MOYA is a great place for drinks and Ethiopian food in SOMA. Try one of their specialty organic Ethiopian coffees or teas. If you are new to Ethiopian cuisine, you might be surprised to learn that no utensils are needed; eating is done with your right hand only. If you are an Ethiopian food lover, you will find this restaurant authentic, delicious and satisfying. Try ordering the Ingudai Tibs, which is a wonderfully made Ethiopian mushroom sautee, the Doro Tibs and traditional Ethiopian injera bread. The vegetarian foods are also delicious; the veggie sampler is amazing.
Visit this Moroccan restaurant located in San Francisco and prepare to taste a variety of cuisine that makes up one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world. Considered the bridge between European, Middle Eastern and African counties, Morocco's cuisine has been impacted by different cultures and civilizations throughout the centuries. At Aicha, patrons can taste authentic Moroccan flavors through dishes such as chicken tagine, lamb kabobs, vegetarian couscous and more. Takeout and catering are available to those who can't make it to the restaurant.
Le Colonial, the critically acclaimed Vietnamese restaurant, draws in crowds of people who crave their Bo Bia Choy (delicate, fresh salad rolls with spicy chile dipping sauce) and Tom Rang Me (sautéed giant black tiger prawns). You can find a variety of entertainment in the lounge, ranging from live jazz to hip-hop beats, depending on the day of the week. Try a specialty drink like honeydew- and pineapple-infused vodka, which is the perfect way to round out the evening.
If the thought of traveling through Mexico to get to Cuba seems excessive then simply have a drink at the alter-culture, Radio Habana Social Club. After walking through the doors of this Cuban Cafe you will be immersed in the ambiguous wall accessories and backwards service. Rubber chickens, dolls with anteater heads, and a crutch with a plastic foot hang from the ceiling. Do not be surprised if both Albert Einstein and a fake video camera stare at you as you choose between South American Wine, Mexican Beer or the fruitful house special, Sangria. The regulars are almost as colorful as the decor, belching Spanish, reading, and enjoying the wild Cuban music. There is a list of tapas and entrees, including Indian Samosas, Chicken Tamales and Chilean Emanadas. Most guests spend hours humming to Buena Vista Social Club, sipping to their freedom until the wall decorations begin to spin above them. Only cash accepted.
Contrary to its name, HRD Coffee Shop is not what you'd expect it to be. Combining Korean, Chinese, American and Mexican cuisine, HRD offers unique lunch and breakfast fare. One of the best-kept secrets of the SoMa area, the establishment is popular with fans headed to the ballpark as well as locals. Most patrons opt for take away, but the simple booths and a long communal table make for ample seating. Standout dishes include the Mongolian cheesesteak, kimchi burrito and the barbecue pork served over scrambled eggs and rice.
At Cha Cha Cha, do not be discouraged when the host announces it will be an hour for a table. It is worth the wait. Authentic Santeria altars and strange artifacts adorn the walls. World music transports you to a foreign land. The calamari with garlic aioli, spicy roasted potatoes, and grilled plantains are highly recommended.
Located in the Haight Ashbury neighborhood, Parada 22 is an authentic cozy Puerto Rican restaurant know for its delicious fare. All of their entrees are served with the traditional rice, beans and salad, so the meals can be quite filling. Notable dishes include sweet plantains with spicy ground beef, marinated boneless chicken with sauteed onions and their coconut flan. The restaurant only has 10 tables and doesn't accept reservations, so be prepared to wait or choose the takeout option.
Burma Superstar is one of the few restaurants in the city to specialize in Burmese cuisine. Critically acclaimed, this venue was voted "Best Burmese restaurant on the West Coast" by Asian magazine and has been featured on the Food Network. Treat yourself to large portions of flavorful ethnic food at prices that will not hurt your wallet. Burmese cuisine is full of spicy flavors such as lemon grass, garlic and curry. There are more than 75 dishes on the menu, including a wide selection of meat-free dishes for vegetarians. Decide between noodles and rice, fresh vegetables, poultry, beef, pork, lamb and seafood. This place is highly popular and does not take reservations, so there's frequently a crowd waiting outside the door during peak hours. Insider tip: call ahead to put your name on the waiting list.
A friendly atmosphere, excellent service, a full bar and a weekday all-you-can-eat lunch buffets are added bonuses. New Eritrea Restaurant & Bar, offers a casual atmosphere and family-style service, which makes it a fun choice for a group of friends, but less desirable for a romantic date. Specializing in Eritrean and Ethiopian dishes, this Sunset restaurant and bar serves lots of tender meat delicacies seasoned with Eritrean spices and fresh vegetables with flat bread on the side. Menu items include zigni which are beef squares cooked in spices and kantisha which comprise of mushrooms sauteed in tomato sauce and spices.
Radio African and Kitchen is the creation of chef Eskender Aseged, who immigrated to the Bay Area from Ethiopia in the late 1980s. Aseged started off in the restaurant business by hosting "pop up" events in his home and nearby cafes, serving Ethiopian cuisine to groups of friends. Now Aseged has put down roots in the Bayview district with Radio Africa. Traditional Ethiopian dishes are served with seasonal organic produce, hearty grains and nuts, freshly caught seafood and exotic spices. The menu changes weekly, so there is always something new to try.
Enjoy an evening of fun, laughter, delicious cuisine and excellent customer service. El Mansour is a friendly and welcoming restaurant in the Outer Sunset district that serves traditional Moroccan cuisine. Open since 1976, this San Franciscan staple features draped textiles on the ceiling, decorative wood accents, tea lights and entrancing belly dancers. All of their specialties are superb and served with couscous, fresh vegetables, spicy lentil bean soup and mint tea.
Hordes of people travel out to the end of the Avenues to enjoy top-notch Vietnamese-fusion cuisine for reasonable prices, so make your reservations early. Thanh Long restaurant is run by the same family who owns Crustacean (L.A. and S.F.) and features the same delectable menu. Of course, no visit is complete without sampling the famous roast crab or the garlic-infused noodles. Bartender Graham, a Thanh Long institution, is a master of his art and the drinks show it.