Top 8 Rooftop Restaurants in San Francisco
Are you looking for a unique brunch spot with a view? How about an ideal spot for a private dinner or cocktail party? Perhaps you’re simply in search of the perfect place to enjoy dinner on a Friday night. Whatever your needs, you’ll find it all when it comes to San Francisco’s rooftop restaurants!
The view from a rooftop is something that most people can only see from a window. However, not everyone knows about the hidden rooftops of San Francisco that are accessible to visitors. There are many restaurants in this city with awesome views, but not all have the same level of access. Some have windows, some have entrances on a lower floor, and others require you to climb stairs until you reach the top of the building.
This article features the top 8 rooftop restaurants in San Francisco where you can eat and drink while admiring the views around you. They aren’t easy to find, but once discovered you’ll be happy to return again and again.
8 Best Rooftop Restaurants in San Francisco
There are plenty of rooftop restaurants in San Francisco, but only a few of them are open to the public. This means that you’ll need to make a reservation, know about a secret entrance, or climb the stairs to get access. Some restaurants require you to pay extra for rooftop access, but many are included in the price of the meal. So, when you visit any of these 8 rooftop restaurants in San Francisco, be sure to ask about rooftop access before you place your order.
These rooftop restaurants in San Francisco are all unique and have their own style and feel. They range from a Mexican rooftop cantina with a view of the Bay Bridge to a French bistro with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge. No matter what kind of food you like or what style appeals to you, there’s something for everyone high above the city.
Berean Restaurant and Lounge
If you’re looking to see the best view of the Bay Bridge in San Francisco, then you have to visit the rooftop of the Berean Restaurant and Lounge. This is one of the best places to watch the sunset over the water after a long day of walking around the city. The location is near the ballpark, making it a great place for baseball fans to end their day before heading home. It’s also close to the Moscone Center, where many conventions are held in the city each year.
Everything on the menu is good, but their honey-garlic chicken wings are popular items that won’t disappoint. This restaurant is part of the Hyatt hotel, which means you can also get access to the pool on the rooftop of the hotel. This is a great amenity for those visiting during the summer months when the rooftop view is great but the water is too cold to swim.
Aqua: A Royce Hotel Restaurant
The Royce Hotel is a boutique hotel in the Nob Hill neighborhood near Union Square. It has a rooftop restaurant called Aqua that offers great views of Nob Hill and Coit Tower. The menu here is primarily focused on seafood, so those who prefer to eat fish will be in heaven. This is a good option for family visits because the food is light and won’t leave anyone feeling weighed down.
If you visit on a Friday or Saturday night, you are likely to hear live music. This is a high-energy place and is most enjoyable when you have a large group of people with you. The bar is 10-deep during these popular nights, so be sure to come early so you can get a seat. You might be waiting in line outside, but it’s well worth it when you reach the top.
1505 Restaurant and Bar
If you enjoy Asian fusion food, then you will love the rooftop bar and restaurant at the Westin Hotel in Union Square. The menu here is mostly Asian-fusion dishes but also has a few steak and chicken dishes for those who don’t like seafood. The panoramic view of Union Square and the surrounding financial buildings makes this a great place to bring a date or business associates.
The décor is modern and classy, making it a place you can visit on any occasion. The 1505 Roof Bar is open from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. every day so it’s a good place to go for a light dinner or a late-night snack. The rooftop bar has a happy hour special from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. and again from 10 p.m. until closing. If you go during those times, you’ll get discounted prices on appetizers and drinks.
Epic Rotisserie & Grill
If you’re looking for an upscale meal with a view to match, then Epic Rotisserie & Grill is the place to go. Located in the Intercontinental Hotel near Union Square, Epic features a menu full of roasted meats and seafood. It’s a great place to have dinner before taking in a show at one of the nearby theaters. Some nights you can also catch a DJ or live musical group performing while you dine.
This is one of the best rooftop restaurants in San Francisco because you can see so many different neighborhoods from the rooftop patio. You can see Nob Hill, Union Square, the Financial District, and Chinatown from the same seat. The chefs here are very talented and can craft a unique meal for every guest that’s sure to please, no matter what dietary restrictions or preferences you have.
Nespresso® roastery and cafe`
This is one of the best places in San Francisco to go for coffee, but it’s also a great rooftop restaurant if you can get a seat. The cafe` is on the top floor of Bloomingdale’s store in the Fashion District. It’s not easy to get a table, but if you arrive before 10 a.m. you have a 50-50 chance of getting a seat.
If you want a guaranteed table, you can order one online the day before. You’ll need to select a time and the number of people at your party, but this is the only way to get a table without a wait. Not all of the tables are the same, but the view from any of them is worth the wait and the cost of the meal. The food and coffee are great, but the outdoor patio is the real attraction.
Coppola Restaurant
The roof of this restaurant is less noteworthy than the views from the dining room below, but it still offers a great place to grab a meal. Located in the Hotel Californian, this is a good option for those staying in the hotel. It’s also a good place to stop before or after visiting the Exploratorium or the California Academy of Sciences. You can get a table along the window or next to the fireplace if you prefer a quieter setting.
The menu is Italian-inspired, but there are also options for vegetarians and gluten-free eaters. You can get a table quickly during the week and enjoy a quiet meal before heading out for the rest of your day. The lunch menu is very reasonably priced, making it a good place to go before you visit one of the nearby museums.
Cantina Roof Top
The rooftop restaurant at the Hotel Valencia isn’t just another place to enjoy a meal. It also has a bar and hosts weekly special events. On Mondays, you can enjoy live music as you dine on Mexican food. On Tuesdays, you can enjoy Salsa dancing lessons before the dancing starts from 8 p.m. until late. Wednesdays are devoted to jazz music, followed on Thursdays by Latin music. The food is great, but the real attraction is the dancing.
If you love to dance or want to try something different, this is an experience you won’t soon forget. The music is high-energy and everyone gets involved. The drinks are also strong and plentiful, making this a rooftop bar where you can let go and be silly with the people you came with.
Rogue Restaurant and Bar
The Rogue Restaurant and Bar is on the rooftop of the Hilton Hotel near Union Square. It’s a good place to go before or after you spend a day walking around the city or before you head to a Broadway show. You can get a table by the window and watch the city go by while you dine. If you prefer, you can sit by the fireplace and enjoy a quiet meal with a view of the water.
The menu is American with a bit of a Southwest flair. You can enjoy a drink or a meal while you take in the view. This is a good rooftop restaurant in San Francisco if you want to be above the hustle and bustle of the city but close enough to see it. You can bring a group of people or go on a date while still feeling like you’re not.
Conclusion
Even though most people think San Francisco is only about the Golden Gate Bridge, the city actually has many other great landmarks worth seeing. The best way to discover them is from above. If you have a rooftop restaurant in the city, then it makes sense to eat there. You’ll be able to see many more of the best sights than if you were to eat at a restaurant downstairs.
If you don’t have rooftop restaurants in San Francisco, then you can still get the best view of the city from a window. But be sure to book a table so you can avoid the rush on sunny days. Once you’ve found the right restaurant and a good view, you can order some food and enjoy your surroundings.
