The 10 Best Tiny Places, Spaces, and Finds in San Francisco

San Francisco

     They say that proficient thing hail in small bundle , but one time we bring out a present that front like it was going to be jewelry only to afford the boxwood and find a lousy keychain . So it turns out “ they ” lie . That being said , we think the picayune affair in life really can make you happy , especially if those things are one of these 10 midget jewel in San Francisco .

Black Horse London Pub

moo-cow Hollow At just 136 sq . ft . , a maximum occupancy of 22 people , and only nine bar stools , Black Horse is SF ’s smallest bar , which stimulate it a no - brainer for this listing . But it ’s also one of SF ’s good neighborhood lacrimation holes thanks to the favorable , intimate vibration , salient tall mallow scale ( the only food served ) , the fact that beer are kept on ice in a bathtub , and the never-ending rolling of dice . lie with before you go : beer only , men who are sit down must forego their stools to women who are standing and , shocker ( not really ) , it ’s cash only .

Mel Rice Ceramica

MissionBehind the chevroned Dutch door in a closet - sized nook in front of Amnesia , you ’ll find hired man thrown ceramics that are beautiful as they are functional . Mel Rice Ceramica holds the distinction of being the lowly shop in San Francisco ( it ’s 36 sq . ft . ) , which means you ’ll shop class while standing on the sidewalk , but Mel Rice has a ripe common sense of wit about it all , as evidenced by her cunning , profanity - lace mugs .

Sam’s Pizza and Hamburgers

North Beach If you find yourself in North Beach after a few drinks and you ’re get a yen to chow down , grab a seat at the counter at Sam ’s where you could get one of the estimable burgers in SF . Sam ’s has been open for 50 years and not much has changed in that time ; it ’s still a tiny no - frills , cash - only joint . Oh , and when Anthony Bourdain ate their beefburger , he proclaimed Sam a “ walk Buddha ” and “ a patron saint . ” So there ’s that .

The Grand Newsstand

marketplace StreetAn ordinary newsstand would never make this tilt , but The Grand Newsstand by the Ferry Building is no average newsstand . This 17 - foot cylindrical kiosk looks like all of the other newsstand you see around townspeople , but if you attend a short nearer , you ’ll see it specialise in ego - issue graphics and underground print publication , which imply it ’s full of ‘ zines , greeting cards , hired man paint jarful , and more , making it a tiny nontextual matter entrepot , if you will . Mary Leontyne Price roam from $ 2 to $ 20 . And though it ’s open if it ’s brumous or drizzling , the owner has to close shop when it really startle rain to protect the merchandise .

Mini Bar

We love Mini Bar because it ’s so much more than just , well , a mini bar . It ’s also a community gathering space that ’s always filled with interesting graphics from vicinity artists . The space is recollective and narrow , but every inch is used sagely and the nontextual matter is really the Heron . Though it does n’t bruise that the cocktail are pretty darn tasty as well .

The Sword and Rose

Cole ValleyHidden at the back of a Cole Valley court filled with vines , President George W. Bush , and flowers is The Sword and Rose , “ a Spiritual and Metaphysical shop ” that attend like a hut straight out of a fairytale and does n’t feel much different when you walk indoors . In a undecomposed way . This is n’t a magic shop , but rather a lieu for people who need a little “ magick ” in their lives . You ’ll find incense and crude oil that are crafted in the shop , jewelry , playscript , crystal , and so much more . you may also get a tarot card reading , which are love for being spookily accurate .

Omakase

Chef Jackson Yu ’s SoMa restaurant has just 14 seats , but the fact that it ’s almost impossible to get a reservation does n’t stop it from being one of SF ’s highest - rated sushi office . Omakase mean “ chef ’s pick ” ( but you probably knew that already ) and there are just two prix fixe fare available ( $ 150 and $ 200 ) . Yes , it ’s a total orgy , but it ’s deserving it to feed some of ( if not THE ) good fish in the urban center .

Mr. Pollo

MissionIf $ 200 for a delicious meal is about $ 170 too much , then head to Mr. Pollo in the Mission where you’re able to get a memorable four - course repast for just $ 30 . The quad is a full pickle in the wall and there are just two retort seat and four tables – so you may have to await , but the food is upscale , originative , and completely legit , make it worth every minute on line .

Swan Oyster Depot

There ’s believably been a line of credit out the door of this famous seafood daub since it opened up over 100 class ago because not only is the seafood the best in town , there are only , like , 18 retort seating room sum . The solid food ’s not cheap and the vibe ’s not fancy , but it ’s still deserving the waiting for some of the clean , tasty oysters and Cancer you ’ll ever eat . Leave room for the clam chowder though .

Tactile Dome

EmbarcaderoIf the Tactile Dome is n’t on your SF Bucket List , it definitely should be . And even though we ’re about to describe it , know that no verbal description can do it justice ; it ’s just an amazingly weird populace that needs to be experienced first - hired hand to fully appreciate . Basically , you cringe , climb up , and slue through a lurch - black maze inside a dome the size of a large weather balloon using only your sentience of touch to rule your way . And you do it every indorsement of it . Unless you ’re claustrophobic or frightened of the dark , in which case : oops ! Pro Tip : Go barefoot . And make a reservation because you wo n’t be able-bodied to just walk ( crawl ) in due to limited capacity and high demand .