San Francisco’s Top 10 Patios
Come chilly temperatures or rolling fog, most San Franciscans are still game to dine outdoors if you give them a heat lamp. But in the spring, sunny skies prevail in the city and foggy days are few and far between. Here are 10 outdoor dining spots to visit on a warm day.
Foreign Cinema
Foreign Cinema’s creative, consistent, locally sourced fare and artisanal cocktail pairings are some of the best in the city. An airy outdoor ambiance enhanced by classic films projected on the wall have further cemented this Mission restaurant as a neighborhood institution. 2534 Mission St., San Francisco
The Vestry
Head to the colorful Mission District for a casual dinner of comforting classics like fried chicken with collard greens and meatballs with tomato sauce. Plentiful heat lamps ensure you’ll stay toasty even after dark. 777 Valencia St., San Francisco
Biergarten
Don’t be fooled by the fact that this German-style beer garden is based out of a shipping container—it’s just part of the distinctively San Francisco charm. Take your pick of 20 German beers on tap as you snack on traditional schnitzel. 424 Octavia St., San Francisco
Starbelly
An abundance of wood paneling and hip vertical plantings on a secluded back patio under a tented roof creates a modern yet rustic setting for savoring house-made salumi and artisanal pizza. 3583 16th St., San Francisco
Farina
With white marble tables, blue glass walls and a Mediterranean-style garden, Farina's rooftop terrace will transport you to a sun-soaked Italian summer day. Try the Neapolitan pizza. One bite, and you'll be living la dolce vita. 3560 18th St., San Francisco, 415.565.0360
El Techo de Lolinda
Enjoy 360-degree city views from this rooftop patio as you sip smooth margaritas and snack on savory meat skewers. 2518 Mission St., San Francisco
Arlequin Cafe
Snagging a table on the back patio will make you feel as if you’re dining at a friend’s house. A friend with a great wine cellar, that is. 384 Hayes St., San Francisco
The Tipsy Pig
Steer past the packed bar and opt for a table on the sunny garden patio. It’s the best place in the city to enjoy frosty pints and pulled pork sliders. 2231 Chestnut St., San Francisco
Coqueta
Snag a stool on the first-come-first-serve enclosed patio at celebrity chef Michael Chiarello’s waterside den of shareable Spanish treats, where Iberian cheeses, house-cured meats and creative gin cocktails make for the perfect pre-dinner snack. Pier 5, The Embarcadero, San Francisco
Epic Roasthouse
This waterfront restaurant sports sweeping views of the Bay Bridge, making it the perfect place to enjoy brunching al fresco on Dungeness crab Benedict and bloody marys. 369 Embarcadero, San Francisco