10 Best Restaurants In SF That Won't Break The Bank
A Mano
I’m almost embarrassed at the amount of times I find myself at A Mano. It’s my absolute favorite Italian restaurant in SF hands down! They change the menu frequently and make all of their pastas fresh in house. Every day at around 5pm when they open there’s a long line of people waiting to get in and it doesn’t slow down until around 9pm. My trick is to put my name on the wait list and go grab a cocktail in any of the surrounding Hayes Valley bars while I wait. Some of my favorites here are the cauliflower with bagna cauda, foccacia and olive tapenade, monterey squid, chicken polpetine, fontina arancini, and then ANY OF THE PASTAS. Seriously, you can’t go wrong.
Tartine Manufactory
This is one of those restaurants where you can’t go wrong. Everything on the menu is amazing, my favorite is definitely the broccolini, the crudo, the country bread and butter (trust me, it’s not as basic as it sounds), and the salmon. The menu changes frequently, so you can always expect the unexpected and be ready to be wow-ed every time you visit.
Barvale
A tapas style restaurant that’s easy to love. On Divisadero, Barvale is a spot where the gin tonic cocktails are incredible and the tapas are perfect for groups of friends who want to try everything on the menu. Some of my favorites are the pulpo (octopus), albondigas (meatballls), patatas bravas and gambas (shrimp). You really can’t go wrong. Every time I’m here I’m too focused on the food to even take pics!
School Night
If you like Tequila, Pisco, and Whiskey boy, do I have the spot for you. I’m sure you’ve guessed that by the name, they’re only open on school nights (Mon-Fri) so plan accordingly. The chips and salsa, tacos de carnitas and albondigas (theirs are Impossible meatballs) were my favorites, but I’ve heard the lomo saltado (a traditional Peruvian steak dish) is delicious as well.
The Snug
Serving modern California cuisine and some of my absolute favorite cocktails in the city, The Snug is the perfect spot for dinner and drinks after work. If you don’t order the prickly pear cocktail, you’re not doing it right! My favorites are the tater tots, steamed buns, brussel sprouts, popcorn chicken, sesame naan & shiitake hummus and roasted tandoor cauliflower. What makes this place so great is that you can order a ton of small bites and fill up quickly.
Perbacco
If you’re trying to be a little more upscale than casual without breaking the bank, Perbacco is the spot for you. Delicious Italian food and wine in downtown SF. If you want to make this a full blown expensive dinner you can, but you can also split a couples of pasta dishes with an appetizer and I promise you’ll be full and under budget. My favorites include the roasted octopus, squash raviota, garganelli pasta, and dry aged organic liberty duck breast.
noosh
Upscale yet casual Eastern Mediterranean restaurant in Pacific Heights. They’re known for their flatbread, specifically the Pork Soujuk, but some of my favorites are the carrot salad, red pepper muhammara spread, halloumi kebab, chicken bebab and the donuts for dessert. be advised that they do not take reservations, you have to stand in line and wait, which i don’t love, but hey, the food is worth it.
Namu Stonepot
I can’t say enough amazing things about Namu Stonepot. The space is intimate and the staff are always friendly and attentive. Self described as “Cali-Korean” this restaurant has a California take on Korean food. The two locations are on Divis and near Dolores Park so you have options. You can’t go wrong with the korean fried chicken, gyzoa (shown below) and their classic stonepot rice bowl. Definitely a must if you’re looking for amazing Korean food.
Elda
Amazing spot in the Mission for Caribbean inspired small plates and cocktails. My favorites include the milk bread fried chicken sandwich, chicken tostadas, and the summer squash tacos. A great place for sharing a few small bites and cocktails among friends. When you walk in, find yourself a table and self seat. Not my favorite seating situation because I feel like I have to be on high alert for a free table, but once you’re seated, you’ll love the cocktails and bites. I always come here because I know the food will be great and within budget!
The Saratoga
Great spot in the Tenderloin for cocktails and small bites. I like to come here on dates, but I’ll save that for another post of date night spots in SF. They’re known for a great brunch, but I also love a happy hour after work here. My favorites are the tater tots, seven spice chicken slider, fries, crispy brussel sprouts. And don’t worry, the bartender can walk through all of their amazing cocktails.
