Philz Coffee: Drip coffee is taken to a whole other level at Philz, where every cup is made by hand, right in front of your eyes! Their customized blends are perfectly smooth and tasty, and the baristas will make them exactly to your liking! (@philzcoffee)
Bobby’s pick: Silken Splendor
Alli’s pick: Iced Mojito with half sweetener
Bluestone Lane: There are two locations in the city, and you can’t go wrong at either. Consistently good coffee, friendly staff, and bright, airy spaces. Also a great breakfast/brunch option! (@bluestonelane)
Bobby’s pick: Flat White
Alli’s pick: Aussie Iced Latte
Sightglass: The folks at Sightglass take coffee seriously, and you can tell. We’ve yet to have a cup we didn’t love! (Super cool vibe, too!) (@sightglass)
Bobby’s pick: Whatever the barista recommends
Alli’s pick: Cappuccino
Breakfast
Tartine Bakery: The best bread and pastries we’ve ever had (and most likely WILL ever have!) - We cannot go to San Francisco without popping in at least once (usually twice). It’s well worth the long lines. (@tartinebakery)
Home Plate: Family owned and operated, going to Home Plate is like going to a family’s house for breakfast. The fresh-baked complimentary scones are reason enough to come here! (@homeplatesf)
Bobby’s pick: Classic Eggs Benedict
Alli’s pick: Spinach Frittata
Jane on Fillmore: Fresh, healthy, and super instagrammable - Jane’s is a great option for a quick cup of coffee and a pastry, or sit down and enjoy their picture-perfect avocado toast! (@janeonfillmore)
Bobby’s pick: Egg sandwich with avocado
Alli’s pick: Avocado smash
The Mill: Toast unlike any toast you’ve ever had before. The Mill is one of the first places we recommend friends to go in SF. It’s life changing. One bite in, and you’ll be inspired to open a toast restaurant of your own! (If you do, let us know. We’ll come.) (@themillsf)
Bobby’s pick: Almond Butter
Alli’s pick: Cinnamon Sugar
Lunch/Dinner
Farmhouse Kitchen: It’s been termed the “Best Thai in San Francisco” and we two hundred percent agree. If you love Thai, you will LOVE this place. Make sure you make a reservation in advance. (@thaifarmhouse)
Bobby’s pick: Pad Thai
Alli’s pick: Yellow Curry
Tartine Manufactury: Can you tell we love all things Tartine? Their restaurant is just as good as their bakery - with fresh, seasonal dishes that you’ll be inspired to make yourself. (And good thing, they have a cookbook!) Great date night spot! (@tartinemanufactury)
Bobby’s pick: Lamb meatballs
Alli’s pick: The chicken dish (changes seasonally)
Souvla: Fresh, quick, and trendy Greek food - Souvla is a perfect spot to grab lunch! And do NOT miss out on the Frozen Greek Yogurt for dessert!! (@souvla)
Bobby’s pick: the Pork bowl
Alli’s pick: the Veg bowl (and a side of Greek fries!)
Mission Chinese Food: This place has a cult following, so chances are you’ve already heard about it. Well, it’s just as good as people say - if not better! Go early to avoid the lines, and if you’re not into spicy, this might not be the place for you! (@missionchinesefood)
Bobby’s pick: Classic Chow Mein with Beef
Alli’s pick: Sichuan Carbonara
Charmaine’s: In our (humble) opinion, this is the best rooftop bar in the city. Atop the Proper Hotel, you can sit on chic striped chairs and watch the sunset while sipping on one of their signature cocktails… Heavenly! (@charmainessf)
Bobby’s pick: Laws of Silence
Alli’s pick: Peppo
The Buena Vista: Famous for bringing the Irish Coffee to America in 1952, this is one historic (and downright delicious!) SF staple you don’t want to miss! (@thebuenavistasf)
Our picks: The Irish Coffee (duh)
Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar: Be forwarned, this place is TOURISTY. But it’s been around since 1945, and it reminds us of the tiki room at Disneyland, so we’re big fans. If you don’t like cheesy, this might not be the spot for you! (@tongaroom)
Our picks: The Rainmaker (it serves two)
Rickhouse: One of the “10 Best Whiskey Bars in the US” according to GQ, and Food and Wine says it’s one of the “Best Bars in the World”, so we’ll just leave it at that. They change the drinks seasonally, so let the bartenders know what you like and watch them do their magic! (@rickhousebar)
The Kimpton Buchanan Hotel: Located in Japantown, the Buchanan hotel has Japanese modern flare that’s sexy and vibrant. The hosted wine (and sake!) reception is a fun added plus! (@thebuchanansf)
The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel: Just a five minute walk from Union Square, the Clift is right in the heart of the bustling city! It’s luxurious and modern with airy and spacious rooms. Their Redwood Room bar is a historic and iconic spot to grab a drink! (@theclift)
Hotel Drisco: This is a great option if you want to stay outside of the hustle and bustle of downtown, but still minutes from all of the sights. We love the Pacific Heights neighborhood that Hotel Drisco is located in, and their amenities make us giddy… Gourmet continental breakfast, hosted wine hour, complimentary turn-down? Yes please! (@hoteldrisco)
Explore ChinaTown: San Fransisco’s China Town is mesmerizing. The shops, restaurants, vendors… It’s a cultural experience you don’t want to miss. Grab a cup of green tea while you’re there!
Picnic in Mission Delores park: When the sun is shining in the city, this is the place to be. Grab some cheese and crackers, a blanket, and a deck of cards, and soak in that Vitamin D with the SF locals!
Russian Hill: This quaint, upscale community is famous for the crooked Lombard street, and while it’s touristy, it’s something everyone HAS to see. We suggest walking as opposed to driving, and then meander down Polk and Hyde streets for a fun array of trendy restaurants, bars, and shops!
Eat/Drink/Walk: Honestly, there’s so much to see and do (and EAT!) in San Francisco. We recommend you have at least a day or two with no agenda other that to explore. We love to “graze” through SF - meaning we’ll share a coffee at one place, share another at a different shop, stop in for snacks at restaurants along the way… Basically squeeze as many cool spots in as we can. We’ll walk awhile, eat a little, walk some more, eat again… you get the picture. ;)
Surprisingly, yes! San Francisco has been voted the #1 Dog Friendly City in the USA! They have some incredible dog playgrounds (including Golden Gate park and Baker Beach!), and restaurants for both humans and pups. Some of our favorites are Devil’s Teeth Baking Co, Hook Fish Co, and Kitchen Story!
