Day-by-day eating plans for San Francisco. weekend classics, family routes, vegan plans, on-a-budget editions.

Day-by-day plans

San Francisco weekend: the city's classics in two days ★ 4.6

First-time visitor, weekend2 days

A weekend built around San Francisco's defining plates: a Saturday Ferry Plaza morning, a Mission burrito at lunch, oysters by Polk Street, and the city's most enduring California room at dinner.

  1. Day 1: Saturday: Ferry Plaza market, Mission lunch, Zuni dinner

    Morning
    Ferry Plaza Farmers Market at 08:30 for stone fruit, Acme bread and Hog Island oysters at the bar. Walk south along the Embarcadero with a coffee from Sightglass at the SoMa flagship.
    Afternoon
    BART to 24th Street. La Taqueria carnitas burrito at 13:00 (cash and card). Walk Valencia for Tartine pastry and Bi-Rite Creamery soft-serve.
    Evening
    Zuni Cafe at 19:00 for oysters, a Caesar salad and the Judy Rodgers roast chicken with bread salad. Order the chicken on arrival; it takes an hour from the wood oven.

  2. Day 2: Sunday: Chinatown dim sum, North Beach espresso, sunset Irish coffee

    Morning
    Good Mong Kok at 09:30 for char siu bao, har gow and an egg tart at the counter (cash only). Walk up Stockton to Caffe Trieste for an opera-set cappuccino.
    Afternoon
    Walk North Beach: a Molinari sandwich on Columbus, then Tony's Pizza Napoletana for a Margherita STG (capped at 73 a day, so arrive at 14:00).
    Evening
    Cable car to Hyde and the Buena Vista Cafe for an Irish coffee on the bar; finish with a long walk back along Russian Hill for sunset views of Alcatraz.

San Francisco long weekend: Mission, Ferry Plaza, Marin ★ 4.5

Returning visitor or local, three days3 days

Three days that go deeper than the headlines: Mission taqueria trail and a Lazy Bear dinner, a full Ferry Plaza Saturday, and a Sunday up to Point Reyes for Tomales Bay oysters.

  1. Day 1: Friday: Mission burrito trail, Sightglass break, Lazy Bear dinner

    Morning
    Ritual Coffee Valencia at 09:00; Tartine Bakery Guerrero for a country loaf and a morning bun. Walk Dolores Park.
    Afternoon
    Mission taqueria trail: half a La Cumbre burrito, half a La Taqueria, plus an El Farolito horchata. Sightglass SoMa for a Saint Frank-grade cortado.
    Evening
    Lazy Bear at 19:00 (tickets release the 1st of each month for 60 days out). Two communal tables, twelve courses, the city's most-cited bread course.

  2. Day 2: Saturday: Ferry Plaza market all morning, Mister Jius dinner

    Morning
    Ferry Plaza Farmers Market from 08:30 to 11:30. Buy a stone-fruit basket, eat a Hog Island oyster, take Acme bread for home.
    Afternoon
    A second pass through the Ferry Building stalls for cheese at Cowgirl, oysters at Hog Island, plus a bench picnic. Walk the Embarcadero, then Smuggler's Cove for a rum trio at 17:30.
    Evening
    Mister Jius at 20:00 (book three weeks ahead). Order the whole roast Mongolian duck (call ahead 48 hours) and a Moongate Lounge cocktail upstairs to close.

  3. Day 3: Sunday: Point Reyes oysters, Tomales Bay drive, Andytown finish

    Morning
    Drive Highway 1 north at 09:00 to Hog Island Oyster Farm in Marshall. Pre-book the shuck-your-own picnic time slot; bring your own grill and knife.
    Afternoon
    Cowgirl Creamery in Point Reyes Station for cheese, plus a Bovine Bakery cinnamon roll. Drive back via Stinson Beach for a coastal break.
    Evening
    Andytown Coffee on Lawton Street at 17:00 for a Snowy Plover; Outerlands at 18:30 (walk-in only for dinner) for eggs in jail and a glass of natural wine.

San Francisco on a budget: $30 a day eating ★ 4.3

Budget traveller, weekend2 days

Two days of San Francisco eating under thirty dollars a day, anchored by Mission taquerias, Chinatown dim sum windows, Tenderloin counters and the Saturday Ferry Plaza for free samples.

  1. Day 1: Saturday: Mission tacos, dim sum window, Off the Grid

    Morning
    Saigon Sandwich on Larkin Street for a six-dollar banh mi and a Vietnamese iced coffee. Cash only.
    Afternoon
    BART to 24th Street. La Taqueria carnitas burrito ($12). Walk Mission Street to El Farolito for a horchata. Stop at Bi-Rite for a soft-serve cone.
    Evening
    Off the Grid at Fort Mason from 17:00 (April to October only); 30-plus food trucks, picnic on the Bay-view lawn. Twenty dollars covers two dishes.

  2. Day 2: Sunday: Chinatown dim sum, Tenderloin lunch, Bob's Donuts close

    Morning
    Good Mong Kok at 09:30: char siu bao, har gow, egg tarts, ten items for under fifteen dollars (cash only).
    Afternoon
    Walk to Shalimar in the Tenderloin for a tandoor chicken tikka, naan and dal under twelve dollars; the kitchen is at the front door.
    Evening
    Free samples at the Ferry Plaza on Sunday (CUESA Civic Center market at UN Plaza). Bob's Donuts on Polk Street for an apple fritter to close.

Itineraries in San Francisco, FAQ

When is the best time to eat in San Francisco?

Peak food season in San Francisco is year-round.

What time do people eat in San Francisco?

Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.

How does tipping work in San Francisco?

service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.

What is the one dish to try in San Francisco?

Ask the next local you meet what they would order. San Francisco rewards trust.

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