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Nopalito

Mexican Restaurant$$$$

Panhandle, San Francisco

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Nopalito

8.8^/10

1,138

ratings

Ranked #2 for carnitas in San Francisco
Go here. Experience the Mexican food. It's worth it.
"Make sure you order carnitas, the best I've had north of the border!"(60 Tips)
"The Totopos con Chile are to DIE for."(7 Tips)
"Best enchiladas de mole I've tried so far outside of Mexico"(20 Tips)
"Opt for Quesadilla Roja con Chicharron..."(6 Tips)

250 Tips and reviews

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Mexican food
trendy
quesadillas
margaritas
totopos con chile
good for dates
spicy food
good service
casual
tequila
mezcal
popsicles
tortas
horchata
micheladas
tamales
gluten-free food
bar
sangria
poached eggs
(15 more)

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Olivia PMay 9, 2016
Haven't found a thing I dont like. My favorite dishes are all on the left side of the menu. The horchata is really good. I always get that to go as a nice ending to my meal when craving sweet.
David BanFebruary 11, 2015
Nopa's renowned attention to ingredients, applied to the Mexican pastiche at a refreshlingly low pricepoint. The Trout / Trucha is dope.
SFistSeptember 5, 2014
Go for the brunch staple Chilaquiles or the Huevos de Caja for a tortilla-based take on eggs benedict. The Inner Sunset location also boasts a sunny back patio and an expanded menu of tortas. Read more
Brian StraussJune 1, 2022
Elevated Mexican in a humble setting. No reservations— save for booking the entire parklet outside. Get the chicken mole, any taco, and the vegetable dishes. The guacamole is also very very good
SFistAugust 3, 2014
The same stellar Mezcal or Tequila Bloody Marias as the flagship around the corner, but with a uniquely Mexican breakfast flair. Go for the brunch staple Chilaquiles or the Huevos de Caja. Read more
SFGateAugust 2, 2014
Give me one Nopalito tamale prepared with house-made masa, green chiles and stewed pork for $4, and keep the two or three you might get for the same price at other places. Read more
Johnny AppleseedSeptember 28, 2015
A great place for some great Mexican food that they've created for a new experience. The menu ranges from authentic to new recipes. I recommend the Carnitas. Also cookies and Ice Cream bars are great
Food NetworkAugust 4, 2014
The chorizo sandwich puts a spin on a diner classic. The spice list for the sandwich includes everything from pinquito picanta to pink salt to adobo. Read more
SFGateAugust 2, 2014
The carnitas are rightly a best-seller. The pork is marinated in beer, orange, bay leaf and cinnamon, and slowly braised in pork fat, creating chunks of well-browned meat Read more
Rebecca MorehiserOctober 27, 2015
Delicious, fancy Mexican food. This place always seems to have a long wait, and the bar area is virtually non-existent. So make reservation ahead of time, unless you want to hang in the parking lot.
Daniel MorganJune 28, 2016
Great food, friendly staff. The corn chips are incredible, stay crunchy even when dripping in sauce and sour cream. YUM
GQ MagazineDecember 3, 2015
Totopos con Chile, an appetizer that reads as soggy Doritos with crema, includes fresh corn chips tossed in a fiery housemade salsa de arbol. Get an extra side of the cooling crema. Read more
EaterApril 12, 2016
From the addictive totopos con chile to the comforting tortilla soup to the killer carnitas, there's something for everyone here. Read more
Elijah ColpittsApril 10, 2015
This place was amazing. The food was delicious, service was fantastic, and I can't wait to go back. Nice gluten free options
Jacob GyllenstiernaJune 17, 2013
Avoid the tables under the heat lamps - gets way too hot. The taquitos are a good starter. The pork belly quesadilla and the mole are a must! Drink the Mezcal Paloma.
joahnnaDecember 5, 2015
The tacos de pescado and the ceviche are both excellent!!! Flavorful and spicy. The ceviche is also quite refreshing.
Frances JamesNovember 30, 2014
Yum yummy yum mexican food. Flawless execution, great cocktails from their mezcal bar. Greg's favorite carnitas in the city. Be prepared to WAIT (no reservations)
India KJanuary 4, 2017
Everything on the menu is amazing and it changes often. Perfect amount of spicy. Delicious. One of the best spots in the city for Mexican food.
Lizzy AAugust 6, 2012
Margaritas are strong and tasty like mamacitas. Shared lots of small plates all were great! Gets very busy and no reservations. Call before 6:30, after it gets too busy so they don't answer the phone.
Giuseppe ValenciaNovember 16, 2015
Authentic Mexican Food. Wine, Beer and Mexican Agua Frescas. Queso Fundido, Huaraches, Arab Tacos and Fish Tacos 👌🏽😜😋 with My Bestie Sarah and my daughter and Bf
Coralie SabinJuly 23, 2015
Queso flameado, quesadilla con chicharrón and carnitas (so good!).
Nina YiamsamathaMay 25, 2015
The frijoles puercos makes for a super satisfying lunch
George DyFebruary 16, 2015
The best tasting carnitas in the city. I'd give their quesadilla roja a must try along with their roja chips.
Tye ChaitMay 13, 2015
High-quality food with good spices and flavors. The entrees are large and can be split. The place gets busy so call ahead to get on the wait list.
Zoe FujiiDecember 30, 2013
SO good. Call ahead to get on the waiting list before you arrive. The totopos(?) were yummy (and spicy!). I also likes the empanada and taquitos!
Yuri KyeOctober 31, 2011
Carnitas. Order generously if on the left side of the page, portions are small and ingredients mostly local. Unbeatable freshness/simplicity. Drink some Mexican coffee, if you're into tequila.
.:. sAugust 13, 2015
Really good Mexican food with fine ingredients. The Bloody Maria everyone is raving about was a good hit. The popisicles were a cute touch. Very good service.
Lauren MelcherJune 6, 2015
Tamal De Amarillo Con Calabaza -- gluten-free, vegetarian and so so delicious. Pair with one of the salads for a great meal.
Chris H.January 9, 2017
The chips, more like nachos, are absolutely delicious
Andrea SyMarch 4, 2013
Since they don't take reservations, call to be placed on the waitlist to make the wait less painful :) the carnitas and the lamb stew dish are amazing :)
Cameron SteerMay 17, 2016
Great vegetarian options but also great for your meat eating friends. Also fairly good beer selection.
Audra SmithFebruary 11, 2013
Try the Naranjas Con Chili, Limon Y Queso - This orange salad is #refreshing, with cara cara, blood #orange, #grapefruit, pickled red onions, chilis, lime and queso fresco.
Smoochella ScrumptiousJune 7, 2016
All hype. Only flavor to the Carnitas was the raw red onion and the lime I squeezed on it. The hibiscus drink was watered down. :( I might give them a second try but someone will have to drag me here.
AskMenOctober 29, 2010
The queso fresco, bread & tortillas are made in-house, & sitting at the bar is a pleasure if you're a cocktail fan. Their paloma -- a Mexican tequila drink - is the tastiest we've found. Read more
Tim DengMarch 21, 2018
The mole I had was incredible. One of the most delicious Mexican meals I had
Noah WeissOctober 19, 2018
Been here 5+ times
Carnitas is all you need to know (rest is delicious too)
Herro KittyJanuary 13, 2019
The chicken tinga tacos + almond horchata are a delectable duo 💕 taste buds were delighted 🥰
Laura CNovember 17, 2011
Sustainable, organic and healthy Mexican food. And of course there are many Taquerias in the Mission District where you cannot go wrong when searching for authentic Mexican Cuisine
Lilian TellezDecember 3, 2013
The caldo tlalpeño doesn't have chicken. It's only a bland chicken broth with a few vegetables. Birria and carnitas are great. Almost as good as the authentic ones.
Marcos RamosOctober 12, 2015
Just get the carnitas and feel happy about your choice. Really delicious and quite nice if you eat a lot!
Hai LiMay 13, 2019
Nothing spectacular here and Not sure if it can justify the long wait on a Tuesday night. The server got our order wrong, sent us fish taco instead of chicken tacos. But they fixed it quickly. 👍
Margherita B.January 17, 2017
Cool Mexican place in Broderick. Make sure to get a reservation, or be ready to wait to be seated
CITY GRITAugust 1, 2014
The drinks pack a punch! Don’t miss the Totopos con Chile, the Sweet Potato Tamal, or the Mole con Pollo.
Amy KnappOctober 30, 2013
Carnitas + margaritas are fabulous, fresh and tasty. Recommend starting with the Totopos.
EaterDecember 1, 2010
SF is short on dine-in Mexican restaurants where you get something that fits the city ethos, complimented by a well-done margarita. Since nailing the latter, Nopalito fits the bill. [Eater 38 Member] Read more
Heather RodriguezJanuary 25, 2020
I thought their meat was flavorful, which is rare here. Great hand made tortillas too.
Heena KaraniJuly 9, 2016
This place is outside of the city, so book. The tortilla chips dish was spicy & moreish. However, I disliked the vegetarian quesadilla. It was super bland & light on filling. They need to add mole.
Rachel RothJune 8, 2017
Great California twist on Mexican food. The stone fruit salad with spiced peanuts was especially great!
Arlynne CakesJanuary 31, 2015
Stramberry almond horchata. Keep an eye out for it.. it's seasonal and amazing. Great staff!
Trevor FilterAugust 22, 2014
Great ceviche and carnitas. (Put your name down and head over to Nopa for cocktails while you wait!)

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