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San Francisco Recommendations by HEMLEVA

San Francisco Recommendations by HEMLEVA

 

Are you planning a getaway to the Bay, or do you live there and want to see what else there is to enjoy in this incredibly lovely city? Then you're in the right place. Here are a few of my favorite things to do / see / eat in San Francisco.

My husband, Andy and I have traveled to San Francisco between 2-6 times a year, almost every year, for the past 10 years. San Francisco is a beautiful place to visit. The people are kind, the food is delicious and even with the hills, it's a very walkable city. We've accumulated a list of our favorite places to go when we're in town and hope that these recommendations make your visit a little sweeter.

When possible, I've linked in the Yelp listing for food recommendations along with my personal recommendations and Tripadvisor for activities.

 

Lunch

  • Breadbelly, they have a shrimp sandwich that I dream about. Add on a Kaya Toast and eat them outside in the SF sun the minute they call your name.
  • Lucinda's Deli, the best sandwiches I've ever had in my life. Grab a few sandwiches and have a picnic in Alamo Square Park in front of The Painted Ladies. They use Acme bread too, another local business.
  • Palette Tea House, elevated Dim Sum in Ghirardelli Square. This is a great place to spend an afternoon. Have lunch, walk around to all of the cute shops in the square and then finish with an ice cream sundae at Ghirardelli's. Their shrimp-centered dishes are my favorite here, including their take on Honey Walnut Prawns.

Dinner

  • Chome, Izakaya, Ramen + Sushi Bar. We had several things from their sushi and their Izakaya menus and everything was remarkably good, especially their Campari Tomato shot!
  • Bansang, Modern Korean Tapas. We went with friends and were able to try a lot of their menu. Not a single thing disappointed, down to the Korean Fruit Tea.
  • Mandalay, James Beard Award Winning Burmese. Get their Tea Leaf Salad, Mango Chicken and the Balada here!
  • Burma Love & Burma Superstar, Michelin Rated Burmese. There are multiple locations. They are known for their Tea Leaf Salad but I love their Rainbow Salad more. Their Superstar Shrimp is also a favorite of mine. This is also excellent as take out / delivery.
  • State Bird Provisions, New American Tapas. If you are able to go, go with a few people so you can try more things. Everything is delicious and it's served similar to dim sum with carts.
  • Surisan, New Korean. Delicious but heavy food with large portions. They also serve brunch but I like their dinner menu more. For their chicken wings, I love both the Honey Butter & their Soy Garlic. Their Chicken Cup Bap is Andy's favorite.
  • Wayfare Tavern, American Steakhouse owned by Tyler Florence. (We saw him when we were there and had the weirdest wave exchange, lol.) We had their Steak Tartare, Tavern Burger and Burrata Whipped Potatoes paired with their fresh (and free) popovers - we recommend it all!
  • Good Good Culture Club, New American, Asian. This is a cute place with delicious food and a lot of outdoor seating available on their rooftop. Get their Chicken Wing, Pork Jowl, and their Tiger Shrimp Salad.

The Chicken Wing from Good Good Culture Club

Savory Snacks

  • Cochinita - Food Truck - Elotes Tots. Andy gets these almost every single time we're in town. Which means that he's consumed them at least 20 times and is still not tired of them. If you're a slow eater, ask them to fry the Tots harder so they stay crispy longer!
  • Good Mong Kok, Dim Sum. This no frills place with the already annoyed Asian Aunties is a great grab and go place for a snack or lunch. We personally love their Beef Siu Mai over the Pork Ones, and the Cocktail Buns. Be prepared for most things to be out of stock and for them to truly not care that you're upset about it. They take credit cards here, there is no seating.
  • The Codmother Fish and Chips, for their Garlic Fries. They have three levels of garlic fries, we've consumed and loved them all. Not for the garlic averse!
B. Patisserie Cookie!

Sweet Snacks

  • B. Patisserie My current favorite patisserie in America! Their Kouign Amann is absolutely delightful. If you like sweeter desserts, their passionfruit Bostock is delicious, but their seasonal cookie is my favorite thing here. I usually buy them at least 4 at a time. Don't forget to grab a container of their financiers when you go to pay!
  • Arsicault, go for their croissants and go early because they will run out.
  • Breadbelly, The pastries are all great, especially their Kaya Toast, which I think is so much better than their Kaya Bun. Eat everything in their little seating area outside, and while it's all fresh too. I don't love their beverages, or at least haven't tried one that I do yet.
  • Telve Cafe, Turkish Delight. This Turkish Delight is so delicious that it will erase the rock hard and flavorless Turkish Delight we all grew up with. It's so surprisingly good - soft, flavorful and so fresh. It's the perfect easy to pack treat to bring home with you or to pack and bring with you on a picnic.
  • Garden Creamery for fun flavors of ice cream that are perfectly crafted.
  • Philmore Cremery for truly delightful gelato.
  • Pineapple King Bakery, the best Pineapple Buns I have ever had. The cookie top is crisp, the milk bread is soft, the custard tastes like true vanilla, but they don't last long! Eat them when they're fresh, especially a bun with salted butter.
Pineapple King Bakery • Pineapple Bun with Salted Butter

Coffees

  • Kopiku, Indonesian Coffee Shop. They roast their beans fresh, they squeeze and extract their own pandan, they are also so very nice. This is a new spot for us and already a fast favorite. Only a short walk away from Fort Mason, it will be a regular for us whenever we're in town for a Market. Andy ordered a Kopi Klepon iced (a little sweet, but perfect for Andy) and Kopi Pandan hot was what I ordered and loved. 
  • Third Wheel Coffee
  • The Coffee Movement

The Dahlia Field in Golden Gate Park

Things to do / Shopping

Do you have any suggestions, anything I should add or check out the next time I'm in San Francisco? Please let me know! I would love to hear them.

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