With everything to see and experience at Dreamforce, the days can easily pass by without venturing outside of Moscone Center and into one of the greatest food cities in the world. With this year’s event kicking off on a Monday, it makes perfect sense to arrive a day or two early for a “taste” of what the city has to offer. Whether you crave a four-star splurge or a cheap eat is more your thing - this city has you covered.

Dinner

Zero Zero - This is arguably the best spot within walking distance of Moscone. With its huge space and top notch pizzas, it’s a perfect option if you’re coming with your team. If you’re flying solo, take a seat at the spansive bar and try one or two of the many small plates and a cocktail. The avocado bruschetta will be reason enough to come back to Dreamforce 2014.

Terzo - There’s no better excuse to expense a cab ride than Terzo, where you’ll find excellent Mediterranean-inspired fare. Located in the heart of San Francisco’s Marina district, this has a “special occasion” feel to it without being pretentious or overly expensive. The “small plates” are actually quite generous. Don’t miss the hummus and warm pita bread.

Hillstone - This is another off-campus choice (Embarcadero, near Fisherman’s Wharf) that is well worth the trip. While the food is on the pricier side, the free wine corkage (on the first two bottles) more than balances out the expense. Don’t miss the baby back ribs and the seasonal key lime pie for dessert.

La Taqueria - You can’t walk more than a block in the Mission District without passing an authentic taqueria. La Taqueria on Mission between 24th and 25th is one of the best. Cheap and giant portions - it’s places like this that give the Mission its reputation for the best Mexican food in the country.

Happy Hour

Anchor & Hope - The dinner menu is a bit on the pricey side, but if you sit bar-side between 4:30 and 6:00pm, you’ll enjoy $1 oysters, $5 wines, and their famous “Angels on Horseback” (bacon wrapped oysters). The fact that it’s walking distance from Moscone adds to the appeal.

Prospect - The restaurant is best known for its upscale fare, but the Happy Hour specials (12pm - 6pm) are what keep me coming back. The large lounge is great for big groups and you can’t go wrong with multiple $8 snacks, $6 wines, and $5 beers. Located one block off the Embarcadero, make sure you walk outside and enjoy the spectacular Bay Bridge light show.

Kate O’Brien’s - If “upscale” and “classy” aren’t normally in the same sentence as “Happy Hour,” Kate O’Brien’s has the perfect amount of “dive” to it - and all the beer you could ask for. The food is about what’d you expect from a pub; you come here for the atmosphere and cheap drinks.

Coffee

The Grove - Like any big city, there’s a Starbucks on just about every corner. But if you’re looking for a cup of joe you can’t get in your hometown, be sure to check out the Grove at Mission & 3rd. This trendy breakfast and coffee joint has become somewhat of a San Francisco institution.

If none of these options strike your fancy, you can’t go wrong with a little wandering. Dreamforce is centrally located, so you’re bound to find some gems within a 30 minute walk in any direction.

For more tips and tricks to prepare for Dreamforce, check out this presentation.

Watch this video for more on what to eat and even what to wear at Dreamforce.

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