The Resy Guide to Downtown San Francisco

One of the best things you can do after a long day at the office is beeline it to Schroeder’s with a couple coworkers and take the Das Boot challenge: whoever finishes first gets to call in sick the next day (a boot is two liters, a.k.a. 5 beers). It’s a game where everyone wins at the end. Yes, we just made it up. No, we are not responsible for your choices.

Name a pie more beauteous than Del Popolo’s beautifully blistered, leopard spotted, wood-fired pie. The Bianca specifically — I mean look at that thing. I can’t imagine a more beautiful thing. Make sure to grab a couple vegetable-forward small plates, like perhaps fried squash blossoms with ricotta salata, charred Jimmy Nardello peppers, and capers.

 

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Have you been to the most updated version of Liholiho Yacht Club yet? They renovated the space, and also updated the menu with some bangers, like the crispy fried swordfish katsu. And of course the classics always hit, too: tuna poke on nori chips, fluffy poppyseed-studded baos stuffed with homemade spam, and *the* baked Hawaii, of course.

Bar Sprezzatura is helping bring downtown back with its coastal Italian vibes and large menu of cichetti (small snacks) and cocktails. You’ll find crudo and carpaccio, plus larger plates. It’s the perfect happy hour spot for fun cocktails.

Whether you’ve been to this modern Northern Vietnamese stunner before or not, now’s a good time as any to visit: they just dropped a new menu. Lemongrass-grilled wings? Viet-Cajun gambas? Herb-crusted lamb chops? Gotta try ‘em all.

Go ham on some ham at southern SoMa favorite Town Hall. Specifically, you can get Benton’s 24-month-aged smoked ham with biscuits, red pepper jelly, and butters — it’s arguably America’s finest ham you can get your hands on. Trust us.

The Modern Sri Lankan tasting menu 1601 Bar & Kitchen is unlike any other. Gently cured duck leg curry. Roasted black cod in a tamarind broth. The signature egg hopper. And so much more.

The pioneering Bar Agricole is just as stunning in its new location, and it remains one of the best places in the country to sample single-origin spirits. Bonus: Its recurring Brandy Burger & Beer special nights are not to be missed.

When you need that nice spice in your life, the one that doesn’t hold back, the one that challenges your tongue and makes you sweat, Kin Khao is there for you. Pretty hot wings? Pretty good if you ask us.

See also: Why Kin Khao Is One of the Most Important Restaurants in America

Mourad Lahlou does magic at his wonderful restaurant downtown. I mean, just look at this lobster poached in a harissa and curry butter. Served with preserved lemon and curry beurre blanc, it’s *almost* too pretty to eat. Pair with a beautiful Burgundy and go to town.

 

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Get some excellent dim sum and then some, like incredible uni fried rice, sake steamed clams, smoked buttery Chilean seabass, and wok-fired ribeye cap chow fun that screams wok hei like no one’s business. Here’s more about the new HK Lounge Bistro.