Best Restaurants for People Watching in Forest Hill / West Portal

30 restaurants available nearby

1. Foreign Cinema

4.8

Exceptional(8815)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Mission District

Booked 72 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 Little Original Joe's -- Marina restaurant

2. Little Original Joe's -- Marina

4.9

Exceptional(54)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio

Booked 30 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!

3. Starlite

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.

4. Cultivar

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.

5. Blind Butcher

4.5

Awesome(499)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • The Castro

Booked 29 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.

6. El Techo

4.6

Exceptional(399)

Price: Moderate

• Latin American • Mission District

Booked 10 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.

A photo of Flores - Union Street restaurant

7. Flores - Union Street

4.6

Exceptional(566)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio

Booked 54 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.

A photo of Chotto Matte San Francisco restaurant

8. Chotto Matte San Francisco

4.4

Awesome(64)

Price: Very Expensive

• Asian • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 11 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 Pacific Catch - Sunset District restaurant

9. Pacific Catch - Sunset District

4.6

Exceptional(1884)

Price: Moderate

• Seafood • Sunset District

Booked 17 times today

Full remodel completed July 2022 with transformed New Bar and Dining Room but same great hospitality, food and drinks Pacific Catch is a WestCoast Fish House dedicated to delivering high quality sustainable seafood with a unique perspective. From the day we opened we've been mindful about where our ingredients come from and how to bring to life the vibrant flavors and feeling of the Pacific. It's our commitment to our guests to keep things interesting, innovative, wholesome and thoughtfully sourced. That's why we've formalized our relationship with the Monterey Bay Seafood Aquarium's Seafood Watch, James Beard Foundation's Smart Catch and the Surfrider Foundation by becoming a partner and bringing on a director of sustainability to help steward these efforts.

10. Taksim

4.9

Exceptional(373)

Price: Expensive

• Turkish • SOMA

Booked 20 times today

Taksim is inspired by a modern approach to authentic Mediterranean cuisine. Our team has a profound love for Mediterranean gastronomy, a dedication to refinement, and a commitment to using the best ingredients.Taksim focuses on contemporary and often playful versions of classic ideas. Our seasonal menu reflects a fresh gastronomic outlook rooted in memories, where each dish is conceived with a specific culinary philosophy.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

T
TZVETENINA
San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 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
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
K
KEVIN
San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
I would consider this a fine dining restaurant if it weren’t for the fact that they have a DJ at the doorway, playing extremely loud bad remixes of old records. Other than that, our service person was attentive; the food was flavorful; the drinks were well mixed and it has a nice look in the interior of the restaurant.
More info
Blind ButcherPrice: Expensive• Californian• The Castro
•
4.5
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
L
LilyVIP
New York City •1 review
5.0
Dined on Dec 15, 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 Forest Hill / West Portal

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30 restaurants available nearby

1. Foreign Cinema

2. Little Original Joe's -- Marina

3. Starlite

4. Cultivar

5. Blind Butcher

6. El Techo

7. Flores - Union Street

8. Chotto Matte San Francisco

9. Pacific Catch - Sunset District

10. Taksim

See what locals rave about

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