It’s the holiday season and beyond, and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is buzzing with travelers. With California seeing record-breaking travel spending, SFO is a major hub for those flying in and out of the Bay Area. Whether you’re a local jet-setter or a visitor exploring the Golden State, finding a great meal or a quick bite at the airport can significantly enhance your travel experience. Forget bland airport food – SFO boasts a diverse culinary scene reflecting the Bay Area’s rich gastronomic culture. From gourmet markets to ballpark-themed eateries and international flavors, SFO’s restaurants offer something for every palate and schedule. Here’s your guide to navigating the standout food options at SFO, ensuring your airport dining is as memorable as your destination.
Terminal 2 Dining: Quick Bites and Leisurely Meals
Terminal 2 offers a balanced mix of quick service and sit-down restaurants, perfect for travelers with varying time constraints.
Napa Farms Market: This market, backed by celebrity chef Tyler Florence, is a highlight for food lovers. Offering a wide selection of pizzas and rotisserie items, it’s ideal for a hot and satisfying meal. However, the true gem is the ability to curate your own picnic basket. Imagine assembling a spread with Acme bread, Cowgirl Creamery cheese, and pastries from Tout Sweet, complemented by a local craft beer. Napa Farms Market also serves as a fantastic spot for picking up last-minute gourmet food gifts from the Bay Area, including local wines. For international travelers, there’s good news: Napa Farms Market now has a location in the International Terminal as well. [Terminal 2, post-security retail area]
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Farmerbrown: If you’re nostalgic for Southern comfort food, Farmerbrown offers a taste of San Francisco culinary history. Although the original San Francisco location closed, this airport outpost revives the restaurant’s beloved Southern-inspired dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A full bar is also available. [Gate C4]
Dogpatch Bakehouse & Café: For travelers on the move, Dogpatch Bakehouse & Café is a convenient stop for espresso, breakfast items, salads, sandwiches, and pastries. They also offer a selection of beer and wine. [Gate C7]
The Plant Café Organic and Pinkberry: Seeking healthier options? The Plant Café Organic, a San Francisco-based chain, serves organic fare, including sandwiches and their popular veggie burger. For dessert, it’s paired with a Pinkberry, offering frozen yogurt. [Near Gate D4]
Wakaba: For Japanese cuisine, Wakaba provides a menu of noodles, sushi, teriyaki, and bento boxes, along with beer and sake. [Near Gate D9]
Burger Joint: Burger Joint is your go-to for classic American comfort food. They serve Niman Ranch burgers, hot dogs, and chicken burgers, alongside sides for a quick and satisfying meal. [Near Gate D15]
Peet’s Coffee & Tea: Coffee aficionados will recognize Peet’s Coffee & Tea, a Berkeley-born chain. This airport location offers their standard menu of coffee, tea, pastries, sandwiches, salads, and bottled drinks. Be aware that prices may be slightly higher than neighborhood locations. [Near Gate D15]
Andalé Mexican Kitchen + Bar: Craving Mexican flavors? Andalé Mexican Kitchen + Bar offers made-to-order Mexican entrees. [Near Gate D16]
For a more leisurely dining experience in Terminal 2:
Lark Creek Grill: Lark Creek Grill, from the Lark Creek restaurant group, is a full-service restaurant featuring seafood, steaks, and breakfast dishes, complete with a full bar. [Near Gate D1]
Vino Volo: Wine enthusiasts should head to Vino Volo, a wine bar offering a curated selection of wines, along with olives, artisanal cheeses, and small plates. It’s also known for satisfying chocolate lava cake cravings. [Post-security retail area]
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Terminal 3: Ballpark Bites and International Flavors
Terminal 3 offers a dynamic range of dining options, from sports-themed eateries to diverse international cuisines.
San Francisco Giants Club House: Sports fans, especially Giants fans, will enjoy the San Francisco Giants Club House. This spot pays homage to San Francisco’s baseball team, featuring a digital wall displaying sports, news, and entertainment. The menu is filled with ballpark favorites like kraut dogs and Gilroy garlic fries, offering a taste of San Francisco baseball culture. [Terminal 3, Gate F13]
Bun Mee: Inspired by Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, Bun Mee, a local chain, has two locations in SFO, including one in Terminal 3. They serve creative banh mi variations with fillings like lemongrass tofu, rib-eye steak, and a crispy fried chicken option with herb slaw and chile crisp. Fresh spring rolls and noodles are also available. [Terminal 3 food court Gates F11 to F22 and Harvey Milk Terminal 1 Gate B3]
Koi Palace Express: For dim sum lovers, Koi Palace Express brings a taste of the Daly City classic to SFO. They offer small Chinese plates, noodle soups, roasted chicken and duck, and more. [Food court near Gates F5–F22]
Proposition Chicken: Proposition Chicken, a local mini-chain, specializes in chicken dishes. They use Mary’s free-range chicken served in sandwiches, salads, or platters. [Food Court near Gates F11-F22]
Klein’s Deli and Coffee Bar: Klein’s Deli and Coffee Bar, formerly of Potrero Hill, offers coffee, cookies, made-to-order salads, and to-go sandwiches, along with beer and wine. [Gate F14]
Pronto!: Pronto! is a convenient spot to grab to-go items sourced from San Francisco Bay Area food purveyors. [Gate F15]
For a more relaxed meal in Terminal 3:
Mission Bar & Grill: Mission Bar & Grill provides full bar and table service, ideal for a longer layover. Their menu includes sandwiches, burgers, soups, and salads, and they also serve breakfast. [Gate E5]
Sankaku: For quick Japanese food, Sankaku offers sushi, noodles, teriyaki, and bento boxes, along with beer and sake. [Gate E2]
Dogpatch Bakehouse & Caffé: Similar to its Terminal 2 counterpart, Dogpatch Bakehouse & Caffé in Terminal 3 offers espresso, breakfast items, salads, sandwiches, pastries, and beer and wine. [Gate E8]
Urban Tortilla: Craving Mexican? Urban Tortilla serves made-to-order Mexican food. [Gate E9]
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International Terminal: Global Flavors Await
The International Terminal at SFO offers a world of culinary experiences.
Boarding Area A
Boudin Bakery: A San Francisco institution, Boudin Bakery, famous for its sourdough bread, offers sandwiches, pizzas, salads, and sweet treats. [Near Gate A2, post-security]
Valencia St. Station: Valencia St. Station provides an American-style pub menu and a full bar. [Gate A12]
Boarding Area G
Mustards Bar and Grill: A Napa Valley favorite, Mustards Bar and Grill, brings global dishes like Sonoma lamb burgers and fish and chips to SFO. [Gate G3]
Tomokazu: For Japanese cuisine in the International Terminal, Tomokazu offers sushi, sashimi, rice bowls, noodles, and more. [Gate G7]
Harvey Milk Terminal 1: Local Favorites and Unique Finds
Harvey Milk Terminal 1 features a selection of local San Francisco favorites and unique dining options.
Ritual Coffee: Coffee enthusiasts should not miss Ritual Coffee. This San Francisco coffee classic offers rotating specialty drinks made by their staff at reasonable prices. They are open from early morning to evening, perfect for a caffeine fix any time of day. [Near the B gates immediately after security checkpoint]
Bun Mee: Another location of Bun Mee in Harvey Milk Terminal 1 serves their fresh takes on banh mi sandwiches, spring rolls, and noodles. [Near Gate B3]
Bourbon Pub: Michael Mina’s Bourbon Pub offers pub fare like burgers and fish and chips, along with a full bar. [Near Gate B7/B8]
GR Chocolate Boutique: For chocolate and a caffeine boost, GR Chocolate Boutique sells chocolates and also offers late afternoon or evening coffee. [Near Gate B13]
Starbird: Starbird specializes in chicken sandwiches, salads, and craft sodas and lemonades. [Near Gate B13]
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Mama Go’s Filipino Cuisine: Mama Go’s Filipino Cuisine, formerly known as Goldilocks Filipino Cuisine, serves Filipino favorites, including silog breakfast bowls, lumpia Shanghai, and chicken adobo. [Near Gate B18]
Rental Car Center: A Convenient Cafe
Marina’s Cafe: Located in the Rental Car Center, Marina’s Cafe offers coffee, pastries, breakfast items, sandwiches, and salads for those picking up or dropping off rental cars. [Level 4]
Savoring SFO: A Culinary Journey Through San Francisco Airport
San Francisco International Airport is more than just a travel hub; it’s a destination for diverse and delicious food. From quick snacks to leisurely meals, SFO’s dining options reflect the Bay Area’s vibrant culinary scene. Next time you’re traveling through SFO, take the opportunity to explore these standout restaurants and elevate your airport experience. You might just find that your layover becomes a highlight of your trip!
