A hub of entertainment and excitement, San Francisco is a renowned cultural, financial and commercial center in North California. The most populous city in the United States, Frisco started growing in popularity post-1849, when the Californian Gold Rush came into existence. The city is famous for a plethora of attractions. Some of them are the classic Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Golden Gate Park, Lombard Street, Muir Woods National Monument, and Union Square among others. Along with this, the restaurants of the city are also quite popular, especially its rooftop restaurants. So, let’s check out some of the best rooftop restaurants in San Francisco, California, below.
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1. Top of the Mark
Nestled in InterContinental Mark Hopkins, Top of the Mark is a renowned cocktail bar boasting San Francisco’s sweeping vistas. This bar and restaurant were once an 11-room penthouse, which has been converted into a glass cocktail lounge. It is quite popular for its tapas and cocktails. While here, you can try out the California cheese plate, baked Camembert, potato bun sliders, and Dungeness crab quesadilla. And in drinks, try out the hush lush, El Diablo, and whiskey cocktail among others.
Top of the Mark
Address: 999 California St, San Francisco, CA 94108, United States
Website: Top of the Mark
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 4:30pm - 11:30pm; Fri - Sat: 4:30pm - 12:30am; Sun: 10am - 1pm, 4:30pm - 11:30pm
2. El Techo
Nestled right above the Argentinian steakhouse, El Techo serves a variety of Latin American street delicacies and cocktails within a casual atmosphere. The cocktails offered here have a classic and a modern twist to them. Visitors can enjoy sweeping views of the areas surrounding the rooftop restaurant. Try the crowd favorites such as the chips and salsa, carne asada, yuca frita, and quesadilla de hongos. You can also opt for getting brunch on the rooftop patio.
El Techo
Address: 2516 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110, United States
Website: El Techo
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 4pm - 10:30pm; Fri: 4pm - 12:30am; Sat: 11am - 12:30am; Sun: 11am - 10:30pm
3. Cliff House
No matter what you are after, an elegant evening or a fun afternoon, you will get both at Cliff House. The rooftop restaurant boasts impressive views of the ocean and it is known for offering all-day bites of the Californian cuisines. Some of the must-try dishes here include light smoked house-cured Scottish salmon, classic Ceasar salad, Dungeness crab cakes, and foraged mushroom & spinach saffron risotto.
Cliff House
Address: 1090 Point Lobos Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121, United States
Website: Cliff House
Opening hours: 9am - 9:30pm (daily)
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4. Lolinda
Want to try something different for a change? How does an Argentinean cuisine sound to you? Lolinda in San Francisco’s Mission District is an Argentinian steakhouse nestled on the rooftop, boasting a vibrant atmosphere. The restaurant is known for serving an array of meats that are carefully cooked over the wood-fired grill. All the dishes served here go perfectly well with the handcrafted cocktails, craft beers, and wine.
Lolinda
Address: 2518 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110, United States
Website: Lolinda
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 5:30pm - 11pm; Fri - Sat: 5:30pm - 12am
5. Gary Danko
An American cuisine restaurant in an elegant yet relaxed setting, Gary Danko opened its doors to the public over 20 years ago. Nestled in the historic Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood, Gary Danko was opened by its namesake, a renowned chef Gary Danko. The restaurant has served some of the award-winning dishes that included a combination of the locally sourced ingredients, along with the classic French-style method of cooking. While at the restaurant, try glazed oysters, edamame, parsnips, lobster, seared filet, and more from the menu.
Gary Danko
Address: 800 North Point St, San Francisco, CA 94109, United States
Website: Gary Danko
Opening hours: 5:30pm - 10pm (daily)
6. Dirty Habit
Sitting on the fifth floor in Hotel Zelos of San Francisco, Dirty Habit is renowned for serving American dishes, while the bar offers a variety of spirits from across the world along with cocktails served in a unique glasses. Visitors can either sit inside the restaurant and bar or the outside patio. The ambiance in both spaces is cozy and warm, perfect to enjoy a bar snack and drinks in the evening with friends.
Dirty Habit
Address: 12 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States
Website: Dirty Habit
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 7am - 10am, 5pm - 11pm; Sat: 7am - 11am, 5pm - 11pm; Sun: 7am - 11am
7. Rooftop 25
If you are looking for a place to grab some nice grub while downing some fun concoctions, then Rooftop 25 is the best place to be. The restaurant exudes a relaxing vibe, and it is known for offering wood-fired pizzas, sandwiches, and many other bar snacks. It also boasts stunning views of the surroundings, which makes it a great place to enjoy a late lunch or dinner. Crispy pork belly, charred Spanish octopus, shaved radish salad, caviar bumps, Berkshire pork chop, and herb-roasted chicken are some of the favorites at this restaurant.
Rooftop 25
Address: 25 Lusk St, San Francisco, CA 94107, United States
Website: Rooftop 25
Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 11:30am - 8pm; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 10pm; Sun: 11:30am - 8pm
8. STEM Kitchen & Garden
Those craving for Mediterranean dishes, STEM Kitchen & Garden is the best place to grab a bite. The ingredients used on the dishes are grown on-site. The tastefully furnished restaurant exudes an elegant atmosphere, which seems like a perfect location for a dinner date. This modern Mediterranean spot also comes with fire pits and backyard bocce. Along with stunning views and great service, the restaurant is known for its dishes like the roasted beet salad, seared tuna, lamb burger, sausage pizza, and many others.
STEM Kitchen & Garden
Address: 499 Illinois St, San Francisco, CA 94158, United States
Website: STEM Kitchen & Garden
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 11am - 9pm; Sat: 4pm - 9pm (closed on Sun)
9. Jones
One of the best restaurants in San Francisco, Jones is not exactly what comes to mind when you imagine a rooftop bar. Cradling between apartment buildings in Tenderloin district, this rooftop restaurant is warm, welcoming, and spacious. There is a long ramp near the entrance that takes customers right through the outdoor area and you can also choose where to sit, considering the two bar spaces. The handcrafted drinks are prepared delicately and with a lot of care. You can enjoy these drinks either on one of the planter boxes or the picnic tables. As SF tends to get quite cold, there are heaters provided on the outside area and covers during the rain.
Jones
Address: 620 Jones St, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States
Website: Jones
Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 5pm - 12am; Fri: 3pm - 2am; Sat: 11am - 2am; Sun: 11am - 3:30pm
10. Trace
Nestled within the W Hotel right in the heart of the SoMa district, Trace is a farm-to-table restaurant committed to serving the best American dishes amidst a modern setting. The rooftop restaurant boasts views of the Bay Area. All the dishes are made using sustainable and locally sourced ingredients. Along with this, the restaurant offers warm service and refreshing ambiance.
Trace
Address: 181 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94105, United States
Website: Trace
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 6:30am - 10pm; Sat - Sun: 7am - 10pm
Great food and stunning city views
If you are tired of dining at the old-school restaurants and bars, then it is high time you head to the rooftop restaurants of San Francisco, California. Make sure to use this guide as a reference the next time you are in SF, for a fun dining experience that lasts a lifetime.
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