Originally featured on Visa.com
Visa Local Offers with Uber—a rewards program in the Uber app—gives riders credits toward future rides when they use their eligible Visa card around town at featured merchants in the U.S. (Here’s how to enroll.)
We—Visa.com’s senior writer, Theresa Gonzalez, and senior designer, Anne Neff—decided to test drive the program with a three-day food tour of featured restaurants in San Francisco, home to Visa’s One Market headquarters. Join us as we hit the vibrant streets of the Mission District and bustling Market Street and end our tour in the scenic and coastal Marina. We beat the hills by catching Ubers along the way and left our cash at home to get around the 7×7 mile city without a hitch.
Day One: Mission District
Fuel up
Our first stop is the always-memorable Craftsman & Wolves, a modern patisserie on trendy Valencia Street that serves up breakfast pastries, breads, sandwiches and more. Don’t miss The Rebel Within, a sausage and asiago muffin baked with an egg inside (the runny yolk topped with spicy sea salt had our mouths watering as Anne attempted to photograph it). Grab a to-go sipping hot chocolate with house-made marshmallows while exploring the mural-lined alleyways that turn the Mission District into an outdoor gallery. Nearby Dolores Park offers a downtown view and stellar people watching for a colorful look at our diverse city too.
Brunch
Relax in a rocking chair at Front Porch, where southern cooking and charm create a cozy atmosphere designed to look and feel like an actual front porch (note: brunch is only offered on weekends). Scoop up shrimp and grits, fried chicken po’ boy—arguably one of the best in town—and if your waistband can handle it New Orleans-style beignets with powdered sugar.
Dinner
After an afternoon in the sun (we swear it comes out) freshen up for a night out at Lolinda, where Argentinian cooking meets Northern California’s local and seasonal ingredients. Try the asado mixto for two for a tasting of meats (chorizo, shortrib, blood sausage and more) and add a side of maduro—code for ripe plantain, burrata, chimichurri and jicama salsa. For dessert, churros dipped in dark chocolate and/or dulce de leche don’t disappoint.
Day Two: Market Street
Lunch
Next day work up an appetite shopping at Union Square before catching a ride to nearby Uno Dos Tacos. Vegetarian dishes rival those for meat lovers at this slow-cooking meets quick service joint. For the win: tacos with poblano, yellow squash, onion and mushrooms and a selection of five different salsas made fresh each day. Slow-roasted pork or wild cod are also crowd or solo pleasers.
Dinner
A straight shot up busy Market Street takes us to Starbelly, where pork in its many tasty variations is the star. Located in San Francisco’s historic Castro District (look for prominent LGBTQ-rights landmarks, pristine Victorians and quirky rainbow flag crosswalks), this casual eatery offers seasonal comfort food—our late summer picks: the starbelly bacon, jalapeño and arugula pizza or the bacon marmalade grilled cheese with cream of early girl tomato soup. Enjoy on the heated outdoor patio with a pint of locally crafted beer.
Day Three: Marina District
Lunch
We start the day atop the Lyon Street steps for a view overlooking the Palace of Fine Arts, the San Francisco Bay and the Marina, where bay views, boutique shopping and delicious eateries reign. Case in point: Delarosa on Chestnut Street serves up Roman-style (thin and crispy) pizzas and outdoor seating in the heart of the Marina. Want to go light on the carbs? The meatballs in a spicy marinara paired with a refreshing yellow and red beet salad and house-made grapefruit soda makes a satisfying lunch for two.
Sweet break
Stroll along Chestnut Street to Super Duper for an organic shake made with fresh strawberries (or a delicious locally sourced burger if you’re still hungry) and then walk or Uber over to Marina Blvd. for a full view of the Golden Gat Bridge, Alcatraz Island and Crissy Field, a former airfield turned national park.
Dinner
After exploring the scenic eye candy of the Marina, hitch an Uber to Belga, a Belgian-style brasserie on nearby Union Street. Happy hour gets going early at 3:30 p.m. (we were there on the dot) and grab a craft cocktail with oysters on the half shell at the elegant bar or stay awhile with house-made sausages and a side of spaetzli or steak frites. Charcuterie board optional.