We all love a delicious Moscone crepe, but sometimes we need to venture outside of the convention center to find a meal. That's why we've put together this list of GDC 2023 staff restaurant recommendations—for quick bites, casual meals, and sit-down dinners.
We asked several of our GDC staff members to let us know where they like to eat when they attend the Game Developers Conference, taking place this year from March 20-24 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Check out their picks below! And be sure to subscribe to our newsletter, where later on this week we'll be sending out an interactive map to these tasty spots.
Casual Eats
The Grove: 690 Mission St.
Sam Warnke (conference producer)
"I highly recommend The Grove for breakfast! I love the cozy, welcoming, eclectic vibe—and, of course, the food and coffee are top notch, too. Make sure you try The Grove Breakfast Sandwich (their green herb sauce is delish)!"
Wise Sons Jewish Deli: 736 Mission St.
Beth Elderkin (content marketing manager)
"Located inside the Jewish Contemporary Museum, Wise Sons is one of my favorite spots to grab some bagels and lox in the morning. You can head inside the restaurant or order from their take-out window."
The Grubbies "Pop-Up Omakase": 123 2nd St.
Beth Elderkin (content marketing manager)
"If you’re hungry for incredible, lovingly crafted bento to enjoy while chilling at Yerba Buena, look no further than The Grubbies. This takeout-only spot is great if you’re needing a meal that’s quick, healthy, and mind-blowing. I recommend the Truffle Salmon—although if they have a daily special available, be sure to nab that before it’s gone!"
Garaje: 475 3rd St.
Kysa Ludviksen (associate conference producer)
"If you're looking for something casual and tasty Cali-Mex tacos and burritos, Garaje is your spot. If you're not in the mood for Mexican, they also have burger and sandwich options. My go-to order is the Surfer Leo Zapato (grilled burrito with beer-battered fried tilapia, fries, avocado, cheese, and chipotle mayo)."
Turtle Tower (SoMa): 501 6th St.
Molly Portillo (event delivery manager)
"Northern Vietnamese food—so great!! If you order Pho, ask for the noodles to be pan fried. The pan fried noodles really make the dish!"
Lemonade: 781 Mission St.
Stephenie Hawkins (director, events production)
"This sunny spot is perfect for grabbing a quick meal within steps of Moscone. My go-to is their refreshing mint lemonade and mac n' cheese that is almost as good as my mom’s. Their covered patio is great for enjoying lunch or grab a spot in the Yerba Buena Gardens—you won’t be bored watching the hustle and bustle."
Bazille: 865 Market St (Westfield)
Holly Green (community editorial coordinator, Game Developer)
"Last year I had a life changing meal at Bazille, a café that’s actually inside Nordstrom on Market Street. I highly recommend the kung pao Brussels sprouts, the crab, mango and avocado salad and the wild salmon with saffron couscous."
Luke’s Lobster (SoMa): 92 2nd St
Bryant Francis (senior editor, Game Developer)
"Luke’s Lobster is a great seafood spot for GDC attendees who need a break from the hustle and bustle of Moscone Center. After a 10 minute walk from GDC, you’ll get the chance to chow down on some delicious seafood with a distinctly New England sensibility."
Slower Dining
The Tempest Bar & Box Kitchen: 431 Natoma St.
Sarah McCauley (marketing manager)
"The Tempest Bar & Box Kitchen is my favorite spot. It's usually fairly quiet during the weekdays at lunch, while it's a total dive bar setting, the staff are wonderful and the food is top notch with vegetarian and vegan options. Their kitchen is open until midnight!"
Louie’s Bar: 55 Stevenson St.
Ashley Corrigan (senior conference producer)
"All of the food is good, especially the burger. It’s one of the best in the city. If you go, ask for Waylon and tell him Ashley says hi.”
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ: 855 Howard St.
Beth Elderkin (content marketing manager)
"If you're a fan of hibachi, chances are you've heard of Gyu-Kaku. There's one located just a few doors down from Moscone Center, with excellent happy hour prices and a robust menu of meats, seafood, and veggies. Be sure to make a reservation if you've got a few people, as it tends to fill up."
Boulevard San Francisco: 1 Mission St.
Kysa Ludviksen (associate conference producer)
"Boulevard is a classic San Francisco American fare establishment. The interior is beautiful and timeless, and their service is top-notch! This restaurant is the perfect place for a business meal or special celebration."
Sancha Sushi: 253 Church St.
Emily Parrett (digital marketing specialist)
"Hop on the J, pick up some Sancha Sushi and walk to Dolores park to eat in the sun set after GDC as they’re an evening-only spot. Be sure to ask about their vegan sushi!"
But seriously... don't skip out on those crepes.
Register for GDC 2023 Here
We can’t wait to see you at GDC 2023, taking place March 20-24, 2023 at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, California. Head here for information on booking a hotel and other travel inquiries, and follow the #GDC23 hashtag for the latest news and updates for this year’s exciting event.
GDC returns to San Francisco this March 20-24, 2023, and registration is now open! For more information, be sure to visit our website and follow the #GDC23 hashtag on social media.
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