Tim’s Neighborhood Guidebook
Food Scene
Beretta is an Italian bistro located on Valencia at 23rd. One of the early pioneers of the Valencia Corridor dining district, it is now one of the most popular neighborhood restaurants. Beretta is known for its warm, friendly hospitality and a menu of well-crafted variations on modern Italian comfort food. Perfect for solo diners and larger groups. The menu includes pizza, risotto (my personal favorite), and inventive cocktails. Vegetarian and vegan options are also available. The wine list celebrates Italian wineries and includes organic and biodynamic wines. The full bar also includes local and Italian beers. Open seven days a week and for brunch on the weekends.
282 paikallista suosittelee
Beretta
1199 Valencia StBeretta is an Italian bistro located on Valencia at 23rd. One of the early pioneers of the Valencia Corridor dining district, it is now one of the most popular neighborhood restaurants. Beretta is known for its warm, friendly hospitality and a menu of well-crafted variations on modern Italian comfort food. Perfect for solo diners and larger groups. The menu includes pizza, risotto (my personal favorite), and inventive cocktails. Vegetarian and vegan options are also available. The wine list celebrates Italian wineries and includes organic and biodynamic wines. The full bar also includes local and Italian beers. Open seven days a week and for brunch on the weekends.
L'Ardois is a great little French restaurant open Tuesday-Saturday for dining in, take-out and delivery. For dining in, reservations are advised! L'Ardois is located on Noe St at Henry St. Enjoy a twenty-minute walk north on Noe St or take the 24 Divisadero to Castro and 15th St. The whole menu is superb, my favorite is the Coq au Vin.
111 paikallista suosittelee
L'Ardoise
151 Noe StL'Ardois is a great little French restaurant open Tuesday-Saturday for dining in, take-out and delivery. For dining in, reservations are advised! L'Ardois is located on Noe St at Henry St. Enjoy a twenty-minute walk north on Noe St or take the 24 Divisadero to Castro and 15th St. The whole menu is superb, my favorite is the Coq au Vin.
Lolinda is a very good Argentinian steakhouse at Mission and 21st. With it’s low lighting and excellent food it is a great spot for dates and also solo diners. Reservations are useful but not essential. My favorites include the empanadas, the bone marrow, and of course the steak. If you enjoy dessert, try the “Cookies and Milk” (Alfajores, Dulce de Leche, and Milk shake). Ask for it spiked if you are taking a Lyft or an Uber home!
Lolinda is a sister establishment to El Techo which serves cocktails and Latin American Street Food and has a very popular rooftop area with heat lamps and windscreens. People often like to eat at Lolinda and migrate to El Techo. Due to it’s popularity, spots on the rooftop can be hard to find!
63 paikallista suosittelee
Lolinda
2518 Mission StLolinda is a very good Argentinian steakhouse at Mission and 21st. With it’s low lighting and excellent food it is a great spot for dates and also solo diners. Reservations are useful but not essential. My favorites include the empanadas, the bone marrow, and of course the steak. If you enjoy dessert, try the “Cookies and Milk” (Alfajores, Dulce de Leche, and Milk shake). Ask for it spiked if you are taking a Lyft or an Uber home!
Lolinda is a sister establishment to El Techo which serves cocktails and Latin American Street Food and has a very popular rooftop area with heat lamps and windscreens. People often like to eat at Lolinda and migrate to El Techo. Due to it’s popularity, spots on the rooftop can be hard to find!
Slightly further afield in Hayes Valley at Gough & Oak there is Rich Table, a great restaurant for a celebration. My favorite is basically everything I've ever eaten there. I usually do the chef's picks (tasting menu). Reservations recommended.
71 paikallista suosittelee
Rich Table
199 Gough StSlightly further afield in Hayes Valley at Gough & Oak there is Rich Table, a great restaurant for a celebration. My favorite is basically everything I've ever eaten there. I usually do the chef's picks (tasting menu). Reservations recommended.
Comfort Food
The Little Chihuahua on 24th St by Castro St is a great comfort food option - my personal favorite is the Carnitas, which is excellent and exquisitely-spiced. Great for dining alone or in groups, eat-in, delivery or pickup.
187 paikallista suosittelee
The Little Chihuahua
292 Divisadero StThe Little Chihuahua on 24th St by Castro St is a great comfort food option - my personal favorite is the Carnitas, which is excellent and exquisitely-spiced. Great for dining alone or in groups, eat-in, delivery or pickup.
I love Papalote at 24th and Valencia. There is something elevated about all of their menu items - even the Salsa is excellent. The grilled meats are flavorful and always taste to me like they are cooked in butter, although their menu only specifies the fish is grilled in butter. My favorite is the simple chicken burrito with Papalote salsa and chips.
196 paikallista suosittelee
Papalote Mexican Grill
1777 Fulton StI love Papalote at 24th and Valencia. There is something elevated about all of their menu items - even the Salsa is excellent. The grilled meats are flavorful and always taste to me like they are cooked in butter, although their menu only specifies the fish is grilled in butter. My favorite is the simple chicken burrito with Papalote salsa and chips.
Woodhouse Fish Co at Market and Church is New England-themed and has great Clam Chowder and crab and crab cakes, but I go for the excellent, simple fish and fries. The battered fish is crispy and delectable, and the fries are thin and flavorful. I consider vinegar and lemon to be the essential pairing for fish, and just vinegar for chips.
39 paikallista suosittelee
Woodhouse Fish Company
2073 Market StWoodhouse Fish Co at Market and Church is New England-themed and has great Clam Chowder and crab and crab cakes, but I go for the excellent, simple fish and fries. The battered fish is crispy and delectable, and the fries are thin and flavorful. I consider vinegar and lemon to be the essential pairing for fish, and just vinegar for chips.
Heroic Italian on Castro between 17th and 18th is hands down my new favorite sandwich shop in the city. Located inside Swirl wine bar, there is outdoor seating or you can also purchase to go or via Doordash. My favorites are the meaty OMG with the excellent Giardiniera relish, and the Buongiorno breakfast sandwich ordered “Nduja” (Spicy).
Heroic Italian
572 Castro StreetHeroic Italian on Castro between 17th and 18th is hands down my new favorite sandwich shop in the city. Located inside Swirl wine bar, there is outdoor seating or you can also purchase to go or via Doordash. My favorites are the meaty OMG with the excellent Giardiniera relish, and the Buongiorno breakfast sandwich ordered “Nduja” (Spicy).
I couldn't decide whether to put this wonderful restaurant in "Comfort Food" or "Best of Sushi/Japanese" so I put it in both. This is a great Ramen place, I highly recommend the Ushio Spicy Ramen with char sui (roast pork), the gyoza, and especially the bento vegetable box. Warning, the Japanese fried rice in the bento box has char sui in it, so if you are vegetarian be sure to state that! I should mention that the gyoza are excellent but don't travel as well as the other offerings from Ushio Ramen in case you are getting it delivered (I still love them anyway!).
Ushio Ramen
3128 16th StI couldn't decide whether to put this wonderful restaurant in "Comfort Food" or "Best of Sushi/Japanese" so I put it in both. This is a great Ramen place, I highly recommend the Ushio Spicy Ramen with char sui (roast pork), the gyoza, and especially the bento vegetable box. Warning, the Japanese fried rice in the bento box has char sui in it, so if you are vegetarian be sure to state that! I should mention that the gyoza are excellent but don't travel as well as the other offerings from Ushio Ramen in case you are getting it delivered (I still love them anyway!).
Best of Indian/Pakistani Food
Aditi is my favorite new find in the Valencia Corridor. Try the exquisitely-spiced Lamb Rogan Josh, the incredible Chicken Biryani, the wonderful Daal Palak and of course, my perennial favorite, Naan bread.
Aditi Indian Cuisine
1101 Valencia StreetAditi is my favorite new find in the Valencia Corridor. Try the exquisitely-spiced Lamb Rogan Josh, the incredible Chicken Biryani, the wonderful Daal Palak and of course, my perennial favorite, Naan bread.
Pakwan on 16th by Guerrero is always one of my go-to places for Indian/Pakistani food. My favorites include most of the menu, but particularly the Chicken Biryani (completely different from Aditi, which also does an excellent Biryani), the Seekh Kabab (beef or chicken), and of course the Naan. I should note that Pakwan does not have a wide selection of vegetable dishes, it is very meat-oriented.
90 paikallista suosittelee
Pakwan
3182 16th StPakwan on 16th by Guerrero is always one of my go-to places for Indian/Pakistani food. My favorites include most of the menu, but particularly the Chicken Biryani (completely different from Aditi, which also does an excellent Biryani), the Seekh Kabab (beef or chicken), and of course the Naan. I should note that Pakwan does not have a wide selection of vegetable dishes, it is very meat-oriented.
Best of Mission Mexican
Taquería El Farolito
2779 Mission StLa Taqueria on Mission by 25th has been a favorite of mine - and everyone else in San Francisco it seems - for many years. Their burritos do not contain rice, and if you order “dorado” they are fried on the griddle. My hands-down favorite is the dorado carnitas super burrito (cheese, sour cream, guacamole). Simple, delicious food.
348 paikallista suosittelee
La Taqueria
2889 Mission StLa Taqueria on Mission by 25th has been a favorite of mine - and everyone else in San Francisco it seems - for many years. Their burritos do not contain rice, and if you order “dorado” they are fried on the griddle. My hands-down favorite is the dorado carnitas super burrito (cheese, sour cream, guacamole). Simple, delicious food.
Best of Sushi/Japanese
Hamano Sushi on Castro St by 24th St has been a mainstay of the Noe Valley restaurant scene for decades and has a well-deserved following. All the sushi is excellent but my personal favorites are the Castro Roll, the Sunset Roll, and the Soba Cha (roasted buckwheat) tea.
27 paikallista suosittelee
Hamano Sushi
1332 Castro StHamano Sushi on Castro St by 24th St has been a mainstay of the Noe Valley restaurant scene for decades and has a well-deserved following. All the sushi is excellent but my personal favorites are the Castro Roll, the Sunset Roll, and the Soba Cha (roasted buckwheat) tea.
I couldn't decide whether to put this wonderful restaurant in "Comfort Food" or "Best of Sushi/Japanese" so I put it in both. This is a great Ramen place, I highly recommend the Ushio Spicy Ramen with char sui (roast pork), the gyoza, and especially the bento vegetable box. Warning, the Japanese fried rice in the bento box has char sui in it, so if you are vegetarian be sure to state that! I should mention that the gyoza are excellent but don't travel as well as the other offerings from Ushio Ramen in case you are getting it delivered (I still love them anyway!).
Ushio Ramen
3128 16th StI couldn't decide whether to put this wonderful restaurant in "Comfort Food" or "Best of Sushi/Japanese" so I put it in both. This is a great Ramen place, I highly recommend the Ushio Spicy Ramen with char sui (roast pork), the gyoza, and especially the bento vegetable box. Warning, the Japanese fried rice in the bento box has char sui in it, so if you are vegetarian be sure to state that! I should mention that the gyoza are excellent but don't travel as well as the other offerings from Ushio Ramen in case you are getting it delivered (I still love them anyway!).
Cocktails
Hands down one of my favorite Mission cocktail places, Trick Dog at 20th and Florida has a fantastic array of inventive cocktails and light bites. My personal favorite, the “Raphael”.
281 paikallista suosittelee
Trick Dog
3010 20th StHands down one of my favorite Mission cocktail places, Trick Dog at 20th and Florida has a fantastic array of inventive cocktails and light bites. My personal favorite, the “Raphael”.
Brunch
Chloe’s on Church and 26th has been a mainstay of the Noe Valley brunch scene for decades and is a well-deserved community favorite. My personal favorite sweet item is the Croissant French Toast and my favorite savory item is the Salmon Scrambled Eggs.
112 paikallista suosittelee
Chloe's Cafe
1399 Church StreetChloe’s on Church and 26th has been a mainstay of the Noe Valley brunch scene for decades and is a well-deserved community favorite. My personal favorite sweet item is the Croissant French Toast and my favorite savory item is the Salmon Scrambled Eggs.