Visitors enjoy authentic Mexican food in San Francisco's Mission neighborhood.

How to Eat Your Way Through San Francisco's Mission District

Explore the incredible diversity of authentic flavors in San Francisco's oldest and most exciting neighborhood, the Mission District.

The Mission is one of the most eclectic and multicultural neighborhoods in the city, which makes it one of the most interesting to dine in. Allow yourself plenty of time to walk up and down Valencia Street and 24th Street, two of the Mission's busiest streets, to take it all in. Consider riding a bike, since the neighborhood is flat and bike-friendly.

Foreign Cinema

2534 Mission St.

One of the most atmospheric venues in the city, Foreign Cinema has a huge patio where films are screened on the back wall while you dine. The industrial chic interior still impresses after more than 15 years. The Cal-Med menu includes quality charcuterie, oysters, and their incredible fried chicken. The weekend brunch is one of the city’s best (they do magical things with eggs) and their Bloody Mary's have a cult following.

Lolinda

2518 Mission St.

This spacious restaurant is built for groups and birthdays, and the dim lighting makes it right for a date, too. The Argentine steakhouse menu at Lolinda features a variety of meats and cuts from the grill (including the 26 oz "Gaucho" ribeye), with salads, Latin American small plates, and good cocktails as well.

Lolo

974 Valencia St.

This lively Jalisco-style Mexican restaurant will hit you with a blast of color and playful décor. Lolo's cutting-edge cocktails then steal your attention, quickly followed by inventive dishes made with seasonal and local ingredients, like the taco tropical, panko avocado taco, chicken tinga tostadas, and tuna tacos. Brunch (vegetarian and gluten-free crispy chilaquiles anyone?) is also served Friday–Sunday.

La Taqueria

2889 Mission St.

Anyone who comes to San Francisco and doesn’t experience one of the (off-menu) “tacos dorados” at this benchmark taqueria is missing out. A crispy taco comes wrapped in a soft one, stuffed with your meat of choice. Get their superlative carnitas or carne asada, and whether you want it "super" or not is up to your appetite. Their atomic salsa verde is pure magic. Pro tip: You can also get any of their burritos “dorado” style as well.

Belmar Meat Market – La Gallinita

2989 24th St.

If you want a true 24th Street experience, head to this Mission meat market that also serves tacos inside. The salsas are fiery and the meats are freshly cut (try the salty cecina and suadero). Try a trio of chorizo tacos and top them off yourself with condiments and salsa.

El Farolito

2779 Mission St.

Don't be surprised to find a line out the door at 2 a.m. at this Mission institution located right next to the 24th Street Bart station. Burritos, tacos and their special big fat super quesadilla "suiza" leave the crowds with full-bellied satisfaction. You can even get them served with a cold Tecate or giant margarita at the local dive bar of the same name next door.

Delfina

3621 18th St.

A long-standing San Francisco classic for Cal-Italian, Delfina offers dishes that follow the Italian culinary ideology: simply prepared and letting the ingredients stand on their own. The spaghetti, trippa alla fiorentina (don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!), and hanger steak are all local faves, but the seasonal dishes really shine. The city’s best panna cotta awaits at the end of your meal. Next door, you’ll find the much-adored Pizzeria Delfina (Neapolitan-style heaven), and on Valencia Street is Locanda, their Roman-inspired restaurant with a full bar.

Gracias Madre

2211 Valencia St.

An organic, vegan Mexican restaurant is a dream for many, but one bite of the molé enchiladas (in house-made tortillas) at Gracias Madre should be enough to convince even the proudest carnivore, too. Same goes for the butternut squash quesadilla. The space is casual, with big wood chairs and tables, which is where you’ll be sharing the dulce de leche “ice cream” for dessert.

Californios

3115 Mission St.

This intimate and stylish restaurant features a modern tasting menu, highlighting ingredients and inspiration from Mexico and California. The multi-course menu at Californios offers quite the exciting seasonal culinary journey, both playful and serious. Wine pairings are a smart choice since you won’t know what’s coming next—the menu is a surprise.

Wise Sons Deli

3150 24th St.

Anyone craving superlative matzo ball soup, chopped liver, or pastrami on rye needs to come to Wise Sons Deli, where everything is made in-house. Dishes like pastrami cheese fries, pastrami and eggs, and their patty melt (with pastrami ground into the patty) will keep you returning. Open all day, brunch is popular, too.

Tacolicious

741 Valencia St.

This is a Valencia Street spot that’s popular with a younger crowd (it gets boisterous, especially around happy hour). Weekend brunch is also a scene. Tacolicious offers well-crafted margaritas to go with a variety of tacos (like beef short rib, Baja-style fried Pacific cod, or potato and chorizo), chile con queso, and other playful Mexican and Mexican-inspired dishes.

Flour and Water

2401 Harrison St.

Wood-fired pizza and handmade pasta (from eggplant tortellini to hen polpettini) are the heart of the menu at this simple yet stylish Italy-meets-Northern California eatery. Pasta-making classes and culinary education events happen frequently at Flour and Water, and a variety of private dining options, including the dough room and the central kitchen butcher's block, let you watch your meal being prepared, while you down fine Italian vino and awesome antipasto.


Aaron Danzig
Aaron Danzig

Aaron is the Manager of Digital & Social Media Marketing at San Francisco Travel. He has lived in San Francisco for over 9 years and has worked in Travel & Tourism for over 7 of those. He is usually exploring the Bay Area hunting for that new and unique experience and good food too! 

The Golden Gate Bridge at sunset with a multicolored sky and the San Francisco Bay in the foreground.
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