Going out there for a week in August and am completely overwhelmed with the food options out there, which, from what I am told, are among some of the best in the world. Not looking to splurge every day on meals but I know we have a lot of Bay Area TMB'ers and folks who have lived there so I figure I can solicit a lot of reccomendations.
Wayfare Tavern is amazing if you are looking for a more upscale dinner. It's New American cuisine. Cool vibe too. http://wayfaretavern.com/
Here's a few: http://www.flourandwater.com/ http://www.nopasf.com/ http://www.alembicbar.com/ http://www.yanksing.com/home.php Some fun bars: http://tradbar.com/ http://www.comstocksaloon.com/ http://www.ryesf.com/
Someone apparently has never heard of the "Mission burrito." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_burrito
Yeah, spend an afternoon wandering down Mission and Valencia eating Tacos and drinking beer. You can sober up in line for Ice Cream at Bi Rite before going to Dolores Park and and sharing someone's glaucoma prescription.
Dinner: Nopa, Laconda Cheaper options: Pizza: orbit room, little star Sushi: Sushi Zone Wings: Wings Wings
Nob Hill Cafe for Italian Rogue Brewery's restaurant is pretty good for the gastropub side of things. Drinks at Top of the Mark in the Mark Hopkins Hotel are pretty awesome, can see all of SF and all the way to the Pacific.
Yeah, actually Top of the Mark and the Tonga Room next door (Fairmont) would be an awesome touristy/historical SF bar combo.
La Imperial in Hayward for burritos Crepes Ooh La La in Walnut Creek for crepes Loards for ice cream all over the bay Caspers for hot dogs all over the bay If it cost more than $10 I don't know about it...
Wifey and I went last summer. We hit up Cliff House, Nob Hill Cafe, Pier 23 Cafe, a few Asian joints and food trucks, and of course some In n out burger. All delicious.
If you are near Union Square, and you should be at some point, can always drop in to Lefty O'Douls for a drink. Plenty of beers to choose from, and if you are a sports fan you can check out all the photos on the wall while there, or catch a game if something is on tv.
http://www.akikosrestaurant.com/index.php http://www.sushirrito.com/ http://www.suppenkuche.com/welcome.html http://salthousesf.com/
I'd dedicate a few hours for it, and maybe do it during the day if possible. Mission gets a little interesting towards 16th after dark.
Less than 7 miles away. Basically you're walking between the bart stations at 16th and 24th streets. So walk down to Market and hop on a train for 3 stops or so and you're there. Get off at one stop, finish off at the other. Beretta is close to 24th (http://www.yelp.com/biz/beretta-san-francisco), BiRite Creamery (http://www.yelp.com/biz/bi-rite-creamery-san-francisco) is by 16th. Taquerias are all over the place so pick anything that catches your fancy. El Farolito is a popular one right at 24th and Mission. http://www.yelp.com/biz/el-farolito-san-francisco-2 There are some interesting alleys with graffiti murals just off Mission as well: http://www.yelp.com/biz/clarion-alley-san-francisco If you're hanging out closer to 16th, Delfina is good http://www.yelp.com/biz/delfina-san-francisco and Tartine has awesome baked good: http://www.yelp.com/biz/tartine-bakery-san-francisco The Mission isn't everyone's scene but it's a unique area and worth a walk around if you get the chance.
Just want to validate this. I wouldn't go out of my way to go here, but if you are in Little Italy/North Beach and feel like a good craft beer, it's a good brewery.
It's a cool area to explore and enjoy the view but no reason to actually make an effort to eat there.
Location is the high point for it. Food is good, but priced too high. 3rd and Brannan has a great burrito place called Victor's.
Mission Chinese food and swan oyster depot were both named to the 20 most important restaurants in America by Bon appetite.