Best Restaurants for People Watching in Pacific Heights

31 restaurants available nearby

1. Chouquet's

4.8

Exceptional(1710)

Price: Moderate

• French • Pacific Heights

Booked 24 times today

A couple enjoying each others company tucked into a banquette late in the evening…a group of girlfriends people-watching from the sidewalk tables over brunch…two neighbors stopping by to grab lunch at the bar. These people all have one thing in common as they enjoy a meal here on Fillmore Street in Pacific Heights- Chouquet's. Whether inside our dining room or outside under the heated protection of our large awning, diners come to Chouquet’s to enjoy fresh, seasonal French bistro fare in a casual yet refined environment. Join us for lunch, brunch, or dinner and let us satisfy you with signature dishes such as our boeuf bourguignon, duck confit, onion soup or with bistro classics such as steak frites, moules marinière, and our famous crème brûlée for dessert. To complement your meal, we offer over 20 wines by the glass from our eclectic wine list of smaller producers.

2. The Progress

4.8

Exceptional(2466)

Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary American • Western Addition

Booked 29 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

3. Little Original Joe's -- Marina

4.9

Exceptional(56)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio

Booked 24 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!

4. Foreign Cinema

4.8

Exceptional(8815)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Mission

Booked 58 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.

5. Cultivar

4.8

Exceptional(239)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio

Booked 1 time 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.

6. Starlite

4.4

Awesome(159)

Price: Expensive

• Cocktail Bar • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 28 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 Flores - Union Street restaurant

7. Flores - Union Street

4.6

Exceptional(566)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio

Booked 33 times today

Flores is San Francisco’s Mexican restaurant serving traditional Mexican food and contemporary cocktails. At Flores, we stay true to our roots, finding inspiration in Mexico’s food, landscape and culture. We’re serious about our food, but we’re even more serious about having fun.5% surcharge will be added to all guest checks for employee benefit, including health insurance, commuter benefit, sick days, and minimum wage ordinance.

8. Boulevard

4.7

Exceptional(9088)

Price: Very Expensive

• Californian • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 24 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.

9. Bon Delire

4.7

Exceptional(105)

Price: Expensive

• French • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 32 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 STK - San Francisco restaurant

10. STK - San Francisco

4.0

Excellent(1276)

Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 101 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.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

A
Alex
San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day 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
A
Anna
San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 4 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
J
JulienVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •7 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Excellent all around! We had the boeuf bourguignon, steak frites, blanquette de veau. All delicious. We also enjoyed the desserts, we’d recommend the crème brûlée and chocolate fondant. Great atmosphere inside and great staff.
More info
Chouquet'sPrice: Moderate• French• Pacific Heights
•
4.8
M
Marla
San Francisco Bay Area •31 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
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
L
LilyVIP
New York City •1 review
5.0
Dined on 15 Dec 2024
The pop music wasn’t amazing but the brunch and mulled wine were delicious as always
More info
CultivarPrice: Expensive• Californian• Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio
•
4.8

Best Restaurants for People Watching in Pacific Heights

Price

Cuisine

Regions

Areas

Top Rated

Dining Options

Seating options

Award-winning

Accessibility

31 restaurants available nearby

1. Chouquet's

2. The Progress

3. Little Original Joe's -- Marina

4. Foreign Cinema

5. Cultivar

6. Starlite

7. Flores - Union Street

8. Boulevard

9. Bon Delire

10. STK - San Francisco

See what locals rave about

Explore OpenTable