Best Restaurants for People Watching in Mission District

31 restaurants available nearby

1. Foreign Cinema

4.8

Exceptional(8815)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Mission District

Booked 67 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.

2. El Techo

4.6

Exceptional(399)

Price: Moderate

• Latin American • Mission District

Booked 11 times today

El Techo is the heated and covered open-air rooftop restaurant above Lolinda. Offering sweeping city views, pan-Latin American casual cuisine, and crafty classic cocktails, we are the perfect venue for your celebration or as a compliment to your dinner at the Mission's finest steakhouse. Fun food, festive cocktails "del Sol" and the best rooftop skyline in SF.

3. Curio

4.3

Awesome(298)

Price: Moderate

• Comfort Food • Mission District

Booked 10 times today

Curio is a bar and restaurant that honors all things unconventional. Located next to The Chapel, the Mission’s most prominent performance venue, the space brings together some of life’s greatest pleasures – well-crafted cocktails, regional American food, and live music. The eclectic space draws inspiration from the building’s past as a mortuary, exploring the mysterious themes of life and time.

A photo of Little Original Joe's -- Marina restaurant

4. Little Original Joe's -- Marina

4.9

Exceptional(54)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio

Booked 31 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!

5. Boulevard

4.7

Exceptional(9087)

Price: Very Expensive

• Californian • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 42 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.

6. Starlite

4.4

Awesome(159)

Price: Expensive

• Cocktail Bar • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 34 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.

7. Blind Butcher

4.5

Awesome(499)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • The Castro

Booked 31 times today

Nestled in the Castro District off Eighteenth and Hartford, Blind Butcher San Francisco features an urban setting that is modern and sophisticated, yet stunningly warm and inviting. The globally inspired New American menu features hand cut prime steaks, bountiful seafood and local organic produce. From small to big bites each dish highlights an inventive flair for marrying diverse flavors with natural organic ingredients into a gastronomic delight. Our wine program offers a superb variety that inspires daring pairings at prices that encourage exploration. Our professional staff is dedicated to crafting a memorable dining experience for our guests, and they share a commitment to quality and a passion to serve you.

8. Bon Delire

new

4.7

Exceptional(105)

Price: Expensive

• French • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 53 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.

9. Cultivar

4.8

Exceptional(239)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio

Booked 5 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

10. STK - San Francisco

4.0

Excellent(1273)

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

J
JudyeVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •19 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Best medium rare burger . Perfectly cooked. Nice Ambience. And easy access to the chapel. Will come back for sure
More info
CurioPrice: Moderate• Comfort Food• Mission District
•
4.3
A
Anna
San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 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 District
•
4.8
S
Sandra
San Francisco Bay Area •44 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
One of the prettiest places to eat in San Francisco or anywhere for that matter especially at Christmas. Lovely dining experience. Dining room is pre fixe but lots of offerings make it a great deal before you add wine/cocktails but it’s a great bar list so splurge! Service is excellent although watch they don’t rush you through your courses. A great place to take friends or visitors in town or for any celebration. The bar and kitchen view seats are great for people watching.
More info
BoulevardPrice: Very Expensive• Californian• Financial District / Embarcadero
•
4.7
M
Marla
San Francisco Bay Area •31 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 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
K
Kalief
San Francisco Bay Area •3 reviews
5.0
Dined on 4 Dec 2024
Great—as always! The food is consistently good, the ambiance was lively and warm and the server was incredibly attentive.
More info
El TechoPrice: Moderate• Latin American• Mission District
•
4.6

Best Restaurants for People Watching in Mission District

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31 restaurants available nearby

1. Foreign Cinema

2. El Techo

3. Curio

4. Little Original Joe's -- Marina

5. Boulevard

6. Starlite

7. Blind Butcher

8. Bon Delire

9. Cultivar

10. STK - San Francisco

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