Outdoor Dining in San Francisco

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Updated: October 29, 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:Castro, Embarcadero, The Haight/Cole Valley, Hayes Valley/Civic Center, Marina/Cow Hollow, Mission, Noe Valley, North Beach, Pacific Heights/Laurel Heights, Richmond District, SoMa, Sunset District, Union Square/Financial District.

Castro

  1. 1 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Cafe Flore
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    2298 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94114 (map)

  2. 2 4 Star Rating: Recommended Chow
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    215 Church St, San Francisco, CA 94114 (map)

    Backyard tables at this comfort food institution proves popular on sunny days and warmer nights.

  3. 3 3.5 Star Rating: Average Nirvana
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    544 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114 (map)

    Diners dig into pan-Asian fare while kicking back in the charming heated garden deck.

Embarcadero

  1. 4 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Hog Island Oyster Co
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    1 Ferry Plz, San Francisco, CA 94111 (map)

    Commuters and tourists dig into oysters at one of the handful of tables overlooking the bay.

  2. 5 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended La Mar Cebicheria Peruana
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    Pier 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.

  3. 6 3 Star Rating: Average Waterbar
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    399 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.

  4. 7 3 Star Rating: Average Epic Roasthouse
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    369 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.

  5. 8 4 Star Rating: Recommended Americano Restaurant
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    8 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.

  6. 9 3 Star Rating: Average Taylor's Refresher
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    1 Ferry Plaza, San Francisco, CA 94105 (map)

    American road food goes upscale at this Ferry Plaza favorite, which comes complete with a massive deck.

  7. 10 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Mistral Rotisserie Provencale
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    One 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.

  8. 11 4 Star Rating: Recommended Red's Java House
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    Pier 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.

  9. 12 3.5 Star Rating: Average Ferry Plaza Seafoods
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    1 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.

  10. 13 4 Star Rating: Recommended Slanted Door
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    1 Ferry Bldg, San Francisco, CA 94105 (map)

    The nearly 50 outdoor seats on this Ferry Building destination restaurant's patio are reserved for walk-ins--a great deal if you want to try the shaking beef without a res.

The Haight/Cole Valley

  1. 14 3 Star Rating: Average Boulange De Cole Valley
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    1000 Cole St, San Francisco, CA 94117 (map)

    Authentic French breads, pastries and a smattering of outdoor tables bring out the neighborhood in Cole Valley.

  2. 15 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Zazie
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    941 Cole St, San Francisco, CA 94117 (map)

    Breezy Cole Valley cafe offers a pretty, flower-laden backyard deck.

  3. 16 4 Star Rating: Recommended Reverie Coffee Cafe
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    848 Cole St, San Francisco, CA 94117 (map)

    Grab coffee and a muffin or swirl wine on the bright patio at this versatile neighborhood eatery.

  4. 17 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Le Cafe Du Soleil
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    200 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94117 (map)

    An airy French cafe in the lower Haight features sidewalk seating on sunny days.

  5. 18 3.5 Star Rating: Average Bia's Restaurant & Wine Bar
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    1640 Haight St., San Francisco, CA 94117 (map)

    The spacious, tree-covered patio in the back is a pretty sit-down option for Mediterranean fare.

Hayes Valley/Civic Center

  1. 19 3.5 Star Rating: Average Zuni Cafe
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    1658 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102 (map)

    Fries, oysters and Euro-inspired streetside seating--this Mediterranean legend still has it going on.

  2. 20 4 Star Rating: Recommended Arlequin To Go
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    384B Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102 (map)

    Behind this bustling sister cafe to Absinthe, there's a huge garden patio with sunny and shady seat for sandwich lunches and wine.

  3. 21 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Boutiful Foods
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    1695 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103 (map)

    The petite deck is a popular sit-down option at this bright gourmet bakery and eatery.

  4. 22 4 Star Rating: Recommended Flippers Gourmet Burgers
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    482 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102 (map)

    this Hayes Valley burger joint is pretty standard, but stay full thanks to the large adjacent patio and hordes of hungry HV shoppers.

Marina/Cow Hollow

  1. 23 4 Star Rating: Recommended Perry's (Union Street)
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    1944 Union St, San Francisco, CA 94123 (map)

    Soups, sandwiches and four coveted outdoor tables are the lure at this neighborhood eatery.

  2. 24 3.5 Star Rating: Average Betelnut
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    2030 Union St, San Francisco, CA 94123 (map)

    Nosh on Pan-Asian dishes while sipping potent tropical drinks at this dining spot's curbside tables.

  3. 25 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended BIN 38
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    3232 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.

Mission

  1. 26 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Tartine Bakery
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    600 Guerrero St, San Francisco, CA 94110 (map)

    The few street-side tables fill up quickly at this wildly popular Mission cafe.

  2. 27 4 Star Rating: Recommended Foreign Cinema - CA
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    2534 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110 (map)

    Concrete chic meets "La Dolce Vita" at this Mission District phenomenon, which offers an outdoor courtyard.

  3. 28 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Blue Plate
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    3218 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.

  4. 29 3.5 Star Rating: Average Chez Spencer
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    82 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.

  5. 30 4 Star Rating: Recommended Bar Bambino
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    2931 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.

  6. 31 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended El Rio
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    3158 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.

Noe Valley

  1. 32 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Savor Restaurant
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    3913 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94114 (map)

    The stroller set flock to this spot for the huge outdoor seating area hidden in the back.

  2. 33 4 Star Rating: Recommended Barney's Gourmet Hamburgers
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    4138 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94114 (map)

    Enormous beef, chicken and veggie burgers and leafy, sunny outdoor patio make this a Noe Valley standby.

  3. 34 3.5 Star Rating: Average Le Zinc
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    4063 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94114 (map)

    Rustic French fare pleases the clean-cut Noe Valley crowd at this popular bistro with sidewalk seating.

North Beach

  1. 35 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Caffe Greco
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    423 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133 (map)

    Sidewalk tables along busy Columbus Avenue make for prime people watching.

  2. 36 3.5 Star Rating: Average Trattoria Pinocchio
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    401 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133 (map)

    Familiar Italian favorites are served indoors and out on North Beach's main drag.

  3. 37 3.5 Star Rating: Average Rose Pistola
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    532 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133 (map)

    Street-side tables give European flair to this upscale trattoria in the heart of North Beach.

  4. 38 3.5 Star Rating: Average Figaro
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    414 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.

Pacific Heights/Laurel Heights

  1. 39 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Rigolo
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    3465 California St, San Francisco, CA 94118 (map)

    Families jam indoor and outdoor tables for comfort food with French and Italian influences.

  2. 40 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Magic Flute Garden Ristorante
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    3673 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94118 (map)

    Cal-Italian cuisine is dished up on a popular, scenic patio.

  3. 41 3.5 Star Rating: Average Grove Fillmore
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    2016 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115 (map)

    There are just a few outdoor tables at this popular cafe and hangout, but the Fillmore St people watching they afford is worth the trip alone.

Richmond District

  1. 42 3.5 Star Rating: Average Bill's Place
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    2315 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94121 (map)

    Pleasant outdoor patio and gourmet burgers make this Richmond standby a neighborhood fave.

  2. 43 Bazaar Cafe
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    5927 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.

  3. 44 3 Star Rating: Average Park Chalet Garden Restaurant
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    1000 Great Hwy, San Francisco, CA 94121 (map)

    Soak up unmatched views of the Pacific from this garden restaurant, which offers open-air dining.

  4. 45 Garden House Cafe
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    3117 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94121 (map)

  5. 46 3.5 Star Rating: Average Simple Pleasures Cafe
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    3434 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.

SoMa

  1. 47 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Chez Papa Resto
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    414 Jessie St, San Francisco, CA 94103 (map)

    Dine on Mint Plaza at this swanky brother to the popular Chez Papa Bistrot.

  2. 48 3.5 Star Rating: Average The Ramp
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    855 China Basin St, San Francisco, CA 94107 (map)

    Outside dining, live music and classic American fare at this casual China Basin eatery.

  3. 49 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Primo Patio Cafe
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    214 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94107 (map)

    This tiny Caribbean joint has a large, sunny, wind-protected patio that feels hot even on cloudy days.

  4. 50 4 Star Rating: Recommended MoMo's
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    760 Second St, San Francisco, CA 94107 (map)

    The massive front patio facing AT&T Park gets packed on game nights.

  5. 51 4 Star Rating: Recommended Ducca Restaurant & Lounge
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    50 Third St, San Francisco, CA 94103 (map)

    The patio at this upscale Italian joint is one of the best in the city, with comfy wicker chairs, an outdoor bar and the perfect angle toward the sun.

  6. 52 54 Mint Plz
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    16 Mint St, San Francisco, CA 94103 (map)

    Run by a silver-haired crew of old-school New York Italians, this rustic-cool restaurant also has primo lunchtime patio seating on Mint Plaza.

Sunset District

  1. 53 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Park Chow's Restaurant
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    1240 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.

  2. 54 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Darla's Restaurant
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    822 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94121 (map)

    Find warm service, a cheerful backyard courtyard and tasty diner fare at family-friendly prices.

  3. 55 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Java Beach Cafe
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    1396 La Playa St, San Francisco, CA 94122 (map)

  4. 56 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Yumma's
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    721 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122 (map)

    Flavorful Middle Eastern food and a petite patio make for casual, pleasant dining.

Union Square/Financial District

  1. 57 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Gitane Restaurant & Bar
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    6 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.

  2. 58 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Cafe Claude
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    7 Claude Ln, San Francisco, CA 94108 (map)

    On balmy evenings, tourists and downtown workers jam outdoor tables along Claude Lane's pedestrian-only alleyway.

  3. 59 4 Star Rating: Recommended Plouf
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    40 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.

  4. 60 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended The Terrace at The Ritz Carlton
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    600 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.

  5. 61 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Cafe Tiramisu
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    28 Belden Pl, San Francisco, CA 94104 (map)

    A blanket of white lights twinkles over a slew of outdoor tables at this charming Italian hideaway.

  6. 62 4 Star Rating: Recommended Le Colonial Restaurant
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    20 Cosmo Place, San Francisco, CA 94109 (map)

    The California-style Vietnamese cuisine and opulent French-Colonial setting make this a popular downtown destination.