Our SF/Mostly Mission Faves (WIP)
Food scene
Delicious cocktails and food for sharing! Olive oil and sea salt gelato is 👌
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Beretta
1199 Valencia StDelicious cocktails and food for sharing! Olive oil and sea salt gelato is 👌
Homemade tortillas and fixings to make at home. Plus, full taqueria for tacos, burritos, etc. to take out or dine outside.
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La Palma Mexicatessen
2884 24th StHomemade tortillas and fixings to make at home. Plus, full taqueria for tacos, burritos, etc. to take out or dine outside.
The best neighborhood bakery! Famous for their long line ;) Banana cream tart, country bread, morning buns, bread pudding, quiche and the list goes on. Afternoon/early evening is the best time for no wait.
Arsicault is a newer bakery that supposedly has better croissants and baked goods but haven’t been yet (it’s not in the neighborhood 😆)
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Tartine Bakery
600 Guerrero StThe best neighborhood bakery! Famous for their long line ;) Banana cream tart, country bread, morning buns, bread pudding, quiche and the list goes on. Afternoon/early evening is the best time for no wait.
Arsicault is a newer bakery that supposedly has better croissants and baked goods but haven’t been yet (it’s not in the neighborhood 😆)
Beautiful sit-down location for brunch and Heath Ceramics right next door. Makes a great excursion!
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Tartine Manufactory
595 Alabama StBeautiful sit-down location for brunch and Heath Ceramics right next door. Makes a great excursion!
Our favorite pizza shop and restaurant. It was recently renovated, and it's gorgeous! It's a Mission institution like Tartine next door. They make perfect spaghetti pomodoro, and their Monterey Bay calamari is divine. Plus, you can grab take & bake pizzas, some pasta sauce, and lemon vinegarette to-go for an easy meal later!
Delfina Restaurant
Our favorite pizza shop and restaurant. It was recently renovated, and it's gorgeous! It's a Mission institution like Tartine next door. They make perfect spaghetti pomodoro, and their Monterey Bay calamari is divine. Plus, you can grab take & bake pizzas, some pasta sauce, and lemon vinegarette to-go for an easy meal later!
The sisters running this taco truck are so sweet, and I love my tacos from there! I always ask for radishes and spicy carrots to get in my veggies :P Just around the corner on Treat. Cash only.
El Gallo Giro
986-998 Treat AveThe sisters running this taco truck are so sweet, and I love my tacos from there! I always ask for radishes and spicy carrots to get in my veggies :P Just around the corner on Treat. Cash only.
Excellent Latin bakery! The best one we've found so far. Only a couple blocks away.
Eterna Primavera Bakery
2951 24th StExcellent Latin bakery! The best one we've found so far. Only a couple blocks away.
Best crispy tacos - ask for the taco crispy or dorado. Slather on the green sauce and enjoy!
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La Taqueria
2889 Mission StBest crispy tacos - ask for the taco crispy or dorado. Slather on the green sauce and enjoy!
Reem's California Mission
2901 Mission StDelicious Arab bakery - great for a snack or meal!
The Pizza Shop
3104 24th StGreat place for a slice. Right around the corner on 24th St.
Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen
3150 24th StStop by for bagels and sandwiches nearby!
DONAJI
3161 24th StreetDelicious Oaxacan meal around the corner.
Very good middle eastern mezzas. My daughter and I love their baba ganoush and my husband loves their hummus. Their free appetizers of spicy tomato onions, garlic tahini, and olive and pickle plate with their warm pita bread I crave often! Lentil soup is delicious with a squeeze of lemon and if you can't decide get the vege platter for 2. They moved a couple of doors down and now have a very nice large outdoor dining space too.
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Old Jerusalem
2966 Mission StreetVery good middle eastern mezzas. My daughter and I love their baba ganoush and my husband loves their hummus. Their free appetizers of spicy tomato onions, garlic tahini, and olive and pickle plate with their warm pita bread I crave often! Lentil soup is delicious with a squeeze of lemon and if you can't decide get the vege platter for 2. They moved a couple of doors down and now have a very nice large outdoor dining space too.
We used to go here all the time, then they became so popular we couldn't ever get in. Tip: they started taking reservations on yelp! Their nigiris are a work of art - try the eggplant!
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Shizen Vegan Sushi Bar and Izakaya
370 14th StreetWe used to go here all the time, then they became so popular we couldn't ever get in. Tip: they started taking reservations on yelp! Their nigiris are a work of art - try the eggplant!
Great little sushi bar in Noe Valley. A tip is to go before opening and snag a table then, otherwise, 2 hour waits. Everything is delicious!
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Saru Sushi Bar
3856 24th StGreat little sushi bar in Noe Valley. A tip is to go before opening and snag a table then, otherwise, 2 hour waits. Everything is delicious!
Kuma on Valencia
Nice sushi and sake selection. Easier to get in and it’s great! Fun atmosphere.
New hot restaurant from the owners of Ju-Ni - an excellent omakase handroll restaurant. Now you don't have to wait in line and can get a reservation. Although the menu doesn’t change so far, so you only need to go once! ;)
Handroll Project
598 Guerrero StreetNew hot restaurant from the owners of Ju-Ni - an excellent omakase handroll restaurant. Now you don't have to wait in line and can get a reservation. Although the menu doesn’t change so far, so you only need to go once! ;)
Sushi Hon
2598 Harrison StClose by and a tasty option for good sushi
Very nice higher-end Japanese small plates restaurant. Great ambiance and good food.
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Rintaro
82 14th StVery nice higher-end Japanese small plates restaurant. Great ambiance and good food.
Best ramen in the Mission IMHO. Noodles are unique and soup is so good . Fun atmosphere.
Taishoken San Francisco
Best ramen in the Mission IMHO. Noodles are unique and soup is so good . Fun atmosphere.
Best dim-sum. Soup dumplings, Pea Shoot Shrimp dumplings, Spinach XO dumplings and fish ball congee are my favorites.
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Dragon Beaux
5700 Geary BlvdBest dim-sum. Soup dumplings, Pea Shoot Shrimp dumplings, Spinach XO dumplings and fish ball congee are my favorites.
Burma Love
211 Valencia StYummy Burmese food. Try the tea salad and samusa soup.
My favorite peking duck in the city! Choose soup when when they ask you fried or soup. Order 24 hours in advance.
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Chili House SF
726 Clement StMy favorite peking duck in the city! Choose soup when when they ask you fried or soup. Order 24 hours in advance.
Cute diner for a great brunch and milkshakes. Also love our friend, Brian Barneclo’s, mural on the side wall by outdoor seating!
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St. Francis Fountain
2801 24th StCute diner for a great brunch and milkshakes. Also love our friend, Brian Barneclo’s, mural on the side wall by outdoor seating!
Ambience is colorful and fun. Food and cocktails are delish. Chef/owner Jorge is great! Our shop used to be next door.
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Loló
974 Valencia StAmbience is colorful and fun. Food and cocktails are delish. Chef/owner Jorge is great! Our shop used to be next door.
Hands-down best burrito in the Mission. The best Cancun location is 19th & Mission.
El Farolito by the house is very slow and hit or miss. Guadalajara is pretty good but can be watery. Taqueria San Francisco is cash-only. Heard it's good but I never have cash when I want to go! Taqueria Vallarta is great for tacos. Haven't tried a burrito there. El Metate is a nicer experience. La Corneta is good as well, but we always end up back at Cancun because it is consistently great and open late.
Taqueria Cancun
Hands-down best burrito in the Mission. The best Cancun location is 19th & Mission.
El Farolito by the house is very slow and hit or miss. Guadalajara is pretty good but can be watery. Taqueria San Francisco is cash-only. Heard it's good but I never have cash when I want to go! Taqueria Vallarta is great for tacos. Haven't tried a burrito there. El Metate is a nicer experience. La Corneta is good as well, but we always end up back at Cancun because it is consistently great and open late.
Very fresh and sit down Mexican. It’s Americanized but delicious. Love their marina girl salad and tuna tostadas. Tacos and margaritas are great too!
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Tacolicious
741 Valencia StVery fresh and sit down Mexican. It’s Americanized but delicious. Love their marina girl salad and tuna tostadas. Tacos and margaritas are great too!
This place is super colorful and fun! But the food is the real star. Everything is so delish and save room for the best dessert - halo halou! Their original acclaimed restaurant, Liholiho Yacht Club is excellent too.
Good Good Culture Club
3560 18th StreetThis place is super colorful and fun! But the food is the real star. Everything is so delish and save room for the best dessert - halo halou! Their original acclaimed restaurant, Liholiho Yacht Club is excellent too.
The chef owner is hilarious and greets every table. Food and drinks are delicious. $32 lunch special can’t be beat. Chaca la vong is excellent and rice paper salad is inventive.
Lily
The chef owner is hilarious and greets every table. Food and drinks are delicious. $32 lunch special can’t be beat. Chaca la vong is excellent and rice paper salad is inventive.
Cute date place - amazing food and nice wine selection. I always forget about this place because it’s so nondescript but it’s only a couple blocks away on Folsom at 21st.
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Heirloom Café
2500 Folsom StCute date place - amazing food and nice wine selection. I always forget about this place because it’s so nondescript but it’s only a couple blocks away on Folsom at 21st.
If you love anchovies this is the place. When local anchovies are in season April-Oct…just wow! But great anytime! Their sister restaurant, State Bird Provisions, is Michelin starred and worth a visit too.
The Anchovy Bar
If you love anchovies this is the place. When local anchovies are in season April-Oct…just wow! But great anytime! Their sister restaurant, State Bird Provisions, is Michelin starred and worth a visit too.
If you’re downtown, this is a great place for dim sum. Lots of vege dumplings too.
Yank Sing (Stevenson St.)
If you’re downtown, this is a great place for dim sum. Lots of vege dumplings too.
It’s great Nepalese food. We love the chow mein, but ask for a milder version if you don’t want your eyes to pop out 😆 A few blocks away at Folsom and 20th.
Base Camp
It’s great Nepalese food. We love the chow mein, but ask for a milder version if you don’t want your eyes to pop out 😆 A few blocks away at Folsom and 20th.
Coffee/Tea
Cute locals window a couple of blocks away. Nabil, the owner, is super cool. Good coffee too. They have a bigger location with more seating down the block near 21st by the theater.
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Grand Coffee
2663 Mission StCute locals window a couple of blocks away. Nabil, the owner, is super cool. Good coffee too. They have a bigger location with more seating down the block near 21st by the theater.
The closest coffee shop that has it all. Good coffee, tea, and outdoor seating. Nice ambiance too.
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Haus Coffee
3086 24th StThe closest coffee shop that has it all. Good coffee, tea, and outdoor seating. Nice ambiance too.
Sightglass Coffee
270 7th StBeautiful build-out and great coffee.
Ritual Coffee Roasters
1026 Valencia StMore coffee, and have die-hard following
One of our favorite cafes. Love their sparkling matcha, matcha latte, and black sesame latte.
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Stonemill Matcha
561 Valencia StOne of our favorite cafes. Love their sparkling matcha, matcha latte, and black sesame latte.
Chocolate heaven - and hot chocolates! Try the Mission style :)
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Dandelion Chocolate
740 Valencia StChocolate heaven - and hot chocolates! Try the Mission style :)
Boba Guys is our favorite boba in the city. The first one was in the Mission but it closed :( They have several locations now. Divisadero is a fun location because it’s another street to check out. There’s one by Hayes Valley too. I love the matcha oat milk with boba, and my kids love their decaf black with boba and almond jelly.
Boba Guys NOPA
Boba Guys is our favorite boba in the city. The first one was in the Mission but it closed :( They have several locations now. Divisadero is a fun location because it’s another street to check out. There’s one by Hayes Valley too. I love the matcha oat milk with boba, and my kids love their decaf black with boba and almond jelly.
Grocery
Also, many Latino markets around have great produce and groceries.
Nearest grocery store with a surprising amount of plant-based protein foods and organic snacks. Relatively inexpensive.
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Grocery Outlet
401 Marin StNearest grocery store with a surprising amount of plant-based protein foods and organic snacks. Relatively inexpensive.
Near Tartine Bakery - great artisan grocery market, but comes with a price. Meat and cheese selection is on point.
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Bi-Rite Market
3639 18th StNear Tartine Bakery - great artisan grocery market, but comes with a price. Meat and cheese selection is on point.
Worker-owned coop grocery. High quality but at a price. And also vegetarian.
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Rainbow Grocery
1745 Folsom StWorker-owned coop grocery. High quality but at a price. And also vegetarian.
Freshest fish and shellfish. So close...just a few blocks away.
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Sun Fat Seafood Co
2687 Mission StFreshest fish and shellfish. So close...just a few blocks away.
17th and Harrison. Great little market. Also, has a deli with good sandwiches.
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Gus's Community Market
1101 4th St17th and Harrison. Great little market. Also, has a deli with good sandwiches.
OG natural foods market in the Mission. Been around for ages. We love it!
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Valencia Whole Foods
999 Valencia StOG natural foods market in the Mission. Been around for ages. We love it!
Witch store :P Herbs, tonics and natural remedies for colds, healing, anything!! They are so knowledgeable there. Ask them for help. They moved to Fillmore :(
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The Scarlet Sage Herb Co.
1903 Valencia StWitch store :P Herbs, tonics and natural remedies for colds, healing, anything!! They are so knowledgeable there. Ask them for help. They moved to Fillmore :(
Ice Cream
Organic ice cream...mmm! One of our faves. My favorite flavor is honey lavender, and when balsamic strawberry is in season.
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Bi-Rite Creamery
3692 18th StOrganic ice cream...mmm! One of our faves. My favorite flavor is honey lavender, and when balsamic strawberry is in season.
Yummy exotic flavors and organic! Our absolute favorite, but odd hours. Matcha gold is so good and Ken’s corner. Lots of non-dairy flavors too.
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Garden Creamery
3566 20th StYummy exotic flavors and organic! Our absolute favorite, but odd hours. Matcha gold is so good and Ken’s corner. Lots of non-dairy flavors too.
Closest ice cream shop with interesting flavor combos, but not our fave.
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Humphry Slocombe
Closest ice cream shop with interesting flavor combos, but not our fave.
Mitchell's Ice Cream
688 San Jose AvenueSo many flavors - local's favorite place!
My friend, Dave, is the owner and tinkerer of this amazing Italian ice shop. My fave is a traditional lemon with soft serve :)
Bernie Bee’s Italian Ices
2669 Mission StreetMy friend, Dave, is the owner and tinkerer of this amazing Italian ice shop. My fave is a traditional lemon with soft serve :)
Shopping
Cotton Sheep
572 Hayes StUltra-cool high-end Japanese clothing. Love this shop!
My fave shop for vintage jewelry to high-end clothing, and beautiful things.
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Reliquary
544 Hayes StMy fave shop for vintage jewelry to high-end clothing, and beautiful things.
Afterlife Boutique
541 Valencia StBest vintage clothing shop if you're rock and roll.
Infamous boob-line of products and namesake clothing, plus lots of beautiful things.
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Gravel & Gold
3266 21st StInfamous boob-line of products and namesake clothing, plus lots of beautiful things.
Topdrawer
980 Valencia StreetCute Japanese things - house slippers, organizers, pens, bentos, backpacks...
HUF
968 Valencia StreetOur friend's skate shop! The place for streetwear, but for actual gear go to DLX.
High-end men's streetwear and sneakers. Just had a fire in the building so it’s closed.
The Darkside Initiative
969 Valencia StreetHigh-end men's streetwear and sneakers. Just had a fire in the building so it’s closed.
Now called Ministry of Scent. One of a few boutique perfumeries in the US. Check it out if you are into that stuff. Antonia, the owner, is awesome and so knowledgeable!
Tigerlily Perfumery
962 Valencia StreetNow called Ministry of Scent. One of a few boutique perfumeries in the US. Check it out if you are into that stuff. Antonia, the owner, is awesome and so knowledgeable!
Self Edge
569 Valencia StBest shop for men’s Japanese denim, high quality tees, flannels and accessories. High-end.
Beautiful knife store, books and cooking gear. Also, they have yummy tin fish and pantry items.
Bernal Cutlery
766 Valencia StBeautiful knife store, books and cooking gear. Also, they have yummy tin fish and pantry items.
Sightseeing
Fun SF-themed indoor mini golf! Just closed end of 2023 but heard it will re-open as Holey Moley.
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Urban Putt
1096 S Van Ness AveFun SF-themed indoor mini golf! Just closed end of 2023 but heard it will re-open as Holey Moley.
6 lane bowling alley with cocktails and food in the neighborhood.
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Mission Bowling Club
3176 17th St6 lane bowling alley with cocktails and food in the neighborhood.
Nearby murals on Balmy, but you will see murals all throughout 24th St as well.
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Balmy Alley
50 Balmy StNearby murals on Balmy, but you will see murals all throughout 24th St as well.
Murals right off Valencia St with many shops and restaurants. Makes a great full-day activity!
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Isiqhaza Sase-Clarion Alley Street Art
90 Clarion AlleyMurals right off Valencia St with many shops and restaurants. Makes a great full-day activity!
Izeluleko zedolobha
Ukuzulazula
Check parking signs
Free street parking all around, but make sure you think about street cleaning and avoid time limit parking if you're staying longer than the time listed.
Ungaphuthelwa
Best Mission Restaurants by the Infatuation
Pretty spot on - https://www.theinfatuation.com/san-francisco/guides/best-mission-restaurants-sf
Ungaphuthelwa
First Timer's Guide to Eating in SF by the Infatuation
I concur. https://www.theinfatuation.com/san-francisco/guides/the-first-timers-guide-to-eating-in-san-francisco-essential-must-visit-restaurants
Okufanele ukupakishe
Bring a jacket
Any time of year you need a warm jacket for the afternoons and evenings even though you're in CA!
Ungaphuthelwa
If you don't see something you're interested in
Ask me. I'm a wealth of knowledge and know more than I've posted here ;) Happy to help in any way!
Imikhuba namasiko
Tip: Don’t leave anything visible in the car!
Car theft is a big problem all over SF. Keep all valuables with you and hide everything else out of sight.