Tarragon Cafe

Tarragon Cafe in Lower Haight is a go-to spot for a quick breakfast or lunch whenever we're in the neighborhood—but it's also an excellent place to hunker down and get work done. The menu covers everything from breakfast sandwiches and paninis to cheese plates and loaded nachos (plus coffee, beer, and wine), so you could basically stay here all day and have three balanced meals. We usually opt for the smoked salmon toast, which is piled high with buttery fish, pickled onions, and a garden's worth of fresh radishes, cucumbers, and tomatoes.

photo credit: Melissa Zink