The Best San Francisco Restaurants

The market at Swan's by http://www.flickr.com/photos/cygnoir/33164576/

This is a San Francisco favorite and a local secret. The restaurant has been family-owned and operated since 1912 and offers top-quality local and imported seafood. Of course, the oysters are the house specialty. Get a variety plate with a few oysters of each type they sell and you won't be sorry you waited in line for half an hour to get in this tiny, classic eatery.

1517 Polk St
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 673-1101

For an amazing steak and drool-inducing sides, stop by Izzie's. This favorite offers some of the best creamed spinach in all of California, moist, juicy steaks and great pork chops loaded with cinnamon apples. For an extra bit of fun and flavor, the walls are loaded with sauces of all kinds from all over the world.

3345 Steiner Street
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 563-0487
www.izzyssteaks.com

Bhuna Gosht Curry

Shalamar offers fantastic Indian cuisine full of spice and flavor. The goat curries are exquisite, perfectly gamey to match the spiciness of the curry sauce. Do yourself a favor and get some naan bread and lots of water to help cool your mouth after things get to be too hot. There are two San Francisco locations.

532 Jones Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 928-0333

1409 Polk Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 776-4642
www.shalimarsf.com/

While most people cling to Chinatown hoping to hit the one authentic spot that is actually popular with the Chinese locals, most of these restaurants are a bust. To get the really good stuff, your best bet is to leave this area all together and grab some Chinese food only eaten by San Francisco locals. Schezaun Taste Restaurant is just that. This small restaurant on Taraval Street has great Chinese food at an outstanding price. You know it's good when you see practically all the guests speaking Mandarin to one another. The seafood chow mien can't be missed and is loaded with calamari, shrimp and more.

917 Taraval St
San Francisco, CA 94116
(415) 681-8383

If you're in the mod for some fine Italian food, stop by this hole-in-the-wall pizza joint. The pesto chicken pizza has the ultimate blend of juicy chicken, tomato sauce, thick gooey cheese and perfect pesto. Prices are affordable and the location is convenient for anyone on the West side of the city.

2415 19th Ave
San Francisco, CA, 94116
(415) 661-2222
www.seniorespizza.com/

Even people who like Middle Eastern food still have rarely tried shawarma, a sandwich made of lamb, flat bread and a variety of toppings. Yumma's has some of the best, and only, shawarmas in the city. For vegetarians, there are also quite a few excellent entrees here, including stuffed grape leaves, loaded salads and more.

721 Irving Street
San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 682-0762

Rosamunde Sign by http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/3385145792/

While sausage restaurants are rarely included in best of lists, Rosamunde is a notable exception. The sausage is in no way run of the mill. The owner of the grill makes his own sausages and constantly experiments with new flavors. Some of his most successful creations include duck and fig sausage and chicken and cherry sausage. Aside from the quality meats (and substitute meats for you vegetarians out there), there are also a number of tasty toppings for your sausages including curry ketchup, wasabi mustard, sweet peppers, grilled onions and more.

545 Haight Street
San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 437-6851

Hot Cookie at Castro by http://www.flickr.com/photos/crash-candy/2361955328/

When you're ready for dessert, stop by Castro Street and grab a cookie. Hot Cookie offers some of the best, most moist cookies in the city. Plus, you can get some great novelty gifts for your friends in the form of chocolate-dipped erotic macaroon cookies.

407 Castro Street
San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 621-2350