24 Hours Eating San Francisco’s Most FAMOUS Food!
San Francisco is one of America’s most famous food cities, but this was the episode that surprised me the most.
In this episode of my 2026 World Cup food series, I’m in San Francisco, California, to find out whether this legendary food city deserves its reputation as one of the best places to eat in America.
San Francisco has always had a serious food identity. Seafood, sourdough, old-school institutions, Italian-American classics, Mission burritos, Chinatown, North Beach, counter dining, proper neighbourhood restaurants and some of the most influential food spots in the country. It is a city with history on every corner, but I wanted to find out what eating here actually feels like today.
I start at Swan Oyster Depot, one of San Francisco’s great food institutions and a place famously loved by Anthony Bourdain. This tiny seafood counter has been around for generations, serving oysters, crab, smoked salmon and proper old-school hospitality in a way that feels completely untouched by time.
Then I head to Golden Boy Pizza in North Beach for one of San Francisco’s most famous slices. This one did not quite land for me, but I’ll be honest, I probably ordered badly. Sometimes the hype is real and you just catch the wrong thing on the wrong day.
After that, I visit Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, one of the most talked-about pizzerias in America, to review another San Francisco pizza institution. Again, it was not my favourite pizza of the trip. Mine came a little burnt and did not quite hit the heights I was expecting, but that is part of the journey. Not every famous spot can be a knockout.
From there, things properly turn around at Deli Board, where I try some of the best sandwiches I’ve had in America. The 49er was absolutely incredible, stacked, messy, full of flavour and exactly the sort of food that makes you understand why people get obsessed with this city.
Then I head into the Mission District for a proper Mission burrito from El Farolito, one of San Francisco’s most iconic late-night food spots. Huge tortilla, rice, beans, meat, salsa, cheese, avocado, all wrapped into one of the great American regional dishes.
And finally, I finish at Zuni Café for their famous roast chicken, one of the most celebrated dishes in San Francisco. Simple on paper, but cooked with the kind of care that turns a roast chicken into something people travel across the world to eat.
I did not fall in love with San Francisco in the same way I did with some of the other cities on this tour, but that is what made this episode interesting. It was not a perfect food day, but it was a proper experience. Some disappointments, some huge wins, and a city that still has one of the strongest food identities in America.
This is part of my 16-part series travelling to every 2026 FIFA World Cup host city in North America to find out which city has the best food.
I’ve already visited New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Houston, Boston, Miami and Toronto, and now I’m in San Francisco to see how one of America’s most iconic food cities compares.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Intro: San Francisco
00:33 – Swan Oyster Depot
01:41 – Oysters & Crab
02:41 – Smoked Salmon
04:52 – Golden Boy Pizza
05:28 – Tony’s Pizza
06:50 – Deli Board
10:01 – Mission Burrito
11:43 – Zuni Café
14:43 – Roast Chicken
15:38 – Bob’s Donuts
17:20 – Final Verdict
38 Comments
Phenomenal timing for my morning coffee
I've never been this early before
I need some of that 'crab-back' in my life right now! Loving this series pal 👌🏽👌🏽
5:03 Greggs needs to start doing their pizza slices like this!
Banging episode ❤
Great great video as always, I hope Kerry Katonas not watching. 😂
I drove a 28 foot camper van down Lombard street when I went a few years ago 😅
It was a rental one lol
“This is what Blackpool could be, if the council gave a fook” 😅😅😅
Just in time for my dinner, all looks S tier
Visited San Fransisco in 2019 , really enjoyed my time there . Shame to see it not looking as good as I remember.
OMG!! So much Amazing food. Except that creme brulet donut, that looked terrible.😂
❤❤
Bro, you’re RIGHT. I live here and I’m from NYC. There is no great pizza in the San Francisco Bay Area. You’re good. Way to keep your video honest.
75 for some chicken you can get from Costco for 5 is wild..
Mate, I've always loved ya vids from Years ago. This latest series for WC in the Americas has been amazing. COYG
I got into the NFL back in the late 80's and picked the 49ers as my team and I've been following the city ever since
All the food looked nice apart from the supermarket pizza the deli board guy so passionate about his food ps Jono your going to need another suitcase for the caps keep up the good work 😊
Did somebody spike my coffee with drugs or did he just pay 16 quid for a slice of pizza!?
"Floppy as walking in to Kerry Katona having a shower" 😂
you should start a vlogging channel too you visit some great places would like to see some of the city besides the food
You're not afraid of an honest review man. Best food channel on t'internet. I'd love to see you review some gaffs in Ireland. Keep on keepin' on.
40 dollar pizza is insane
Jono, you've articulated some bangin' rebuttals in your time but "that slice is as floppy as I would be if I walked in on Kerry Katona in the shower" – OUTSTANDING young man 🤣😂 Genuinely LOVING this series and am 100% appreciating the Anthony Bourdain drops because as I have posted on a fair few occasions in the past – you have 100% picked up his mantle and my goodness – smashing it. THANK YOU for continuing to brighten up this aging foodie obsessed days with your sublime content 👍
Great vid. Was there in 2016 and was commuting to Oakland to see the Raiders.
It feels a little moody there at times especially around Market St and Tenderloin.
Agree. Plenty of good spots to eat alright.
I really want to like oysters especially when they look that good, I've done the "try it 7 times" thing, maybe a few more tries. Loving this series ❤❤
40 dollars for that pizza is outrageous
Your Kerry katona comment caught me off guard. 😂 spat my white monster all over the gaff there.
24 dollars for that sandwich..are they having a laugh ?
Kerry Katona 🤣🤣🤣 Great vid Jono. Love this series, particularly the twice weekly drops. Amazing work as always
Love what your doing man! Wheres next??
I know you had a limited time, but Alcatraz is a great day out….
Tony’s pizza is definitely not a place SF locals eat. Total tourist attraction
This series is legendary Jono!
As someone from the UK, I was looking forward to San Francisco most on your tour, because back in the day I lived just across the bay in Alameda, for a year. SF always did me proud when it came to discovery & eating out. Seeing Swan Oyster Depot represented brought back so many good memories.
Sad that it's coming across as a bit muted and subdued now though, hopefully it turns a corner and re-discovers it's verve and magic as a city. Appreciate the video as always mate.
Another cracking video, when you are back home Jonno nip up to the north of Scotland and you will get the freshest seafood ever.
Great video as always
Once you try the best pizza in nyc, sf does not compare. The reverse is true for burritos, can’t find a half decent one in nyc.
Get in! Bank holiday bonus content. Shame about the pizza. Looks a great city though