With the cheesiest day of the year fast approaching I thought I’d share some of my favorite date spots in San Francisco for you locals and for all of you who can’t wait to visit with your boo thang.
Dating in San Francisco can be pretty freaking fun because there is just simply so. much. to. do. Whether you’re into hiking, eating, day drinking or all three (like myself) there’s truly something for everyone. In fact, at times it can feel like there are too many options so I thought I’d come up with 5 different options for the ultimate SF date. Feel free to use this guide to treat your S.O., impress a first date or even better, take out one of your girls and spend the night gossiping about all of your dates! My favorite pass time 🙂
Here are my favorite date spots in San Francisco:
PASTA & WINE = COUPLE GOALS
My favorite restaurant in the city is called Flour + Water and it is truly a pasta lover’s dream. With a constantly rotating menu that includes locally sourced, creative and seasonal ingredients and homemade pasta that is cooked to perfection you will truly feel like you’ve died and gone to heaven.
Flour + Water also has the perfect vibes for a date. Low lighting, great music lightly playing in the background, cozy candles everywhere and great service. Their regular menu is pretty moderately priced but what I really recommend for a fancy splurgy date is to do the pasta tasting. They’ll bring out several of their dishes for you to try and you can opt to pay extra and do the wine pairings with each dish as well. Definitely not first date material because of the price but I would recommend playing the birthday girl card and getting your S.O. to wine and dine you like the queen you are!
It’s expensive but it’s worth it (use this line to convince your manz)
I recently went with one of my best friends and we had the cutest lady date and honestly I had a better time with her than I did with any of the dumb dudes I’ve been there with so if you’re looking to take your OWN self out like the independent goddess you are I think it’s also a great way to celebrate your friendship with one of your girls!
This place is popular af so you’ll need to either make a reservation or pull up a chair and get comfortable because you’ll be waiting a while for a table if you just show up. Just a warning!
Check out Flour + Water’s menu here!
MINI GOLF & HUGE BEERS
If you’re dealing with a dude (or dudette) who loves beer and some friendly competition, then this is your move.
Urban Putt is an indoor mini golf course in the mission that also has a bar. I am a huge fan of doing activities that allow you to also drink throughout the duration, so I love this place. Grab a beer and go explore the super intricate San Francisco themed course while dominating the game and letting him know what it is. Or be like me and probably lose but still continue to talk mad shit the entire time. That’s also fun!
Afterward you could walk ten minutes down to Southern Pacific Brewing and keep the beer train going in the cool warehouse style brewery. It is very San Francisco (*cough* hipster af *cough*) but I really like it because it’s so spacious in there. You can actually sit down and hear what your date is saying as opposed to what you’ll experience at other popular bars in the city.
Check out Urban Putt here and Southern Pacific Brewing here!
A ROMANTIC STROLL & MORE BEER
I have always loved Golden Gate Park because it’s just simply gorgeous and is there anything more romantic than taking a stroll through the park? I don’t think so!
Ironically this date I’m describing is one that I have been on with a guy I had a terrible time with so during that particular date I was not into it BUT with anyone else who isn’t a slimey douchebag I think it would be totally enjoyable.
To hear how that date went read my 7 Worst Dates blog post here!
Walking through the park on a nice day is truly dreamy, especially if you walk past Stow Lake with all the swans in the water. Take a seat on a bench and use this time to really get to know each other! Or makeout. Whatever you’re into!
Afterward, you can take a quick walk up to Irving Street and go to one of my all time favorite restaurants in the city: Social Kitchen & Brewery.
I use to go to Social multiple times a week when two of my best friends lived within walking distance and so I feel like I am able to say with confidence that their mac & cheese is the best thing on the menu and you will be doing yourself and your date a disservice if you don’t order it. Plus their beers are great and really unique. Order a flight, some mac and cheese, and their crispy brussel sprouts and you will be in post-romantic stroll heaven.
Check out Social here!
CHAMPAGNE & ICE CREAM
Is there anything better than champagne and ice cream? Probs not.
Hayes Valley is home to the cutest champagne bar called The Riddler that is 1. super Instagrammable and 2. perfect for a post-dinner drink or a fun Saturday afternoon date. They also have pretty good small bites and free popcorn, which is my favorite snack, so I’m a huge fan. It’s a little pricey but if it’s your main destination it’s not more than going out for dinner would be. Plus they make you feel very classy and bring you an ice bucket. It’s a whole thing.
They also serve a huge range of wines as well so if your guy (or gal) isn’t into the bubbles you’ve got options.
Once you have a nice wine buzz going walk down a couple blocks to the original Smitten Ice Cream location to experience smooth, creamy bliss! (sounds gross but it’s great I promise).
There’s a cute outdoor grass area you could lounge in if it’s nice out and it’s a fun way to mix up your usual dinner & drinks dating format.
Check out The Riddler here and Smitten here!
BABY HIKE & BRUNCH
Trying to get your hike on without looking sweaty af for your date? Do the Lands End baby hike to scope out gorgeous views of the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. The hike is definitely not challenging but it is beautiful and great for some cute couple photo ops! Save the 6-hour hikes for later in your relationship when you feel more comfortable yelling at each other.
Is it even a hike if you don’t get brunch after? That is a rhetorical question.
Hop over to the Marina to grab a boozy brunch at The Palm House after your long, treacherous hike. They have great mimosas, a fun Carribean vibe, and a super tasty menu. Plus it’s casual enough that you won’t feel out of place in your hiking attire (aka lululemons, a Patagonia and “no makeup” makeup).
Check out The Palm House here!
A BOOZY MOVIE DATE
While Alamo Draft House isn’t unique to San Francisco, the location on 22nd and Mission will really spice up the otherwise boring movie date. You can order drinks and food from your cushy movie seat which is just the type of establishment I want to give my business to. The truffle parmesan popcorn is a must!
There is also a pretty cozy bar inside called Bear Vs. Bull which is the perfect way to start your elevated movie date experience. Get a little tipsy, go see a movie, drink more, soak up the alcohol with popcorn and fall in love. You’re welcome.
After the movie, you could walk down a few doors and go grab drinks at El Techo, a Latin American rooftop restaurant with great views of the city and dangerously good cocktails.
Check out Alamo Draft House here and El Techo here!
FALL IN LOVE IN A CERAMICS STUDIO
Trying to get a little artsy on your date? Show off your skills? Guzzle wine? Terra Mia Ceramic Studio is your spot. Every first Saturday of the month they host a date night from 6-9pm where you can go and paint some shit and bring your own bottle of wine. It has some serious romantic comedy vibes and I am here for it.
Plus, it’s actually really fun. I’ve only been during the day with friends but it’s a good time. They have a ton of pieces to choose from (like mugs, plates, knick-knacks, etc.) so you get a fun date and something to take home with you. Not a bad deal!
Also, Noe Valley, where Terra Mia is located, is cute af you guys. Tons of great restaurants and bookstores and quirky shops. The perfect “walk around and explore” neighborhood. Grab some coffee and a chocolate croissant at La Boulangerie, check out some cute novelty shops and then go do some drunk ceramics. Voilà!
BAR HOPPING BUT MAKE IT CUTE
If you’re just looking for a casual night out of drinking then hit up two of my favorite bars that are perfect for date night.
Local Edition, located on Market Street downtown, has fabulous cocktails and a really charming vintage vibe. You can often hear live music (very jazzy/retro/moody feel) and one thing I really like about it is that you can reserve a table ahead of time if you want to guarantee a cozy spot to sit. It’s a pretty big bar so there’s still tons of space to stand and sit but it’s nice to have the option.
After Local Edition, walk 5 minutes to Novela, a, you guessed it, book-themed bar with all the classic lining the walls and lit up with non-cheesy neon lighting. Also a great spot for creative cocktails and vintage vibes but with a modern twist. There’s also a ton of seating options which is clearly a priority to me. Hey, ya girl likes to sit down. Sue me.
If you’re really feeling wild there’s a diner not too far from Novela called Pinecrest Diner with some bomb mac and cheese if you’re comfortable being gross around each other and get a case of the midnight post drunk munchies.
Check out Local Edition here and Novela here!
THE VIEW
This can be a little touristy but the stunning view of the city (hence the name) can’t be denied. The View is located within the Marriot Hotel which is cheesy BUT the cocktail lounge itself is all types of sophisticated and romantic. Huge arched windows show off a breathtaking view of the city so if you’re trying to impress someone this is a good place to start!
Check out The View here!
HOT GLASS COLD BEER
If you’re really trying to seem like a cool girl (like I am 24/7) then taking your date to one of Public Glass’ (a glass blowing studio) bi-monthly Hot Glass Cold Beer events will definitely make you seem more cultured and fun than you really are.
I’ve been a couple of times on a double date with one of my best friends and her boo (at the time) and essentially it’s just a super cool glass blowing presentation with a ton of artists making cool, intricate shit. Plus with your ticket, you get unlimited beer and wine so I’m sorry, why aren’t you there already??
Another awesome bonus is that with your ticket you get to pick out any glass blown cup from a huge selection that were made by the students of the studio. You use your glass to refill your wine and then you get to take it home with you! Add in live music and some delish food options and you’re seeming like the coolest date ever.
Check out Hot Glass Cold Beer here!
Honorable Mentions (Bars):
Bond Bar – Mission
Wild Hawk -Mission
ABV – Mission
Laszlo – Mission
Nectar Wine Bar – Marina
Merengo -Marina
Bourban & Branch – Lower Nob Hill
Blackthorn – Sunset
Fireside Bar – Sunset
The Devil’s Acre – North Beach
The Mix – Castro
Honorable Mentions (Restaurants):
Picaro – Mission
Lolinda – Mission
Limón – Mission
Barzotto – Mission
Beretta – Mission
Mission Cheese – Mission
Little Star – Mission
Mission Beach Cafe – Mission
Belga – Marina
a Mano – Hayes Valley
Souvla – Hayes Valley
Starbelly – Castro
Tropisueño – Financial District
Dunya – Nob Hill
Enjoy your dates!
Xo, She
