If OP ends up in Hayes valley which is by opera / symphony / ballet / sf jazz / city arts & lectures:

a Mano (italian)
chez maman (French bistro)
ler ros (Thai)
papito (Mexican - restaurant, not taqueria)
suppenkuche (German)
Hayes grill (American)
dumpling home (Chinese dim sum) - corner of gough / fell
rich table (American)
doppio zero (Italian / pizza) - a mano is better
absinthe (amazing French and I haven’t been since 2018 or so)

fast casual (order at counter and await your food):
rt rotisserie (rotisserie chicken)
la boulangerie of sf (originally La boulange which was bought & assimilated by SBUX, then sold back to original owners!)
salt & straw (ice cream)
wise sons (deli)
souvla (Mediterranean - small sf chain)
dragon eats (Vietnamese)
gioia pizza (they also have good salads)
hayes bakeworks (bakery with pizza & Sammies)

unrequested tasting menus:
robin (omakase - range $120-200)
nightbird (French / American)
monsieur Benjamin
kiln (Californian)

bars:
smugglers cove (tiki - ultra hyped with a queue to enter - too much demand)
linden (tied with Nightbird and also too tiny)
sugar (understaffed because it’s not popular)
Phono (with a DJ spinning digital - very nice)
absinthe (bar part)

if you come to this area for supper, then be mindful of pre-arts crowds.

I have eaten at all the above restaurants within the past decade or even 7 years. I’ve been to most of these places during 2024 and after May 2023 (ie past 12 months). I ate at Lers Ros, Papito, and Gioia during May 2024.

ama if you have further Qs.

eta Otoro for Japanese supper / luncheon - sushi etc. I love this place and often go there before concerts at Rickshaw. I forgot to mention it.