant first and foremost. The menu incorporates seven different tacos, seasonal salads, a Tombo tuna tostada, as well as a slew of appetizers, and even a brunch menu for the weekend. House-made agua frescas pair well for those looking for something free of alcohol, but if libations are on the mind, freshly-squeezed margaritas, an extensive Mexican beer list including bottles and tap, wine, as well as a selection of over 100 tequilas, including …

Taqueria El Castillito in the heart of the Tenderloin serves up some of the tastiest burritos this side of town. When it comes to sides, return customers rave about the flavorful and fluffy rice, as well as the black, pinto, and refried beans. The pollo asada, lingua, al pastor, and carnitas are all top notch, and one would be hard pressed to not enjoy a dish featuring any of these meats. The generous sized burritos can easily carry over to two meals for those of moderate appetites. Fresh made aguas frescas refresh the thirsty with flavors such as watermelon and …