Stroll down 24th Street in Noe Valley and you can’t miss Rabat Shoes, located at 4001 24th Street. The iconic gold lettering and maroon tiles of this shoe (and more) shop stand out as a classic landmark for locals and a go-to destination for friends who come in to the neighborhood to buy fabulous shoes. 

There are many reasons to appreciate Rabat. Here are ten of them:

1. There is no place like Rabat. 
Rabat specializes in unique, quality footwear with many shoes made exclusively for the store. Take just a few minutes to stroll through the extensive shoe showroom and you will be drawn in by the stunning variety and high quality of shoes, boots, and sandals. 

2. Shoes. Shoes. Shoes. 
Colorful or neutral, funky or classic, casual or elegant, Rabat’s shoes are always in fashion. Customers can even choose from vegan and eco friendly lines. Take a peek at the Rabat Instagram page for sneak previews of beautiful Spanish or Italian shoes from Chie Mihara, Coclico, and A.S. 98.

3. Clothes too. 
Go for the shoes. Stay for the whole outfit. Just because Rabat has amazing shoes, doesn’t mean you can ignore their other fashion offerings. Find dresses, separates, jackets, casual clothes, hats, and all sorts of San Francisco layering style accessories. Rabat even has socks and lingerie. 

4. Rabat keeps it local. 
You know you love to keep it local, especially when shopping in Noe Valley. With so many businesses fighting for your retail dollars, it feels great to shop at a San Francisco (Noe Valley-based) shoe and clothing shop. Rabat was founded in 1972 and has been owned and operated by the same owner since its inception. In addition to their high-fashion international merchandise, Rabat sells items from Bay Area-based vendors, such as Ryep recycled cashmere. 

5. Great location. 
On the corner of Noe and 24th Street, Rabat is a long-term anchor retail shop of the community. It’s in the heart of Noe Valley - right across from a very unique coffee shop you may have heard of called Starbucks. Rabat is a perfect pit stop for afternoon shopping after lunching with a friend. It’s also a terrific place to set your sights for a gift or surprise to give a special woman or man friend in your life.

6. Yes! They have stuff for men!
In a neighborhood known for cute and clever shops that cater to women and kids, Rabat is one of the rare Noe Valley businesses where one can buy stuff for guys. A unique 24th Street gentlemen’s sartorial boutique, Rabat offers gorgeous and stylish shoes especially for men. Dudes can also get high-quality hats, button down shirts, t-shirts, and accessories. Hanging out in Noe Valley and need a simple gift for a guy? Grab a pair of socks or a wallet from Rabat, pair it up with a nice bottle from nearby Plumpjack and you’re good to go.

7. There’s one across the bridge. 
Rabat also has a lovely Berkeley outpost. If you can’t make it to Noe Valley, or if you happen to be in Berkeley and need a Rabat fix, head over to 1825 4th Street and check out their sleek, modern East Bay boutique. 

8. Or online.
“They tell me that the internet is the way of the future, so here I am,” writes the owner of Rabat, who has graciously put some of the more popular merch online. If you can’t make it to either location, Rabat offers a limited selection of inventory on their website. Order shoes, socks, wallets, and other accessories. This is a nice option if you need it, but seeing all those nice leather (and vegan) shoes in the Rabat store, in person, is a lovely experience.

9. Made for real-life people. 
Rabat shoes are always gorgeous, often glamorous, and terribly cool, but they are also comfy and practical for real humans. Sometimes we have to walk the streets of San Francisco or navigate public transportation, and we don’t want to wreck our feet wearing uncomfortable or impractical footwear. Rabat offers high-quality foot fashion for real-life humans, to keep feet safe, dry, and protected from whatever urban grossness lurks around that expensive pedicure. 

10. Fun facts about Rabat Shoes.
The name Rabat comes from Rabat, Morocco, where the owner of the store once manufactured her own line. She is, however, originally from Oklahoma. Another fun fact: there are two stores called “Rabat” on 24th Street and they are completely separate, with different owners.