Tadich Grill isn’t just the oldest restaurant in San Francisco—it’s the oldest in California. When it opened in 1849, the state wasn’t even a thing yet. Since then, the city has cycled through the Beat Generation, tech booms, and the introduction of self-driving cars. But Tadich has remained stuck in time. There’s a long wooden bar, booths with stained glass, and white tablecloths that match the waiters’ crisp white jackets. Sure, the service can be a little gruff, but some of the staff will also happily sing your order back to you when they drop off your plates of seafood and steak. Tadich and its old-school charm might just outlive us all, so you have to try it at least once—if not just to say you did. The massive menu reads like a greatest hits album from back when steam engines were the fastest way from NYC to SF. You’ll find dishes that are critically endangered in the city, like double-cut lamb chops with mint jelly and petrale sole stuffed with crab a la Newburg. While they’re tasty, it’s the simpler dishes you should focus on. The cioppino is a standout, packed with fresh fish and served in a broth so tangy and well-balanced that you’ll want to crane your head back to funnel every last drop into your mouth. Just be sure to save room for a martini or two.