Where to Eat at San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

[Image Source: Wikipedia]

Airport food gets a bad rap as being greasy, overpriced, and generally gross. Many airports have their share of food-court stinkers, but SFO’s dining scene has come a long way. Eater SF has put together a guide of where to eat at SFO, whether you're in the mood for a quick breakfast, a liquid lunch, or a sit-down dinner. Restaurants are organized by terminal and preferred dining experience. Get on your game and pull up this list before your final boarding call.

SFO's Five Standouts

1. Perry’s: Perry himself is the first to admit the combination of decent American food and good service at his 40 year-old San Francisco institution isn't rocket science, but it's hard to come by its combo of iconic comfort and convenience in an airport. Depending on the degree of your jet lag, the "famous" burger might almost live up to the hype. Perry's Cobb salad and seasonal soups also exceed SFO expectations. [Terminal 1, near Gate 42]

2. Ebisu: Thirty years ago, Steve and Koko Fuji founded Ebisu, and the Sunset sushi joint has had a steady following ever since. The SFO outpost offers a range of specialty and hand rolls, noodle dishes, and classic appetizers (edamame, miso, and the like); customers rave about the shrimp tempura udon. Frequent travelers will appreciate Ebisu's rewards program, which offers one point for every dollar spent (1,000 points scores you a $100 gift card). Be forewarned that the Potato Bug roll is intended for die-hard eel eaters only. [International Terminal Boarding Area G]

3. Burger Joint: It's no Super Duper burger, but Burger Joint makes a fine airport burger with humanely and sustainably raised Niman Ranch beef. Veggie burgers are cooked on a separate grill and there are breakfast items, and hormone-free hot dogs too. [Terminal 2, near Gate 58B]

4. Yankee Pier: This "updated New England seafood house" claims to fly in its seafood twice daily. Lobster, crab, and chowder make their requisite appearance on the menu, as does the "All-at-Once Speedee Meal" -- perfect for those dashing to make a connecting flight. Also: Dungeness crab eggs benedict for breakfast. [Terminal 3, near Gate 72]

5. Cat Cora's Kitchen: Iron Chef America's Cat Cora offers weary travelers unexpectedly upscale comfort in the form of oysters, lobster mac and cheese, steak tacos, and stiff seasonal drinks. Extra points for being open at 5:00 a.m. for breakfast, and offering biodegradable utensils to go. [Near Gate 55]

International Terminal Boarding Area A (Gates A1-A12)

For a Quick Meal

· Amoura: Mediterranean-style food, including wraps, sandwiches, beer and wine, and breakfast selections. [Near Gate A3]
· Firewood Café: Thin-crust pizzas, sandwiches, and gourmet salads. The one in the International Terminal also features a full bar. [Near Gate A12]
· Firewood Grill: Not to be confused with the other Firewood-named restaurant in the terminal, the Firewood Grill specializes in paninis, skewers and sandwiches. Full bar available. [Near Gate A3]
· Il Fornaio Caffe Del Mondo: Euro-style sandwiches, salads, baked goods, coffee, beer, and wine all grace the menu. [Near Gate A11]

International Terminal Boarding Area G (Gates G91-G102)

For a Quick Meal

· Andale Mexican Restaurant: Fresh, made-to-order Mexican entrees, a full bar, and a chain-y atmo. [Near gate G91]
· Deli-Up Café: For the fastest large deli sandwiches and salads. Deli-Up even has Chobani yogurt for breakfast, and local gem Bud's ice cream if you want a treat. [Near Gate G93]
· Il Fornaio Caffe Del Mondo: SFO gets an outpost of Larry Mindel's popular Cal-Ital chain. [Near Gate G99]
· Tomokazu: Your go-to for sushi, sashimi, teriyaki, noodles, and robata. [Near Gate 92]

TERMINAL 1: Boarding Area B (Gates 20-36)

For a Quick Meal

· Just Desserts: For a pre-security check-in sugar hit: cookies, cakes, ice cream, smoothies, coffee, and tea are available. [Near Gates 20-26, pre-security]
· Klein's Deli and Coffee Bar: Formerly located in Potrero Hill, Klein’s sells coffee, cookies, made-to-order salads, and to-go sandwiches. Beer and wine too. [Near Gate 36]
· Legends of San Francisco: This bar has slightly more substantial entrees in addition to breakfast, salads and sandwiches. [Near Gate 31]
· Max's Eatz and Fresh Bakery: BBQ items differentiate Max’s from the other sandwich and salad spots. [Near Gate 23]
· Peet's Coffee & Tea: The airport outposts of this coffee chain offers everything you'd expect coffee and tea, pastries, sandwiches, salads, and bottled beverages. Expect to pay more than you do at your neighborhood Peet's. [Near Gate 26 and terminal connector]
· Willow Creek Grill: Pizza, sandwiches, salads, burgers, pasta, and breakfast items. [Near Gate 25]

For a Leisurely Meal:

· TGI Friday’s: Friday’s offers “classic” American dinners and desserts, as well a full range of beers, wines, and cocktails. Table service available. [Near entrance to Gates 20-36]

Boarding Area C (Gates 40-48) For a Quick Meal:

For a Quick Meal

· Fung Lum: Chinese cuisine like noodles, rice dishes, dim sum, and won-ton soup. [Near entrance to Gates 40-48, pre-security]
· Guava & Java: Here's your spot for smoothies, plus coffee, salads, sandwiches, pastries, beer and wine. [Near Gate 48]

For a Leisurely Meal

· Perry’s: The airportified version of this standby SF tavern offers burgers, sandwiches, salads, soups, and breakfast. Full bar and table service. [Near Gate 42]

TERMINAL 2 Boarding Area D (Gates 50-59)

For a Quick Meal

· Andale Mexican Restaurant: Andale offers fresh, made-to-order Mexican entrees. [Near Gate 59]
· Burger Joint: For Niman Ranch burgers, hormone-free hotdogs, chicken sandwiches, and sides, consider Burger Joint. [Near Gate 58B]
· Napa Farms Market: This gourmet deli and bakery sells desserts and various prepared foods plus Tyler Florence's rotisserie chickens. [In the Retail Street area]
· Peet’s Coffee and Tea: The airport outposts of this coffee chain offer all the basics: coffee and tea, pastries, sandwiches, salads, and bottled beverages. [Near Gates 54 and 58]
· The Plant Café & Pinkberry: Serving some of the favorites from the SF outposts, like wraps, and the cult-followed Plant Burger paired with a branch of fro-yo giant Pinkberry. [Near Gate 51B]
· Starbucks: Obviously there's a Starbucks at the airport. You know the drill. [T2 Departures Level, pre-security]
· Vino Volo: An innovative airport wine bar with WiFi, small plates and bottled beer. [in the Retail Street area]
· Wakaba: Your one-stop shop for Japanese noodles, sushi, teriyaki, and bento boxes. Beer and sake also available. [Near Gate 55]

For a Leisurely Meal:

· Cat Cora’s Kitchen: Ms. Cora provides a “diverse small plate menu,” a raw bar, and a full cocktail bar and wine/beer list. [Near Gate 55]
· Lark Creek Grill: Full-service restaurant with seafood, steak, and breakfast items. Full bar. [Near Gate 50]

TERMINAL 3 Boarding Area E (Gates 60-67)

For a Quick Meal

· Guava & Java: Espresso, smoothies, salads, sandwiches, pastries, beer, and wine. [Near Gates 60-67]
· Subway: The sandwich chain offers traditional subs plus beer and wine. [Near Gates 60-67]

Boarding Area F (Gates 68-90)

For a Quick Meal:

· Andale Mexican Restaurant: Andale offers fresh, made-to-order Mexican entrees. [Near entrance to Gates 80-90]
· Boudin’s Bakery and Café: The source for famous sourdough bread, along with soups, salads, sandwiches, and coffee drinks. [Near entrance to Gates 80-90]
· Burger King: Home of the Whopper. [Near Gate 74]
· Emporio Rulli Gran Caffe: This “Italian dining bar” features soups, Paninis, espresso, and pastries. [Near Gate 79]
· Firewood Café: Thin-crust pizzas, sandwiches, gourmet salads, and more appear on the menu. [Near entrance to Gates 80-90]
· Fung Lum: Chinese cuisine, including noodles, rice dishes, dim sum, and won-ton soup. [Near entrance to Gates 80-90]
· Just Desserts: Your outpost for cookies, cakes, ice cream, smoothies, coffee, and tea. [Near entrance to Gates 80-90]
· Lori’s Diner: Known for their decadent milkshakes, Lori’s also serves burgers, sandwiches, and entrees of all types. Breakfast is offered all day. [Near the entrance to Gates 80-90]
· Peet’s Coffee and Tea: The airport outposts of this coffee chain offer all the basics: coffee and tea, pastries, sandwiches, salads, and bottled beverages. [Near gates 70, 71, 73, 88, and in the Mezzanine Food Court.]
· San Francisco Soup Company: Soup, salads, and sandwiches. [Near entrance to Gates 80-90]
· Soup and Salad Station: Gourmet soups, made-to-order salads, and wraps. [In the Mezzanine Food Court]
· Starbucks: Coffee, tea, pastries, and pre-packaged food items. [Arrivals level]
· Subway: Traditional submarine sandwiches, plus beer and wine. [In the Mezzanine Food Court]
· Tomokazu: Japanese specialties, including sushi, sashimi, teriyaki, noodles, and robata. [Near the entrance to Gates 80-90]

For a Leisurely Meal:

· Anchor Brewing Company: If you weren’t able to tour the San Francisco brewing facility, you can try any of Anchor’s brews here. American pub food is available. Table service. [Near Gate 70]
· The Buena Vista Café: The Buena Vista Café is home to the Irish Coffee as we know it. Stop by to sample the classic drink and get a hot meal. American cuisine, table service, and a full bar are available. [Near Gate 82]
· Gordon Biersch: American pub grub (including garlic fries!) and microbrewed beers. Full bar and table service are available here. [Near Gate 74]
· Yankee Pier: Yankee Pier specializes in fresh seafood, clam chowder, lobster, and crab. For breakfast, they offer Dungeness crab eggs benedict. Seafood is flown in twice daily, and the restaurant is committed to sustainable practices. Full bar and table service. [Near Gate 72]

— Kate Garklavs

More Eater Airport Dining Guides

1) New York City: John F. Kennedy (JFK) | LaGuardia (LGA) | Newark (EWR)
2) Los Angeles: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
3) San Francisco: SF International (SFO) | Oakland International (OAK)
4) Washington, DC: Washington Dulles (IAD) | Reagan National (DCA) | Baltimore Washington International (BWI)
5) Boston: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
6) Atlanta: Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL)
7) Miami: Miami International Airport (MIA)
8) New Orleans: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
9) Chicago: O'Hare International Airport (ORD) | Chicago Midway (MDW)
10) Houston: George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) | William P. Hobby (HOU)
11) Austin: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
12) Dallas: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
13) Denver: Denver International Airport (DIA)
14) Portland, OR: Portland International Airport (PDX)
15) Seattle, WA: Seattle-Tacoma Airport (SEA)
16) Minnesota: Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport (MSP)
17) Barcelona: Barcelona El Prat Airport (BCN)

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