Good eats - the best of San Francisco
 

Looking for some great dining experiences this weekend in San Francisco with a limited budget. Interested in all types of food. Could anyone recommend the 5 best places to have a great culinary experience downtown?

A highly subjective question, of course.

With the big caveat that I am but an occasional (but enthusiastic) visitor, I really, really like A16 for Italian. It does not strike me as being particularly high priced and the food is very good.

Any of the Ferry Building marketplace outlets offer high quality at not-too-extravagant prices. For example, try Mijita for regional Mexican dishes:

http://www.mijitasf.com/home_ferry_building.php

dependig on how limited
 

Basil Thai in SOMA (Folsom St)

Any of the restos lining Valencia St between 16th and 24th

Burmese Super Star on Clement St in the inner Richmond Dist - there's a wait but great food

Alice's or Eric's restos in Noe Valley for Chinese

my 2 cents
 

Zero Zero. Fabulous italian food at not very expensive prices. Very hard to get a reservation

Don't forget about the SF chronicle's bargain bites guide:

http://www.sfgate.com/food/bargains/

What kind of cuisine do you like (or not) and what is your budget?

When you say "a great culinary experience downtown," does it really have to be, literally, in the downtown area? (Some of the suggestions offered thus far are not.)

Also, there are already quite a few existing threads on restaurants in this (San Francisco) forum. There might be some ideas in them for you. ;)

http://tacolicioussf.com/
Plus it's a new Marina meat market, if you are so inclined. ;)