San Francisco’s neighborhoods each bring unique character to the makeup of the city. My favorite area to dine is the Richmond District. Clement Street is a glorious stretch of road that houses pretty much any type of food that you could possibly want... a diverse culinary dream!
Here are a few of my favorites, both of which are located in the Outer Richmond area.
India Clay Oven
2436 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA 94121
After visiting at least a dozen Indian restaurants throughout the Bay Area, I keep returning to this particular one because of its high-quality food and flavors.
The restaurant is set inside an expansive area. It has towering ceilings, murals on the walls, and large glass windows perfect for people watching. Their sauces are superb and not oily like you might find elsewhere. Choose from a variety of naans that are fluffy and made to perfection. Menu items include all of the traditional Indian favorites such as tikka masala, bhindi, vindaloo, tandoori… you name it! I love ordering a few dishes for the table to share. Tables are relatively easy to snag on the weekend evenings due to the large restaurant size, but parking in this area can be tricky. Don’t forget to try some kheer or Gulab jamum for dessert or grab a mango lassi to go!
El Mansour
3119 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA 94121
If you enjoy Moroccan food, then you will be in for a treat! The vibe in El Mansour captures the essence of the culture, starting from the moment you enter with mosaic-tiled walls, couch seating with fringed pillows, billowing curtains dipped from the ceiling, and golden charger plates. Menu options are only served as 5-course Prix Fixe dinners, a bit worth every single calorie consumed.
Start off with a house-made lentil soup or mosaic salad, diving right into a delicious entree such as fish tagine (my favorite), braised chicken, or stewed lamb. Flavors pop and taste almost as good as being right there in Marrakesh. Mint tea is served continuously throughout the meal from a traditional Moroccan kettle, theatrics, and all.
As if things could not get any more enticing, you will be treated to a fun belly dancing performance while dining. If you feel adventurous, join the dancer for a quick cameo when invited.
El Mansour is a unique and lovely dining experience served up with the most delicious Moroccan cuisine in SF.
About the Author
Melanie is a psychology doctor, wife, mother of two ‘princesses,’ world traveler, and lover of life. She is a pescatarian who enjoys exploring all world cuisines and is a wine enthusiast. Melanie has lived abroad in Salzburg, Austria, and Hanoi, Vietnam. Although for the past 15 years, she has called the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area home, allowing her to immerse herself in the superb, diverse cuisine and dozens of world-known wine appellations, all within driving distance.
Email: thesanfranciscofoodie@gmail.com
Insta: @thesanfranciscofoodie
