23 Breathtaking Rooftop Restaurants in San Francisco in 2024

While this city is stunning from so many angles, it’s even better from a rooftop bar in San Francisco, preferably over a craft cocktail with friends. The Mediterranean-like climate here means you can enjoy outdoor dining pretty much all year round. While the bar and restaurant scene has always been impressive, recent years have brought about plenty of turnover in town.

That means stunning new rooftop bars in San Francisco that you may not have tried yet. Back to that incredible weather, not only is it more enjoyable to sip on a glass of local red next to the skyline, but it also means the restaurants have access to fresh, artisanal ingredients year-round. According to Forbes, this is at least part of the reason the Bay Area is such a foodie hot spot.

Your choices for a romantic anniversary date idea or even a first date idea are practically unlimited. Whether you want bay views, overlooking the big red bridge or a peek over the skyline, there’s a fantastic rooftop bar in San Francisco waiting to host you.

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• Romantic Rooftop Restaurants in San Francisco
• Best Rooftop Bars in San Francisco With a View
• New Rooftop Bars in San Francisco
• Best Rooftop Bars in San Francisco

Romantic Rooftop Restaurants in San Francisco

1. RH Rooftop Restaurant Marin

You’ll feel like you’re dining on the shores of Lake Como at this stunning rooftop restaurant in San Francisco. RH restaurants are popping up across the country, but this one takes the cake for best view. Enjoy a fresh lobster roll and a glass of champagne for a glamour-filled lunch or dinner. It’s also a top rooftop restaurant in Los Angeles and Chicago rooftop restaurant. 

2. Zteamer’s Cafe at Archimedes Banya

It doesn’t get any more relaxing than an afternoon at the Archimedes Banya Russian bath house, followed by a healthy lunch at their romantic rooftop restaurant in San Francisco. Snack on traditional dishes like borscht, piroshki or solyanka, a sour soup made with beef, pork, pickles and veggies. 

3. El Techo

Enjoy some authentic Mexican cuisine at this rooftop restaurant in San Francisco. Expansive views of the city are the perfect backdrop for Latin street food and delicious margaritas. Al fresco dining here is highly coveted, so make a reservation in advance. 

4. Dirty Habit

While it might not have expansive views of the city, this rooftop restaurant in San Francisco packs a punch in terms of cozy ambiance and delicious food. Whether you’re going for brioche French toast or corned beef hash for brunch or roasted bone marrow with shallot jam and chili-spiced chicken wings for happy hour, it’s a winner. 

5. Mastro’s Steakhouse

There is a strict, upscale dress code at this rooftop restaurant in San Francisco that only makes the space feel that much more elegant. The ceilings are ultra-high inside, making it feel spacious, but their al fresco dining area is truly a treat. 

6. Zingari Ristorante

Perched on top of this wonderful Italian spot is a totally private rooftop restaurant in San Francisco. It must be booked in advance and can accommodate groups of up to 20 for food or 120 for cocktail service where you can take in skyline views and live jazz. 

Best Rooftop Bars in San Francisco With a View

7. Charmaine’s

Located 120 feet above busy Market Street, this rooftop bar in San Francisco is always a hit. Step right off the elevator and into the restaurant, a mix of European chic and California cool.  Indoor and outdoor dining and sipping await and you’ll feel so comfortable and spoiled that you’ll want to stay all night. 

8. Cityscape 

With a name like Cityscape, it’s reasonable that you’d expect some of the best views at a rooftop bar in San Francisco and rest assured you won’t be disappointed. Though fully enclosed in glass to protect you from the elements, it boasts 360-degree views of the city in a sleek, yet comfortable environment. 

9. Rise Over Run

A little Bay Area wind and fog won’t stop you from enjoying a cozy happy hour at this rooftop bar in San Francisco with the best view of the skyline. It feels a bit like dining in an atrium, surrounded by crystal clear glass that affords views while protecting you from the elements. There are plenty of fire pits, heaters and even blankets available for when the wind is extra chilly.

10. Shelby’s Rooftop

Reservations are an absolute must at this rooftop bar in San Francisco, which has incredible views. With a little luck, you’ll snag a spot next to the railing where you can sit back on a comfy couch and enjoy craft cocktails and appetizers. 

11. Top of the Mark

This stunning rooftop bar in San Francisco is a bit spendy but totally iconic. Offering 360-degree views and memorable bites and sips, you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for special events like a sky-high movie night 

12. Rooftop at VIA

Right on the 12th floor of the VIA Hotel, you’ll find one of the best rooftops in San Francisco with a killer view. It’s fairly exclusive, so unless you’re a hotel guest or part of a private event, it might be tricky to secure a spot. They do keep a pretty packed social calendar that allows locals or other visitors to pop in for special events, so keep your eyes peeled! Or maybe you’ll be lucky enough to enjoy some team-building activities in San Francisco here on your company’s dime. 

New Rooftop Bars in San Francisco

13. Kaiyo

Another Peruvian-Japanese fusion spot, this new rooftop bar and restaurant in San Francisco is the place to be before a Giant’s game. Enjoy Japanese whisky highballs or a refreshing pisco sour as you enjoy ceviche or sashimi.

14. Cavaña

Feel the Latin flare at Cavaña, one of the best rooftop bars in San Francisco. Overlooking Mission Bay, you can enjoy authentic ceviche and caipirinhas with friends while listening to live music. They specialize in tequila or mezcal-forward drinks, but their watermelon and clarified milk punch is sensational on a warm day. 

15. Chotto Matte

This unique rooftop bar and restaurant in San Francisco is a special fusion of Japanese and Peruvian flavors. Right in the heart of Union Square, this luxurious spot offers fine dining with a more relaxed feel before it transforms into a hub for nightlife and post-dinner cocktails. 

16. Good Good Culture Club

A special mix of Filipina and Laotian flavors thanks to its head chefs, this new rooftop bar and restaurant in San Francisco is a must-visit. Their menu is bold and flavorful with plenty of savory and sweet options, along with an impressive selection of cocktails.

17. The Third Floor

Situated on, you guessed it, the third floor of the Jay Hotel, this new rooftop bar in San Francisco is the latest hidden gem. Plush seating surrounds several fireplaces, the perfect spot to enjoy a craft cocktail with friends, or for date ideas on San Francisco.

18. Fiorella Sunset

Fiorella has long been a beloved Italian spot in the city and their new location in the Inner Sunset is private and cozy with plenty of heaters to keep you warm for a San Fran summer night. The small rooftop area is surrounded by lush greenery and twinkling fairy lights for a romantic feel. 

Best Rooftop Bars in San Francisco

19. Starlite

This rooftop bar in San Francisco is the epitome of sexy. It’s located on the 21st floor of the Beacon Grand and though mostly indoors, it offers incredible views of the city with moody decor, just begging you to pull out your phone for an impromptu photoshoot. Starlite is the perfect spot for a pre or post-dinner drink. 

20. B Restaurant and Bar

This hidden gem has been voted as the best view in town, so you can’t go wrong with an evening spent at this rooftop bar in San Francisco. Known for prioritizing local, seasonal ingredients in their food and drinks, they also have a phenomenal raw bar that makes for a romantic date night. 

21. Rooftop 25

It’s hard to decide if the food or drinks are more mouthwatering at this lovely rooftop bar in San Francisco. You’ll just have to try both, with live music and city views to set the mood. 

22. 620 Jones

Located just five stories up, 620 Jones is an underrated rooftop bar in San Francisco. No, it doesn’t have 360-degree views of the city, but you’ll feel right in the heart of things nestled in Lower Nob Hill. Laid-back but still nice, their happy hour is solid and the rooftop is heated to keep you warm all year long. 

23. Montesacro Pinseria

This cozy rooftop restaurant and bar in San Francisco is a modern Italian joint serving up ancient-style flatbreads known as pinsa. Their covered terrace is open rain or shine and it’s a perfectly romantic spot to meet for drinks or a bite after work. 

With a fairly over-populated city and top-notch dining, don’t be surprised if you need to make reservations weeks in advance to get into your favorite rooftop bar in San Francisco. You can always make your own happy hour picnic at Salesforce Park where the ambiance is beautiful and serene thanks to the lush and diverse greenery all around you. There’s no shortage or charming, romantic or down-right booming spots for a boozy brunch or night out on the town in San Fran. 

For even more fun things to do in San Francisco, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!