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The San Francisco Patio Heatmap: Where to Eat Outside NOW

Bookmark this one now for the next time summery weather comes around.

by Eater Staff Updated Jun 19, 2015, 11:07am PDT

2 comments / new

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by Eater Staff Updated Jun 19, 2015, 11:07am PDT

2 comments / new

Patricia Chang

San Francisco isn't typically much of a patio town (blame those high rents and frosty winds), but when we get struck with a spell of summer weather, there's no place every local with a pulse would rather be.

So for the the next heat wave, here is a list of quality outdoor hangout spots, from divey bars with picnic tables to swanky downtown drinking enclaves. Bookmark it for the next time the mercury breaks 70 degrees, and head out into the warm(ish) streets for pitchers of cocktails, cold beers, and adventure.

Did we miss something? Let us know in the comments. Note: map points are listed alphabetically, not geographically.

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4505 Burgers & BBQ

Patio seating comprises most of the seating at Ryan Farr's Divis 'cue palace, where diners can enjoy their brisket and pulled pork al fresco. The full patio and outdoor dining (housed in a shipping container) has buckets of cold beer aplenty. If the lines are thick, bring a picnic blanket and tote your provisions to the Panhandle.

705 Divisadero, San Francisco, CA 94112

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Arguello Restaurant

In the windy Presidio, Arguello offers an appealing retreat on its sizable patio, which is sheltered from the wind and heated when it's chilly. The margaritas will do the rest of the work.

50 Moraga Ave., San Francisco, CA

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Biergarten

This urban beer oasis is located in the heart of Hayes Valley, offering pretzels, sausages, and steins of beer. It's super popular with families and dog-owners, plus there are blankets for warmth when the wind inevitably picks up.

Open in Google Maps

424 Octavia St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Visit Website

Brenda's Meat & Three

20 or so patio seats can be found in the back of Brenda's new Divisadero operation. The weather may not be as sultry as that of the South, but with some fried chicken and calas, you can pretend as best you can.

919 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94115

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Dirty Habit

In a city with few outdoor spaces, especially downtown, Dirty Habit's fifth-floor patio definitely stands out thanks to extensive lounge seating, fire pits, and heatlamps for chillier days. The bar bites-centric menu and sizable drink selection make this a good choice for big groups.

12 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Visit Website

Also featured in:

El Techo de Lolinda

Ascend to the roof of Lolinda and avoid the hectic streets of the Mission at El Techo. Simultaneously one of the best views and patios in town, this glass-enclosed perch has Mexican small plates and pitchers of refreshing cocktails galore. It's great for catching up over a pitcher or two of sangrias— just watch the stairs on the way down.

2518 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Equator Coffees & Teas

Equator's first San Francisco location boasts a cute front patio and a "Marklet" (that would be a parklet on Market). Watch the mid-Market scene go by as you sip a coffee or a beet mimosa.

986 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Foreign Cinema

An enclosed patio with strung lights and a a movie projected onto one of the walls is hard to resist. This classic SF patio is one of the best around, and its eclectic menu and great cocktail list seal the deal. Check the website for upcoming showings of classic movies.

2534 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Visit Website

The outdoor dining space at Foreign Cinema, sandwiched between two buildings

Also featured in:

Marla Bakery

Designed by Paxton Gate, Marla's garden patio is a rarity for a Richmond restaurant, and is so adorable that the owners actually got married there. Head out back with a morning coffee and scone, or take a leisurely weekend brunch or lunch with a glass of bubbly.

3619 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94121

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Monk’s Kettle

A recent renovation effectively doubled the seating at Monk's, thanks to the addition of a new sidewalk patio where craft-beer aficionados can watch the 16th Street crowds go by.

3141 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Palm House

In keeping with its tropical vibe, Palm House expanded the patio it inherited from previous tenant Nettie's, offering more seating for those looking to have a boozy slushie or margarita and feast on jerk-grilled mahi-mahi, ceviche, and fish and chips.

Open in Google Maps

2030 Union St, San Francisco, CA 94123

Visit Website

STEM Kitchen & Garden

A gorgeous patio and garden are lurking where you might least expect it, offering views of the Bay, fire pits, snacks, and drinks. Produce grown in the gardens are used in the kitchen, which puts out a menu of fresh California fare.

499 Illinois St, San Francisco, CA 94158

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Trou Normand

It took a few months to get underway, but Trou Normand's giant back patio has effectively doubled the restaurant's seating, and it boasts lovely views of the courtyard at historic 140 New Montgomery to go with your cocktails and charcuterie. It's tented in plastic for colder evenings, too.

140 New Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94105

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Uno Dos Tacos

FiDi types can now catch the next-best thing to a sunny Mission taco lunch on Uno Dos Taco's front patio, which overlooks the bustle of Second Street. They've also got a solid happy hour with deals on tacos and buckets of beer, a good after-work choice for the summer months.

595 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94104

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Zeitgeist

This divey Mission spot offers pitchers of beers, great bloody marys, and a warm place to bask during one of San Francisco's rare summery moments. A roomy patio filled with picnic tables is the scene.

199 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Visit Website

Zeitgeist

Also featured in:

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4505 Burgers & BBQ

705 Divisadero, San Francisco, CA 94112

Patio seating comprises most of the seating at Ryan Farr's Divis 'cue palace, where diners can enjoy their brisket and pulled pork al fresco. The full patio and outdoor dining (housed in a shipping container) has buckets of cold beer aplenty. If the lines are thick, bring a picnic blanket and tote your provisions to the Panhandle.

705 Divisadero, San Francisco, CA 94112

Visit Website

Arguello Restaurant

50 Moraga Ave., San Francisco, CA

In the windy Presidio, Arguello offers an appealing retreat on its sizable patio, which is sheltered from the wind and heated when it's chilly. The margaritas will do the rest of the work.

50 Moraga Ave., San Francisco, CA

Visit Website

Biergarten

424 Octavia St, San Francisco, CA 94102

This urban beer oasis is located in the heart of Hayes Valley, offering pretzels, sausages, and steins of beer. It's super popular with families and dog-owners, plus there are blankets for warmth when the wind inevitably picks up.

Open in Google Maps

424 Octavia St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Visit Website

Brenda's Meat & Three

919 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94115

20 or so patio seats can be found in the back of Brenda's new Divisadero operation. The weather may not be as sultry as that of the South, but with some fried chicken and calas, you can pretend as best you can.

919 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94115

Visit Website

Dirty Habit

12 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

In a city with few outdoor spaces, especially downtown, Dirty Habit's fifth-floor patio definitely stands out thanks to extensive lounge seating, fire pits, and heatlamps for chillier days. The bar bites-centric menu and sizable drink selection make this a good choice for big groups.

12 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Visit Website

El Techo de Lolinda

2518 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Ascend to the roof of Lolinda and avoid the hectic streets of the Mission at El Techo. Simultaneously one of the best views and patios in town, this glass-enclosed perch has Mexican small plates and pitchers of refreshing cocktails galore. It's great for catching up over a pitcher or two of sangrias— just watch the stairs on the way down.

2518 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Visit Website

Equator Coffees & Teas

986 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Equator's first San Francisco location boasts a cute front patio and a "Marklet" (that would be a parklet on Market). Watch the mid-Market scene go by as you sip a coffee or a beet mimosa.

986 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Visit Website

Foreign Cinema

2534 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

An enclosed patio with strung lights and a a movie projected onto one of the walls is hard to resist. This classic SF patio is one of the best around, and its eclectic menu and great cocktail list seal the deal. Check the website for upcoming showings of classic movies.

2534 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Visit Website

The outdoor dining space at Foreign Cinema, sandwiched between two buildings

Marla Bakery

3619 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94121

Designed by Paxton Gate, Marla's garden patio is a rarity for a Richmond restaurant, and is so adorable that the owners actually got married there. Head out back with a morning coffee and scone, or take a leisurely weekend brunch or lunch with a glass of bubbly.

3619 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94121

Visit Website

Monk’s Kettle

3141 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

A recent renovation effectively doubled the seating at Monk's, thanks to the addition of a new sidewalk patio where craft-beer aficionados can watch the 16th Street crowds go by.

3141 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Visit Website

Palm House

2030 Union St, San Francisco, CA 94123

In keeping with its tropical vibe, Palm House expanded the patio it inherited from previous tenant Nettie's, offering more seating for those looking to have a boozy slushie or margarita and feast on jerk-grilled mahi-mahi, ceviche, and fish and chips.

Open in Google Maps

2030 Union St, San Francisco, CA 94123

Visit Website

STEM Kitchen & Garden

499 Illinois St, San Francisco, CA 94158

A gorgeous patio and garden are lurking where you might least expect it, offering views of the Bay, fire pits, snacks, and drinks. Produce grown in the gardens are used in the kitchen, which puts out a menu of fresh California fare.

499 Illinois St, San Francisco, CA 94158

Visit Website

Trou Normand

140 New Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94105

It took a few months to get underway, but Trou Normand's giant back patio has effectively doubled the restaurant's seating, and it boasts lovely views of the courtyard at historic 140 New Montgomery to go with your cocktails and charcuterie. It's tented in plastic for colder evenings, too.

140 New Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94105

Visit Website

Uno Dos Tacos

595 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94104

FiDi types can now catch the next-best thing to a sunny Mission taco lunch on Uno Dos Taco's front patio, which overlooks the bustle of Second Street. They've also got a solid happy hour with deals on tacos and buckets of beer, a good after-work choice for the summer months.

595 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94104

Visit Website

Zeitgeist

199 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94103

This divey Mission spot offers pitchers of beers, great bloody marys, and a warm place to bask during one of San Francisco's rare summery moments. A roomy patio filled with picnic tables is the scene.

199 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Visit Website

Zeitgeist

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