Farm to Table Restaurants in San Francisco (and bay area)

In some places, farm-to-table restaurants are a rarity. In California, however, we’re blessed with many farm-to-table restaurants to dine at. Why is this cuisine so much easier in California? According to Slate, “California produces a sizable majority of many American fruits, vegetables, and nuts: 99 percent of artichokes, 99 percent of walnuts, 97 percent of kiwis, 97 percent of plums, 95 percent of celery… (and the list goes on and on). Some of this is due to climate and soil. No other state, or even a combination of states, can match California’s output per acre.”  Whether you’re looking for a breakfast spot, a refreshing lunch, or decadent dinner, there’s a farm-to-table restaurant in San Francisco for you. Here are 11 of our favorites. 

Photo Courtesy of Homage on Yelp

Greens Marina 

• Address: 2 Marina Boulevard Fort Mason, Building A San Francisco, CA 94123
• Hours: Lunch Tue-Fri 11:30am – 2:30pm, Dinner Mon-Thurs 5:30pm – 9:00pm and Fri-Sun 5:00pm – 9:00pm, Brunch Sat & Sun 10:30am – 2:30pm
• Farm fact: Green Gulch Farm is part of the San Francisco Zen Center

While you’re sitting by the dock of the bay, dine at Greens Marina for farm-to-table vegetarian food that’s consistently winning awards. Greens almost always makes the top 100 Bay Area restaurant list published by the San Francisco Chronicle, has been recognized as one of America’s best restaurants by Zagat, and is a Michelin Guide recommendation. 

Their organic farm, Green Gulch, is in nearby Marin County. It’s also a residential Zen community that takes summer interns who want to learn about farming and Zen practices. They also source from local growers and organic farmers’ markets. Try their summer red curry with Hodo soy tofu, haricot verts, carrots, and cauliflower. 

Photo Courtesy of Tiffany on Yelp

Plow 

• Address: 1299 18th Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
• Hours:  Mon-Fri  7am-2pm, Sat-Sun 8am-2pm
• Farm fact: In keeping with their commitment to sourcing local, even the restaurant itself was built with materials found within the Bay Area

Joel Bleskacek and Maxine Siu brought Plow to the Potrero Hill neighborhood in 2010. They focus on no-fuss recipes and have a great menu just for kids. Breakfast and lunch are the stars here with options like lemon ricotta pancakes and soft-shell crab blt. 

Farms and purveyors used at this farm-to-table restaurant include Brokaw Avocados, Five Mountains Tea, and Far West Fungi. Get ready for a wait – brunch lines can take about two hours, but it’s worth it.

Photo Courtesy of Hana B on Yelp

Fish and Farm 

• Address: 424 Clay Street San Francisco, CA 94111
• Hours: 6:30 AM – 11:00 PM, every day
• Farm fact: They’ve pledged to source within a 100-mile radius

Originally located inside the Mark Twain hotel, this San Francisco farm-to-table restaurant has relocated into a bigger space in the Financial District. In addition to great food (like grilled calamari and cioppino), they now offer an expanded happy hour and cocktail menu, live music, and private events. 

They source most of their fish, meat, and produce within a 100 mile radius and only serve sustainably harvested seafood, and naturally fed, antibiotic, hormone, and steroid free meats. They default to organic produce, and offer wines from small, biodynamic producers. 

Photo Courtesy of Anne S on Yelp

Gracias Madre

• Address: 2211 Mission St.  San Francisco, CA
• Hours: Mon & Tues 11am – 10pm Wed – Fri 11am – 11pm Sat 10am – 11pm Sun 10am – 10pm
• Farm fact: Owners Terces and Matthew Engelhart own and live on the restaurant’s farm, Be Love 

In Solano County California, you’ll find Be Love farm, which provides ingredients for San Francisco vegan restaurant Gracias Madre. Their farm store is open 10-5 daily, and you can even stay overnight for a price (check out their listing on Airbnb.) 

At Gracias Madre, enjoy dishes like Pozole, Cesar salad, and my personal favorites, Coliflor Frito and seasonal Cobbler. Terces and Matthew created their restaurant to fill the void in organic, plant-based, non-GMO Mexican food, and they continue to deliver. 

Namu Gaji

• Address: 499 Dolores Street at 18th, San Francisco, CA 94110
• Hours: Tues – Thurs 5:30pm – 10:00pm, Fri 5:30pm – 10:30pm, Sat 5:00pm – 10:30pm, Sun 5:00pm-10:00 pm LUNCH Wed – Fri 11:30am-3:00pm, Sat-Sun 10:30am-4:00 pm
• Farm fact: Namu’s farmer Kristyn Leach, uses organic, biodynamic, and permaculture practices without any fossil fuels 

Recently reopened after seismic retrofitting, Namu Gaji offers Korean food that satisfies. Get gamja fries, hand cut potato, kimchee relish, gochujang kewpie mayo, teriyaki, bulgogi beef (also available vegetarian) and delicious stone pot and ramen with a cold cocktail on the side. 

When we watched a short video about the farm we heard from their farmer, Kristyn. “We have integrity in the way we do things,” says Kristyn. “At the end of the day, no matter how stressful it is, I pick up dirt from the farm and know that positive things are going on. We’re farming in a way that emphasizes people’s relationship with a place that they care about.”

Photo Courtesy of Leonardo A. on Yelp

Love Stretchy Pants?

If you’re looking for even more must-eat farm to table restaurants in SF, then check out our delicious Food Walks. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon and an experience you won’t want to miss! 

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