Hidden Gem Restaurants in San Francisco From Locals

San Francisco’s food scene is famously diverse, but some of the most beloved local spots fly under the tourist radar. These are the kind of places where San Franciscans go when they want something real: unpretentious, delicious, and rooted in neighborhood tradition. Below are several hidden gem restaurants that locals swear by.

Where Locals Actually Eat in San Francisco

Outerlands

A cozy Outer Sunset gem famous for its towering Dutch baby pancakes and addictive house-baked levain bread. Locals line up for weekend brunch and Wednesday’s legendary burger night steps.

Location: 4001 Judah Street, Outer Sunset
Price : $$
Website: www.outerlandssf.com/
Standout dishes: Legendary Dutch baby pancake, Wednesday burger night on house-made potato brioche

Dunyā Bistro

Mediterranean-meets-California spot on the Nob Hill/Russian Hill border with killer charred octopus and fluffy beyti kebab wraps. Perfect for sharing meze platters and sipping natural wine in a warm, low-key room.

Location: 1609 Polk Street, Nob Hill/Russian Hill border
Price: $$$
Website: https://www.dunyabistrosf.com/
Standout dishes: Mixed meze platter (hummus, tzatziki, grilled octopus, dolmas), beyti kebab wrap, anything with the charred octopus

The Pawn Shop

A secretive SoMa speakeasy hidden inside a faux pawn shop serving outstanding Spanish tapas like gambas al ajillo and smoky patatas bravas. Cocktails are creative, the vibe is sultry, and it feels like you stumbled onto a local secret.

Location: 993 Mission Street, SoMa
Price $$–$$$ (tapas $12–24)
Website: pawnshopsf.com/
Standout dishes: Gambas al ajillo that people literally drink the sauce of, octopus with paprika oil, patatas bravas, jamón croquetas, low-ABV cocktails

Brenda’s French Soul Food

Mediterranean-meets-California spot on the Nob Hill/Russian Hill border with killer charred octopus and fluffy beyti kebab wraps. Lines out the door are worth it, and the $5 breakfast sandwiches are a civic treasure.

Location: 652 Polk Street, San Francisco
Price Range: $$$
Website: https://frenchsoulfood.com
Standout Dishes: Beignets (plain, chocolate, apple, crawfish), shrimp & grits, chicken & waffles

Kin Khao

Michelin-starred Thai in a quirky Union Square hotel location that locals still claim as their own for fiercely spicy, soulful curries. The rabbit green curry and pretty-as-art hor mok curry mousse are unforgettable.

Location: 55 Cyril Magnin Street, San Francisco
Price Range: $$
Website: kin-khao.com
Standout Dishes: Hor Mok curry mousse, rabbit green curry, crab rice noodles

Terrene

Tucked inside the 1 Hotel on the Embarcadero, this place feels like eating in a greenhouse with killer bay views and plants everywhere. Locals hit it for the legit farm-to-table plates pulled from their rooftop gardenand the kind of chill weekend brunch that turns into sunset drink.

Location: 8 Mission St San Francisco
Price Range: $$
Website: 1hotels.com/san-francisco/taste/terrene

Tacolicious

Marina’s upbeat, California-cool taqueria turning out some of the city’s best al pastor tacos and massive “super” burritos. Great margaritas and reliably packed with Chestnut Street locals.

Location: 2250 Chestnut St, San Francisco
Price Range: $$
Website: https://www.tacolicious.com/
Standout Dishes: Super Burrito, al pastor tacos, quesadilla suiza, tortas

Original Joe’s

在 Instagram 查看這則貼文

Original Joe's San Francisco（@originaljoes.sanfrancisco）分享的貼文

North Beach’s century-old Italian-American institution where San Franciscans go for classic Joe’s Special (ground beef, spinach, eggs), chicken parm, and martinis.

Location: 601 Union Street, San Francisco
Price Range: $$
Website: https://originaljoes.com
Standout Dishes: Joe’s Special, chicken parmigiana, steaks, Italian-American classics

If you want to experience the city the way locals do, these Hidden Gem Restaurants offer flavors, personality, and authenticity you won’t find on the usual tourist route. From family-run kitchens to neighborhood favorites, each stop delivers a true taste of San Francisco, one unforgettable meal at a time.

More

Natalie Pang