Luke's Local

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.

Alice Waters has been doing the whole organic, sustainably sourced "California cuisine" thing since 1972, long before it was all the rage. She even founded The Edible Schoolyard Project to empower littles to make healthful, environment-friendly food decisions. Chez Panisse, her much-respected bistro in Berkeley, is an institution and the impeccably prepared, seasonal fare (on a prix-fixe menu basis only) has landed this place on countless best-of lists. Upstairs at the unassuming little Arts and Crafts building where the restaurant is housed there's also The Café. Here, you’ll find a more casual a la carte selection; just like its older sibling, the menu changes daily.

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.

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.

Beaming is most famous for being a smoothie shop (the Rockstar is a goop staff favorite), but their whole-food cleanses are extraordinarily powerful. There are three-, four-, and five-day options available, and each day includes one of their super-food smoothies, followed by cold pressed juices, shots, and raw soups and salads. Their bride-to-be program gives brides (along with their grooms, bridesmaids, mothers) a clean countdown to the big day. Besides West Hollywood, there are locations in Santa Monica and Brentwood.

Jennifer Jewett makes the chore of preparing meals obsolete. Jewett—the founder and executive chef of Citizen Sprout and a mama herself—and her team whip up fresh, inventive, healthy lunches and dinners from scratch for kids and adults every day. They make it easy: You can drop by their bright Santa Monica location for ready-made salads, smoothies, soups, bowls, and the like, or you can order ahead online. (The Buffalo Cauliflower Salad and the Braised Chicken and Spinach Meatballs are goop-staffer favorites for lunch or an easy weeknight dinner.) Jewett also delivers to select schools throughout Los Angeles, offering littles a rotating, seasonal menu of lunches made with hormone- and antibiotic-free proteins and local and organic produce.

Founded by a former marketing executive and his personal trainer, Fitness Kitchen LA is built to be a complementary, easy-to-execute nutrition plan for active people. Starting at $50 a day, they deliver three full meals and offer a few different programs (appropriately dubbed “trim,” “train,” and “maintain”) that customers can switch up according to their needs. The menu changes weekly, but the lineup always includes an approachable variety of classically healthy food: Favorite dishes include vegetable quiche with a rice crust, stuffed bell peppers with Spanish rice, filet mignon with horseradish and broccolini, and a farm vegetable salad with oven-roasted turkey.

Florence Betheau, a.k.a. Chef Flo, is a French chef who cooked in a classic French style—heavy on meat, eggs, and dairy—for years. After experiencing the positive effects of vegan and gluten-free recipes on herself and her autistic daughter, she started to drastically shift her style of cooking. Today, her seasonally grounded meal delivery is an LA favorite for making veganism easy (and delicious). Average dishes might include Indian curried butternut squash dal, Tex-Mex sweet-potato cakes with Moroccan tomato sauce, or vegetable gratin with mung beans; everything is comforting and incredibly flavorful.

Using organic, local ingredients—with all of their meals boasting an average of almost six different fruits and veggies—Thistle whips up colorful gluten- and dairy-free fare, with vegan options as well. We're partial to their “poke" bowl: marinated rainbow beets, togarashi-sprinkled brown rice, edamame, cucumber, and avocado sesame ginger dressing. House-made nut milks spiked with mushrooms, plus superfoods like maca, spirulina, and moringa take the menu to the next level. Local couriers deliver in SF and LA, and shipping is available to greater California and Nevada.

Methodology, a food delivery plan that ships nationwide, is made for busy professionals (or generally fast-paced New Yorkers) looking for nourishing meals at minimal effort. Their plans range from vegan to keto, and they taste amazing. The menu, which changes weekly, is full of cleaned-up comfort foods like Spanish chickpea paella and vegan eggplant caponata made with basil pesto, broccolini, and pistachio parmesan. Their desserts are amazing, too: think matcha chocolate collagen balls and paleo dark chocolate brownies with avocado frosting. You can mix and match your proteins and sides, and arrange for portions to be big enough for two servings. Meals arrive in glass jars, which travel well, and they'll pick up for easy reuse. Delivery is available nationwide (except Alaska and Hawaii).

We’ve been fans of Kore for years—you can test their Berry Mint Kiss smoothie recipe here, which was part of one of our annual detoxes. Their delivery service is everything you’d hope: vegan or sustainable meat options made with local and seasonal produce, all free of gluten, dairy, and processed ingredients. Their signature Kore Cleanse is whole-food based and filling, with each day’s menu incorporating a superfood smoothie and snack, vegan salad, vegetable soup, and evening teas. As an added bonus, you can upgrade any plan to include bone broth from Brothee.

Model Meals is a lot of things at once: grain-free, Whole 30-compatible, local, and organic. (This is a good one if you're looking to avoid dairy and legumes entirely). Deliveries come on Sundays and Wednesdays, and you can easily customize your menu by simply choosing exactly what you want from the rotating list of paleo-friendly meals—plus, you can add Rx bars and other simple snacks to your cart, which really round the week out.

Kooshi lets you choose between paleo, pescatarian, vegetarian, detox, and signature gluten-free options, with opt-in packages ranging from five to forty days. Delivered each morning, all meals are organic and gluten-free, with ingredients sourced from local farms and fisheries; a vegetarian dinner might include roasted spaghetti squash with seitan bolognese, garlic broccolini, and Parmigiano Reggiano (with a really good mint chocolate cookie for dessert).

Georgia Cummings started Potage in her mom’s kitchen in 2012, delivering food locally in Notting Hill on her bicycle. Today, her small team delivers to offices and homes across central London, with special attention paid to sustainability: They use no plastic and minimal, fully compostable packaging, and have a commitment to zero food waste. Seasonal, locally sourced ingredients contribute to nourishing, filling meals, like red lentil and spinach dhal with roasted sweet potato and chili saffron marinated chicken thigh with chickpea and pistachio.

Started more than ten years ago (which is a lifetime in the realm of meal delivery services), The Pure Package offers a variety of meal plan options that range from a full-on 21-day detox to vegetarian to paleo-inspired. Their general healthy eating option packs maximum nutrients into a gourmet package: lunch might be a smoked chicken, wild mushroom, and artichoke terrine, with stuffed roasted red peppers for dinner (and a dark Belgian chocolate mousse snack in between). Founder Jennifer Irvine also recently launched a more affordable version, called Balance Box.

Meals from Spring Green are typically fairly colorful: The menus, designed by chef and founder Bonnie Stowell, are filled with plant-based options and include everything from rainbow rolls with chia crackers and grapefruit-ginger dip to pumpkin pasta with cashew and mushroom cream. With an emphasis on nutrients for skin health and meals full of healthy fats (but mindful of not cutting carbs completely), there are three tiers of menu plan, starting with fully vegan and working up to higher protein meals with eggs and some meat.

Delivered in sheep's wool-insulated bags, these frozen meals lock in nutrients and make for easily re-heatable (and highly portable) meals. Sustainably sourced meats and fish are used throughout the menu, although there are vegetarian options, like stuffed portobello mushrooms with goat cheese and beetroot and apple barley risotto.

Eat Purely’s meals can all be ordered on-demand and delivered within 20 minutes via their easy-to-use app; a lifesaver on days when dinner plans aren’t top of mind until it's too late. The menu (which changes daily) is very vegetable-focused, with dishes like kale and beet Caesar salad, vegetable Meritage, coconut-glazed salmon, and sweet potato gnocchi.

Kitch Fix is a favorite of the exercise community in Chicago because of its emphasis on a low-carb, high-fat, paleo style of cooking—favorite meals on the rotating menu include honey-glazed chicken with bacon guacamole, herb-roasted grass-fed beef, bone broths, cashew yogurt, and their paleo granola, which is available at Whole Foods. The easy-to-navigate website allows you to customize sizes—a seriously convenient feature when one family member is training for a marathon and the other’s doing gentle yoga. Also cool: Many of the company’s employees are students in or graduates of the Cara Program, a Chicago nonprofit that provides job training for those living in homelessness and extreme poverty.

After Chef Jona Silva read Michael Pollan’s book Cooked, he cut out refined sugar and started eating healthier—basically re-inventing his style of cooking. His meal delivery company of the same name, which he started with his wife, is beloved in Chicago because it provides a huge variety of options, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and kids meals (they even do great lunchboxes). The food is always local, organic whenever possible, and changes considerably with the seasons—plus, they offer Whole30-approved reset plans. They now deliver to all of Chicago—the city and surrounding suburbs.

Snap Kitchen has revolved around grab-and-go meals since 2010, making them one of the older companies in the relatively new healthy-pre-made-meal space. There are convenient pickup locations in Austin, Houston, Dallas, and Chicago, but you can also arrange delivery through their app. Snap also offers a 21-day "commit" program, which offers healthy takes on hearty meals like gluten-free beef stroganoff, bison quinoa hash, chicken butternut squash macaroni, and fettucine and vegetable “alfredo.” The cooking style is relatively free from the niche health foods that turn some people off of clean eating, making it an easy transition for health-food rookies.

Farm Hill initially became famous for its bento box lunches (which, at the time, the founders cooked themselves before class back when they were in graduate school at Stanford). Their signature is that nothing is processed, and that they never add sugar or sweeteners—the resulting meals have a definite paleo vibe, with vegan and vegetarian options and a whole lot of kale. Meals can be ordered same-day via the app or their website. Startup folks, take note: Their corporate account allows companies to cover lunch for employees while letting each person pick their own meal. Clutch, considering that they deliver as far south as San Jose.

Food Matters is a collective of experienced chefs and nutritionists who work as a team to offer busy New Yorkers a two-pronged approach to wellness: A nutritionist maps out your dietary needs then passes the info off to a chef, who’ll customize delicious, locally sourced meals to meet them. All dishes fit the detox bill (no gluten, refined sugars, or dairy) and are prepared fresh daily.

Scrolling through the Provenance site is kind of like taking a virtual walk through your local farmer's market, which makes sense since the fresh ingredients used for the clean, detox-approved meals (functional medicine guru and goop contributor Dr. Frank Lipman is an advisor) are sourced locally from organic farms. Deliveries are based on a twice-weekly schedule and can include any combination of breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks to meet a number of dietary needs; the whole food detox bundle is particularly appealing this time of year.

Short of having a professional camped out in your kitchen, Personal Chef really lives up to its name: The small but mighty operation takes your food preferences and dietary restrictions into account, and uses ingredients from local farms to design a menu for you that perfectly suits your needs. You can sign up for varied regularity, like a week’s worth of dinners, or three meals a day (plus snacks)—or just work with them to create exactly what you want.

With a bunch of meal plans and cleanses to choose from—there’s one for achieving ketosis and another to fight inflammation—Urban Remedy packs in the nutrients and removes all dairy, gluten, white sugar, white flour, and unhealthy oils, which is everything you’d want from this type of service. Founder Neka Pasquale, a licensed acupuncturist who has a background in traditional Chinese medicine, considers every ingredient for its healing value—and the result is varied and colorful salads, like their Umeboshi offering: purple and green cabbage, carrots, spinach, avocado, daikon, and blend of sesame seeds, almonds, hemp, kelp, and nori (with an umeboshi vinaigrette). Treats include raw cacao mousse and fiber-rich paleo matcha energy bars.

This one is for anyone curious about clean eating but too busy/cooking-averse to do the goop detox from scratch. As gorgeous as the presentation may be, it’s what’s inside Sakara's pretty packaging that counts: expect to find three or five day’s worth of 100-percent clean, organic, nutritionally sound meals—water and detox tea included. A menu might read something like this: gluten-free bagel with cashew cream cheese for breakfast, mango veggie burger for lunch, and vegan chopped salad for dinner. The program was launched in NYC by ex-Wall Streeter Whitney Tingle and Danielle DuBoise, a former model, and has quickly expanded to offer deliveries across the country.

While it's not exactly a full-on meal delivery service, what Daily Harvest does—deliver pre-measured organic smoothie and/or soup ingredients and super-food add-ons that you store in the freezer until blend time—is just as useful to anyone looking to take their eating habits to a healthier place. And don’t let the freezer bit trip you up: fresh fruits, vegetables, and berries retain both their taste and nutritional value better when cryogenically frozen at their ripest point, which is exactly what these guys do best.

We’ve been fans of Marco Borges and his 22-Day Revolution program from day one. What's special about these clean meals is that they are surprisingly filling considering it's all strictly plant-based—in fact, the program's main objective is to introduce the masses to the joys and health benefits of veganism. While you can receive your meals—which range from hearty breakfast bowls to flavorful curry dinners—on a daily or weekly basis, according to Borges, the most beneficial route is to take on the 22-Day Challenge (the number is based on the theory that it takes 21 days to make or break a habit).

The 75 in Factor 75 stems from the notion that "75 percent of your fitness comes from what you eat," which is why each and every dish on the rotating daily menu is designed (by certified nutritionists, no less) to fill you up and replenish vital nutrients bodies need to perform at their best. All dishes taste great and the standard for quality of ingredients borders on obsessive: everything is organic- and hormone-, gluten-, soy-, and GMO-free. Meal plans operate on an automatic renewal subscription system, though you can opt for an entire day's worth of meals, or just one or two.

Buried deep in wine country, “a retreat for the modern age” is an apt descriptor for the new-ish Montage. Less than two hours from San Francisco, the property is as much a wellness destination as it is a wine-centric one. The spa is next level, with a roster of both traditional and more cutting-edge treatments available. Meanwhile, yoga happens outside amongst the vineyards. At its core, the Montage Healdsburg is a classic California resort: Understated, aesthetically respectful of the natural surroundings, and resolutely upmarket. Given the property sits on 250 acres, you are saturated in vines, oak trees, and native flowers at every turn—the level of space and isolation is total bliss. And the hotel has every amenity you can think of (with great activities for kiddos). The concierge crew are whizzes at arranging private tastings, tours, and bespoke dining experiences throughout the Sonoma Valley. Images courtesy of Christian Horan.

If we were to dream up the ideal, minimalist urban loft, the Palihotel—nestled right by heart-of-the-action Union Square—is it. Worn white brick walls, low-to-the-ground beds with warm striped throws, stylish mid-century-style chairs, and copper light fixtures distinguish the roomy spaces, and, like its sister properties, this outpost is sympathetic to the existing neighborhood style with its imposing, Mission Revival-style façade. Inside, though, soft pastel colors, plenty of stripes, and vintage-looking floral patterns adorn the common areas (which feel made for the freelance traveler who needs to bust out emails but appreciates pretty surroundings and quick service). Foodwise, Fisher Loft on the second floor is the kind of spot you check out for breakfast and come back for dinner: the burgers, jammy eggs, frisée salad, and (if you’re feeling extra) caviar service are menu standouts.

We stand behind anything Kelly Wearstler lays her bejeweled fingers on. The Wearstler-designed San Francisco Proper Hotel is a reason in itself to come here for a weekend. Located in the gritty-cool Mid-Market area, the Proper’s aesthetic echoes that of the surrounding streets. Interiors are a mashup of old and new, of clashing and complementary. Walking into the color-saturated lobby—with its medley of mirrors, paintings, and eccentric prints—feels instantly welcoming. Both the vibe and the music are intentionally upbeat. Guest rooms are on the small side but incredibly comfortable, and in a city as crowded as San Francisco, the bedside concierge tablet is a godsend for both recs and reservations. After supper out on the town, the best way to wind down is with a cocktail or steaming cup of tea on the wraparound rooftop, warmed by the firepits.

Moonstone Beach, the dreamiest, most ethereal Central Coast town, had us at moonstone. And then, you get to White Water. Sure, it’s a stretch from SF, but the wild beauty of the Cali coastline makes every minute in the car worth it. Naturally isolated, spacious, and outrageously scenic, this area is the hidden gem. Nina Freudenberger handled the surf-style interiors, and the mineral colors, natural materials, and earthy details—forest green tiles, abundant rattan—echo the wild landscape. There’s an almost spiritual sense of ease here—everything from the rocky terrain to the craft beers and kombucha served in the living-room-meets-lobby are intended to soothe. And they do. The minibar is pure California (Torres chips, Moon Juice snacks), the retro hotel bikes are Linus, and you’ll find Aesop in the shower. Check us in indefinitely, please.

If you’re as obsessed with State Bird Provisions as we are, add Anchovy Bar to your SF roster. This slick, slate-gray space dishes up tasty platters of salty anchovies waiting to be smeared onto toasted ciabatta and topped with crisp radishes and crème Fraiche. This is the spot to dip into with a date or a friend to split grilled oysters, a few variations of those tiny, oily fish, and the unmissable Meyer lemon-miso clams.

Beit Rima translates to “Rima’s house.” (The chef’s mother’s name is Rima.) Lunch here really does feel like a feast prepared by an accomplished home cook. In other words, the food is all comfort. The menu is an ode to Palestinian and Jordanian flavors: Expect simple, satisfying dishes like shakshuka; flatbreads scattered thick with za’atar; fresh, crunchy fattoush; and grilled kebabs. The restaurant has three locations, all with great outdoor seating and a solid takeout menu for pickup or delivery via Caviar.

Billingsgate is all about championing local fishermen and showcasing their catch. Named after London’s most famous fish market, this is where you come to slurp oysters at the counter and pick up fresh sea bass or salmon from the accompanying market for dinner. The array of prepared bites (smoked salmon on brioche, assorted crudos) is delicious—and perfect for a quick lunch accompanied by a cold beer. The full roster of fresh and prepared goods, plus market produce, is all available for pickup and delivery.

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 Oakland). While every outpost has it’s own specialty, each menu is guaranteed to include insane noodles, soups, and tons of veggie options. Portions are massive, so order accordingly.

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.

Not nearly as fancy as sister restaurant, Quince, Cotogna serves up Northern Italian fare using the highest quality ingredients from nearby markets. It’s the kind of stuff we’d happily eat on a nightly basis: fresh pastas, veggie plates, wood-fired pizza, and simple fish entrees. In the elegant, almost all-wood dining room, the vibe is lively but not loud as tables are generously spaced. If you can get a table, great, if not, dining at the bar while watching the chefs at work is pretty awesome, too. A better option yet is to snag the Chef's Table in front of the open kitchen (or reserve the entire place).

We ate a lot of pizza in 2020. If we weren’t dough experts before, we are now. DamnFine specializes in wood-fired crispy-crust pies, and our SF friends can’t get enough. What distinguishes DamnFine from other pizza joints are the pitch-perfect, market-fresh toppings—and you can go light or heavy, depending on what you’re into. Potato Pesto (purple potatoes, pancetta, woody herbs, and pesto), Mushroom Dream (all the mushrooms—enoki, king oyster, etc.—mozzarella, garlic butter), and Livin La Vida Verde (spring veggies, microgreens, mozzarella) are easy favorites.

A good weekend starts with bagels. A great weekend starts with Early to Rise bagels. Recently, Early to Rise pivoted from large communal brunches to weekend takeout (including a meticulous bagel kit and its famous brunch in a bag). The concept totally works. Chef Andrew McCormack cut his teeth at Quince and Jean-Georges, and each house-made crunchy-meets-chewy bagel thick with chive schmear and lox is a bite of heaven.

Consider Fiorella your neighborhood red sauce joint, elevated with a dose of San Francisco polish. The classics—like meatballs, marinara pizza, and Little Gem salad—dominate the menu. But for Friday night takeout, we can’t resist the Sicilian spiced roast chicken with salsa verde and herby roast potatoes. Oh, and the make-at-home Margherita kit. When it comes to dining in, the wallpaper makes any wait worth it: Speckled with portraits of famous San Franciscans, it adds a quirky design edge to the otherwise streamlined space. Images courtesy of Grace Sager and Edna Zhou.

Come nighttime, the dim lighting and loud music draw a younger crowd to this tightly-packed gem a few blocks off the main Mission drag. The lineup of house-made pastas is as unusual as they come. From maltagliati with braised rabbit and sunchokes to trenette with pork sugo and chili, the concepts are always inspired. The pizzas are just as interesting. It's not a light meal, so come with hungry friends as a lot of it is great to share. The dough room where they roll the pasta during is available as a private dining room in the evenings.

For a less typical catered meal in the Bay Area, we recommend Rintaro, which serves excellent Japanese-style food at private parties. They also have a restaurant in the Mission, which is worth checking out, too.

San Francisco is notorious for its exorbitance. However, the sushi at Ken is more affordable than most and just as good. A former Kusakabe team member, Ken Ngai is behind this spot, which centers on omakase and is a favorite of many.

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.

Hand-stretched noodle-making is an art few can (or do) master. William Lim Do cut his teeth at glitzy food establishments like Mister Jiu’s and State Bird Provisions, studied noodle-making in Lanzhou, China, and launched his highly coveted noodle kit pop-up during the pandemic. The waitlist for one of Laowai’s kits is in the thousands. Do makes every noodle, sauce, and pickle by hand and then delivers them himself. To taste the spicy, crunchy, scrumptiousness, sign up on the google doc link on Laowai’s Instagram, and...patiently wait your turn. This is one of the many incredible passion projects that have sprung up during quarantine, driven by a chef’s desire to share his craft with fellow San Franciscans.

Sibling business to red sauce hit Original Joe’s, Little Original Joe’s is a to-go counter and food market focused on “pizza, pasta, and parmigiana.” This is the spot to run into when work is over and the fridge is empty, or when friends are popping by for a casual meal. Rotisserie chicken, trays of lasagna, pizza, crunchy salads, and generous tubs of pasta sauce fill the space, plus wine and condiments. We love Little Original Joe’s for the sheer convenience and excellent selection of prepared foods and top-of-the-line pantry items that make great gifts.

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 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.

A friend (who happens to operate a storybook organic winery in Tuscany called Querceto di Castellina) turned us on to this Mid-Market pizza-and-wine spot. And this friend knows her wine and her pizza. Montesacro specializes in Roman-style pies called “pinsa,” oval-shaped, puffy flatbreads topped with tasty cheeses, meats, and veggies. These charred pinsa (try the “Ostia” topped with pecorino, grilled artichokes, fresh mint, and bottarga) are perfect for sharing, with a few antipasti like meatballs or fresh-from-Italy burrata doused in pesto. The food—and the minimalist setting—is so elegant for a weeknight dinner (there’s also an outdoor terrace). Lastly, Montesacro’s little grocery section is the ideal hunting ground for last-minute gifts, pantry items, and even fresh pinsa dough to rustle up your own version at home.

The wine list at The Morris is insane. As in forty-nine-pages-long insane. And then come the brandies, the amari, and sherry options (also pages long). You can gather from the booze list alone that supper here is intended to be a slow, special affair—and yet, the vibe is unexpectedly casual. Take a seat and start with some Tartine bread and pâté. For your main, it has to be The Morris’s signature dish—a whole, crispy-skinned duck, with French fries and a little gem salad on the side. Split a chocolate pudding for dessert, and don’t neglect that sherry selection.

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.

Don’t panic. While Nopalito’s Inner Sunset location has closed, Broderick is still very much open, as is this new and very timely takeout window in the Mission. While you’ll spot many of Nopalito’s greatest hits on the menu, there are some Mission-exclusive dishes (hello, totopos con carnitas) that entirely justify the trip. For a hearty, outrageously tasty lunch on-the-go, the plato completo con pollo might just be the best rice bowl ever: Tomato-y rice, pinquito beans, pickled onions, and chicken under a shower of cilantro and lime. Afterwards, walk it off around the neighborhood with a spiced coffee in hand.

Pearl 6101 was an instant hit when it opened in quiet-ish Central Richmond back in 2018. And, a few years in, this New American-style restaurant still hits the spot. Maybe it’s the airy, bright setting and wraparound bar that fills the space with chatter. Or is it the white Bolognese showered in Grana Padano cheese? Perhaps it’s the explodes-with-flavor olive oil cake redolent with Meyer lemon and tangerine that keeps us coming back. Whatever it is, we—and most of Central Richmond—can’t get enough of the vibe and consistently beautiful food.

This is the kind of place you bring a friend from out of town to, because it shows off the best of what SF's food scene has to offer. The restaurant is owned by Evan and Sarah Rich, a married couple who met when they were working in the kitchen at Bouley. Though both Evan and Sarah come from fine dining backgrounds, the vibe at Rich Table is much more relaxed, which results in ambitious dishes and exotic ingredients presented in a refreshingly unfussy way. The move, if you can, is the chef's picks.

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.

Tony’s ownership may have changed, but the soul of this seafood joint (doling out oysters since 1948!) is still casual and rooted in the freshest catch. The oysters, crab rolls, steaming bowls of seafood stew, and proper fish and chips (with homemade tartar sauce) are all excellent. Right on the cusp of Tomales Bay, the setting can’t be topped—a plate of fish tacos or creamy chowder here before starting a road trip down Highway 1 is pure California.

Wildseed feels very timely. The menu is entirely plant-based with hearty, tasty dishes that fill you up. Trumpet mushroom ceviche, a genuinely excellent veggie burger (the patty is a mushroom and spinach mash-up), curried cauliflower, and a full mezze plate replete with falafel and all the dips sounds like a stellar supper to us.

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.

Birba feels like a slice of Copenhagen, or maybe Stockholm. The aesthetic is pared-back, blonde-wood-everywhere minimalism. It’s cool...like, really cool. The booze list leans toward natural, biodynamic bottles from small, primarily French and Italian producers. The sherry and vermouth list is expansive. For those looking to abstain from alcohol, Birba’s Seedlip spritz tastes like sparkling summer in a glass, especially when enjoyed on the pretty patio. This small bar also hosts regular food pop-ups.

Breck’s is that catch-all spot every neighborhood needs. Morning cappuccino? Breck's. Quick grilled cheese at noon on a Thursday? Breck's. A crisp glass of Chablis and light bites with a girlfriend? Breck's. The interior is cute and casual with Parisian-style round tables, open shelves so you can check out the bottle stash, and huge windows for that bright Inner Richmond light pour in.

San Francisco is a city to revel in the nature that envelops it. Hikes, bike rides over the bridge, general outdoorsy behavior is what weekends in Northern California are all about. The Junction hits the jackpot when it comes to a big, family-friendly beer garden with fantastic food and brews on tap. Pile around an outdoor table after a long hike and order a slew of pizzas from Pizza Hacker (they’re amazing, promise).

Airy, bright, and beyond soothing, minimo is a space for lingering. A long communal table encourages tasting and talking with a pack of friends or whomever you find yourself next to. The name “Minimo” translates from Italian to minimal—a nod to the strictly low-intervention, mostly biodynamic, terroir-driven wine list. If outdoor sipping is more your vibe, minimo’s patio area is part of a larger block party in collaboration with a neighboring brewery and grill. Take a seat, order a wine flight, or a bottle off the shelves inside, a cheese board or something tasty from the restaurant next door, and chill. To really get into the convivial Oakland vibe, join minimo’s wine club or attend one of their tastings, often led by a wine-maker. Images courtesy of Alison Christiana.

From the crew behind Mister Jiu’s, Moongate Lounge is that sexy, moody cocktail bar you dip into when dinner’s over but you’re not ready to go home. An exciting drinks list feels just right after plates of sea urchin and mapo tofu at Jiu’s downstairs lures you in. But it’s the plush velvet sofas, dusky pink light, and bowls of spicy peanuts that keep you lingering well past bedtime.

Cool, casual, packed with locals—dogs and kids in tow—Ordinaire feels like the village gathering space. And in a way, it is. It’s the kind of wine-bar-meets-tasting-room-meets-store where you pop in to buy a bottle and end up staying to taste a few glasses with strangers who become friends. A stalwart of the Oakland wine scene, the bar has been around for a while, but regular events and menu changes mean Ordinaire feels fresh every time.

Verjus is San Francisco’s answer to a contemporary Parisian wine bar. Think Septime, but in Washington Square. The owners are the duo behind Cotogna and Quince, so you already know the food will be fabulous. French-inspired plates like cheesy croquettes and duck confit dominate the sit-down restaurant menu (at the back of the space), while the tasting area is all about lighter bites, cheese, and tinned fish on toast. The wine list is, in two words: extensive and impressive. You could dine and drink at Verjus every week of the year and try something new each time. We love it here, and you will too.

The Daily Driver is a collaborative effort between several makers, all united in their love of the perfect bagel. David Kreitz makes the boiled, wood-fired bagels, his wife Hadley churns the organic cultured butter and organic cream cheese, while David Jablons and Tamara Hicks scouted the space and brought the vision to life. That vision encompasses the bakery, creamery, coffee roastery, and dining space. And once you bite into an everything smeared with cream cheese and topped with gravlax, there’s no turning back. Luckily, you don’t have to. Aside from dining in and pickup, the Daily Driver has an up and running bagel club. Order your goods on Wednesdays for pickup or delivery on Fridays. Not only will you get half a dozen of organic bagels and all the toppings, but you can also mingle (virtually) with other club members and taste new Daily Driver flavors first. Images courtesy of Frankie Frankeny.

We heard about Flour Craft from a Coeliac staffer and were instantly intrigued. Verifiably good focaccia, sourdough, and brioche? Genuinely tasty airy scones, muffins, and brownies? Whole lavishly decorated cakes? At Flour Craft, the gang’s all here, and every doughy bite is gluten-free. Like all great businesses, this bakery was born from necessity. Founder Heather Hardcastle struggled with gluten and couldn’t find treats and baked goods to satisfy her sweet tooth. Aside from pastries, this spot serves up a full (and deliciously healthy) breakfast and lunch menu every day.

Jina Bakes got our attention with their Daeho-inspired Kalbijjim croissant, but it’s the convenience (and delight) of their weekly pastry box that sealed the deal. Other than the famous croissants, what’s included? Expect treats like matcha cream puffs, butter mochi, panna cotta, strawberry cake, and handy portable pour-over coffee sachets should you choose to work through the box on the go. Each package comes with specific storage and reheating instructions, and the goods included change regularly. Preorders open early on Sunday mornings for the following weekend (pickups and deliveries happen on Saturdays).

To have a great sandwich spot in your back pocket during the age of WFH brings the peace of mind we all need. Lucinda’s Deli—a basement spot near Alamo Square—churns out subs that merit the long lines. We’re partial to the veggie Avo Smash (fried and pickled onions, cashew romesco, cucumber, and tomato layered with avocado) or the Roast Beef (jazzed up with Thai barbecue sauce) and a Topo Chico. These are hefty sandos that keep a grumbling stomach at bay until dinner. And while you can order the full menu for delivery, the nearby park is a lovely spot to enjoy your sub and a glimpse of the owner’s dog—and deli namesake—Lucy is worth the wait in line.

Curated by the former wine director at Nopa, the wine list at Palm City is meticulous. But what gets San Franciscans to come out in droves are the hoagies (warning: they’re huge). Palm City is a wine shop, a wine bar, a sandwich shop, and a small plates dining spot. In essence, it’s an Outer Sunset gathering space brimming with good vibes. Let’s get back to the wine for a second: Palm City’s list is a special one, packed with tiny producers committed to biodynamic and organic principles (like the Italians behind Tuscany’s Castel Del Piano).

Savile Row, London, 1920s. That is what came to mind when we visited this impeccable atelier in San Francisco’s historic Jackson Square. Owner and designer Lan Jaenicke will fit you for a custom piece, be it one of her architectural dresses or a silk blouse that feels like you’re cloaked in a cloud. Jaenicke, who has an unparalleled skill for creating clothing that is poetic and timeless, wanted the space to show the entire design process, from the fitting to the construction. (She actually sews some of the pieces on the premises.) You can also eye the ready-to-wear collection, all in silk, cashmere, and linen. And even if you’re not looking to shop and you’re just wandering down Jackson Street to admire the old facades, this boutique is worth a visit. Jaenicke has considered—and honored—every element of this 1860s brick-and-cast-iron building that was once the original Ghirardelli chocolate factory. She punctuated the space with antique scales, shimmering selenite hearts, and dried lavender. Everything is in harmony here.

Outer Sunset is many things: a beachy neighborhood in San Francisco, home to many excellent surf shops (looking at you, Mollusk and Woodshop), and the place to come for Black Bird. The independent bookstore, curated by local owner (and voracious reader) Kathryn Grantham, is equal parts community hangout and retailer. Black Bird is unlike so many bookstores—and we love that about it. In lieu of traditional spine-out shelving, for example, books are displayed with the covers facing forward—like artwork. Because under Grantham’s pioneering eye, there are no bad choices. Each title is selected to propel new voices forward and to commemorate the fascinating history of San Francisco. Make it a first stop in the city—and bring nothing but time.

We happened upon this French home interiors brand on Instagram and were delighted to discover a brick-and-mortar location in Presidio Heights. A husband-and-wife duo helm Caravane with an assist from their daughter. Neutral hues, natural fabrics like linen and cotton, bright patterns, baskets—you name it, Caravane has the prettiest, earthiest version of it. The curtains are especially gorgeous and affordable, considering many are made with organic fabrics. And the terracotta salad bowls, wooden boards, and tablecloths mimic those I-need-that! kitchen items you stop the car for driving through the markets of Aix-en-Provence.

We all spend so much more time in our homes these days, and nothing brings the outside in quite like a bevy of plants. Cove is a staple when it comes to dotting your interior with greenery. Better still, their inventory is grown locally when possible. The selection of pottery and baskets have a South-of-France-meets-Morocco aesthetic—in other words, the vibe is earthy and soothing. Cove is also a stellar spot to treat yourself to something small and pretty, like a new cookbook, a candle, or ceramic bowl.

Never has a name been more suited to a business. Epicurean Trader is exactly what you’d expect: a trader of small-batch, artisanal food goods, and then some. Every item within this gem box store is hand-selected and conjures images of wicker baskets stuffed with cheese and bread. If you’re planning a picnic, buy everything, right down to the salt (it’s Jacobsen’s), here. We especially love the gourmet kits, which here are curated by personality. (Who wouldn’t want to receive a sustainably packed box filled with olive oil, spices, sea salt, locally roasted coffee beans, and small-batch honey?) While many of the products are available online, visiting the stores—there are three of them—is an experience. The wildflower bouquets are exquisite, the interior is beautifully merchandized, and the bakery counter is a sweet dream. Store images courtesy of Leslie Santarina.

Foggy Notion is one of those cute catch-all stores that stocks the best-of-the-best when it comes to easy treats and gifts. It’s the kind of spot you want to rummage through, lest you miss the Salty Caramels tucked at the back of a shelf. The edit here skews local and we’re partial to the Mira Blackman tie-dyed socks and baby onesies for new mama gifts. Stock up on hand-crafted, letterpress stationery while you’re at it.

Gemini Bottle Co. takes its aesthetic as seriously as its inventory. The store is beautiful in a pared-back, minimal way that encourages customers to hang out and really look around. This is the Mission spot you pop into for small-grower natural wine, a jar of anchovies, bountiful CSA boxes from local farmers, and fresh, hook-and-line caught fish. There’s a robust selection of craft beers, plus all the accoutrement you need to stock a bar at home—right down to the glasses. Gemini holds weekly complimentary tastings, runs a wine club, and keeps environmental concerns at the forefront of their business. Images courtesy of Lauren Hanussak.

The fashion crowd in SF was more than a little excited to find out that Emily Holt, formerly the long-time fashion news editor for Vogue, was bringing her exquisite taste back to her home city in the form of this adorable boutique in the Marin Country Mart. In addition to a great assortment of our favorite fashion brands (Khaite, La Double J, and Sophie Buhai, to start), her shop also carries a stellar selection of books and greeting cards, plus ceramics and other artisan products from local makers.

San Francisco’s answer to Los Angeles’s food-and-shopping gem, the Brentwood Country Mart, the Marin iteration is also reliably great. The boutique lineup makes shopping anywhere else feel, frankly, unnecessary; Hero Shop, Jenni Kayne, Intermix, and James Perse next to interiors mecca Hudson Grace and handy gift stores like Sugar Paper. Foodwise, Hog Island Oyster Co. and the Farmshop top our list (there are tons of options). The sheer convenience of having stellar boutiques, restaurants, beauty, wellness, and necessities like shoe repair within one sprawling property cannot be beaten. Images courtesy of Matt Albani, Tammy Horton, and Hog Island Oyster Co.

A non-profit in Oakland, Creative Growth lives up to its name. The gallery represents and exhibits artists with developmental, physical, and intellectual disabilities while also functioning as a studio for over 140 creatives. The space is, in a word, ginormous. Twelve thousand square feet house multi-media studios, a kiln for ceramicists, the gallery, a kitchen, and a community hub. All the art produced on-site is for sale both online and through other galleries throughout the Bay Area. Portrait by Latefa Noorzai and abstract piece by Dan Miller.

Much like the Met in New York or LACMA in Los Angeles, the de Young Museum is San Francisco's encyclopedic public cultural offering—with a significant collection of Asian Art and celebrated holdings in sculpture, painting, and works on paper. After suffering significant damage during the Loma Prieta earthquake, the museum closed for five years starting in 2000 for a complete rebuild. The new Herzog & de Meuron-designed building and corresponding landscaping have made it into one of the most significant architectural destinations in the country. Even if you don't have time to stroll through the exhibitions, it's worth a trip to walk through their gorgeous grounds in Golden Gate Park.

Jeffrey Fraenkel opened his eponymous gallery when he was just 24, and over the course of the last 35 years has built his brand as one of the best photography galleries in the country. With a formidable list of artists (he's shown everyone from Sol LeWitt to Diane Arbus, and he handles the estate of Garry Wineograd) and a slew of loyal collectors, he's had an enormous influence on many significant photography collections in the city.

Wendi Norris runs one of the most cutting-edge, meticulously curated galleries in San Francisco. Norris spent ten years in tech before pivoting to the art world. Her gallery represents a wide span of contemporary and modern creatives, focusing on Latinx surrealists like Leonora Carrington. To follow the gallery’s roster of artists is a commitment, given Norris’s penchant for site-specific exhibits across cities other than San Francisco.

The Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco has two cultural institutions under its belt: The de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park and the Legion of Honor museum in Lincoln Park. While you’re here, dip into the permanent collection and find the French masters, Renaissance pioneers, and plenty of early twentieth-century photography to keep you occupied.

For a fun, earthy activity that takes you away from screens, Petaluma Pottery delivers. Right now, the studio offers private lessons to individuals and groups residing in the same household. Workshops span skills as sophisticated as volumetric image transfer to tile making and introductory sessions for mini-potters. The Quarantine Clay Club Kits—to assemble at home—make great gifts or rainy afternoon activities for kids.

After closing HQ for renovation and running their programming remotely for nearly three years, SFMOMA opened its doors to the public again in 2016. This renovation nearly tripled the size of the museum’s gallery space, expanding it from 70,000 to 170,000 square feet and giving it more exhibition space than even New York’s Museum of Modern Art. The impetus for all the new square footage? To devote space to a generous loan from collectors Doris and Donald Fisher, whose collection comprises a survey of contemporary American art that starts in the 1980s and continues to today—visitors can expect to see Chuck Close, Andy Warhol, and Ellsworth Kelly well represented, plus a strong showing of German art from that timeframe. There are also plenty of other must-sees, including an expansive outdoor living wall, a room full of Clyfford Still behemoths, and Richard Serra sculptures that can be experienced for free by the public, as they occupy an open first floor. Tickets can be purchased in advance on the website.