San Francisco's Most Iconic Dishes and Where to Find Them
San Francisco has earned its reputation as one of America's premier “foodie” destinations. The Bay Area blends diverse cultural influences, access to exceptional local ingredients, and a spirit of culinary innovation that has created a food scene unlike anywhere else. Guests at Hotel Caza Fisherman's Wharf are perfectly positioned to embark on a grand gastronomic adventure through San Francisco's most beloved dishes. From hearty seafood stews born of the city's maritime heritage to innovative ice cream flavors that push creative boundaries, here's your essential guide to experiencing San Francisco's iconic flavors.
Mission Burrito at Taqueria El Farolito
The Mission Burrito isn't just food — it's a San Francisco institution. Unlike its slimmer cousins found elsewhere, this hefty creation is distinguished by its sheer size and additional ingredients like rice, whole beans, and avocado, all wrapped in an oversized flour tortilla. While the Mission District offers numerous worthy contenders, Taqueria El Farolito stands tall among locals as the quintessential burrito experience.
What makes El Farolito special is its unapologetic authenticity. The freshly grilled meats (particularly the carne asada and al pastor) and fresh vegetables deliver buckets of flavor. Each burrito is assembled to order, stuffed generously, and wrapped with practiced precision. The addition of their house-made salsas elevates the experience to true culinary perfection.
2779 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Irish Coffee at Buena Vista Café
Few drinking establishments can claim to have perfected a single beverage, but Buena Vista Café has done exactly that with their legendary Irish Coffee. As legend has it, in 1952, Owner Jack Koeppler partnered with travel writer Stanton Delaplane to recreate the warming concoction they'd enjoyed at Shannon Airport in Ireland. In the years since, Buena Vista has served over 40 million of these delightful drinks.
The magic lies in their meticulous preparation: preheated tulip glasses filled with two sugar cubes, hot coffee, and precisely measured Irish whiskey, all topped with a carefully poured layer of lightly whipped heavy cream. The bartenders often prepare dozens simultaneously with appropriately poetic precision. Situated near Fisherman's Wharf just a short walk from Hotel Caza, this historic establishment offers the perfect sophisticated nightcap or warming afternoon treat with sweeping views of the bay.
2765 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Sourdough Bread at Boudin Bakery
San Francisco's foggy microclimate created the perfect conditions for wild yeast cultivation, giving the city's sourdough its distinctive tangy flavor that simply can't be replicated elsewhere. Since 1849, Boudin Bakery has maintained their original "mother dough," creating an unbroken chain of baking tradition spanning over 170 years.
At their flagship location in Fisherman's Wharf, you can watch master bakers craft their loaves through demonstration windows before sampling the results. The classic round loaf features a crackling crust and chewy interior with that perfect balance of bite. For a truly San Franciscan experience, order their signature clam chowder served in a hollowed-out sourdough bowl — a comforting meal that captures the essence of the city.
160 Jefferson St, San Francisco, CA 94133
Oysters at Fog Harbor Fish House
San Francisco's proximity to Tomales Bay and Point Reyes means access to some of America's finest oysters. While several local establishments serve exceptional shellfish, Fog Harbor Fish House on Pier 39 offers a particularly memorable plate, combining sustainably harvested oysters with panoramic views of the bay.
Their selection rotates based on seasonal availability, but typically includes local varieties like Kumamoto, Miyagi, and Hog Island oysters. Order them freshly shucked on the half shell with just a squeeze of lemon to appreciate their briny sweetness. Or try them Rockefeller-style, baked with a rich spinach and herb topping. As the first restaurant on Fisherman's Wharf to commit to 100% sustainable seafood, you can enjoy their offerings with both palate-pleasing and ethical satisfaction.
Pier 39, Level 2, San Francisco, CA 94133
Artisan Chocolate at Ghirardelli Square
No culinary tour of San Francisco would be complete without acknowledging the city's sweet history with Ghirardelli Chocolate. Founded by Italian chocolatier Domingo Ghirardelli in 1852, the company helped establish San Francisco as America's chocolate capital in the 19th century.
Today, Ghirardelli Square preserves this legacy in the company's original manufacturing buildings. The Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop offers decadent sundaes featuring their signature chocolate. The Sea Salt Caramel Hot Cocoa exemplifies their contemporary offerings, while the historic surroundings provide a taste of San Francisco's gilt-edged past. Being as Ghirardelli is just a short stroll from Hotel Caza, it makes for a perfect dessert destination after dinner in the Wharf area.
900 North Point St F301, San Francisco, CA 94109
Secret Breakfast Ice Cream at Humphry Slocombe
San Francisco's innovative culinary spirit finds perfect expression in Humphry Slocombe's iconoclastic ice cream creations. Their signature "Secret Breakfast" flavor — bourbon ice cream studded with cornflake cookies — epitomizes the city's blend of playfulness and culinary sophistication.
Founded in 2008 in the Mission District, Humphry Slocombe has expanded to the Ferry Building, making their unique creations more accessible to visitors. Beyond Secret Breakfast, adventurous eaters should try their Blue Bottle Vietnamese Coffee or seasonal collaborations with local chefs. Each scoop represents San Francisco's willingness to reimagine familiar favorites through a distinctly creative lens.
One Ferry Building #8, San Francisco, CA 94111
Cioppino at Sotto Mare
This hearty seafood stew tells the story of San Francisco's Italian fishing community. Created by fishermen who would throw together the day's catch with wine and tomatoes, cioppino has evolved into one of the city's most beloved dishes. North Beach's Sotto Mare serves perhaps the definitive version — a generous bowl brimming with Dungeness crab, clams, shrimp, scallops, mussels, and fish in a garlicky, wine-enriched tomato broth.
The intimate, memorabilia-lined space enhances the authentic experience, as does the plastic bib you'll need to protect your clothes from the gloriously messy eating process. Each order comes with sourdough bread for sopping up the flavorful broth; a perfect marriage of two San Francisco specialties.
552 Green St, San Francisco, CA 94133
Miracle Pancakes at Zazie
Cole Valley's beloved Zazie has elevated breakfast to an art form with their miraculous French-inspired pancakes. Available in various seasonal incarnations, these cloud-like creations achieve the perfect balance between substantial flapjack and ethereal texture.
The "Miracle Pancakes" earn their name through a secret special preparation technique that creates extraordinary fluffiness. Whether ordered with caramelized apples in fall or seasonal summer berries, they represent breakfast at its most transcendent. Though requiring a short trip from Fisherman's Wharf, the journey is rewarded with what many consider San Francisco's most perfect morning meal, best enjoyed in their charming garden patio.
941 Cole St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Crab Louie at Scoma's
When Dungeness crab season arrives, San Franciscans celebrate with Crab Louie — a salad featuring sweet, fresh crab meat atop crisp lettuce with asparagus, hard-boiled egg, and a distinctive dressing. Scoma's Restaurant (perched on Pier 47 in a former coffee shop that once served the city’s dawn fishermen) offers perhaps the finest iteration of this classic.
Operating since 1965, Scoma's maintains its own fishing boat, ensuring the freshest possible seafood. Their Crab Louie showcases generous portions of sweet Dungeness crab with a house-made dressing that perfectly complements without overwhelming the star ingredient. The restaurant's weathered wooden interior and location on a working fishing wharf provide an atmospheric backdrop for this quintessential San Francisco delicacy.
1965 Al Scoma Way, San Francisco, CA 94133
It's-It Ice Cream Sandwich at It's-It Ice Cream
Created at San Francisco's Playland-at-the-Beach in 1928, the It's-It ice cream sandwich became so beloved that when the amusement park closed in 1972, the treat lived on. Although the company has created countless flavor variants in the decades since, the original version (vanilla ice cream between two oatmeal cookies, dipped in dark chocolate) continues to inspire devotion among locals and visitors alike.
While the factory is now in Burlingame, just south of the city, It's-It sandwiches are widely available at markets throughout San Francisco. The combination of chewy cookie, rich ice cream, and chocolate coating creates a perfect handheld dessert that connects modern visitors to nearly a century of San Francisco food history.
865 Burlway Rd, Burlingame, CA 94010
Hotel Caza Is the Perfect Base Camp For Your Tasty Tour
Guests of Hotel Caza Fisherman's Wharf are perfectly positioned to embark on a culinary expedition through these iconic San Francisco flavors. Our team is happy to provide directions, recommend additional local favorites, or even help secure reservations at these beloved establishments. Whether you're a devoted foodie or simply appreciate a good meal, these distinctive San Francisco dishes promise to enrich your Bay Area experience with flavors as memorable as the city itself. When you’re ready to plan your food-ventures, check out our Special Offers page, choose the San Francisco travel deal that best fits your itinerary, and book your stay today!
