Chez Panisse

Come here for sustainable, organic, and healthy Mexican food. Their simple cocktail list offers a straightforward margarita and paloma, plus blue-bottle coffee for abstainers.

The original teeny stand on Cow Hollow's main drag (and all the locations that followed) is operated by three surfer dude brothers and is home to high-quality organic, cold-pressed juice extracted using a hydraulic press and sold in cute bottom-heavy glass bottles, which you can bring back for the deposit. Stands and juice tucks are popping up all over and they now offer delivery as well.

The guys behind Asha are unabashedly obsessed with all varieties and types of tea. In fact, they're so into tea that they actually MacGyver-ed their own pour-over device that steeps their blends for the perfect amount of time; plus, you'll drink it out of a mug or cup specifically designed for your tea. The roomy space, with its tall ceilings and long linen lanterns, is a lovely place to spend an afternoon. The Berkeley flagship is a classic, though they just opened a second location Downtown.

With brick-and-mortar locations all over San Francisco, The Plant Cafe is always a solid standby for fresh, healthy takeout. Their signature vegan cleanse program provides clean, whole foods or juice for up to five days. Great for easing into a juice-only cleanse, the "The Health Nut" starts out with green juices, followed by fresh salads and a gentle soup for dinner. There are pickups in every neighborhood, in addition to delivery.

Chef Dominique Crenn is equal parts poet and chef, as evidenced by the creative titles of her tasting menu, which includes dishes like "the sea" or "walk in the forest." She’s also known for inventive presentation—expect lots of props, like dishes with glass panels, or mossy branches, to adorn your meal. The private room makes for a lovely space for a private meal.

This two-year-old startup is set up to offer meal delivery in 15 minutes. But that's where the corner cutting ends: All meals, which skew healthy but not diet, are chef-prepared (they’ve been known to invite local big-name chefs to guest star in Sprig kitchens) using strictly organic produce and sustainable meats and seafood. As of right now, deliveries are made throughout San Francisco, Palo Alto, and most recently, Chicago—but expansions are coming soon.

Luke’s mission is as simple as it is admirable: to make life easier for busy professionals, working moms, stay-at-home dads, and everyone in between. There are meal plans and pre-packed lunchboxes—all prepped by professional chefs using nutritious, sustainable ingredients (there’s even a house butcher, so you know exactly where your meat comes from) and curated meal kits if you’re feeling ambitious. They’ll also stock your pantry and fridge with à la carte groceries or seasonal “bundles,” and can also deliver gourmet care packages, which make for a great gift.

Native Juice Co. has been a farmers market vendor for years, but it wasn't until recently that they opened their first-ever brick and mortar Downtown. Native sources their ingredients and builds their menu around food grown organically in California. Their ingredients are never pre-juiced in order to keep the nutritional integrity and fresh taste of their products intact. We've been fans for years, since they generously shared recipes with us for the annual detox.

Basik got its start on the big island in Hawaii, where their original location is based (the Nob Hill store is actually their first location on the mainland), and from the staff to the menu, it definitely has an island vibe. The menu here offers souped-up acai bowls with add-ins like almond mylk, almond butter, bee pollen, and all kinds of fresh fruit, plus a full line-up of smoothies. Conveniently located on Polk Street, it's an easy stop before work or after a workout.

As Quoted is gorgeously clean and white, with a long marble bar and warm brass chandeliers hanging from the ceilings. And the menu has the added value that everything is delicious, healthy, and allergy conscious—excellent lattes (even a turmeric option), a smoked salmon sandwich on gluten-free bread, and a kale and avocado salad are all excellent picks. Plus, it's really easy to take meals to-go.

The adorable origin story behind Living Greens follows the relationship between founders Brian and Michelle, who started writing juice recipes together when they were first dating. More than seven years later, their juice cleanses are some of the best in SF. Living Greens has a strong sustainability component to their business, serving all organic produce and working with local farms on top of operating a virtually zero waste kitchen. Plus, every quarter they donate a portion of their profits to a different nonprofit organization.

Project Juice's little shops, which are in San Francisco and Southern California, make fresh juice and cleanses, but the real game-changer is their test kitchen, which also has a menu of clean, vegetable-based whole meals. Breakfast is particularly strong with smoothies and bowls both on offer.

There's something incredibly comforting about the old-school, down-to-earth health store vibe of Judahlicious, especially in San Francisco. The primarily raw, vegan dishes are packed full of classic health foods like sunflower seeds, sprouts, and avocado. Local favorites include the vegan pancakes, the "Dark Side of the Shroom" mushroom dish, the ridiculously good Dahnu wrap (basically a veggie wrap with almond pate), and the excellently named No Shirt, No Shoes rice bowl.

Andrea Lembkey owns and operates this quaint second-floor space, where each treatment is leisurely and attentive. As a bonus, she performs some of the most potent, results-oriented laser facials on the market, as well as great waxes.

Brian Belier has created a super chill space evoking the Japanese notion of Wabi-sabi (loose translation: letting natural beauty shine, imperfections and all). And here, you feel it in both the décor—lots of salvaged wood and plants—and the cuts, which are cool and artfully shaggy so hair naturally falls in the right shape without looking over-styled. It's the perfect place to come after work as they serve beer. See Brian for cuts and Sylvie Simon for balayage highlights.

Any facialist worth their salt can make you glow after a treatment, but Kristina's aim is to bring skin into long-term balance. This means that each treatment begins with a thorough dissection of eating habits, skincare routine, and general lifestyle, and ends with a detailed homework assignment for everyday maintenance.

Sarah actually shares a space with waxing studio Habit, so the rooms here look kind of like a girl's bedroom: dimly lit, pastel-hued, and comfy (the treatment tables are covered in layers of blankets). Once you lie down, Sarah literally tucks you in before beginning the treatment, which is a combination of high-tech and natural elements. The microdermabrasion works wonders without feeling like your face is being sanded off.

Amber Woods was into herbal remedies and homeopathy before she switched gears to facials, which means that she's fully integrated when it comes to skin. She performs her "skin care rituals" (start with the pink light glow signature facial and build from there with a list of add-ons) out of a tiny storefront in Oakland where she also sells her 100% organic Pink Light Botanicals product line. She also offers waxing and tinting.

The Tata Harper Spa in San Francisco (the only spa of its kind) is tucked into the back of Credo, a clean beauty shop in Pacific Heights. They offer a variety of treatments using Harper's signature products, including hydration therapy, and even back facials, and in true Tata style, you'll snuggle up under a vintage quilt that's reminiscent of her Vermont farm. There's just one tiny room in the back of the shop, so book ahead, though they will take walk-ins.

It’s a sad fact that for many, acne doesn’t just magically disappear the day after high school graduation. As its name suggests, the specialty at the Acqua e Sapone Acne Clinic is treating adult acne, whether by way of hyper-targeted facial treatments or via their brilliant acne boot camp, which incorporates facials, a tailored product regimen, and skin coaching—essentially, a system for controlling acne long-term through diet.

Michele Holmes is the real deal when it comes to eyebrows. Though she’s been tweezer-proficient since high school, she took a few years to pursue a career in fashion before going pro. To master her craft, she trained with none other than the woman behind the now-famous “feathered brow” technique, Kristie Streicher (she of Striiike fame). Best part? She does house calls.

We love how this streamlined boutique exudes the perfect mix of rockstar edginess and eco-consciousness–the latter being obvious on its shelves that are stocked with some of our favorite natural beauty brands including Vintner's Daughter and Rahua. A full service salon anchors the space, where you can find some of the city's best colorists and stylists.

Shari Spakes’s philosophy centers on educating her clients about how to take care of their specific skin concerns and skin types at home, in addition to occasionally supplementing with professional treatments. She offers a range of options, from classic European-style facials to more targeted peels, which are rounded out by massages and body therapies.

Walk into this crisp white studio adorned with lush flowers, exquisite trinkets, and Monastery’s line of gorgeously scented, super-effective skincare, and instantly, you feel restored. A facial with founder and formulator Athena Hewett takes you to a new level, however: She customizes each step to your skin, deftly combining the traditional exfoliation, cleansing, and extractions with high tech treatments and ancient techniques. Athena’s personally trained every one of the expert estheticians on staff; you saunter out sculpted, glowing, and completely rejuvenated.

Michelle Bravo is a certified holistic massage therapist (HMT) and certified aromatherapist (CAT), two skills that she expertly combines in her signature treatments, which are all trademarked to her unique EOS technique. She's celebrated for a lymphatic massage that incorporates aromatherapy. Clients also love that Michelle is a kind, intuitive sounding board and love talking to her during their treatments—for the full experience, you can book her for a lifestyle coaching session.

Reiki and spiritual healing are definitely not for everyone, but if it's not your first alternative therapy rodeo, Tanya Corona is kind of a one-stop-shop. She's trained in Reiki, chakra clearing, and crystal and sound healing, and her healing activation sessions combine a little bit of everything.

Margaret Arent is a bit of an institution in San Francisco at this point—treating local celebrities like Alice Waters, she's been in practice for nearly 40 years. She practices five element acupuncture.

It's hard to find two people more geekily passionate about chiropractic care (in the best possible way) than Scott Levin and Jason Miller, which is a big part of whey PostureWorks is San Francisco's gold standard for anyone with back problems. In addition to their chiropractic practice, they both lecture frequently at UCSF Med Center and handle their nutritional clinic, Nutraworks.

What makes Michelle Graves' practice special (she does acupuncture and herbalism) is her focus on women; from prenatal to new moms to hormonal pain and imbalances, she's particularly in tune with issues that affect women specifically. Michelle learned Chinese herbalism and medicine during her graduate study in Zhejiang Province, where she studied gynecology, oncology, and women's health. Michelle also does cupping and fertility treatments.

The great thing about Psoas is that founders Jennifer Lighthouse and Scott Schwartz bring so many different types of massage under the same roof; they offer everything from neurokinetic therapy to orthopedic massage. They're particularly great for sports massage (Jennifer is a former gymnast and diver) and pre-and post-natal bodywork.

Retreat Acupuncture has an office in the coolest old building in Lower Pacific Heights; formerly the Green Brothers Eye Hopsital, it's now full of alternative healing practitioners. Retreat was founded by Julie Hackmann (who specializes in womens health), and she's got a roster of amazing women who all specialize in traditional Chinese medicine. Ask for Rachel Root for acupuncture.

When acupuncturists and other healers need bodywork, they go to Fred Mitouer. He does bodywork for all of the Buddhist priests in the area (seriously), using a variety of modalities. He's best known for a somatic therapy called Transformational Bodywork, where he combines deep therapy with an emotional release for lasting effects.

Juliana does acupuncture, cupping, herbal work, and fantastic massage. She's also well known for her excellent bedside manner; she's kind, warm, and a pleasure to be around, which makes the entire experience all the more pleasant.

Tempel Smith started studying Buddhism and meditation in 1989 and even spent a year in Burma as an ordained Theravadan monk; after which he studied in silence for nine months (talk about commitment). He also completed a four-year teacher training program at Spirit Rock, where he learned a particular brand of somatic healing called Somatic Experiencing that's a powerful healing tool for people with PTSD. Though Smith does Dharma teaching and much of his work has its foundation in Buddhist principles, his somatic healing methods are firmly secular.

As a dental technician, Julie Lynge wondered what was causing clients to grind their teeth. Curious to learn more about how the body is connected, Lynge began training in craniosacral therapy, deep tissue, and other massage methods and techniques in Copenhagen. Today, Lynge's clinic specializes in massage therapy that helps to resolve ailments ranging from TMJ, to migraines, headaches, and joint pain. Lynge also offers a "facelift massage," which focuses on relaxing tension in the face and stimulating circulation for fresher looking, and feeling, skin.

B-12 shot happy hours, lymphatic massage, rolfing, structural integration, acupuncture, cupping, dry brushing, craniosacral therapy...the treatment menu at this sprawling San Francisco institution reads like a detox how-to. They also offer a host of other options, including facials, waxing, and peels.

Nestled at the foot of the Golden Gate bridge, Fort Baker is spread out over acres of prime Sausalito real estate, which up until recently has been left at the mercy of the elements. Then in 2008 a hospitality group stepped in and teamed up with the National Park Service to completely restore and preserve the area. The resulting 142-room lodge, healing arts center, and spa, are spread out over a cluster of Colonial buildings that meet and exceed all of LEED's sustainability requirement.

No one really enjoys a trip to the waxer but a treatment here comes with cocktails and bump-free results, making a visit almost bearable. They use only natural waxes (both hard and soft) or a sugar, lemon, and water mixture that goes on warm and comes off sans breakage and with minimal discomfort. Each treatment room boasts a different theme—nautical, camping, beach—but not in a kitschy way.

This deceptively sweet-looking spa is actually pretty hardcore when it comes to anti-aging treatments. The Russian mother-daughter team who founded it in the late '70s rely on everything from LED light therapy to dermaplanting to microdermabrasion in their efforts to stave off wrinkles and discoloration. On a lighter note, there's also makeup application, waxing, and massage.

The word 'apothecary' gets thrown around a lot in reference to beauty shops, but this Mission store is in fact a real-deal apothecary, complete with shelves of medicinal herbs, natural remedies, and essential oils. It can be tough to make sense of it all, so thankfully the staff is knowledgeable and eager to help. For those looking to expand their horizons, there are informational books and a metaphysical department if you're into that sort of thing.

We love this sleek, supremely restful spa. The facials are superb; the In Fiore Facial starts with a deep cleanse, followed by their coveted Slap, Tap, and Roll facial massage and a brightening peel.. And we’re equally obsessed with Bright Eyes, a powerful collagen-supporting therapy for the undereye area that soothes and tightens. The lounge has a cozy fireplace, as well as organic teas and delightful chocolates to nosh on while relaxing. The outside deck, with its lounge chairs and incredible view of the bay, is a blissful way to ease back into reality post-treatment.

(Note: Revel & Rose is currently closed but reportedly opening back up soon.) We think the concept behind this one-stop-shop for beauty and wellness is genius: If you're booking in for colon hydrotherapy or an infrared heat session, why not get your nails done, too? The salon offers everything from waxes to spray tans to intuitive readings, which make memberships here extremely worthwhile, whether you're beautifying, detoxing, or both.

Situated inside The Scarlet Huntington Hotel, this spa has a Zen-like, indoor infinity pool (no diving/swimming laps here) that leads out onto an outdoor patio with a picturesque Nob Hill view. Inside, there are 10 treatment rooms for massages and other body treatments, facials, and manis and pedis, including a handful of services designed for the guys. Nob Hill Spa is also home to a gym, steam and sauna rooms, and a fireside lounge. Guests of the hotel have complimentary use of the spa, and visitors can purchase a facilities-only day pass Monday through Thursday.

This minimalist, Korean-style communal bathhouse has two separate spa areas, one for men and one for women. Bathing suits are optional but you'll likely find that most guests opt not to wear them. For an affordable price, you can get a four-hour pass to Imperial's hot jacuzzi, dry and steam saunas, and cold plunge. Their wet spa body treatments focus on various purification scrubs, wraps, and oil massages, while their dry spa fixates on acupressure-focused massages. One great thing about Imperial is the spa stays open late (until 10 p.m., with the saunas shutting down at 9:45 p.m.), so you can head there after the office on days that warrant it.

TMI actually makes getting a colonic not so rough. (For more on the nuts and bolts of colonics, see this colonics Q&A with Dr. Alejandro Junger, and check in with your doctor to see if they're right for you.) In addition to colonic sessions, which is obviously what TMI is known for, they also offer infrared sauna sessions.

The California Coastal trail is actually one giant mega-trail connecting Mexico to Oregon. For this segment in the Presidio (the park and former army base that make up a protected area around the Southern end of the Golden Gate Bridge), you'll walk a 2-3 mile stretch from Baker Beach to the Golden Gate Bridge along the rocky coastline. With views of the bay throughout, it's a gorgeous way to approach the bridge; plus, it's much less touristy than the other walking approach, which starts in Fisherman's Wharf. This route is a great little hike for wearing out the kids, and the Presidio offers a lot of other side trails, too, if you're hoping to string together a longer morning run.

Just across Highway 101 and over the Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Beach is an easy (but still totally idyllic) day trip from the city. The beach itself is a classic Northern California cove, with tall rocks and green hills on either side and boulders jutting up from the shallows—the surrounding area is home to plenty of wildlife, too. In the colder months, take the long pedestrian trail from the parking lot to the coastal trail and hike along the cliffs, which offer gorgeous views of the beachfront; be sure to pack layers, as winds can get cold. In the warmer months, it's perfect for sunbathing, and there's even a clothing-optional sunbathing and skinny dipping area past the line of rocks on the northernmost end of the beach. Afterwards, grab lunch at the Pelican Inn, a traditional English-style pub in the tiny nearby town.

Husband-and-wife duo Tim and Tara Dale co-founded the original Yoga Tree studio in 1999, and over the years have fully refined the offering—you'll hear modern playlists just as often as traditional Indian music, and there's a range of teaching styles on the menu, including Kundalini, Vinyasa, Hatha, and more. The studio also has a robust workshop and retreat program, plus well-respected teacher training for those who want to take their practice to the next level.

The Tennessee Valley is in the same direction as Muir Beach (over the Golden Gate bridge and along Highway 101), and its' encyclopedic list of hiking trails is another excellent way to explore the Golden Gate Recreation area. Advanced hikers can explore the hills around the valley while beginners and families can take the almost two-mile trek to a little cove—locals know it's best to time a hike with the low tide when you can actually see the shipwrecked engine of the SS Tennessee, which sunk near the beach in 1853. In the spring, the valley is home to gorgeous wildflowers, including buttercups and poppies, and in the summer and through early fall you can find fruit on the blackberry bushes. Remember: No dogs allowed.

The concept behind Ryan Allen’s 90-minute strength training class is brilliant in its simplicity: Small group strength training (no more than six people per session) means you get a ton of personal attention and the instructors can customize each individual exercise on the spot; the fifteen-minute cool-down includes a guided meditation to cement the mind-body connection.

While we're partial to this airy space because it’s set up mere steps from our San Francisco goop MRKT, the semi-private, private, and group class menu, which ranges from Pilates to barre to yoga, really is one of the best in town. They also offer one-on-one fascial stretch therapy—pretty game changing for anyone discovering the joys of fascia.

This local spot for full-body workouts offers intense choreographed classes. Their session roster has a little bit of everything: ballet barre with kickboxing and isometric strength exercises, conditioning with resistance bands and sandbags, a 60-minute prenatal "Salt Bump" cardio class, etc. You can pay per class, purchase a class pack (5, 10, 20 sessions), or sign up for a longer commitment—they have a discounted trial package for newcomers that's a nice option.

Oscar Sanin began his pilates practice as a way to heal his body from injuries sustained from a serious accident. In 2010, he founded Pilates Proworks along with his wife, Taylor Carter. They offer mat and reformer pilates classes, which use Proworks' own custom designed reformer machine, TheFitFormer, for seamless transitions during class sessions. They also have a handful of classes that mix pilates with other workout traditions and routines. Their matBox class combines mat pilates with kickboxing and yoga; another class combines pilates with barre. Proworks also has pre-natal and mommy-and-me classes, as well as a second location in the Marina.

Dance meets barre meets cardio at the COMPANY, which offers four weekly classes (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday). Their barre-focused class is 45 minutes long and combines elements of low-impact dance with body sculpting exercises, all set to music. COMPANY's other music-driven class is 60 minutes long and a mix of dance and high intensity cardio. Their studio is an awesome, bright, open, airy space in Presidio—but note that Sunday's class is currently held at Sweat Republic.

About an hour and a half north of San Francisco proper, Point Reyes is a popular day trip for great hiking and sea kayaking (there's also good camping here, though campsites can only be reached by foot so it's best to steer clear unless you have some backpacking experience). The park is famous for its historic lighthouse, which also happens to be an excellent place to whale watch and see elephant seals in the summer months. Point Reyes is home to some of the area's best hiking—we like to send first-timers to the Bear Valley Visitor Center, where you can find an education center and plenty of rangers to fill you in on interesting facts and help you get your bearings when it comes to the many hiking trails that leave from that point. History geeks might want to take a detour near the town of Inverness on the way up, where you can explore the beached remains of the SS Point Reyes, which shipwrecked in Tamale Bay more than 100 years ago. Remember to bring some cash to cover entrance fees.

About a 40-minute drive up Route 1, Bolinas is one of the best longboarding beaches in the area, with a long, relaxed wave that you can ride for ages. The town has a '60s-style hippie vibe—the beach has an old sign announcing naked surfers, though the waters here are way too cold to surf without a wetsuit, no matter what time of year it is. Speaking of, 2 Mile surf shop in town has great rentals and lessons for first-timers.

The great thing about Linda Mar is that it's the kind of place that's good for beginners and advanced surfers alike—the waves on the South end of the beach are mellow and beginner-friendly, and they increase in size as you move north. The town itself is a short drive south of the city (on the way to Silicon Valley), and the beach is famously home to a Taco Bell with a hilariously good location right on the sand. We like Norcal Surf Shop for rentals and lessons, but no judgment if you just want to relax on the beach with a Crunchwrap Supreme.

The foodie world collectively freaked out when Chef Stuart Brioza and his wife/partner Nicole Krasinski opened dim-sum-focused SBP back in 2012, which quickly became loved for its carts of gourmet dumplings and savory pancakes and a separate menu where you'll find the quail dish that gave the restaurant its name. Three years and two James Beard awards later, getting a table here is as difficult as ever. Luckily, they save a good portion of seats for walk-ins. But still, get here early.

If you're looking for world class Chinese food in the heart of San Francisco's Chinatown, Mr. Jiu's is it. Chef Brandon Jew takes a modern approach to traditional Chinese food, putting his own twist on classic dishes such as pork buns and black sesame cake, already earning him a Michelin star in his first year. The wood paneled floors give the space Old World charm, but the views over the financial district let you know that you're at the heart of the city. They also have a wonderful bar with drinks such as “Harmony” and "Clarity", again blending Western spirits with traditional Chinese flavors like green tea, ginger, and lime.

The slick interior and miles-deep wine list make this is a great place for a dressed-up celebratory dinner. The food spans a variety of cuisines but the emphasis remains on local and organic fare. We're partial to the Sunday brunch (get the beignets) and the burger any night of the week. They have three elegant rooms for private parties—the events team is particularly skilled at florals.

A16’s sister restaurant, SPQR focuses on traditional Italian dishes which include fresh, house-made pastas and follows the same selective attitude toward Italian wine. Go with a small group of friends (they only allow tables of four people max) so you can try more of their small plates.

Though the southern Italian cuisine here is delicious, the highlight is definitely the wine. The owner and sommelier, Shelley Lindgren, finds little-known wines to pair with, among other things, the wood-fired thin-crust pizza, which is not to be missed. Be sure to pick up the A16 cookbook by Nate Appleman and stop by sister restaurant SPQR.

This family owned business has been open for almost a century, serving up fresh oysters, clams, crab, and a very famous clam chowder. Go for the Dungeness Crab Louie and the incredibly fresh oysters, which you order at the counter, preferably with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc. There is only bar seating and it’s hard to get a seat, so expect a line.

The menu at this classic French-slash-Italian restaurant changes daily but the delicious food remains a constant. The specialties are the whole roast chicken (it's made-to-order so expect to wait a bit), and the bread salad—both dishes were developed by Judy Rodgers who's been running the kitchen since 1987. Sadly, Judy passed away in 2013, but her incredible recipes live on.

This historic kitchen (the space has been around for over a century) churns out the kind of no-frills, endlessly satisfying Italian food we all love. After a two-year closure, Tosca is back with new ownership and a refreshed interior courtesy of Ken Fulk. Settle into their comfy parklet for a morning cappuccino, or commit to the full prixe-fixe menu of Italian classics for dinner.

What makes this Michelin-starred spot stand out is that there's no set menu. Instead, the team comes up with a multicourse meal nightly, depending on the day's fresh catch and produce bounty. This also means that the bill can skyrocket to hundreds of dollars per person. That said, those who’ve been lucky enough to go swear you get what you pay for.

While this sits in a somewhat sketchy part of town, the fish here is so good that not only will you venture out, you'll happily wait in line to get inside. In fact, so legendary is the Omakase offering and a la carte menu, that local chefs come here for dinner after putting in shifts at their own restaurants. Inside, the vibe is relaxed with blasting hip-hop, a great sake assortment, and prices that won't break the bank.

We love Chef Melissa Perello's on-the-low fancy restaurant just as much for the location—it sits on a beautiful corner in the Castro—as for the consistently delicious food. Like so many establishments around these parts, the focus is mainly on giving the abundant fresh ingredients the spotlight. Here, that means there's a roasted fennel chowder, mushroom risotto, and a kale salad that's unlike anything you've ever tasted.

Set up in a stark and understated space that looks more like a garage than a restaurant, the décor begins and ends with a hanging disco ball found in the attic during renovation. The food is serious, particularly the innovative approach to seafood and veggies: sea urchin with horseradish tofu, fried anchovies, fresh shelling beans with chanterelles. Chef Jason Fox put together a pretty substantial six-course tasting menu ($75, $10 of which does to charity), which somehow feels healthy and light. The a la carte selection doesn't disappoint.

Borrowing liberally from Indian, Chinese, and Thai cuisine, Burmese dishes are rich, flavorful, and inventive, and no one does them better than Burma Superstar. A California standby since 1992, this family-operated institution has grown to include three locations (including one in Alameda and one in Inner Richmond). While every outpost has its own specialty, each menu is guaranteed to include insane noodles, soups, and tons of veggie options. Portions are massive, so order accordingly.

Michael Tusk's Quince has fast become the standard for fine dining, so it's no surprise that his catering business, Tusk Events, is booming. They can handle events of any size, but it's good to remember that Quince's family-style tables can also be reserved for large parties—a nice option if you're looking to host a gathering with minimal-effort. The various tasting menus, aided by a miles-long wine list, make for a pretty perfect weekend date night or decadent catch-up session with pals.

Russel Moore has been running this lively, industrial-looking spot with his wife Allison Hopelain since 2008. The massive wood-fire oven is the focal point, both aesthetically and practically, as the majority of the dishes (oysters with absinthe, grilled king trumpet mushrooms, shellbean gratin) on the pared-down, constantly evolving menu pass through it. Check back often, as they sometimes do special edition culinary events. September, for example, brings with it Paella Mondays.

We love that the Oaxacan region of Mexico serves as Chef Matt Gandin’s muse at this Arts District favorite. The result? A menu of ceviches, tamales, tacos, and insane shared dishes that stays true to tradition while bringing something innovative to the table. It's a pretty awesome space, too, with an exposed-brick dining room, plus a massive outdoor area with fire pit and beer garden. If you've got a group of 20 or more, ask about their private room in the back, where they serve those crazy-good sharing plates family style around one long table.

The folks at Pizzaiolo value their suppliers as much as they value their customers—an obsession Chef Charlie Hallowell picked up during his tenure in the kitchen at Chez Panisse. And it's this belief in good ingredients (organic flour, responsibly raised wild stock from local ranchers) that manifests itself in some of the best casual food in Oakland: veggie-centric antipasti, incredible proteins, and pretty epic thin-crust pizza. Oh, and the breakfast is not to be missed.

This was one of the buzziest openings in the city last year (it's from the people behind State Bird Provisions), and the hype hasn't died down. The dreamy, all-wood, bi-level space has a lot to do with it, and the food changes daily, so there's no getting bored. While State Bird is about tiny plates of dim sum, here it's a unique take family-style: for $65 per person, the table chooses six big dishes from a checklist to share. Thankfully, everyone gets their own dessert.

In a nutshell, this is the place for incredibly authentic Sardinian food with an Italian-only wine list to match. Massimiliano Conti and Lorella Degan, the husband and wife team responsible for the magic, are particularly well-versed in seafood which explains why the braised octopus is some of the best we've had. On the pasta front, the bottariga spaghetti is no joke.

So at three doors strong, Lers Ros is technically a chain, but don't let that stop you from giving their simple, authentic Thai food a shot. Menu items vary slightly from location to location and everything is consistently perfectly prepared and delicious. There's also a location in Tenderloin and Hayes Valley.

Commis holds the title for being the first and only Michelin-starred restaurant in Oakland. And honestly, once you try Chef James Syhabout's multi-curse tasting menu (at a little over a hundred bucks a pop, they’re a fairly reasonable treat), the accolades totally make sense. Stellar food aside, it's the kind of place you want to dress up for, making the sleek, minimal dining room ideal for celebrations.

Before adding a bricks-and-mortar location last year, the guys at Del Popolo were slinging pies out of their now-famous mobile pizzeria. Why famous? Other than the killer Neapolitan-style pizzas, which range from classic Margherita to a honey-spiked potato pie, it’s the ingenious use of a converted shipping container fastened onto a Freightliner truck in place of a standard food truck that got people talking. And lucky for us all, even with the free-standing restaurant (they tacked on some antipasti dishes and a pretty badass wine list to the restaurant menu), they’re still serving pies on the go all over the city out of the mobile pizzeria that started it all.

Mamahuhu is a newish spot from Brandon Jew (of Mister Jiu’s fame), where the food revolves around the Chinese American dishes we all grew up loving and still crave. Sweet-and-sour chicken sourced from local farms, cold sesame noodles, and silky, spicy mapo tofu are all standouts. Plus, a section of the menu is devoted to frozen items like potstickers and comforting hot-and-sour soup. The Mamahuhu gang is all about sustainability and transparency—even the takeout containers are fully reusable because they know you’ll come back for more.

If anyone’s mastered the art of malty, bubbly sourdough pizza, it’s David Nayfield, who’s a household name in San Francisco for the magic he makes at Che Fico. If you’re open to fruit on pizza, the pineapple is sliced so thin it almost disappears. It’s so good. Then, go for handmade tagliatelle in glossy ragu, tender lamb loin, and fried, breaded balls of risotto. At Saturday or Sunday brunch, go for San Marzano Bloody Marys, Sightglass coffee, and the same famously good pizza with a fried egg on it.

Going to San Francisco and not getting a buttery, cinnamon-scented morning bun at Tartine is like going to Venice and not seeing a canal. The lines at the original flagship are legendary, but thankfully a new SF location opened in the Inner Sunset neighborhood. Liz Prueitt and Chad Robertson’s bread is iconic—and yes, we realize we just called bread iconic, but we stand by it. (The secret sauce is in the heritage grains and fermentation...we think.) And so breakfast of smoked salmon, pickled onions, and cream cheese smeared on a slice of crisp toast is only logical. Fill a paper bag with Tartine’s outrageously chewy chocolate cookies, flaky croissants, and light-as-air muffins for later. You won’t be sorry.

Nari means “women” in Thai, which feels apt because women take center stage at this Japantown restaurant. Women lead the kitchen, the wine on the list is made by women, even the spirits stocked come from women-owned brands. The level of detail that touches everything here is off the charts, right down to diagrams of the glass shape your cocktail will arrive in. (Anyone else love a short tumbler and loathe a tall glass?) The food can only be described by a word we rarely use, because it’s so rarely applicable: authentic. These are the bold, spicy, sharp flavors we associate with trips to Bangkok. Chef Pim Techamuanvivit isn’t pandering to western expectations of what Thai food should be, instead, her shareable dishes are complex, powerfully flavorful, and impossible to forget. If you dine anywhere in San Francisco this year, make it Nari.

A true mid-century American icon, Heath has been producing beautiful modern and minimal tableware (with a brief break) and tiles since 1948. In fact, it's part of the permanent collections in New York's MoMA—and graces many a table across the Los Angeles restaurant scape. The store, like the products, is modern and minimal, with wooden shelves, concrete floors and a lot of space to browse. Besides the Heath line, they've selected a handful of designers to showcase. There are multiple locations in the SF area, including an outpost in the Ferry Building—the factory store in Sausalito offers seconds (i.e., subtly imperfect plates and bowls) at big discounts.

MARCH may just be the best kitchen and tabletop store in the country. (In fact, we love it so much, we collaborated with them and Alice Waters on a dinner to raise funds for The Edible Schoolyard.) No, this is not the place to buy a Kitchen Aid, or a Silpat, but instead to discover a beautiful, hand-made mortar and pestle, Michael Verheyden candlesticks, or Billy Cotton glass and dinnerware. We were overjoyed when they finally went online last year.

You can totally tell Sue Fisher King loves what she does as soon as you approach the just-cluttered-enough store. She's been at it for close to 40 years, giving her ample time to nail a product assortment that really speaks to her clientele: Evidently it's Italian linens, fine china, intricate chandeliers, and enough fancy candles to light up all of San Francisco. The rainbow tile wall (you can place custom orders for lava-stone stables from Southern France) is Instagram gold.

This gorgeous building right on the Embarcadero houses some of San Francisco's most notable food merchants including Hog Island Oyster Company, Cowgirl Creamery's Artisan Cheese Shop, and Blue Bottle Coffee. It's the ideal place to bum around on rainy day and the outdoor farmers market (they set up on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays) is not to be missed.

As soon as they realized that San Francisco was in dire need of a dedicated spice shop, John Beaver and Erica Perez got to work scouting spaces and planning. The result is a treasure trove of all the cupboard basics and every obscure extract and spice you could possibly want. What's more, the knowledgeable staff loves turning customers onto their newest discoveries.

On a night you don’t want to commit to a single restaurant, or simply can't deal with an absurd wait time, have your pick of six distinct venters at temporary food and wine space, The Hall. Before hunkering down at one of the communal tables, take a lap of the massive dining area where you’ll find a Vietnamese stall, the meat-centric Whole Beast, and an Indian food spot. You’ll love having the freedom to pick and choose from several different cuisines all in one spot.

Cowgirl Creamery is the brainchild of Sue Conley and Peggy Smith, ex-hippie chicks with a passion for good food (collectively, they've worked at Chez Panisse and Bette's Oceanview Diner). What's cool about CC's Ferry Building cheese shop is that they spread the love, stocking the best selection of local and international cheeses alongside their own varieties. Their triple cream Mt. Tam is the most famous of the bunch and it's delicious.

The only thing more surprising than a fully functioning chocolate factory smack dab in the middle of San Francisco is the fact that it's one of the few in the world that actually makes chocolate from scratch. They're kind of chocolate purists in that they don't do fancy flavors but rather rely on really good bean varieties and just a smidge of sugar (every bar has 70% chocolate to 30% sugar). Buy all sorts of fresh-baked, chocolate-spiked pastries and sample all the house varieties at the on-site café. Call ahead to request a guided tour of the factory.

The name kind of says it all—house-cured meats are the main draw. The minimalist (and mini) space serves as an artisanal grocery store and Italian-themed lunch counter where the food selection, while on the skimpy side, totally hits the spot when a sad store-bought salad won't do. The oversized sandwiches are stuffed with gourmet meats (get the Salumi sandwich to get a good idea of their offering) and organic veggies while the salads are sprinkled with fancy add-ons. Needles to say, the charcuterie boards are the real deal. There's another location in the Mission.

Josey Baker (yes, that's his real name) and his staff make the most incredible, old-world breads—crunchy crust on the outside, soft and mushy on the inside—using the highest-quality wheat, grains, and seeds. And that's not all: the house-brewed Four Barrel coffee is an excellent accompaniment to the sweet stuff in the pastry case and the small but mighty selection of home goods is great for scratching that shopping itch without spending a ton. Monday is Pizza night.

The legend of the Wise Sons goes something like this: Pals Evan Bloom and Leo Beckerman were unhappy with the state of NorCal's Jewish deli situation (i.e. there wasn't one) and started hand-smoking pastrami in their backyard. After a series of successful pop-ups and a stint slinging sandwiches at Ferry Plaza, they opened their freestanding shop, inside the Contemporary Jewish Museum no less. From the double-baked rye to the matzo ball soup to the smoked trout salad and the smoked pastrami, everything is handmade and delicious. Half a sandwich, soup, and a side of coleslaw or potato salad at $12 might just be the best lunch deal in town.

At its core, Craftsman and Wolves is a really inventive, beautifully appointed bakery on a particularly attractive stretch of Valencia Street. You can easily make a meal of Chef William Werner's pastries (strawberry-rhubarb muffins, peach-verbena twinkie, Japanese-style milk bread) though there’s lots of savory stuff, too, like egg frittatas and a hot dog garnished with beet chips.

This is an exceptionally well-stocked wine shop specializing in hard-to-find local and international spirits across all price points. Being that its something of a local secret, not many people are aware of the magical community garden out back, where you can drink any wine from the shop by the glass for a small corkage fee. There’s also a sweet little café right next door where you can snag a quick soup-and-salad lunch or pick up a to-go order.

We love Four Barrel not just for excellent espressos, almond milk lattes, and Americanos, but for their very genuine commitment to community, both local and global. Putting their massive warehouse space to good use, they host regular workshops (pickling classes with Bar Tartine's Cortney Burns sounds especially fun) and make it a point to only source beans from small family farmers all over the world. In a pretty brilliant move, the café doesn't have wifi, so people are forced to converse face-to-face rather than hide behind laptops. There's also a location in Alamo Square and the Mission.

This is hands down the best pizza in San Francisco—high praise considering there are only a handful of very basic whole-pie options on the Neapolitan-inspired menu (Margherita, Blanca, Filetti...). Lifelong pizza obsessive Anthony Mangieri cut his teeth slinging pies on the Jersey shore before opening a spot in NYC and then San Francisco. The set-up here is very bare bones, just tables and a big, beautiful pizza oven; pizza is served until they run out of dough.

Many credit Ritual with being the first truly gourmet coffee shop in the city. Now, 10 years and four bustling S.F. locations later, they still brew arguably the best cup in town. Because people have been known to get hooked on their meticulously sourced blends, a coffee club was launched to make sure out-of-towners can get their hands on the good stuff.

Quite possibly the most popular wedding venue in all of San Francisco, the Fairmont is kind of an essential stop, even if it's just to take in the lobby in all its candy-colored, chintzy glory. The massive 592-room hotel sits at the top of Nob Hill and is home to a wonderful fancy restaurant, a great afternoon tea service, and honeybee hives in the herb garden. Then there's the gloriously kitschy Tonga Room and Hurricane Bar. A Tiki bar, complete with a lagoon and spontaneous indoor thunderstorms, may be the last thing you'd expect to see inside a Fairmont but it kind of works.

This is the kind of place you book on your second or third trip to San Francisco as there's nothing touristy about it, especially the off-the-beaten-path Japantown location—some of Fillmore Street's best shopping and food is just a stone's throw away. This is one of Kimpton's newer properties so it has that great new-hotel smell in addition to chic, understated décor and some of the most comfortable guest rooms in the city.