18 Places for the Best Takeout in San Francisco

Are you hungry? Are you calling in for a pick-up, or thinking of going in person to grab some food at a restaurant in San Francisco? Well, the city offers a wide variety of takeout options. The Bay Area prides itself on its food, so takeout and delivery have become extremely popular options, especially during a time of quarantine.

If you’re looking for a good bite, here are fifteen great takeout restaurants in San Francisco.

Note that some restaurants listed here are temporarily closed due to the pandemic. You can check out their websites for more information.

1. Off The Grid

Pictures courtesy of Yelp

Price Range: $$ | Hours: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Tuesday
Open During COVID for: Takeout
Address: 2 Marina Blvd, Fort Mason Center Parking Lot, San Francisco, CA 94123
Phone: (415) 339-5888

Off The Grid was founded in 2010 and has won the mobile food movement at over 15 locations with 60 weekly events that serve more than 100,000 customers. Off The Grid is now one of the best takeouts in the city, taking charge in the Bay Area, filling people with Chinese, Mexican, Italian, and South American delicacies. The truck round-up has become more popular, drawing in local customers and tourists.

Off The Grid has been helping grocery store frontline workers of the Covid-19 pandemic by organizing free meals and launching Grocery Employees Meal Fund to raise money for the purpose of feeding employees and their family members. If you wish to run your own program, they can also help you out to optimize your program by fitting their services to what your program needs.

When you are going out for takeout, don’t forget to visit Off The Grid for an inordinate amount of yummy selections. Although you might not see their food truck events in 2021 until everything goes back to normal.

2. La Taqueria

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Price Range: $ | Hours: 11:00 AM - 7:45 PM Wednesday to Sunday
Open During COVID for: Takeout
Address: 2889 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Phone: (415) 285-7117

Most Popular Items:

La Taqueria is two things. Great Mexican food and affordable prices. La Taqueria serves tacos, burritos, and quesadillas with beef, sausage, pork, or chicken. You can also have a takeout of their Carne asada and chorizo sausage. It’s a definite undisputed favorite in terms of Mexican food with getting a really good fix in just under $10.

If you order online, you should also consider their tasty taco, fajita, or burrito. Ensure that you can also bring at home their red and green salsas too. La Taqueria remains at the heart of Mission District food, serving delicious foodies.

3. Arinell Pizza

Pictures courtesy of Yelp

Price Range: $ | Hours: 11:30 AM - 8:30 PM Monday to Thursday; 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM Friday to Saturday; 12:00 NN - 8:30 PM Sunday
Open During COVID for: Delivery, Takeout
Address: 509 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Phone: (415) 255-1303

Most Popular Items:

Your take out list is not complete without a pizza. Arinell Pizza is always ready to deliver you the slim and simple slice of pizza that screams NYC. Their Valencia store opened in 1989 and since then has been serving pizzas made from handmade doughs with simple toppings just like 1970’s Italy and New York.

If you are hanging out with your friends, they’ll fix you a pie for a reasonable price. And if you only need a few slices, you can have their piping hot in a New York minute. The store is open late at night, so Arinell pizza is a great option when you need a bite before heading off to bed. Arinell pizza is great for takeout while walking around the Mission Neighborhood.

4. The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen

Pictures courtesy of Yelp

Price Range: $$ | Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM during weekdays; 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM during weekends
Open During COVID for: Delivery, Takeout
Address: 1 S Park Ave, San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone: (415) 243-0107

Most Popular Items:

With a mission to "Get a SMILE through the MAGIC of GRILLED CHEESE", Heidi and Nate opened shop in May 2010 during the peak of the Great Recession. Now, The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen is a household pizza name here in San Francisco.

If you are craving two slices of perfectly buttered toast with a whole lot of melted cheddar cheese oozing out, don’t waste your time and book your order in The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen. The restaurant offers straightforward recipes. However, one product they take to their core and is highly recommended is “Commander in Cheese.” The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen can also serve you delectable sandwiches such as “The Mousetrap,” which has an unforgettable mix of Tillamook Cheddar, Havarti, and Monterrey Jack. You should even take out their house-made Smoky Tomato Soup.

The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen will surely educate you about a simple American masterpiece.

5. The Codmother Fish and Chips

Pictures courtesy of Yelp

Price Range: $$ | Hours: 11:30 AM - 6:00 PM Wednesday to Sunday
Open During COVID for: Dine-in (Outdoor Patio), Delivery, Takeout
Address: 496 Beach St, San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone: (415) 606-9349

Most Popular Items:

A popular seafood restaurant good for takeout is The Codmother Fish and Chips. Located in the Fisherman Wharf, this is definitely the place to savor good food. They have been in this location since 2011 offering traditional British fish and chips. Perfectly grilled, fried, or baked fish is served and suitable for takeout at this restaurant.

You must order their fish and chips and another recommended meal is their Prawn cocktail on a Hoagie Roll, it is both creative and exciting to the taste. They can also deliver you their carny-style fried desserts, like their Fried Snickers Bar. Codmother is the mother of all “fish grab and go” in San Francisco.

6. San Francisco Soup Company

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Price Range: $ | Hours: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Open During COVID for: Delivery
Address: 135 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: (415) 537-7687

Most Popular Items:

If you’re looking for a rotating selection of soups as well as salads and half-sandwiches, then this is a good place to order a to-go. Especially during windy and foggy days, their soup is the perfect takeout. It will surely warm both your hands and your stomachs. You can enjoy soup for the day depending on locations. They currently have different branches so make sure to check out those locations.

Order a bowl of their signature soups like the Organic Smoky Split Pea, Organic Southwestern Corn Chowder, Organic Tomato Bisque, Grandma Mary’s Chicken Soup, Mexican Chicken Tortilla, Turkey Chili, and New England Clam Chowder. You can get them in vegetarian, low fat, spicy, dairy-free, low carb, and gluten-free.

7. San Tung Chinese Restaurant

Pictures courtesy of Yelp

Price Range: $$ | Hours: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM Monday to Tuesday, Thursday to Sunday
Open During COVID for: Delivery, Takeout
Address: 1031 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122
Phone: (415) 242-0828

Most Popular Items:

San Tung Chinese Restaurant is a hidden gem that impresses locals and visitors with their original dry-fried chicken wings, shrimp and leek dumplings, string beans, and black bean sauce noodles, and honey walnut prawns. With their crispy and addictive menu, they have earned a loyal fan base. They even draw lines so thankfully, there’s a San Tung #2 right next door.

A takeout that stands out for the freshness of ingredients and quality services is the best experience in San Francisco. Your takeout order is not complete without some Chinese delicacies, so be sure to stop by San Tung Chinese Restaurant.

8. Genki Crepes

Pictures courtesy of Yelp

Price Range: $ | Hours: 11:00 AM - 10:45 PM Monday to Thursday, Sunday, 11:00 AM - 11:20 PM Friday to Saturday
Open During COVID for: Delivery, Takeout
Address: 330 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94118
Phone: (415) 379-6414

Most Popular Items:

If you are looking for a speedy, quality, and convenient take out, Genki is the one you are looking for. What do they offer? Of course, their best savory meats such as ham, chicken, tuna salad that stuff your crepe. There are 10 different crepe combinations that you can try, perfect for those always looking for new flavors.

If you want to grab some dessert, you can go with their ice cream filled crepe and egg puffs. Although the restaurant is small, it has many delicacy foodies for visitors and locals, making Genki crepe a San Francisco takeout experience worth having!

9. Good Mong Kok Bakery

Pictures courtesy of Yelp

Price Range: $ | Hours: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Open During COVID for: Delivery, Takeout
Address: 1039 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94108
Phone: (415) 397-2688

Most Popular Items:

Part of the San Francisco worthy experience is visiting Chinatown which offers a variety of authentic Chinese meals. And if you are looking for the best dimsum in town, you must go to Good Mong Kok Bakery. It’s also the local favorite.

There might be a waiting time for takeout but it’s definitely worth it. Grab their wontons, dumplings, and egg rolls while wandering the streets of Chinatown. Be sure to grab their black tea to wash the takeout down, too. Dimsum is always the reigning classic food in San Francisco, which you should never miss!

10. Saigon Sandwich Shop

Pictures courtesy of Yelp

Price Range: $ | Hours: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Open During COVID for: Takeout
Address: 560 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 474-5698

Most Popular Items:

Vietnamese sandwich shops in San Francisco have gotten more and more popular with locals and visitors. And the best shop offering the best Vietnamese sandwiches is no other than the Saigon Sandwich Shop. It is a great place to grab the signature Banh mi, Vietnamese meal consisting of bread which is then filled with your choice of pork, sausage, chicken and dressed with cucumber, cilantro, and pickled carrots.

Not only are their sandwiches so good that they draw out long lines, service is also quick and cheap meals are also available. If you are looking for a cheaper takeout and more satisfying sandwich in San Francisco, visit Saigon Sandwich Shop!

11. Lazy Bear

Pictures courtesy of Yelp

Price Range: $$$$ | Hours: 5:30 PM - 11:00 PM
Open During COVID for: Reserved Outdoor Tasting, Delivery, Pickup
Address: 3416 19th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Phone: (415) 874-9921

Most Popular Items:

If you never got the opportunity to take your food to dine at Lazy Bear, you should grab your chance to take out some of their delicacies. Lazy Bear offers one of the intrinsically delicious and familiar cuisines, inspired by the wild and American nostalgia.

The restaurant makes sure that its visitors will have the best seasonal ingredients coming from the Bay Area. This restaurant uses both primal and modern cooking methods to create a tasting menu. Lazy Bear changes its menu frequently, but the recent sample menu is good for takeout: Whipped scrambled eggs with bacon, maple, and hot sauce; Seafood Tower (Santa Barbara Uni, Raw Kumamoto Oyster, Chilled Maine Lobster Tail; Duck Box and more.

12. Acquerello

Pictures courtesy of Yelp

Price Range: $$$$ | Hours: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Wednesday to Saturday
Open During COVID for: Takeout
Address: 1722 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Phone: (415) 567-5432

Most Popular Items:

This high-end Italian restaurant offers you a great takeout with its delicious cuisines and wines. The restaurant offers food for takeout from Wednesday to Saturday, 4 pm to 6 pm. Acquerello is ready to offer a selection of delicacies from classic Italian dishes to contemporary Italian Flavors.

This restaurant also offers a seasonal tasting menu from the freshest ingredients and innovative cooking style from Italian flavors and modern techniques. You must order for their utterly delicious desserts, though it is not cheap, but quite a bargain considering the food quality. Try their Parmesan Budino with truffle perlage and wine pairing, or Spot prawn Crudo with black lime, sudachi, and pink peppercorn. This restaurant offers one of the best takeouts in San Francisco!

13. Michael Mina

Pictures courtesy of Yelp

Price Range: $$$ | Hours: 10:30 AM - 3:00 PM for lunch; 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM for dinner
Open During COVID for: Pickup, Delivery
Address: 252 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111
Phone: (415) 722-2138

Most Popular Items:

Michael Mina is one of the best takeout places in the heart of San Francisco. The restaurant is open for pickup or delivery, offering their signature dishes and tastings. Michael Mina is proud of their exquisite spices and their true culinary oasis for all five senses. This fine-dining restaurant shows its Middle Eastern heritage with a combination of Mediterranean ingredients and techniques to create a completely new and unique cuisine.

Daily delivery and takeout are open between 10 am to 9 pm. For lunch, the pickup point is at Pabu Restaurant while dinner can be picked up at Michael Mina Restaurant. Have some of their delicious food, including Tokyo hot chicken Boise, International smoke Del Mar, Tokyo hot chicken Los Angeles, Bourbon steak Los Angeles, and many more!

14. Nopa

Pictures courtesy of Yelp

Price Range: $$$ | Hours: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM Tuesday to Saturday
Open During COVID for: Limited Outdoor Dine-in, Delivery, Takeout
Address: 560 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Phone:(415) 864-8643

Most Popular Items:

Nopa is one of the best takeout places in San Francisco that serves guests with its phenomenal organic Mexican kitchen style. The restaurant uses and specializes in organic wood-fire cuisine and creating very simple food from seasonal ingredients. Their dynamic kitchen grows from the collaboration of each chef creating a delectable weekly menu. With their open air kitchen, guests can actually see them at work - an added experience to a fine dining experience.

The restaurant recently opened a limited outdoor dining but they’re still offering their daily takeout and a delivery menu. This includes warm marinated olives, Pear Salad, Kale and Cauliflower Salad, Fried Chicken, Nopa Burger, and Chips many more.

15. Ju-Ni

Pictures courtesy of Yelp

Price Range: $$$$ | Hours: 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Open During COVID for: Delivery, Takeout
Address: 1335 Fulton St, Ste 101, San Francisco, CA 94117
Phone: (415) 655-9924

Most Popular Items:

Ju-Ni means 12 in Japanese, and this restaurant combines technique, tradition, and evolution to transform their 12 seats into a memorable experience for their guests. As they say, they are devoted to crafting moments that transcend. They aim to honor the past with every ingredient they use and technique they employ. More importantly, they want to contribute to the evolution of a sacred tradition.

Ju-Ni restaurant is happy to deliver their delicious cuisines at your doorsteps. The most loved foods they can offer are their Ju-Ni Chirashi Bowl, which has assorted fish, ikura, Hokkaido scallop, crab Tamago, house-pickled veggies, and shiso over a bed of Ju-Ni sushi rice. The restaurant also offers dessert and beverages.

16. Deli Board of San Francisco

Pictures courtesy of Yelp

Price Range: $$ | Hours: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM Tuesday to Sunday
Open During COVID for: Takeout
Address: 1058 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States
Phone: (415) 552-7687

Most Popular Items:

Deli Board is a popular lunch spot with its really big and full sandwiches worth the bucks that you’ll pay for it. Definitely. They have a wide range of choices from the meat lovers to those who live for chicken and even for very health conscious ones. They are a scrumptious mouthful that will leave you satisfied. Their sandwiches start at $17 to $20. You can also enjoy their healthy salad boards for only $13 and some fries, chips, and drinks.

These three featured items are basically just recommendations but any of their sandwiches will surely taste like a win. As of now, they’re not taking online orders or doing deliveries. Orders must be placed at the front of the deli so line up early if you want to get these!

17. Pabu

Pictures courtesy of Yelp

Price Range: $$$ | Hours: 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM; 10:30 AM - 9:00PM for Takeout and Delivery Tuesday to Saturday
Open During COVID for: Dine-in, Takeout, Delivery
Address: 101 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111, United States
Phone: (415) 535-0184

Most Popular Items:

PABU Izakaya was created by Chef Ken Tominaga, of the famed Hana Japanese restaurant, and Chef Michael Mina. Their unique and top-rated culinary delight sits at the heart of San Francisco’s Financial District. It features only the best and finest seafood. Its signature selection of A5 Japanese Wagyu is even flown in daily from Japan’s Toyosu Market.

Their menu covers the most famous and beloved Japanese food like sushi, sashimi, nigiri, grilled meats from robata, karaage, and even a seasonal cocktail menu. And if you're worrying for freshly made food, you don’t have to. Pabu knows exactly how to make these foods pristine until it reaches your table.

18. Square Pie Guys

Pictures courtesy of Yelp

Price Range: $$ | Hours: 11:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Open During COVID for: Takeout, Delivery
Address: 1077 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States
Phone: (415) 872-9290

Most Popular Items:

Of course, nothing beats pizza for takeout. And if you’re craving for one, Square Pie Guys is definitely a good choice. You can enjoy your pizzas gluten-free and even dairy-fee for a minimal addition. And one of the best parts is that for only $1.99, you can get a reusable packaging.

But they’re not only just a pizza place, they also offer your classic buffalo wings with different choices for dipping sauces that go perfectly with pizza. Or you can opt for a non traditional one with Crispy Brussels. They also have sandos and salads on the menu and some dessert. It’s definitely a one-stop takeout shop.