Mohammad Gorjestani

San Francisco 

Loquat explores the the flavours of Iraqi Jewish heritage and is the brainchild of my homie Tal Mor, who is behind Four Barrel Coffee and The Mill with Josey Baker Bread. Loquat is built from love and intentionally sourcing all of its ingredients, many of which are from Palestine. My favourite thing is the boureka plate with the house harissa and zhoug. Don’t sleep on the salted chocolate babka either.

I low-key think this is the best bar in America. The combination of community, food and drinks is unmatched. I get creatively inspired here with what Nicholas Torres and his team does. The cocktails span the imagination, and I especially appreciate the low ABV drinks. I would get the bartenders choice of cocktail and definitely get the hen of the woods mushrooms.

This is a special special place run by amazing people. You can’t beat the vibe – it is unequivocally San Francisco. 20 Spot is a restaurant inside the old Force of Habit record store, it’s run by Bodhi Freedom who is a Frisco OG. I recommend just sitting at the bar with a flatbread and anything else that looks good on Alejandro’s (the chef's) menu and letting Bodhi pour you a glass of what he’s feeling that night.

Isa and Kenzie used to work on farms before opening this spot that serves the most incredible tamales and bowls. Everything is amazing, but I go with the Hugo Street Retreat with a breakfast cookie to enjoy on a walk around one of the best neighbourhoods in the city.

24th Street is my favourite street in San Francisco and there’s nothing like it or La Palma in the world. I go with the Taco Sonora and I grab some queso and salsa for the fridge on my way out.

The best coffee in America is in San Francisco (sorry Portland) and Grand is one of my favourites. I love the two locations on Mission Street and I love everything this place and its owners represent as a community business. I love their espresso and usually go with an eight-ounce Americano or a Gibralatar (don’t call it a Cortado!).

When I first moved to San Francisco I lived in the Richmond, and I discovered this tiny spot that changed how I think about how food is made and that small is better. Pizetta makes a few pizzas a day based on what's at the farmer's market. I usually get whatever pizza is on the menu, a slice of flourless chocolate cake, and an espresso that takes me back to 2007 when I used to just sit at the bar and write.

Anybody telling you San Francisco is dead, just bring them here on the Friday or Saturday night. Probably the most fun place to dance in the city, and while I admittedly avoid the dancefloor, I do appreciate the natural wine, top shelf DJ and music curation that makes this place bump.

There’s a few great dive bars I was thinking of for this list, like Lone Palm and 500 Club, but I’m putting Wazema [down] because in addition to being around the block from me, and it being a historic San Francisco business, they also serve Ethiopian food every night 'til 10. I order the sampler plate and enjoy a little fernet after, and hit the pool table in the back.

I go to bat for Gallardo’s as the best brunch in the city. It’s only on the weekends, but it's worth the wait for their birria served with their tortillas and fixings.

Sunset Squares Foodhall is where you can go watch a game and choose between Sunset Squares Pizza (sourdough pizza), Namu Stonepot (Korean-inspired fare), Filipino food (Uncle Tito’s) and a really amazing curation of beer and wine. I go for the Pub pizza, and I add olives and gardiniere for the first half of the game.

The Palestinian diaspora in San Francisco is one of the most special things about the city. Biet Rima is a family business that makes you feel at home every time you eat at either of their two locations. I usually go with their chicken shish tawook plate, the mezze platter – and don’t sleep on Samir’s bread.

Few places in San Francisco have the room feeling that Zuni does. I always go back and forth between Bix and Zuni as my favourite old-school vibes. But Zuni takes it for me because when I first moved to the city it was the late-night meals I had here after my shifts that shaped my love for food. The move here is to grab a seat by the bar, get a martini, order the chicken, and patiently wait for it enjoying their Caesar salad. Classic and perfect.

Where to Eat and Drink in San Francisco, According to Mohammad Gorjestani

Head to Estela’s for the best veggie and meat sandwiches, and juices. Get one to go, before you take the bus/train out to Golden Gate Park to enjoy the rare beauty of San Francisco and the ocean. 

Beautiful ocean beach with windmills, flowers, and animals. Tip: There’s a safeway and cafe a block away—grab food items to enjoy while you chill on the beach.

This is an ace local in Lower Haight with cuts of all sorts and even some clothes. It’s a good spot to find out what the vibe is and what’s going on in the night.  Groove Merchants is another spot in the area that stocks rarities. 

Not only the nicest synth and electronic music gear store around, but also a very good selection of tapes, magazines, books. It’s located in an old-school Mexican part of town that packs a solid amount of shops, local treasures, and of course, beautiful Latin food. It’s a good spot to spend the afternoon, with plenty of cool places to chill and drink. 

My favourite restaurant in SF for dinner. Tip - Chrysanthemum and duck salad is amazing, as are all grilled Izakaya smoked items. 

This is a piano bar on the edge of Mission and Castro. Here you’ll find old cats in tuxedos serving up stiff Martinis. It’s a killer way to start or end any night.

A local electronic home base, I play (and drink) here a lot.  

Hosts both local and international talent and often open late on big nights, till about 3 or 4 am.

Find lots of local punk, garage, vintage nights in Outer Mission. It’s a very chill and less gentrified part of the city.

Best Metal and punk shows around, plus a big patio in the backyard with food on any night. It’s in Oakland, but too vital to the local scene to miss on this list. 



From Synth Shopping to Stiff Martinis: Kush’s Guide To San Fransisco 

Theres been a few really dope independent galleries that have popped in the last few years including Schlomer Haus, and House Seiko and MRKT Gallery. MRKT is curated and owned by Nora Suliman who has a curatorial taste that expands your awareness of the contemporary art world. She gives platform to artists that may get overlooked by the institution.  I’d check their calendar for their Friday night art openings. 

Dying Breed is a locally-born art supply and clothing brand that honors the essence and community that gives San Francisco the moniker of the “SFC (Sucka Free City). 

Stashed is my favourite mens clothing stores. The selection of curated streetwear has a wide range of designers and brands that can fit a lot of vibes. 

The best home goods/bookstore/gift shop in the city if you ask me. I also love being on Clement Street for any reason so its one of the best moves to stop by Park Life buy an amazing book or something for the crib and then take a stroll for some of the best Asian food in the city all up and down Clement St. 

Nothing stresses me when I travel than stressing about a bad cut. Mike’s is the best barbershop in the city. My barber is Paul, but everyone is super solid. 

This is one of the most “is this a dream” views in all of San Francisco. Baker Beach has a great beach, a mellow tide, and has an incredible view of the Golden Gate Bridge. 

I think Golden Gate Park is my favourite place in the world. Me and my lady spend mad time in the park and just disappear in all of its nooks. It’s got multiple Museums, a James Turrel space, gardens, buffalos, ponds, and meadows. I would start at the Conservatory of Flowers and enjoy a nice long walk to the De Young Museum, dip into the James Turrel garden, and just take every left and right turn and get lost. Keep going West until you hit the Pacific Ocean, and if you can make it a weekend activity the Great Highway is closed on the weekends now, so you can enjoy a surreal walk on the highway next to the Pacific Ocean. If you need a coffee when you’re out there, drop a pin at Blackbird Bookstore where you can get a cup of coffee and book too. 

You can’t come to San Francisco without visiting North Beach and Chinatown. I would start at Washington Square Park and just walk around in and out of Chinatown and onto Columbus Ave. Trek up to Coit Tower or do something a bit more touristy but still cool like the Cable Car Museum. 