Food festivals in San Francisco worth planning a trip around, by month.
Food festivals in San Francisco worth planning a trip around, by month.
Eat Drink SF in San Francisco is the Golden Gate Restaurant Association's annual food festival, with grand tastings, dine-around events and chef demos across nine days in early November.
Focus: Cross-cuisine, GGRA member rooms
Tip: The Grand Tasting is the showcase; the Saturday late-night party has the most chef interaction.
SF Restaurant Week in San Francisco is the Golden Gate Restaurant Association's twice-yearly prix-fixe event, held each spring and fall, with 150 rooms running prix-fixe lunches and dinners.
Focus: Prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus citywide
Tip: Reservations open one week ahead; the most-wanted dinner seatings sell out within 48 hours.
Off the Grid Friday Night in San Francisco is the weekly summer food-truck market at Fort Mason Center, with 30 trucks, picnic tables and a Bay-view sunset from April.
Focus: 30-plus rotating food trucks
Tip: Arrive at 17:00 for the shortest lines and bay-side lawn seating; bring layers (it gets cold by 20:00).
The Outside Lands Food and Wine Pavilion in San Francisco runs across the Golden Gate Park music festival, with 80 Bay Area restaurants, a wine tent and Cheese Lands.
Focus: Cross-cuisine, Bay Area chef showcase
Tip: Wristbands are festival-only; the Wine Lands tent has shorter lines than the food rows by 16:00.
The North Beach Festival in San Francisco is the oldest urban street fair in the United States, with two days of Italian food vendors, live music and a pet blessing on Washington Square.
Focus: Italian American, North Beach restaurants
Tip: Saturday lunch is the peak; the Sunday pet blessing at Saints Peter and Paul is the festival's soft soul.
Peak food season in San Francisco is year-round.
Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.
service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.
Ask the next local you meet what they would order. San Francisco rewards trust.