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Foreign Cinema + 6 Other Patios We Love
Seven of our favorite patios right now.
Foreign Cinema reopened their spacious outdoor courtyard on June 24th, with limited seating. It’s one of our favorite places in San Francisco to kick back with a glass of wine and oysters - or enjoy one of the best brunches in the city. They’re accepting reservations for weekend brunch and dinner (Wednesday-Saturday), and you can expect them to expand their hours in the coming weeks.
If you’re looking for other great patios in SF, we’ve picked six more of our favorites below. And you can always check out our running list of spots that have reopened for outdoor dining, or are offering takeout.
Editor’s Note: Anina and El Techo images were taken before the shutdown.
photo credit: Emma Shepler
The Hayes Valley cocktail and beer bar recently reopened their outdoor garden. And they’ve got plenty of picnic tables to comfortably seat groups of three or four people. And, at least for now, each party must order one pizza for the table. (Pizza? No complaints here.) Anina is open Wednesday and Thursday, 3-8pm, and Friday and Saturday, 2-9 pm.
photo credit: Melissa Zink
Bernal Star is one of our go-to brunch spots in Bernal Heights. Their casual patio feels like we’re hanging out in our friend’s backyard, and they have heat lamps for foggier mornings (or nights). They also make a pretty good eggs benedict. Right now, their back patio is open for brunch, lunch, and dinner Friday-Saturday, and for dinner Tuesday-Thursday. Seating is first come, first serve.
You can once again have Plow’s excellent lemon ricotta pancakes on their sidewalk patio on 18th St. The neighborhood brunch spot in Potrero Hill is open daily, and continues to seat diners on a first come, first serve basis. Takeout is still available, so if you want to eat French toast with strawberries and mascarpone in bed, you can.
photo credit: Meika Ejiasi
Our favorite spot to have coffee and bagel sandwiches at the end of Judah (and right across from the beach) has reopened their front patio. You can also check out the Java Beach Cafe by the SF Zoo, which has also reopened their sidewalk seating. Whatever you do, just remember to bring a jacket - it’s summer in the Sunset, after all.
The waterfront bar and restaurant on Pier 30 has reopened their patio seating, so you can once again have awesome views of the Bay and the bridge while enjoying their classic burgers and fish and chips. Reservations aren’t required and feel free to bring your dog along too.
If you need a margarita and some unbeatable views of the city, El Techo is where it’s at. The rooftop bar and taco spot is back open daily. They’re not taking reservations, but you can join their waitlist online if you want to avoid a wait.
Suggested Reading
Here’s the status of restaurant reopenings in every Bay Area county.
SF restaurants reopened for outdoor dining on June 12th. Here’s everything you need to know about patios, party size, and more.
Chinatown and the Mission are the city’s first two Shared Spaces street closures.
If you’re trying to eat outside and stare at the water, head to one of these spots.