WHERE TO EAT

Tony’s Pizza Napoletana

It can be hard to pick a restaurant from the many Italians of North Beach, but if you ask the locals for a recommendation you will almost certainly be pointed towards Tony’s. This no-reservation pizzeria serves up classic Neapolitan pizza from a woodburning oven, as well as Romana, New York, Detroit and St Louis-style pizzas. Tony only makes 73 of his famous Napoletana Margheritas (US$19) a day, so you may want to get in early.

Open Wed-Sun 12pm-11pm; 1570 Stockton Street; tel +1 415 835 9888; www.tonyspizzanapoletana.com

Bistro Boudin

Located on the upper level of the historic Boudin bakery building at Fisherman’s Wharf, this has a gorgeous dining room with views out on to the wharf and Alcatraz across the bay. The cuisine is upmarket seafood – think fresh fish, oysters and Crab Louis – but the signature dish is creamy clam chowder served in an edible sourdough bowl, which you will see hordes of tourists tucking into at the front of the building.

Open daily 11.30am-9.30pm (10pm Fri-Sun); 160 Jefferson Street; tel +1 415 351 5561; www.bistroboudin.com

Kate’s Kitchen

If it’s a hearty breakfast you’re after then Kate’s Kitchen in the Haight-Ashbury district is a fantastic find. It’s small and gets extremely busy throughout the day but it’s worth the wait. Service is curt and swift and portions are huge. I went for the so-called “short” stack of two plate-sized fluffy buttermilk pancakes topped with maple syrup, banana and walnuts, and had to walk it off for the next three hours.

Open daily, breakfast served all day; lunch (sandwiches, soups, salads) until 3pm; 471 Haight Street at Fillmore; tel +1 415 626 3984; www.kates-kitchensf.com