{"id":337270,"date":"2026-05-29T09:26:23","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T09:26:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/337270\/"},"modified":"2026-05-29T09:26:23","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T09:26:23","slug":"world-cup-dining-guide-near-levis-stadium-and-in-san-francisco-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/337270\/","title":{"rendered":"World Cup dining guide near Levi’s Stadium and in San Francisco"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the World Cup<\/a> set to bring crowds from around the globe to the Bay Area, fans may be looking for good eats around San Francisco \u2014 or closer to Levi\u2019s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.<\/a><\/p>\n

This year’s tournament will be the biggest in history,\u00a0featuring 48 teams for the first time.<\/a>\u00a0The 104 games will be spread across the United States, Mexico and Canada, with the U.S. hosting 78 matches.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Here are a few restaurants folks can visit near the stadium and in San Francisco. Looking for things to do near Levi’s or in the city?\u00a0Check out our guide here.<\/a><\/p>\n

Restaurants near Levi’s Stadium<\/p>\n

Folks who have never visited Levi\u2019s Stadium may not know it’s about 40 miles from San Francisco. And while many may have an idea of where to eat during their travels in the Golden City, that might not be the case for the city surrounding the stadium.<\/p>\n

Here’s a quick list of options in Santa Clara and San Jose, within walking and driving distance to the stadium:<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (temporarily renamed from Levi’s Stadium for the 2026 FIFA World Cup) is seen from the air in Santa Clara, California, on May 19, 2026. Levi’s Stadium will host six matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including five group stage matches throughout June 2026. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON \/ AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

$ – Chicken Meets Rice – Santa Clara<\/p>\n

Chicken Meets Rice<\/a> is a fast-casual chain that offers Hainanese-style chicken rice. The company has a location about a 10-minute walk from Levi’s Stadium and near the Lick Mill light rail station.<\/p>\n

Address: 2213 Tasman Drive, Santa Clara<\/a><\/p>\n

$$ – Mariscos Costa Alegre – San Jose<\/p>\n

For folks looking for Mexican food and flavorful seafood, and who are willing to travel an extra 15 to 30 minutes \u2014 depending on traffic \u2014 they should consider visiting Mariscos Costa Alegre<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Located in San Jose<\/a>, this family-owned restaurant offers fresh Mexican seafood dishes, as well as more experimental plates like their Mexican Sushi.<\/p>\n

The restaurant also offers an expansive drink menu and weekday specials that fans can enjoy before they head to Levi’s Stadium to support their teams.<\/p>\n

Address: 855 N 13th Street, San Jose<\/a><\/p>\n

$$$ – Birk’s – Santa Clara<\/p>\n

Fans hoping to have a finer dining experience should consider visiting Birk’s<\/a>, a South Bay icon bistro known for its grilled steaks, chops and seafood.<\/p>\n

Birk’s is located about a 10-minute drive away from Levi’s Stadium and is right off the 101 highway.<\/p>\n

Address: 3955 Freedom Circle, Santa Clara<\/a><\/p>\n

Staying in San Francisco? Food to grab before heading to Levi’s Stadium<\/p>\n

Fans staying in San Francisco could be overwhelmed by the hundreds of restaurant recommendations they may stumble upon. Although no list can be perfect, here are a few options worth considering during your stay in the city, especially for folks who are visiting the United States.<\/p>\n

$ – Eddie’s Cafe – Alamo Square\"The<\/p>\n

The outside of Eddie’s Cafe along Divisadero Street on Friday, May 22, 2026, in San Francisco, CA.<\/p>\n

Sitting at the corner of Divisadero Street and Fulton Street is Eddie’s Cafe, a small breakfast diner that’s been feeding the community since the mid-1970s.<\/p>\n

For anyone who has wanted to experience a classic American breakfast plate that won’t break your wallet, it might be worth visiting this old greasy spoon diner.<\/p>\n

Address: 800 Divisadero Street<\/a>, San Francisco<\/p>\n

$ – Trish’s Mini Donuts \/ Fun Food Factory \/ Lappert’s Ice Cream Shop – Fisherman’s Wharf\"A<\/p>\n

A view of the entrance of Pier 39 on Friday, May 22, 2026, in San Francisco, CA.<\/p>\n

Anyone heading to Fisherman’s Wharf will be greeted with dozens of seafood dining options worth a visit, but they will also have the opportunity to try a number of fun desserts.<\/p>\n

For folks who have never experienced county-fair-like desserts, they should consider stopping by one of the many dessert options on the pier, like Fun Food Factory, Lappert’s Ice Cream Shop, or Trish’s Mini Donuts.<\/p>\n

Address: Pier 39 Level, Pier 39, San Francisco<\/a><\/p>\n

$$ – Tony\u2019s Pizza Napoletana – North Beach\"The<\/p>\n

The traditional Neapolitan pizza at Tony s Pizza Napoletana in San Francisco, on Jan. 29, 2019.<\/p>\n

When it comes to pizza, San Francisco is usually not the first city that comes to mind for many people, but folks should consider trying Tony\u2019s Pizza Napoletana<\/a>. This pizzeria was founded by 13-time World Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani, who won the Best Margherita Pizza at the World Cup in Naples, Italy.<\/p>\n

Tony\u2019s Pizza Napoletana<\/a> is one of the few American pizzerias that appear in the 2025 edition of the 50 Top Pizza World Guide list<\/a>, ranking 10th on the list.<\/p>\n

If you’re willing to wait for a seat and a pie, it’s definitely worth considering.<\/p>\n

Address: 1570 Stockton Street, San Francisco<\/a><\/p>\n

$$ – Four Kings – Chinatown<\/p>\n

Although Four Kings<\/a> has only been open for a couple of years, the Cantonese restaurant has become one of San Francisco’s most popular restaurants. It’s been featured in Bon App\u00e9tit and the New York Times as one of San Francisco’s best new restaurants in 2024.<\/p>\n

“Restaurants don\u2019t get much buzzier than this bustling Chinatown haunt, where Chefs Franky Ho and Michael Long are drawing crowds eager to sample their breezy contemporary take on Cantonese cuisine,” reads the Michelin Guide’s review of the restaurant.<\/p>\n

“From claypot rice with bacon and Chinese sausage to savory ‘fish fragrant’ eggplant, the cooking taps into traditional flavors while offering a fresh perspective, a formula that seems to have struck gold.”<\/p>\n

Address: 710 Commercial Street<\/a>, San Francisco<\/p>\n

$$ – Smuggler’s Cove – Hayes Valley<\/p>\n

Among this year’s James Beard nominees<\/a>, Smuggler’s Cove<\/a> was highlighted as one of the country’s most outstanding bars.<\/p>\n

Smuggler’s Cove is a tiki bar in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley neighborhood that features one of the largest rum selections in the United States, and specializes in cocktails from over three centuries of rum history.<\/p>\n

The bar’s unique theme and rum-focused drink menu make it worth a visit for folks looking for a memorable night in the city.<\/p>\n

Address: 650 Gough Street, San Francisco<\/a><\/p>\n

$$ – Bar 821 – Divisadero Street<\/p>\n

Hidden along Divisadero Street is Bar 821<\/a>, a small but cozy spot known for its extensive amari collection. Originally established in 2002, the bar closed during the pandemic before reopening as the reimagined cocktail bar.<\/p>\n

For anyone near Alamo Square and hoping to grab a drink, just know that for Bar 821, you can’t simply walk into the establishment. Staff recommends you ring a doorbell outside the bar and wait to be seated inside.<\/p>\n

Address: 821 Divisadero Street, San Francisco<\/a><\/p>\n

$$$ – Quince – Jackson Square<\/p>\n

Anyone hoping to have a world-class dining experience while visiting San Francisco should consider making a reservation at Quince<\/a>, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant.<\/p>\n

The owners, Michael and Lindsay Tusk, opened their original restaurant in 2003, innovating French-Italian cuisine. Their menu eventually earned them critical acclaim and the honor of three Michelin stars.<\/p>\n

For guests who are lucky enough to secure a spot on the restaurant’s reservation list, they will be greeted with a “four-course celebration of the state\u2019s finest terroir, along with a curated selection of cocktails and wines.”<\/p>\n

And for people who may want to try Tusk’s cooking at a more affordable price, they should consider visiting Cotogna<\/a>, a casual counterpart to the French-Italian restaurant.<\/p>\n

Address: 470 Pacific Avenue, San Francisco<\/a><\/p>\n

Where is Levi’s Stadium?<\/p>\n

Levi’s Stadium is located in Santa Clara, the heart of Santa Clara County. Notably, the stadium is approximately 45 minutes to an hour away from San Francisco.<\/p>\n

SFO to Levi’s Stadium: Is the airport close?<\/p>\n

For anyone hoping to catch an Uber from the San Francisco International Airport<\/a> to Levi’s Stadium, it might be worth highlighting that it’ll be an expensive trip. SFO is located about 31 miles away from the stadium, and multiple cities away from Santa Clara.<\/p>\n

However, the San Jose Mineta International Airport<\/a> is relatively close to the stadium, only about 5 miles away.<\/p>\n

World Cup matches in the San Francisco Bay<\/p>\n

June 13: Qatar vs. Switzerland (Group B) at noon PDT<\/p>\n

June 16: Austria vs. Jordan (Group J) at 9 p.m. PDT<\/p>\n

June 19: T\u00fcrkiye vs. Paraguay (Group D) at 8 p.m. PDT<\/p>\n

June 22: Jordan vs. Algeria (Group J) at 8 p.m. PDT<\/p>\n

June 25: Paraguay vs. Australia (Group D) at 7 p.m. PDT<\/p>\n

July 1: Round of 32 at 5 p.m. PDT<\/p>\n

Noe Padilla is a Northern California Reporter for USA Today. Contact him at\u00a0npadilla@usatodayco.com<\/a>, follow him on X @1NoePadilla<\/a>\u00a0or on Bluesky @noepadilla.bsky.social.\u00a0Sign up for the\u00a0TODAY Californian newsletter<\/a>\u00a0or follow us on Facebook at\u00a0TODAY Californian<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Visiting Levi’s Stadium for the World Cup? Your dining guide<\/a><\/p>\n