The latest addition to our Power Ranking Of Every Two-Word SF Restaurant That Starts With Dumpling? Dumpling King in the Richmond. Anything in a wrapper that’s been boiled, steamed, and pan-fried is solid, especially the shengjianbao with thick, golden-brown bottoms. But don’t come with dumpling blinders on—the entrees and fresh noodle dishes also deserve your attention. When in doubt, go for the zhajiang mien in a silky black bean sauce. This Clement St. spot is also set up for a late-ish night big group hang until 11pm—a rarity in the neighborhood.

While you certainly won’t be disappointed by the juicy kebabs and doner at Turquaz in SoMa, you’ll be thoroughly impressed by the pastries and desserts. The turquoise-hued Turkish restaurant and bakery houses a pastry case half the length of a city block, filled with traditional Turkish desserts like malaga and over a dozen types of baklava, as well as other sweets like chocolate cake and tres leches. A visit here is a test in restraint—everything staring back at you behind the glass is just as good as it seems. 

We’re a city of innovation. Cars drive themselves, robots can give you manicures, and, for better or worse, sushi has been supersized into burritos. But Taffi’s Cafe in Noe Valley is a refreshing reminder that sometimes, all SF needs is a spot that doesn’t want to try anything new. Taffi's serves almost cartoonishly large portions of breakfast and brunch classics. The egg-and-sausage burritos could anchor a ship at Aquatic Cove, and waffles disappear under a mound of melted chocolate and marshmallow fluff. And the best part? There’s rarely ever a wait.

Arsicault’s Mission Rock location proves why the French bakery continues to run SF's croissant scene. Just like the original, their new standing-room-only spot draws early morning lines for its flaky almond, chocolate, and ham and cheese croissants, plus a selection of buttery kouign amann and bostock. Fortunately, the wait moves quickly—and if you need a place to enjoy your haul, there’s plenty of public seating outside and you’re just minutes away from China Basin Park. 

Hot, new French restaurants have been showing up all over (looking at you, Verjus and Bon Délire) but none do seafood like Caché. The Inner Sunset spot is already a neighborhood destination, where you’ll see dates in the low-lit dining room splitting flaky skate, beef carpaccio topped with chopped oysters, and an olive oil-kissed sea bream sashimi served inside the fish it came from. If you can’t snag a reservation, they also save space for walk-ins. 

After a two-year hiatus, Turtle Tower is back—this time in the Financial District—and SF’s chicken noodle soup drought is finally over. Their gigantic bowls of phở gà are as good as ever, with the same deeply layered broth and tender strips of chicken that will trigger deja vu for the experienced and convert newcomers into devotees. The new space (formerly Barbacco) trades the lowkey vibe from their old SoMa outpost for a more lively and upscale dining room with loud Vietnamese pop, plus a menu with updated options like a solid bún thang. Lines form before the doors open, so plan to get here early, but waits do go by quickly as most people are in and out in about half an hour.

Papa Noodle keeps it simple with just four things on the menu, and that’s exactly why we love it. This casual SoMa spot serves noodle bowls with pork or tofu, plus fried chicken wings and crispy tofu on the side. Prioritize the vegan Loma Noodle, packed with ginger, garlic, and caramelized onions, and throw in an order of the Win-Win Wings. Your order is usually ready in under 10 minutes, and there’s a free Pac-Man machine with a high score to beat while you wait. While Papa Noodle is well situated for a grab-and-go weekday lunch, we’d be happy to make the trip here for a bowl of handmade noodles even if it wasn’t a Wednesday afternoon between meetings.

Cassava has been on one of those self-discovery journeys since debuting. First as a fantastic Japanese breakfast spot in the Outer Richmond in 2012 and then pivoting to a French bistro-style menu in North Beach. Now, Cassava’s third rendition in Jackson Square serves solid konbini-style sandwiches on milk bread, hard-to-find onigirazu with slabs of housemade Spam, and Japanese rice plates. But the real draw is its courtyard location—just a refrigerated display case and tiny kiosk in an outdoor space surrounded by brick buildings. Escape here when you need a moment to remind yourself that you’re not just another office drone.

Piccino brings excellent pizzas and pastas to the Presidio. The Cal-Ital dishes, which rotate with the seasons, are worthy of a cross-town trip on a clogged 28. Any of the pies with the extra thin crust ensure you’ll leave happy, but if you see the buttery chiocciole with braised kale and a sweet-peppery sausage, go for it. The revamped space (the old Sessions) now has a long bar, sleek drop lights, and floral arrangements straight out of a bespoke barn wedding, ideal for an elegant dinner with visiting relatives or a long Friday lunch. 

Paper Son makes a compelling case to permanently change your morning routine. Replace your usual drip with a frothy pandan aerocano or a fizzy guava puree foam-topped coffee with a hit of Li Hing powder. Follow it up with equally excellent pastries made daily by a Jina Bakes alum (Wednesdays to Fridays only). The chewy black sesame chocolate chip cookies, butter-packed sogeum-ppang, and extra-soft miso everything scones have quickly become our favorite breakfast.

After five years as a pop-up, Smish Smash has landed a permanent spot at Saluhall and is serving smashburgers featuring steamrolled patties with lacy, crunchy edges that spill out of their buns. The menu is simple but effective, with the Cheeseboiga and OG as standouts. Pair your burger with seasoned curly fries and finish strong with banana pudding—a creamy, Nilla wafer-filled dream. Just be ready for a wait during prime lunch and dinner hours.

Unlike most, this sequel is actually worth an hour of your time. The Chinatown location of Outta Sight nails the same New York-ish style pizzas as the original, and this outpost brings with it new additions, including grandma slices that swap their usual tomato sauce with butter chicken or Peking duck and hoisin. While the creative specials are well-executed, it can be hard to beat a classic—we’re always pulled towards the consistently fantastic pepperoni with curly meat cups, fresh basil, and bubbly, foldable crust. There’s no seating here, so try and stake a claim to the standing counter. It’s a great place to admire the pizza-themed art and stained glass Pizza Hut lamp (did we mention that this place serves pizza?). Or just take your slices to nearby Portsmouth Square. 

Deli World changed hands in 2024 and is now Ocean Subs—the maker of the best sub sandwiches in the city. There’s nothing fancy going on at this small Excelsior sandwich shop, just sandwiches inflated with salty cold cuts and balanced out by shredded lettuce, slices of red onion, pickles, and a tangy herb vinaigrette that could have its own scented candle. Order from their four-option menu or make your own tuna melt on toasted dutch crunch.

When you want to drink your meal, follow the scent of bubbling chowder to Rusty Ladle. The Outer Sunset counter sticks to two things: soups and sandwiches (but mostly soup), and it nails them both. Scooch into a bar stool, discuss the latest fog patterns with the friendly staff, and prepare for quality time with a liquid lunch. There’s always a chowder and a slightly sweet tomato soup on the menu, plus rotating specials. But be sure to throw in a Shmelty—an inside-out grilled cheese with lacy cheese edges—for dipping. 

Smashburger enthusiasts no longer have to cross the Bay Bridge to get their hands on the ones from Lovely’s—the beloved Oakland restaurant has landed in Cole Valley, sharing a space with Woods. The family-friendly spot is a welcome addition to the neighborhood, thanks in large part to the lacy-edged patties and thick, hand-cut fries. Get the Drive Thru, which is an extra decadent knockout with schmaltz onion and a patty blanketed in melty cheese. This outpost of Woods also has a spacious patio that does the trick for bigger birthday parties or impromptu weeknight debriefs, plus some tables and booths inside for sprawling out with a glass of orange or a frosty pint of hibiscus ale.

Verjus is back, and it’s just as excellent as it was before it closed in 2020. This candle-lit Jackson Square wine bar—from the Cotogna and Quince team—will inevitably transform “just one glass” of after-work wine or a pre-date night drink into a long, relaxed dinner over duck confit with creamy lentils, a silky Boursin omelette, and bread with slabs of fancy imported butter you’ll want to smuggle home. Just make sure to end any meal here with the custardy pain perdu topped with vanilla ice cream. Online reservations are rare, so try your luck by walking in at 5pm when the kitchen opens. You can always hang out at the bar with a glass or two of low-intervention wine while you wait.