Enjoy waterfront vistas, sweeping city views, and charming patios at SF’s best outdoor dining spots.
LessSet within a secluded, light-strung courtyard, Foreign Cinema has been charming diners since 1999 with its Mediterranean-inspired menu and irresistible atmosphere enlivened by classic flicks projected upon an adjoining wall. While the menu changes daily, you’ll find a few mainstays, including a bavette steak and an aromatic, curry-infused fried chicken. Start your feast with a local oyster platter and a glass of the day’s featured wine while enjoying a Technicolor Hitchcock thriller.
Offering a soothing refuge in downtown, Barcha lures diners with a sheltered patio decked with Persian rugs, tasseled umbrellas, and Moorish-style screens. It’s a fitting setting for Middle Eastern-inspired dishes, including spicy beef dumplings, Turkish spiced lamb & beef sandwiches, and shrimp skewers served atop a barberry-flecked saffron rice. It’s a popular weekday lunch destination, yet come evening, drinks such as a sangria makes it a dreamy happy hour spot, too.
Occupying the 12th floor of The Canopy Hotel, Shelby’s Rooftop delivers everything you crave in a rooftop lounge: expert drinks, crowd-pleasing small plates, and sweeping views of downtown. Expect globe-hopping, made-for-sharing dishes like bluefin tuna tartare, koji fried chicken, and a shellfish-packed paella. Drink options cover all the bases with fruit-infused margaritas, local drafts, and a wide selection of sparkling wines. At sunset, the cushy lounge seating is the most coveted in the cit
Named for San Francisco’s signature dish and founded by Italian immigrants during the late 19th century, Cioppino’s dishes up Italian seafood near the fishing vessels of Fisherman’s Wharf. Order the namesake stew—a heaping bowl of Dungeness crab legs, fish, and shrimp in a savory tomato broth—or crowd pleasers such as crab cakes, seafood-studded pastas, and clam chowder in a sourdough bowl. Opt for the front patio plunked in the heart of the action of SF's iconic waterfront neighborhood.
Ask a local for their favorite burger, and there’s a good chance they’ll claim the double stack at Causwells. Equally popular is the playfully creative drink menu, which recently featured Girl Scout cookie-inspired cocktails. Bistro tables set along the Marina’s boutique-lined Chestnut Street offer prime people-watching and a chance to bring Fido as Causwells is one of the best dog-friendly restaurants in San Francisco.
The vistas don’t get more dramatic than at this upscale steakhouse along San Francisco’s bustling waterfront promenade, the Embarcadero. From a sprawling patio, gaze upon the towering Bay Bridge while sipping a martini followed by a petite romaine Caesar salad and what’s billed as The Best Damn Filet. Prime rib fans take note: the juicy cut is only available in limited quantities on Sunday and Monday.
Located on top of the stylish Timbri Hotel, Rise Over Run is a garden-like bar complete with cozy booths and blazing fire pits. Get peak views of city landmarks like the ornate Golden Gate Theatre while sipping on creative, Asian-inspired cocktails like the tequila-forward Szechuan of a Kind with plum kernel and Szechuan peppercorn. Pair your drinks with luxe yet playful snacks like everything-spiced kampachi crudo and a Korean take on fried chicken and biscuits.
Bursting with colorful blooms and a jungle of greenery, it’s little wonder the sheltered garden at Fable is a beloved brunch destination. The homemade chocolate chip banana bread and poached egg-topped quinoa bowls don’t hurt, either. The fetching setting is dotted with heaters, while glowing lanterns add to the ambience in the evening. Plus, your pup can tag along as it’s one of the most pet-friendly restaurants in San Francisco.
Located on Sunset’s lively 9th Street, Fiorella nails the contemporary-cool pizza joint vibe. Along with stellar Neapolitan pies, you’ll score handmade pastas, including a rigatoncini in a sage and rosemary-tinged bolognese. A fireplace illuminates a cozy dining room, but the bigger draw is the rooftop patio with strung lights, hanging plants, and a clandestine entrance to Fiorella’s compact cocktail den, Bar Nonnina.