I’ve been to many places across the United States, from the Gold Gate Bridge near my home to halfway across the globe! One of my favorite things when going somewhere new is to check out the best dining options around town. I just love to eat my way through any city. Like, for real, that’s how I plan – where to eat first, then the rest can follow. Can’t remember all the places I’ve been so far, but what I can tell you about are the best rooftop restaurants San Francisco has to offer.
Whether you want to enjoy a gorgeous San Francisco view dinner with a peek at Gold Gate Bridge, throw a fun, private event, or just spend some quality time with friends after a long day of work, here are a few places (or ten) that will never disappoint for great food and an even better rooftop view. But first I have a few caveats.
How I Selected the Best Rooftop Restaurants San Francisco Has to Offer
This is an opinion piece. By that, I mean I’ve only included places I’ve been to. In other words, your idea of the best rooftop restaurants San Francisco offers might be different, and that’s perfectly okay. These are my favorite places I’ve been to so far.
The best part about having a list of the best rooftop bars around town is being able to select the perfect venue for any and every moment. I love being able to take my loved ones out to a premium location to celebrate a special occasion, but I also enjoy ending a long, sunny day with delicious food and happy hour drinks.
Things to Keep in Mind When Comparing the Best Rooftop Restaurants San Francisco Has to Offer
Before I tell you my list, I just wanted to know a few more important tidbits here. First, remember that each place offers something unique! Whether it’s the vibe, the location, the menu, or the selection of signature cocktails, each place brings something special to the table.
However, most of these places are fairly fancy. As such, some of the best rooftop restaurants San Francisco has to offer might have a dress code, which you’ll want to be aware of before showing up. Some also require reservations, making simply showing up impossible.
Basically, if you want to check out all of the venues on this list, I’d highly suggest doing a bit of research before heading over. Otherwise, you might end up empty-handed.
Alright, with that warning out of the way, let me show you my favorite rooftop restaurants!
Top of the Mark: A Must For a Classic Best Rooftop Restaurants San Francisco Experience
Serves: Drinks & food
Address: 999 California St, San Francisco, CA 94108
Phone number: (415) 616-6916
Website: https://www.sfmarkhopkins.com/top-of-the-mark
To start off this list of best rooftop restaurants San Francisco has to offer, our first destination will be the Top of the Mark! If you’re after a dining experience with truly stunning views then this restaurant is the perfect destination for you.
The floor-to-ceiling windows offer an excellent view of the city around you, and their craft cocktails are simply to die for. Aside from great drinks and a friendly atmosphere, they also have vegetarian and gluten-friendly options, making this an excellent option for a night of fine dining with friends.
Being a historical landmark in the area, it only makes sense that my recommendation for this place is an Old Fashioned! Of course, if you’re in the mood for something a bit more classy, they offer a wide selection of wines as well.
Good Good Culture Club: For a Hipster Best Rooftop Restaurants San Francisco Experience
Serves: Drinks & food
Address: 3560 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://goodgoodcultureclub.com/
If you’re not a fan of having to make reservations then the Good Good Culture Club is worth checking out (just make sure you show up early). Offering classic cocktails, wines, and a wide variety of savory & sweet dishes, this is another great place to go with friends.
There won’t be any worries about being underfed, either – there aren’t any small plates here! For a basic dining experience, comfortable seating is provided. Want something a bit more exclusive? Check out their “Ohana Table” offering, which allows you to share a “family style feast” with eight to sixteen people.
This place has a bunch of creative fusion options, but you absolutely have to try the Crying Tiger Shrimp Salad if you go here! Just make sure you bring your phone, as the menu is offered via QR code.
El Techo de Lolinda
Serves: Drinks & food
Address: 2516 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Phone number: (415) 550-6970
Website: https://www.eltechosf.com/
Offering an amazing view of Mission St below, El Techo de Lolinda is the perfect rooftop patio for outdoor drinking. Happy hour runs from 4 to 6 PM, giving you plenty of time after work to head over for a drink or two.
They offer great food inspired by Latin America, paired with a spectacular atmosphere, a see-through ceiling, and heat lamps to ensure a comfortable dining experience.
There are quite a few dishes I love from here, but the Chicharrones De Carnes definitely stands out as a top pick. Got a sweet tooth? Try their strawberry cake – it’s to die for!
Kaiyo Rooftop
Serves: Drinks & food
Address: 701 3rd St 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone number: (415) 800-8141
Website: https://kaiyosf.com/
Offering food from a variety of cuisines including Japanese, Peruvian, and American, the Kaiyō Rooftop is a unique restaurant open to hotel guests and the public alike. While they do excel at making cocktails, I really like this location for its wide selection of sushi.
Since the restaurant is located on the 12th floor of the Hyatt Place Hotel, you’ll have an excellent view of downtown and the San Francisco Bay while eating. Prices are a bit high, but I think it’s worth it for the overall dining experience that the Kaiyo Rooftop provides.
The food here—especially the Tuna Tataki Tiradito—is very nice, but personally, I primarily go here for drinks. Their house special, the “Kaiyo Sunset”, is definitely worth trying if you haven’t already!
Dirty Habit
Serves: Drinks & food
Address: 12 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone number: (415) 348-1555
Website: https://www.zhotelssf.com/zelos/dine/dirty-habit/
The outdoor patio and premium cocktails at the Dirty Habit easily make it one of the best rooftop restaurants San Francisco has to offer. While you won’t get any of the amazing views often found at other locations on this list, the high-quality Japanese fusion food keeps me coming back in for more.
Complete with both a breakfast and a dinner menu, this is arguably the best place for affordable fusion food around the clock. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the outdoor patio and vast whiskey selection as much as I do.
This place might not have the best views around, but I still think eating outside is better here. Make sure to go on a day with good weather so you can enjoy the patio, complete with a firepit!
Cavaña
Serves: Drinks & food
Address: 100 Channel St 17th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94158
Phone number: (415) 757-1470
Website: https://www.cavanasf.com/
If you want the best view of Mission Bay and the Bay Bridge as possible then the Cavaña is the place you need to go! It’s also an excellent place for live music, as you can enjoy three hours of live performances every Sunday.
Aside from amazing views and great food, Cavaña also has a great drink selection. Focusing on agave distillates and sugar cane, they offer a bunch of different cocktails, wines, and cervezas for you to satiate your thirst.
You’ll want reservations here for the best seating and views, but the Latin music is what sets this place apart. If you’re lucky, you’ll even be able to enjoy a live performance!
Charmaine’s Is My Go To Designers Dream Rooftop Restaurant and Bar Evening
Serves: Drinks & food
Address: 45 McAllister St 1100 Market Street
Phone number: (415) 786-3467
Website: https://www.properhotel.com/san-francisco/restaurants-bars/charmaines/
Complete with fire pits, handcrafted, delicious cocktails, and a casual dress code, this is the perfect place to enjoy high-end drinks in your day-to-day outfits. While Charmaine’s doesn’t offer a lot of food options, you’ll still have quite a few “Bites” to choose from. This is an all-time favorite because the Proper Hotel, in which this rooftop bar is located, is a Kelly Wearstler-designed property. Just come in to peep the incredible interior design if nothing else. Some days, I do that with a cup of coffee to get inspired. I am obsessed.
The real appeal of this place, though, is the drink selection. Whether you want something straight, something handmade, or strong, Charmaine’s has the perfect drink to accompany your evening.
You’ll definitely want to bring a good camera with you, as Charmaine’s is the perfect location for taking beautiful photos! You’ll have a great view of the city below, but the look of the city skyline at night is absolutely amazing.
Rooftop 25
Serves: Drinks & food
Address: 25 Lusk St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone number: (415) 495-5875
Website: https://www.25lusk.com/rooftop/
If you’re after a really casual vibe then this next one’s for you. Rooftop 25 isn’t your average cocktail bar. While it does offer a selection of wines and cocktails, the real reason I think this is one of the best rooftop restaurants San Francisco has to offer is the vibe at Rooftop 25.
Located near Oracle Park and offering fun eats like wood-fired pizzas, this restaurant makes up for the—relatively speaking—lack of a beautiful view with large portion sizes, a friendly staff, excellent service, and offerings of both casual and upscale dishes.
This place is definitely worth a visit after a Giant’s game. Its close location to Oracle Park makes it the ideal venue for casual post-games eats and pizza!
Rise Over Run
Serves: Drinks & food
Address: 33 Turk St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone number: (415) 523-9799
Website: https://www.thelinehotel.com/san-francisco/restaurants-bars/rise-over-run/
With fire pits, to-die-for views, “Happy Hour” nearly every day of the week, Rise Over Run is an excellent place to go with friends or family. I think it’s easily one of the best rooftop restaurants San Francisco has to offer for breakfast, as they have quite a selection of options to choose from in the morning.
Comparatively, the dinner selection is a bit small. You do have a few meals to choose from, but I’d probably suggest looking at the “Snacky” section instead. They might not have any scrumptious salads, but they do have a small selection of “Veggie Things” for you to choose from if you’re not in the mood for something heavy.
My two favorite picks from this place are the Tuk Tuk Julius and the Crispy Pork Belly. They have lots of other great eats, but these ones are definitely their standout dishes!
B Restaurant
Serves: Drinks & food
Address: 720 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone number: (415) 225-9950
Website: http://www.bsanfrancisco.com/
Overlooking the Yerba Buena Gardens, the B Restaurant is a trendy eatery that even comes with its own waterfall! The menu changes as the seasons do, making this one of the best rooftop restaurants San Francisco has to offer for a unique dining experience every visit.
Thanks to its close proximity to other well-known areas nearby, the B Restaurant is worth checking out if you’re trying to host a large gathering. You’d probably want to pass this one up if enjoying a fine dining experience is your main goal, but, for classic craft cocktails, it’s an excellent option.
Truffle fries, oysters, and Happy Hour deals make this place more than worth visiting. If you like wine, the sangria is pretty good as well.
620 Jones
Serves: Drinks & food
Address: 620 Jones St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone number: (415) 845-2257
Website: https://620-jones.com/
Last but not least is 620 Jones. Emphasis on the “not least”, because this restaurant is actually only on the second story. Still, it does technically count as a rooftop eatery.
Spacious and welcoming, 620 Jones is perfect for meeting up with friends after a long day of work. Despite having a fairly casual menu, the restaurant still manages to feel quite upscale, which I feel works in its favour.
Although you can go here for pretty much any meal, 620 Jones really shines for brunch! With taste treats like Papas Bravas, Smoked Salmon Benedict, and Peach Cobbler, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a—late—start to your day!
Get out and Enjoy the Best Rooftop Restaurants San Francisco Has to Offer
I hope you get a lot of use out of this list. These are my tried-and-true best rooftop restaurants San Francisco has to offer, so—whether you live here or are just visiting—I’m sure you’ll have a great time at any and all of them. Just don’t forget to make sure to give yourself a quick double-check using the wall mirror before you head out. You always want to look your best when out and about.
Have fun, y’all, and don’t forget to tell me about your amazing dining & drinking experiences in the comments below!
Not in the mood for heading out on the town for specialty cocktails? No problem – here’s a quick Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shot recipe you can enjoy right from the comfort of your own home.
