A Local’s Guide to Eating Your Way Through San Francisco’s Waterfront

What comes to mind when you think of San Francisco? The rolling hills? The trolleys? The bay? The food? San Francisco is known for many things, food being one of the most prominent. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, you have to eat. This guide will help you find the best must-try dishes along the San Francisco waterfront.

The Bread Bowl Chowder

For whatever reason, San Francisco is often tied to chowder dishes. While clam chowder originated on the East Coast, the sourdough bowls in San Francisco make it that much better. When the wind blows over the water, chilling the air, hearty soup is just what any diner needs.

Irish Coffee

Irish Coffee did not originate in San Francisco, either, but this region is known for the tasty beverage because it was first introduced to America 65 years ago here. It’s more of a tourist obsession than it is a local love, but the combination of coffee and alcohol slid into your hand along a dark wooden bar is an experience everyone must have.

Seafood

This is a general dish, but it makes sense that San Francisco, right on the bay, is known for seafood dishes of all kinds. Whether you crave fish and chips, lobster bisque, fish tacos, or clam chowder, seafood at Pier 39 is top of the line.

Focaccia

The savory flavor focaccia is a favorite for visitors and locals alike. The Italian flatbread has an airy texture and can be found as a sandwich base, pizza dough, or even on its own to be dipped in sauce. San Francisco does it so well that some bakeries have lines out the door first thing every day. Customers grab what they can before the focaccia sells out.

Cioppino

Being right along the bay, it makes sense that San Francisco is known for seafood. Cioppino, the Italian-American seafood stew, began right here. The rich tomato broth includes wine and a variety of seafood. It often comes with crusty bread for dipping. The dish was created by immigrant fishermen in San Francisco in the late 1800s and is known for its briny, spicy, robust flavors as the broth combines with the seafood.

Kouign Amann

The buttery, flaky pastry that came from France and translates to “butter cake” is similar to a croissant and very popular in San Francisco. The butter and sugar caramelize, giving the round treat a golden-brown glow with a tender interior with pockets of sugar syrup in the layers of dough. Only certain bakeries can do it right. There are plain versions, which are delectable, but often seasonal offerings in the area as well.

Croissants

Those who want to stick with the standard croissant will find that the options in San Francisco taste anything but standard. Tourists find the pastry preposterously flaky in all the right ways. The good news is that the classic, buttery treat is prevalent, so there are plenty to go around. With all of the uphill walking in town, croissants are a good way to refill on energy.

Margaritas

Margaritas are familiar, but when you run across a modern classic like they have in San Francisco, it’s a step up. With fresh lime juice and agave syrup among other ingredients, the original is worth savoring in this area of the country. The sweet and sour booze is popular with locals and tourists alike.

Snowy Plovers

San Francisco is positively bursting with coffee shops. Some of the treats haven’t gone nationwide and can only be found near the bay. The Snowy Plover is one such treat. The drink is, at its essence, an espresso cream soda. The espresso gets poured over ice and steamed water with homemade whipped cream on top, and brown sugar syrup added. It can be found within walking distance of the beach.

Hoagies

For an on-the-go meal, Hoagies are the way to go in this city. In fact, San Francisco is known for having some of the best hoagies to the west of the Mississippi. The super-stacked sandwiches are hard to order wrong. Just go with what your taste buds crave. The local favorite is the Italian American, a loaded hoagie complete with a variety of cheeses, meats, and sauces.

Carnitas Burrito

This city is all rolled up in burritos, and locals often argue over which burrito is best. One of the leading candidates is the Carnitas Burrito, one that is stuffed with beans, salsa, and meat rolled up in a warm tortilla. The tender, braised, and simmered pork adds flavor and plenty of juice to every bite.

Garlic Noodles

Garlic noodles are a San Francisco favorite. They come with an umami sauce and - you guessed it - a generous portion of garlic. Fans like to pair the dish with Dungeness crab, which also has plenty of garlic included. The best part is, the noodles can vary and include egg noodles, ramen, rice, or even spaghetti noodles for any preference.

Where To Start

Whether you’re a local or a tourist, you’re going to get hungry during your time in San Francisco. So, where should you start? This list should help you get an idea of what’s popular in the area, as well as what San Francisco is known for. Use it to check off items as you go or simply cross off things that don’t appeal to you.

If you’re not picky, use these sample lists for a day’s meals:

• Breakfast: Snowy Plover and Kouign Amann
• Lunch: Hoagie and Irish Coffee
• Dinner: Surf and Turf and Margarita
• Breakfast: Croissants
• Lunch: Clam Chowder
• Dinner: Cioppino

Mix and match your own meals for the duration of your stay. You can’t go wrong with any of the local favorites. Look up area restaurants that tourists and locals recommend or walk along the waterfront and see what you might discover. You may even find new San Francisco options to add to the list!