Maybe it’s the gold dust, or maybe it’s the glitter but there is something magical on San Francisco’s streets. One of the most visited cities in the US, the city by the bay has 242 years of history packed into its 49 square miles. From the gold rush to the summer of love and on through the tech boom punctuated with earthquakes and fires in between, it is a city that consistently reinvents itself, but nonetheless remains true to that which makes it one of the world’s most dynamic metropolis’.

The many distinct neighborhoods of San Francisco are all worth exploring © Stickney Design / Getty Images

San Francisco has been divided and subdivided into some 100 neighborhoods, each with a different offering to the city. Here is a list of some of the most notable – and notorious – worth exploring.

After exploring the alley ways within the Mission, take your picnic to Dolores Park © Jejim / Getty Images

The Mission

If any neighborhood can be held up as an example of the transformation San Francisco has undergone, it’s probably the Mission. You’ll find boutiques and high end eateries alongside the area’s classic taquerias (where they make and sell tacos) and bodegas (small grocery stores) .

The Mission, once home to large immigrant populations – first Polish, German, and Irish immigrants, then Central and South Americans – is now the main stomping ground for yet another wave of settlers: young, urban tech employees.

You can still enjoy a burrito from La Taqueria, or stock up on picnic supplies at Mission Community Market before camping out for the day in Dolores Park. Skyline views draw locals to this sloping green space year-round, and there’s nothing quite so Bay Area as spending an afternoon in the park with friends. Don’t stick to the main arteries when exploring the Mission; the alleyways hide one of the neighborhood’s best sights. There, you’ll find the Mission Murals: whole blocks covered from ground to roofline in stunning street art.

Even the cross walks in the Castro are lined with rainbows © David Sweet / Getty Images

The Castro

For LGBTQ travelers – and those who support them – there’s no neighborhood like the Castro to experience the past and the present of gay rights in San Francisco. Named after the Mexican land barons who bought the land in the late 19th Century, the Castro transformed in the 1950s to welcome SF’s blossoming gay scene. Now, it’s an anchor of gay culture on the West Coast, while still retaining its working-man’s roots and classic Victorian homes.

Whether you spend time in America’s first GLBT history museum, catch a show at the famous and historic Castro Theatre or enjoy the nightlife in one of the neighborhoods many clubs, arrive with an open mind and you’ll be welcomed warmly on these rainbow-painted streets.

Spend a little time admiring the iconic Painted Ladies and the SF skyline when in Haight-Ashbury © Sakis Papadopoulos / Getty Images

Haight-Ashbury

Haight-Ashbury has long been the epicenter of certain culture (and counterculture) in SF. If you’re looking for those West Coast hippies you’ve heard about, Haight-Ashbury is where you’ll find them. Named for the intersection of two major streets, you can find some of the city’s great vintage shops in this neighborhood, alongside dispensaries and stunning Victorian-era homes.

The wealth of historic buildings is due to the land beneath the area being more stable than other places in the city, which meant many of its homes weren’t destroyed in the 1906 earthquake. So while it’s primarily a residential neighborhood, the area is well worth checking out for a day of San Francisco history. Any Victorian house with three or more paint colors is considered a ‘Painted Lady’, so take a walk and see how many of these treasures you can find. There is no better place to start exploring than Alamo Square – it’s home to Postcard Row, a set of original Painted Ladies known as the Seven Sisters.

Start your day with brunch at Brenda’s Meat and Three if you have a hankering for a delectable southern-style breakfast. Or, if you’re in the mood for northern California hipster nosh, check out the toast at Mill. Try the organic whole grain, stone-ground on-site, fresh baked Josey Bread with the house-made hazelnut spread. Toast really never tasted so good.

Walk off your breakfast with a tour around Alamo Square Park, admiring the skyline and snapping your Intsa-worthy shots.

Wander the streets of Chinatown and stop for some dim sum, you won’t be disappointed © pete0711 / Getty Images

Chinatown

As one of the largest and certainly the oldest Chinatown in North America, you’ll get a surprising sense of cultural immersion in San Francisco’s Chinatown. You’ll also be exploring elbow to elbow other visitors who consider Chinatown and its captivating alleyways a must-see attraction.

Dive deeper into Chinatown by planning your visit in the early morning when most travelers have not yet braved the streets. As the neighborhood wakes up, you’ll see more locals out and about, and can follow them to popular Szechuan or dim sum restaurants that will later have lines out the door, like Mister Jiu’s or Z & Y. You can choose between traditional spicy Szechuan dishes or California interpretations of Chinese classics (think West Coast oysters with ginger mignonette and Xinjiang lamb chops with Tokyo turnips).

Spend the afternoon wandering the Embarcadero even stopping for a treat at the Ferry Building © Michael Lee / Getty Images

Embarcadero

Applying the term ‘neighborhood’ might be a stretch for the Embarcadero – it’s more of a street with a few residences mixed in with businesses. But any list of neighborhoods worth visiting would be remiss without mentioning the Embarcado, San Francisco’s prime destination for sightseeing and home to some of its most famous attractions.

Walk, ride a pedicab, or catch one a streetcar from the Ferry Building at the south end to Fisherman’s Wharf on the north and enjoy stunning views of the San Francisco Bay and Alcatraz island along the way. Stop in the Exploratorium, San Francisco’s popular hands-on science museum, or book a boat ride with the Blue & Gold Fleet. You can even book a cruise to Alcatraz itself!

Once you arrive at the north end of the Embarcadero, there’s plenty left to explore. Ghirardelli Square is a must-stop for travelers with a sweet tooth; the Maritime National Historical Park is perfect for history lovers who want to learn more about San Francisco’s strategic position for war and trade. If you’re feeling physically fit, you can continue exploring the waterfront toward Crissy Field and the looming Golden Gate Bridge, standing sentinel to the city’s sights and secrets.

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What should you eat in beach cities around the globe? When it comes to takeaway food, consider the humble sandwich.

We’re not talking about soggy, sandy, ham-and-cheese fodder here – and we use the term ‘sandwich’ loosely. From South America to the southern tip of Africa, and from the Caribbean to Canada, we’ve scoped out the ultimate snacks to eat by the sea – so grab your beach blanket, and dig in.

Sabich is one of many vegetarian delights found in Tel Aviv © Ratov Maxim / Shutterstock

Sabich, Tel Aviv, Israel

Israel’s Iraqi immigrant community gets credit for creating the sabich, a vegetarian sandwich widely available in Tel Aviv. Its main ingredients are fried eggplant, hard-cooked egg, potatoes and hummus, stuffed into a pita with the classic Israeli salad of cucumbers, tomatoes, and parsley. Then come the all-important sauces: tahini (sesame) and amba, a bright yellow, spicy mango pickle.

For magical sabich in Tel Aviv, try HaKosem; the name means ‘The Magician.’ Other tasty options include Sabich Tchernichovsky at 2 Tchernichovsky Street, or the tiny street stall Sabich Frishman.

Flying fish being prepared at Bridgetown Market © RUBEN RAMOS / Getty Images

Fish cutter, Bridgetown, Barbados

At the beach, in the markets and at nightly fish fries, Bajans dig into fish ‘cutters.’ Served on a salt bun that’s crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, a cutter can hold ham, cheese, egg and other fillings, but the variety you’ll see everywhere on the island is fish.

Quickly fried, local flying fish – or sometimes marlin or tuna – is sandwiched between the buns and topped with lettuce and tomato. Get your fish cutters from the vendors at the Oistins Fish Fry, a quick bus ride from Bridgetown, or at rum shops and street stalls island-wide. Add some hot sauce and enjoy.

Add a chivito to your must-eat list in Montevideo © Lux Blue / Shutterstock

Chivito, Montevideo, Uruguay

Need a protein fix? Uruguay is your country. Like neighbouring Argentina, this South American nation is known for its beef. And across Uruguay, particularly in the capital Montevideo, where the waterfront promenade extends from downtown to the far eastern suburbs, that beef frequently turns up in chivitos, oversized buns piled with steak, ham, cheese and a fried egg – yes, all in one filling sandwich.

Get your chivitos at landmarks like Expreso Pocitos, near Pocitos Beach (it’s been around since 1910), at pubs like Bar Tinkal and at street stalls and markets around the city.

These sort-of sandwiches are essential Hong Kong eats © Strepped Pixel / Shutterstock

Char siu bao, Hong Kong, China

In Hong Kong a traditional ‘sandwich’ is the bao, a puffy bun most commonly made of rice flour and steamed until soft and warm. A classic bao filling is char siu, slightly sweet, soy-flavoured roast pork. Any Cantonese-style tea house or dim sum parlour, like the 1930s-era Luk Yu Tea House, will serve char siu bao to snack on with your tea.

Carb load in Pape’ete’s main market, Tahiti © Michele Westmorland / Getty Images

Sandwich chao men, Pape’ete, Tahiti, French Polynesia

If you think that chow mein isn’t found in a sandwich, then perhaps you haven’t eaten your way across French Polynesia. Polynesian, European and Asian influences blend into the cuisine of these tropical islands, sometimes in intriguing hybrids. In the sandwich chao men, noodles stir-fried with vegetables and chunks of chicken, pork or beef are heaped into a traditional French-style baguette.

In Tahiti’s capital city, find this takeaway carb-fest at Marché de Pape’ete, the vibrant central market, or at Place Vaiete, which transforms nightly into a buzzing food truck hub, home to Pape’ete’s famous roulottes (mobile kitchens).

Tacos on the beach, anyone? © Teri Virbickis / Shutterstock

Fish taco, San Diego, California, USA

Originally from Mexico’s Baja peninsula, this simple dish crossed the border to become a San Diego speciality. Fried white fish and shredded cabbage are wrapped in a corn tortilla, drizzled with crema (a thin sour cream sauce), and squirted with lime for a handy beach bite. Californian Ralph Rubio gets credit for opening San Diego’s first fish taco stand in 1983; Rubio’s is now a multi-outlet chain.

Every San Diegan has a beloved fish taco, whether from a taco truck, beach vendor or sit-down restaurant. To find your own favourite, sample your way from Salud or El Paisa in Barrio Logan to Pacific Beach Fish Shop, and north to Las Olas up in Cardiff-by-the-Sea.

Eat like a local in Vancouver © Tracey Kusiewicz / Foodie Photography / Getty Images

Salmon burger, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Indigenous people along North America’s northwest coast have been eating salmon for centuries, and today, the orange-fleshed fish is grilled, baked or pan-fried, and served on a plate or between buns throughout the region.

In beach-lined Vancouver on Canada’s west coast, visit the First Nations-owned Salmon ‘n’ Bannock restaurant for a traditional take on a salmon burger, with smoked wild sockeye served on bannock, a classic indigenous bread. Or head for Jericho Beach and The Galley Patio & Grill, a casual counter-service snack bar inside the community-run Jericho Sailing Club, where you can devour tasty salmon burgers on the deck overlooking the ocean. Because isn’t that what beach-city sandwich eating is all about?

Experience an iconic dish in Durban, South Africa © Paul_Brighton / Shutterstock

Bunny chow, Durban, South Africa

Before you ask – no rabbits meet their demise in Durban’s signature dish. This fragrant curry mounded into a hollowed-out loaf of bread reportedly takes its name from the Bania, a group of Indian merchants who created the dish. During the apartheid era, when black people were no longer allowed into their restaurants, Bania restaurateurs served curries in a takeaway bread bowl. Despite its unfortunate origins, ‘bunny chow’ is now a Durban icon.

Residents insist that the proper way to eat a ‘bunny’ is with your hands, using chunks of the bread to scoop up the lamb, chicken, or vegetable curry. You can get bunny chow across the city, but near Florida Road, a centre for casual restaurants and pubs, the tiny Bunny Bar serves a hearty, budget-friendly version.

Feast on seafood in Portland, Maine © Justin Britton / Shutterstock

Lobster Rolls, Portland, Maine, USA

Ask any New Englander about this classic seafood sandwich, and you’ll get an earful about its proper ingredients and preparation. So at the risk of incurring lobster roll wrath, here’s our take on this enduring American invention.

Start with a soft hot dog roll. Brush it with butter and gently grill both sides. Stuff it full, really full, of lobster salad made only of chunks of freshly steamed or boiled lobster meat, lightly dressed with mayonnaise. A celery contingent allows a small amount of diced celery to be added to the mix, but there’s an equally vocal anti-celery faction. Decide for yourself, when you sample your lobster rolls around Maine’s largest city. Try the versions at Portland’s Eventide Oyster Co and at The Lobster Shack at Two Lights south of town.

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Whether it’s unusual souvenirs, local handicrafts or big international brands you’re after, in Athens you’ll find everything a metropolis can offer to help you part with your cash. There’s much more than ouzo, feta and olives in jars to fill your luggage these days, and the pursuit of bargains or local marvels is always a perfect excuse to explore the city’s neighbourhoods and back streets, away from the must-see tourist attractions.

The bustling Monastiraki flea market is an unmissable shopping experience in Athens © ilolab / Shutterstock

Markets

It might not be practical to take fresh fish or vegetables home with you, but a walk through the city’s central fruit and vegetable market and Varvakios Agora is a must on every visit to Athens. This Balkan cornucopia of fish, meat, fruit and greens is a feast for the eyes and ears. For an equally typical Athenian experience, stroll around one of the farmers markets popping up weekly in every neighbourhood. The most central and easily accessible are the ones on Kerameikos (Tuesdays), Xenokratous (Fridays) and Kalidromiou (Saturdays) streets.

Antiques of every grade, size and value, from old furniture, collectible items and rarities to worthless knick-knacks can be bought around Avyssinias square in Monastiraki. And if you’re really up for digging into piles of junk in search of treasures at negligible prices, just take the metro to Eleonas, where every Sunday morning a big flea market attracts crowds of urban prospectors.

Yoleni’s in Kolonaki neighbourhood sells top-quality Greek specialities from small producers © Vangelis Koronakis / Lonely Planet

Food and drink

Take your pick from a large variety of local spirits (or enjoy them on the spot) in Brettos, a timeless tourist attraction and one of the oldest distilleries in Greece. For wine lovers, Cellier and Anthidis offer large selections of fine Greek and international labels and expert advice; local production has come a long way since the retsina days.

Top-quality Greek specialities like organic olive oil, homemade spreads, honey, cold cuts and fine local cheeses – most with Protected Designation of Origin and selected from the best small producers – are sold or served in Yoleni’s, a temple of Greek gastronomy in upmarket Kolonaki neighbourhood. An equally large and distinctive selection of more than 2000 traditional products, sourced mostly from family businesses around the country, can be found in Pantopoleion.

A bit further down the road, on Evripidou street, Arapian and Miran have been selling, for decades, their own exceptional pastirma (pressed beef) and sucuk (spicy sausage) as well as many varieties of cheese, cured meats and other delicacies. Athens’ top spices and herbs vendors are also located here; Hatzigeorgiou and Bahar are the most popular.

Finally, freshly ground Greek coffee can be purchased in the dozens of small specialised coffee shops with the distinctive old roasting machines at the front – just follow the pleasant coffee scent. Loumidi, off Omonoia square, has a history that goes back a century and is the most famous. Another one is Madras, purveyor of a fine selection of teas from around the world.

Athens’ Melissinos Art store built its reputation crafting shoe designs for Hollywood stars © Vangelis Koronakis / Lonely Planet

Fashion

Pedestrian Ermou street is the heart of mainstream Athenian shopping, where the flagship stores of all popular chains are lined up. For more upmarket (and pricey) fashion and accessories, follow the stylish crowds to Kolonaki, the posh Athenian quarter where politicians, celebrities and power brokers mingle, shop and dine. And if money is truly not an issue, you’ll feel at home on Voukourestiou street, the hub of top international designers’ boutiques. Exclusive Greek jewellers are also located here; Zolotas and Lalaounis are the most prominent and internationally acclaimed among them.

At the other end of the spectrum, for down-to-earth, bargain-oriented shopping, Agiou Markou, Aiolou and Athinas are the largest in a network of narrow commercial streets where shopkeepers and traders display their wares in stalls and Athenians come to buy cheap outfits, shoes, bags, haberdashery, textiles and hardware. Among the many speciality shops in the area, Karfil (hats), Pan-Pol (hats) and Erica (ties and cufflinks) are worth a visit for a touch of style.

If department stores are more up your street, Attica and Notos Galleries will certainly cater to your needs; if you don’t mind leaving the centre, The Mall Athens, Metro Mall and the posher Golden Hall are perfect for a shopping spree and can be reached by public transport.

Greece’s Apivita cosmetics brand is well regarded for its range of natural beauty products © Vangelis Koronakis / Lonely Planet

Crafts and souvenirs

Plaka neighbourhood is home to dozens of run-of-the-mill folklore souvenir shops selling the typical Greek leather sandals, evil-eye charms and worry beads. But among them, Forget Me Not and Flâneur sell items of modern and tasteful design inspired, of course, by Greek tradition. Sun of a Beach, T-Greeks, Greece is for Lovers and Postfolk are only a few of a new generation of contemporary design brands striving to overturn the established souvenir stereotypes.

For board-game buffs, Ekavi on Voulis street sells beautifully crafted backgammon sets and chess pieces inspired by ancient Greek history and mythology. Korres and Apivita are two leading Greek brands of cosmetics made with natural ingredients that can be purchased in almost every pharmacy. Apivita has its own wellness ‘Experience Store’ in Kolonaki, where they offer short classes and spa services.

There are plenty of comics shops around Athens, including this one in Monastiraki neighbourhood © Vangelis Koronakis / Lonely Planet

Books and music

A number of small, specialised vinyl stores are scattered around the city. Mr Vinylios and Zacharias in Monastiraki are the biggest and best stocked. Underflow is a cultural hub housing a record store and a gallery, while smaller Syd in Psyrri and Plan 59 and Vinyl City in Exarhia cater to music connoisseurs browsing rare collections. Public department store has a large vinyl section with all the latest and older international and Greek releases; it also boasts the largest selection of English-language books in Athens.

Politeia is a bookworm’s paradise with a decent foreign-language department, while Aiora is a small bookshop and publishing house specialising in multilingual editions of modern Greek classics. Anavasi travel bookshop in Plaka has all the guidebooks and maps you’ll need. There are plenty of shops selling Greek indie comics around the city, particularly in Exarhia and Monastiraki neighbourhoods.

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Nowhere in Germany can you find sweeter mustard or plumper dumplings than in Bavaria. The food identity of the southern state is strong and marinated in tradition. There are even rules about when to eat sausages that rival those of how to enjoy coffee in Italy. And yet visitors to the Bavarian capital of Munich will be pleasantly surprised to encounter a growing wave of burrito joints, burger shacks and trendy coffee shops that are modernising the city’s food scene. Read on to find the latest hot spots to drop into after you’ve enjoyed a few masskrüge…

One of the delicious seasonal offerings from Caspar Plautz © Kate Mann / Lonely Planet

Must-see sights and spuds

Many of Munich’s top sights are located close to Marienplatz in the heart of the city – from the magical town hall to the iconic two-towered Frauenkirche. The centre of town is also home to Viktualienmarkt, a large open-air food market. Here you can find a bounty of local beer, meats, cheeses, honeys, fruit, veg and even extra large gherkins. But there is one stand you really shouldn’t miss. Caspar Plautz is run by two young chaps promoting rare varieties of potatoes – with an emphasis on sustainability, modern branding and hip marketing. They offer a daily menu of baked spuds and excellent toppings.

Enjoy excellent coffee in stylish surroundings at Man versus Machine © Kate Mann / Lonely Planet

After snacking your way through the market, you can sample some of the best coffee in the city not too far away. Man versus Machine is an independent coffee shop that roasts Arabica beans on site. The buzzing store offers great espresso and intense filter coffee in a stylish interior. Guests can perch on stools or sit in the windowsills for a side of people watching with your superior brew.

What’s even better than a burrito? An environmentally friendly one! © Burrito Company

Beer and burritos at Gärtnerplatz

From the centre of town it’s just a short walk to Gärtnerplatz – a square (actually more of a circle) where locals often gather for early evening beers. The streets radiating from the square are lined with boutique shops and many places to eat. A fail-safe option to accompany the aforementioned drinks is the Burrito Company. Serving hand-held burritos, stuffed with locally-sourced ingredients, the small shop is run by a Munich entrepreneur who first had the idea when living (and eating) in California.

If you’re in the area earlier in the day, there are also several great cafes where you can grab breakfast. A particularly well-loved location is Trachtenvogl with its vintage furniture, comfy sofas and relaxed atmosphere. Chow down on muesli, eggs and grilled sandwiches before hitting up the nearby shopping scene. They also do excellent coffee and cake for that afternoon sugar hit.

Hang with the student crowd

It comes as no surprise that several of the coolest eateries can be found close to Munich’s two universities. The district of Maxvorstadt is home to many a cheap drinking hole and, lately more and more, places to grab a quick bite, where you’re more likely to end up actually wanting to take your time!

Avocado smash with burrata topping from the highly-photogenic Mary’s Coffee Club © Mary’s Coffee Club

Local favourites include Aloha Poke and Mary’s Coffee Club. Choose your own super fresh and healthy bowl ingredients – including tofu, octopus and goji berries – at Aloha Poke to give your hangover the boot! Relaxed, yet beautifully-curated, hangout Mary’s Coffee Club is another spot putting Munich’s foodie scene on the map. Drool-inducing offerings include sourdough spelt breads with decadent, tumbling toppings and instagrammable seasonal specials, such as masala bowls, inspired by the owner’s top food cities around the world.

Go west – and not just for Oktoberfest

Every year, there is one part of town that is far busier than the rest. Oktoberfest attracts around six million thirsty guests – all descending on the huge open space known as Theresienwiese in the district of Westend.

Another reason to head west, however, is the excellent burgers you can find at King Loui. While it may look like an Instagram photo shoot, the owner is far more focused on food. The meat is sourced from local butchers or you can choose a vegetable patty, all served in a number of delicious combos, and all given pun-tastic titles along the lines of ‘cheesus loves you’.

Another must visit is hood-favourite Onofrio’s Appetizing Store. Run by charming half-Italian, half-German, Alessandro, the shop is his way of bringing a piece of Little Italy or even Brooklyn to Munich. He serves large pastrami sandwiches and excellent bagels, including a vegan option with avocado, artichokes and roasted peppers.

Enhance the beauty of the Englischer Garten with sublime snacks ©aprott/Getty Images

Englischer Garten and chill

Munich’s huge park means three things: a crystal clear river, seemingly never-ending greenery and beer gardens. No visit to Munich is complete without some time hanging out in the park. But if you’ve had your fill of sausages and beer (we’ve been told it can happen), there are a number of alternative food locations close by. One such example is Condesa in Schwabing. Run by a Mexican-German couple, this venue serves fresh, authentic favourites with a kick. It’s located just a stone’s throw from the large lake in the centre of the garden.

Some of the best swimming to be had in Englischer Garten is close to an area known as Flaucher, with deeper waters and numerous little islands. A great spot to refuel after a dip is the hugely popular and nearby Türkitch. Here you can get your hands on the kind of kebabs you normally only find in Berlin – perhaps explaining why some people refer to it as the ‘hipster döner place’. The köfte sandwiches are delicious, packed full of fresh parsley, mint, tomatoes, onions and lemon juice. Expect a queue.

Not all schnitzels are created equal…

Okay, so we said no pretzels, but Bapas deserves an exception. Serving Bavarian tapas – redefining the traditionally large portion sizes that the region is known for – this place offers all the local classics, just down-sized. Meaning, you can try a bit of everything! Dishes include all the classics: apple strudel, meatloaf with quail egg, schnitzel and potato salad. Located on one of Munich’s biggest boulevards in Maxvorstadt, it’s an ideal spot for people watching, while easing yourself into the local cuisine.

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