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Take This Self-Guided Food Tour of the NOPA Neighborhood

This self-guided NOPA walking food tour is best enjoyed in the late afternoon or evening (ideally starting at 3 p.m. or 4 p.m.) and will take about four hours.

736 Divisadero St.
Bakery

The Mill

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Start the tour off right at The Mill with fancy toast, an inch-thick slice of house-made bread slathered with toppings like creamy artisanal butter, house-made strawberry jam or delicate cream cheese, making it the best and maybe the most expensive toast you’ve ever tasted (slices are $4 each) . From baker Josey Baker (yes, that’s his real last name), the Mill is a minimalist space that serves up two things: the aforementioned mind-blowing toast and Four Barrel Coffee. There’s also a small selection of pastries, but the Mill’s bread and butter are the actual bread and butter. The Mill also sells bread by the loaf, so if you’re planning on doing any cooking in the near future, purchase a loaf of fresh-baked black pepper parmesan and use it to make grilled cheese sandwiches.

Spend some time wandering through the storefronts along Divisadero Street. Shop for culinary antiques at Cookin', pretty gifts and stationery at Rare Device, and surf gear at San Franpsycho. There’s also a superb barber, J.P. Kempt; an awesome fitness studio Salt, which specializes in a fusion of barre and high-intensity cardio; and a stylish little salon, Q Spa, that offers nail care, waxing and skincare services.
736 Divisadero St.
705 Divisadero St.
BBQ

4505 Burgers and Barbecue

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Next up on the culinary feast are burgers and barbecue. Super star butcher Ryan Farr serves up slow-smoked brisket and finger-licking good ribs at his meat-centric eatery. Lucky for you, the best thing on the menu has the word "best" in the title. That would be the "Best Damn Grass-Fed Cheeseburger." Pair that with the Spicy Fries and the Frankaroni (fried mac'n'cheese balls with hot dogs inside) to make the most heavenly threesome. If you have friends, get The Presidential, a sampling of the menu that feeds six.
705 Divisadero St.
655 Divisadero St.
Seafood

Bar Crudo

03
After your BBQ feast, head to Bar Crudo, a seafood spot with a stellar happy hour deal. Every day from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Bar Crudo offers discounts on their uber-fresh seafood selection. Who doesn’t love $1 oysters? There’s also $1 herb and jalapeño marinated mussels, pan seared shishito peppers with boquerones, manila clams in white wine broth, rock cod tacos, and the best seafood chowder you’ll ever taste. All of these ocean delights are served up in a sleek cool atmosphere that’s a bit moody but inviting. It’s best to show up as close to 5 p.m. as possible, as this happy hour always fills up with the locals looking to score a scrumptious steal on shellfish.

After that, spend some time soaking up the San Francisco sun or watching the sunset on the lawns of Alamo Square Park. Snap some photos of the Painted Ladies. Also known as the the Full House houses, this row of classic Victorians was featured in the iconic '90s sitcom. Note: Alamo Square is being completely renovated so for lazing in the sun alternatives while the Park is being redone, there's always Golden Gate Park.
655 Divisadero St.
598 Haight St.
Cocktails

Maven

04
A walking tour in any San Francisco neighborhood wouldn’t be complete without a stop at one of the city’s top cocktail bars. Maven is a few blocks off of Divisadero on Haight Street, but the hand-crafted, perfectly-executed cocktails are worth the short walk. It’s difficult to have a favorite beverage at this bar and restaurant that’s decorated with a living wall of succulents and cheeky Disney art. Why? Because the drink menu changes so often. Try The Second Line, a concoction of armagnac, apple, anise and burnt sugar. Or perhaps a Corpse Reviver #598? With gin, cocchi, ginger, lemon and coriander it’s sure to pack a potent punch. Cheers!
598 Haight St.
292 Divisadero St.
Mexican

The Little Chihuahua

05
Hit up The Little Chihuahua, a Mexican restaurant beloved by locals. It’s an unfussy, small space with a counter and a couple of wooden table and chairs. The food is authentic and super-fresh Mexican. Think tacos on organic corn tortillas with grass-fed carne asada, chile verde tofu or sustainable salmon as some of the filling options. The garlic shrimp burrito with avocado, rice, black beans, smoky chile salsa and pico de gallo is one of the most scrumptious burritos around. Their signature tostada salad with mixed greens, black beans, avocado, queso fresco, cucumbers, roasted red bell peppers and mango salsa piled high on a crispy tortilla shell, dressed with a lime-cilantro sauce, is a masterpiece of a salad. The Little Chu, as natives refer to it, also has a stellar tortilla soup, finger-licking good nachos and quesadillas with oozing melted cheese.
292 Divisadero St.
560 Divisadero St.
American

NOPA

05
For late dinner, head to the restaurant that started it all, NOPA. With an open kitchen, a bar that runs the entire length of the restaurant, two levels of dining tables and a massive communal table, it is one happening spot. A graphic mural by local artist Brian Barneclo catches your eye and the crowd is an eclectic mixture of old and young, tourist and native, everyone talking loudly while enjoying a rye cocktail or glass of Greek rosé. The food, from the wood-fired oven in the open kitchen, is consistent California cuisine at its finest. The pork chop is one of the best in the city, but the pappardelle with nine-hour bolognese is equally as delicious. There’s also a much-talked about burger, rotisserie-style chicken and Moroccan vegetable tagine.
560 Divisadero St.
550 Divisadero St.
Market

Bi-Rite Market & Creamery

06

Bi-Rite Market & Creamery (550 Divisadero St.)
For dessert, pop into Bi-Rite Market right next to NOPA. One of San Francisco’s most well-known independent grocers, Bi-Rite has two locations, the Mission District original and this newer store, which opened in 2013. At Bi-Rite, there’s a counter that serves up scoops of Bi-Rite Creamery’s world-famous ice cream, which includes the now ubiquitous combinations of strawberry and balsamic and caramel and salt as ice cream flavors. Grab a cone with a few balls of creamy, melt-in-your mouth ice cream or an ice cream sandwich of brown butter cookies with Blue Bottle coffee almond chocolate chip ice cream. Before you head out, browse the shelves of the market. It’s stocked with a carefully curated selection of local purveyors. Grab a bottle of screwcap wine and a few plastic glasses. It’s time for some relaxing.


If you’re still hungry for more that Divisadero Street and the NOPA neighborhood have to offer, check out the following spots:


La Urbana (661 Divisadero St.)
You’ll feel transported to Mexico City when you dine at this mezcaleria.www.laurbanasf.com


Regazza (311 Divisadero St.)
An awesome date spot, this pizzeria offers thin crust pizza in a romantic and intimate setting.


Vinyl Coffee & Wine Bar (359 Divisadero St.)
Coffee and wine are on the agenda at this relaxed casual all-day cafe from award-winning sommelier Mark Bright.


Avital Tours offers four-course progressive dining experiences in North Beach, Union Square, and the Mission District. You'll meet chefs and industry experts, and have the opportunity to see, smell and taste what shapes each unique neighborhood— from the food (and drinks) to the art, history and culture. Tickets available at www.avitaltours.com

550 Divisadero St.

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