Everyone knows there are tons of quality restaurants scattered around San Francisco, but it’s no secret that many of these restaurants can be extremely pricey and far from campus. But, no need to worry! There are many places near the Hilltop that are delicious, trendy, and most importantly: affordable. Here are three of them.
Arsicault Bakery, 397 Arguello Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94118
Arsicault Bakery is a small and simple café, but their delicate croissants are full of flavor. Their ham and cheese croissant ($5.75) is extremely crispy on the outside and light on the inside with hundreds of buttery layers. The croissant itself is flaky and warm, and the ham and cheese adds a layer of smoky flavor. If you also have a sweet tooth, their chocolate croissant ($4.50) will satisfy your every need. The croissant is buttery and crispy, and the rich dark chocolate oozes out with every bite. They also sell sugary morning buns, soft-baked cookies, and flavorful scones. These baked goods go perfectly with your favorite cup of coffee and are a great way to start your morning. Arsicault Bakery is the epitome of quality and never disappoints!
Na Ya Dessert Café, 5338 Geary Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94121
Na Ya Dessert Café is an absolute must if you live in SF, specifically because of their Cha-Thai Roti ($8.99). Roti is usually served as a savory appetizer in most Southeast Asian restaurants, but Na Ya takes roti to a whole different level by adding a creamy Thai tea sauce and vanilla ice cream on top. The roti is crispy and warm, which contrasts well with their cold and thick ice cream. Na Ya also serves delicious bingsus (Korean shaved ice), crepes, and sweet toast that comes with a variety of delicious fruits and toppings. Na Ya also serves Japanese and Thai dinner entrées, including pad see ew (Thai stir-fried rice noodles with Chinese broccoli and soy sauce) and takoyaki (Japanese street food made of octopus and seasoned batter, topped with sauces, bonito flakes, and green onion). If you’re craving quality Asian food and want a break from American desserts, go to Na Ya Dessert Café.
Café Bunn Mi, 417 Clement St., San Francisco, CA 94118
Café Bunn Mi never disappoints with their bánh mìs. These sandwiches are packed with a complex variety of flavors and textures that will get you hooked. The baguettes they use for their bánh mìs have a perfect crackly crust and fluffy inside that still have the structure necessary to hold the rest of the delicious ingredients. The portions are just right and relatively inexpensive. Café Bunn Mi serves different types of meat with their sandwiches, including crispy duck, grilled pork, and fish. They even offer the Smoky Vegetable bánh mì ($6.50) with housemade soy sauce for those who don’t eat meat! Personally, my favorite dish is their crispy chicken bánh mì ($9). The crisp cilantro, spicy jalapeños, and pickled daikon and carrots pair well with their rich fried chicken and bread that holds all that flavor together!
