the mission: part one
— west of van ness —
Stepping into one of my favorite corners of San Francisco, the Mission district takes you on a journey through time and blends cultural richness with vibrant energy. Once home to vast expanses of agricultural land tended by Native American tribes, the Mission became a focal point of Spanish colonization with the establishment of the Mission San Francisco de Asís in the late 18th century.
Today, the Mission honors and echoes its history while acting as a melting pot of cultures. Historic landmarks coexist harmoniously with contemporary art spaces, eclectic eateries fill the streets, and a thriving nightlife scene brings even more energy as the sun goes down. Whether you're wandering through its vibrant alleys adorned with colorful murals, savoring authentic Latin American cuisine at local taquerias, or immersing yourself in the rhythms of her live music venues, the Mission invites you to embrace its rich tapestry of history and culture while relishing in the dynamic spirit of San Francisco.
Must Try Restaurants in the Mission’s West Side
Angie’s Pizza
Pizzeria | $$
Tucked away from the main haunt of Mission Street, this funky, dimly lit pizza joint is the perfect spot for a casual date night out. The team here is taking pizza night classics and elevating them with new flavors. The classic pepperoni pizza gets garlic oil and a hot honey drizzle, the white sauce pie is topped with charred broccoli, and the caesar salad has a new base of kale and radicchio. Be sure to get a glass of wine with your pies and save some space for the housemade ice-cream!
best for: date nights & elevating childhood craving
Arcana
Wine Bar | $$
Arcana brings together two of my favorite things: wine and plants. Enter through the outdoor porch lined with plants into this charming, lush plantshop designed like a cross between a living room and greenhouse. Their menu features low-intervention and skin-contact wines from around the world and Persian-inspired small bites like potato kotlets and tangy labneh with naan. Come for the wine and plants, stay for the live jazz.
best for: post-work hangs, casual dates
Buddy
Wine Bar | $
This friendly neighborhood spot is pouring wines, cider, co-ferments and cocktails in a charming Parisian feeling bar space tucked just off of Van Ness. The wine list is filled with funky, natural wines that rotate almost daily so you can always find something new and the bar bites menu matches with funk. Think bread and butter with pumpkin miso spread, gougėres topped with trout roe, smoked whitefish tonnato, and brownies with butterscotch and halvah. Bring a pal or cozy up with a date at their bar or bring the funk home with their wine membership.
best for: afternoon drinks, second dates, funk cravings
Craftsmen & Wolves
Bakery | $
Enjoying the pastries at Craftsmen & Wolves is like taking bites into pieces of art. The team is pushing the boundaries of traditional pastries with stunning and meticulously crafted sweets using unique flavor combinations like rose water mousse with sake pound cake and hibiscus rhubarb jam with pink peppercorn honey sponge cake. Their iconic breakfast pastry, the Rebel Within, features a soft cooked egg inside of parmesan and sausage scallion muffin. Come with a friend and share a few of their mouthwatering, inventive pastries.
best for: breakfast bites & delicate sweet cravings
Delfina
Italian | $$$
With over two decades of delicious California inspired Italian food, Delfina is a delight and then some in their intimate but lively atmosphere that is perfect for both casual gatherings and special occasions alike. The menu is filled with Neapolitan-inspired pizzas, seasonal dishes and house-made pastas. Snag a seat at the bar for a cozy, up close experience with their bartenders that are as kind as they are knowledgeable, and you’d be a fool to skip their dessert menu.
best for: impressing the parents, eating at the bar
Foreign Cinema
Californian | $$-$$$
Taking inspiration from drive-in movie theaters, Foreign Cinema has been delighting guests since 1999 with their charming decor details and elevated Californian dishes. The daily rotating menu features light bites like oysters, caviar, and tartare and mains like duck breast, grilled wagyu and braised fish. For a truly unique experience here, dine in the courtyard under the romantic glow of string lights and classic movies being projected on the courtyard wall. An evening here is a charming blend of food, film, and ambiance that is sure to delight.
best for: romantic dates, charming a cinephilia
Hila Gelato
Gelato | $
Step off of Valencia and right into Italy for some of the best Sicilian style gelato. After moving from Sicily to San Francisco, Hila Gelato owners were inspired by our organic local farms and wineries here in the Bay and opened up this charming spot. Their gelato features seasonal flavors and is made with only natural and sustainable products. Treat yourself to a waffle cone full of creamy gelato or change things up and order your gelato inside of a crispy cannoli shell with an espresso on the side!
best for: sweet tooths & missing summer on the italian coast
Itria
Italian | $$-$$$ | Michelin Guide
Step away from the hustle of Mission Street into the charming rustic meets modern ambience of Itria, where their crew is seamlessly combining Asian and Middle Eastern flavors with traditional Italian foods to produce a modern Italian menu that focuses on handmade pastas and crudos. The menu evolves seasonally, but you simply must try the Mafaldine Cacio e Uova pasta and take a bright and seasonal journey of freshness with the crudo tasting plate. Impress a date with the chef’s tasting menu or come with friends to share it all.
best for: wooing out of towners, celebrations
La Taqueria
Mexican | $ | Michelin Guide
La Taqueria has been serving up mouthwatering tacos and mission style burritos while carrying on family recipes since 1973. This iconic SF spot is known for their succulent Carne Asada and tender Carnitas and honestly, you’d be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t enjoy it—despite the line. It’s practically a rite of passage here and worth a stop if you’re in the Mission. Inside scoop: order your burrito Dorado-style to get it crisped up on the plancha.
best for: SF first timers, taco cravings
Lazy Bear
Californian | $$$$ | Two Star Michelin
Lazy Bear has redefined the fine dining experience and changed the dinner party game with their sophisticated but relaxed approach to a multi-course celebration of California. Enter the lodge inspired dining room where elegance and cozy collide to create an ambience of warmth and communal energy. Lazy Bear's tasting menu showcases seasonal and foraged ingredients in imaginative dishes like oysters with finger limes and basil oil and melt-in-your-mouth coal-roasted Wagyu Beef with charred onions. Swing for the wine pairing if you can—it’s sure to impress and bring the curated experience to an unforgettable level.
best for: special occasions, celebrating your raise
Panchita's Pupusería
Salvadoran | $
Panchita's Pupusería offers a delightful taste of Salvadoran cuisine in a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Known for their mouthwatering pupusas, Panchita's delights diners with a variety of fillings, from classic revueltas to flavorful loroco with cheese. Each pupusa is delightfully handmade and served piping hot with tangy curtido and rich salsa roja. It’s the perfect essence of Salvadoran culinary tradition and making it a must-visit taste of Central America in the heart of the city.
best for: quick bites, casual dinner
Reem’s
Arab Bakery | $
Bringing the warmth of Arab hospitality, bright energy, and rich flavors, Reem’s bakery is a delicious place to pop in for lunch or a quick breakfast bite. Their menu is filled with pastries, mezzes, and flatbreads that are bursting with rich ingredients like za'atar, sumac-spiced chicken, pomegranate molasses, and creamy labneh. Be sure to order a few chocolate chip halawa cookies to go, I can’t get enough of them!
best for: lunch, catching up with friends
Taqueria Cancun
Mexican | $
Burritos are an iconic part of the food scene here in San Francisco but Taqueria Cancun is my local secret for you. This brightly colored but almost hidden spot on Valencia is my go-to burrito and one of my non-negotiable recommendations for out-of-towners. They’ve been cranking out delicious Mexican food and Mission style burritos since the 90s and have a few locations in the city but the Mission is where it’s at. Their pollo asado and carnitas turned me into a regular within my first bite and their quesadillas truly fill a void nothing else can.
best for: quick bites, burrito fixes
Tartine Bakery
Bakery | $
With its rustic charm and the irresistible aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through the air, Tartine is still drawing a line 20 years in. Each creation at Tartine is a testament to quality and craftsmanship, using locally sourced, organic ingredients to create pastries that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Come for a loaf of country bread and leave with an orange zest morning bun, pain au jalapeno, or lemon loaf in tow or make your way just a few blocks over to their Manufactory locations for a light lunch or pizza dinner.
best for: leisurely breakfast, light bites, sweet treats
Bonus: Bernal Cutlery
Cutlery Shop
Not a restaurant but one of my favorite shops in the neighborhood and a must mention bonus is Bernal Cutlery—a haven for culinary enthusiasts and professional chefs alike. Stepping into Bernal is like entering a treasure trove of craftsmanship and precision, with a meticulously curated array of Japanese and Western-style knives, kitchen tools, pantry goods, and cookbooks. Whether you're a seasoned chef seeking the perfect blade or a home cook looking to elevate your culinary skills, Bernal Cutlery's knowledgeable staff and commitment to quality make it a must-visit destination for anyone passionate about the art of cooking.
best for: chefs, knife nerds, cookbook enthusiasts
