- if you end up in North Beach (Little Italy) most of the places are very touristy and just average quality. Do a little research on Yelp to find the better places. The best Italian in the City is actually up in Russian Hill called Seven Hills. It is awesome, but getting in can be quite the challenge. Some of the best pizza on the west coast is Tony's. Their Napilatano style pizzas are very authentic. My favorite pie there by far is the New Yoirker. Superb pizza. Also, getting gelato at Gelato Classico Italian is a must. It's better gelato than half the places I've tried in Italy
- it's a ways off downtown, but Hayes Valley has some great little restaurants. Souvla is a Greek eatery over there that has the best salad in the city in my opinion. They also have this frozen Greek yogurt with a sour cherry sauce that is highly addictive. Absinthe is a French restaurant down the street that is very good. And, Chantal Guillon has some of the best French macarons you'll ever have. There is also a fantastic specialty chocolate shop a block from there called Christopher Elbow
- China town is like Little Italy - tons of touristy subpar quality places. My favorite place in that area is R&G Lounge, but the wait to get in can be horrendous. The best Chinese in the city is actually in the Inner and Outer Richmond areas
- the Mission has tons of culinary gems. The neighborhood looks scary and industrial, but you'll be fine. A Latin place I love down there is El Techo. They have a nicer restaurant downstairs, but go to the patio restaurant on the roof. Much more casual and it's kind of loud and fun with a good nighttime view of the city.