San Francisco - Berkeley - All Types

2442a Webster St., San Francisco 94612
510-238-1100

MUA

Inside downtown Oakland's art epicenter a cavernous warehouse is home to a californian-soul-food-asian-fusion/art gallery/dance party /restaurant /bar. Surprisingly mastering all and jack to none. ... read more

2512 San Pablo Ave., San Francisco 94702
510-883-1720

Sea Salt

Welcoming spot features an all-around creative and fresh nautical-themed menu, regularly peopled with good-looking Berkeley sophisticates and foodies. Home to arguably the best sandwiches on this s... read more

924 Gilman St., San Francisco
510-525-9926

The 924 Gilman Street Project

“At least we know where they are, dear … they could be down some dark alley in the back of a car.” Punk kids line up for all-ages, non-profit alternative music mixer Fridays, Saturdays, and occasio... read more

1822 San Pablo Ave., San Francisco
510-843-2473

Albatross Pub

Oldest pub in Berkeley. Glimmerin’ moonshine, Coleridge style. The Bird, man. Chill out, have a great beer on tap in a sexy glass, play darts, listen to music, play a board game (Balderdash, Boggle... read more

2115 San Pablo Ave., San Francisco
510-644-2226

Acme Bar

Wanted: black-leather-jacket-wearing, occasional coke-snorting biker folk looking to have fun, play some old punk on the jukebox and have a dingy, dark, and delightful place to call their own. Frin... read more

1517 Shattuck Ave., San Francisco
510-548-5049/-5525

Chez Panisse Café and Restaurant

Cook Werner Herzog’s shoe circa 1980, drink some Bandol, break bread with Berkeley radicals, drink some more Bandol, build organic empire and they will come. Pushing two decades of seminal eats tha... read more

3842 International Blvd., San Francisco 94601
510-533-2395

El Huarache Azteca

Hola ese, no super burritos or spinach tortilla wraps here. But bringing your hooptie way out to this Oakland barrio is worth it. Get the enchiladas de mole or huarache with cactus and carne asada.... read more

1888 Solano Ave., San Francisco
510-526-4373

Ajanta

Regional Indian dishes in elegant space. Quality aesthetic, nicely lit, good service, winner of many "Best Indian" lists. Go when the fog rolls in and you crave cultural transport. Get the vegetabl... read more

1911 Russell St., San Francisco
510-849-3419

Thai Buddhist Temple Mongkolratanaram

Sawasdee krap my main monk. Cash in American currency for plastic tokens at outdoor, around-the-world-in-one-day, Thai Sunday brunch extravaganza without jet lag or parasites. Sticky rice is steami... read more

3115 Telegraph Ave., San Francisco
510-845-3640

The Smokehouse

So few places are open late in Berkeley, you gotta take advantage. Old-school, blue-collar lunch scene, flippin’ patties since 1951. Fracking United Nations of nationalities getting their grease fi... read more

1512 Shattuck Ave., San Francisco
510-549-3055

The Cheeseboard Pizza Collective

Down-with-the-boss-man, worker-owned biz in gourmet ghetto that sells the best brioche, pecan roll and loaf of sourdough beer rye this side of capitalism. Beware mob scene at cheese counter. Plan a... read more

724 Allston Way, San Francisco
510-644-4412

Vik’s Chaat Corner

Loud sitar music, saris and random lunch crowd meets Indian-style small plates that are cheap as crack but way better. Garage/warehouse, gets zero for looks but ten for funk (pretend you're on a Bo... read more

1686 Shattuck Ave., San Francisco
510-981-1213

Cha-Ya

Don’t let veggie/vegan thing scare you. Just let your inner hippie shine on because this place is good (for you), cheap and worth the wait for one of 25 coveted seats. Tempura sushi, agedashi tofu,... read more

1830 4th St., San Francisco
510-841-8783

O Chamé

Palettes in search of afterglow find respite from upscale shopping on trendy 4th Street. Take a date, sip champagne oolong, feel beautiful. Think Japanese-California comfort food and you've got it.... read more

2109 Cedar St., San Francisco
510-883-1893

Gregoire

Teeny-tiny with big dollop of contagious "come ’n’ get it while it’s hot" neighborhood joie de vivre. Bargain prices for above-average French along Berkeley’s beloved Gourmet Ghetto. Regulars know ... read more

2181 Shattuck Ave., San Francisco
510-843-8277

Jupiter

East Bay beer house with gothic lights and old church pews for sinnin’ and grinnin’. Former livery stable with huge back patio for summertime in the city. John Martin of Triple Rock Brewery made th... read more

2284 Shattuck Ave., San Francisco
510-548-1159

Shattuck Down Low

Hidden below the Pasand restaurant, it goes something like this: samba, funk, salsa, hip-hop, reggae, karaoke on one big dance floor. Eclectic music scene and eclectic crowd. However you like it in... read more

3101 Shattuck Ave., San Francisco
510-841-2082

The Starry Plough

Bring your boyfriend, girlfriend, leprechaun—anybody is and always was welcome. Bring your poetry, fiddle, dancing boots, darts, and yer love of the ol’pint to this magical mix-up that’s way better... read more

3325 Grand Ave., San Francisco 94610
510-444-8505

The Alley

This is a piano bar, if you don't like the sound of that go shove your head up an electro DJ’s armpit. This place is so god dern'd authentic it will shake irony off even the most aloof of the... read more