budget vacation, restaurant recommendations, San Francisco Eats, San Francisco getaways, Travel
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San Francisco: Some of the Best Patio Seating

The other day I had lunch at Yumma’s on Irving Street, and after ordering our falafel wraps, my friend suggested we sit outside in their patio – which I had no idea they had. (I hadn’t eaten there for years). But it got me thinking about all of the wonderful tourists heading to this fair city which I call home, and so I decided to add a list from here and there of some of the best patio seating in San Francisco:

4505 Burgers & BBQ (705 Divisadero St.)
The patio at 4505 Burgers & BBQ may seem a little unconventional  (it’s a converted parking lot), but that’s what gives it San Francisco charm. If the patio alone won’t get you there, then the mouthwatering burgers and ribs should.

All Good Pizza (1605 Jerrod Ave)
A pizza truck turned brick oven is doling out delicious pies in a parking lot in the Bayview that’s making people line up. Enjoy them at the covered picnic benches.

Arlequin Cafe (384 Hayes St.)
Walk into Arlequin’s back patio and you’ll feel you’re transported to the Mediterranean. The tranquil patio is also attached to a great wine shop.

Catch (2362 Market St.)
Eat fresh local seafood and land fare in a comfortable, relaxed (and covered) back patio. By the way, they have a fire pit. www.catchsf.com

Coffee Bar (1890 Bryant St.)
Not only will you find the coffee made from locally roasted beans, but also a gated front patio with free Wi-Fi and a picnic table that is always the first table to get snagged.

El Rio (3158 Mission St.)
Known for having an eclectic crowd, El Rio is a neighborhood bar where regulars come to listen to soul music, play pool or dance on the huge back patio. It’s one of the most laidback spots in the entire city and that’s why we like it. The bartenders also know how to pour a stiff drink, which is a huge plus.

El Techo de Lolinda (2518 Mission St.)
El Techo de Lolinda is the sister restaurant to the Argentine steakhouse, Lolinda, which it sits on top of. Here you can enjoy Latin street food with impeccable views of the San Francisco skyline. www.eltechosf.com

Finnegas Wake (937 Cole St.)
A secret to a few, but soon to many: When you put your name on the waiting list at Zazie’s (next door), write down that you’ll be at Finegans Wake next door in the margin. Then saddle up at the bar, grab a spicy bloody mary and enjoy the ping pong table and the gorgeous weather. The hostess will come and get you when your name comes up.

Foreign Cinema (2534 Mission St.)
One of the first restaurants to usher in good food into the Mission has a covered patio with a view of the black and white films they project on the back wall. www.foreigncinema.com

Marla Bakery (3619 Balboa St.)
From one of the minds behind Wise Sons Jewish Deli and the former pastry chef from NOPA, comes this delicious brunch spot. When it’s sunny in the Richmond, this patio is worth the trek.

Palm House (2032 Union St.)
Palm House offers an approachable menu of tropical comfort food (like jerk chicken and ceviche) with a California sensibility alongside inventive cocktails, all in a space inspired by turn-of-the-century Victorian homes.  With an expanded patio, it’s the perfect spot for a a boozy slushie or margarita. www.palmhousesf.com

Park Chalet (1000 Great Hwy)
Park Chalet and its sister restaurant, the Beach Chalet, are aptly named for a reason. The Beach Chalet faces the beach, while the Park Chalet faces Golden Gate Park. A large lawn and beer brewed in-house, means one thing: Park Chalet is San Francisco’s best coastal beer garden.

Perry’s on Union Street (1944 Union St.)
If you find yourself on Union Street look for Perry’s, a San Francisco institution, known for classic American food, personable service and a fun, bustling bar. www.perryssf.com

Presidio Social Club (563 Rutger St.)
Serving up a retro California vibe, attentive service and a locally-sourced, seasonal menu, Presidio Social Club is a modern eatery featuring contemporary twists on San Francisco classics and a deck in the rear with views of the Presidio. www.presidiosocialclub.com

The Ramp (855 Terry A. Francois Blvd.)
The Ramp is a classic spot on the east side of San Francisco in the Potrero Hill neighborhood. When there’s perfect weather outside you can see straight across the bay to the East Bay. Come here early because they are known to close on the early side, which is kind of a bummer because you’ll never want to leave.

Starbelly (3583 16th St.)
If you have a big group and are looking for a patio to accommodate, Starbelly is the place for you. Get Doc’s Way Burger, an off-the-menu secret and you’ll feel like you’ve been dining there for years.

Trou Normand (140 New Montgomery St.)
Nestled inside the Yelp Building, sits a sunny tented patio that is an excellent place to eat their homemade charcuterie. Leaving no part unused, Trou Normand offers 40 different types of meats. If there’s a heavyweight champion of cured meats, Trou Normand is the winner.

Wild Side West (424 Cortland Ave.)
Around since 1962, Wild Side West is an LGBT institution in the Bernal Heights neighborhood. Boasting one of the city’s best outdoor patios, it welcomed Bob Dylan and Janis Joplin back in the day.

The Vestry at the Chapel (777 Valencia St.)
Right next to an old mortuary (now music venue), the Vestry sports a side patio, killer brunch and bottomless mimosas. Need we say more? www.thechapelsf.com

Virgil’s Sea Room (3152 Mission St.)
Right next door to El Rio sits a nautical theme bar with drinks named after famous locals and a huge back patio. With its low lights, Virgil’s Sea Room is a Mission bar perfect for slipping away.

Zazie (941 Cole St.)
Here’s what you can expect at this neighborhood restaurant: a long line worth the wait, countless options for eggs benedict and a beautiful ivy covered back patio. Miss an insider tip about Zazie? Read about Finnegan’s Wake above.

Zeitgeist (199 Valencia St.)
No list of San Francisco patios is complete without the inclusion of everyone’s favorite biker beer garden. Get a pitcher or a Bloody Mary (if you dare).

 

 

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