Outdoor Dining
Updated: March 12, 2009
At least until global warming really gets going, when it's a hot day or a warm night in San Francisco, you've got to take advantage. Check this complete, hood-by-hood list of restaurants where you can eat and drink al fresco on those days when it's unseasonably warm for SF--like when it's 75 degrees in January, or mid-July.
On this page:Noe Valley, SoMa, Hayes Valley/Civic Center, Pacific Heights/Laurel Heights, Sunset District, Mission, Richmond District, Marina/Cow Hollow, The Haight/Cole Valley, Union Square/Financial District, Castro, North Beach, Embarcadero.
Noe Valley
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Barney's Gourmet Hamburgers
Read Reviews4138 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94114 (map)
Enormous beef, chicken and veggie burgers and leafy, sunny outdoor patio make this a Noe Valley standby.
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Savor Restaurant
Read Reviews3913 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94114 (map)
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Le Zinc
Write a review4063 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94114 (map)
Rustic French fare pleases the clean-cut Noe Valley crowd at this popular bistro with sidewalk seating.
SoMa
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Ducca Restaurant & Lounge
Read Reviews50 Third St, San Francisco, CA 94103 (map)
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Momo's
Read Reviews760 Second St, San Francisco, CA 94107 (map)
The massive front patio facing AT&T Park gets packed on game nights.
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The Ramp
Read Reviews855 China Basin St, San Francisco, CA 94107 (map)
Outside dining, live music and classic American fare at this casual China Basin eatery.
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Chez Papa Resto
Read Reviews414 Jessie St, San Francisco, CA 94103 (map)
Dine on Mint Plaza at this swanky brother to the popular Chez Papa Bistrot.
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Primo Patio Cafe
Read Reviews214 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94107 (map)
Hayes Valley/Civic Center
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Boutiful Foods
Read Reviews1695 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103 (map)
The petite deck is a popular sit-down option at this bright gourmet bakery and eatery.
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Flippers Gourmet Burgers
Read Reviews482 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102 (map)
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Arlequin To Go
Read Reviews384B Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102 (map)
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Zuni Cafe
Read Reviews1658 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102 (map)
Fries, oysters and Euro-inspired streetside seating--this Mediterranean legend still has it going on.
Pacific Heights/Laurel Heights
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Magic Flute Garden Ristorante
Read Reviews3673 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94118 (map)
Cal-Italian cuisine is dished up on a popular, scenic patio.
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Grove
Read Reviews2016 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115 (map)
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Rigolo
Read Reviews3465 California St, San Francisco, CA 94118 (map)
Families jam indoor and outdoor tables for comfort food with French and Italian influences.
Sunset District
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Yumma's
Read Reviews721 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122 (map)
Flavorful Middle Eastern food and a petite patio make for casual, pleasant dining.
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Park Chow's Restaurant
Read Reviews1240 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122 (map)
A bustling outdoor patio and rooftop deck gives two options for alfresco dining at the Sunset outpost of this comfort food standby.
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Darla's
Read Reviews822 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94121 (map)
Find warm service, a cheerful backyard courtyard and tasty diner fare at family-friendly prices.
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Java Beach Cafe
Read Reviews1396 La Playa St, San Francisco, CA 94122 (map)
Mission
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Foreign Cinema
Read Reviews2534 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110 (map)
Concrete chic meets "La Dolce Vita" at this Mission District phenomenon, which offers an outdoor courtyard.
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El Rio
Read Reviews3158 Mission St, San Francisco, CA Cesar (map)
Lap up $1 oysters and $2 drinks at this dive bar in the Outer Mission--it's got a huge backyard and is lots of fun.
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Blue Plate
Read Reviews3218 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110 (map)
The premier real estate--tree-tucked tables overlooking a gurgling fountain--is in the highly sought-after backyard garden.
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Bar Bambino
Read Reviews2931 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103 (map)
It's almost never cold on the sun-baked back patio of this hip Italian meat, cheese and wine specialist.
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Tartine Bakery
Read Reviews600 Guerrero St, San Francisco, CA 94110 (map)
The few street-side tables fill up quickly at this wildly popular Mission cafe.
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Chez Spencer
Read Reviews82 14th St, San Francisco, CA 94103 (map)
The front patio of this Mission Cali-French restuarant, with a white-picket fence and cozy lighting, is a super romantic outdoor option.
Richmond District
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Garden House Cafe
Write a review3117 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94121 (map)
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Bill's Place
Read Reviews2315 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94121 (map)
Pleasant outdoor patio and gourmet burgers make this Richmond standby a neighborhood fave.
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Park Chalet Garden Restaurant
Read Reviews1000 Great Hwy, San Francisco, CA 94121 (map)
Soak up unmatched views of the Pacific from this garden restaurant, which offers open-air dining.
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Bazaar Cafe
Write a review5927 California St, San Francisco, CA 94121 (map)
Lovely cafe boasts a charming, sophisticated interior -- and one of the prettiest art gardens in the Richmond District.
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Simple Pleasures Cafe
Read Reviews3434 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94121 (map)
When the fog lifts, regulars at this casual cafe scramble to score one of the few outdoor seats.
Marina/Cow Hollow
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Bistro Aix
Read Reviews3340 Steiner St, San Francisco, CA 94123 (map)
This California bistro offers globally inspired dishes and a heated garden patio.
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Perry's (Union Street)
Read Reviews1944 Union St, San Francisco, CA 94123 (map)
Soups, sandwiches and four coveted outdoor tables are the lure at this neighborhood eatery.
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Bin 38
Read Reviews3232 Scott Street, San Francisco, CA 94123 (map)
Sexy, popular wine bar and restaurant with lots of room--inside and out--for stylish mingling and relaxing.
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Betelnut
Read Reviews2030 Union St, San Francisco, CA 94123 (map)
Nosh on Pan-Asian dishes while sipping potent tropical drinks at this dining spot's curbside tables.
The Haight/Cole Valley
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Bia's Restaurant & Wine Bar
Read Reviews1640 Haight St., San Francisco, CA 94117 (map)
The spacious, tree-covered patio in the back is a pretty sit-down option for Mediterranean fare.
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Le Cafe Du Soleil
Read Reviews200 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94117 (map)
An airy French cafe in the lower Haight features sidewalk seating on sunny days.
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Boulange De Cole Valley
Read Reviews1000 Cole St, San Francisco, CA 94117 (map)
Authentic French breads, pastries and a smattering of outdoor tables bring out the neighborhood in Cole Valley.
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Reverie Coffee Cafe
Write a review848 Cole St, San Francisco, CA 94117 (map)
Grab coffee and a muffin or swirl wine on the bright patio at this versatile neighborhood eatery.
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Zazie
Read Reviews941 Cole St, San Francisco, CA 94117 (map)
Breezy Cole Valley cafe offers a pretty, flower-laden backyard deck.
Union Square/Financial District
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Cafe Claude French Restaurant
Read Reviews7 Claude Ln, San Francisco, CA 94108 (map)
On balmy evenings, tourists and downtown workers jam outdoor tables along Claude Lane's pedestrian-only alleyway.
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Plouf
Read Reviews40 Belden Pl, San Francisco, CA 94104 (map)
You'll find Parisian-style service, tons of outdoor seating and the best mussels in the city at this charming French seafood bistro.
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Gitane Restaurant & Bar
Read Reviews6 Claude Ln, San Francisco, CA 94108 (map)
Sultry sister to Cafe Claude, Gitane boasts a star-studded bar staff and drop-dead sexy interiors, and heated alleyway bistro tables.
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The Terrace at The Ritz Carlton
Read Reviews600 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94108 (map)
A brick courtyard, an elegant fountain and a profusion of well-tended flowers make this the loveliest and most civilized venue for alfresco dining in the city.
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Cafe Tiramisu
Read Reviews28 Belden Pl, San Francisco, CA 94104 (map)
A blanket of white lights twinkles over a slew of outdoor tables at this charming Italian hideaway.
Castro
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Nirvana
Read Reviews544 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114 (map)
Diners dig into pan-Asian fare while kicking back in the charming heated garden deck.
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Chow
Read Reviews215 Church St, San Francisco, CA 94114 (map)
Backyard tables at this comfort food institution proves popular on sunny days and warmer nights.
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Cafe Flore
Read Reviews2298 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94114 (map)
North Beach
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Caffe Greco
Read Reviews423 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133 (map)
Sidewalk tables along busy Columbus Avenue make for prime people watching.
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Rose Pistola
Read Reviews532 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133 (map)
Street-side tables give European flair to this upscale trattoria in the heart of North Beach.
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Trattoria Pinocchio
Read Reviews401 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133 (map)
Familiar Italian favorites are served indoors and out on North Beach's main drag.
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Figaro
Read Reviews414 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133 (map)
A fireplace, twinkling white lights and a huge mural of the Assisi hills create a romantic atmosphere on the 70-seat garden patio.
Embarcadero
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Epic Roast House
Read Reviews369 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105 (map)
Arguably the city's best view of the Bay Bridge can be found on the patio at this grand steakhouse on the bay.
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Red's Java House
Read ReviewsPier 30, San Francisco, CA 94105 (map)
No-frills burger and coffee shack offers a casual backyard deck with a stunning view of the soaring Bay Bridge.
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Hog Island Oyster Co
Read Reviews1 Ferry Plz, San Francisco, CA 94111 (map)
Commuters and tourists dig into oysters at one of the handful of tables overlooking the bay.
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Americano Restaurant
Read Reviews8 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105 (map)
The Hotel Vitale's flagship restaurant offers a hip waterfront patio scene alongside its Italian standards with a California twist.
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Taylor's Refresher
Read Reviews1 Ferry Plaza, San Francisco, CA 94105 (map)
American road food goes upscale at this Ferry Plaza favorite, which comes complete with a massive deck.
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Mistral Rotisserie Provencale
Read ReviewsOne Ferry Building, No 41, San Francisco, CA 94111 (map)
Pick up all the makings of a Provencal picnic at this gourmet takeout spot, then enjoy it at one of the waterfront tables.
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Ferry Plaza Seafoods
Read Reviews1 Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA 94105 (map)
Simply prepared seafood, front-row views of the bay and affordable prices are the hallmarks of this informal eatery.
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La Mar Cebicheria Peruana
Read ReviewsPier 1.5, San Francisco, CA 94111 (map)
Wash down ceviches made from fresh, locally harvested fish with pisco cocktails on La Mar's heated waterfront patio.
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Waterbar
Read Reviews399 The Embarcadero South, San Francisco, CA 94105 (map)
This high-end seafood-serving sister to Epic Roasthouse provides fresher-than-fresh fare, a wealth of wine options and killer views from it's bayside patio.




































