Chef Val Cantu’s Mexican fine-dining restaurant with two Michelin stars packed up its cozy home in the Mission during the pandemic, and relocated to the former Bar Agricole space in SoMa. The the high ceilinged, black-and-white dining room diners indulge in a full tasting menu that spins through courses highlighting fresh masa or bold chocolate, including dishes such as a banana topped with caviar and other revelations.

With plenty of big industrial spaces and thirsty tech dudes, suffice it to say, SoMa is into craft beer. Cellarmaker is a rising star, a small independent brewery specializing in hopped-up IPAs, hazy pale ales, and coffee-spiced porters. The Howard Street location exclusively serves craft beer brewed in house. Yes, it’s also worth the trek to the second location in the Mission for Detroit-style pizza.

Chef Chris Bleidorn is a fine dining veteran coming from Atelier Crenn, Saison, Benu, and Alinea, but Birdsong is his first solo project. Even though he was raised in New England, he claims inspiration from the Pacific Northwest, scattering berries, mushrooms, pine needles, shellfish, and wild game across the tasting menu. The restaurant resembles an airy nest filled with warm woods, oceanic blues, and a big stack of firewood at the front.

This ambitious project from the Absinthe Group serves refined Spanish cuisine in one of the most gorgeous spaces in this city. Take advantage either at the airy bar or in the bustling dining room with paellas, tapas, pintxos, and wood-fired mains. Add a glass of cider, sherry, or a gin and tonic, and you'll be transported out of the city.

Conveniently located on the pedestrian lane that links Market to Yerba Buena Gardens, Tropisueño welcomes shoppers and tourists alike. It gets what the neighborhood needs, serving Mission-style burritos and tacos for quick work lunches, and transitioning to happy-hour margaritas and a full menu for dinner. Plus, there’s ample seating that spills outside, where diners enjoy the city and park views.

Zero Zero jumped on the Californian slash Neapolitan pizza trend with gusto, but it does it well, throwing down pillowy pies with leopard spots from the blistering hot ovens. In addition to margherita with buffalo mozzarella, topping combinations include wild mushroom with four types of cheese, and pineapple with spicy sausage. Salads and pastas are also solid, and don’t miss the soft serve with olive oil and sea salt for dessert.

Every day, this tiny counter puts out a concise menu of cold and hot sandwiches and seasonal salads. Generous cuts of meat, like roast beef and corned beef, make frequent appearances. Some of the more unusual varieties can include a deviled egg salad or lamb and eggplant. A limited number of sandwiches are available, so beat the lunch crowd to ensure you get your pick.

The Bird offers fried chicken sandwiches with pickles and a brightly acidic slaw. Add a beer and curly fries to make it a happier meal. Since opening, the sandwich shop has been drawing lines and selling out regularly, but hopefully the pandemic at least made it a little easier to catch this bird.

For very special occasions, one of San Francisco’s three-Michelin-starred jewels is tucked away on the short tree-lined street of Hawthorne. The muted white dining room offers a tasting menu that takes you through a selection of chef Cory Lee’s French- and Asian-inspired cuisine, such as the well-loved lobster coral xiao long bao (Shanghai soup dumplings).

Osha Thai has been a reliable takeout option for noodles and curry for more than 20 years, with locations across SoMa and the Embarcadero. But with new sister restaurant Lao Table, owner Lalita Souksamlane goes deeper into her homeland of Northeastern Thailand and Laos. Fans are loving the fried pork belly with fish sauce caramel; Lao sausage with peanuts and chiles; and Lao fried rice with minced chicken, basil, and a fried egg.

Garaje is an unexpected mashup of tacos and burgers with plenty of beer on tap. The “zapatos” are a flour tortilla filled with carnitas, carne asada, or mojo chicken, topped with refried beans, jack, salsa, and pressed until golden, kind of like a flattened burrito. The place doesn’t look like much from the outside and nearly every menu item is $15 or less.