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Where to Eat and Drink in Dogpatch

There's a lot more than sunshine and water views to love about this neighborhood

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Once upon a time, Dogpatch, a working-class neighborhood on the east side of the city, was home to canning factories, shipyards, warehouses, and lots of wild fennel fields. The latter is perhaps where its name comes from, as there were "patches" of dogfennel everywhere, though it may also be because of the wild dogs that used to roam there. Either way, because neighborhoods like Potrero Hill and the Mission started spilling over their boundaries, this one gritty area has transformed in recent years and is now an easily walkable — it's flat! — place full of artists, green spaces, local shops, and new construction, as well as some of the city's oldest houses that survived the 1906 earthquake and stunning water views.

But for our purposes, the neighborhood is also home to a ton of amazing bars, breweries, and restaurants, including some great pizza joints, a few of SF's best breakfast spots, and more than one place to kick back with a drink and enjoy gorgeous bay views and good weather. Because while Dogpatch has all of the stuff we just mentioned going for it, if there's one thing to love the most about this neighborhood, it's that it truly feels like the sun is always shining.

As of publication time, some of these restaurants offer seated indoor and outdoor dining. However, their inclusion should not be taken as endorsement for sit-down dining, as there are still safety concerns. Studies indicate that COVID-19 infection rates are lower for outside activities than dining indoors, but the level of risk involved with even outdoor dining is contingent on restaurants and their patrons following strict social distancing, face covering, and other safety guidelines.

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Mission Rock Resort

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If you’re looking for outdoor waterfront dining that’s just a smidge less raucous than the Ramp, you’ll find it at this popular spot that has not one, but two levels of outdoor seating. The food and prices are what you’d expect from a seafood restaurant with great views: lots of oysters, a $30 Dungeness crab roll, and $19 calamari. But while the food is tasty, it’s really only part of the experience. What you’re really there for is sunshine, day drinking, and everything else amazing that leads to a late afternoon nap.

The Ramp

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The sun shines more often in Dogpatch, which is just one reason why this bait shop-turned-waterfront hangout seems to always have a crowd. The time to go is during lunch or weekend brunch when the sun is out and you can enjoy the views while sipping on bloody Mary’s and feasting on oysters, burgers, and fish and chips.

Kin Khao Dogpatch

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While Kin Khao in Union Square remains in hiatus, Pim Techamuanvivit opened a fast-casual version of the Michelin-starred Thai restaurant, taking over the former Noon All Day cafe-restaurant space. The Dogpatch cafe offers a stripped-down version of the original Kin Khao menu, serving pork laab meatballs, Isaan-style cranberry beans, and chilled asparagus salad as starters; Bangkok-style stir-fry noodles and chicken golek curry; and grab-and-go items like cabbage salad and a fried chicken sandwich. The spacious outdoor area is open for dining, first come, first served — no reservations.

The Sea Star

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This watering hole has been a watering hole (under many different names and owners) since at least 1899, but when you walk in the history feels less important than the fact that it’s just a really solid neighborhood bar. In fact, considering the dive bar-ish vibe and prices, it’s almost surprising how great the cocktails are, until you find out that the woman concocting them (Alicia Walton) used to make them at Comstock Saloon, Elixir, and Bloodhound, amongst other place.

Wooly Pig

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Inner Sunset sandwich standby the Wooly Pig has moved to Dogpatch, bringing favorite banh mi sandwiches and more with them. The namesake Wooly Pig sandwich, an understandably popular choice, is made with “Shanghai style braised caramel pork belly” with arugula and pickled daikon on a brioche roll. Poke, salads, and coffee are options, too.

Third Rail

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One of the best spots in this Art Deco meets mid-century modern cocktail bar is right by the door in the space that feels like it was inspired by a train station waiting area, but with more comfortable seating. This is the perfect place to enjoy a craft cocktail made with quality spirits, fresh, seasonal ingredients, and hand-cut or crushed ice, while snacking on house-made jerky (there are eight different flavors, including a mushroom jerky for vegetarians). In fact, you may enjoy yourself so much that you’ll decide to catch the next train so you can have just one more.

Patricia Chang

Neighbor Bakehouse

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Greg and Christine Mindel are the force behind this favorite neighborhood bakery whose goods can be found around the city. Stop by for coffee, sweets like twice baked stuffed croissants, and don’t skip their famous everything croissant, dusted with everything spice like a bagel and filled with cream cheese.

Long Bridge Pizza Co.

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The only game here is sourdough thin-crust pizza (fine, and a Caesar salad), so come hungry for some pie. The “loading dock” is covered in mozzarella, tomato sauce, soppressata, sausage, mushroom, garlic, and thyme, and it’s by far the most popular option. The space is minimal, but clean, and finding a seat can be tough at popular dining times, but all in all, Long Bridge is one of the most underrated and under-the-radar pizza places in town.

Ungrafted

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Ungrafted’s owners are a couple of superstar sommeliers, but they’ve kept things casual with their big new wine bar and bottle shop in an industrial-chic Dogpatch space. One major focus is on Champagne — they’ll serve your bottle in a treasure trove of vintage Champagne buckets — and another is on half bottles (they’re lots of fun and less of a commitment). Another perk of the owners’ expertise: Tasting classes, because learning about wine can be as much fun as drinking it.

Gilberth's Rotisserie & Grill

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Gilberth’s might not be the type of place one travels to from the other side of the city, but if you live or work nearby, it’s the perfect go-to because of its stylish, low key atmosphere, relatively easy parking, flavorful Latin-fusion dishes made with fresh, local ingredients, and affordable prices. Lunch is all about the taco bar and the sandwiches (chimichurri steak, rotisserie chicken salad), while dinner is the perfect time to share a smorgasborg of small plates and mains. You can cover your table in shishito peppers, ceviche, chile relleno, barbecue guava baby back ribs, and a whole lot more.

Yield Wine Bar

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Yield is pretty unassuming as far as SF wine bars go, but that's a good thing. There are some comfy seats by the windows, some not-so comfy stools at the bar, and an awesome wine selection, all of which were picked “with the environment in mind.” This means all of the wineries from which the wines come are sustainable in practice with a few being certified organic and certified biodynamic. There are also bar bites, slightly less substantial now than pre-pandemic, but still offers cheese plates, stuffed dates, and warm artichoke, kale, and Parmesan dip.

Marcella's Lasagneria & Cucina

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There’s nothing fancy about the inside of Marcella’s Lasagneria — there are just a handful of tables and the chairs look like they belong on a patio — but you’re not going there for the décor. You’re going there for mouth-watering, calorie-laden, indulgent Italian food. Specifically the lasagna: six layers of thin pasta, béchamel tomato sauce, parmigiano, mozzarella, and a choice of seven fillings, including handmade Italian sausage, Bolognese, and mushroom. There are other pasta dishes as well, all of which are made each day on the premises. Only problem? It’s only open on weekdays and only for lunch.

Just For You

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Whether you’ve got a hangover or are just craving quality diner food, this casual no-frills joint is the place to go for breakfast or lunch. The hangtown fry (three eggs scrambled with bacon, oysters, and onions) served with toast, cornbread, or a biscuit (all baked in-house) is probably the most popular thing on the menu, but the Mexican “especiales” and po’ boys aren’t messing around either. Save room the for the fluffy beignets, which are made from scratch, and strongly consider taking home a loaf of cinnamon-raisin bread or a pan of cornbread. You know, since you’re there already.

Mr. & Mrs. Miscellaneous

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A labor of love from couple Annabelle Topiaco and Ian Flores, Mr. & Mrs. Miscellaneous produces delicate, delectable ice cream in a miscellany of rotating flavors: Banana with dark rum, french lavender, and black sesame, to name just a few. Whatever you get, order it in a homemade waffle cone, and for an added treat, don't miss the peanut butter maltballs and other sweets to take home.

Piccino Cafe

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Housed in a bright yellow 1850s-era house is a neighborhood Cal-Italian restaurant with friendly service, a lively crowd, and, most important: damn good pizza. It’s the perfect place to go on a casual date or with the family when you’re in the mood for well-made Italian food and a glass of wine or two. While the pizza is the star, the way to approach the menu is with a plan to share. That way you can enjoy an asparagus salad with a slow-cooked egg and pecorino, spaghetti with Dungeness crab, and one of the six pies, all of which taste even better when you add an egg.

Magnolia Brewing - Dogpatch

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Magnolia Dogpatch, an offshoot of the Upper Haight favorite, has been reinvented with a brighter, more welcoming look and expanded, casual seating. Colorado-based New Belgium Brewing acquired the local craft brewery in 2017, and the beer and food programs have evolved: Casual fare and addictively sweet and salty popcorn have replaced barbecue, and partner and head brewer Dick Cantwell is turning out some of the city’s best beer (he literally wrote the book on brewing IPAs with eclectic ingredients like cucumber).

Hard Knox Cafe

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The Dogpatch Hard Knox location is funky in a good way that you don’t see much in SF. The décor is a mish-mash of corrugated metal walls, worn hardwood floors, and a jumble of “art” on the walls (an old Coca-Cola ad, a “slow” street sign, enormous fish sculptures, and a life preserver). But none of that is why you’re going to Hard Knox — you're going for the fried chicken, the thing for which this southern home-style cooking restaurant is known. There are other yummy things on the menu (fried pork chops, blackened catfish, barbecue chicken), but the fried chicken is what to get, accompanied by two sides and a corn muffin or a buttermilk Belgian waffle.

Besharam

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Sassy plateware and cheeky preparations of Gujarati food (hello, blue cheese naan) attract diners to this award-winning Indian restaurant inside the Minnesota Street Project. Chef Heena Patel serves comforting and mostly veggie fare, and don’t miss the well-spiced cocktails, either.

Harmonic Brewing

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This industrial Dogpatch brewery and taproom is a great destination for a thirsty group. Get a tasting flight in a pan — typically 12 fresh beers are on tap at a time — and perhaps some cans to go. It’s dog friendly, and just out of the way enough to feel like a find without being too hard to get to.

Mission Rock Resort

If you’re looking for outdoor waterfront dining that’s just a smidge less raucous than the Ramp, you’ll find it at this popular spot that has not one, but two levels of outdoor seating. The food and prices are what you’d expect from a seafood restaurant with great views: lots of oysters, a $30 Dungeness crab roll, and $19 calamari. But while the food is tasty, it’s really only part of the experience. What you’re really there for is sunshine, day drinking, and everything else amazing that leads to a late afternoon nap.

The Ramp

The sun shines more often in Dogpatch, which is just one reason why this bait shop-turned-waterfront hangout seems to always have a crowd. The time to go is during lunch or weekend brunch when the sun is out and you can enjoy the views while sipping on bloody Mary’s and feasting on oysters, burgers, and fish and chips.

Kin Khao Dogpatch

While Kin Khao in Union Square remains in hiatus, Pim Techamuanvivit opened a fast-casual version of the Michelin-starred Thai restaurant, taking over the former Noon All Day cafe-restaurant space. The Dogpatch cafe offers a stripped-down version of the original Kin Khao menu, serving pork laab meatballs, Isaan-style cranberry beans, and chilled asparagus salad as starters; Bangkok-style stir-fry noodles and chicken golek curry; and grab-and-go items like cabbage salad and a fried chicken sandwich. The spacious outdoor area is open for dining, first come, first served — no reservations.

The Sea Star

This watering hole has been a watering hole (under many different names and owners) since at least 1899, but when you walk in the history feels less important than the fact that it’s just a really solid neighborhood bar. In fact, considering the dive bar-ish vibe and prices, it’s almost surprising how great the cocktails are, until you find out that the woman concocting them (Alicia Walton) used to make them at Comstock Saloon, Elixir, and Bloodhound, amongst other place.

Wooly Pig

Inner Sunset sandwich standby the Wooly Pig has moved to Dogpatch, bringing favorite banh mi sandwiches and more with them. The namesake Wooly Pig sandwich, an understandably popular choice, is made with “Shanghai style braised caramel pork belly” with arugula and pickled daikon on a brioche roll. Poke, salads, and coffee are options, too.

Third Rail

One of the best spots in this Art Deco meets mid-century modern cocktail bar is right by the door in the space that feels like it was inspired by a train station waiting area, but with more comfortable seating. This is the perfect place to enjoy a craft cocktail made with quality spirits, fresh, seasonal ingredients, and hand-cut or crushed ice, while snacking on house-made jerky (there are eight different flavors, including a mushroom jerky for vegetarians). In fact, you may enjoy yourself so much that you’ll decide to catch the next train so you can have just one more.

Patricia Chang

Neighbor Bakehouse

Greg and Christine Mindel are the force behind this favorite neighborhood bakery whose goods can be found around the city. Stop by for coffee, sweets like twice baked stuffed croissants, and don’t skip their famous everything croissant, dusted with everything spice like a bagel and filled with cream cheese.

Long Bridge Pizza Co.

The only game here is sourdough thin-crust pizza (fine, and a Caesar salad), so come hungry for some pie. The “loading dock” is covered in mozzarella, tomato sauce, soppressata, sausage, mushroom, garlic, and thyme, and it’s by far the most popular option. The space is minimal, but clean, and finding a seat can be tough at popular dining times, but all in all, Long Bridge is one of the most underrated and under-the-radar pizza places in town.

Ungrafted

Ungrafted’s owners are a couple of superstar sommeliers, but they’ve kept things casual with their big new wine bar and bottle shop in an industrial-chic Dogpatch space. One major focus is on Champagne — they’ll serve your bottle in a treasure trove of vintage Champagne buckets — and another is on half bottles (they’re lots of fun and less of a commitment). Another perk of the owners’ expertise: Tasting classes, because learning about wine can be as much fun as drinking it.

Gilberth's Rotisserie & Grill

Gilberth’s might not be the type of place one travels to from the other side of the city, but if you live or work nearby, it’s the perfect go-to because of its stylish, low key atmosphere, relatively easy parking, flavorful Latin-fusion dishes made with fresh, local ingredients, and affordable prices. Lunch is all about the taco bar and the sandwiches (chimichurri steak, rotisserie chicken salad), while dinner is the perfect time to share a smorgasborg of small plates and mains. You can cover your table in shishito peppers, ceviche, chile relleno, barbecue guava baby back ribs, and a whole lot more.

Yield Wine Bar

Yield is pretty unassuming as far as SF wine bars go, but that's a good thing. There are some comfy seats by the windows, some not-so comfy stools at the bar, and an awesome wine selection, all of which were picked “with the environment in mind.” This means all of the wineries from which the wines come are sustainable in practice with a few being certified organic and certified biodynamic. There are also bar bites, slightly less substantial now than pre-pandemic, but still offers cheese plates, stuffed dates, and warm artichoke, kale, and Parmesan dip.

Marcella's Lasagneria & Cucina

There’s nothing fancy about the inside of Marcella’s Lasagneria — there are just a handful of tables and the chairs look like they belong on a patio — but you’re not going there for the décor. You’re going there for mouth-watering, calorie-laden, indulgent Italian food. Specifically the lasagna: six layers of thin pasta, béchamel tomato sauce, parmigiano, mozzarella, and a choice of seven fillings, including handmade Italian sausage, Bolognese, and mushroom. There are other pasta dishes as well, all of which are made each day on the premises. Only problem? It’s only open on weekdays and only for lunch.

Just For You

Whether you’ve got a hangover or are just craving quality diner food, this casual no-frills joint is the place to go for breakfast or lunch. The hangtown fry (three eggs scrambled with bacon, oysters, and onions) served with toast, cornbread, or a biscuit (all baked in-house) is probably the most popular thing on the menu, but the Mexican “especiales” and po’ boys aren’t messing around either. Save room the for the fluffy beignets, which are made from scratch, and strongly consider taking home a loaf of cinnamon-raisin bread or a pan of cornbread. You know, since you’re there already.

Mr. & Mrs. Miscellaneous

A labor of love from couple Annabelle Topiaco and Ian Flores, Mr. & Mrs. Miscellaneous produces delicate, delectable ice cream in a miscellany of rotating flavors: Banana with dark rum, french lavender, and black sesame, to name just a few. Whatever you get, order it in a homemade waffle cone, and for an added treat, don't miss the peanut butter maltballs and other sweets to take home.

Piccino Cafe

Housed in a bright yellow 1850s-era house is a neighborhood Cal-Italian restaurant with friendly service, a lively crowd, and, most important: damn good pizza. It’s the perfect place to go on a casual date or with the family when you’re in the mood for well-made Italian food and a glass of wine or two. While the pizza is the star, the way to approach the menu is with a plan to share. That way you can enjoy an asparagus salad with a slow-cooked egg and pecorino, spaghetti with Dungeness crab, and one of the six pies, all of which taste even better when you add an egg.

Related Maps

Magnolia Brewing - Dogpatch

Magnolia Dogpatch, an offshoot of the Upper Haight favorite, has been reinvented with a brighter, more welcoming look and expanded, casual seating. Colorado-based New Belgium Brewing acquired the local craft brewery in 2017, and the beer and food programs have evolved: Casual fare and addictively sweet and salty popcorn have replaced barbecue, and partner and head brewer Dick Cantwell is turning out some of the city’s best beer (he literally wrote the book on brewing IPAs with eclectic ingredients like cucumber).

Hard Knox Cafe

The Dogpatch Hard Knox location is funky in a good way that you don’t see much in SF. The décor is a mish-mash of corrugated metal walls, worn hardwood floors, and a jumble of “art” on the walls (an old Coca-Cola ad, a “slow” street sign, enormous fish sculptures, and a life preserver). But none of that is why you’re going to Hard Knox — you're going for the fried chicken, the thing for which this southern home-style cooking restaurant is known. There are other yummy things on the menu (fried pork chops, blackened catfish, barbecue chicken), but the fried chicken is what to get, accompanied by two sides and a corn muffin or a buttermilk Belgian waffle.

Besharam

Sassy plateware and cheeky preparations of Gujarati food (hello, blue cheese naan) attract diners to this award-winning Indian restaurant inside the Minnesota Street Project. Chef Heena Patel serves comforting and mostly veggie fare, and don’t miss the well-spiced cocktails, either.

Harmonic Brewing

This industrial Dogpatch brewery and taproom is a great destination for a thirsty group. Get a tasting flight in a pan — typically 12 fresh beers are on tap at a time — and perhaps some cans to go. It’s dog friendly, and just out of the way enough to feel like a find without being too hard to get to.

Related Maps