By Liam P. Mayclem–
Noe Valley on the sunny side of San Francisco is the neighborhood I have called home for 26 years, pretty much soon after landing here in the city by the Bay. It’s brimming with small town charm and it feels like a little village inside this big city of San Francisco.
You can explore cuisines from around the world in Noe from Italian, Indian, Japanese, Mediterranean, Portuguese, Thai & more, and are totally spoiled with all things from casual burgers (Hi-Way) & subs (Subs Inc.) to specialty stores focused on cheese, chocolates, and olive oil. These are some of my favorite places to dine, imbibe & shop in Noe Valley; most are new businesses that have opened recently and during this COVID-challenged year. A few are LGBTQ owned, but all are LGBTQ friendly.
Enjoy the list and do your best to support the local mom and pops in your neighborhood.
Noe Valley Farmers’ Market
Saturdays 8 am–1pm
Noe Valley Square on 24th between Noe & Sanchez is where the community gathers. On Saturdays it’s home to the NVFM: Noe Valley Farmers Market. Local farmers & vendors come together for the Saturday market. There is usually a live music performance and a play area for the wee ones.
https://www.noevalleyfarmersmarket.com
Chocolate Covered
Daily 11 am–6 pm
Jack is the chocolatier here, home to some of the best chocolate on the planet. Jack will ask you one question: “What’s your favorite chocolate?” And then get your chocolate satisfaction from there. Jack also makes cool photo tins that are wonderful gifts for friends or family. This is the spot for your chocolate fix. http://www.chocolatecoveredsf.com
Village Rotisserie
Daily 11 am–9 pm (closed Mondays)
New to the hood is a fast, casual dining spot where chicken (fried & rotisserie) stars. Pick your chicken & sides: duck fat potatoes, oven roasted Brussels sprouts, and roasted cauliflower, just to name a few. There are salsas, too. For beverages there is a nice selection of local brews & wine. The revamped outdoor patio is an inviting location to dine among the lemon trees and large umbrellas that provide perfect shading.
https://www.villagerotisserie.com
Mr. Digby’s Bar & Restaurant
Tuesday–Sunday 5 pm to close
Saturday & Sunday 10:30 am–2:30 pm brunch
I know this spot well as I was a partner in its former incarnation, Noe’s Cantina. Mr. Digby’s is inviting and warm and feels more gastro pub than bar. The menu is comfort food all the way with options for non-meat eaters too. The chicken pot pie was yummy; the beef tartare hit the spot. The “chick” hen & biscuits—a veggie mushroom dish with English peas—was a delightful, tasty surprise. There is a daily desert special, so stay for that sweet ending. Mr. Digby’s has a full bar with killer cocktails to boot. There is seating outdoors and indoors, and the popular weekend brunch is a must. Welcome to the hood, Mr. Digby (named after the owners’ Old English sheepdog). Tails are joyfully wagging and loving what you have delivered so far. https://www.mrdigbys.com
Billingsgate
Tuesday–Friday, Sunday 10 am–7 pm
Saturday 9 am–7 pm
If you love seafood, there is a cool little joint in Noe you’ll want to explore: Billingsgate on 24th Street & Sanchez. This fab fish market & dining spot has it all: the daily catch as well as crab, lobster, oysters, and more. It’s packed to the gills with all your culinary tools, jams, and sides—plus brews & vino for a picnic or seafood party. Stay for lunch and enjoy the crudo, the raw bar, or the yummy seafood salads. The happy hour from 3 pm–5 pm offers 50% off oysters & cava; now that’s a deal and a catch! It’s well worth the trek across town to dine or shop, or both. Joyfully, I live right down the street. https://www.billingsgatesf.com
Noe Valley Bakery
Daily 7am–7 pm
For more than 20 years, Noe Valley Bakery has served the local Noe community and beyond. Located a block from my house, the bakery’s smell of its daily early bread bake wafts down the street and provides a morning alarm: “Get thee to the bakery!” The bread loaves in all forms shine: apricot ginger, cherry chocolate … but the double raisin loaf is my favorite, and the challah loaf also hits the spot. Cakes additionally star here, with cupcakes for every season from Easter to Pride to the winter holidays, and spooky Halloween cakes are offered up now. The item I am most passionate about is the meaty, cheesy baked tile, but there are veggie options, too. And if you need a cake for a special occasion, look no further than Noe Valley Bakery.
https://noevalleybakery.com/pages/noe-valley
Olive This Olive That
11am–6 pm (closed Mondays)
For all things olive oil this is the shop where you will find it all. Owner Janell is a foundation of knowledge and she believes that delicious olive oils should not be a luxury or a specialty item but rather a ubiquitous fresh ingredient in all kitchens. It is a wonderful place to get a special gift of olive oil and balsamic vinegar as well as other specialty items. Sign up for Janell’s informative & entertaining virtual classes. See the website for more info.
https://www.olivethisolivethat.com/contact-us/
Other honorable mentions in Noe Valley:
Hamano Sushi
https://hamano-sushi.com
HiWay Burger & Fry
https://www.hi-wayburger.com
Lupa Trattoria
https://www.lupatrattoria.com
Uma Casa
https://www.umacasarestaurant.com
La Ciccia
http://www.laciccia.com
Saru Sushi Bar
https://akaisarusf.square.site
Subs Inc.
http://sfsubsinc.com/
Valley Tavern
http://www.valleytavern.us
Emmy Award-winning radio and television personality Liam Mayclem is regularly featured on KPIX as well as KCBS, where he is the popular Foodie Chap. Born in London, Mayclem is now at home in the Bay Area, where he lives with his husband, photographer Rick Camargo. For more information: https://www.bookliam.com/
Published on October 21, 2021
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