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Where to Eat in San Francisco, San Jose & the Bay Area
- Elijah
- 5 hours ago
- 11 min read
Finding good food in the Bay Area isn’t hard, narrowing it down to places actually worth your time and money is. This guide focuses on restaurants in San Francisco, San Jose, and the surrounding Bay Area that we’ve personally eaten at, enjoyed, and continue to return to. Every spot listed here is based on firsthand experience, not online hype or one-time visits.
This list is intentionally selective and updated over time as we discover new places we genuinely like. Some are well-known favorites, others are local gems, and a few may have mixed reviews online but still delivered great experiences for us. We’ve also included a short section on places we don’t think are worth the price, based on our own visits. If you’re planning a trip or simply looking for reliable places to eat around the Bay Area, this guide is meant to help you spend less time guessing and more time enjoying meals that are actually worth it.
Best Places to Eat in San Francisco
Tony's Pizza Napoletana (North Beach):
Tony’s serves up a wide selection of Italian food, and known for their award-winning pizzas. They are a popular restaurant, but definitely not a tourist trap. Their pizzas are delicious and worth the hype. We like their award-winning Margherita pizza (they only make 73 a day), and their award-winning Pizza Porto.
Señor Sisig (Multiple Locations)
A popular San Francisco Filipino-Mexican fusion restaurant serving up unique bites. Their Tosilog burrito is delicious, full of Filipino sweet pork, adobo garlic rice, fresh tomatoes, and a fried egg. They have multiple locations across the city, from the Mission to the Ferry Building, and even a food truck!
Original Joes (Westlake & North Beach)
A Bay Area classic serving up Italian food since 1937. A popular spot with locals and tourists alike, Original Joe’s is worth a visit. We like the Westlake location because they have a parking lot. Some menu highlights for us are the arancini, meatballs, and the pork porterhouse.
Long Bridge Pizza Company (Dogpatch)
A casual neighborhood spot serving up cheesy sourdough goodness, Long Bridge Pizza Company is known for its perfectly chewy, tangy crust and New York–style pies. The menu features both classic and creative topping combinations, with plenty of options for sharing. A great stop for a quick bite, a family meal, or grabbing a box to take to nearby parks or breweries in the Dogpatch area.
Salt and Straw: (Hayes Valley & other locations)
Although Salt & Straw is a small chain with about 42 stores across a few states, it is beloved by locals! They serve up unique ice cream flavors, such as peach jam miso blondies, pear and blue cheese, and salty donut guava and cheese, as well as more traditional flavors like mint chip and chocolate brownie. If you’ve never had it, it’s worth a try.
Local San Francisco Restaurants We Personally Recommend
Andiamo in Banca (South San Francisco)
An Italian spot with an insane lunch special: three courses for $19.99 Tuesdays through Fridays. The ambiance is fun and upscale, built inside an old bank, and the bathroom door is themed like a vault. The lunch deal comes with an app (soup or salad), select entrée, and dessert.
Cochinita (South San Francisco)
Cochinita has both a food truck and a brick-and-mortar location, serving up delicious traditional Yucatan food. Family-owned and authentic, Cochinita is one of our favorite places to grab a bite in South SF. Some favorites include carne asada street tacos, fish tacos, cochinita pibil platillo, and ending the meal with their churros.
Little Lucca (South San Francisco)
A famous Italian sandwich shop serving up huge sandwiches full of fresh ingredients. Don’t skip the garlic sauce, it adds a tasty tang to the sandwich! The line is always long, but it’s worth the wait.
Dogpatch Saloon (Dogpatch)
A neighborhood bar since 1912 with a quirky Victorian interior, cheap drinks, and open late. In a city where many places close early, Dogpatch Saloon is a busy late-night spot. Perfect for drinks after getting pizza at Long Bridge.
Victoria Pastry Co. (North Beach)
Authentic Italian pastries in the heart of North Beach since 1914. They serve desserts with the same cherished recipes that have been passed down since the early 1900s. We like their tiramisu and chocolate truffle cake. The small patio on a lively intersection is a great place to enjoy your treats.
Roma Antica (Marina)
Some of the best Italian food we’ve had in the Bay Area. Roma Antica transports you to Rome, from delicious fried suppli (a Roman street food) to charming waitstaff with Italian accents. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu, we love their pizzas and pastas, but the tiramisu and chocolate cake are absolute musts!
Palmetto Superfoods (Multiple Locations)
Authentic Brazilian açaí topped with fresh fruits, honey, nuts, and more. Palmetto started in San Francisco and has expanded across the Bay. We love their açaí bowls, nothing is more refreshing on a summer morning or after a long workout.
Fruitful Dreams (Chinatown)
San Francisco’s first tanghulu shop (candied sugar-covered fruit kabobs), located in Chinatown just steps from the entrance to Ross Alley, where the Fortune Cookie Factory is located. Tanghulu was fun to try, but not our favorite. The sugar cane juice, however, is amazing.
Pink Onion (Mission)
Pizza and Italian spot near the Mission District with a great Wednesday combo deal. “Wine Wednesdays” include one small pizza, one pasta, one app or salad, one dessert, and a bottle of wine for $60. Tasty food and solid deals, especially on Wednesdays.
Sausalito Bakery and Cafe (Sausalito)
A cute café in Sausalito with patio seating overlooking the Bay. The blueberry bread pudding is our favorite, its Elijah-approved which is rare, since he grew up in the South, but he says it’s one of the best he’s had in California. Grab a coffee, a sweet treat, and enjoy the waterfront view.
Our Personal Breakfast Favorite Near San Francisco
Brothers Cafe (South San Francisco)
A tasty breakfast and lunch spot right by the airport. They have really good scrambles, pancakes, and country-fried steak. We also like their chicken club sandwich and “Egg..cellence Hangover” plate.
Antigua Coffee Shop (South San Francisco)
This cozy café is a local gem. We love their Mexican mocha, the hearty breakfast burrito, and the original breakfast plate with beans and plantains. Great vibe, friendly staff, and a solid way to start your day before heading into the city. We also love their playlist!
San Francisco Restaurants With Mixed Reviews (That We Enjoyed)
Sushi Delight (San Francisco) – Known for its all-you-can-eat sushi rolls, nigiri, and sashimi. While reviews are mixed about consistency and service, we’ve enjoyed it for casual group dinners and big appetites. It’s not fine dining, but it can be a fun and filling stop if you’re craving sushi.
Boudin Bakery & Café (Fisherman’s Wharf) – Famous sourdough bread bowl filled with clam chowder. It can feel touristy and busy, but the bread, atmosphere, and view make it worth a visit if you’re already on the Wharf.
Biscoff Coffee Corner (Pier 39) – We expected this to be an overrated coffee shop at the tourist strip, but we were pleasantly surprised. The hot chocolate (perfect when it’s chilly) and their selection of baked sweets make it a solid stop if you’re walking around Pier 39. A sweet treat-plus-coffee combo that hits when the weather turns cold.
San Francisco Restaurants We Don’t Think Are Worth the Price
House of Prime Rib – We finally got a reservation at House of Prime Rib and were extremely disappointed. The food was bland and overpriced ($170 pre-tip for two), and the experience didn’t live up to the hype. The highlight of the meal was the spinach and salad. Not worth the wait or price, you can get better food elsewhere in the city.
Elena's Mexican Restaurant – Elena’s is a newer Mexican spot in San Francisco. It’s not bad, but extremely overpriced compared to the city’s incredible Mexican and Latin food scene. For us, it just doesn’t live up to the hype.
Best Places to Eat in San Jose & Silicon Valley
Our favorite Mexican food spot in San Jose, this humble food truck serves tortillas made fresh on the spot with flavorful tacos, quesadillas, and burritos. It’s cheap, authentic, and the kind of place locals swear by. This truck got us through college, and it’s still our go-to for Mexican food in the city.
Located in the heart of downtown, Casa Guzmania is run by one of the sweetest families you’ll ever meet. Their flaky empanadas (cheese, beef, mole, and chicken tinga) pair perfectly with a horchata coffee or strawberry smoothie. It’s cozy, affordable, and consistently delicious.
A contemporary American restaurant and bar with a stylish ambiance. Their cocktails are served in crystal glasses, their wine list is extensive, and their mac and cheese is a standout. It’s a little pricier than the taco truck scene, but perfect for a nice dinner out.
A hybrid food court, beer garden, and live music venue in downtown San Jose. With multiple food stalls and bars, it’s a fun, casual spot for groups. Live music six days a week adds to the vibe, and you can hang out for hours with drinks and snacks.
A family-owned spot serving authentic Caribbean flavors right in San Jose. We tried the Kingston, Sunday Dinner, and Bolt; the Kingston and Bolt were our favorites. The steamed vegetables with rice were also a standout, flavorful, and comforting. It’s a great pick if you’re craving something hearty and different from the usual Bay Area fare.
Best Bars and Nightlife in San Jose
A retro arcade bar packed with pinball machines, shooters, and classic cabinets like Street Fighter, Pac-Man, and NBA Jam. Drinks come with playful names, think a giant “Mario Party” pitcher or colorful cocktails inspired by video games, and the bar food is solid enough to keep you fueled for hours of play. With neon lights, loud energy, and a crowd that’s always ready for some friendly competition, it’s one of the liveliest hangouts downtown and a guaranteed good time with friends.
A Johnny Cash–themed dive where the jukebox is dedicated to the Man in Black himself. The vibe is low-key and unpretentious, strong drinks, a pool table in the back, and plenty of sing-along moments when the classics come on. True to its name, it’s cash only (though there’s an ATM inside if you forget). It’s the kind of spot where you can kick back, channel a little outlaw spirit, and feel right at home.
A lively downtown staple, O’Flaherty’s mixes traditional Irish pub vibes with a late-night party atmosphere. DJs keep the dance floor moving on weekends, while strong pours and a friendly crowd make it easy to settle in until last call at 2 a.m. The space blends cozy wooden pub décor with the energy of a club, making it a go-to for anyone looking for a high-energy night out in San Jose.
A tiki-themed cocktail bar connected to O’Flaherty’s, with flaming drinks, tropical décor, and a large patio. It’s a little kitschy in the best way possible, and the perfect spot to grab a drink before or after the pub.
Best Desserts in San Jose (Donuts & Ice Cream)
One of the few dessert spots in San Jose open late, Dumont offers ice cream with a gelato-like creaminess, plus boba and pastries. It’s located right by O’Flaherty’s and Dr. Funk, making it a perfect mid-bar-crawl stop or sweet ending to the night.
A San Jose institution since 1959, Stan’s is famous for its hot, fresh glazed donuts that often sell out within hours. The shop is old-school and no-frills, and true to its roots, it’s cash only (though the prices are delightfully old-fashioned too). The donuts themselves are soft, fluffy, and perfectly sweet, with the glazed raised donut being the fan favorite. Go early in the morning to grab one right out of the fryer and see why this spot has been beloved for generations.
Where to Eat Around the Bay Area (Day Trips & Nearby Cities)
Peninsula Favorites (Between SF & SJ)
Suavecito Birria & Tacos – Our go-to spot in the Bay Area for queso birria tacos. Opened in 2021, Suavecito quickly became a local favorite thanks to its rich, flavorful birria and creative options like the pizzabirria. It’s takeout only with no seating, but if you’re passing through San Bruno, it’s absolutely worth the stop.
Cuco’s Burritos – Featured in the SF Chronicle’s “Best Burritos in the Bay Area” list, and for good reason. Cuco’s delivers big burritos stuffed with authentic Mexican flavors. Elijah’s go-to is the Chile Verde Burrito, it has tender pork in a tomatillo sauce, refried beans, Spanish rice, onion, cilantro, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, and cheese. Pro tip: get there early; it gets busy during lunch.
Las Chiquitas – A small family-run Mexican restaurant with over 30 years of experience in the kitchen. Their chicken chile relleno is hearty and flavorful, and the carne asada is tender and perfectly seasoned. The family’s hospitality makes the place feel extra welcoming.
Han Sang – A long-time favorite for comforting Korean food. From bubbling hot pots to flavorful stews and grilled BBQ meats, Han Sang is the place to go if you’re craving something hearty and filling on a chilly Bay Area night.
Ox 9 Lanzhou Hand Pulled Noodles – Famous for their Lanzhou beef noodle soup, this spot serves chewy hand-pulled noodles in a deeply savory broth. Watching the noodles being stretched by hand is part of the fun, and the bowls are as filling as they are tasty. There are multiple locations around the Bay Area, but the San Mateo location is our favorite.
Kajiken – A Japanese chain specializing in mazesoba (dry ramen). Instead of broth, you get thick noodles coated in a savory sauce and topped with chashu pork, egg yolk, and fresh scallions. It’s rich, flavorful, and a refreshing change if you’re ramen-ed out.
East Bay Favorites
Graffiti Pizza – Opened in 2019, this spot puts a creative twist on the classic New York slice. It became one of our go-tos when we lived in the East Bay, so much so that we’d drive nearly an hour round-trip just to grab a pie. Parking is limited, but there’s a paid lot nearby if the street fills up.
Zachary’s Chicago Pizza – An Oakland legend since 1983, Zachary’s has racked up over 225 “Best Pizza” awards. Their signature deep dish is unique; it uses a double layer of dough above and below the fillings, creating an almost pie-like bite. We love customizing our stuffed pizzas with a mix of meats and veggies. The wait can be long, but it’s always worth it.
Final Thoughts
Every restaurant in this guide is somewhere we’ve personally eaten, and just as importantly, somewhere we’ve chosen to return to. The Bay Area has no shortage of food options, but this list focuses on places that consistently delivered good experiences for us, not just one-time visits or online hype.
We update this guide over time as we discover new restaurants we genuinely enjoy and revisit old favorites, so it’s always evolving. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or looking for a reliable place to eat locally, we hope this helps you narrow down options that are truly worth your time and money.
Planning more of your trip? Our complete Bay Area travel guide pulls together where to stay, how to get around, and what else to do, all in one place.