The Resy Guide to Outdoor Dining in San Francisco and the Bay Area

We go to Snail Bar for the excellent food, of course — snails with cashew miso butter and kumquats, ice cold petit plateaus filled with pristine bivalves and scallops, and the best grilled cheese sandwich in the East Bay. And then there’s the divine natural wine of course. But really it’s the vibe that gets us every time, especially outside as the sun sets its glow on the bright white building. Wine barrels make the best tables.

Let the Shawns at Prubechu teach you a thing or two about Guamanian cuisine. We almost prefer dining outside at their vibey parking lot patio, where the beats are chill and put you in the right mood to feast on Chamorro barbecue paired with funky and fresh vivacious natural wines.

The backyard patio at Del Popolo feels like a hidden oasis in the middle of a concrete jungle. It’s a nice peaceful place to enjoy some of the excellent leopard-spotted pies. Don’t forget an order or three of their seasonal, vegetable-forward small plates to start, especially now that spring is in full force.

Scoring a table at Rich Table can be difficult, but here’s a pro tip: If you opt for outdoors in their stylish parklet, your chances are a little bit better. Plus, chef de cuisine Gizela Ho and co. recently reintroduced a refreshed menu, so now would be a good time as any to visit.

Duck for two on the patio please. And if it gets chilly, don’t worry, owner Paul Einbund opted for the super powerful flame-throwing heaters to keep you warm. He also offers a nice selection of to help keep you warm.

The enclosed patio in the cul-de-sac in the middle of the Dogpatch just feels so warm and neighborhoody. It’s extension of the gem of a restaurant that is Piccino. A plate (or two) of excellent pasta helps, too.

Good Good Culture Club is always packed and remains one of the most coveted tables in town — especially those on its beautiful rooftop patio. NB: They do save a few outdoor tables for walk-ins where you can take in the beauty of Women’s Building mural across the street while feasting on fun heritage-driven fare, which is unlike anything else in town, with the story to match.

The beachside favorite is back with new owners, and the outdoor set-up is an extension of the neighborhood staple’s signature interior wood design. Brunch is walk-in only, but dinner service — cocktails and comfort food — is made for reservations.

There’s nothing like a good ol’ classic steakhouse with its white tablecloth and wooden chairs. Izzy’s scratches that itch, and brings it outside too, where you can feast on blackened ribeyes with creamed spinach and baked potatoes. Don’t forget the martini.

Bar Crudo has one of the best happy hours in the city, with $5 beers, $9 glasses of wine, $2 oysters, and just $12 for a bowl of some of the best darn seafood chowder in San Francisco. Warms the soul and the body, especially if you enjoy outside on their wonderful patio on Divisadero.

Located on the 17th floor of the LUMA hotel, take in sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay and cityscape while sipping on Latin American inspired food and drink. From stuffed arepas to zippy aguachiles to pastels filled with braised beef, there’s plenty to help you sip a little bit slower and stay a little bit longer.

One genius pandemic pivot was the introduction of the A5 + seafood yakiniku at Fish & Bird — luckily it’s here to stay. Do-it-yourself big beautiful marbled beef and plump prawns and other sea creatures grill slowly over binchotan charcoals in Berkeley.

The Nido folks opened Odin Mezcaleria, but the Backyard remains a great draw on warm days — an all-day outdoor restaurant just off the Oakland waterfront, serving up tacos, ceviche, and all kinds of agave-based cocktails.

Ungrafted continues to evolve as one of our favorite spots. Now with food crafted by new executive chef David Aviles, the food matches the wines from Master Sommeliers Rebecca Fineman and Christopher Gaithe. You can book an al fresco Resy for either drinks or dinner.

Enjoy one of the most beautiful restaurants in town in its singular courtyard, with a menu that includes freshly sliced fish for sashimi and hand-cut udon using impeccable produce and locally sourced ingredients.

Feast on Intu-On Kornnawong’s fiery fare — squid ink laab, the famous shrimp mousse toast, brisket pad kee mao with the smoking woods assist, and more, at Jo’s Modern Thai in Oakland. There’s a nice vibey back patio with heaters to keep you warm if the food isn’t enough.