9 Dishes You Must Try in San Francisco & Intel on Where to Eat Them!

With so many Michelin-star restaurants and epic dishes like the cioppino, Dutch crunch, and cruffins, San Francisco will never disappoint you when it comes to food. The mix of cultures like American, Asian, Mexican and Italian, give a unique twist to the fare of this city. If you are fascinated with trying a range of foods, then add San Francisco to your culinary bucket list now!  

And you have a great chance of ticking off San Francisco from your bucket list, thanks to United Airlines. The American airline company has started a new direct route from Bangalore to San Francisco, starting May 2021. With the signature style and promise of a comfortable flight, the long journey of 16 hours will be completed without any hassle at all!

As we start planning our San Francisco trip, here are a few foods and drinks that you should not miss out on in the city.

Cioppino

Originated in San Francisco, this rustic Italian-American dish is basically a fish stew, made from different kinds of seafood, tomatoes and wine. A light stew, it is an essential part of SF experience. You can try it at places like Scoma’s Restaurant, Cioppino's or Tadich Grill.

Cruffin

Cruffin is a mixture of croissant and muffin. Try it at Mr Holmes Bakehouse, a small bakery that also has a trademark for this invention. The hybrid pastry has a filling of jams, crème pâtissière or curd and is a favourite among Instagrammers!

Hot Fudge Sundae

A medley of vanilla ice cream, layers of handcrafted fudge and whipped cream, the hot fudge sundae is a specialty of Ghirardelli Square (a place owned by the chocolate brand, Ghirardelli). The sundae is topped with cherries and almonds and this sweet heaven is all you need to feel on the top of the world!

Oysters

In Greek mythology, oysters are synonymous with aphrodisiacs. And where else to try them (if you haven’t done so already) than the great oyster bars of San Francisco. Fresh and cleaned, you have to try these when you are in the city. At Hog Island Oyster Co., you can gorge on sustainable oysters that are locally sourced. Pair your oysters with some chilled beer for a better experience.

Tacos

When your stomach starts grumbling, grab a plate of tacos and trust us, you won’t be disappointed. Drop by places like Taqueria Los Coyotes and La Taqueria for perfectly sized tacos with fillings of your choice. You will find a lot of taquerias in the city as Mexican food is a very significant part of the cuisine of San Francisco. These restaurants specialise in tacos and other Mexican fares.

Sourdough

This famous bread of San Francisco dates back to the era of the Gold Rush. Prepared by fermenting dough, it's a staple for locals and has a sour taste to it. Boudin Sourdough Bakery & Cafe and San Francisco Style Sourdough Eatery are some places where you can savour it!

Craft Beer

When it comes to craft beer, San Francisco holds a special place as it’s home to America’s first craft brewery, the Anchor Brewing Company! Apart from that, the city is full of creative and historic breweries. Taste your beloved drink at Anchor or ‘21st Amendment Brewery & Restaurant.’ Or go on a craft beer tour if you are in the mood. But keep in  mind, due to pandemic, a lot of the places might not be operational.

Mission Burrito

One of the most popular styles of burritos in the city, these large wraps are filled with rice, beans, sour cream, salsa, guacamole and vegetables. This tortilla became famous in the 1960s in the Mission District of San Francisco. You can taste the most authentic ones at the family-owned taquerias (Mexican restaurants) in the area.

Cocktails

In San Francisco, you will find a lot of choices for nightlife fun, drinking and dancing. Sip on colourful drinks in the great bars of the city. Visit Benjamin Cooper for a vintage vibe, True Laurel for innovative strong drinks and Aub Zam Zam for classic cocktails.

While there are still a lot of places and dishes that we couldn’t cover in the list, many establishments are operating under limited capacity due to the pandemic. We suggest that you check with the place, before visiting. But, this can’t marr the charm of San Francisco’s food scene! There are so many dishes that you can only find in this city. These yummy delights and a lot more put San Francisco on every foodie’s bucket list.