Must-see restaurants in Northern California

  • La Taqueria restaurant in the Mission District.

    La Taqueria

    The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill

    SF's definitive burrito has no saffron rice, spinach tortilla or mango salsa – just perfectly grilled meats, slow-cooked beans and tomatillo or mesquite…

  • Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine

    The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill

    California farm-to-table gets Thai street smarts in this warehouse restaurant showcasing organic local ingredients and regional Thai street-food…

  • Petit Crenn

    The Haight & Hayes Valley

    Leave gimmicky waterfront bistros behind and find higher ground here, with rustic French seafood and easy social graces. Triple-Michelin-starred chef…

  • Cala

    The Haight & Hayes Valley

    Like discovering a long-lost twin, Cala's California roots cuisine is a revelation. San Francisco's Mexican-ranchera origins are deeply honored here:…

  • Off the Grid

    The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers

    Spring through fall, some 30 food trucks and pop-up cubes circle their wagons at SF's largest mobile-gourmet hootenannies on Friday night at Fort Mason…

  • China Live

    North Beach & Chinatown

    San Francisco has steadily craved Chinese food since 1848, and this fancy food hall delivers regional Chinese taste sensations with Californian flair – it…

  • Delfina

    The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill

    Twenty years ago Delfina opened its doors on what was then a sketchy corner of the Mission. It served simple Italian cuisine prepared with fresh…

  • Prairie

    The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill

    This is not your nonni's Italian, and actually she might take issue with whether it's Italian at all. Many of the ingredients more commonly appear on…

  • Gary Danko

    The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers

    Gary Danko wins James Beard Awards for his impeccable Californian haute cuisine. Smoked-glass windows prevent passersby from tripping over their tongues…

  • Pizzeria Delfina

    The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill

    One bite explains why SF is obsessed with pizza lately: Delfina's thin crust heroically supports the weight of fennel sausage and fresh mozzarella without…

  • Humphry Slocombe

    The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill

    Indie-rock organic ice cream that may permanently spoil you for Top 40 flavors. Once 'Elvis: The Fat Years' (banana and peanut butter) and 'Hibiscus Beet…

  • Tacolicious

    The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill

    Never mind the name: once you've sampled the carnitas (slow-roasted pork) tacos and passion-fruit-habañero margaritas, you'll be in no position to debate…

  • Seven Hills

    San Francisco

    Romans and San Franciscans converge around the table at this tiny Russian Hill storefront trattoria, where market-fresh ingredients find peak expression…

  • Souvla

    The Haight & Hayes Valley

    Ancient Greek philosophers didn't think too hard about lunch, and neither should you at Souvla. Get in line and make no-fail choices: pita or salad, wine…

  • Ottimo

    Napa Valley

    Chef Michael Chiarello opened this Italian market, cafe and mozzeria in Yountville's V Marketplace across from his popular farm-to-table establishment…

  • Vegan Picnic

    The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers

    If all vegan meatballs, faux crispy chicken sandwiches and imitation salami subs tasted this good, every cow, chicken and pig could run free. Okay maybe…

  • Beit Rima

    San Francisco

    Bond over mezze inspired by chef-owner Samir Mogannam's mom, plus stints at the Bay's top Mediterranean restaurants. Hummus tahina traditionalists and…

  • Namu Gaji

    The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill

    SF's unfair culinary advantages – organic local ingredients, Pacific Rim roots and street-skater, try-anything attitude – are showcased in Namu's Korean…

  • Zuni Cafe

    The Haight & Hayes Valley

    Gimmickry is for amateurs – Zuni has been turning basic menu staples into gourmet go-tos since 1979. Reservations and fat wallets are key for oyster-and…

  • Majestic Yosemite Dining Room

    Yosemite National Park

    The formal ambience (mind your manners!) may not be for everybody, but few would not be awed by the sumptuous decor, soaring beamed ceiling and palatial…

  • Starbelly

    San Francisco

    All the laid-back charm and sun-drenched flavors you'd expect from California, at totally chill prices. The Castro farmer's market is right across the…

  • Ad Hoc

    Napa Valley

    A winning formula by Thomas Keller, Yountville’s culinary patriarch, Ad Hoc serves the master’s favorite American home cooking in four family-style…

  • Village Store

    Yosemite National Park

    The biggest and best grocery store in the park is located smack in the center of Yosemite Village. Whether you’re after last-minute items or full-fledged…

  • DragonEats

    The Haight & Hayes Valley

    Velvety roast-duck banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich) gives opera stars something to sing about at this sunny Vietnamese deli, right around the corner from San…

  • Dessert'D

    Mammoth Lakes

    Sweet treats such as cookies, marshmallows, jams, cakes, sweet cream pie and brownies are made on site at this ridiculously good dessert shop. Everything…

  • Dragon Beaux

    San Francisco

    Hong Kong meets Vegas at SF's most glamorous, decadent Cantonese restaurant. Say yes to cartloads of succulent roast meats – hello, duck and pork belly –…

  • King of Noodles

    San Francisco

    It's no surprise that the late, great Anthony Bourdain once dropped by this casual dim sum and noodle establishment, where the menu features oddities like…

  • Dim Sum Club

    San Francisco

    Who knew such authentic dim sum was hiding in a Russian Hill motel? Chinese grandmas, of course. Families gather in this friendly dining room around lazy…

  • Commonwealth

    The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill

    Wildly imaginative farm-to-table dining in a converted cinder-block Mission dive. Chef Jason Fox serves adventurous compositions like uni (sea urchin) and…

  • Nopalito

    San Francisco

    Head south of Golden Gate Park's border for upscale, sustainably sourced Cal-Mex, including succulent grass-fed beef empanadas, melt-in-your-mouth…

  • E' Tutto Qua

    North Beach & Chinatown

    The Colosseum is 6000 miles from the corner of Columbus and Broadway, but you'll eat like a gladiator at E' Tutto Qua (translation: It's All Here)…

  • Craftsman & Wolves

    The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill

    Breakfast routines are made to be broken by the infamous Rebel Within: a sausage-spiked Asiago-cheese muffin with a silken soft-boiled egg baked inside…

  • Ippuku

    Berkeley

    Japanese expats gush that Ippuku reminds them of izakaya (Japanese gastropubs) back in Tokyo. Choose from a menu of yakitori (skewered meats and…

  • Mission Cheese

    The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill

    Smile and say 'wine' at this cheese bar serving sublime pairings with expert advice and zero pretension. The all-domestic cheese menu ranges from triple…

  • Rosamunde Sausage Grill

    The Haight & Hayes Valley

    Impress a dinner date on the cheap: load up Coleman Farms pork brats, wild-boar sausages, or fig-brandy free-range duck links with complimentary roasted…

  • Foreign Cinema

    The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill

    Chef Gayle Pirie's acclaimed California classics such as grilled Monterey calamari and crisp sesame fried chicken are the star attractions here – but…

  • Lovejoy's Tea Room

    San Francisco

    All the chintz you'd expect from an English tearoom, only with a San Francisco crowd: curators talk interactive art over Darjeeling, scones and clotted…

  • Trestle

    North Beach & Chinatown

    If you've got a start-up budget but venture capitalist tastes, you're in luck here: $38 brings three courses of tasty, rustic comfort food. You get two…

  • Thoroughbread

    San Francisco

    Pastries come with pedigree at Thoroughbread – they're creations of Michelin-starred Michel Suas, founder of the San Francisco Baking Institute. If you're…

  • Little Chihuahua

    The Haight & Hayes Valley

    Who says sustainable, organic food has to be expensive or French? Grass-fed meats and organic veggies and beans are packed into organic tortillas, all…