Top 20 Iconic Dishes in San Francisco, CA

#1

🍞

Sourdough Bread

A tangy, crusty loaf made using a unique wild yeast starter that thrives in the city's foggy climate.

#2

🥘

Cioppino

A hearty tomato-based seafood stew originally created by Italian-American fishermen on the city's docks.

#3

🌯

Mission Burrito

A jumbo-sized, foil-wrapped burrito distinguished by the addition of rice and various fillings in a large flour tortilla.

#4

🦀

Dungeness Crab

A local seasonal delicacy often served cracked and steamed or roasted with plenty of garlic and butter.

#5

🥪

Dutch Crunch Sandwich

A sandwich characterized by its unique bread topping made of rice paste that cracks into a crunchy texture during baking.

#6

🥗

Tea Leaf Salad

A signature Burmese dish made with fermented tea leaves, fried legumes, nuts, and savory seasonings.

#7

🍝

Garlic Noodles

A savory Asian-fusion dish consisting of noodles tossed in a rich, buttery sauce packed with roasted garlic.

#8

🍳

Hangtown Fry

A Gold Rush-era omelet containing breaded oysters and bacon, once a symbol of wealth for miners.

#9

🍗

Dry Fried Chicken Wings

Extra-crispy chicken wings coated in a sticky, sweet, and spicy glaze with ginger and garlic.

#10

🥩

Prime Rib

A classic cut of beef slow-roasted to perfection, traditionally carved tableside in the city's historic steakhouses.

#11

🥧

Egg Custard Tart

A Chinatown staple featuring a delicate, flaky crust filled with a smooth and creamy egg custard.

#12

🥗

Roast Chicken with Bread Salad

A celebrated dish where roasted chicken drippings soak into a warm salad of toasted bread and greens.

#13

🥟

Dim Sum

A wide array of bite-sized Chinese dishes ranging from steamed dumplings to savory buns, central to SF's food culture.

#14

🥣

Clam Chowder in a Sourdough Bowl

Creamy New England-style clam chowder served inside a hollowed-out loaf of local sourdough bread.

#15

🥐

Cruffin

A modern pastry hybrid that layers croissant dough into a muffin shape, often filled with seasonal creams.

#16

🍦

It's-It Ice Cream Sandwich

A local treat featuring two oatmeal cookies and ice cream dipped in a thick layer of dark chocolate.

#17

🥠

Fortune Cookies

Crisp, vanilla-flavored cookies with a hidden message inside, which were famously popularized in San Francisco.

#18

🍳

Joe's Special

A classic San Francisco scramble made with ground beef, spinach, onions, and eggs.

#19

🌮

Mission-Style Street Tacos

Small, flavorful tacos served on corn tortillas with various meats and salsas, found throughout the Mission District.

#20

🍨

Ghirardelli Chocolate Sundae

A decadent dessert featuring locally made chocolate sauce, premium ice cream, and whipped cream.