Shannon’s guidebook
Food scene
Great for dinner or weekend brunch: NOPA. A favorite. It is crowded and hard to get a reservation, so book in advance, or have a drink while waiting for a set at the bar. Simple, natural cuisine and great mixed drinks. They serve dinner until 1 AM.
504 locals recommend
Nopa
560 Divisadero StGreat for dinner or weekend brunch: NOPA. A favorite. It is crowded and hard to get a reservation, so book in advance, or have a drink while waiting for a set at the bar. Simple, natural cuisine and great mixed drinks. They serve dinner until 1 AM.
Little Star Pizza
846 Divisadero StDelicious; Fun atmosphere.
If you want to eat early, go to their AMAZING happy hour every day w discounts on great food and drinks. Get there a bit before 5 to secure a table.
159 locals recommend
Bar Crudo
655 Divisadero StIf you want to eat early, go to their AMAZING happy hour every day w discounts on great food and drinks. Get there a bit before 5 to secure a table.
Tsunami Panhandle
1306 Fulton StGood happy hour, a bit pricey but worth it.
Che Fico
838 Divisadero StHottest new place in town. Lively and fun.
Easiest cafe to walk to from the cottage. Next to simple, small museum for kids: Randall museum. Great for coffee/ pastries/ sandwiches
Café Josephine
199 Museum WayEasiest cafe to walk to from the cottage. Next to simple, small museum for kids: Randall museum. Great for coffee/ pastries/ sandwiches
French, delicious, always crowded so expect a wait. Very popular for brunch.
286 locals recommend
Zazie
941 Cole StFrench, delicious, always crowded so expect a wait. Very popular for brunch.
An amazing old fashioned-style soda fountain and handmade ice cream shop.
109 locals recommend
The Ice Cream Bar
815 Cole StAn amazing old fashioned-style soda fountain and handmade ice cream shop.
InoVino
108-B Carl StWine bar. Italian snacks.
Microbrewery and traditional pub food, but with a modern twist
177 locals recommend
Magnolia Brewing - Haight
1398 Haight StMicrobrewery and traditional pub food, but with a modern twist
50% mixology bar 50% restaurant. It gets quite busy; the menu is eclectic and interesting.
137 locals recommend
The Alembic
1725 Haight St50% mixology bar 50% restaurant. It gets quite busy; the menu is eclectic and interesting.
Cha Cha Cha
1801 Haight StFun atmosphere, famous for their sangria.
French, exactly as if you were in Paris. Upscale. Intimate and cute and walking distance.
111 locals recommend
L'Ardoise
151 Noe StFrench, exactly as if you were in Paris. Upscale. Intimate and cute and walking distance.
Super popular, no reservations, always a wait but worth it. Have a drink at the wine bar across the street while waiting
148 locals recommend
Anchor Oyster Bar
579 Castro StSuper popular, no reservations, always a wait but worth it. Have a drink at the wine bar across the street while waiting
Neighborhoods
Cole Valley
Cute and family friendly
North of the Panhandle
Stands for North of Panhandle. Trendy, young, hip.
Haight-Ashbury
Hippy culture from SF summer of love. A bit gritty. Touristy.
The Castro
Gay. Great bars and restaurants.
gay bar
Lookout
3600 16th StFunnest party gay bar! a bit divey.
Grocery
Luke's Local
960 Cole St960 Cole. (street parking only)
Haight Street Natural Food
1621 Haight St1530 Haight street. (street parking only)
Bi-Rite Market
3639 18th StGourmet. 550 Divisadero. (street parking only)
Falletti Foods
308 Broderick StSmall local grocer
308 Broderick. (has parking)
Whole Foods Market
3950 24th St2001 Market St. (has parking)
Museum
A kid’s museum that is small and cute and free and in walking distance. Walk over in the morning for coffee in the café with a view (opens at 10; closed Mondays and Sundays)
59 locals recommend
Randall Museum
199 Museum WayA kid’s museum that is small and cute and free and in walking distance. Walk over in the morning for coffee in the café with a view (opens at 10; closed Mondays and Sundays)
City advice
Getting around
Local urban hike
Wander Buena Vista park across the street or hike to the top of Corona Heights Park