San Francisco is a premier dining destination with access to California’s produce year-round and the twin wine countries of Sonoma and Napa. The diversity in the dining scene is staggering for a city of its size, offering everything from tacos to four star dining.

The first stop for anyone interested in food is the Ferry Building Market (Embarcadero & Market Street, website), once known for its iconic clock tower and since reclaimed for gourmet food. The historic structure on the Embarcadero was built in 1898 and now houses shops featuring local and seasonal products. Try some of the best cheese in America made by Cowgirl Creamery, artisanal bread from Berkeley’s Acme Bread Company or some oysters at Hog Island Oyster Company. If you need a caffeine fix, there is a Peet’s Coffee and The Imperial Tea Court shop and tea salon. For sweets, try chocolates from Recchiuti or pastries from the organically certified Frog Hollow Farm.

Also in the Ferry Building, The Slanted Door is considered one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in the country. Extremely popular, waits can be long during prime times. The menu has many entrees in the teens and low $20’s, and it’s also a great vegetarian option. (1 Ferry Building #3, 415-861-8032, website).

Fog City Diner takes diner food to new heights (Niman Ranch burgers, Angus Beef pot roast), prices for entrees from $13.95 to 19.95 (1300 Battery Street, 415-982-2000, www.fogcitydiner.com).

The highly regarded Zuni Café (1658 Market Street, between Franklin & Gough, 415-552-2522, website) was at the forefront of the seasonal cooking movement and while you won’t see the famous chef around much these days, the restaurant is still devoted to sourcing sustainable products. It has a brick oven that produces good pizza plus the most famous roast chicken in town (serves two, $41 at lunch, $48 at dinner) and a large daily selection of oysters. The restaurant is also open later than most in town – until Midnight Tuesday – Saturday (11pm on Sunday).

Another option is Boulevard (1 Mission Street, 415-543-6084, website), just across from the Ferry Building. Overseen by chef Nancy Oakes, this American brasserie serves great food in an unbeatable location. The quality of ingredients – line caught fish, free range and artisanal meats – is impeccable and the service top notch. The ingredients come at a cost, however, with entrees from $32 to $43.

Off the beaten path, just north of Golden Gate park is pan-Asian newbie Namu (439 Balboa Street, 415-386-8332, website). Inspired by Korean and Japanese flavors, the food is innovative and affordable. The restaurant received a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide (good value meals under $40) and has won several “Best of” awards from local media. The owners, the Lee Brothers, also have a cart serving gourmet sandwiches in Golden Gate Park called Happy Belly.

For pizza, there is the acclaimed, and tough to get into, A16. Pizzas are $11 – 16 and pastas $16 – 18. Entrees are only in the low $20s and come with your choice of side dish. 2355 Chestnut St b/w Scott and Divisadero, 415-771-2216, website).

If you want to splurge, try the eponymous restaurant from superstar chef Michael Mina (Westin St. Francis, 335 Powell Street, 415-397-9222, website). The room is formal but not stuffy and the menu is pricey – three courses for $100. If you want to bask in the atmosphere but don’t want to commit to the prix fixe, you can also dine at the bar.