8 Iconic San Francisco Eats (And Drinks) That Every Visitor Needs To Try
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Loading... - Celeste Auclair
- 15 Apr 2022
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As the song goes, "If you're going to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair." We're going to amend that statement to say that you should also be sure to bring some stretchy pants. That's because San Francisco is a culinary mecca on par with some of the greatest cities in the world. From San Francisco sourdough to the original Mission burrito, the City by the Bay offers a bevy of famous eats that you can't experience anywhere else. Eight eats not enough? Check out our list of iconic eats by neighborhood.
America's first craft brewery was founded here in 1896. The name harkens back to a time when brewers worked in primitive conditions, using the cool climate of San Francisco's rooftops in lieu of ice to cool the wort. The warm liquid would steam when exposed to the night air, and the name stuck. Today, visitors can tour the brewery and enjoy tastings of this iconic San Francisco beverage.
Ironically, the Irish coffee was not popularized on the Emerald Isle. It was commercialized in San Francisco, where Buena Vista Cafe co-owner Jack Koeppler challenged international travel writer Stanton Delaplane to help him re-create a highly touted "Irish Coffee" served at an airport in Ireland. The two experimented, ultimately crafting the perfect combination of hot coffee, Irish whiskey and whipped cream. Nowadays, the Buena Vista Cafe on Hyde Street reportedly serves up to 2,000 Irish coffees a day!
No trip to San Francisco is complete without a bread bowl full of chowder from the Boudin factory. The Original San Francisco Sourdough (as Boudin calls itself) is the longest continually operating business in the city, having baked bread since Isidore Boudin perfected the recipe in 1849. The flagship factory on Fisherman's Wharf serves not only bread bowls but also animal-shaped loaves for the little ones.
Mission Burrito in the Mission District
The Mission-style burrito originated in San Francisco's Mission District, a neighborhood dominated by Central American culture. Noted for its jumbo proportion, the Mission burrito includes extra rice and other goodies, such as sour cream, guacamole and salsa. Hundreds of taquerias serve San Francisco-style burritos in the city. Try El Farolito or Taqueria La Cumbre for a true San Francisco burrito experience.
A wildly popular ice cream joint, Humphry Slocombe has become a San Francisco icon since it started scooping in 2008. Although the menu routes regularly to accommodate fresh seasonal ingredients and off-the-wall flavor combinations, such as Candy Cap-mushroom and peanut butter-curry, they're known for innovative staples like their Secret Breakfast Ice Cream, a unique combination of bourbon and cornflakes. This boozy treat is a hot seller, so get there early in case it sells out.
Seafood at Fisherman's Wharf
Traditionally the working place of Chinese and Italian immigrants, Fisherman's Wharf is now a seafood lover's paradise that reflects its multicultural history. Cioppino, an Italian-American seafood stew, was invented to use up leftover seafood. Today, it's a widely popular dish. San Francisco is also famous for Dungeness Crab when it's in season each winter, as well as oysters. Be sure to try the oysters at Fog Harbor Fish House while you're on Fisherman's Wharf. Most restaurants still source their fish and crab from the boats of local fishermen. Read More...
