The Richmond District is a San Francisco treasure, a neighborhood that can make you feel like you’re on the edge of the world. Stretching from the edge of the Western Addition to Ocean Beach and bordered by the Presidio and Golden Gate Park, the Richmond is its own city within the City. From Burmese food to tiki bars, bookstores to movie theatres, this seemingly quiet neighborhood has plenty to offer. Throw on a hoodie and explore one of San Francisco's most eclectic and under-the-radar hoods.
Eat
BURMA SUPERSTAR (309 Clement St)
Burma Superstar has hands down, no questions asked, the best Burmese food in San Francisco, and quite possibly the Bay. The tea leaf salad will change your life. Don't expect to avoid a line, but we promise it goes quick. Alternatively, try B Star, the restaurant's less crowded spin-off just down the street.
Tommy's Mexican Restaurant (5929 Geary Blvd)
The fight over the best margarita in the city is a particularly polarizing and contentious one, and Tommy's is always in the running for the title. The miles-long tequila list is perfect for connoisseurs, although the straightforward house margarita does the trick just fine. We almost forgot: the food here is pretty authentic and amazing too. Try the huevos divorciados.
Mescolanza (3750 Geary Blvd)
This cozy Italian restaurant is a great choice for date night. The staff is extremely attentive and friendly, and will make you feel right at home. They also make some of the best gnocchi in town.
Miki Restaurant (3639 Balboa St)
This hole is a wall is a must if you’re craving ramen. The restaurant is small and get crowded very quickly, but it’s definitely worth the wait for a table.
BLUE DANUBE (306 Clement St)
Clement Street's coziest coffeehouse is not to be missed. Delicious coffee, beer, wine, and savory eats (we recommend the caprese sandwich) keep loyal customers coming back.
Chino's Taqueria (3416 Balboa St)
If you’re into salsa that packs a punch, this is the place for you. This is hands down the best burrito in the Richmond, especially if you’re a vegetarian. They only take cash, so make sure you stop by an ATM beforehand.
Toy Boat Dessert Cafe (401 Clement St)
If you’ve got a bit of sweet tooth, look no further than Toy Boat. Ice cream, floats, and milkshakes are the name of the game here, but they've also got sandwiches, breakfast, and coffee drinks worth a try. True to its name, the store uses quirky vintage toys for its decor -- all of which are for sale, should you want one.
HOUSE OF BAGELS (5030 Geary Blvd)
You'll smell House of Bagels before you see it. And that's a good thing - the bakery is famous for filling its block with the delicious aroma of baked goods. Former New Yorkers: this is the closest you'll get to Brooklyn without leaving the Bay.
EATS (50 Clement St)
A wildly popular brunch spot situated right along the main drag of Clement Street, Eats keeps customers coming back with their heaping servings of loaded chicken and waffles, airy pancakes, sunny outdoor seating, and tasty brunch cocktails. (Try the grapefruit mimosa. Seriously.) Like several other brunch spots in the Bay, Eats has its fair share of hype. The best part? It lives up to that hype. And then some.
Cassava (3519 Balboa St)
If you’re looking to splurge a little, definitely head to Cassava. They have outdoor seating, which is perfect for brunch.
Drink
The Bitter End (441 Clement St)
Fair warning: The Bitter End is a favorite of USF undergrads who may or may not have be in possession of a fabricated ID.
Trad'r Sam (6150 Geary Blvd.)
Trad’r Sam is one of San Francisco’s only tiki bars. They’re famous for their scorpion bowl. If rum isn’t your thing, definitely try one of their milkshakes.
The Plough and Stars (116 Clement St)
The Plough and Stars has one of the best beer selections in the Inner Richmond. Stop by for a pint and some live Irish music.
High Treason (443 Clement St)
If pubs and dive bars aren’t your thing, head over to High Treason. This is a great place to hang out with friends and have a glass of wine.
The Blarney Stone (5625 Geary Blvd)
On the rare occasion that it’s not foggy in the Richmond, you should head over to The Blarney Stone. They have an outdoor patio that’s perfect for drinking beer.
Hearth (4701 Geary Blvd)
No whiners, no website, just booze. This homey bar is a great place to have a chill night out with friends. They have a wide variety of arcade games, so make sure to bring some quarters with you.
Do
4 Star Theatre (2200 Clement St)
The 4 Star Theatre is one of the only independently-owned cinemas left in San Francisco. It rarely gets crowded here, so it's a great place to go to see a foreign or independent film and escape for a while.
Lands End Trail (680 Point Lobos Ave)
If you’re feeling outdoorsy, but don’t want to leave the city, we recommend hiking The Lands End Trail. Besides being serene, it offers some of the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge in the city.
Balboa Theatre (3630 Balboa St)
If you’re in the mood to go see a new movie, but don’t want to deal with the crowds of downtown, head to The Balboa. The large auditoriums are never overcrowded. If you want to see an old movie, stop in on Saturday mornings and get popcorn and a drink included with your ticket.
Neck of the Woods (406 Clement St)
This is the best place in The Richmond to check out live music and comedy. A lot of their shows are free, so swing by and discover some new music.
Park Life (220 Clement St)
Park Life might just be the coolest store in the neighborhood. They sell and showcase limited edition art work, kitschy t-shirts, art and design books, zines, and off-kilter gifts. If you're looking for something unique or feel like treating yourself, this is the spot for you.
Green Apple Books (220 Clement St)
Founded in 1967, Green Apple Books is a local favorite. They have such a wide selection of books that it literally takes up two buildings. They sell new and used books, and will buy your old ones (so you can buy more books). Don't forget to check out their fantastic selection of vinyl and movies.
Legion of Honor (100 34th Ave)
This museum is small but mighty. It’s home to some of the best exhibits in the city, all for an affordable price. It’s one of the few places in the city that still offers student discounts, so if you’re broke and in college, this is worth checking out.
Sutro Heights Park (48th Ave and Point Lobos Ave)
This is arguably the coolest park in the City. It used to be Adolf Sutro’s mansion, and part of his home is still standing. This park has beautiful views of Ocean Beach, and on sunny days is a lot less crowded than most of the other parks in the city.
Noise (3427 Balboa ST)
Stop by this family-owned record shop to peruse the top-notch art and vinyl collection, and don't miss the live jazz jam sessions on Sundays!
Written by Cara Bardine
Want to explore another neighborhood? Check out our guides to The Haight, Hayes Valley, and Potrero Hill!
