Independent local guide · Updated September 5, 2026
19 verified picks across Filipino, dim sum, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, Mexican, soul food, and classics — with addresses, phones, prices, and recent Google ratings.
This guide is a local-minded introduction to the best restaurants in Daly City, California, for 2026. It brings together Filipino comfort food, dim sum, Vietnamese noodles, Thai brunch, Korean specialties, sushi, tacos, sandwiches, and more, with each entry focused on what to order and the atmosphere suggested by the restaurant's menu and setting.
Daly City's food scene matters because this San Mateo County city immediately south of San Francisco is home to one of the Bay Area's largest Filipino-American communities and is often called the Pinoy Capital. Filipino cooking anchors the map, while neighboring restaurants broaden the picture with Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Mexican, Hawaiian, Japanese, Italian, American, and soul food.
Entries are organized as a practical tour by restaurant rather than a strict ranking. Use the cuisine and price tier shown separately from these writeups to narrow the field, then notice the useful clusters: Southgate Avenue, Gellert Boulevard, Mission Street, San Pedro Road, and Westlake. BART's Daly City station also makes the city accessible from San Francisco.
Daly City is often called the "Pinoy Capital" of the Bay Area, and these five are the core of it. Full Filipino guide →
Fil-Am Cuisine is a straightforward Filipino comfort-food stop where the turo-turo format points toward hearty, familiar plates. Crispy lechon kawali brings crackling richness, while kare-kare adds a savory, deeply satisfying counterpoint for a meal that feels generous and unfussy.
Chibog leans into an easygoing, nostalgic Filipino mood with food built for sharing. Sizzling sisig supplies savory texture, crispy lumpia adds a crackly snackable bite, and silvanas finish the meal with a distinctly sweet bakery-style note.
Tselogs makes Filipino breakfast available throughout the day, pairing substantial plates with a charming neighborhood feel. Shrimp chips add a crisp, addictive snack to the experience, making this a useful stop when the ideal meal is savory, filling, and distinctly Filipino.
Russ Fam Kitchen is an unconventional Filipino takeout counter located inside a Daly City gas station, pairing everyday convenience with standout specialties. Lechon provides the savory centerpiece, while Dubai chocolate strawberries add an unexpected, dessert-like finish to the selection.
Starbread Ling Nam combines a Filipino restaurant with a bakery, making it especially appealing to diners who want a meal and something sweet afterward. Filipino-style pastries are the signature draw, giving the spot a bakery-forward identity alongside its savory offerings.
The Southgate Avenue corridor and Gellert Boulevard put a dozen cuisines within a short walk. Full Asian guide →
At Pho Huynh Hiep 3 - Kevin's Noodle House, steaming phở offers a warming, aromatic bowl for a relaxed Vietnamese meal. Grilled pork over broken rice gives the menu a more substantial, smoky option, making this a dependable choice when comfort and flavor are the priorities.
Kan Kiin Brunch & Thai Eatery gives Thai food a playful brunch direction without losing its savory appeal. Matcha pancakes provide a gently sweet centerpiece, while hat yai fried chicken with waffles brings a crisp, satisfying contrast in a casual, welcoming setting.
Dae Jang Geum Tofu House feels designed for warming, substantial Korean meals. Bubbling soon dooboo arrives with comforting heat, and sizzling galbi adds a savory grilled component, creating the kind of cozy dinner that rewards settling in over several shared dishes.
Koi Palace is a destination for classic dim sum favorites and fuller Cantonese-style feasting. Juicy xiao long bao, flaky pork buns, and roast duck cover three distinct cravings, from delicate and steamy bites to crisp pastry and richly seasoned meat.
Banana Island brings a lively, group-friendly energy to a menu that moves across Southeast Asian comforts. Crispy roti, tender beef rendang, and flavorful Hainanese chicken offer different textures and intensities, making the table feel abundant without becoming complicated.
Tom San Ramen balances rich Japanese ramen with a broader selection of sushi and a polished chirashi bowl. The result is an inviting spot that works for noodle cravings or a lighter, varied lunch, with the chirashi providing a particularly appealing combination of fresh flavors.
King Katsu Land specializes in Korean-style fried meat served in notably generous portions. Its appeal is direct and satisfying: crisp coating, substantial servings, and a casual atmosphere suited to diners looking for a filling meal rather than delicate presentation.
Tiny Sushi - Oh Baby uses a small footprint to deliver an ambitious sushi-focused menu. Spicy tuna rolls bring familiar heat, toro nigiri offers a rich, delicate bite, and beautiful chirashi bowls turn the meal into something more varied and visually composed.
Keith's Chicken N Waffles is a tiny, family-friendly destination centered on a classic soul-food pairing. The fried chicken is the draw, with a crisp exterior and comforting, substantial character that suits an uncomplicated meal for diners who want familiar food done well.
Taqueria Los Cuernos is a compact Mexican spot built around tacos and burritos with plenty of flavor. Al pastor brings seasoned, savory character, while the massive carne asada burritos offer a more filling route for a casual meal south of San Francisco.
Boulevard Cafe channels a retro diner sensibility through comforting brunch plates, hearty burgers, and summery cocktails. It is an easygoing all-day-style choice for a familiar meal, whether the occasion calls for breakfast-minded food, a substantial sandwich-style plate, or a relaxed drink.
Original Joe's Westlake keeps its Italian cooking comfortably old school, with pasta dishes and complimentary sourdough setting a familiar tone. Fresh touches on traditional favorites add variety, while the overall mood remains suited to a more composed dinner than a quick counter meal.
Hawaiian Drive Inn offers the uncomplicated appeal of solid Hawaiian food in generous portions. Its Daly City location is suited to casual, filling meals when the priority is quantity and familiarity, with a relaxed drive-in-style spirit rather than elaborate dining.
Miss Tomato Sandwiches is built around enormous sandwiches that can carry a diner from lunch through dinner. The appeal is practical and satisfying: substantial portions, a casual sandwich-shop atmosphere, and enough food to make one sandwich feel like a complete meal.
Use this guide to choose a cuisine, follow one of Daly City's restaurant clusters, or build a day around a particular craving. Menus and details can change, so treat the writeups as a starting point; this homepage was last updated in September 2026.
Daly City is especially known for Filipino food, reflecting one of the Bay Area's largest Filipino-American communities and the city's nickname, the Pinoy Capital. The local dining scene also includes strong Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, dim sum, sushi, Mexican, Hawaiian, Italian, American, soul food, and sandwich choices.
Koi Palace is the dim sum destination in this guide, with juicy xiao long bao, flaky pork buns, and roast duck among its signature dishes. It is on Gellert Boulevard, a useful area to remember if you want to pair dim sum with other nearby Filipino and Korean options.
Southgate Avenue brings several Asian restaurants within a short walk of one another, making it one of Daly City's most useful food corridors. The guide includes Pho Huynh Hiep 3 - Kevin's Noodle House, Kan Kiin Brunch & Thai Eatery, Dae Jang Geum Tofu House, and Tom San Ramen there.
For the guide's $ options, consider Filipino plates at Fil-Am Cuisine or Tselogs, tacos and burritos at Taqueria Los Cuernos, fried chicken at Keith's Chicken N Waffles, Hawaiian portions at Hawaiian Drive Inn, pastries at Starbread Ling Nam, or large sandwiches from Miss Tomato Sandwiches.
For a more occasion-oriented meal, Original Joe's Westlake offers classic Italian comfort with pasta and complimentary sourdough, while Tiny Sushi - Oh Baby brings toro nigiri and carefully presented chirashi bowls. Koi Palace can also suit a shared celebration when dim sum, roast duck, and group dining are the goal.
Yes, particularly if Filipino food is a priority or you want several Asian cuisines in one compact visit. Daly City sits immediately south of San Francisco, and BART's Daly City station connects the city to San Francisco. Southgate Avenue, Gellert Boulevard, Mission Street, and other clusters make planning a focused food outing practical.
Entries start from The Infatuation's Daly City restaurant guide (updated June 12, 2026). Addresses, phone numbers, and price tiers were cross-checked against each restaurant's official website and public listings. Google Maps rating snapshots were taken in early September 2026 and are shown as approximate values, because ratings move. Hours and menus change — confirm details with the restaurant before visiting. Last updated: September 5, 2026.