A guide to outdoor dining in the Richmond District

As we head into warmer weather (finally!), I thought it would be worthwhile to pull together a list of the places in the Richmond District where you can enjoy a drink or a bite to eat in the great outdoors.

Some are cafes with a couple of tables out front, others are eateries with nice gardens where you can get away from the city hustle for a little while.

I did not actually eat or drink at all of these places, so I’ve included Yelp links where possible so you can see what others have to say about the food or service.

Locations are listed in alphabetical order and organized into two sections: Garden Dining for places that feature back gardens or patios where you can get away from it all and Sidewalk Dining for places that simply have a few tables out in front. There aren’t many garden spots but they’re awfully nice on a sunny day.

And lastly, this is not an exhaustive list and I’m sure I’ve missed some (after all, the Richmond District is very large!). So please leave a comment if there’s a cafe or restaurant I missed, or if you have a tidbit to share about any of these places.

Happy eating!

Sarah B.

GARDEN DINING

Bazaar Cafe, 5927 California Street between 21st and 22nd Avenues | website
A cozy cafe that has tasty food and an impressive list of live music events throughout the year. Its best hidden asset is the back garden which is a delightful respite from the traffic on Clement Street. A Japanese maple sits in the middle of the English and Asian themed garden, with tables and chairs tucked throughout. It’s also very quiet and protected, so on a warm day, it’s utter bliss. Free WiFi too. Yelp reviews

Bill’s Place, 2315 Clement Street between 24th and 25th Avenues | website
Solid burgers. fresh french fries and real, ice cream milkshakes make this a great stop when you’re good and hungry. Tucked in the back is a large patio with umbrella-covered tables that’s a nice escape from busy Clement Street. Yelp reviews

B Star Cafe, 127 Clement Street near 3rd Avenue | website
The offshoot of Burma Superstar down the block, this cafe has a great outdoor space that is ready for any weather conditions. Half of it is covered and the other half open (but can also be covered), and heat lamps will keep you toasty on those colder days and nights. A cozy spot to dine and yelpers seems to like it with 4 out of 5 stars.

Garden House Cafe, 3117 Clement Street near 32nd Avenue | website
Just down the street from Lincoln Park, this cute cafe just has one, sometimes two tables outside. But they offer a back patio which is a great bonus. Yelp reviews mention they are dog-friendly and they offer free WiFi. A good spot to stop on a stroll to or from the Legion of Honor.

Park Chalet, 1000 Great Highway | website
On a nice day, Park Chalet is full with people enjoying the casual lawn dining or outdoor tables. And if you’re in the park taking Fido for a walk, this is a great place to end up for a bite to eat. Located right behind Beach Chalet restaurant, they also have frequent BBQ’s and live music events during the week (check their website for more info). Yelp reviews

Tal-y-Tara Tea & Polo Shoppe, 6439 California Street between 26th and 27th Avenues | website
Sitting alone on a late block of California Street, this unique establishment offers equestrian couture and a picturesque tea garden where you can discuss the finer points of your last polo match. You can’t miss it with the giant horse statue out front. After perusing the horsey merchandise, order a cup of tea British style and head out to the sunny back garden. Closed on Sundays. Yelp reviews

SIDEWALK DINING

AK Sub Sandwich, 2346 Clement near 25th Avenue
Blink and you might miss this small sandwich shop whose sign reads “natural meat sub sandwich”. They have three sets of high tables with bar stools out front. For their SOMA location, they’ve received good Yelp reviews.

Angelina’s Deli & Cafe, 6000 California Street at 22nd Avenue | website
A Richmond District institution, Angelina’s will be the first place that is packed on a nice day. Lots of tables on each side of the corner cafe, delicious salads, sandwiches and drinks make this a foolproof destination. Other pluses: delicious chocolate chip cookies and very dog-friendly. Yelp reviews.

Arguello Market, 782 Arguello Boulevard at Cabrillo
With an awning that promotes their “famous turkey sandwich”, this market has a few tables in front where you can enjoy your coffee or deli sandwich. Also a great stop if you’re on your way to Golden Gate Park and want to pick up picnic fixings. Yelp reviews

Blue Danube Coffee House, 306 Clement Street near 4th Avenue
This place is usually very busy and its four tables out front are a great place to soak up the morning sun and to watch the activity on Clement Street. And unlike many other cafes, they serve beer and wine as well. Free Wifi too. Yelp reviews

Cafe la Flore, 1032 Clement Street near 12th Avenue
This cafe gets lots of warm sun all day long on its outdoor tables and its nice staff makes it a nice place to hang out. This block of Clement is a little quieter too. Free Wifi. Yelp reviews

Cafe Muse, 785 8th Avenue near Fulton
As one Yelp reviewer so aptly put it, “Cafe Muse offers a nice respite from crowded and expensive museum cafes, and it’s just a short walk from the park.” The cafe has a few tables out front and on the first Sunday of every month, they host “Socrates Cafe”, where you can take a break from politics and join a thoughtful, relaxed discussion of the ideas and values that underlie our efforts to be good people, neighbors, and citizens. Yelp reviews

Caffe del Sole, 4342 California Street near 6th Avenue
An Italian cafe with a couple of tables out front bathed in warm sun. One Yelp reviewer writes, “I love that it’s actually Italian. Not just pretending to be Italian, but the baristas indeed speak the language.” Free Wifi too. Yelp reviews

Cinderella Russian Bakery, 436 Balboa Street near 6th Avenue
One of the few places on Balboa with outdoor tables, this bakery offers lots of Russian favorites like piroshki, cabbage soup and breads. One exuberant Yelp reviewer says “I’ve been to both New York City and Moscow and I have not encountered a fried piroshki or a loaf of brown bread that even comes close to Cinderella’s.” Da, da! Yelp reviews

Japonica, 5503 California Street at 17th Avenue | website
A delightful little espresso cafe, serving Weaver’s Coffee, with an adjoining floral/gift boutique that is full of gorgeous flowers and great gifts. The cafe has several outdoor tables with cute Chinese umbrellas on both sides of their corner location, and this quiet block on California makes it a nice place to relax, or shop.

Ashley’s Cafe, 4454 California Street at 7th Avenue
A nice, warm corner location with tables on both sides, Ashley’s is a great place to enjoy a morning coffee, or an afternoon working via their free WiFi. Fantastic chocolate chip cookies!

Magdy’s Cafe, 2960 Clement Street at 31st Avenue
Magdy’s one has a couple of small tables outside, and I couldn’t resist its corner location, quiet street and cute awning. Coffee, pastries, cookies and creative sandwiches get high marks.

Cumaica Coffee, 200 Clement Street at 3rd Avenue | website
A quiet, clean coffee shop that serves a pretty good hot chocolate too (kids size is just $2). About 4 tables with chairs on the 3rd Avenue side which get some nice morning and afternoon sun. A nice spot to read your morning paper.

Peet’s Coffee & Tea, 5201 Geary Street at 16th Avenue
With tables running up their 16th Avenue side, this corner spot gets lots of business from coffee-lovers who like it strong. The baristas get high marks for skills and friendliness in their Yelp reviews.

Pizzetta 211, 211 23rd Avenue near California Street | website
Pizzetta gets written up often for their oustanding thin-crust, gourmet pizzas. Even Alice Waters lists it as one of her faves. They have nearly as many tables outside as they do inside. The wait is usually long but the staff is happy to hook you up with a nice glass of wine while you wait under the benched tree outside. Yelp reviews.

Royal Ground Coffee, 2342 Clement near 25th Avenue, 5301 Geary Boulevard at 17th Avenue
Both locations have a few tables outside and offer free WiFi. Yelp reviews for these cafes are mixed, but if you’re a Royal Ground fan, you’ve got a place to go and enjoy a little sun time.

Simple Pleasures Cafe, 3434 Balboa Street between 35th and 36th Avenues | website
This is a popular spot in the Balboa corridor, offering live music on occasion as well as beer and wine. One reviewer says “I was waiting in line I saw Chris Martin, the lead singer of Coldplay, pick up his order of an egg salad sandwich, then sit at one of the tables outside.” So if you stop here for a bite, who knows who you’ll run into! Yelp reviews

Troya, 349 Clement Street at 5th Avenue | website
Specializing in Mediterranean and Turkish food, Troya has a few seasonal tables outside for diners. One reviewer calls it “a gem of a place on Clement”. I’ve eaten here a couple of times and it’s been delicious. Yelp reviews

Velo Rouge Cafe, 798 Arguello Boulevard at McAllister | website
Situated on a sunny corner with several outdoor tables, this cafe is a popular stopping place for people coming or going from Golden Gate Park. Supervisor Eric Mar often starts his Bike to Work Fridays from this spot. Serving up Blue Bottle coffee and free WiFi. Yelp reviews