American

Bazaar Cafe is a daytime cafe and event space in the Richmond perfect for outdoor dining and lounging.

For a reliably good meal with a stunning view, both indoors and out in Palo Alto, it’s hard to beat this location of the North American chain.

This Filipino takeout counter inside of a Daly City gas station serves great lechon and Dubai chocolate strawberries.

Plow in Potrero Hill makes one of the best breakfasts in SF.

Big Finish is a Mission wine tavern with great bar food.

If you need a proper sit-down lunch in FiDi, go to Café Sebastian.

The SoMa Mexican spot doesn’t stand out among the many other great burrito options in the city, but it’s a solid choice for office workers in the area looking for a quick lunch.

The Noe Valley diner-style brunch spot serves great breakfast burritos and waffles.

RT Rotisserie is a solid casual chicken-centric spot in Hayes Valley by the people behind Rich Table.

This Asian-inspired Jay Hotel restaurant is a good option if you’re nearby and need a free table or a late-night dinner.

The late-night spot near Union Square has solid options, but they’re all overshadowed by a clunky operation.

The Embarcadero seafood restaurant is solid, but it’s the waterfront views that make going here worthwhile.

Lost Marbles is a big brewpub in the Richmond with trivia, lots of TVs, and a fireplace.

Balboa Cafe is a buzzy see-and-be-seen hot spot in Cow Hollow. Order an espresso martini.

Horsefeather is a reliable spot for a date in NoPa with good food and cocktails.

Rusty Ladle is a counter in the Outer Sunset with great soups and sandwiches.

Splash is a massive spot in Thrive City with surprisingly decent food for a sports bar.

The old-school Chinatown spot has been serving a menu of American and Chinese classics for over 100 years.

Rose’s Cafe checks all the boxes for a solid brunch in Cow Hollow.

The Mountain View gastropub is a fun choice for Happy Hour and the usual bar food like burgers and fried snacks.

Scratch is a great choice for an any-time-of-day date over solid American food.

The Mission institution's seasonal Californian dishes and daily movie screenings always work for an impressive date night.

Jupiter is a hangout spot for great pizza and beer near UC Berkeley.

Che Fico is a trendy Italian restaurant in NoPa where you can have an excellent meal—if you order strategically.

After closing in 2020, Grumpy’s has changed ownership and brought back its incredible burger and a refreshed menu of solid pub food.