The 15 Best Patios for Outdoor Dining
Take it outside, people
The fog isn’t as aggressive as it was this summer, and this weekend’s forecast is in the 70s. It’s as good as it gets weather-wise (fingers crossed) and we bet you want to take advantage of the higher temps. So we rounded up 15 of our favorite alfresco destinations to get your eat and drink on in the great outdoors.
SOUVLA NOPA
The bright split-level back patio at Souvla’s new NoPa location is perfect for alfresco eats and private events—like your next birthday soiree.
531 Divisadero St.; 415-400-5458 or souvlasf.com
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FIORELLA
We love the cozy inside of this Outer Richmond gem, but keep walking. The restaurant recently opened an equally comfy back patio, where the heat lamps will protect you from the neighborhood’s foggy freeze.
2339 Clement St.; 415-340-3049 or fiorella-sf.com
LA MAR
This primo spot on the bay is where you go to shrug off a tough week with ceviche and a couple rounds of caipirinhas.
Pier 1½, The Embarcadero; 415-397-8880 or lamarsf.com
BAR AGRICOLE
This restaurant has been collecting accolades since it won a James Beard Award for its Aidlin Darling-designed interior back in 2011, and it’s not hard to see why. But we say the light-filled patio and garden are the real highlights at this SoMa hot spot.
355 11th St.; 415-355-9400 or baragricole.co
DIRTY HABIT
The oversized fire pit at this swanky bar in the Hotel Zelos will keep you warm as you sample a flight of bourbon. It’s no wonder this is one of the city’s best rooftop bars.
12 Fourth St.; 415-348-1555 or dirtyhabitsf.com
TROU NORMAND
Look out onto the courtyard of the historic Pacific Telephone Building from your seat on the giant back patio of this restaurant whilst you gobble up cheese and charcuterie and sip a classic cocktail.
140 New Montgomery St.; 415-975-0876 or trounormandsf.com
FOREIGN CINEMA
We couldn’t round up alfresco dining spots and not include Foreign Cinema’s famous enclosed patio, strung with café lights and bounded by a blank wall where classic movies are projected. Check the website to see what’s showing next and make your reservation accordingly.
2534 Mission St.; 415-648-7600 or foreigncinema.com
STEM KITCHEN & GARDEN
Don’t be alarmed if you see kitchen staff picking greens for your salad straight from the plants on this gorgeous patio and garden, where much of the restaurant's produce is grown. This is fresh taken to a whole new level. Oh, and did we mention the fire pits and sweeping views of the bay?
499 Illinois St.; 415-915-1000 or stemkitchensf.com
STARBELLY
This friendly neighborhood spot in the Castro is known for its weekend brunches of chilaquiles and bottomless mimosas, but the charming back patio is also one of the few places in the city that’s open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays for late-night bites.
3583 16th St.; 415-252-7500 or starbellysf.com
CAFE CLAUDE
The cobblestoned Claude Lane is like a little slice of Paris right here in San Francisco. Dine alfresco and order classics like coq au vin and steak frites for an authentic experience that will transport you straight to the Marais.
7 Claude Lane; 415-392-3505 or cafeclaude.com
CONTIGO
Ask for a seat on the quaint back patio of Noe Valley’s beloved tapas restaurant, where you’ll be surrounded by grapevines and stacks of firewood for the wood-burning oven inside.
1320 Castro St.; 415-285-0250 or contigosf.com
ZAZIE
Brunch on the back patio of Zazie is a bucket-list item, but if you’re a true local, you know your way around the bistro classics like cassoulet and beef bourguignonne, best enjoyed with your sweetheart under the moonlight on a crisp night.
941 Cole St.; 415-564-5332 or zaziesf.com
ARLEQUIN
A secluded garden tucked away from all the shopping in Hayes Valley, this is a primo spot to go for a mid-afternoon glass of vino, baguette sandwich and total privacy.
384 Hayes St.; 415-626-1211 or arlequincafe.com
CHAMBERS
This back patio oasis at the Phoenix Hotel is so hip that it draws rock stars and models and feels more L.A. poolside or NYC Soho House than any other scene in San Francisco. The “Be Amazing” sign pretty much says it all.
601 Eddy St.; 415-496-5178 or chambers-sf.com
WATERBAR
This is where you’ll sit on the waterfront, gazing up at the twinkling Bay Bridge while you slurp bespoke oysters.
399 The Embarcadero; 415-284-9922 or waterbarsf.com