In the last few years the Mission has undergone a startling transformation, morphing from a working-class Latino and artists' community into one of the most sought-after addresses in the city, if not the country. Foodwise, the neighborhood has kept pace, as one ambitious restaurant after another has opened its doors here. Fortunately, the Mission's famous bargains—most notably taquerias—continue to thrive, ensuring $3 burritos for the foreseeable future.

Be sure to check our parking tips for the Mission and the Castro.

Firefly
4288 24th Street
(415) 821-7652
Dinner
Noe Valley's best restaurant—a destination for diners from all over the Bay Area—is hidden in a cluster of homes west of 24th Street.

Flying Saucer
1000 Guerrero Street
(415) 641-9955
Dinner
Though not quite the hotspot it once was, this hip and pricey bistro serves up insanely creative food.

Foreign Cinema
2534 Mission Street
(415) 648-7600
Dinner
A combination art-house cinema and fine-dining establishment, Foreign Cinema wows on both fronts.

Gordon's House of Fine Eats
500 Florida Street
(415) 861-8900
Lunch, dinner
A swingin' post-industrial hideaway brightens the Industrial Mission.

Mecca
2029 Market Street
(415) 621-7000
Dinner
The dismal exterior actually works to the restaurant's advantage: Stepping through the doors feels like entering a secret enclave.

Slanted Door
584 Valencia Street
(415) 861-8032
Lunch, dinner
A San Francisco trendsetter, and widely recognized as one of the nation's finer Vietnamese restaurants.

Blue
2337 Market Street
(415) 863-2583
Dinner, brunch
Within weeks of its opening, this bistro-cum-diner's prime location and quirky, inexpensive American fare made it a hot spot.

Blue Plate
3218 Mission Street
(415) 282-6777
Dinner
Everything—from the reclaimed-dive decor, to bouquets arranged in old mackerel tins—reflects coy, quirky hipster charm.

Bruno's
2389 Mission Street
(415) 648-7701
Dinner
Cal-Italian staples, hot jazz, cool cocktails and a scene straight out of Vegas in the '60s.

Delfina
3621 18th Street
(415) 552-4055
Dinner
Finally, the Mission has a first-rate Italian place to offset the high-ticket flash-palaces invading the 'hood.

Destino
1815 Market Street
(415) 552-4451
Dinner  
A sophisticated take on classic Latin-inflected tapas at this stylish Castro hideaway.

Hamano Sushi
1332 Castro Street
(415) 826-0825
Dinner
Though this Japanese restaurant is no longer the only reason to go to Noe Valley for dinner, it's still one of the best.

Johnfrank
2100 Market Street
(415) 503-0333
Dinner
Former Neo chef brings his exceptional New American cuisine to a stylish and comfortable bistro.

Liberty Cafe
410 Cortland Street
(415) 695-8777
Dinner, brunch
Bernal Heights' best restaurant has garnered quite a following for its $12 chicken potpie.

Luna Park
694 Valencia Street
(415) 553-8584
Lunch, dinner
Satisfying upscale American food amongst loud, voracious crowds.

Miss Millie's
4123 24th Street
(415) 285-5598
Dinner, brunch
Stagger into this cute, retro-style restaurant in the morning and you'll think you've landed in Mayberry.

Slow Club
2501 Mariposa Street
(415) 241-9390
Lunch, dinner
This small, hard-to-find Potrero Hill bistro is worth tracking down for its terrific California cuisine.

Suriya Thai
1432 Valencia Street
(415) 824-6655
Dinner
A pleasantly unconventional menu and relaxed atmosphere at this inconspicuous restaurant.

Tokyo Go Go
3174 16th Street
(415) 864-2288
Dinner
An impeccably hip sushi-plus joint packed to the gills with hungry new Missionites.

Universal Cafe
2814 19th Street
(415) 821-4608
Lunch, dinner
Hidden on the outskirts of the Mission, this chic little cafe has long been a meeting-and-munching spot for those in the know.

Zodiac Club
718 14th Street
(415) 626-7827
Dinner
Should you stay at this popular bar for dinner, you'll be pleasantly surprised: Someone in the kitchen is on the ball.