🍴 Counter Dining Solo

California's oldest restaurant, since 1849. Mahogany booths, white-jacketed waiters, cioppino and sand dabs. Sit at the counter if the wait's long.

A Tokyo ramen phenom's first US outpost. Tonkotsu so rich it's almost dessert, and a wait you'll grumble about then forget mid-bowl.

Tiny marble-counter Castro institution for cioppino, oysters and crab Louie.

Solo diners get ushered straight to the long sushi counter.

Low-lit leather booths and decadent white bolognese for prolonged eye contact.

Bib Gourmand; traditional Japanese izakaya with house-made everything.