Food and drink

Founded in 1849 as a coffee stand in the Financial District (when the Financial District was still a series of wharfs), Tadich Grill is San Francisco’s oldest restaurant. “At least half of this menu goes back 100 years,” says current owner Mike Buich – that’s around the time that his grandfather took over the restaurant. Signature dishes include Australian lobster tail and cioppino, a seafood stew traditionally made by fishermen. 

Stepping through Rintaro’s wooden gate, which chef and owner Sylvan Mishima Brackett made himself, is like stepping out of the US and into Japan. Brackett designed the space in partnership with Frost Tsuji Architects. The result reflects the traditional approach to craftsmanship that he inherited from his father, who studied as a Japanese temple architect before emigrating. The restaurant interior features clay walls that were packed by hand and a bar top made from a single slab of cedar. Brackett’s cooking is informed by the years he spent as Alice Waters’ assistant at Chez Panisse. Nosh on sashimi and yakitori while you wait for the main act: a big bowl of hand-rolled udon with fresh accoutrements. 

The duo behind Tartine Bakery opened the Manufactory as more than a restaurant: the bread served at both establishments is made in the onsite dough room and proofing chamber. The rest of the Manufactory menu is brought to life in a minimalist kitchen. Breakfast, lunch and dinner include bread-focused options such as a brioche jam bun, a crème fraîche omelette-sandwich and smørrebrød, while the wine list celebrates natural methods. 

Wise Sons’ original lunch joint opened in 2010 on 24th Street but the Jewish deli reached its current acclaim after setting up a bagel shop in 2016. For a sit-down midday meal head to the original location or, for arguably the best bagel in town, try the Fillmore Street bakery. For the full California bagel experience, order yours “dragged through the garden” – that’s to say with layers of greens, radishes, cucumber and pickled onion. 

While freelancers congregate at Sightglass’s Soma flagship with laptops in tow, intimate conversations prevail in this second outpost, nestled on one of the Mission District’s most charming blocks. It has a decidedly neighbourly feel and the coffee is roasted on-site, using a German Probat that’s a petite version of the one in the original location. The chic clientele make for great people-watching, so cosy up on the tufted leather banquette with one of the signature filter coffees for a picturesque slice of the Mission life.