The Best Lunch Spots In SF

It’s not that hard to make a good sandwich. But making one that’s worthy of planning an entire day around? That’s a feat in itself—and no place does it like Deli Board. The SoMa spot cranks out absolutely massive sandwiches that are well-stuffed with everything from corned beef to tuna salad and falafel. Whatever you order off of their usual menu or titular board of daily-changing specials will be fantastic, but when in doubt, get anything with pastrami.

This Outer Sunset counter is only about two things—soups and sandwiches—and both are done extremely well. It’s the ideal place for a quick solo lunch that won’t force a nap a couple of hours later. Just hop into one of the bar stools for the silky clam chowder, which is always on the rotating menu, and a mortadella sandwich, and contemplate finally springing for that immersion blender to try and replicate the experience at home. 

You could spend your day marathon-ing old seasons of Survivor like it’s nobody’s business. Or, you could make your way to La Palma in the Mission to pick up some pupusas, carnitas tacos, and a bagful of chicharrones, and bring it all back to your couch for said marathon. Also grab some of their excellent homemade tortillas to take home—they’ll easily power you through the rest of the week.

Next time your “chill weeknight hang” turns into a Not So Chill Weeknight Rager, call out of work, fall back asleep, and wake up in time for lunch from Saigon Sandwich. The counter-service Tenderloin spot is home to the city’s best bánh mì. The keys to their greatness are the soft, crispy roll, ample amounts of filling, and the price (they’ll only run you about $5 each). Caffeinate with their strong iced Vietnamese coffee, turn off your Slack notifications for the day, and you’re all set.

Needing sustenance at 12pm is as good an excuse as any to check out some of the city’s cheesiest pupusas. The menu at this casual counter-service Salvadoran spot in the Mission has over a dozen types, from non-meat options like zucchini, spinach, and loroco. Our go-to is the revuelta, a gooey mix of chicharrones, beans, and cheese, which always has crispy edges and is perfectly griddled on the outside. For a heartier lunch, go with the combo that comes with plantains and beans on the side.

It’s not often you have a fancy midday meal with taxidermied animal heads staring down at you, but at Angler, that’s just a weekday lunch. The Embarcadero fine dining spot serves an excellent $45 prix fixe lunch that starts with two chef’s choice oysters followed by your pick of an entree and dessert. There’s no going wrong, but we always find ourselves unable to resist the seduction of the roast half-chicken—the meat is moist, the skin crackles like glass, and it's paired with a glossy honey mustard sauce. We love ending the meal with the mini sundae that’s doused in a warm salted caramel sauce tableside. 

Viva Goa in the Marina is serving some of the best Indian food in town, let alone the neighborhood. Their tandoori fish always comes out sizzling and flawlessly cooked, and we frequently dream about taking a soak in a hot tub filled with their rich curries. The creamy Navrattan korma with peas, carrots, and other vegetables is a standout, but it’s hard to go wrong here. Always get extra naan to sop up every last bit of sauce.

Just be prepared for two things when coming to this Excelsior spot for lunch. Leftovers for dinner and finding a place to eat. This takeout-only Hawaiian restaurant doles out to-go boxes that struggle to contain huge portions of crunchy katsu-fied chicken and pork and hefty spam musubi that any bricklayer would welcome for their newest construction project. Most dishes won't run you more than $15, just be sure you have cash.

The bright green kaya toast from this small Richmond bakery is by far one of the most photogenic dishes in the city—and it’s delicious, too. The only problem? Block out a “dentist appointment” on your Google calendar to make it here for this toast, plus heartier things like chicken karaage, a persimmon grilled cheese, or a couple of their excellent baked goods for dessert.

Sometimes you just need to tear your eyes away from a screen, get out of the house in the middle of the day, and clear a plate of made-to-order dumplings. Beeline to Yuanbao Jiaozi in the Sunset. The casual spot has a menu made up of about 75% dumplings, all stuffed with napa cabbage and pork, chicken and corn, or mushroom and fish. The wrappers are the pinnacle of chewiness, and you’ll finish off the order of 14 in less time than it takes to find a parking spot on Irving.

With a seemingly endless supply of slices, whole pies, and sandwiches, Outta Sight in the Tenderloin is an obvious choice for a midday meal. The counter-service pizza spot has a few usually open tables, so you can spend immediate quality time with a crisp-edged slice of pepperoni or a neatly layered Italian combo sandwich. And don’t forget a side of ranch. 

This Arab bakery in the Mission serves incredible pastries, wraps, flatbreads, and hummus, all of which are great for sharing out on their sunny parklet. Make sure to get any dish that comes out of the oven—this is a bakery, after all—like the freshly baked mana’eesh smeared with caramelized onion purée, or a falafel wrap coated in lemon tahini. If you don’t get the creamy hummus topped with sumac, chickpeas, and a pool of olive oil, you will have recurring regret flashbacks.

Weekends at Palm City draw lines so long you’d think there was a Baggu drop happening inside. You'll have a better chance of getting a seat at this Sunset wine bar during their lunch service Wednesday to Friday. It’s quieter then, too, so you can chill at one of their circular wooden tables or at the bar with a mortadella hoagie and a glass of natural wine, and strike up a conversation with the bartender.

Mama’s Luncheonette in Cow Hollow is a takeout counter that excels in the wrap department. Their chicken caesar wrap, with lemon pepper chicken and an ample amount of parmesan, deserves to have its name engraved on a trophy cup—but if you want something saucier, go for the tikka masala wrap that comes with a side of curry for dipping. There are just a few sidewalk tables, or you can take your lunch to go.

If Tadich Grill in the Financial District is one of those places you’ve “been meaning to get to,” take this as your sign to go. This seafood spot is oldest-running restaurant in the city, and you absolutely need to eat here at least once. Grab a seat at the bar with a bowl of cioppino and some crispy crab cakes, and settle into a vintage leather booth while waiters in white jackets shake your midday martini. They only serve lunch on weekdays, so save this place for when you need an escape from work. 

Tacos Del Barrio is the perfect spot when you’re looking for a lunch that has no misses—this counter-service spot makes the best Mexico City-style tacos in the city. Achiote-seasoned pastor spins on the spit in the back, asada is perfectly charred on all sides, and the plump, creamy fish will teleport you straight to Baja. But before you sit down, head straight to the salsa bar that’s full of the smokiest and freshest salsas around. You’ll be carrying at least 12 little salsa cups back to your table, so hope your juggling skills are up to par.

Next time you're meandering through the Japantown mall to pick up Hi-Chews and shiba inu tote bags, stop by Sasa when the fruity candy runs out. The Japanese spot is home to fantastic sushi that’s spot-on every time. Plus, their menu has tons of variety—you can get into omakase at the bar, go for a mini donburi topped with uni and ikura, or try the “mystery box,” a wooden tray of chef’s choice chirashi. No matter what mood you’re in, you’ll leave here happy. 

It's easy to spend an entire day in Golden Gate Park, a.k.a. the city's crown jewel. Before you head in, swing by Good Luck Dim Sum in the Richmond for some sustenance. There might be a line at the tiny dim sum spot, but it moves quickly. Once you’re at the front, fill up a container with pork buns the size of a baby’s head, siu mai, egg tarts, and more treats, and take them with you to eat in a sunny patch of grass.

If you want to make sure to do one thing right today, make sure it’s grabbing lunch at Bini’s Kitchen. The Nepali restaurant in SoMa makes excellent momos. We love everything about them—from the well-spiced turkey, lamb, or veggie fillings to the delicate flour wrappers to the tasty roasted tomato and cilantro sauce that comes on the side. Get the combo meal if you’re really craving momos and want to enjoy Bini’s other great dishes, like their sautéed cauliflower with peas, green onions, and spices.