San Franciscos Hidden Restaurant Gems

San Francisco is a multicultural epicenter that has hundreds of places to visit, to shop and to enjoy a variety of ethnic cuisine. The best way to truly enjoy this eclectic city and to have a memorable experience when in the Bay Area is to go off the beaten path. By getting away from the usual tourist hangouts and exploring the various neighborhoods you can take pleasure in some genuine tasty cuisine.

The best way to find these hidden gems is to ask people that you encounter along your travels through this diverse city. Whether it is a taxi driver, a shop owner or hotel receptionist, any of these people would be happy to tell you where to find the best bars and restaurants. Below you will find just a very small sampling of what can be found here.

 Little Star Pizza-This jewel is well hidden in a dismal strip mall on bustling Divisadero Street. The décor is not much to look at with its low ceilings, juke box and dark colored walls. However, they turn out some of the best pizza in town. It can be crowded at times and a little loud, but it is well worth it when you sink your teeth into their delicious pizza pie. The pizza here has a thin, crisp crust topped with a zesty sauce, and your chosen toppings and cheese. Their pizza is like a slice of heaven.

Café Claude– This gem is located between the financial district and Union Square. You will think you stepped into a Parisian café in Paris. The décor is vintage Paris with its period travel posters and vintage tables. Café Claude is unpretentious and has been a neighborhood mainstay for years. You can enjoy the ambience and lively atmosphere seated outdoors in the heated patio or nestled inside in a cozy banquette. They serve daily lunch specials including onion soup gratinée. In the evenings you can savor the classic French dish, coq au vin in delectable red wine port sauce. This is a great place to join friends or to enjoy a great meal after a day of shopping and sightseeing.

Eiji Japanese Restaurant– This treasure is in the Castro neighborhood on Sanchez Street. It can be a little hard to find since it is right in the middle of the residential neighborhood. You wouldn’t expect to find a place that serves tasty Japanese fare here. If you love sushi and want to try some of the best soup noodles around, look no further than Eiji Japanese Restaurant. This place is very clean and the décor may be sparse but the tofu dishes and other specialties are very flavorful and lively. This is a very relaxed place that you can take pleasure in a wide selection of sashimi, sushi and chirashi.

The Bay Area is truly an exceptional place to visit and explore. Besides the traditional attractions such as the Golden Gate Bridge or Alcatraz, you can enjoy unique dining experiences here. To get a true San Francisco experience explore the local neighborhoods for out of the way bars and restaurants. You can immerse yourself in the local culture and experience the Bay Area like a local.