You’re going to wait in line at the Shake Shack in Cow Hollow, but at least there are awesome burgers and ice cream at the end of it.

Yamo is a small Burmese spot in the Mission with great (and cheap) food.

Oma San Francisco Station in the Japan Center is an affordable entry into omakase.

The Italian Homemade Company in North Beach is a great and easy spot to drop into for homemade pasta.

Elephant Sushi in Russian Hill usually has a bit of a wait, so try to head there on the early side (they open at 6).

Liholiho Yacht Club in the Tenderloin is where you should go for a blowout meal with a group.

Woodbury is a dark bar in SoMa serving solid bar food like fried chicken sandwiches.

Cocotte is a small French place in Russian Hill where you should go for a midweek date.

Pushcart Fare in the Mission has solid takeout dim sum and good larger items like popcorn chicken.

Prairie is a contemporary Italian place in the Mission that feels like you’re eating in someone’s sci-fi fantasy.

Stock up for some sort of cheese party at Cowgirl Creamery in the Ferry Building, or go to their stand next door if you want something to eat now.

Nopa is our ultimate go-to restaurant in San Francisco.

Flour + Water in the Mission makes the best pasta in San Francisco.

Cordon Bleu is a Vietnamese lunch counter in Lower Nob Hill where you can eat a lot of food for cheap. Make sure you get the five spice chicken.

Ramen Underground is a small ramen spot on the edge of the Financial District.

Che Fico, on the edge of NoPa, serves excellent Italian food in an impressively designed space.