San Francisco is a small and densely packed city famous for its food scene – but it’s mostly geared towards adults.
I recommend the below eateries for eating out with kids while noting that I find dining out in San Francisco really expensive, other than take-away, street food. Every time I sit down it costs me no less than US$30 for one person (and often up to US$100 for two people) including tax and tip.
1. La Taqueria
Enjoy cheap, filling and tasty burritos from possibly the most famous burrito stall in America – La Taqueria. The Mission-style burrito is filled with meat, cheese, beans, homemade hot sauce, salsa, and no rice. Wash it down with the strawberry agua fresca.
La Taqueria, 2889 Mission St, San Francisco
2. Golden Gate Bakery
I’m walking around Chinatown and keep seeing people holding pink cake boxes – so I join the line in front of Golden Gate Bakery. Their egg tarts are OUT OF THIS WORLD and while they sell other baked goods from the dowdy shopfront YOU MUST GET THE EGG TARTS. Eat them fresh and hot on the street!
As Golden Gate Bakery’s opening hours are a bit of a lottery there’s even a Facebook page dedicated to finding out ‘Is the Golden Gate Bakery Open Today?’.
Golden Gate Bakery, 1029 Grant Ave, San Francisco
3. Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Company
Did you know that the fortune cookie was invented in San Francisco? You can still them being made by hand today at the tiny Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Company in the heart of Chinatown.
Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Company, 56 Ross Aly, San Francisco
4. Ghirardelli Square
When you’re in Fisherman’s Wharf break for a sweet treat at Ghirardelli Square. Enjoy massive soda fountain treats, shakes and sundaes and browse the adjoining chocolate shop. Though for my money I think you’ll find much better chocolate and a much more pleasant chocolate experience at Dandelion.
Ghirardelli Square, 900 North Point St, San Francisco
5. Craftsman and Wolves
I’ve got to say, breakfast/brunch in San Francisco is nothing compared to what you get in Melbourne. But where they do excel in is baked goods.
Craftsman and Wolves is a hip cafe selling out of ‘The Rebel Within’. I don’t usually like savoury muffins but this – a fluffy savoury sausage, cheese and green onion cake with a soft-boiled egg inside – is incredible and actually worth the $8.25. It’s also next door to the delectable Dandelion Chocolate.
Craftsman and Wolves, 746 Valencia St, San Francisco,(415) 913-7713
Dandelion Chocolate, 740 Valencia St (at 18th), San Francisco (415) 349-0942
6. Tartine
Another contender for great baked goods is Tartine. I visit both their tiny Euro-style cafe Tartine Bakery as well as the airy Tartine Manufactory. I prefer the latter for the larger range of menu items, stunning interior decoration and more room to manoeuvre a pram and kids.
Tartine Bakery, 600 Guerrero Street San Francisco, 415 487 2600
Tartine Manufactory, 595 Alabama Street, San Francisco
7. Ferry Building Marketplace
Ferry Building Marketplace is a foodies’ paradise with the city’s best artisan producers located all in one place. I highly recommend the empanadas from El Porteno and ice creams from Humphry Slocombe.
The farmers market on Saturday mornings is the city’s biggest farmers market (and SF has more farmers markets per capita than any other US city). It’s worth visiting to see, smell and taste local produce.
We even get a little poem typed up on the spot for Baby 2.0’s birthday.
Ferry Building Marketplace, One Ferry Building, San Francisco 415.983.8030
8. The Market at Twitter HQ
At the bottom of Twitter’s headquarters is The Market, a designer food hall showcasing local produce and gourmet supermarket. A great place for cheap, tasty takeaway and to buy gourmet goodies to take home.
The Market, 1355 Market Street San Francisco
9. Boudin Bakery
Boudin is the home of San Francisco sourdough and their flagship is at Fisherman’s Wharf. If you have kids who can read you may enjoy the free museum upstairs that describes the history of San Francisco and the origins of Boudin in the city. You can also peer down at the bakers working in the kitchen. The dining room upstairs has stunning views over the bay.
Food-wise THE dish to eat is Boudin’s clam chowder served inside a sourdough bowl. The creamy soup is not to everyone’s taste but it is reasonably priced, especially if you eat all of your bowl! They also have a kids menu.
Boudin at the Wharf 160 Jefferson St. 415-928-1849
10. Japantown
We accidentally stumble upon Japantown and am charmed by the small area filled with Japanese eateries and shops. Try the tayaki-filled ice cream cones at Uji Time and the ramen at Waraku.
When you’re done eating browse the large Daiso, which is cheaper than Australia’s $2.80 price tag even with the exchange rate!
Uji Time, 22 Peace Plaza, #440, San Francisco, CA 94115 (628) 444-3003
Waraku, 1638 Post St. San Francisco,CA 94115 (415) 292-3388
11. Yum Cha
I’m told by a Chinese foodie friend that the best yum cha in SF is not actually in the city – Koi Palace is in Daly City, 30 minutes away.
If you are in the city then I recommend the delicious but pricey Yank Sing. An extensive yum cha lunch for two plus tax and tip cost around $100. Highly recommend their steamed pork buns, egg tarts, har gow and chilli sauce, which sadly you can’t buy to take home.
Koi Palace, Serramonte Plaza, 365 Gellert Blvd, Daly City, CA 94015 (650) 992-9000
Yank Sing, Rincon Center, 101 Spear St, San Francisco, CA 94105
12. Lemonade
Lemonade is a Californian chain of bright upscale cafes with salads, sides, hot and cold mains and desserts. It’s like a pick-and-mix salad bar where everything is made fresh daily – and you don’t have to drink lemonade if you don’t want to!
There are several locations within SF including at Yerba Buena, making it a great pitstop after Children’s Creativity Museum or San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
Lemonade Yerba Buena, 781 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94013 415-522-0191
Reader recommendations:
13. Off the grid food trucks
Every Friday night food trucks park at Fort Mason Center selling tacos, curry, creme brulee and everything in between.
Off the Grid, Fort Mason Centre, 2 Marina Blvd, Building C370, San Francisco 415.339.5888
14. Foreign Cinema
A SF institution which serves ‘fine-dining’ style food while screening vintage movies on a big screen. They have a kids prix fixe menu at brunch (veggie and fruit to start; pasta, chicken, or steak; and ice cream to finish) which comes with crayons and colouring in.
Foreign Cinema, 2534 Mission St, San Francisco (415) 648-7600
15. Baby Blues BBQ
Southern BBQ restaurant with toys, games, and a creative crafts table in the dedicated Kids Korner plus chicken strips, hot dogs, or sliders for the kids.
Baby Blues BBQ , 3194 Mission St.
16. Squat and Gobble
Large portions, high chairs, changing table and one kid’s meal free with every adult entree on Monday to Thursday after 5 p.m.
Squat & Gobble Cafe & Crepery 1 West Portal Ave, San Francisco, CA 94127 (415) 665-9900
17. Park Chalet
Park Chalet is near Golden Gate Park with views of the Pacific Ocean and offers and an indoor/outdoor dining experience that offers music and picnicking options on the weekends.
Park Chalet, 1000 Great Hwy, San Francisco, CA 94121 (415) 386-8439
18. Rigolo Cafe
French cafe with a play area filled with toys, crayons, and a chalkboard.
Rigolo Cafe, Laurel Village, 3465 California St., (415) 876-7777
Click here for my Top 23 things to do with kids in San Francisco
