Whether you’ve walked out of a show at the SHN Orpheum Theatre and suddenly realized you’re starving, or you’ve arrived in San Francisco later than anticipated due to the fog, there are plenty of restaurants to grab a delicious dinner after hours.
Here, we share fve places that serve food until 11:45 or later, in other words, these are the best late-night eats in town.
Richard Branson’s recently opened Virgin Hotels San Francisco is home to a new rooftop hot spot whose kitchen closes at midnight Tuesday through Saturday.
Named for the heroine of British author Thomas Hardy’s 1874 novel Far From the Madding Crowd, the 12th-floor venue lives up to its moniker — it’s one of San Francisco’s only alfresco rooftop bars. With unparalleled views of the city and Yerba Buena Park, it’s a fun place to while away a warm evening.
What to savor while taking in the stunning skyline? Fritto misto with chipotle and Meyer lemon, vegetable tacos with salsa raja, or gremolata French fries.
Although it’s more of a cocktail bar than a traditional restaurant, this casual venue on Divisadero Street serves dinner daily until 1 a.m. It’s a go-to neighborhood hangout with wooden walls, geometric tiled floors and no-fuss food and drink.
There is something for every dietary need on the menu, which includes a double cheeseburger, halibut ceviche and eggplant lasagna. This is also an excellent place to people-watch: on any given night you’re bound to witness multiple wildly (or mildly) entertaining first dates.
Like Horsefeather, this industrial-chic spot is technically a bar, albeit one that serves eats from noted chef David Barzelay into the wee hours.
Think of the food as innovative, posh bar snacks: there is onion dip and a patty melt, but with an upscale twist. The sour cream and alliums dip is creamy and sweet, accompanied by crispy fried hen-of-the-woods mushrooms. Made with dry-aged antique ground beef, the patty melt comes with caramelized onion special sauce, and beef-fat-toasted pain de mie (white bread).
Enjoy these bites in the Mission every night until 1 a.m.
If you find yourself partying in Jackson Square at The Battery (a private club that gears toward tech industry insiders) and suddenly need food, walk across the street to this historic but popular place. The longtime standby for after-work drinks has undergone an exciting transformation in recent years thanks to new ownership.
Sunday through Wednesday, choose flavorful plates — salmon and baby kale salad, New York strip steak with roasted red potatoes, chicken mole nachos and more — until midnight and until 1 a.m. on the weekends.
Fun fact: Old Ship Saloon is, indeed, old. It’s built upon the remains of a Gold Rush-era ship (hence the name) that ran aground on Alcatraz Island in 1849. It’s been an SF institution since 1851.
If you’re coming from the airport, consider making a pit stop at this Mission District Italian eatery that serves octopus carpaccio, arugula and fennel salad, and hot salami pizza daily until 1 a.m.
Beretta was one of local restaurateur Adriano Paganini’s first hits — since opening the pizzeria and craft cocktail sensation, he has gone on to debut 11 other restaurants in SF. But there is something about this outpost.
It remains an industry favorite where the savory meatballs taste great with a gin martini.
