San Francisco is a food lover’s dream, packed with iconic eats, trendy bites, and 39 Michelin stars awarded to 28 restaurants. But let’s be real—just because something is famous doesn’t mean it’s actually worth the hype.
During my first ever trip to San Francisco, I hit up seven highly recommended spots, expecting culinary greatness at every turn. Some delivered. Some… not so much. Here’s my brutally honest take on what’s worth your time—and what you can skip.
1. Millionaire’s Bacon – Sweet Maple Cafe
The Hype: Thick-cut, caramelized, sweet-and-spicy bacon.
Reality: I got cold bacon. Nothing about it screamed “millionaire”—very overhyped.
Verdict: Miss. It’s a no from me.
2. Egg Salad Sando – Cafe Okawari
The hype: Japanese egg salad perfection—fluffy, creamy, and seasoned.
Reality: They nailed it. A perfectly soft-boiled egg in the center, chunky but smooth filling, soft bread… everything worked. This is the kind of sandwich I dream about.
Verdict: Hit. I’d eat five of these. Wish I tried the pork katsu sando.
3. Roast Pork Bun + Egg Tart – Good Mong Kok Bakery
The hype: A Chinatown legend for no-frills, budget-friendly dim sum.
Reality: This place delivers. The roast pork bun was flavorful and the bun, pillowy soft. The egg tart? Creamy, eggy goodness. Verdict: Hit. Definitely worth the wait.
4. Clam Chowder Bread Bowl – Fog Harbor Fish House
The hype: The ultimate SF tourist food—rich clam chowder in a fresh sourdough bowl.
Reality: Overpriced. The bread bowl wasn’t good. The soup was fine but I’ve had better. Verdict: Miss. You can find better chowder + bread bowls elsewhere.
5. Boudin – Sourdough Bread
The hype: The legendary SF sourdough, with a history as rich as its tangy flavor.
Reality: I really wanted to love this. But my roll was dry and not special. Maybe it’s better fresh out of the oven, but based on my experience? Meh. Verdict: Miss. I had high hopes, but it just didn’t hit.
6. Secret Breakfast Sundae – Humphry Slocombe
The hype: Bourbon ice cream + cornflake cookies = heaven.
Reality: Absolute flavor bomb. Huge fan of how the caramel hardened to a perfect chewy texture over the cold ice cream. Verdict: Hit. No notes for this bowl of perfection.
7. Croissants – Arsicault Bakery
The hype: One of the best / most well known bakeries in SF.
Reality: I’ve never been to Paris, but I feel like this croissant transported me close to France. Buttery, flaky, and delicious at room temperature. An elite pastry experience. Verdict: Hit. Worth every flaky crumb!!
Final Thoughts
San Francisco has some serious food gems, but not every viral spot is worth your time (or money). Would I go back? Absolutely—to all my “hit” spots. As for the misses? Once was enough. San Francisco is home to a lot of Michelin Star restaurants, places with a lot of history, and viral dishes I need to get my hands on.
There are still so many places I didn’t get to try, so another SF food adventure is definitely in my future. Got any must-visit recommendations? Drop it in the comments—I’m always looking for my next great foodie find!
This is the 6th and final part in my San Francisco Eats Mini-Series!! Check out all the other parts here and be sure to follow me on IG + Tik Tok to hear first when new posts are dropping!
And if you’re new here—hi, I’m Ivy! I started The Ivy Vines to share my favorite recipes, foodie finds, and more with you. I also love trying food + drink trends to see if they’re really worth your time. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you find something delicious!
Happy reading + eating!
– Ivy
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