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The rooftop deck at Good Good Culture Club. Patricia Chang

12 Prime Places to Eat and Drink Outside in San Francisco This Summer

All the best patios and parklets for outdoor dining

by Paolo Bicchieri and Dianne de Guzman Updated
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by Paolo Bicchieri and Dianne de Guzman Updated
Patricia Chang

In the San Francisco Bay Area, summer usually means really cold in the city and finally pleasant everywhere else. Even if it’s been one of the craziest, weirdest years for weather — therefore making it nigh impossible to predict sunny weather — it’s time to bring out those big patios and moody cafe sidewalk tables. There’s vibey relative newcomer Good Good Culture Club on 18th Street for insane stuffed chicken wings and a more than 60-year-old Philosopher’s Club in West Portal. Plus, there are restaurants with outdoor dining enough for those with a big group. Any of these 12 restaurants sports a patio or an outdoor seating option well worth braving any weather.

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Terrene

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Right along the Embarcadero, lying in plain sight, is one of the city’s most sprawling patios poised with the best views. Terrene is known for hosting big groups, too, and is home to rich hummus flights and ritzy cocktails perfect for ogling at the sun over the Bay Bridge.

8 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 278-3777
(415) 278-3777

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Red's Java House

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Classic San Francisco is alive and well and eating a cheeseburger served on a roll at Red’s Java House. The waterfront business has operated since the 1930s, under the name Red’s since 1955. There’s nothing fancy about the food — fish and chips are a popular order — and not much fuss about the unheated patio, where old tables have a prime view of the water and the Bay Bridge.

Pier 30, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 777-5626
(415) 777-5626
Lauren Saria

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Breadbelly

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This bakery and coffee pioneer is a Richmond District destination for those all throughout the Bay Area. It’s an entirely outdoor operation, meaning all the seating is in a robust parklet in front of the shop. There will no doubt be plenty of room to enjoy those kaya buns at the business’ new outpost incoming at Pier 70.

1408 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 349-0969
(415) 349-0969
Albert Law

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Horsefeather

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Horsefeather’s outdoor area is more atrium than al fresco, but for those who get chilly quickly, that could be a plus. Enjoy golden hour vibes under the glass ceiling amongst the hanging greenery, with a Golden Hour gin cocktail and some shareable bites to eat. The bar and restaurant’s heated parklet also stretches out down Divis if you need more room for your group to sprawl out.

528 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 817-1939
(415) 817-1939
Metal doors open. Horsefeather

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um.ma

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This cool Korean barbecue spot in the Sunset not only has a sweet back patio, complete with powerful heaters, but it’s actually setting out grills on those picnic tables so diners can get the full Korean barbecue experience with fire and smoke — think short ribs, rib eye, and pork belly, and all of the works.

1220 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 566-5777
(415) 566-5777
The back patio at Um.ma set up for outdoor grilling Um.ma

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Zazie

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Zazie is an San Francisco classic for brunch; it’s also a winner for its charming patio, which is desirable day and night. Lush vines climb up the walls, giving brunch a garden party vibe. Don’t worry, there are heat lamps for when the fog inevitably rolls in. There’s also a simple but sizable parklet out front for more outdoor dining options — though it is often crowded with diners and dogs.

941 Cole St, San Francisco, CA
(415) 564-5332
(415) 564-5332
Zazie
Zazie

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Good Good Culture Club

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Good Good Culture Club’s rooftop patio is the kind of place that screams for a lively pre-game in the rare summer sun. Sure, there’s El Techo on Mission Street and loads of other rooftop bars throughout the Bay. But where else can one dine where guests can rest assured knowing the staff are paid fairly and family meal is a mid-afternoon fiesta?

3560 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Good Good Culture Club rooftop April Storm

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Prubechu

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Guamanian restaurant Prubechu took over the parking lot just alongside its building, moving the Chamorro party outside in the heart of the Mission. It’s a big patio setup, perfect for the occasional pig roast, though you may need to ask for your heater to be turned on.

2224 Mission St #A, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 853-0671
(415) 853-0671
Outdoor seating during Prubechu’s first day of offering dine-in service Prubechu

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Fable

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Fable updated its outdoor patio in 2020 and created a lush, inviting environment with birds of paradise, palms, and climbing bougainvillea plants filling every corner. The brunch remains ever-popular, and the new-ish additions of lunch and “charcuterie & wine time” happy hour creates more excuses to enjoy the manicured outdoors, but with heat lamps.

558 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 590-2404
(415) 590-2404

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Piccino

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Piccino is known for many things, including its array of pizzas, adorable yellow facade, and its relatively new extension Bar Piccino. The real ones know Piccino is home to a snug, jacaranda tree-laden patio with tons of seating. Given its East Side location, the typical San Francisco fog is even less likely to strike those outbound diners.

1001 Minnesota St, San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 824-4224
(415) 824-4224
Pizza from Piccino Piccino

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Philosopher's Club

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This Ulloa Street dive has been a San Francisco icon since 1960. Little do some know the business sports a succulent garden out back to take those whiskey sours, watch the game, and dine on another classic: Neighbor Bullshead and its juicy burgers. Plus, West Portal is charming as hell.

824 Ulloa St, San Francisco, CA 94127
(415) 753-0599
(415) 753-0599

Also featured in:

All Good Pizza

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Outdoor beer gardens will never not be an easy place to recommend for being outdoors, but pair it with a good pizza, and it becomes golden. All Good Pizza easily has the slices and the heated outdoor space for groups to gather, eat, and drink, in the Bayview.

1605 Jerrold Ave, San Francisco, CA 94124
(415) 933-9384
(415) 933-9384

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Terrene

8 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105

Right along the Embarcadero, lying in plain sight, is one of the city’s most sprawling patios poised with the best views. Terrene is known for hosting big groups, too, and is home to rich hummus flights and ritzy cocktails perfect for ogling at the sun over the Bay Bridge.

8 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 278-3777
(415) 278-3777

Red's Java House

Pier 30, San Francisco, CA 94105

Classic San Francisco is alive and well and eating a cheeseburger served on a roll at Red’s Java House. The waterfront business has operated since the 1930s, under the name Red’s since 1955. There’s nothing fancy about the food — fish and chips are a popular order — and not much fuss about the unheated patio, where old tables have a prime view of the water and the Bay Bridge.

Pier 30, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 777-5626
(415) 777-5626
Lauren Saria

Breadbelly

1408 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94118

This bakery and coffee pioneer is a Richmond District destination for those all throughout the Bay Area. It’s an entirely outdoor operation, meaning all the seating is in a robust parklet in front of the shop. There will no doubt be plenty of room to enjoy those kaya buns at the business’ new outpost incoming at Pier 70.

1408 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 349-0969
(415) 349-0969
Albert Law

Horsefeather

528 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117

Horsefeather’s outdoor area is more atrium than al fresco, but for those who get chilly quickly, that could be a plus. Enjoy golden hour vibes under the glass ceiling amongst the hanging greenery, with a Golden Hour gin cocktail and some shareable bites to eat. The bar and restaurant’s heated parklet also stretches out down Divis if you need more room for your group to sprawl out.

528 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 817-1939
(415) 817-1939
Metal doors open. Horsefeather

um.ma

1220 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122

This cool Korean barbecue spot in the Sunset not only has a sweet back patio, complete with powerful heaters, but it’s actually setting out grills on those picnic tables so diners can get the full Korean barbecue experience with fire and smoke — think short ribs, rib eye, and pork belly, and all of the works.

1220 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 566-5777
(415) 566-5777
The back patio at Um.ma set up for outdoor grilling Um.ma

Zazie

941 Cole St, San Francisco, CA

Zazie is an San Francisco classic for brunch; it’s also a winner for its charming patio, which is desirable day and night. Lush vines climb up the walls, giving brunch a garden party vibe. Don’t worry, there are heat lamps for when the fog inevitably rolls in. There’s also a simple but sizable parklet out front for more outdoor dining options — though it is often crowded with diners and dogs.

941 Cole St, San Francisco, CA
(415) 564-5332
(415) 564-5332
Zazie
Zazie

Good Good Culture Club

3560 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Good Good Culture Club’s rooftop patio is the kind of place that screams for a lively pre-game in the rare summer sun. Sure, there’s El Techo on Mission Street and loads of other rooftop bars throughout the Bay. But where else can one dine where guests can rest assured knowing the staff are paid fairly and family meal is a mid-afternoon fiesta?

3560 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Good Good Culture Club rooftop April Storm

Prubechu

2224 Mission St #A, San Francisco, CA 94110

Guamanian restaurant Prubechu took over the parking lot just alongside its building, moving the Chamorro party outside in the heart of the Mission. It’s a big patio setup, perfect for the occasional pig roast, though you may need to ask for your heater to be turned on.

2224 Mission St #A, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 853-0671
(415) 853-0671
Outdoor seating during Prubechu’s first day of offering dine-in service Prubechu

Fable

558 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114

Fable updated its outdoor patio in 2020 and created a lush, inviting environment with birds of paradise, palms, and climbing bougainvillea plants filling every corner. The brunch remains ever-popular, and the new-ish additions of lunch and “charcuterie & wine time” happy hour creates more excuses to enjoy the manicured outdoors, but with heat lamps.

558 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 590-2404
(415) 590-2404

Piccino

1001 Minnesota St, San Francisco, CA 94107

Piccino is known for many things, including its array of pizzas, adorable yellow facade, and its relatively new extension Bar Piccino. The real ones know Piccino is home to a snug, jacaranda tree-laden patio with tons of seating. Given its East Side location, the typical San Francisco fog is even less likely to strike those outbound diners.

1001 Minnesota St, San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 824-4224
(415) 824-4224
Pizza from Piccino Piccino

Philosopher's Club

824 Ulloa St, San Francisco, CA 94127

This Ulloa Street dive has been a San Francisco icon since 1960. Little do some know the business sports a succulent garden out back to take those whiskey sours, watch the game, and dine on another classic: Neighbor Bullshead and its juicy burgers. Plus, West Portal is charming as hell.

824 Ulloa St, San Francisco, CA 94127
(415) 753-0599
(415) 753-0599

All Good Pizza

1605 Jerrold Ave, San Francisco, CA 94124

Outdoor beer gardens will never not be an easy place to recommend for being outdoors, but pair it with a good pizza, and it becomes golden. All Good Pizza easily has the slices and the heated outdoor space for groups to gather, eat, and drink, in the Bayview.

1605 Jerrold Ave, San Francisco, CA 94124
(415) 933-9384
(415) 933-9384

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