Neighborhood Gems: What’s Hot in the Sunset?
With San Francisco’s still-towering rent prices, more and more folks find themselves moving to the somewhat affordable Sunset neighborhood, both Inner and Outer. This migration of fog-braving, coast-loving newcomers have brought a new liveliness into the neighborhood’s dining and drinking scene.
In just the recent couple of years, the Sunset has grown its cache of cool eateries, breweries and coffee shops. And we’re here to put them all together in one hot neighborhood guide. If you’re heading to the beach, leaving the zoo, or couldn’t get a seat at Outerlands? Here are some spots to check out.
To drink: Outbound
Local brewer Woods Beer Co. recently opened the new Outbound outpost in the neighborhood, cementing its up-and-coming status among the city’s millennials. The Outbound is tiny but mighty, cramming craft beer lovers into its 750-square-foot space on a nightly basis. On tap are rotating and classic beer varieties, alongside hefty empanadas by El Porteno.
4045 Judah St.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BSfZ2cxBim2/?taken-at=171467693348376
To Instagram your meal: Big Big Pan
The Sunset has no shortage of incredible Asian spots, but newcomer Big Big Pan is a fun addition to the mix, dishing out bibimbap and cool, geometrically divided “big pans,” combining sides, meat and even soup. The adventure doesn’t stop here, as there are also metal snack boxes, a “steamed egg volcano” dish and other highly Instagram-friendly gimmicks.
2445 Noriega St.
It’s a Poke Party: Poki Time and Poke Origin
Not one but two new poke businesses have found homes in the Sunset, perhaps inspired by its proximity to the ocean. Poki Time is the mini-chain, with two more Bay Area locations, serving up minimal, assemble-your-own bowls of rice and raw fish. Poke Origin is similarly simple, offering a little bit more fish choices and add-ons. The two are a block away from each other, so a taste-off is the instinctive way to go.
Poki Time, 549 Irving St.
Poke Origin, 716 Irving St.
To sip coffee and eat pie: Revenge Pies
Despite its somewhat threatening moniker, Revenge Pies is Sunset’s brand new sweet spot, which, after a successful pop-up, decided to set up its home base inside the colorful San Franpsycho shop. On the menu, you’ll find rich, homemade pies such as French Vanilla Berry, Key Lime and Chocolate, as well as coffee drinks and ice cream. The vibe is friendly and very much neighborhood-y, and the crust is reportedly made with vodka, very much in the spirit of San Franpsycho’s rebellious goods.
1248 9th Ave.
To try a Japanese hot dog: Takuya
Yes, the fusion hot dog trend is not going anywhere, and you might as well enjoy it in its best reincarnation—the Japanese hot dog. Takuya is the new fast casual addition to the neighborhood, offering ten flavorful, loaded takes on the phenomenon, from the Kimdle, a Polish sausage meets unagi sauce and kimchee bun, to the Una, in which a bacon and mushroom sausage mingles with crispy mango and black sesame. If you want to create your own crazy mix, such options do exists. Staying away from carbs? Similar combos are available in bowl form.
716 Irving St.
Other tried-and-true Sunset gems:
Andytown, 3655 Lawton St
Cheung Hing, 2339 Noriega St
The Little Shamrock, 807 Lincoln Way
Beachside Coffee Bar & Kitchen, 4300 Judah St
Other Neighborhood Guides: Temescal, Downtown Oakland, Emeryville
