Things to Do in Chinatown, San Francisco

A mix of laundries and restaurants, with a night market that celebrated its Asian heritage in 2018. The area has murals reflecting its history, including a dragon and lion, and is currently an immigration hub for Ethiopian people.

City Lights Booksellers & PublishersBookstore
Chinatown and Dragon GateLandmark
Vesuvio'sLive Music

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Top things to do in Chinatown

City Lights Booksellers & Publishers
★ 4.7 · 4.4k
Bookstore★
A North Beach standby, this 3-level shop with Beat-era roots stocks art, poetry & mainstream books.
Every day
10 AM – 10 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Chinatown and Dragon Gate
★ 4.3 · 10.9k
Landmark★
Iconic area with the largest assembly of Chinese eateries, shops & cultural events outside of Asia.
Every day
12 AM – 12 AM
Website ↗Map ↗
Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory
★ 4.5 · 5.0k
Specialty Store· $
Landmark bakery preparing homemade fortune cookies in a tiny open kitchen, with tours available.
Every day
9 AM – 7 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Red Blossom Tea Company
★ 4.6 · 277
Tea & Coffee
Modern family-owned shop sells a range of artisanal loose-leaf teas & teaware in a peaceful setting.
Mon
11 AM – 5 PM
Tue
Closed
Wed–Fri
11 AM – 5 PM
Sat
10 AM – 5 PM
Sun
10 AM – 5 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Old St. Mary's Church
★ 4.6 · 587
Cathedral
historic roman-catholic church in California, United States
Mon
Closed
Tue–Fri
10 AM – 4 PM
Sat
12:15 PM – 6:15 PM
Sun
8:15 AM – 11:45 AM
Website ↗Map ↗
Chinese Historical Society of America Museum
★ 4.6 · 235
History Museum
Small museum exploring the Chinese immigrant experience in the U.S. through photos & artifacts.
Every day
9 AM – 5 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
KIM + ONO
Boutique
A thoughtfully curated store in San Francisco's Chinatown, known for its selection of kimonos and robes in various materials, including hand-painted silk and polyester, along with accessories.
Mon–Thu
11 AM – 6 PM
Fri
10:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Sat
10:30 AM – 8 PM
Sun
10:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Website ↗Map ↗

Where to eat & drink in Chinatown

Vesuvio's
★ 4.6 · 2.0k
Live Music· $10–20
Visitors & locals alike toast Kerouac et al. amid Beat-era memorabilia at this North Beach icon.
Mon–Thu
11 AM – 1 AM
Fri
11 AM – 2 AM
Sat
11 AM – 2 AM
Sun
11 AM – 1 AM
Website ↗Map ↗
Comstock Saloon
★ 4.5 · 996
Cocktail Bar· $10–50
Fancy, turn-of-the-century digs house vintage cocktails, upscale bar fare, cozy booths & live jazz.
Mon
Closed
Tue–Thu
4 PM – 12 AM
Fri
12 PM – 12 AM
Sat
4 PM – 12 AM
Sun
Closed
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
Mister Jiu’s
Michelin ★
Chinese· $100+
Chef/owner Brandon Jew's unique Californian take on Chinese cooking has made Mister Jiu's a perennial favorite.
Mon
Closed
Tue–Fri
5 PM – 10 PM
Sat
5 PM – 10 PM
Sun
Closed
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
Li Po Cocktail Lounge
★ 4.4 · 1.1k
Cocktail Bar· $10–20
Long-standing no-pretenses Chinatown bar attracting a diverse crowd with signature Chinese mai tais.
Every day
2 PM – 1 AM
Website ↗Map ↗
Z & Y
★ 4.6 · 1.6k
Chinese· $30–80
Some like it hot, and here they are in heaven. Be forewarned: timid palates are ill-suited to the spicy Sichuan dishes that have made Z & Y a Chinatown favorite.
Mon–Tue
11:30 AM – 3 PM, 4:30 PM – 9 PM
Wed
Closed
Thu–Fri
11:30 AM – 3 PM, 4:30 PM – 9 PM
Sat
11:30 AM – 3 PM, 4:30 PM – 9 PM
Sun
11:30 AM – 3 PM, 4:30 PM – 9 PM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
Four Kings 四大天王
★ 4.2 · 314
Cantonese· $40–90
Restaurants don’t get much buzzier than this bustling Chinatown haunt, where Chefs Franky Ho and Michael Long are drawing crowds eager to sample their breezy contemporary take on Cantonese cuisine.
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
R & G Lounge
★ 4.3 · 3.9k
Cantonese· $20–80
Celebrated Cantonese grub, dished out in a basic downstairs space & more formal upstairs room.
Mon–Thu
11 AM – 9 PM
Fri
11 AM – 9:30 PM
Sat
11 AM – 9:30 PM
Sun
11 AM – 9 PM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
Hong Kong Clay Pot Restaurant
★ 4.4 · 1.8k
Dim Sum· $10–20
Clay pots soaked in water cook & steam many of the dishes at this Chinese lunch & dinner spot.
Website ↗Map ↗
Rice Roll Express
★ 4.5 · 401
Chinese· $10–20
Every day
7 AM – 6 PM
Map ↗