6 Great Restaurants in San Francisco

If you are a self professed foodie, or if you are just a person who loves food, you will love the San Francisco culinary scene. On my most recent trip I visited several spots that blew my mind!

If you have been reading for awhile then you probably already know this, but I am both gluten and dairy intolerant. This can pose a bit of a problem, particularly when you want to go to a trendy restaurant. This is so not the case in San Francisco. Each place I tried was not only able to accommodate my food allergies, they were happy to do so. Here is a round up of my favorites!

1. Contraband Coffee Bar – It wouldn’t be a proper restaurant guide if I didn’t mention a coffee shop. Contraband Coffee was definitely a favorite. (Anyone who loves coffee as much as I do is A-ok in my book!)  One of the things I love about Contraband outside of their delicious coffee, is they support their local community. Their coffee is locally grown beans and they are passionate about having a variety of flavor profiles available. Their most popular coffee is the Yenit and if you want a great gluten free donut along with it, the Dynamo Donuts are amazing!

2. Beach Street Grill: This is the only organic, gluten free restaurant on Fisherman’s Wharf so you know I was like a moth to a flame! As soon as I heard this I knew had to check it out and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. This mom and pop cafe is owned by old school San Franciscans who really care about the people they are serving. Known for the amazing breakfast, I recommend trying the gluten free pancakes..so good!

3. 1760  is located on Polk St. The vibe is very sophisticated with sleek decor and an open floor plan. The high quality dishes are made to share which allows you to try many different things and get a well rounded dining experience. They have the most amazing handcrafted cocktails that are designed to compliment the food (the Pear Ginger is famous) but also notable are the Fig and Strawberry, Blackberry Mint and the Huckleberry Cocktail. The menu is listed from lightest to richest and they suggest coming with friends and an open mind to enjoy this unique dining experience! (I REALLY recommend the Brussel Sprouts with lemon vinaigrette.)

4. First Crush This quaint little spot is cozy, romantic and perfect for date night. Located in the heart of union square, it has a casual – fine dining vibe.  They have an all-California, 200 bottle wine list and serve 30 wines by the glass or flights. The menu is seasonal with focus on fresh, local and organic ingredients (and offer several gluten free and vegan options.) The tuna tartar is not to be missed, but literally everything I had here (including a few wine flights) was mind blowing!

5. Jane on Fillmore This quirky little gem is in the cool Fillmore neighborhood and won me over instantly. From the artistic, yet charming decor, to the mind blowing coffee and gluten free goodness, this place is somewhere you want to just hang out with friends and catch up.

The owner Amanda, opened the restaurant because her friends were gluten intolerant and she wanted to create delicious gluten free and vegan friendly food (and did she ever!)  Everything in the kitchen is made from scratch, from the hearty salads to the mouth watering cookies (do NOT miss the snickerdoodle!) and my personal favorite, the avocado toast on quinoa bread. They also serve 8 different kinds of Stumptown coffee. I tried the cold brew on tap with almond milk and it was probably the best cold brew I’ve ever had!

6. Press Club  This place is perfect for those serious about wine. Located 2 blocks from Union Square, the decor is sleek and modern with a sophisticated, yet relaxed vibe. The thoughtful wine pairings offer the ultimate wine experience, including wine flights such as US vs Spain and US vs. France. Their menu consists of seasonal small plates, including meats and cheeses that go perfectly with the wine. They also have wine tastings directly from the wine maker on selected evenings which are posted on their event calendar.

If you love wine as much as I do, you will love this place. It is perfect for hanging with friends (but a warning; you’ll never want to leave!)

If you guys have other restaurants you think I should try the next time I’m in San Francisco please leave a comment and let me know!

XO,

Photos by Mikey Rodriguez