Food Scene
A great French Bistro. You will need a reservation or dine early or late.
111 locals recommend
L'Ardoise
151 Noe StA great French Bistro. You will need a reservation or dine early or late.
During the winter, the sake specials are a good companion to the donburi.
13 locals recommend
Amasia Hide's Sushi Bar
149 Noe StDuring the winter, the sake specials are a good companion to the donburi.
El Castillito
136 Church StClassic San Francisco burrito joint.
It's popular, but I think less for the food than location. Outdoor patio and sidewalk seating makes it a place to people-watch and be seen.
69 locals recommend
Flore on Market
2298 Market StIt's popular, but I think less for the food than location. Outdoor patio and sidewalk seating makes it a place to people-watch and be seen.
Some of the greatest cakes made in the City live here. Its also one of the few late night dessert places in the City.
Sweet Inspiration ft. Mike's Sandwiches
2239 Market StreetSome of the greatest cakes made in the City live here. Its also one of the few late night dessert places in the City.
The tali dinner platter for two is a great bargain. Slightly more upscale than Bombay, this dining room is open and expansive. The kitchen makes the best indian breads and succulent tandoori chicken
33 locals recommend
Indian Oven Restaurant
233 Fillmore StThe tali dinner platter for two is a great bargain. Slightly more upscale than Bombay, this dining room is open and expansive. The kitchen makes the best indian breads and succulent tandoori chicken
I loved the sausages on both my visits. The other dishes look great, but its been a blur of sausage for me.
177 locals recommend
Magnolia Brewing - Haight
1398 Haight StI loved the sausages on both my visits. The other dishes look great, but its been a blur of sausage for me.
Small and popular, the best bet for a seating is an early dinner or getting on the list and wait out the crowd for your table.
148 locals recommend
Anchor Oyster Bar
579 Castro StSmall and popular, the best bet for a seating is an early dinner or getting on the list and wait out the crowd for your table.
Short of hauling yourself over to Little Saigon, this is a good bahn-mi place. It's actually on the 16th Street side of the this small shopping center and has some sidewalk seating there.
53 locals recommend
Dinosaurs
50 Eureka DrShort of hauling yourself over to Little Saigon, this is a good bahn-mi place. It's actually on the 16th Street side of the this small shopping center and has some sidewalk seating there.
This was the first bahn-mi I ever had and Patricia Unterman recommended it in her classic guide to SF eateries. When I am anywhere near Civic Center, this is my default lunch choice.
52 locals recommend
Saigon Sandwich
560 Larkin StThis was the first bahn-mi I ever had and Patricia Unterman recommended it in her classic guide to SF eateries. When I am anywhere near Civic Center, this is my default lunch choice.
Crust+sauce+toppings= best balance of texture and flavor.
10 locals recommend
Pauline's Pizza & Wine Bar
Crust+sauce+toppings= best balance of texture and flavor.
This is a wonderful bakery featuring savory and sweet pastries.
93 locals recommend
Thorough Bread and Pastry
248 Church StThis is a wonderful bakery featuring savory and sweet pastries.
Casual, communal dining with an emphasis on seasonal and local ingredients. A salad and a bowl of their mussels is my recommendation for any time of year.
135 locals recommend
Starbelly
3583 16th StCasual, communal dining with an emphasis on seasonal and local ingredients. A salad and a bowl of their mussels is my recommendation for any time of year.
When friends or family visit from out of town, this is a go-to choice: great menu, decent prices, and great service.
96 locals recommend
Chow Food Bar
215 Church StWhen friends or family visit from out of town, this is a go-to choice: great menu, decent prices, and great service.
Through the flood and ebb of dim sum crazes, they have retained consistently good quality. The moment you are seated, put in an order for walnut cookies.
34 locals recommend
Ton Kiang
5821 Geary BlvdThrough the flood and ebb of dim sum crazes, they have retained consistently good quality. The moment you are seated, put in an order for walnut cookies.
This is my favorite Italian place other than Aperto (closed). The pastas are always amazing and they have a good wine list.
60 locals recommend
Uva Enoteca
568 Haight StThis is my favorite Italian place other than Aperto (closed). The pastas are always amazing and they have a good wine list.
It's Thai food. It's well prepared. It's not crazy expensive. I recommend medium spicy on dishes. That's enough for me and I think most others. When I order hot spicy, I get crazy hiccups when I eat.
29 locals recommend
Thep Phanom
400 Waller StreetIt's Thai food. It's well prepared. It's not crazy expensive. I recommend medium spicy on dishes. That's enough for me and I think most others. When I order hot spicy, I get crazy hiccups when I eat.
This replaced the long-comforting Bombay. The quality of the food, the style (more Himalayan influence), and the prices went up and this has become my go-to for Indian in the hood. I recommend the momos and appreciate the many vegan options.
Tara Indian Cuisine
2217 Market StThis replaced the long-comforting Bombay. The quality of the food, the style (more Himalayan influence), and the prices went up and this has become my go-to for Indian in the hood. I recommend the momos and appreciate the many vegan options.
Essentials
Courtney's Produce
101 Castro StGreat sandwiches!
This is my go-to corner market when I realize I am out of a common ingredient or typical household item. Jake and Les never let me down.
200 Noe St
200 Noe StreetThis is my go-to corner market when I realize I am out of a common ingredient or typical household item. Jake and Les never let me down.
Craft beers, bourbon, and other spirits with knowledgeable staff. It also features a deli counter with great humous and other freshly made snacks.
37 locals recommend
Healthy Spirits
300 Valencia StCraft beers, bourbon, and other spirits with knowledgeable staff. It also features a deli counter with great humous and other freshly made snacks.
California Pacific Medical Center
2340 Clay StClosest emergency care facilities.
Getting Around
Stop for the N-Judah which runs from Ocean Beach to Caltrain Station. Serves Golden Gate Park locations, Sunset District, Downtown, and the Ballpark (Let's go Giants!).
10 locals recommend
Duboce St & Noe St - Duboce Park station
Stop for the N-Judah which runs from Ocean Beach to Caltrain Station. Serves Golden Gate Park locations, Sunset District, Downtown, and the Ballpark (Let's go Giants!).
F-Market Historic Trolleys, J-Church, KT-Ingleside/Third Street, L-Taraval, M-Ocean View, 22-Fillmore, 37-Corbett. Transit hub to the City.
20 locals recommend
Church St & Market St station
F-Market Historic Trolleys, J-Church, KT-Ingleside/Third Street, L-Taraval, M-Ocean View, 22-Fillmore, 37-Corbett. Transit hub to the City.
Drinks & Nightlife
This tapas place is a great addition to the Market Street restaurant row.
24 locals recommend
Canela Bistro & Wine Bar
2272 Market StThis tapas place is a great addition to the Market Street restaurant row.
Blackbird
2124 Market StLively place convenient to underground station at Church and Market.
I love this place to hear live music from independent bands. It also serves as a venue for music festivals.
38 locals recommend
Cafe Du Nord
2174 Market StI love this place to hear live music from independent bands. It also serves as a venue for music festivals.
A classic gay bar with ESPN, pool table, patio seating and a mixed crowd.
13 locals recommend
Pilsner Inn
225 Church StA classic gay bar with ESPN, pool table, patio seating and a mixed crowd.
Shopping
Sui Generis Consignment - Men's
2231 Market StThese guys have a great collection of men's clothing.
Parks & Nature
Great views and a good waypoint for a walk between the Castro and Upper Haight.
205 locals recommend
Buena Vista Park
Great views and a good waypoint for a walk between the Castro and Upper Haight.
Sightseeing
Corona Heights Park
Museum WaySweeping views of the Bay, Oakland Hills and South Bay.
Part of my Sunday morning rounds with the dogs. Its a sweet little parklet with view of the Mission, Castro, and East Bay.
Saturn Street Stairway
Saturn Street StairwayPart of my Sunday morning rounds with the dogs. Its a sweet little parklet with view of the Mission, Castro, and East Bay.