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Guide to UCSF Neighborhood Restaurants
Every year, Synapse publishes a roundup of restaurants near the Parnassus
campus, because we like to cover the basics, and there’s nothing much
more basic than eating.
While it is impossible in the space available to mention every restaurant near
campus, we provide a rundown of what’s available, culled from Synapse
reviews from the past. (Hungry at Mission Bay? Click here.)
Your benevolent university hears the rumble of hunger in your stomach and has
dotted the Parnassus campus with places to eat. Besides the centrally located
cafeteria in Moffitt Hospital (known hereabouts as the Moffiteria), and the
Courtyard Cafe in the Nursing building (freshest produce around), there are
several eateries in Millberry Union.
In the food court at the entrance to Millberry, a variety of flavors are available:
SegaFredo pizza (you can also get Krispy Kreme donuts for breakfast), Asian-American
fusion food at Panda Express and Latin specialties at Carmelina’s Taqueria.
Just inside Millberry’s west entrance is Palio’s, featuring European-style
sandwiches and salads (and a terrific view from their balcony). To complete
the Millberry lineup is a Subway sandwich shop, located downstairs from Palio’s.
All provide a satisfying lunch at a reasonable cost.
If you’re truly in a hurry, two catering trucks ply their trade on Parnassus,
featuring sandwiches and other carry-away food.
When you venture off campus, Irving Street is the nearest commercial district.
9th Avenue and Irving form something of a restaurant axis, with places to eat
dotting the two streets. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of
food you can find:
CHINESE
1. Andy’s (1358 9th Ave., between Judah and Irving)
Andy’s serves similar food to its neighbor, Nanking Bistro, giving slightly
larger portions, within slightly less-stylish surroundings.
2. Nanking Bistro (1360 9th Ave., between Judah and Irving)
Probably the best of the several 9th Avenue Chinese restaurants. Nice, clean
atmosphere and a variety of traditional and non-traditional Chinese dishes.
Try the mango chicken.
3. Empress Garden (1386 9th Ave, between Judah and Irving)
If you are extremely hungry, and want a massive lunch including egg rolls and
soup for less than 10 dollars, this is your place.
INDIAN
4. Tasty Curry (1375 9th Ave., between Judah and Irving)
Although two blocks farther from UCSF than Naan ‘N’ Curry, Tasty
Curry offers better Indian food at a great value, says a past Synapse reviewer.
Try the chicken tandoori for $2.99. [review]
5. Naan 'n' Curry (642 Irving, between 7th and 8th)
Serves a quick and inexpensive Indian meal close to Parnassus. [review]
6. Masala (1220 9th Ave., between Lincoln and Irving)
More upscale than its competitors, with a nicer dining room and more varied
menu, but with higher prices.
7. Tikka Masala (98 Judah, at 6th Ave.)
Pakistani and Indian dishes. Past Synapse reviewers praised the rice,
naan and the Mango Lassi. [review]
JAPANESE / SUSHI/ NOODLES
8. Koo’s (408 Irving, at 5th Ave.)
In a past review, we praised Koo’s sushi and specialty plates, such as
Albacore Tataki and Hamachi Kama. [review]
9. Hotei/Ebisu (1290 9th Ave. & 1283 9th Ave. between Lincoln and Irving)
The best known, regularly appearing on Ten Best lists in the local media for
sushi and other Japanese dishes.
[Ebisu review]
[Hotei review]
10. You See Sushi (94 Judah, at 6th Ave.)
A past Synapse review said: An extremely popular lunch spot offering
a large selection of rolls as well as teriyaki and tempura. Lunch specials including
California rolls, teriyaki chicken, salad, soup and tea can be had for around
six dollars.
11. Pomelo (92 Judah at 6th Ave.)
An Asian fusion noodle house, Pomelo offers the standard noodle dishes from
a variety of cultures such as Spicy Shanghai noodles and Pad Thai. Slightly
pricey for lunch. [review]
12. Kiki Japanese Rest. (1269 9th Ave., between Irving and Lincoln)
A major draw is Kiki’s large menu of specialty rolls. The Mexican roll
gives a regular shrimp tempura roll an extra kick with some chili powder and
avocado. Or try the pink dragon roll, which is actually a California roll topped
with cooked salmon and a creamy sauce.
[review]
13. Ten (524 Irving, between 4th and 5th)
A chic decor and friendly service highlight this stylish Japanese restaurant.
[review]
Others in the neighborhood: Ebisu, Hana, Kaneyama, and Katana-Ya.
THAI
14. Marnee Thai (9th Ave., between Irving and Lincoln)
A relative newcomer to the neighborhood, but has had great success in their
original restaurant farther out in the Sunset.
[review 1 review 2]
15. Sukkothai (1319 9th Ave., between Judah and Irving)
Past reviews have praised the variety of lunch dishes served here.
VIETNAMESE
16. Dragonfly (420 Judah., between 8th and 9th Ave.)
The new kid in the ’hood, this Vietnamese restaurant received a rapturous
review in the July 30 issue of Synapse online. [review]
17. Yummy-Yummy (1015 Irving, between 11th and 12th Ave.)
Aptly named, this Vietnamese restaurant offers a wide variety of traditional
cuisine including Beef Noodle Soup (Pho) and Dry Vermicelli (Bun). An excellent
value, yet a little to far to walk for lunch.
19. Mihn Tri (534 Irving, near 6th Ave.)
The closest Vietnamese restaurant to campus. It has its adherents, although
our reviewers have consistently graded Yummy Yummy higher.
MEXICAN
20. L’Avenida (511 Irving, near 6th Ave. )
A longtime UCSF favorite, with some of the best Mexican food on Irving. [review]
21. Gordo’s (1239 9th Ave., near Lincoln)
Not bad, but hard to see why you would go there when Carmelina’s and L’Avenida
are much closer.
22. La Fonda (712 Irving, between 7th and 8th)
The latest taqueria to open in the neighborhood, La Fonda does an excellent
job serving Mexican favorites at reasonable prices. [review]
SALADS / SANDWICHES
23. Toasties (836 Iriving)
Newest of the soup, salad and sandwich shops in teh Inner Sunset. We found
the less expensive items to be the best. [review]
2 4. Yellow Submarine (503 Irving, at 6th Ave.)
Huge toasted subs will fill you up. [review]
25. Pluto’s (627 Irving., between 7th and 8th Ave. )
Combines a healthy meal of salad and/or sandwich with reasonable prices. A longtime
student favorite. [review]
PIZZA & PASTA
Frankly, you’re going to get a lot of free pizza during your years at
UCSF, but if you crave more, there are plenty of places in the neighborhood.
26. Milano’s (1330 9th Ave.)
27. Pasquale’s (700 Irving)
28. Cybelle’s (1385 9th Ave.) [review]
Since pizza is one of the foods where personal taste trumps everything, you’ll
just have to try them all and conclude which one you like best.
29. Pasta Pomodoro (816 Irving, at 9th Ave.)
Daily lunch specials can usually found for less than $10. [review]
30. Villa Romana (731 Irving)
Upscale Italian. Good for large groups. [review]
MEDITERRANEAN
31. Yummas (721 Irving, at 9th Ave.)
Specializing in Shawarmas and other Mediterranean favorites. Don’t miss
the backyard patio.
32. Taboun (203 Parnassus, near Stanyan)
A past Synapse reviewer praised the baba ghanouj, dolmas and the falafel. [review]
DINERS
There are a bunch of them in the area, old-fashioned ’50s-style eateries,
where the grub is good and there’s plenty of it. They’re perfect
spots when lunching alone — grab something to (Synapse recommends
a copy of Synapse), and take a spot at the counter.
33. Art’s (747 Irving, between 8th and 9th Ave.)
A past reviewer loved the hash browns here, as well as the Korean favorite bi
bim bop.
34. M’s Cafe, (1376 9th Ave., between Judah and Irving)
For all you egg eaters, the breakfast prices are especially easy on the student
budget.
35. Howard’s (1309 9th Ave.)
Turns out burgers and fries as well as other American classics.
Daily specials are a staple at Raintree (654 Irving) as well as the other
diners — keep an eye on their blackboards in the windows.
BAKERIES
36. Tart to Tart (641 Irving, between 7th and 8th Ave.)
Any time you have something sweet at a campus function, chances are better than
even that it came from here.
37. Arizmendi’s (1331 9th Ave., between Irving and Judah)
Features a daily different and daring pizza special as well as many other fine
baked goods. Try the scones.
A BIT UP THE SCALE
The neighborhood features several places that are perhaps a bit more damaging
to the pocketbook, but well worth the added expense.
38. Park Chow (1240 9th Ave., near Lincoln)
Serves comfort food at reasonable prices. Don’t miss their roof terrace
and excellent selection of draft beers. [review]
39. PJ’s Oyster Bed (737 Irving, betwen 8th and 9th Ave.)
If in the mood for seafood, PJ’s will nicely fill the bill. Serves creole-cajun
style food in a Mardis Gras atmosphere. [review]
ETC.
40. Canvas (1200 9th Ave., near Lincoln)
Canvas is a combined coffee house, bar, art gallery, and venue for live, acoustic
music. Take advantage of their comfy couches and free wireless access.
41. Eldos Grill Micro Brewery
(1326 9th Ave., between Judah and Irving)
Burgers, Caesar salads, pasta, home made beer and a happy hour specials make
this a student favorite.
42. Peasant Pies (1039 Irving, between 11th and 12th Ave. )
Fresh, nutritious, and inexpensive, Peasant Pies offer both savory and sweet
pies. Two pies can make for a quick lunch, but it’s a bit of a walk. [review]
43. Lime Tree (450A Irving, between 4th and 5th)
A self-identified "Southeast-Asian kitchen," they serve Singaporean, Indonesian
and Filipino dishes in their charming basement restaurant. Our reviewers found
the Singaporean dishes are the best. [review
1]
[review 2]
Venturing a bit farther afield but still easily reachable on foot from the Parnassus
campus are Zazie, (Cole between Parnassus and Carl), whose French flair has
made it a very popular spot, especially for weekend brunch; nearby Le Patisserie,
corner of Cole and Parnassus, also does a land-office brunch/lunch business.
Finally, for a Latin lilt to lunch, try Cha
Cha Cha on Haight Street, a block
up from Stanyan. Well worth the walk.
OK, so now you know where you can get something to eat, and we’ve barely
scratched the surface. Now it’s up to you to do some exploring. If you
find an especially tasty spot, write up a few paragraphs for Synapse. Everyone
in the campus community is looking for something good, because lunch is the
one constant here at UCSF — we’re all constantly trying to find
time to have some.
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