Want to know a secret? The best time to visit the Bay Area for “summer vacation” is actually September and October. While regions around the country are sweating their way through August, we’re layering up for our “Fogust” when the city is perpetually half-hidden by a marine layer that refuses to burn off. We embrace it, knowing that it only makes the wait for our actual summer that much sweeter – even if it does show up in early fall.
As we look ahead to those weeks when the sun is in full force and all the amazing summer produce is still peaking (looking at you, Early Girl tomatoes), we polled our Flour + Water team for their favorite local gems throughout San Francisco and the East Bay that they'd recommend for visitors looking for the deepest cuts. Like our secret sleeper summer, these are the places that we love going back to time and time again for an experience that always reminds us why we love the Bay Area so much. From Ethiopian to Burmese to Venezuelan and more, we're so fortunate to be surrounded by beautifully diverse cuisine that always leaves us inspired. Add ‘em to your list for your next trip and swing by our restaurants after to let us know what you thought!
Breadbelly
Breadbelly represents new San Francisco in the best way. The seasonal approach to both the pastries and savory dishes is met with flawless technique and the owners' clear point of view. About half of the menu changes as the farmers' market offerings transition, but the most-ordered dishes for me have luckily become some of Breadbelly's staple items. I always get the "Shrimpwich." To me, sandwiches are all about ratio, and this one nails it. A breaded patty of gulf shrimp is surrounded by seasonal slaw, takuan remoulade and a swipe of avocado sauce on a soft pandesal bun. On the sweet side of my brunch order, I'm either going for the "Mt. Tam Basque Cheesecake," which eats like the perfect mash-up of cheese plate and dessert, or "The Sesame Cookie," two soft black sesame cookies filled with dulce de leche.
-Ryan Pollnow, Co-Chef, Flour + Water Hospitality Group
Cafe Romanat
Oakland is home to a large East African community, mostly Eritreans and Ethiopians. As one benefit of that, we have several excellent Ethiopian restaurants here. My favorite is Cafe Romanat, across the street from the Grand lake Theatre (also a historic and cultural Oakland gem). My go-to items are the lentil filled Sambussas with a creamy whipped chickpea dip (similar to hummus, but different!). Also the Mushroom Sega with Lamb, served with the most perfect fluffy Injera. The decor is also very beautiful with several authentic East African pieces of furniture and art.
-Donna Collins, Assistant General Manager, Flour + Water Pizza Shop Oakland
El Gallo Giro Taco Truck
If I have to pick one, it would be El Gallo Giro Taco Truck located at the corner of Treat Ave and 23rd St. You can smell the aroma from a block away. Don't miss the carnitas! It's a super sweet family that runs the business, and it has become a community hub for us as our Preschool, Mission Kid's Co-Op, is right next door. While you wait for your tacos check out the newest mural in the Mission, on our Preschool wall, created by Francisco Franco, @francolafresh !
-Ruth Reynaga, Operations Assistant, Flour + Water Hospitality Group
Saru Handroll Bar
I became obsessed with hand rolls a few years ago when I was living in Denver and it took a while to find a go-to spot when I moved to SF (despite having way more access to fresh fish here lol). When I moved to Russian Hill I discovered Saru and it instantly became my go to! I love popping in on my way home from work to grab a couple of rolls. They are simple, delicious, always executed well and the team there is so kind! The red crab with avocado is my favorite but you really can't go wrong. Bonus: they're also open for lunch! My other go-to's include Breadbelly, Anchovy Bar, and Schlok's Bagels.
-Paige McNeil, Area Manager, Flour + Water Pizzeria/Pizza Shop
Wadaya
My current favorite local gem is a restaurant called Wadaya, located in Fremont, just a 5 minute drive from my house. They serve a unique style of dry ramen called Mazemen, which directly translates to "mixed noodles". My go-to order is the Deluxe Tokyo Mazemen which has thick and chewy noodles topped with spicy minced pork, scallions, chives, a poached and soft-boiled egg, shredded nori, bonito flakes, and sliced Chashu pork. You mix everything to thoroughly coat the noodles, and add kombu-infused vinegar halfway through to help cut the richness of the dish. The final component is a ramekin of rice that you mix into the remaining toppings after finishing your noodles. Prior to Flour + Water, I worked at an Izakaya in Mountain View called Bushido, and they had a very similar dish, which was also my favorite item on the menu. Unfortunately, they closed a few months after I left, but this dish from Wadaya is the closest thing that I've had to it, and it brings me back every time!
- Mikee Tocus, General Manager, Flour + Water Pizza Shop Mission Rock
The Aloha Club + La Grana Fish
Aloha Club is stated to be the oldest and longest bar in Oakland, and La Grana, the taco truck semi-permanently attached, serves up my favorite Baja style fish tacos in the Bay, period. The combo of the epic affordable cocktails (like their Garden Marg and One Mean Michelada) and truly craveable coastal Mexican cuisine is so special. They have the kindest, most OG neighborhood bartenders in Oakland, and sitting on the colorful patio with the speakers blasting the vibiest salsa music feels like a mini vacation.
-Amanda Flores, Senior Director of Operations, Flour + Water Hospitality Group
Horsie’s Market & Saloon
Horsie’s has been a favorite of mine for years now, dating back to the days when it was associated with The Royal Cuckoo. It’s the perfect antidote to all of the restaurants and bars these days that feel just a bit too polished; their signage is handwritten and the shelves are filled with endless tchotchkes, making it the perfect spot to drop by for a solo drink at the bar (no need to look at your phone the whole time when you can just play an endless game of ‘spot the horse’). I love trying the bartender’s recommended vermouth but most often find myself ordering a Cap Corse spritz. The best part is that you never know what kind of community-oriented event you’re going to be walking into, whether it’s music by a local pianist or a new art exhibition inside. Long live Horsie’s.
-Mac Malone, Director of Marketing + Events, Flour + Water Hospitality Group
Yamo
I really love Yamo on 18th and Mission. I've been going there since high school, and it's one of my favorite places for food in the city. It's a small 10-seat counter Burmese restaurant - super tiny, kind of a hole-in-the-wall, but absolutely delicious and affordable. They've barely raised their prices in the last 15+ years, and my lady and I can get a whole meal for under 40 bucks.
Mama is the chef - she's been cooking there since I can remember. Michelle is loved by all and will greet you with a big smile, either finding you a seat or getting your order ready to go. No alcohol, just steaming food like their signature house noodles and tea salad, or the most comforting bowl of creamy Burmese-style chicken noodle soup. It's a place where all walks of life can go and feel a part of the bustling flow of 18th and Mission. They love skateboarders and neighborhood kids, and never turn anyone away. A true Frisco gem.
-Colman Conner, Beverage Lead, Flour + Water Hospitality Group
Yo También Cantina
I’m perpetually in pursuit of great restaurant salads, so was initially drawn to this Venezuelan-meets-California spot for their cheekily-named “Is this *just* a salad?” Friends, it’s so, so much more than *just* a salad. But my current fixation is their “Best of Both Worlds” – the perfect dish for indecisive orderers because it combines the brothy beans from their Breakfast Bowl and the bright, sesame oil-slicked cabbage slaw from their Hugo Street Retreat. (Have I mentioned they also have the best names for their dishes?) This magical mash-up is further loaded with a jammy egg, tamal, salsa roja, queso fresco, pickled veggies, and chili oil, but I always order it deluxe-style with avocado and pepitas to really gild the lily. Beyond the intense craveability of the food, Yo También Cantina’s team packs so much warmth into their little corner of Inner Sunset. There’s only a handful of counter seats spanning the perimeter of the interior with more seating for two-tops and groups via an outdoor parklet, but both settings are high on joy. Everyone is *just* so happy to be there.
-Diana Hossfeld, Dir of Brand + Comms, Flour + Water Hospitality Group