San Francisco Restaurants
Sheba Piano Lounge in the Fillmore District of San Francisco; (c) Soul Of America
Sheba Piano Lounge
DESCRIPTION: Piano Lounge & Restaurant; Opened in 2006 by the Alemarjelu sisters from Ethiopia, this elegant lounge serves tri-continental cuisine complimented with mouth-watering cocktails and an extensive wine list. The Ethiopian-themed ambiance is warmly pronounced by earth-tone colors, soft fabrics, and distinctively decorated walls that suggest elegance. They specialize in great vegetarian dishes and the Sirloin Sambussa. When the Alemeyahu sisters visit Ethiopia, they shop for spices to bring them home to the Fillmore. The comfortable chairs are nicely complimented with a baby grand piano played at dinner. It’s a go-to place for soft music dining, not dancing. Use any excuse to visit for lunch, dinner and just to meet friends.
CUISINE: Ethiopian
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: no
DAYS & HOURS: Wed-Sun 5p-11p
ADDRESS: 1419 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: none
PARKING: Garage & on-street; do not use the supermarket parking lot nearby
PHONE: 415-440-7414
WEBSITE: https://www.shebapianolounge.com
Fillmore Street Café
DESCRIPTION: Cafe; An Internet café in the heart of the Fillmore. Enjoy a quick coffee or sandwich for WiFi access on the run. The change of ownership spruced up the exterior, but it seems less soulful and more about beer sales. You can still enjoy a selection of pastries with Java and one of many made-to-order sandwiches.
CUISINE: Continental
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 6a-9p; Sat 7a-9p, Sun 7a-7p
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: no
ADDRESS: 1301 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: none
PARKING: Garage & on-street
PHONE: 415-749-0987
WEBSITE: none
Nia Soul
DESCRIPTION: Cafe
CUISINE: Soul Food; menu includes Ribs and Catfish
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Sun 10a-6p
ADDRESS: 1325 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: None
PARKING: on-street
PHONE: 415-850-5408
WEBSITE: none
A returning customer at Espetus Churasscuria in San Francisco; (c) Soul Of America
Espetus Churasscuria
DESCRIPTION: Restaurant; The Market Street atmosphere is like a hip TV show and the service is even better. You must sample the fine buffet salad selections before the Churasscuria meats come wave after wave. This is one place you want to skip a meal before arriving. The variety of filet mignon, tri-tip steak, lamb, chicken, and other means is so tantalizing you’ll want an extra compartment in your stomach. The wine list meets high standards as well. Espetus has a second location in San Mateo.
CUISINE: Brazilian
PRICING: $$$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no, but a 2 drink minimum
TAKES RESERVATIONS: yes
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 11:30a-2:30p & Mon-Thu-5p-10p; Fri 11:30a-2:30p & 5p-11p; Sat Noon-3p & 5p-11p; Sun Noon-9p
ADDRESS: 1686 Market Street, San Francisco MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: Muni Metro Van Ness Station
PARKING: on-street
PHONE: 415-552-8792
WEBSITE: http://www.espetus.com
Gumbo Social
DESCRIPTION: Cafe
CUISINE: Creole
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Wed-Sat 11a-8p
ADDRESS: 5176 Third Street, San Francisco, CA MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: Muni Metro 3rd-Williams Station
PARKING: on-street
PHONE: 415-655-9195
WEBSITE: https://www.gumbosocial.com/
Rize Up Bakery
DESCRIPTION: Reinventing traditional sourdough. Rize Up was born as a way to channel energy into something healing during the social unrest caused by the murder of George Floyd. Its origin story began as a home-based quarantine sourdough project that quickly turned into a micro bakery in the Spring of 2020. Within a year, Rize Up has outgrown Azikiwee’s backyard ovens.
CUISINE: Bakery; You’ll love their inventive spin on flavors.
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 8a-3p
ADDRESS: 1160 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: Muni Metro Van Ness Station
PARKING: on-street
PHONE: 415-218-4031
WEBSITE: https://rizeupsourdough.com/
Moya Restaurant
DESCRIPTION: Cafe; This is a family-run cafe in Downtown SF. By Ethiopian restaurant standards, service is fast. The menu includes popular lunch specials such as Vegetarian Sampler, Doro Tibs, and Mushroom Chicken Tibs. They seem to do a lot of Take-out business in the evening. A good pre-option if you’re leaving the Civic Center and want food on the run.
CUISINE: Ethiopian and Vegan
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 11a-2p, 5:30p-8:30p, Sat 5:30p-8:30p
ADDRESS: 121 9th Street, San Francisco, CA MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: BART-Muni Metro Civic Center Station
PARKING: garages & on-street
PHONE: 415-431-5544
WEBSITE: https://eatmoya.square.site
A catering spread prepped by the owner of Radio Africa Kitchen; (c) Soul Of America
Radio Africa Kitchen
DESCRIPTION: Restaurant. The aroma hits you just before entering the door at this cheerful dining establishment populated with plants all around. The owner-chef Eskender Aseged insists on serving seasonal, local, and mostly organic ingredients in every dish. He sometimes gathers ingredients from the community garden that he helped launch in Bayview District. Appetizers & salads include Mushroom Crostini, Beluga Lentil Samosa, Black Lentil & Red Cabbage Salad to get you started. You’ll become a faithful customer by sampling the inventive menu, which includes Seared Ahi Tuna with Choumoula, Saffron Prawns with Birds Eye Chili Harissa and so much more. Your eyes will say, “You had me at Hello.”
CUISINE: International
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri Noon-8p
ADDRESS: 4800 Third Street, San Francisco MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: Muni Metro Third/Oakdale/Palau Station
PARKING: on-street
PHONE: 415-826-9660
WEBSITE: https://www.radioafricak.com
The Jazz Room
DESCRIPTION: Cafe; Despite the non-chalant exterior, this wine bar in the reinvigorating Third Street corridor is much appreciated for its airy indoor space and service. It’s a nice wine bar to meet after work for happy hour. So don’t be surprised to find groups of friends pouring champagne. It fills the hole left when Savannah Jazz left.
CUISINE: American
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: no
DAYS & HOURS: Daily 10a-2a
ADDRESS: 5267 Third Street, San Francisco, CA MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: Muni Metro Third Street & Williams Ave Station
PARKING: on-street
PHONE: 415-822-5719
WEBSITE: none
Peaches Patties
DESCRIPTION: Cafe; Delicious Jamaican patties for busy professionals, commuters, and visitors on the run. There’s a second location at 2948 Folsom Street, San Francisco.
CUISINE: Jamaican; Specialties include Jerk Chicken, Curry Chicken, Beef Patty, Chicken Patty & Irie Lentil Patty
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Mon 11a-4p, Tue-Sat 11a-6p,Sun 10a-4p
ADDRESS: 1 Ferry Building, Suite 50, San Francisco, CA MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: BART-Muni Metro Embarcadero Station and Market-Fishermans Wharf Streetcar
PARKING: on-street & nearby garages
PHONE: 415-562-7589
WEBSITE: https://www.peachespatties.com/
Taste one at Peaches Patties in the Ferry Building
Bissap Baobab
DESCRIPTION: Restaurant with outdoor seating in the back; Opened in 1996, Bissap Baobab has brought the savory flavors of Senegal to Mission District. It’s a community center and San Francisco cultural institution. They uphold the concept of an African village by featuring weekly, monthly, and special events, DJ parties, live music, dance performances, French language and World Cup meet-ups, independent film screenings, art exhibitions; spoken word, and poetry. There is always something going on during their work hours. The menu consists mainly of traditional Senegalese/West African cuisine organized as starters, entrees, and desserts. Save room for their homemade juice drinks or signature cocktails. Bissap Baobab proves why their name is a tribute to the symbol of life, community, and culture in Africa — the Baobab tree.
CUISINE: Senegalese; specialties include many dishes with coconut and seafood
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no
DAYS & HOURS: Wed-Thu 5:30p-10:30p, Fri-Sat 5:30-2a, Sun 5:30p-10:30p
ADDRESS: 3372 19th Street, San Francisco, CA MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: BART 16th & Mission Station
PARKING: street
PHONE: 415-235-4606
WEBSITE: https://www.bissapbaobab.com
Old Skool Cafe
DESCRIPTION: Cafe; This is a faith-based Jazz supper club in Bayview-Hunters Point. As a youth-run, violence prevention establishment that hires reformed gang members and troubled youths, it serves as a vocational training ground, employment incubator, and income generator in the community. Teresa Goines, a former corrections officer, was blessed with the idea and motivation to make it a reality. Their success is measured by 92% earning their high school diplomas, 94% being employed or in school, and 13 started attending college in 2010. As of 2014, the recidivism rate for youth at Old Skool Cafe is 10%, in comparison to the national rate of 76%, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. This is more than a “feel-good non-profit” story. The atmosphere, food, and service at Old Skool are good too.
CUISINE: Soul Food
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Wed 4:30p-7:30p, Thu 5p-9p, Sat 5-9p
ADDRESS: 1429 Mendell Street, San Francisco, CA MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: Muni Metro Third/Oakdale/Palou Station
PARKING: at Bayview Opera House
PHONE: 415-822-8531
WEBSITE: https://www.oldskoolcafe.org
Keith’s Chicken & Waffles
DESCRIPTION: Cafe; This is a faith-based Jazz supper club in Bayview-Hunters Point. As a youth-run, violence prevention establishment that hires reformed gang members and troubled youths, it serves as a vocational training ground, employment incubator, and income generator in the community. Teresa Goines, a former corrections officer, was blessed with the idea and motivation to make it a reality. Their success is measured by 92% earning their high school diplomas, 94% being employed or in school, and 13 started attending college in 2010. As of 2014, the recidivism rate for youth at Old Skool Cafe is 10%, in comparison to the national rate of 76%, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. This is more than a “feel-good non-profit” story. The atmosphere, food, and service at Old Skool are good too.
CUISINE: Soul Food
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Tue 11a-8p, Wed-Sat 10a-12a, Sun 10a-6p
ADDRESS: 270 San Pedro Road, Daly City, CA MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: BART Colma Station
PARKING: on-street
PHONE: 415-347-7208
WEBSITE: https://www.keithschickennwaffles.com