places that feel like old-school sf

the first time I visited san francisco, I was 14 and traveling with my mom to the city for the first time. in classic sf-winter-fashion, it was on-and-off pouring outside. like really pouring — we ducked into the nearest restaurant for cover, which happened to be tadich grill. I really don’t remember too much from being 14, but I do remember that big bowl of pasta and watching the rain on the other side of the window, falling in love with the city for the first time

I’m a sucker for a classic and old-school space. some corners of the city really do feel like a warm blanket: the red booths, low lighting, and bartenders who have worked there for 20+ years. these are the spots that have seen the whole city change around them countless of times, and they refuse to budge. my favorite spots in the city: the cozy ones, the stubborn ones, and the places with a stiff drink waiting (cue: a dirty martini from tony nik’s)

here are the places you go when you want to feel a little closer to the heart of the city:

• swan oyster depot (polk) - seafood counter! only 18 stools and make sure you bring cash!!

• tadich grill (fidi) - known for their cioppino <3

• sam’s grill (fidi) - seafood

• the old clam house (bayshore) - on the same corner since 1861

• fior d’Italia (north beach) - opened in 1886!

• original joe’s (north beach) - red booths! get the martini + spicy rig

• house of prime rib (van ness) - ugh a classic. I love this place so much (I always get the english cut and split a bottle of red)

• the big 4 (nob hill) - reopened in 2026, inside the huntington hotel — feels very old school SF (+ go to their bar downstairs, arabella’s)

• scoma’s (fisherman’s wharf) - seafood classic

• brazen head (cow hollow) - a red-lit restaurant. strong drinks

• the gold mirror (sunset) - family-run italian!

• zuni cafe (hayes valley) - get the roast chicken

• caffe trieste (north beach) - first espresso house on the west coast

• caffe greco (north beach) - great sidewalk seats

• mario’s bohemian cigar store (north beach)

• cinderella bakery & cafe (richmond) - russian piroshki since 1953

• stella pastry & caffe (north beach)

• vesuvio (north beach) - the beatnik saloon; one of my favorite spots in the city <3

• tosca cafe (north beach) - order the bourbon-cognac

• the saloon (north beach) - one of the oldest bars in the city, live music

• tony nik’s (north beach) - lounge since 1933

• bimbo’s 365 club (north beach) - there are so many great shows here <3

• comstock saloon (north beach) - cozy booths + live jazz

• bix (jackson square) - two-story supper club with live jazz

• zam zam (haight) - cocktail bar with legendary martinis (rumored to be haunted!)

• li po lounge (chinatown) - chinese mai tai!

• dawn club (downtown) - legendary jazz room, revived

• buena vista cafe (fisherman’s wharf) - brought irish coffee to america!

• top of the mark (nob hill) - panoramic views since 1939

• redwood room (union square) - art deco clift hotel bar

• starlite (union square) - bar at the top of the beacon grand

• pied piper (downtown) - at the palace hotel!

• sam wo (chinatown) - she’s back!

• hang ah tea room (chinatown) - oldest dim sum in the country

• golden gate bakery (chinatown) - known for their egg tarts

• st francis fountain (mission) - original soda fountain from 1918!

• swensen’s (russian hill) - ice cream shop from 1948! I love their ice cream so much

• mitchell’s ice cream (bernal heights) - omg their milkshakes are insane

• the ice cream bar (cole valley) - their chocolate ice cream with hot fudge is a 10/10

Thank you all for reading! I know that there must be more in the city, let me know what I missed, xoxo.

Love Always,

Su