13 Top-Notch Rooftop Bars and Restaurants in San Francisco and the East Bay

Get a bird’s eye view of the best rooftop bars and restaurants in San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley

by Lauren Saria and Ellen Fort Updated Apr 4, 2023, 1:22pm PDT

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by Lauren Saria and Ellen Fort Updated Apr 4, 2023, 1:22pm PDT

Jasmine Dolla (Vivio Visuals)

There are many great restaurants and bars with views in San Francisco and the East Bay, but very few count as open-air rooftops in the traditional sense. Blame Karl the Fog’s cool breezes for the lack of high-up outdoor space; even at San Francisco’s best, most heater- and fire-pit-appointed rooftops, it’s a good idea to bring a jacket. And while the East Bay is the notoriously sunnier side of the Bay, it’s still always best to prepare for high winds coming off the Berkeley Hills.

Don’t care about a bird’s-eye view? Check out this list of very excellent places to eat and drink outside at street level.

Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission.

Study Hall Rooftop Lounge

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Berkley welcomed its highest rooftop bar in March 2022 with the debut of Study Hall at the Residence Inn downtown. While you take in the expansive views of the University of California Berkeley campus, peruse an approachable menu with light Asian influences: think a green onion pancake served with Kewpie mayo and a kimchi rice bowl. Ten specialty cocktails include variations on familiar favorites such as the Campus Bird, a jungle bird riff with rum and Campari.

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2121 Center St, Berkeley, CA 94704

(510) 982-0114

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High 5ive

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Oakland residents also got a new rooftop perch in the East Bay with the opening of High 5ive atop the Kissel Uptown Oakland hotel. Snacks range from artichoke spinach dip and a meat and cheese plate to a chopped salad and carnitas tacos, with cocktails options such as the spritz-y Delayed Flight, featuring Tito’s vodka, Aperol, grapefruit, and lime.

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437 25th St, Oakland, CA 94612

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Oeste - Bar

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This Old Oakland bar and restaurant has the ideal rooftop for snacking on shrimp and grits, fried brussels sprouts, and steak frites. Cocktails, beer, wine, and happy hour drink specials that start at 11 a.m. are all extra reasons to stop by.

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722 Clay St, Oakland, CA 94607

(510) 817-4157

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Jones

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One of the city’s biggest rooftop spaces means plenty of room to gather pals for cocktails and occasional live music. The greenery scattered throughout gives it a lush vibe, though it’s in the midst of the Tenderloin, surrounded by hotels and apartment buildings.

620 Jones St, San Francisco, CA 94102

(415) 496-6858

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Dirty Habit

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On the fifth floor of Hotel Zelos, Dirty Habit is a hidden-away lair secluded by SoMa high rises. It’s dark and luxe indoors, but it opens out onto fire pits and lounge-worthy sofas. Sip from a menu of craft cocktails, which switches up with the seasons, and snack on oysters and shishito peppers, or go all-in on wild halibut or barbecue short ribs.

12 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

(415) 348-1555

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Rise Over Run

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The new LINE hotel includes both a restaurant, Tenderheart, and a rooftop bar, Rise Over Run. Head up to the top floor to find cocktails from longtime San Francisco bartender Danie Louie and a tight food menu from chef Joe Hou. There’s also a covered solarium, packed with plants, for days when the weather’s not quite right, plus firepits to warm up around outside.

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33 Turk St, San Francisco, CA 94102

(415) 523-9799

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Charmaine's Rooftop Bar & Lounge

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Look up and down Market Street’s windy corridor from the glass-enclosed patio of Charmaine’s, perched atop the well-heeled Proper Hotel. It’s got drinks designed by Bon Vivants Hospitality (Trick Dog, Chezchez), snacks by Jason Fox of the late Commonwealth, and high style to match. The best seats are around one of the fire pits, so act fast.

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1100 Market Street Entrance at, 45 McAllister St, San Francisco, CA 94102

(415) 786-3467

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KAIYO ROOFTOP

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Decked out with swaying palm trees and a lush plant wall, this tropical rooftop bar and restaurant is perched high above the SoMa skyline atop the Hyatt Place hotel. From the team behind Cow Hollow’s Kaiyo, expect a menu of Japanese-Peruvian Nikkei food and drinks including inventive sushi rolls, a variety of ceviches, and tropically-inspired cocktails — tiny umbrellas and all.

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701 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94107

(415) 800-8141

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A view west from the rooftop at Kaiyo Rooftop.

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Rooftop 25

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Atop SoMa’s 25 Lusk is a lovely rooftop bar serving wood-fired pizzas, burgers, and other bar snacks. Frozen cocktails, beers, and wines are attractive orders, particularly when the heaters come on to combat Bay Area winter (or notoriously cool summer) weather.

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25 Lusk St, San Francisco, CA 94107

(415) 495-5875

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CAVAÑA

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There’s probably no better view in all of Mission Bay than from the stylish rooftop bar Canava, which opened in January 2023 just a few short blocks away from Oracle Park. It’s the latest from the restaurateur John Park (Kaiyo, Kaiyo Rooftop, Novela) and a roster of experienced bar industry pros including Anthony Parks, beverage director Emilio Salehi, and bar manager Miguel Salehi. They’re pulling inspiration from across Latin America including Peru, Venezuela, and Mexico so the cocktails feature flavors like hoja santa, papaya, mole spices, and poblano peppers. On the food menu, expect aguachiles, arepas, and flaky pastel de carne.

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100 Channel St 17th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94158

(415) 757-1470

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Fiorella Sunset

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You’d never know it at first glance, but there’s a slender rooftop patio perched atop Fiorella’s newest outpost in the Sunset. Hung with string lights and armed with heaters, it’s a cozy setting for sharing wood-fired pizzas and fresh pastas.

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1240 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122

(415) 404-6997

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The rooftop deck at Fiorella Sunset dressed up with string lights and a retractable awning

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Good Good Culture Club

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In early 2022, the former Dear Inga space (which hosted chef Ravi Kapur’s Liholiho Yacht Club throughout the pandemic) flipped into Good Good Culture Club, a team effort from a trio of Liholiho alums: general manager Aimee Arcilla, chef Kevin Keovanpheng, and chef Brett Shaw. The menu splits two ways, savory and sweet, with plates inspired by Arcilla’s Filipina heritage and Shaw’s Laotian upbringing. The roof is easily the best seat in the house with lots of plants and a vibrant color scheme.

3560 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

(415) 589-7266

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A view of the rooftop deck at Good Good Culture Club.

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El Techo

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El Techo has long been one of the city’s best options for outdoor drinking, day or night. Head up to the rooftop patio overlooking Mission Street for margaritas, small plates, and an excellent weekday happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. There are heaters scattered around the roof and if you want the very best views, belly up to the drinking rail.