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Best Restaurants for People Watching in Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness

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32 restaurants available nearby

A photo of The Progress restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(2466)
Price: Very Expensive
• Contemporary American • Western Addition
Booked 17 times today
The Progress is a vehicle for a completely local production. Innovative meals are served with memorable wine & cocktails. The Greatest Dinner Party Ever.
A photo of Little Original Joe's -- Marina restaurant
4.9
Exceptional(56)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio
Booked 14 times today
Welcome to Little Original Joe's -- an Italian-American neighborhood eatery featuring pizza, pasta, and parmigiana in San Francisco's Marina neighborhood! Limited reservations are available for up to 6 guests -- we look forward to seeing you soon!
A photo of Foreign Cinema restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(8815)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Mission
Booked 63 times today
Foreign Cinema is a one of a kind, nationally acclaimed restaurant combining independent films with California-Mediterranean cooking. Enjoy an airy yet chic setting, complete with indoor dining room with a fireplace, outdoor courtyard with 35mm film screening starting at dusk, mezzanine, gallery curated by Modernism West & full bar in the main dining room. Foreign Cinema has something for everyone including their DJ/live music bar, Laszlo. Enjoy special happy hours, uniquely craft cocktails, zero proof selections, full Foreign Cinema dinner menu, and lively music to end your evening.We are currently booking for Outdoor Patio & Indoor/Standard seating 60 days in advance. A ‘standard seating’ reservation is indoor dining. Reservations for 10+ may be booked through private dining department - contact janine@foreigncinema.com for more information.
A photo of Starlite restaurant
4.4
Awesome(159)
Price: Expensive
• Cocktail Bar • Financial District / Embarcadero
Booked 33 times today
Starlite is a historic San Francisco cocktail bar with nearly a century of vibrant stories. Renowned for hosting lively parties and attracting iconic figures like Alan Ginsberg, Starlite invites guests to the Beacon Grand’s 21st-floor, featuring refreshed interiors by San Francisco designer Alice Crumeyrolle. The atmosphere is set with rich velvet fabrics and a jewel-tone palette inspired by the Art Deco Era, paying homage to the city’s icons. Crafted by Scott Baird of Trick Dog fame, the cocktails are both playful and meticulously made. Michelin-award-winning chef Johnny Spero curates a menu that celebrates San Francisco’s culinary artistry, drawing inspiration from international fare. Enhancing the experience are nightly, all-vinyl DJ sets by music director Nina Tarr.
A photo of Boulevard restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(9092)
Price: Very Expensive
• Californian • Financial District / Embarcadero
Booked 27 times today
Chefs Nancy Oakes, Chef Dana Younkin and our entire team, look forward to welcoming you to a refreshed and reimagined Boulevard! The dining room features a 3 course prix fixe menu with a multitude of choices. For the more spontaneous sorts; our bar, lounge and chef's counter is available on a walk-in basis and limited reservations. An a la carte menu is offered in these areas. For private events and larger groups, please check our our website.
A photo of Bon Delire restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(106)
Price: Expensive
• French • Financial District / Embarcadero
Booked 24 times today
Bon Délire’s chic yet approachable atmosphere draws inspiration from the cafés, lounges, and bistros of Paris. The interior boasts a sculpted horseshoe-shaped wooden bar, plush banquettes, and vibrant, European-imported furnishings that invite intimate dining and lounging. Guests can enjoy indoor seating with views of the Bay Bridge, or relax at the outdoor cafe-style seating, framed by planter boxes and umbrellas, perfect for people-watching along the Embarcadero.At night, the space comes alive with flickering projections of vintage French films and a relaxed, nostalgic soundtrack of throwback French and American tunes, making Bon Délire a sophisticated yet cozy setting for private and semi-private events.
A photo of Cultivar restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(239)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio
Booked 2 times today
Mo-Sat: Food until 9pm, Wine until 10pm Sun: Food until 8:45pm Wine until 9pmSat/Sun: Brunch: 11am-3pm Cultivar San Francisco is an wine-centric farm to table restaurant by Cultivar Wine. The menu is inspired by locally-sourced seasonal ingredients including from our culinary garden at Caspar Estate. The menu complements hand-crafted wines from our Cultivar Winery and boutique wines from California and beyond. Cultivar Wine club flights are available. Cultivar Wine Club members get 20% off their Cultivar wine and Cultivar food. Join our Cultivar Wine Club!Our back patio has a fireplace, heaters and festive lighting, perfect setting for a private dinner or a celebration. Sidewalk tables on Chestnut have heaters, great for people watching and guests with dogs. Seasonal dishes and Cultivar Wines available for take out and to go.Our location is near the Lyon St. entrance to the Presidio, near the Palace of Fine Arts and in the Marina District of San Francisco.
A photo of STK - San Francisco restaurant
4.0
Excellent(1278)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • Financial District / Embarcadero
Booked 110 times today
STK Steakhouse is “not your daddy’s steakhouse,” offering a high-energy dining experience that artfully combines the superior quality of a traditional steakhouse with a Vibe Dining atmosphere unlike any other. Delectable cuisine, upscale cocktails and an elevated Happy Hour, along with an in-house DJ and chic décor, all come together to offer a memorable fine dining experience that keeps guests enjoying their evening from drinks to dinner to late night. STK’s menu features reimagined classic American cuisine for lunch, brunch and dinner with unique local flair infused into each location’s menu. The brand’s beef program focuses on the highest quality, delicious and craveable steaks while emphasizing transparency and traceable sourcing practices.
A photo of Chotto Matte San Francisco restaurant
4.3
Awesome(66)
Price: Very Expensive
• Asian • Downtown / Union Square
Booked 4 times today
Coming Soon Fall 2023! Situated in Downtown San Francisco, Chotto Matte is renowned for its signature Nikkei Cuisine, expertly crafted cocktails, and electric atmosphere. Chotto Matte’s chic, contemporary interior is inspired by its Japanese & Peruvian roots, making it a unique dining experience, every time. Key highlights include Chotto’s recognisable bold design, tropical foliage and theatrical robata grill.
A photo of COQUETA - San Francisco restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(3366)
Price: Very Expensive
• Spanish • Financial District / Embarcadero
Booked 17 times today
Brought to you by Award Winning Chef Michael Chiarello and located at Pier 5 on the bustling San Francisco Waterfront, Coqueta is inspired by the cuisines of Spain. Chef Chiarello feels that Spain’s signature ‘small plates’ coupled with the social vibrancy of their dining scene is the perfect combination for San Francisco, which has its own deep-rooted history with the country. Focusing on regional dishes from Madrid, Catalonia, the Basque Country and beyond, the menu will feature Chiarello's interpretation of traditional Spanish cuisine and, as has always been his tradition, will highlight the bounty of fresh, local ingredients from land and sea.Coqueta means “flirt” or “infatuation” in Spanish, and represents Michael Chiarello and his team’s exploration and interpretation of Spanish Cuisine, wine and inspired cocktails, while highlighting the bounty of Northern California.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Jason
    Phoenix / Arizona •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    We did the Christmas Eve three course tasting menu. Absolutely delicious! Service was immaculate and the atmosphere was spectacular. In a world where restaurants aren’t afraid to charge first class prices for third class food, this was a nice find. Not cheap, but absolutely worth every penny.
    More info
    BoulevardPrice: Very Expensive• Californian• Financial District / Embarcadero
    4.7
  • Alex
    San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    Second time being here but I brought more of my family this time and it was incredible. I would get everything again, service was amazing too. Would recommend to anyone!
    More info
    The ProgressPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary American• Western Addition
    4.8
  • TZVETENINA
    San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    Starlite is an amazing place if you want to have a magical experience! One of the best rooftop in San Francisco! The staff was so friendly and helpful. We were served right away! The drinks were DELICIOUS! Our bartender Mark was fantastic! And of course the locations and the view were breathtaking! I am definitely coming back!
    More info
    StarlitePrice: Expensive• Cocktail Bar• Financial District / Embarcadero
    4.4
  • Anna
    San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    We LOVED this restaurant. We sat inside so we couldn’t see the movie, but that wasn’t really an issue. The restaurant itself was stunning. Our server David was absolutely lovely. He really made our experience. The food was great, we got the smoked salmon, burrata with pears, sesame chicken, and pork chop. Everything was delicious. For dessert we got crème brûlée and a sort of chocolate mousse. Fantastic. It’s an expensive date but you pay for the food and the experience. Would go again!
    More info
    Foreign CinemaPrice: Expensive• Californian• Mission
    4.8
  • Marla
    San Francisco Bay Area •31 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on 18 Dec 2024
    Staff was fabulous!!! Very friendly and attentive. Food was good, nice variety and well styled.
    More info
    Little Original Joe's -- MarinaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio
    4.9
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