By: Kat Bein By: Kat Bein | October 21, 2024 | Food & Drink,
The Golden City’s cultural riches spill over to its food scene, as deep and diverse as the Bay.
San Francisco holds an abundance of culinary secrets for takeout fans, each neighborhood a worldly trove. From the Castro’s rainbow array to the Fillmore’s soul-warming fare, SF delivers hot and satisfying eats across the map.
See also: The Ultimate 2023 New San Francisco Restaurant Guide
Transform your living room into a culinary hot spot as you journey through some of San Francisco’s most adored restaurants, all available for takeout. They represent the spirit of San Francisco, the vibrant mix of cultures, and, yes, an unabashed love for indulgence.
From neighborhood gems slinging tacos to Michelin-starred destinations, these are San Francisco’s nine most popular spots for takeout and delivery.
919 Kearny St.; 415-421-1429 / Website
Owned and operated by Peter and Lily Fang who came to San Francisco from Shanghai in 1980, this fun and flavor-forward establishment offers Chinese food favorites from fried pork potstickers to its namesake sesame chicken, noodles, pork confit eggrolls, "famous" crispy honey beef with bok choy and more.
652 Polk St.; 415-345-8100 / Website
Fried chicken and beignets are Brenda Buenviaje’s specialties at this Tenderloin hot spot known for mixing French-style techniques with New Orleans soul. Open for brunch, lunch and dinner, you can never go wrong with an order of chicken and waffles paired with a fluffy, powdered sugar-dusted beignet.
309 Clement St.; 415-387-2147 / Website
An absolute Bay Area classic, this original location on Clement Street is perfect for those evenings when you want something warm, comforting and full of flavor. The rainbow-hued tea leaf salad is a must, as is the popular samusa soup stuffed with broken-up falafels, lentils, cabbage and onions.
536 Divisadero St.; 415-840-1500 / Website
Handmade pita wraps stuffed with spit-fired meat, like Freebird all-natural chicken or Thomas Farms lamb leg, are the move at this Greek sandwich shop. Pair it with a Horiatiki salad loaded with feta. Souvla actually has a few locations around the city, so check to see the closest to you.
Various Locations / Website
In the running for SF’s best pizza pies, Delfina turns out blistered, chewy-crusted beauties topped with broccoli raab, housemade fennel sausage and other seasonal delights. Start with the insalata di campo, and you’re in for one flavorful right.
4416 18 St.; 415-626-4416 / Website
In the Castro, Mama Ji’s packs flavor-bursting Chinese. The Har Gow shrimp dumplings and Shanghai pork dumplings are two of the most popular bites on the menu, but you simply must try the Kung Pao tofu or chicken, and if you’re cool with Sichuan’s mouth-numbing spices, do not miss the hot and numbing fish.
3091 16 St.; 415-431-4232 / Website
Down in the Mission, Panchita’s #2 does right by genuine homemade Salvadorian specialties to go. Pupusas are in the name, so you can’t leave without trying one of these thick griddle cakes stuffed with delicious pork, chicken, beef, spicy sausage, beans or more. The rest of the menu is delightful, with a variety of soups, breakfast favorites, signature dishes of bistek Salvadorena and carne asade, sides from queso frito to tamals, and more.
1001 Minnesota St.; 415-824-4224 / Website
Dogpatch favorite Piccino builds its reputation on seasonal Californian ingredients, which keeps the antipasti, pizza and pasta bursting with flavor. The takeout menu isn't as robust as the seated offerings, but you can't go wrong with Tuscan focaccia on the couch with a side of burrata, some hearty pastas or meatballs, and top-notch pizza.
919 Dicisadero St.; 415-926-8657 / Website
How do you know this place didn’t come to play? It has a whole section on the menu for beignets, of which there are 11 options. The Southern offerings here are off the charts, from the biscuits and gravy to Big Mamas spicy chicken sandwich. The Low Country gumbo is a must, the watermelon sweet tea is divine, and the shrimp po boys can’t be missed—and that doesn’t even cover the ample sides!
515 Valencia St.; 415-863-8205 / Website
This taqueria started as a small neighborhood joint and transformed into a food legend. The owner claims to be the original inventor of the “Mission style burrito,” and the burritos truly are the star. Try the carne asada, steak, veggie, chicken, super and more.
The city is yours to explore, and culinary treasures await around every corner. If you’re in the mood to sit a spell, try one of our favorite spots for brunch in San Francisco, or just stop by one of the city’s best cake shops to pair your takeout with a sweet treat.
Photography by: 10'000 Hours / Getty