10 Dishes to Eat in San Francisco and Where

San Francisco, like most Californian cities, is a crossroads of completely different peoples and cultures, and this is reflected in its cuisine. In addition to classic American dishes, you will find meals and recipes influenced by Mexican, Chinese, and Italian cuisines! Indeed, there is a large Italian community here.
Here are the 10 dishes to eat in San Francisco.

1 - Clam Chowder

Let's begin to discover the recipes of San Francisco with one of the most iconic dishes that you absolutely cannot miss: we are talking about Clam Chowder, which is a clam soup. The best place to try it is definitely Fisherman's Wharf.

Originating in the United States and now popular around the world, it features main ingredients such as clams, diced potatoes, onions, and celery. It is believed that the use of clams in this soup stems from their easy availability, making them a practical and tasty ingredient. However, the unique feature of San Francisco's Clam Chowder is that it is served in bread bowls, which is totally worth trying.

Recommended for lunch, dinner
Average cost $10.00
Main ingredients clams, broth, potatoes, onions, celery

2 - Joe's Special

If you are in San Francisco, then you should not miss a recipe that originated right in this city: Joe's Special. The dish became famous thanks to Original Joe's, a restaurant located in the Tenderloin district.

It is a one-dish meal, with main ingredients such as eggs, spinach, and ground beef, but you can also find onions, garlic, and mushrooms, along with various spices. It is similar to a scrambled egg dish. It is eaten at lunch or dinner, but it's not unusual to see it served at breakfast as well. Moreover, since San Francisco is a blend of peoples and cultures, you can also find some variants: Italian Joe's, which uses Italian sausage as the main ingredient, and Mexican Joe's, which features chorizo instead of ground beef.

Recommended for always
Average cost $10.00
Main ingredients eggs, spinach, ground beef, onions, garlic, spices

3 - Hangtown Fry

Another recipe that you absolutely cannot miss in San Francisco is Hangtown Fry, a dish that became famous during the Gold Rush in California, in the 1850s. More than just a dish, it is a true piece of history!

It consists of an omelet with eggs, bacon, oysters, and onion in its most common version, but of course, there are various adaptations. The dish was invented in Placerville, California, which during the Gold Rush was known as Hangtown, hence the name, but it gained popularity thanks to a local restaurant in San Francisco, the Tadich Grill, where it seems Hangtown Fry has been on the menu for over 160 years.

Recommended for lunch, dinner
Average cost $15.00
Main ingredients eggs, bacon, oysters and onion, spices

4 - Burrito

person holding vegetable tortilla wrap with dipping sauce on the side

California is a melting pot of various cultures, and given its proximity to Mexico, the local cuisine features many Mexican influences. One of the most beloved recipes is definitely the burrito, to the point that the city has created its own versions of this well-known dish.

In California, the ultimate burrito is the Mission-style Burrito, which originated in San Francisco in the 1960s and quickly became popular across the state, reaching Los Angeles as well. This is a larger version of the classic burrito, packed with a hearty filling that includes beans, guacamole, sour cream, meat, vegetables, and of course, rice!

Recommended for lunch, dinner
Average cost $5.00
Main ingredients rice, beans, guacamole, sour cream, meat, and vegetables

5 - Dim Sum

fresh dim sum in bamboo tray on straw mat

San Francisco, in its unique and charming Chinatown district, is home to the oldest and largest Chinese community in the United States, established in 1848. Thus, one of the most loved dishes in San Francisco is actually of Chinese origin: Dim Sum.

Dim sum are one of the most representative specialties of Chinese cuisine. They are small dumplings, so to speak, made of rice dough with various fillings, such as shrimp, barbecue pork, or roast duck. They are steamed and are a true delicacy.

Recommended for lunch, dinner
Average cost $10.00
Main ingredients flour, water, herbs, meat, fish, soy sauce

6 - Cioppino

The North Beach neighborhood of San Francisco is home to the Italian community of the city: it is here that Italians who immigrated from Italy in the 1800s arrived, bringing with them Italian traditions. Therefore, one of the most beloved dishes in San Francisco is actually an Italian dish: Cioppino.

Cioppino is a traditional Ligurian soup prepared by fishermen. It includes ingredients such as shellfish, including Dungeness crabs, typical of the bay, clams, scallops, squid, and whatever is the catch of the day. Everything is cooked in tomato sauce, broth, and white and red wine. There is even a restaurant that takes its name from this fish stew: Cioppino's Restaurant.

Recommended for lunch, dinner
Average cost $40.00
Main ingredients Dungeness crabs, clams, scallops, squid, catch of the day, tomato sauce, broth, red wine, white wine

7 - Dungeness Crab

If you love fish and shellfish, then there is a place you must absolutely not miss in San Francisco: the famous and iconic Fisherman's Wharf, the old port area that has been completely redeveloped and made into one of the liveliest and most beautiful neighborhoods in the city. Here you can also find some of the best seafood restaurants in San Francisco and, most importantly, you can taste the famous Dungeness Crab.

The Dungeness Crab, known in Italian as Granciporro del Pacifico, is a true delicacy, so much so that it is referred to as the red gold of the Bay Area. Crab season begins in mid-November and is opened with a true ceremonial and religious procession. Strolling through Fisherman's Wharf, you can see fishermen and chefs preparing and cleaning the Dungeness Crab, while you can taste it in various ways at the restaurants.

Recommended for lunch, dinner
Average cost $30.00
Main ingredients Dungeness crab

8 - American Breakfast

The American Breakfast, perhaps the most famous breakfast in the States, is one of the great classics to try when stepping on American soil. It is usually served between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM, and could be compared to a brunch, with plenty of options available in San Francisco.

It's the typical breakfast often seen in movies and TV series: the undisputed stars are eggs and bacon, but alternatives such as pancakes, bagels, fresh fruit, yogurt, smoothies, fruit juices, or orange juice are also available. It is typically accompanied by an American coffee, made by adding hot water to espresso to make it lighter. A habit that may not be appreciated by Italians, but is certainly worth trying!

Recommended for breakfast
Average cost $15.00
Main ingredients eggs, bacon, pancakes, fruit

9 - Hamburger

A classic of American cuisine is undoubtedly the American hamburger. You can't not try one; it would be like, for a foreigner visiting our country, not eating the real pizza! In this case too, there are plenty of local options.

The American hamburger is an iconic dish with countless variations: from classic versions made with bread, meat, vegetables, tomatoes, and sauces, to more creative and elaborate options, including vegetarian choices. They are invariably accompanied by french fries and a wide selection of sauces. To complete the meal, Americans often opt for a glass of Coca-Cola or beer, but it is also not uncommon to see them pairing it with American coffee or even cappuccino.

Recommended for lunch, dinner
Average cost $10.00
Main ingredients bread, meat, sauces, vegetables, french fries

10 - Irish Coffee

San Francisco is a city of a thousand surprises, and because of its multicultural nature, one of the drinks you must absolutely try in the city is one that you wouldn't expect: we are talking about Irish Coffee.

It is a hot, sweetened coffee, spiked with Irish whiskey and topped with a layer of cream. Here, in San Francisco, you can try it at The Buena Vista Café, a true institution! Irish Coffee was brought here by Jack Koeppler in 1952, then the owner of Buena Vista, who teamed up with the mayor at the time, a famous dairy business owner. He found the perfect whiskey for the coffee and managed to create a cream that floated perfectly, turning Irish Coffee into a true symbol of the city and its establishment!

Recommended for always
Average cost $10.00
Main ingredients coffee, sugar, Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey, cream

Where to eat in San Francisco: best restaurants, typical places, and street food

vintage photograph of fishermans wharf san francisco 1

San Francisco is a true melting pot of cultures and peoples, and this inevitably reflects in its cuisine. In addition to classic American cuisine and American restaurants, you can't miss Chinatown with its Chinese restaurants, the North Beach district housing the Little Italy community, or Japantown with its Japanese flavors. But among all, one of the most iconic places is Fisherman's Wharf, the old city and fishermen's port, now one of the liveliest districts in San Francisco where you can find many seafood restaurants. The culinary offer is definitely high throughout the city, with numerous dishes to try.

You certainly can't miss the experience of eating at a typical American diner, which is a classic 1950s-style diner. Throughout the city, you will find stalls and food trucks where you can taste all kinds of street food. As for hours, don't worry: there are some restaurants or diners open at all hours!

1 - Pier Market Seafood Restaurant

Description one of the most famous restaurants at Fisherman's Wharf, excellent seafood dishes
Specialty clam chowder, dungeness crab
Average price from $20.00 per person
Address Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf - Get directions / tel: +14159897437

2 - Original Joe's

Description a restaurant to try Joe's Special, one of the most famous recipes in San Francisco
Specialty Joe's Special
Average price from $20.00 per person
Address 601 Union St - Get directions / tel: +14157754877

3 - Cioppino's Restaurant

Description a famous restaurant at Fisherman's Wharf, named after the traditional dish cioppino
Specialty cioppino
Average price from $50.00 per person
Address 400 Jefferson St - Get directions / tel: +14157759311

4 - Tadich Grill

Description one of the oldest restaurants in San Francisco, famous for the dish hangtown fry
Specialty hangtown fry
Average price from $30.00 per person
Address 240 California St - Get directions / tel: +14153911849

5 - The Buena Vista

Description historical venue opened in 1916 serving the famous Irish Coffee and American dishes
Specialty Irish Coffee
Average price from $10.00 per person
Address 2765 Hyde St - Get directions / tel: +14154745044

6 - Good Mong Kok Bakery

Description a small venue in Chinatown famous for its dim sum, in many variations
Specialty dim sum
Average price from $10.00 per person
Address 1039 Stockton St - Get directions / tel:

7 - Taquería El Farolito

Description a place in the Mission District where to eat one of the best burritos in the city
Specialty burrito
Average price from $10.00 per person
Address 2779 Mission St - Get directions / tel: +14158247877

8 - Mama's

Description one of the most famous places in San Francisco to enjoy brunch with the American breakfast
Specialty American breakfast
Average price from $20.00 per person
Address 1701 Stockton St - Get directions / tel: +14153626421

9 - Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience

Description a famous place with a variety of chocolate delicacies, including sundaes and assorted chocolates
Specialty Ghirardelli chocolate
Average price from $10.00 per person
Address 900 North Point St - Get directions / tel: +14154472846

Description in Chinatown, a venue specializing in fortune cookies, now become a symbol
Specialty fortune cookies
Average price from $5.00 per person
Address 56 Ross Alley - Get directions / tel: +14158068243

11 - HINODEYA Ramen Japantown

Description a famous place in Japantown to enjoy great ramen
Specialty ramen
Average price from $25.00 per person
Address 1737 Buchanan St - Get directions / tel: +14152165011

12 - Mel's Drive-In

Description a typical American diner in 1950s style, serving typical American dishes, the burgers are a must
Specialty R-66 burger
Average price from $25.00 per person
Address 801 Mission St - Get directions / tel: +14152270793

13 - Crab House at Pier 39

Description a seafood restaurant where you can enjoy great Dungeness crab dishes
Specialty dungeness crab
Average price from $80.00 per person
Address 203 C, Pier 39 - Get directions / tel: +14156512574

14 - Grubstake Diner

Description an American style diner where you can enjoy great hot dogs
Specialty hot dog
Average price from $20.00 per person
Address 1525 Pine St - Get directions / tel: +14152288420

15 - Gary Danko

Description a haute cuisine restaurant, seasonal menus using the highest quality ingredients
Specialty tasting menu
Average price from $180.00 per person
Address 800 North Point St - Get directions / tel: +14157492060

16 - Greens

Description one of the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in the city
Specialty seasonal vegetable specialties, such as grilled honey squash
Average price from $60.00 per person
Address Building A, 2 Marina Blvd - Get directions - / tel: +14157716222

10 Dishes to Eat in San Francisco and Where