Some places I consider best in what they do that will be familiar to local HO/Chowhound/FTC folks, and from whom I’m sure I learned about most of these picks. Except for the kinds of places you see on top 10 lists, it’s worth starting a conversation about what to order.
La Cocina trained businesses:
- Cambodian : Nyum Bai (Oakland)
- Malaysian : Azalina’s (small menu, in SF’s multi-use the Market)
- Mexican: El Buen Comer; Cosecha (Oakland)
- Palestinian : Reem’s (flatbreads, OMG; Oakland, which also has the best ever baklava; also Saturday Ferry Building farmer’s market)
Ferry Building Farmer’s Market (Saturday morning):
- Reem’s (Palestinian flatbreads)
- La Primavera (Mexican, fresh masa items)
- Roli Roti (porchetta sandwich)
California
- Early 20th Century Bay Area : Tadich Grill (specifically for local seafood like sand dabs, rex sole), Swan Oyster Depot , Sottio Mare (cioppino)
- Late 20th Century Bay Area: Zuni Cafe (Caesar salad; roast chicken with bread salad; see Jonathan Gold’s view)
- Cal Hawaiian : Aina or Liholiho (make reservations if possible)
- Cal-Ramen : Ramen Shop (Oakland)
- Nor-Cal Burritos : Gallo Giro food truck (carnitas); La Taqueria (“crispy” carnitas burrito; don’t get the super)
- Cal Italian: ask others, I’m not on top of current scene, but definitely something in this category
- Deep dish pizza : Little Star (different, arguably better than Chicago; order the “brass monkey”)
- Small plates: State Bird (reservation needed, or crazy long walk-in wait)
Middle Eastern & Central Asia
- Afghani : explore Fremont
- Palestinian : Reem’s (flatbreads, OMG; Oakland, which also has the best ever baklava; also Saturday Ferry Building farmer’s market)
- Israeli-Iraqi : Frena bakery
- Israeli : Oren’s Hummus (SF and various Peninsula locations, I like their hummus, don’t know about other stuff)
- Uyghur (well, not Central Asia but worth two mentions on this list
): Sama Uyghur (Fremont)
Latin American
- Argentina : El Sur empanada food truck
- Colombian : Milohas bakery (San Jose)
- Mexico City: Los Carnalitos (al pastor tacos; Redwood City food truck; Hayward brick and mortar)
- Mexican: El Buen Comer; Cosecha (Oakland); higher end places like Cala; El Molina Central (Boyes Hot Springs, Sonoma CA)
- Nor-Cal Burritos : Gallo Giro food truck (carnitas); La Taqueria (“crispy” carnitas burrito; don’t get the super)
- Tacos: Taqueria El Paisa@.com (Oakland)
- Salvadoran : La Santaneca (cheese pupusas with loroco); La Palma Mexicatessen (well, it’s Mexican, but cheese pupusas with loroco)
- Peruvian : I like Cholo Soy or El Aji in the Mission
European
- French pastries : B Patisserie; Fournée Bakery (Oakland); Neighbor Bakehouse (crappy for parking)
- French: Cafe Jacqueline for souffles (get one savory; one dessert)
- Regional Italian : La Ciccia (Sardinian); punt to others
- Pizza: a Bay Area strength, so many styles, punt to others. I’m partial to Pizzeria Delfina’s (SF; Burlingame)
Asian
The best Indian, Korean, Vietnamese, and Taiwanese are probably in the South Bay, which others on the board are more familiar with.
- Burmese: Grocery Cafe (Oakland)
- Cambodian : Nyum Bai (Oakland)
- Eclectic: Namu Gaji (okonomiyaki; Korean fried chicken)
- Japanese : Ippuku (Yakitori in Berkeley; NOT Ippudo); Kemuri (smoky things, Redwood City)
- Korean: I’d need to think. I like the East Bay Bowl’d / Mixed Grain (Walnut Creek) chain
- Korean bakery: Sodam (Dublin; full disclosure a relative is an employee)
- Lao: lots of options; punt to others for best in town
- Malaysian : Azalina’s (small menu, in SF’s multi-use the Market)
- Thai : Kin Khao; Hawker Fare
- Vietnamese, Banh Mi: most popular places are more “great for the price”; for a few bucks extra, Cafe Bunn Mi (SF; South San Francisco); Banh Mi House (San Bruno Ave). Or Huong Lan chain in South Bay
Chinese
- Shandong or generalist: Great China (great wine list; Berkeley);
- Shaanxi: Terra Cotta Warrior
- Sichuan: Royal Feast (Millbrae; classic dishes); more modern dishes elsewhere
- Jiangnan: Jiangnan Cuisine
- Uyghur : Sama Uyghur (Fremont)
- Jiaozi (boiled dumplings) : Tasty Place
- Hunan : Clarissa Wei thinks it’s stronger in SFBA than LA. I like Wonderful (Millbrae), but Fremont area places have some newer dishes too
- Dim Sum: Dragon Beaux
- Cantonese, Roasted meats: Ming Kee (pork neck)
- Xiao long bao: Din Ding Dumpling (Fremont; also hand-pulled noodles)
- Sheng Jian bao : I-Shanghai delight (Fremont; cooking uses a lot of sugar)
- Egg custard tarts: Mr. Bread (see also Portuguese (not Asian) style one at Silva Bakery in Hayward)
- Jian bing: Tai Chi Jian Bing
Pacific Islands
Lots of new Filipino places recently too throughout the Bay Area.
- Cal Hawaiian : Aina or Liholiho (make reservations if possible)
- Guam : Prubechu (I only went once, years ago, and thought it was great. Recent reports?)
African
- Ethiopian : Cafe Colucci (Oakland; slow service, don’t go on weekend evening; ask for 100% tef injera; they have breakfast too) (Ed. for vegetarian dishes, for meat I don’t have a current pick).
Brunch (or breakfast)
(take with grain of salt as I’m not keen on breakfast/brunch)
- 20th Century Cafe (knish, butterscotch drink, honey cake OMG);
- Beauty’s Bagel Shop (Oakland; Montreal style bagels);
- Tartine Manufactory
- Brenda’s French Soul Food
- The Mill (toasts)
- Della Fattoria (Petaluma)
Desserts
- Ice cream: Ice Cream Bar & Castro Fountain for milkshakes and vintage drinks; Humphrey Slocumbe or Bi-Rite for ice cream, go to front of line if getting takeout from freezer); Bi-Rite soft serve window (base by Double 8 dairy); Garden Creamery or Marco Polo for Asian flavors
- Cake: 20th Century Cafe (honey cake)
- Donuts: Donut Savant (Oakland), Arlequin (filled brioche doughnuts)
Other
- If not already mentioned above, explore one of the many underrepresented SFBA cuisines, which may be completely unavailable where you’re from.
