Best lunch restaurants in downtown San Francisco

A familiar downtown San Francisco sight is back: the long line snaking outside salad chains on a Wednesday at noon. Many restaurants catering to the office crowd have awoken from their pandemic slumber. Others have permanently closed. And a few new spots are trying to lure people in.

Amid this new restaurant landscape, where is a recently-returned-to-office worker supposed to go for lunch?

The Chronicle Food & Wine team scoured the area to find the best work lunch spots. Instead of sit-down, power lunch restaurants, we focused on takeout-friendly options that prioritize speed for everyday needs — after all, you may have to walk a few blocks farther for an excellent sandwich than pre-pandemic. Generally, Kearny Street is a good bet.

Here are 16 favorite lunch options in downtown San Francisco. (“Downtown” is admittedly tricky to define. For the purpose of this guide, we’re focusing on the Financial District, part of SoMa and Civic Center, where most office buildings are clustered.) Also check out our guides to the best coffee shops in downtown San Francisco and the city’s best affordable restaurants. — Janelle Bitker

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Known for baking some of the region’s most prized, flaky croissants, Arsicault also offers a few delightful, simple French lunch options at its Civic Center location. Namely, there are sandwiches: three variations on ham-on-baguette, plus a vegetarian alternative starring roasted cauliflower. The most basic, the Parisian ($12), is a display of brilliant bread, golden butter, quality ham and a generous helping of sea salt. The most elaborate, the Mediterranean ($14), adds roasted tomatoes for sweetness and tang, plus enough garlic aioli to ooze out the sides. A slice of still-warm quiche ($9), deliriously creamy and chock-full of roasted mushrooms, will appeal if you ever tire of sandwiches. And you’ll probably want to get a salt-flecked, crispy chocolate chip cookie ($3.75), too, when you see the people in front of you do the same. Located steps from City Hall, the bright bakery has several tables inside and outdoors for munching. — J.B.

Payment options: Credit cards accepted

Hours: 8 a.m.-3 p.m. daily

Phone: 415-926-5155

Website

Binita Pradhan has earned a loyal following for her momos over the past decade, enticing office workers to her takeout-only stand just off Market Street for steaming boxes of juicy, pleated dumplings with spiced tomato chutney ladled on top. This location closed for years during the pandemic, but now it’s back. For a filling lunch, go for a $17 combo plate with four momos and the stew of your choice. The baigun bharta, saucy grilled eggplant, is a great vegetarian option, while the gurkha chicken, thighs swimming in a creamy tomato gravy, is an obvious crowd pleaser. There’s also a bigger Bini’s Kitchen with seating in SoMa, at 1001 Howard St. — J.B.

Payment options: Credit cards accepted

Hours: 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday-Friday

Website

De Afghanan Kabob House is one of the many lunch options on Kearny Street vying for pedestrians’ attention. This San Francisco outpost of the popular Fremont restaurant focuses on quick service; all orders are served in takeout containers, even if you’re dining there. For a panoramic glimpse at the restaurant’s strengths, go with the triple kabob ($25.99), a generous enough portion for two of well-spiced chapli (ground beef patties), juicy chicken and savory tri-tip. It’s paired with verdant shornakhud (chickpeas and potatoes marinated in tangy chutney) and rice. Be sure to try the filling and crisp bolani ($15.99), flatbread stuffed with onions and potatoes, or a side of kadoo chalow ($9.99), butternut squash dressed in yogurt and herbs. — Cesar Hernandez

Payment options: Credit cards accepted

Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday

Phone: 415-800-8024

Website

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At this storied ramen spot that hails from Japan and has two downtown San Francisco locations, bowls of noodle soup come out fast, making it an ideal spot for a quick, hearty lunch. The Hinodeya ramen ($16) features a light dashi broth that’s made with bonito flakes (thinly sliced dried fish), kombu seaweed, scallop bouillon and pork fat. Along with springy wheat noodles, it came with classic ramen toppings like thinly sliced chashu (braised pork belly) and menma (bamboo shoots) as well as the unexpected addition of fresh baby spinach, which cut through the richness of the chashu. And for an extra kick, you can ask for some of their chile paste on the side or added directly into the broth; at Hinodeya, a level three is similar to the heat of a jalapeño. There are also two vegan ramen options ($17 each), a cold ramen ($20) and chashu donburi ($12), a pork-filled rice bowl. — Matt Yan

Payment options: Credit cards accepted

Hours: 7 a.m.- 2 a.m. daily

Phone: 415-740-1484

Website

Order online

Downtown San Francisco’s strongest slice comes from Empire Pizza, a parlor devoted to New York-style pizza from former Pizzeria Delfina chef Brandon Wells. The inside is busily decorated with New York memorabilia like a Statue of Liberty head and several classic rock concert ads. The marquee item is the crunchy, oil-rich grandma slice ($7), a thick square adorned with scorched pepperoni cups. For triangle-shaped recommendations, try the hefty meatball ($6.25) or the savory sausage and peppers ($6.25) slices. The place has lots of indoor seating and outdoor options, and is ideal for a quick, cheap meal. — C.H.

Empire Pizza announced it is temporarily closing until fall.

Payment options: Credit cards accepted

Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. daily

Website

Order online

Onigiri, the Japanese snack of a pressed rice ball surrounded by nori, is the main event at this compact Financial District takeout spot. The rice inside the palm-size triangles here is nicely fluffy, and the rice-to-filling ratio is satisfying. Highlights include onigiri made with sweet, glazed unagi; soy-braised shiitake mushroom; and tart, pickled ume with shiso flakes. A la carte ($3.65-$4.65), the onigiri make for a great snack, or you can order a lunch set ($9.65-$15.95), which pairs either two or three onigiri with sides like miso soup, karaage and edamame. (There are also more substantial lunch options like poke bowls, Japanese curries and noodle soups.) The onigiri taste best fresh out of the kitchen, but they hold up remarkably well on a longer walk back to the office. — Esther Mobley

Payment options: Credit cards accepted

Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. daily

Phone: 415-671-4706

Website

Order online

Tucked away on a back street in downtown San Francisco, Panzón is a deli-style Mexican restaurant sought for its well-stuffed burritos. The quick service restaurant has a roster of breakfast filings like ham, bacon or chorizo ($7.50), while standards like asada, carnitas and chile verde run for $13.50, or $15.50 in super burrito form. My recommendation is to go with the chilaquiles breakfast burrito ($17). Inside a flour tortilla goes crunchy, salsa-drenched (I’m partial to green) tortilla chips, rice, beans and crumbled cheese; it's sluiced with a dose of crema and more salsa. This thing is a small monster, full of crisp textures, sauce and enough weight to share with a friend. There are plenty of indoor and outdoor seats available. — C.H.

Payment options: Credit cards accepted

Hours: 6 a.m-2:30 p.m. Monday-Friday

Phone: 415-543-3663

Website

For a flavor-packed, handheld meal, head to Peaches Patties at the Ferry Building. The popular Jamaican food business is known for its namesake, supremely flaky patties, filled with curry chicken, beef, spiced lentils or spinach ($6.50 each). One or two is plenty for a substantial lunch, or go with the patty meal, which gets you one plus fried plantains and stewed veggies ($16.50). Peaches also serves a super tender jerk chicken plate ($19.99) over rice with vegetables and sweet plantains. Everything comes in takeout containers, so diners can enjoy their food at one of the outdoor tables along the Embarcadero or take it back to the office. Peaches’ small kiosk is located outside on the Embarcadero side of the Ferry Building, between Gott’s Roadside and Fort Point. — Elena Kadvany

Payment options: Credit cards accepted

Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily

Phone: 415-562-7589

Website

Amidst the steady tumult of the Ferry Building, you’ll find a Reem’s kiosk that offers an abridged menu of the Mission District restaurant’s Arab sandwiches and drinks. There’s the crowd-pleasing favorite Pali Cali ($18), which features stewed chicken and pickled onions; or you can go simple with the classic wrap ($12), a fresh mix of za’atar seasoning, mint and cucumbers. Chase it with a floral lemonade ($5) or hibiscus rose tea ($5), and be sure to pick up a baked good like the sensational, nutty chocolate chip halawa cookies ($3.50). Before owner Reem Assil launched her business as a farmers’ market bakery, she was a social justice activist. She’s currently working towards making the operation worker-owned. — C.H.

Payment options: Credit cards accepted

Hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday

Website

The salads at this fast-casual Israeli restaurant are craveably fresh and flavorful. There’s citrusy, harissa-spiced carrots; juicy, za’atar-roasted beets; and an Israeli salad that’s bright and crunchy. These get packed into hot pita ($13) or ladled into a bowl ($14) with hummus, protein and other goodies when you order lunch at Sababa. As at other Middle Eastern lunch counters, the bowls and sandwiches here are customizable; protein options include chicken shawarma, sabik (deep-fried eggplant with a melty “300-minute egg), kofta (spiced beef patties) and shatteringly crisp, not-too-dense falafel. Whichever permutation you choose, a lunch here tastes hearty and healthful. — E.M.

Payment options: Credit cards accepted

Hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday

Phone: 415-800-6853

Website

Order online

Another enticing dining option at the Ferry Building is Señor Sisig, which offers highly portable burritos, if you want to admire the San Francisco Bay. The Pinoy taqueria quickly captured the hearts of the Bay Area with hefty burritos stuffed with sisig (minced meat, onion and peppers) and tosilog (sweet pork and fried egg). Today, the operation is a force, with three restaurants scattered throughout Oakland and San Francisco along with multiple food trucks, which often park around downtown San Francisco for lunch, too. The best of the burritos is the pork Señor Sisig ($16.28) layered with smokiness that reverberates through every bite. You can even find a California burrito version ($16.20), with fries, cheese and sour cream) of the sisig. Heat comes in the form of chopped jalepeños. — C.H.

Payment options: Credit cards accepted

Hours: 10 a.m-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday

Website

Order online

The Bird is a popular SoMa lunch spot for young professionals looking for heat. The fried chicken specialist is best known for its spicy sandwiches ($10.25), which come dressed with a tangy apple slaw and crunchy pickles. It’s hot enough to burn but not enough to ruin your day; the slaw helps to tamp down the spice — or you can order it plain. If you’re looking to cut down on carbs, go with the naked bird ($8) or wings ($3 each), both of which come with a side of slaw. The plain wing — which has the drum, flat and wing tip attached — is surprisingly juicy and well-salted. Accompany your fried poultry items with curly fries ($4) or tater tots ($3.50). You’re likely to encounter a line during lunch rush, but the restaurant has two self-serve kiosks that keeps things moving quickly. Seating is a little tight inside the compact restaurant, but there is a fair amount outdoors, too. — C.H.

Payment options: Credit cards accepted

Hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 10 a.m.-9:30 pm. Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday

Website

Order online

This tiny Financial District takeout window made headlines when it debuted in 2016 with $200 uni rice bowls. (That special didn’t last long.) Now, workers flock to the Grubbies — which expanded with a SoMa location — for thoughtfully packaged sashimi sets with furikake-topped rice, miso soup and a pack of roasted seaweed. If you aren’t picky, choose the mini omakase ($22.25), which comes with seven slices of four kinds of fish plus a spoonful of salty ikura; eat it like a chirashi bowl or form mini handrolls. In addition to soy sauce, pickled ginger and wasabi, you’ll also get utensils and wet wipes, saving your keyboard from a sticky mess. — J.B.

Payment options: Credit cards accepted

Hours: 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. Monday-Friday

Phone: 415-757-0887

Website

Attached to historic bar House of Shields, the Sentinel is one of downtown’s most reliable and low-key lunch staples. The takeout-only spot posts a typed menu of about 10 rotating sandwiches each day. Across the board, the attention to detail is strong, from the house-made mayo to the plushy-yet-sturdy bread. Highlights include the pesto-accented lamb and eggplant sandwich ($15), a distinctive number with spiced chickpeas prone to escaping; and the deviled egg sandwich ($13), often the lone vegetarian option but a glorious one. The creamy, mayo-laden goodness gets a kick from chile paste. — J.B.

Payment options: Credit cards accepted

Hours: 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday-Friday

Phone: 415-769-8109

Website

Fresh, vibrant Vietnamese cooking draws a consistent crowd to Tin on Kearny, the takeout-only, lunch-focused offshoot of Tin Vietnamese Cuisine in SoMa. (The larger restaurant, at 937 Howard St., is also well worth a visit.) Vermicelli noodle bowls swim with vegetables before getting topped with hearty portions of protein; get the bun thit nuong ($14.50), thin, well-charred strips of lemongrass pork. For a lighter, more delicate lunch, order one of the fresh rice noodle rolls. For the Hue Rolls ($13.50), the supple, chewy noodles hug more of that grilled lemongrass pork and loads of fresh herbs like shiso and mint. The more complex Tin Rolls ($13.50) are similar, but with slices of boiled egg for richness and a spear of fried lumpia skin for crunch. The food comes out fast, but you can order ahead online if you’re in a rush. — J.B.

Payment options: Credit cards accepted

Hours: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday

Phone: 415-757-0378

Website

Order online

Office workers might think they don’t have enough time to treat themselves to a weekday dim sum lunch, but service moves quite quickly at Yank Sing, thanks to the enormous dining room and roaming carts laden with steaming baskets of dumplings. Founded in 1958, Yank Sing is a Bay Area dim sum institution, and for good reason. Everything tastes incredibly fresh, from bouncy siu mai ($8.40) to pillowy pork buns ($7). The egg tarts are pricey ($14.40) but flaky, custardy and, if you’re lucky, warm. If you don’t see a particular dish on the carts, just ask a server, who will dispatch a request via the ear pieces they wear and deliver it promptly. Both of Yank Sing’s downtown locations remain bustling, and take reservations. Heads up: Only the Spear Street restaurant offers takeout and delivery. — E.K.

Payment options: Credit cards accepted

Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday

Website

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Originally published on July 31, 2023