Famously delicious and nourishing, “Jewish food” can refer to a variety of dishes found across the Jewish diaspora. Some but not all of the restaurants on this list are kosher, and you’ll find culinary traditions that range from Tel Aviv to New York City. It’s a good place to start for anyone looking to explore and enjoy Jewish food traditions here in SF, during the holidays and beyond. Read on for some of our favorite restaurants, cafes, delis, and Jewish bakeries in San Francisco.
1. Loquat
This new bakery and cafe in Hayes Valley celebrates the foods and flavors of the Jewish diaspora with treats like poppyseed walnut babka, eggplant feta bourekas, and savory breakfast platters. It’s a unique, inspiring, and delicious addition to SF’s world-class bakery scene.
📍Location: Hayes Valley – 198 Gough St, San Francisco, CA 94102
2. Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen
Ever since Wise Sons first opened their doors in 2012, they’ve enjoyed near-constant growth and become synonymous with Jewish cuisine in SF. They now have locations in SF, Oakland, and LA. Their house-made bagels, latkes, and OG Ruben sandwich are all worth going out of your way for, and they also offer a special catering menu for Hanukkah.
📍 SF Locations:
- Japantown – 1520 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115
- Mission District – 3150 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
- Hayes Valley – 537 Octavia St, San Francisco, CA 94102
- JCCSF in Presidio Heights – 3200 California St, San Francisco, CA 94118
3. Oren’s Hummus
This small chain of Israeli restaurants up and down the Peninsula specializes in both classic and unique styles of hummus alongside a variety of pita sandwiches, shakshuka, challah french toast, and other favorites.
📍 SF Location: The Paramount, Yerba Buena – 71 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94103
4. Hummus Bodega
This kosher restaurant is located in SF’s Central Richmond district and focuses on hummus, which they make fresh daily, and other unique Mediterranean offerings like pita schnitzel, an Israeli chopped salad, and their special halva mousse for dessert.
📍 Location: Central Richmond – 5549 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94121
5. David’s Delicatessen & Diner
Opened in 1952 by Holocaust survivor and Polish immigrant David Apfelbaum, David’s Delicatessen has been feeding SF Theater District crowds for 70 years. This historic deli is a place to enjoy the classics like chicken broth with matzo ball, bagels with lox and cream cheese, chopped chicken liver sandwiches, and other Jewish deli staples.
📍Location: Union Square – 474 Geary St, San Francisco, CA 94102
6. Braid Bakery
This woman-owned Outer Sunset bakery crafts some of the city’s best challah and babka, which they serve on their own as delicious sweet treats, or if you go on a Friday, as sandwiches with savory toppings. The micro-bakery is open only on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays to pick up pre-ordered goods, but you can also keep an eye on their Instagram for pop-ups.
📍Location: Outer Sunset – 4327 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122
7. Iggy’s Place
Iggy’s Place comes from the team behind the popular Borsch Mobile food truck. They serve delicious sandwiches loaded with premium roasted meats including brisket and cold-cut beef tongue, as well as borscht, chicken matzo soup, kvass, and fresh salads.
📍Location: Outer Richmond – 3519 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94121
8. Mark ‘n Mikes
Mark ‘N Mike’s is a pop-up at One Market Restaurant serving delicious Jewish deli food. Try the flavorful pastrami or brisket sandwiches, a classic matzo ball soup, crispy loaded latkes with toppings including brisket and smoked salmon, and rugelach for dessert.
📍Location: One Market Plaza, Embarcadero – 1 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94105
9. Moscow & Tbilisi Bakery Store
This humble Russian bakery has served the Central Richmond community for decades, and you’ll find all sorts of Russian-Jewish favorites here. Pick up freshly-baked challah, a nice selection of piroshkis, apricot hamantash, and much more.
📍Location: Central Richmond – 5540 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94121
10. Sabra Grill
Sabra Grill is a kosher restaurant in San Francisco that’s been serving flavorful Israeli and Mediterranean food since 1996. Their menu includes light lunchtime favorites including lentil soup, salads, falafel, hummus plates, and rice bowls. Try the combo meals for a little of everything.
📍Location: Union Square – 419 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94108
Written by Grant MacHamer and Jamie Ferrell