Roaming empanada operation El Sur found its permanent home in Potrero Hill a few years back, quickly gaining a following for additions like breakfast empanadas: the tartiflette, with bacon, onion, potato, cheese, and egg; and the verdura, with braised greens, onion, potato, goat cheese, and egg. Owner Marianne Despres has since added medialunas, basically a smaller, Argentine cousin to the croissant, and dulce de leche churros. Fans can also order a box of 24 frozen empanadas for free home delivery, to always have one on hand.

This inside of this dive bar is one of the best venues to see all kinds of music (indie, punk, metal, underground) in a very intimate space, while the back patio is one of the best venues to enjoy bottomless mimosas on a Sunday afternoon. The kitchen serves up everything from burgers and tots to banh mi and Cuban sandwiches.

If you’re a Boston sports fan, then you already know about this old school sports bar that serves affordable comfort food (wings, meatloaf, potato skins, pastrami sandwich, BLT chopped salad, salt and vinegar fries) and drinks (there’s a full bar) to Red Sox and Patriots’ fans. The bar got a facelift a few years ago and everything, including the food, feels brighter and cleaner than before. There are plenty of TVs to watch the game, a pool table, and a small patio out back if you want to take advantage of Potrero’s sunny weather.

The fish at this reasonably priced Japanese restaurant is flown in three times a week from Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo, the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world. That means you can be assured that what you’re putting in your mouth is always incredibly fresh and of the highest quality. You can also be assured that, like the name suggests, some of those dishes will be served live, including the scallops, uni, lobster, spot prawns, and clams.

125-year-old Anchor Brewing Company is the oldest craft brewery in California, though it didn’t find its current home (an old coffee roastery) until 1977. In order to walk through the three floors to see where the famous beer is made and get a tasting in the taproom, you must make a reservation (tours are slated to resume in summer of 2021). But across the street from the factory, Anchor Public Taps taproom is open, with generous outdoor seating, and pouring that signature steam beer.

This very intimate (as in, you’ll be able to hear what everyone around you is saying, so don’t come here for a break-up conversation) and modest Japanese spot is a bit on the pricey side, but the friendly service and fresh fish make it a great choice for locals looking to fulfill their sushi craving. Umi chef Stewart Chen also just opened Shokudou izakaya in nearby Bernal Heights, serving crispy hamachi collars and beef-wrapped enoki skewers.

This rustic breakfast and lunch spot serves simple, seasonal comfort food sourced from local farms, and is also considered to offer one of the very best brunches in the city. Of course, this is San Francisco, so the wait for that brunch may be hours (Plow does not accept reservations or parties bigger than six). Every dish is pretty much perfection, but your best bet to get the full experience is to order the Plow (two eggs, a choice of meat—get the sausage, lemon-ricotta pancakes, and Plow’s legendary potatoes). Of course the fried egg sandwich is also delicious, as are the buttermilk biscuits and gravy. The good news is after the wait, you might just be hungry enough to try them all.

Chez Maman serves the kind of delectable French food your mom used to make — if your mom was a French woman who was not afraid to use a ton of butter, poured generous amounts of wine, and always thought you should order dessert. Because those odds are low, that's one more reason to dine at this tiny 10-seat restaurant (plus a bar where you can eat). Must-order dishes include the French onion soup, escargots, any of the mussels, and the “basic” burger, which is anything but basic. The crepes are très bonne as well, but skip the savory version and order a sweet one for dessert.

This welcoming Peruvian restaurant is the place to go when you’re looking for a casual, but delicious dinner or a perfectly concocted cocktail and snacks. Most dishes are meant to be shared; favorites include the ceviche, empanadas, and Peruvian skewers. As far as cocktails go, you can’t go wrong with the pisco sour.

Funky taqueria Papito has been a Potrero Hill staple for more than a decade, and it continues to be a top destination for fresh Mexican food despite changing hands and its Potrero Hill address over the years. Highlights include the traditional sopa ranchera, elote, tacos with rich duck confit, and of course, the flan.

This small shop is one of the area’s most ardent members of the 00 (zero zero) camp — meaning, nothing added or removed during the winemaking process. They pour a few wines by the glass, still always $12, but the focus is the notable bottle list — one that might be intimidating for natural wine novices — for take away or to drink in the parklet with a $10 corkage. Ruby is also taking preorders for pickup by phone or online.

The perfect little spot to grab an espresso, pour-over, or cold brew coffee on the way to work, then a glass of unique Italian wine on your way home. This coffee and wine bar is the closest thing you’re going to find to an Italian Café in Portrero Hill, including the very friendly service, a very good thing when you’re trying to catch a train (it’s right by the 22nd and Mission Caltrain station). There are also a few pastries (homemade Pop-Tarts!) and bagels in the morning, as well as salads and panini. Also, there is a Nutella latte, which speaks for itself.