Restaurants in San Francisco

A 16

Address 2355 Chestnut Street, San Francisco Map, Parking Street parking only, allow extra time, Lunch Wed-Fri 11:30-2:30, Dinner Sun-Thurs 5-10; Fri-Sat 5-11, Reservations Essential Website

A 16, one of the highest rated pizza and pasta restaurants in San Francisco is meant to appeal to adults, but works great for traveling families. Wood fired pizza and house-made pastas are interesting (and delicious) enough for grown-ups, and easily adaptable to kids palates. The house-cured meats are not to be missed. The staff was extra-accommodating on our visit, bringing the kids food first, adapting the menu for them, and even playing peek-a-boo with a cloth napkin. more

Arizmendi Bakery

Address 1331 9th Ave, (between Irving St & Judah St), San Francisco, CA 94122 Map, Tel (415) 566-3117 Call, Payment Cash Only Website

Arizmendi bakery's fresh baked breads are by some accounts the best in the city. The fresh made pizzas and foccacia make a great to-go lunch to bring into Golden Gate Park with you (and we are head over heels in love with the sourdough crust). High quality cheese, yogurt, and extra long breadsticks (perfect for teething babies) are also available. more

Cafe Madeline

Address 43 Ofarrell St, San Francisco, CA Map, Tel (415) 362-1713 Call, Hours Mon-Fri 9am-6pm; Sat 9am-5pm

This small coffee shop serves freshly made salads and sandwiches, but their real strength is the tempting pastries. The quick counter service makes this a great place to pick up lunch with kids, but be forewarned that it can get very busy during lunchtime. more

Cako Bakery

Address 211 O'Farrell Street (at Powell) San Francisco, CA 94102 Map, Tel 415.404.7303 Call, Website

Choosing a cupcake is always part fantasy for a child, and Cako really delivers with tens of flavors of pretty looking (and delicious) cupcakes each day. This small takeaway shop's convenient location makes it the perfect place to pick up a cupcake before heading to Union Square. If you want to avoid a sugar-induced meltdown, mini-cupcakes are available. more

Chenery Park Restaurant

Address 683 Chenery Street, San Francisco, CA Map, Tel 415.337.8537 Call, Hours Tues-Thurs: 5:30-9:15; Fri-Sat 5:30-9:45; Sun 5:30-8:45 Website

This excellent neighborhood restaurant was one of the first in the city to institute a special kids night. On Tuesday nights, there is a special kids menu, and the atmosphere is more relaxed, giving parents a chance to relax and enjoy the delicious grown-up food. more

Citizen Cupcake

Address 2 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94108 Map, Tel (415) 399-1565 Call, Hours Sun-Thurs 10am-9pm; Fri & Sat 10am-10pm, Location 3rd Floor of Virgin Megastore Website

In addition to the gourmet cupcakes and pastries that the name would lead you to expect, Citizen Cupcake also features gourmet sandwiches and salads. This is a great place for a light bite to eat and a fabulous dessert. It also has wonderful views of San Francisco's busy streets. more

Crepe O Chocolat

Address 75 Ofarrell St, San Francisco, CA 94108 Map, Tel (415) 362-0255 Call, Menu Online Menu

In addition to the obvious sweets, this restaurant serves delicious sandwiches and salads that are made right in front of you. Counter service means that you will be served quickly, and that you can easily order takeaway for a picnic. Expect interesting combinations like goat cheese, figs and a plum jam or honey-rose yogurt. Prices are very reasonable for good quality food in this neighborhood. more

Farm:Table

Address 754 Post Street, San Francisco, CA 94109 Map, Tel (415) 292-7089 Call, Website

This tiny coffee shop/bakery prides itself on serving fresh made dishes from local ingredients. The menu is limited, and daily specials are posted on the restaurant's website and twitter account. Everything we have eaten here has been delicious, from standards like banana bread muffins to more unusual items like olive oil cake. more

Giorgio's Pizza

Address 151 Clement St., San Francisco Map, Tel (415) 668 -1266 Call, Hours Sun-Thurs 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat 11am-11pm Website

Lori's Diner

Address 500 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94102 Map, Tel (415) 981-1950 Call, Website

If the line at Sears proves too long, slip into Lori's diner for a classic American breakfast amongst 50's memorabilia (including pinball machines). more

Luella

Address 1896 Hyde Street, San Francisco, CA Map, Tel (415)674-4343 Call, Hours Mon-Sat 5:30pm-10:00pm; Sun 5pm-9pm, Reservations Strongly recommended; can be booked online Website

Luella is a decidedly grown up neighborhood restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine. On Sunday nights, though, kids are welcomed with open arms. The owners (who have their own elementary-school aged son) have created a simple Kids Menu with fresh, homey choices. Grownups feast on menu items like scallop and black truffle ravioli or Coca-Cola braised pork shoulder with white bean purée and pickled red onions more

Mastrelli's Delicatessen

Address Ferry Bldg, San Francisco, CA Map, Tel (415) 397-3354 Call, Hours Mon-Fri 10am-6pm; Sat 8:30am-6pm; Sun Closed Website

This excellent deli is a perfect place to pick up sandwiches and drinks for a picnic or to take with you on a ferry ride. Ingredients are of excellent quality, and everything is super fresh. There is also a limited selection of side dishes, chips, and other accompaniments. more

Outlanders

Address 4001 Judah St (between 45th Ave & 46th Ave), San Francisco, CA 94122 Map, Website

Here's a cafe that has become a food destination - perfect for the kids who need a casual, simple meal and parents who want to eat something that tastes special. Beware of visiting at popular hours since lines can be long. more

Park Chow

Address 1240 9th Ave, San Francisco CA 94122 Map, Tel 415.65.9912 Call, Hours Sun-Thu 8am-10pm; Fri-Sat 8am-11pm, Streetcar N Judah Streetcar drops you half a block away at 9th and Irving, Locations There are also locations in San Francisco's Castro District and Lafayette Website

Steps away from Golden Gate Park's museums, Chow serves comfort foods that reflect San Francisco's traditions. The menu reflects San Francisco's Italian and Asian communities, and features fresh, organic, healthy ingredients. Expect to find dishes like Spaghetti and Meatballs alongside Smiling Noodles of Chicken and Prawns. A kids menu is available. more

Sears Fine Food

Address 439 Powell Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 Map, Tel (415) 986-0700 Call, Hours 6:30AM - 10PM Daily; breakfast served until 3PM Website

When the kids wake up too early to see the city, Sears is the perfect place to start your day. This old-fashioned diner has been recently renovated, but it's still casual and busy enough to be a good spot for kids. Sears specialty is Swedish Pancakes, and they are light, fluffy, and delicious, especially if you order them with a side of jam. I am also partial to the broiled grapefruit. more

Shanghai 1930

Address 133 Steuart St, San Francisco, CA 94105 Map, Tel (415) 896-5600 Call, Website

Shanghai 1930 is an elegant Chinese restaurant serving upscale Chinese food near the Ferry Market Building. We highly recommend "fish on a vine" and the claypot chicken. For picky eaters, the Chow Mein noodles can be prepared with chicken or vegetarian. High-chairs are available and the restaurant accommodates children with style. more

Yank Sing Dim Sum

Address 101 Spear Street, San Francisco Map, Tel 415.781.1111 Call, Hours Mon-Fri 11am-3pm; Sat, Sun, Hol 10am-4pm Website

For the best dim sum in the city, head to Yank Sing. Everything is super fresh and delicious, and your kids will enjoy the opportunity to order by pointing. For fussy eaters, order some noodles, fresh fruit and one of the excellent custard pastry. Adults should make sure to get some of the excellent soup dumplings and the duck. more

Bi Rite Creamery

Address 3692 18th St, San Francisco, Ca Map, Tel 415.626.5600 Call, Website

Amazing ice-cream in unusual flavors -- salted caramel, balsamic strawberry, honey lavender, Mexican chocolate, all served in biodegradable containers (of course). The kids ordered "pink" (balsamic strawberry) and loved it. Long lines in the summer but worth it. There's a few benches outside, but otherwise standing room only on the sidewalk since the ice cream store itself is small. more

Darla's

Address 822 Irving St, San Francisco, CA Map, Tel (415)753-3275 Call, Website

Kids eat free on Tues nights or any night if you bring in Darla's coloring page from their website. Kid friendly menu. Outdoor seating for when it's warm. Walking distance to Golden Gate Park/Academy of Science. more

Food Court in the Westfield Shopping Center

Address 865 Market St., San Francisco, CA Map, Tel (415) 512 6776 Call, Website

Don't knock it till you try it--this food court is populated with little branches of many popular restaurants around town (Slanted Door, Askew, Catch, Beard Papa for dessert). You get good food, and the kids can be kids. There's no ambiance to ruin here, and you all can even get different types of food if you want. The family lounge next to the restrooms has many changing stations, three booths with curtains for nursing privacy, and a family restroom with grown-up and kid-sized toilets and sinks. more

Foreign Cinema

Address 2534 Mission Street, San Francisco CA 94110 Map, Tel 415-648-7600 Call, Website

They have a well thought out kids menu, that actaully allows the parents time to have a leisurely meal themselves. We went early, just as they opened, and had a great time. They wait staff was considerate and engaging. more

Oriental Pearl

Address 760 Clay Street, San Francisco, CA Map, Tel (415) 433-1817 Call, Website

We have tried a number of other restaurants in Chinatown, but always end up back at Oriental Pearl. The staff is exceedingly kind to our kids (aged six and two), and the kids are big fans of both the braised and Peking duck; the meatball appetizer; and the various noodle dishes. The restaurant can get crowded on weekends, so phoning ahead for reservations is a good idea. more

The Sentinel

Address 35 New Montgomery St, San Francisco Map, Tel (415) 248-9960 Call, Website

Order the corned beef sandwich. Perfect place to pick up lunch for takeaway. Not really any kid friendly options, but some great sandwiches for adults. Menu changes seasonally. more