Taqueria La Cumbre is an original Mexican restaurant in Mission District of San Francisco. High ceilings, cheerful and well lit area, and festive decorations create a warm ambiance. The table legs are an innovation, carved into shapes of people holding out offerings. The burritos, enchiladas, guacamole, black beans, and everything else are fresh and tender. The burritos are especially famous, being the first restaurant to create the giant "Mission style" burritos the district is now known for. Wash it down with ice cold beer for a hearty meal. The salsa bar serves six types of snappy salsas that make the meal even more exciting.
Pull up a chair at the counter of Swan Oyster Depot and enjoy some of the best local Dungeness crab and Boston Clam Chowder you will ever taste. Besides clam chowder, most of the offerings on the menu board are served raw, cocktail-style. The Depot is also a fish market. You can buy a filet to cook up at home. The atmosphere is completely informal. Reservations are not accepted, but it is worth the wait.
Opened in 2010, Sons & Daughters is located in the neighborhood of Union Square by chefs Matt McNamara and Teague Moriarty. The restaurant specializes in seasonal, local contemporary New American cuisine. The changing prix fixe menu features dishes listed simply by ingredients like farm egg, malt, yeast, ground cherry or wild boar, Burgundy truffle, apple, hay. The dining area is clean and warm, featuring lots of polished wood furniture and black and white photos; the lack of overbearing fanciness ensures that you can be relaxed enough to fully enjoy every aspect of this Michelin-starred dining experience.
El Farolito is one of the Mission's most beloved dive taquerias. The lighting is alright, the decor is bargain-basement, but the burritos are huge and the filling is a delicious, slow-cooked Carne Asada, tender chicken, spicy pork, or veggies and guacamole. You will also find tacos and enchiladas. It is a popular place with locals and people looking for a quick meal, especially late at night when most other spots have closed down. The service is quick and efficient. Only cash accepted.
Located in the Ferry Building Marketplace, a visit to Hog Island Oyster Bar is a great way to start off a San Francisco adventure. The restaurant is owned by the Hog Island Oyster Farm, who farms oysters in Tomales Bay. Established in 1983, today the company raises over three million oysters per year. The casual surroundings of the restaurant, located opposite a retail fish store, provide a gorgeous view of the Bay Bridge. Stop in and grab a glass of wine and down as many oysters as you can. The menu also offers clams and salad, but the main attraction here is the oyster stew, the chowder and the grilled cheese sandwich! Check for the daily specials before ordering. The restaurant also offers a small quantity of live, unshucked oysters to take away, but will have to be ordered three days prior.
Boudin at Fisherman's Wharf boasts of a Baker's Hall, cafe, market and bistro! Alfresco seating, a cozy outdoor fireplace and a staple menu of fresh sandwiches, soups, salads and their famous sourdough pizzas have earned this cafe a place in San Francisco's culinary history. The elegant bistro serves diners yummy seasonal fare and a range of drinks at the bar. The smell of freshly baked treats, an unpretentious atmosphere and value for money make this place a San Francisco icon. Ask about their bakery and museum tour.
Scoma's prepares some of the best seafood dishes on Fisherman's Wharf, which is no small feat considering the competition. The traditional dining room lets the food do the talking. The menu focuses on fresh seafood that is either sauteed or broiled. Enjoy Dungeness crab, prawns, scallops, calamari, abalone, swordfish, salmon, oysters and clams. House specialties include a spicy cioppino (seafood stew) and a filet mignon and lobster tail combo. The wine list is adequate, featuring domestic and imported wines.