Taking it from the top, meaning that short strip of Ocean Avenue between 19th and Junipero Serra, Lucho’s serves big Yucatecan and Cali flavors. It’s a satisfying breakfast and brunch spot, starring hefty breakfast burritos, saucy chilaquiles, succulent cochinita pibil, and bunuelos dusted with cinnamon sugar and dunked in chocolate.

Zanze left a cheesecake-sized hole in everyone’s heart when its storefront shuttered on Ocean Avenue, but it’s far from the only bakery on this side of town. Ambrosia has kept the ovens warm since 1988, and it’s where locals head for a breakfast croissant or birthday cake. The Truong family has that not-too-sweet sensibility and specializes in Princess Cake decked in marzipan and Fantasia Cake layered with airy fruit and cream.

Shabu House has multiple locations around the city, but its Ocean Avenue spot is a particularly quiet and cozy destination for the comforts of Japanese shabu-shabu. Diners gather around a simmering pot of broth and dip in thinly sliced and bundled beef and an array of veggies.

Okay, so you’ve crossed Junipero Serra and rolled down to the main drag of Ocean Ave. Here, there are two dueling sushi spots, but you don’t have to choose one to try — they’re both good. Those who prefer Kaisen Don are into big chirashi bowl action, with sliced fish arrayed over rice and dolloped with roe. 

Champa Garden is an Oakland favorite for Thai and Laotian dishes, and the owners added a second location on Ocean Avenue in 2013. There’s more to the menu than the usual curry and noodle takeout dishes, and the kitchen is not holding back on heat levels. The Champa Sampler is a particular delight, tucking Lao sausages, fried rice balls, and fried spring rolls into a container shaped like a boat. 

The other sushi destination on Ocean Ave is no less than a karaoke sushi bar, which also boasts locations on both Ocean Ave and Clement Street. But Sakesan isn’t just a party scene for students, it has legit good sushi and yaki. In addition to a long list of rolls, handrolls, and sashimi, there are grilled dishes off the robata and comforting bowls of udon, available either for dining in or taking out. 

Ocean Ale House is a friendly neighborhood pub opened by a trio of local guys in 2016. There are bar-friendly smash burgers and fried chicken sandwiches, but also a mushroom Reuben featuring local funghi and rye, and craft beer selected by a certified cicerone (beer somm). Enjoy the fresh avenue air in the blue parklet out front and check out the calendar for live music and trivia nights.

Pakwan is arguably San Francisco’s favorite mini-chain for affordable Pakistani and Indian eats, and some say the Ocean Avenue location is the best in the city (but let’s not upset the Mission). Suffice it to say, all the hits are here, too, including those buttery tikka masalas and biryani that are bigger than your face — both good for dinner, great for takeout, and even better leftover the next day.