Nopa | A guide to exploring San Francisco’s neighborhoods
Stretching east from Golden Gate Park, the Panhandle has woven itself into my daily routine and somehow makes even a quick walk feel like hitting the reset button. Mornings start here with coffee in hand and my current favorite podcast in my ears. What used to be sand dunes is now one of my favorite places to clear my head and acts as the southern border of one of my favorite micro-neighborhoods: North of Panhandle, affectionately known as Nopa.
Originally part of Western Addition, Nopa underwent a transformative period driven by real estate agents seeking to rebrand, gentrify, and draw in tech workers during the early 00s. These days it’s all coffee shops, cozy restaurants, a barcade tucked inside an old church, and just enough chaos on a Friday night to keep things interesting. This guide rounds up my true regular spots and my hyper-local favorites: the coffee I’m loyal to, the specialty grocery I can’t live without, and the spots we return to again and again for dinner.
Must try restaurants in Nopa
Bar Crudo | Seafood $$
Bar Crudo is one of those places that works for any kind of night. It’s equal parts relaxed and polished, perfect for a happy hour that turns into dinner plans or a pre-date cocktail that feels special without being stuffy. The crudo is always fresh, the wine menu is on point, and the energy is exactly right for lingering a little longer than planned.
best for: easy date nights, happy hour seafood cravings
Brenda's | Southern $
A Neighborhood favorite, Brenda's channels the spirit of New Orleans by delivering soulful dishes in a lively ambiance. Celebrated for its fluffy beignets and fried chicken, Brenda's offers a taste of Southern comfort with every bite. The shrimp and grits are a fan favorite and the hushpuppies are deliciously crispy. Their commitment to authentic flavors offers a taste of the Big Easy right in the heart of San Francisco.
best for: brunch & missing southern food
Cafe Reveille | Cafe $
Café Réveille is our go-to for quick mornings and easy lunches. It’s the kind of place you pop into for a simple cup of coffee and somehow end up staying for a breakfast burrito (always add merguez) or the chicken sandwich at lunch. It’s easy, reliable, and hits that sweet spot between workday fuel and neighborhood café energy.
best for: casual coffee dates, grab-and-go mornings
Che Fico | Italian $$$ | Michelin Guide
This chic-meets-rustic Italian restaurant is a cult favorite here. Che Fico is a buzzing spot that pays homage to Jewish-Roman cuisine and treats Northern California as a region in Italy. Expect to find seasonal antipasto, Neapolitan pizzas, branzino, and delicious rich pastas. The bartenders sling playful (and stiff) cocktails and the wine pairings are a delight. Your first bite will be enough to understand why she’s so popular and why reservations are practically necessary.
best for: impressing out of towners or dinner with your parents
Early to Rise | Brunch $$
Early to Rise is where you go when you want to take your time at brunch. It’s a modern diner with that cozy, unhurried morning feel, ideal for working through a second cup of coffee while chatting your way through breakfast. The grits are absurdly good and so buttery in the best way and the eggs Benedict never disappoint. I’ve heard their quick grab bagels are a great time, as well!
best for: cozy mornings & lingering brunches
Hahdough | German bakery $
Hahdough is a little slice of Germany tucked into the neighborhood. The pastries are beautiful, the cakes get rave reviews, and the custard-filled donuts are non-negotiable when you’re near by.
best for: pastry runs & sugar-fueled afternoons
Horsefeather | New American $$
Horsefeather combines relaxed neighborhood charm with reinvented American classics. The warm, chic atmosphere and vintage vibe are the perfect backdrop for a night out. The duck fat fries are a crowd favorite and their double cheeseburger and gochujang crispy wings keep me frequenting this spot. The cocktail program features refreshing twists on moscow mules and gin coolers that are perfect for brunch!
best for: group dinners & brunch with the girlies
Ju-ni | Sushi $$$ | Michelin Guide
Ju-Ni is an experience kind of dinner. Intimate, refined, and quietly impressive, it’s the place you go when you want sushi to be the main event. Every bite feels intentional, the service is impeccable, and it’s perfect for a celebratory night that leans more magical than casual.
best for: special occasions & fancy sushi night
The Mill | Coffee & Bakery $
Renowned for its collaboration with Josey Baker, The Mill has become a neighborhood icon and cherished SF coffee shop. Treat yourself to a Four Barrel latte and one of their signature dishes featuring Josey’s hearty, freshly baked bread topped with a mountain of avocado or almond butter with sea salt. The egg-in-a-hole toast is my go-to breakfast when I’m in the mood to post up in a laid-back, rustic shop. Expect a line and be sure to check out Monday pizza nights.
best for: coffee with carbs & cozy mornings
Nopa | New American $$-$$$
Somehow both sophisticated and laid-back, Nopa is a neighborhood favorite restaurant that elevates American cuisine with a touch of Mediterranean flair. The daily menu revolves around their wood-burning stove and features dishes like grilled fruit, seasonal fish, grilled lamb, and supposedly one of the best burgers in town. The industrial chic ambience, high ceilings and open kitchen create an inviting space that should be next on your list.
best for: team dinners, birthdays, date nights
Nopalito | Mexican $$ | Michelin Guide
A casual sister restaurant of Nopa, Nopalito blends the vibrant flavors of Mexico with a modern, inviting atmosphere. Their Pozole Rojo has a grip on my taste buds and their thick homemade corn tortillas are the star of almost every dish. The totopos, squash quesadillas, carnitas and pozole are a must try and if you’re feeling adventurous and comfy in the kitchen yourself, take home a copy of their James Beard award winning restaurant cookbook!
best for: margaritas with pals, weeknight eats
RT Rotisserie | New American $$
This fast casual spot from the team behind Rich Table has an absolute grip on me when I’m not in the mood to cook or when I’m fighting off a cold. Their rotisserie chicken soup is genuinely restorative, packed with herbs and finished with that deeply comforting chicken-fat rice. The crispy chicken or cauliflower rice bowls never miss and the umami fries are non-negotiable with any order.
best for: take-out nights, under the weather healing
Souvla | Greek $
Souvla is my go-to when I need something fast but still crave-worthy. The lamb always hits, the rotisserie chicken is so juicy, the avgolemono soup is pure comfort food, and everything always feels fresh. It’s easy, reliable, and exactly what you want when you don’t feel like committing to a full sit-down moment. And whatever you do, don’t skip the frozen Greek yogurt topped with baklava crumbles and honey. My husband and I always fight over the last bite.
best for: quick lunches, easy dinners, a little sweet treat
Bars for yapping or nightcaps
Fool's Errand | Wine bar $
Fool’s Errand is a great place to wander into for one glass and accidentally stay all night. The wine list rotates often, which means there’s always something new to try, and the energy never feels precious or intimidating. It’s perfect for a low-key catch-up with friends, an easy post-dinner glass, or a spontaneous “one more?” kind of evening.
best for: casual hangs, trying a unique wine
Gigi's | Wine bar $$
Gigi’s is effortlessly cool in the way that only a great wine bar can be. The space is beautiful and modern, the wine list is thoughtfully curated, and the food menu offers Vietnamese inspired bites that always hit. It’s the ideal space for absolutely yapping while enjoying good vibes and even better wine.
best for: being in the loop & an elevated wine date
The Page | Dive bar $
The Page is the neighborhoods living room, if your living room served cheap drinks and had incredible people-watching. It’s no-frills in the best way, with an old-school, come-as-you-are energy that makes everyone feel like a regular after one visit. A true local gem for good times and zero pretense.
best for: late nights, strong pours & classic dive bar energy
Coffee, treats & little shops
Bi-Rite — it’s like having a permanent farmer’s market in my backyard. Don’t skip the produce, cheese, or florals!
Bitters Bottle Shop — a beautifully curated liquor store that just hit the neighborhood!
Loving Cup — hand churned frozen yogurt that’s perfect for a quick scoop on a hot day!
The Mill — worth mentioning again for a great cup of coffee with a fun, thick slice of toast with various toppings!
Rare Device — an adorable stationary and trinket shop
Sightglass — great place to sip on a delicious pour over and read
On my radar…
New to the neighborhood or longtime favorites I somehow still haven’t made it to, these are the spots at the top of my next-to-visit list:
Bar 821 — an intimate speakeasy type with a big amaro selection
Foghorn Taproom — new-ish to the neighborhood, this taproom is known for their wings and crispy Nashville hot chicken sandwiches. It’s calling my name.
Katsuo + Kombu — scratch made Fukuoka-style Udon
Ken — an almost hidden 6-seat sushi spot on the Michelin guide
Lucinda’s Deli — a tiny deli known for their pastrami, roast beef, and spicy tuna melt
Scarlet Fox — a casual but cute wine bar
Hamburger Project — this place hit the spotlight due to a bit of drama but man do I love a smash burger so I gotta check it out!
