San Francisco Airport Dining Options

From Dim Sum to fresh crab to trendy California cuisine, San Francisco has tastes and flavors to tempt every palette. Try authentic Chinese dim sum in Chinatown, traditional or trendy Italian food in North Beach, fresh seafood at Fisherman's Wharf, or sushi in almost any neighborhood. And because of San Francisco's proximity to the Wine Country, the wine cellars at local restaurants are eclectic and offer wines to please the novice wine drinker as well as the expert.

Restaurants are listed alphabetically, first by type (American, Mexican), then by Name:

2223 Market

2223 Market St.
American
The Castro

This hip, see-and-be-seen place offers an ecclectic menu, from Mediterranean to Caribbean all wrapped up into chic California cuisine. If you have to wait for a table in the bar, the people watching is great and the martinis are even better. Mixed straight and gay clientele. The menu includes comfort food with a hip twist. Try the roasted chicken with their to-die-for garlic mashed potatoes.

Burger Joint

807 Valencia St
American
Mission District

Ever crave a thick, juicy all-American burger? Burger Joint is just the place to satisfy that craving. Don't eat beef? Then try the free-range chicken breast sandwich? If you don't eat critters at all, there are garden burgers as well. All sandwiches come with fries at no extra charge. What's a burger without a milkshake made with real ice cream? All this and more is available in a retro 50's style diner atmosphere bathed in wild day-glo colors. Kids will love it.

Cypress Club

500 Jackson St.
American
North Beach

Velvet drapes and blown glass lamps give Cypress Club a rich and voluptuous feel. The entrees are ecclectic and delicious. We've heard great things about the grilled vegetable napoleon and the cashew-crusted sea bass. But leave room for dessert. Almost too beautiful to eat, these architectural masterpieces will have you forget all about those extra calories.

Fog City Diner

1300 Battery St.
American
North Beach

You'll find an ecclectic menu at this retro looking 40's style diner, but don't expect typical diner food. How about mu shu pork burritos and truffle fries, or the crispy snapper sandwich with peppers and onions? There's also lemon-pepper duck with an orange zinfandel sauce and really decadent desserts. Fog City Diner is a bit pricier than your typical diner but well worth it.

Zax

2330 Taylor St.
American
North Beach

Low key, well hidden and out of the way, Zax offers an atmosphere of informality and great food. You must try the fresh, pan-fried sand dabs topped with a light tartar sauce and served with roasted new potatoes and artichokes, or spicy braised short ribs with the deliciously biting horseradish mashed potatoes. Dishes are healthy and the cuisine tends to include fresh ingredients, avoiding thick sauces. The goat cheese souffle is not to be missed.

Mecca

2029 Market St.
Asian
The Castro

Hip, urban, upscale and raucous. Mecca caters to a primarily gay clientele. The bar offers strong drinks and great people watching. Menu changes seasonally. Ecclectic dishes include barbecued calamari, ahi tuna and basil spring rolls, and barbecued oysters with crispy pancetta. Reservations are recommended.

Tin Pan

2251 Market St.
Asian
The Castro

Pan Asian/Western tastes blend in this cozy but hip neighborhood haunt. The close-set tables and relaxed atmosphere invite conversation between diners not actually eating together. Delightful shrimp and ginger potstickers are great for starters. The blazing beef is a well-known favorite entree. But don't forget the red curried mussels with corn, cilantro, tomatoes and crispy shallots. Make sure to save room for the warm chocolate raspberry wontons with creme anglaise dipping sauce. Mixed gay and straight clientele.

Cha Cha Cha

1801 Haight St.
Caribbean
Haight-Ashbury

Cha Cha Cha is like walking on to the set of Gillgan's Island for a meal. The kitschy, campy decor is fun and makes for a lively feeling. Cuban tapas, sangria, fried planantos and a variety of other Caribbean flavors make this place fun and give your palette more than a 3 hour tour.

Empress of China

838 Grant Ave.
Chinese
Chinatown

This elegant restaurant boasts a gorgeous view of Coit Tower. A little more expensive than your typical Chinese place but well worth it. Try the winter melon chicken soup, the scallops Cantonese or the fabulous phoenix and dragon (chicken and prawns sauteed in a wine and ginger sauce). The bowtied staff attends to your every need as you enjoy the delicious food in the elegant dining room. Notice the detailed Chinese chandeliers and the fanned peacock feathers as you savor the different Asian flavors of this Chinatown gem.

Great Eastern Restaurant

649 Jackson St.
Chinese
Chinatown

Fresh seafood is what makes Great Eastern stand out from other places. It's a little pricier than many other Chinese restaurants but once you taste their prawns in lobster sauce, you'll understand why. Check the board for their daily specials and then check out their double decker tank in the back of the restaurant filled with the finest fruits of the sea. Well known dishes include the pan fried scallops and stuffed shrimp as well as the braised abalone with sea cucumber. Reservations are recommended.

House of Nanking

919 Kearny St.
Chinese
Chinatown

Known more for the food than the atmosphere, this local dive is always filled with locals and tourists alike. Meals arrive on industrial metal plates but you'll forget the decor once you taste their specialties. We recommend the fried potstickers and the crispy scallops. Order the mu shu pork and create a Chinese burrito as you wrap the delicious mixture of pork and veggies into a delicate pancake. Ask about the daily specials.

Lichee Garden

1416 Powell St.
Chinese
Chinatown

Lighted ceilings and modern decor give Lichee Gardens a bright open feeling. Come early and enjoy a breakfast or lunch of dim sum. Try the slippery jellyfish salad, or if you prefer more traditional dishes, their large menu offers many choices. Smokey black bean sauce adorns the deliciously crispy sauteed asparagus. The service can be a little iffy but if you're looking for a basic Chinese meal, this is the place.

R & G Lounge

631 Kearny St.
Chinese
Chinatown

More of a locals place and not much English is spoken but don't let that deter you from enjoying the delicious Cantonese specialties. Enjoy the traditional decor as you start out with the deep fried shrimp meatballs and vegetable eggrolls. Make sure to try the salt and pepper dishes made with seafood, poultry or game. The salt and pepper crab is their signature dish. Don't miss it! The family sized portions make this a good place for families or large groups.

Sam Wo

815 Washington St.
Chinese
Chinatown

Not much atmosphere but the great prices and good food will make you a believer. Enter through the kitchen and take a dingy stairway to an upstairs dining area. Don't be put off by the surly staff, the portions are plentiful and the late hours allow for post pubcrawl eggroll cravings. Try the chow mein and follow it with the duck or barbecued pork. With the average entree priced around $4, you'll feel like you got a great deal...and you did!

E & O Trading Company

314 Sutter Street
East-West
Union Square

Located moments off Union Square, E & O Trading Company offers the finest hand made malt beverages, unique and delicious Asian fused food and an atmosphere that will transport you to another part of the world moments after you enter this fine establishment.

Brasserie Savoy

580 Geary Street
French
Union Square

Brasserie Savoy pays homage to the City of Lights by blending an elegant and vibrant atmosphere with relaxed French brasserie style. You will enjoy an exquisite meal in the festive tradition of Parisian dining.

Elisabeth Daniel

550 Washington St.
French
Union Square

Adventurous and extraordinary have been used to describe the combination French and California cuisine served at Elisabeth Daniel. The 6-course prix fixe lunches and dinner are well worth the steep prices. And the wine list is as adventurous as the food. Reservations essential.

Indian Oven

233 Filmore Street
Indian
Haight-Ashbury

Indian Oven's decor is warm and inviting, very much like its menu. There are two dining areas, one with an open kitchen. Aromatic tandoori flavors entice along with curries and biryanis. Try the chicken madras in a sweet coconut sauce or the saag gosht, tender lamb in a creamy spinach sauce. Don't forget the warm naan bread.

Albona

545 Francisco St.
Italian
North Beach

The cuisine at this intimate restaurant is a mix of Italian with a hint of Eastern Europe. Albona's roots stem from Northern Italy with a bit of Croatia thrown in for added flavor. And what flavor! Try the mussels in marinara as a starter. The pork loin stuffed with sauerkraut, prunes and prosciutto blends the Eastern European and Italian flavors to perfection. You'll also enjoy their ecclectic wine list. And don't forget dessert. Each one comes topped with brandied cherries that are the perfect compliment to a sweet ending.

Buca Giovanni

800 Greenwich St.
Italian
North Beach

Rich, hearty Tuscan dishes are the signature cuisine of this 28 year old North Beach institution. The basement level dining area adds to the romantic feel of this cozy restaurant. You'll have a tough time deciding what to have with the 11 house-made pastas to choose from. Try the seafood pasta with the spicy tomato sauce. Ask about the chef's specials.

Scala's Bistro

432 Powell Street
Italian
Union Square

Located half a block from Union Square, Scala's Bistro is adjacent to historic Sir Francis Drake Hotel. High ceilings with original elaborate plaster design, richly colored floor tiles, inspired by Monet's kitchen and Scala's old world atmosphere create a comfortable yet elegant ambiance. An eclectic mix of original murals, rich tobacco tones, white linen tablecloths and gilt mirrors and semi-open kitchen produces the look and feel of classic Parisian bistros.

Steps of Rome

348 Columbus Ave.
Italian
Chinatown

Known to one of the more authentically Italian restaurants in the North Beach area, Steps of Rome offers a wide variety of foods from their fresh squeezed juices and hot-from-the oven pasteries to the large selection of traditional Italian pastas and sauces. The outdoor patio, on busy Columbus Avenue, is perfect for people watching on warm sunny days. The handsome young Italian waiters flirt shamelessly with female customers. The cheesecake is rumored to be "the best in town" (just ask the staff).

Hamano Sushi

1332 Castro St
Japanese
The Castro

The sleek and clean decor along with the fresh and unusual sushi choices make Hamano Sushi is a local favorite. Appetizers include lightly fried tofu in a soy-ginger sauce and the braised cod in miso sauce. Check the board for the freshest specials. vegetarian sushi offered as well.

Maya

303 Second St
Mexican
South of Market (SoMa)

This is not your average Mexican restaurant. This is fine Mexican dining, reminiscent of the cuisine of Mexico City. Mayan masks adorn the walls of the simple but elegantly decorated dining room. The food is traditional yet with a nouvelle flair. Quesadillas are stuffed with Oaxaca cheese and zucchini blossoms, Chilean seabass comes with grilled cilantro shrimp and cactus salad, and grilled lobster and shrimp are marinated in achiote paste and served with a watercress salad. This is upscale Mexican at its finest.

Pancho Villa's Taqueria

3071 16th St
Mexican
Mission District

Pancho Villa's offers a huge selection of tacos and burritos, all at very reasonable prices. There are ten kinds of burritos, some spicy and three different kinds of tortillas to wrap them in: whole wheat, white or red chile flour. Tacos come in fresh corn tortillas and the salsas are many, and delcious as well. Counter service is friendly and helpful and the great prices are perfect for large parties or families with kids. The dining area is basic but filled with lots of local artists' work to enjoy during your meal.

Mozzarella di Bufala Pizzeria

2114 Fillmore Street
Pizza
Pacific Heights

The locals love this place because you can sit outside, even in bad weather (there are heatlamps) and people watch. They also love it because there is every kind of pizza and calzone imaginable on the menu. But the real secret of this restaurant is the Brazilian specialties. Black beans, smoked chicken, and okra in saffron sauce are tempting and certainly off the beaten path.

AQUA

252 California Street
Seafood
Union Square

AQUA is located on California Street in the heart of San Francisco's bustling Financial District. The contemporary American design, combining a relaxed yet elegant ambiance, has set the stage for Chef Michael Mina's imaginative menu. His intensely flavorful and creative seafood cooking has earned him a reputation as one of the nation's most respected and influential chefs.

Farrallon

450 Post Street @ Mason
Seafood
Union Square

Named for the windswept islands off the coast of San Francisco, Farallon, the restaurant created by restaurateur/designer Pat Kuleto and chef Mark Franz, opened June 10, 1997. The restaurant provides the perfect backdrop for Chef Mark Franz, who, for some time, has wanted to more fully explore a culinary area he describes as "coastal cuisine." He created a menu at Farallon that features his sophisticated and innovative preparations of fish from fresh and salt waters around the world. Complemented by farm fresh products and his meat and game dishes, his food clearly reflects his classic French training as well as his long-standing devotion to American cooking. Farallon, chosen by the James Beard Foundation, as well as national publications such as Bon Appetit, as one of the best new restaurants in the country.

Hyde Street Seafood House & Raw Bar

1509 Hyde St.
Seafood
Russian Hill

This 15 year old neighborhood restaurant has a warm cozy atmosphere and a nautical decor that'll put you right in the mood for their famous New England clam chowder - perfect for a cool foggy day. The raw bar offers a wide selection of local shellfish. They are also known for their fish prepared "en papillote" baked in parchment with fresh herbs, vegetables, white wine and lemon.

Andalu

3198 16th St
Spanish
Mission District

The Mission seems to be the place to attract the hot new eateries. Andalu is becoming one of the places to see and be seen. Not to mention the delicious tapas, the impressive wine list (including 35 by the glass, a few fragrant sangrias and lots of half bottles for just tasting). The must try list includes the ahi tartare tacos, the smoky glazed chicken skewers, the mushroom pot pie and the spring rolls. But you must save room for dessert. Their sinfully delicious donut holes are the talk of the town.

Little Thai

2065 Polk St.
Thai
Russian Hill

Great prices and really good food keep locals coming back to Litle Thai. Start with the egg rolls but leave room for your main course because the portions are very generous. There are many choices and there is a great selection of vegetarian dishes. Can be crowded on weekends.

Slanted Door

584 Valencia St.
Vietnamese
Mission District

Slanted Door has been one of the "it" restaurants for a few years and its popularity shows no signs of waning. Reservations are essential and should be made a couple of weeks in advance - no kidding. The soft green velveteen banquettes give the restaurant a cozy feel without taking away from the ultra hip atmosphere. The cuisine, although Vietnamese in origin has Mediterranean undertones. Try the garlic "shaking beef" or the claypot chicken but don't forget dessert - like banana hazelnut streusel.