*** City: San Francisco Type: Seafood Spots: Boudin Bakery, Swan Oyster Depot, Fog Harbour Fish House, Sotto Mare, Hog Island Oyster, Woodhouse Fish Vibe: Fancy/Nautical Key Foods: Clam chowder, Dungeness crab, lobster, fish Notes: Try chowder in a sourdough bowl Budget: $$ *** City: San Francisco Type: Asian Fusion Spots: Hawker Fare, Dumpling Time, Rintaro, Bangsang, Kothai Republic, Blackwood, Lily Vibe: Trendy/Modern Key Foods: Sushi burrito, ramen, dim sum Notes: Chinatown has amazing hidden gems Budget: $$–$$$ *** City: San Francisco Type: Korean Spots: Daeho Kalbijim & Beef Soup, Kingbob, Han II Kwan, San Ho Won, Manna, Yasijing, Sonamu Korean Restaurant Vibe: Casual/Trendy Key Foods: Kalbijim, Bulgogi, Kimchi, Tteokbokki, Korean BBQ Notes: Japantown Korean restaurants Budget: $$$ *** City: San Francisco Type: Brunch Spots: Zazie, Sweet Maple, Plow, Four Chairs, Sisterita, Wooden Spoon, Plain Jane, Kitchen Story Vibe: Cozy/Hipster Key Foods: Avocado toast, mimosas Notes: Get there early — lines get long! Budget: $$–$$$ *** City: San Francisco Type: Bakery Spots: Butter & Crumble, Jina Bakes, Arsicault Bakery, B Patisserie, Tartine Bakery, Arizmendi Bakery Vibe: Sweet/Casual Key Foods: Bubble waffles, Bacon Egg and Cheese Croissant Notes: Great for grab-and-go mornings or dessert runs Budget: $–$$ *** City: San Francisco Type: Thai Spots: Khao Tiew, One Waan Thai, Ben Thai Cafe, Marnee Thai, Oraan Thai Eatery Vibe: Cozy/Authentic Key Foods: Gaeng Ped Yang, Burnt Butter Kaya Toast Notes: Get there early — lines get long! Budget: $$ *** City: San Francisco Type: Mexican Spots: La Taqueria, Metate, Papito Hayes, El Rey Taquiza, El Farolito, Taqueria Chapala, Cielito Lindo Vibe: Casual/Stylish Key Foods: Burrito, tacos, quesadillas Notes: Late night and casual! Budget: $–$$ *** City: San Francisco Type: Italian Spots: Goat Hill Pizza, Marcella's Lasagneria, Penny Roma, Pizzeria 2211, Bocconcino, Seven Hills Vibe: Casual/Homey Key Foods: Pasta, sourdough pizza, spaghetti Notes: Comfortable and warm! Great for date night! Budget: $$–$$$ *** City: San Francisco Type: Vegan Spots: Vegan Picnic, Viva Vegan Burger, Souly Vegan, Wildseed, Savor, Shizen, Om Sabor Vibe: Casual/Nature Key Foods: Vegan lasagna, vegetarian dishes Notes: Even non-vegans love these spots! Budget: $$–$$$ *** City: San Francisco Type: Chinese Spots: Makli, San Tung, R & G Lounge, Hulu Wa China Bistro, Cheung Hing, New Fortune Vibe: Family-Friendly/Comfortable Key Foods: Wonton soup, hand-pulled noodles, fried rice, pot stickers Notes: Comfort and yummy food! Budget: $–$$ *** City: San Francisco Type: Coffee/Boba Spots: Coffee Movement, Paper Son, Third Wheel, Golden Goat, Momo Tea, Boba Guys Vibe: Aesthetic/Clean Key Foods: Matcha, coffee, boba, milk tea Notes: Great for morning and afternoon drinks/snacks Budget: $ *** City: San Francisco Type: Fast-Food Spots: Raising Cane's, In-N-Out, Super Duper Burger, The Bird, Mr Charlie's Vibe: Fast Key Foods: Fries, burgers, fried chicken Notes: California's infamous spots! Quick and easy! Budget: $ *** City: San Francisco Type: Dessert Spots: Bi-Rite Creamery, Marco Polo, U :Dessert Story, MadLab Kakigori, A Buttercup Dessert House Vibe: Sweet/Casual Key Foods: Ice cream, gelato, cake, cupcakes, pastries Notes: Perfect for afternoon snacks! Budget: $ *** City: San Francisco Type: Greek Spots: Milo Meze, Kokkari Estiatorio, Souvla, Lokma, NOVY, Bursa, Presidio Kebab Vibe: Casual Key Foods: Tzatziki, gyros, moussaka, spanakopita, Greek salad Notes: So delicious and casual! Budget: $–$$ *** City: San Francisco Type: Japanese and Sushi Spots: Sawaan, XeX, Shoji, Aji Kiji, Tadaima, Ebiko, Toyama Sushi, Chacho Sushi, Ebisu Vibe: Original/Casual Key Foods: Sushi, ramen, curry, tempura, tonkatsu, udon Notes: Locally recommended! Budget: $$–$$$ *** City: San Francisco Type: Indian Spots: Sewa, Copra, Diwali Indian Cuisine, Keeva Indian Kitchen, ROOH, Kolapasi Vibe: Casual/Family-Friendly Key Foods: Biryani, butter chicken, tikka masala, palak paneer, samosas Notes: A flavorful kick! Budget: $–$$ *** City: Los Angeles Type: Mexican Spots: Leo’s Tacos Truck, Guisados, Sonoratown, Villa’s Tacos, Ana Maria, Holbox, Taqueria Los Anaya, Mirate, Guelaguetza Restaurante Vibe: Authentic/Street Key Foods: Tacos, elote, birria, chili cheese fries, cheese tacos, stall carnitas tacos, burritos, tamales Notes: Try late-night taco trucks Budget: $ *** City: Los Angeles Type: Italian Spots: Andre’s Italian Restaurant, Maccheroni Republic, OSTE., Bestia, L'Antica Pizzeria Da Michele, La Pergoletta, Cento Pasta Bar, Osteria La Buca, Bacari Silverlake Vibe: Sitdown/Casual Key Foods: Pasta, sourdough pizza, spaghetti Notes: Old-school, hearty portions, budget-friendly Budget: $–$$ *** City: Los Angeles Type: Vegan Spots: Gracias Madre, Cafe Gratitude, Au Lac, Just What I Kneaded, Crossroads Kitchen, Civico 2064, Pura Vita, Cena Vegan Vibe: Health-Conscious Key Foods: Acai bowls, jackfruit tacos, vegan lasagna, vegetarian dishes Notes: Even non-vegans love these spots Budget: $$–$$$ *** City: Los Angeles Type: Korean Spots: Quarters, Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong, Sun Nong Dan, Hangari Kalguksu, Anju House, Damsot, Dasom By Chef Kang, Han Bat Sul Lung Tang, Bori Gogae Vibe: Social/Fun Key Foods: Kalbijim, Bulgogi, Kimchi, Tteokbokki, Korean BBQ Notes: Great for group dinners Budget: $$$ *** City: Los Angeles Type: Thai Spots: Jitlada, Luv2Eat Thai, Pa Ord Noodle, Hae Ha Heng Thai Bistro, Hoy-Ka Thai, Sanamluang Cafe, Good Thai Kitchen Vibe: Cozy/Street Food Key Foods: Pad Thai, boat noodles, Thai iced tea Notes: Spicy, flavorful, and authentic Budget: $$ *** City: Los Angeles Type: Indian Spots: Badmaash, Spice Affair, India’s Grill, Tandoori Eats, Anarkali, Bombay Beach, India's Tandoori, Cali Chilli, Baar Baar, Roots Indian Bistro, Electric Karma Vibe: Casual/Modern Key Foods: Biryani, butter chicken, tikka masala, palak paneer, samosas Notes: Flavor-packed plates Budget: $$ *** City: Los Angeles Type: Seafood Spots: Burnin' Shell, Water Grill, The Lonely Oyster, Niku X, Pacific Catch, Bluesalt Fish Grill, Crab House, Lobster & Beer, Hwal A Kwang Jang, Found Oyster, Fisherman's Outlet Vibe: Fancy/Sitdown Key Foods: Clam chowder, Dungeness crab, lobster, fish Notes: Fresh seafood from the ocean! Budget: $$$ *** City: Los Angeles Type: Bakery Spots: Bastion Bakery, Holy Churro, Out of Order, Artelice Patisserie, Okayama Kobo, Coin De Rue, Roji Bakery, brown bag cookies, Republique, Levain Vibe: Cozy/Artisan Key Foods: Kouign-amann, croissants, cakes, filled churros, muffins Notes: Casual and perfect for breakfast! Budget: $$ *** City: Los Angeles Type: Brunch Spots: Caroline’s Seaside Cafe, Republique, Fratelli Cafe, Madres Brunch, Mood, Bacari Silverlake, Great White, Poppy + Rose Vibe: Casual/Social Key Foods: Burgers, sandwiches, pancakes, breakfast plates Notes: Casual and simple! Budget: $$ *** City: Los Angeles Type: Fast-Food Spots: Pizza Planet, Irv's Burgers, Howlin' Ray's, Monty's Good Burger, Olympic Burger, Dino's Chicken, Tommy's, Pink's Hot Dogs Vibe: Casual Key Foods: Fries, burgers, smash burgers, fried chicken Notes: California's infamous spots! Quick and easy! Budget: $ *** City: Los Angeles Type: Chinese Spots: Noodle St., Golden Tree Restaurant, Yang Chow, Hui Tou Xiang, Sichuan Impression, Full Moon House, Pin & Crane, Young King, Moon House Vibe: Casual Key Foods: Wonton soup, hand-pulled noodles, fried rice, pot stickers, spring rolls Notes: Noodles are hand-pulled — choose thickness Budget: $$ *** City: Los Angeles Type: Coffee/Boba Spots: RNY Coffee Studio, Rok Coffee & Tea, DAMO, Coffee MCO, Yeems Coffee, Wynd Coffee, Memorylook, Ume Tea, Le Phant, Chagee Vibe: Aesthetic Key Foods: Specialty lattes, house milk teas, jasmine green tea, brown sugar boba Notes: Perfect for morning coffee and afternoon snacks Budget: $–$$ *** City: Los Angeles Type: Dessert Spots: Joe’s Italian Ice, Indigo Cow, Bumsan Organic Milk Bar, Liu's Cafe Creamery, Awan, Beignets du Monde, Kream, Roll In The Dough, Cake and Art Vibe: Social/Fun Key Foods: Flavored ice, beignets, cakes, gelato Notes: Very popular with students; expect lines Budget: $ *** City: Los Angeles Type: Greek Spots: Papa Cristo’s, Daphne’s, The Great Greek, Eatz, Greek Bistro, Aliki's Taverna, Zaytinya, Ela Greek Eats Vibe: Casual/Chill Key Foods: Gyros, souvlaki, spanakopita, Greek salad Notes: So delicious and casual! Budget: $–$$ *** City: Los Angeles Type: Burgers Spots: For The Win, Morrison Atwater, Amboy, Cassell's, The Win-Dow, Easy Street Burgers Vibe: Casual/Affordable Key Foods: Smash burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries Notes: Fan-favorite LA smash burger with signature fry sauce Budget: $–$$ *** City: Los Angeles Type: Japanese and Sushi Spots: Bento Ya, Chubby Cattle, Yamashiro Hollywood, Marugame Monzo, Kopan Izakaya, Sushi Gen, n/naka, Yuko Kitchen, Guzzu Bento-ya, Kinjiro, Tsukiyo Sushi Vibe: Casual/Trendy Key Foods: Bento boxes, chicken katsu, miso soup, sushi, ramen, udon Notes: From cozy bento to line-worthy ramen Budget: $–$$$