Off Beat Restaurants in San Francisco
Heavy hitters like Zuni Café, Chez Panisse, and Gary Danko draw the masses, and with good reason. But do yourself a favor and explore San Francisco's off the beaten path gastronomic pearls. It's tricky to cull a list of just ten!
Sporting just a handful of booths and a small counter, teensy Canteen has the best brunch in the city and its dinner menu changes weekly based on seasonal local ingredients. The bathroom may be in the Academy of Art dorm next door, but its incognito locale ensures you'll only be rubbing elbows with in-the-know locals.
Starbelly is a cheery neighborhood joint. The beer list is outstanding, their mixology, creative, and the interior is spacious, yet cozy. With stand-outs like oven-baked pizzas, cornmeal fried oysters, and mini corndogs with housemade ketchup, you can't make the wrong choice here.
Speaking of pizza, Russian Hill's Za Pizza is the closest you'll come to tasting East Coast-style pies. The Da Vinci's Palette with sausage and peppers seriously melts in your mouth. Walzwerk brightens a vacant-looking stretch of South Van Ness and brings hearty East German cuisine like schnitzel, spatzle, and chilled herring in sour cream to the San Francisco dining scene.
One of critically-acclaimed Boulevard's chefs recently opened Prospect, a chic space worthy of a splurge. Unique flavors unexpectedly merge perfectly on the palate; try the Dungeness crab appetizer or the Wagyu Zabuton (if you can get past the pronunciation). Vibrant Chez Papa is perfect for a special occasion and they are especially accommodating for group events. Fabulous French Provencal cuisine is offered for a very reasonable prix-fixe, save room for dessert.
Sporting just a handful of booths and a small counter, teensy Canteen has the best brunch in the city and its dinner menu changes weekly based on seasonal local ingredients. The bathroom may be in the Academy of Art dorm next door, but its incognito locale ensures you'll only be rubbing elbows with in-the-know locals.
Starbelly is a cheery neighborhood joint. The beer list is outstanding, their mixology, creative, and the interior is spacious, yet cozy. With stand-outs like oven-baked pizzas, cornmeal fried oysters, and mini corndogs with housemade ketchup, you can't make the wrong choice here.
Speaking of pizza, Russian Hill's Za Pizza is the closest you'll come to tasting East Coast-style pies. The Da Vinci's Palette with sausage and peppers seriously melts in your mouth. Walzwerk brightens a vacant-looking stretch of South Van Ness and brings hearty East German cuisine like schnitzel, spatzle, and chilled herring in sour cream to the San Francisco dining scene.
One of critically-acclaimed Boulevard's chefs recently opened Prospect, a chic space worthy of a splurge. Unique flavors unexpectedly merge perfectly on the palate; try the Dungeness crab appetizer or the Wagyu Zabuton (if you can get past the pronunciation). Vibrant Chez Papa is perfect for a special occasion and they are especially accommodating for group events. Fabulous French Provencal cuisine is offered for a very reasonable prix-fixe, save room for dessert.
Alembic Bar
1725 Haight Street
Between Cole Street and Shrader Street
Southern-souled class joint...
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