Courtesy of Lily
San Francisco got a brief glimpse of indoor dining amid COVID last June. But almost as soon as it was cleared, it was shut down again. Now, thanks to our “orange level” status, he resumed once again. This time, hopefully, forever. Of course, it is only open with many restrictions. Indoor dining can only be at 50% of normal capacity, or up to 200 people in total, whichever is lower. Tables can occupy up to six diners from three different households, and restaurants can stay open until 11 p.m., with the two-hour dining limit no longer in effect, meaning you can feel free to eat. lose in conversation at dinner or order bottomless booze without constantly looking. to your watch. For outdoor dining, there is no longer a restriction on the number of households that can be seated at the same table, although tables are still capped at six. Another exciting development – beer gardens, wineries, breweries and distilleries can operate al fresco table service without serving food, a phenomenon we haven’t enjoyed since the Before Times. But remember your COVID manners: mask up when not actively eating or drinking or whenever a staff member approaches the table.
It’s a lot, but for those who feel safe inside, it’s worth it. And for restaurant workers (who have been able to get vaccinated since Feb. 24), it’s a big step to get everyone back on their feet. Obviously, not everyone is keen on indoor dining, and that’s cool. There are parklets and patios all over town for anyone who wants to stay outside, plus delivery and takeout for those who prefer to stay home until this is all behind us. . But for those who are ready, we’ve rounded up a few new places you might not have dined in or out yet, all of which are open for indoor dining right now.
Chinese district
Step back to the 1940s and 50s, when Chinatown was home to some of SF’s best nightlife and no one had ever heard of COVID-19. The Lion’s Den Bar and Lounge hopes to bring back some of that conviviality in the form of a splashy cocktail bar and possibly a live music venue. There’s a full bar with a few signature cocktails that you can now order without purchasing food, though their Bento Box with coconut chicken curry, sweet potato samosas, and pork lumpias might convince you otherwise. . Currently, there is only 44 seats, which includes a few two-tops outside, and socially distanced four-tops and two-tops inside (maximum four people at a table).
How to book: To make a reservation here by clicking on the photo of where you would like to sit.
Mission
Part bottle shop, part pizzeria, BrewVino is the newest place in the Mission to unwind with a few slices of pizza and a craft beer. BrewVino describes its pizza as a “mix of traditional and modern,” and while we’re not quite sure what that means, we do know that the pizza tastes really good. The menu also has fried dishes and a few soups, salads and sandwiches (with the option of a burger on the way) and there is also a good selection of beers and wines. BrewVino offers indoor and outdoor dining and will allow you to bring your pup as well. And don’t forget to pick up a bottle or three from the retail area to take home and enjoy later.
How to book: Come in. Tables are allocated in order of arrival.
Marina
Chestnut Street is now home to a Peruvian restaurant offering vibrant dishes like ceviche and causa del causa, as well as heartier dishes including chicken stew and a burger topped with sweet plantain, fried egg, aji amarillo and cilantro jalapeño aioli. Thanks to the tasty food and friendly service, it’s pretty clear that this will be an instant neighborhood favorite.
How to book: Reservations are not available. Just walk in to eat inside and out.
Indoor sunset
Everyone loved the original Underdogs. After all, what could be better than tacos, sports and beer? Yeah, not a lot. Unfortunately, the layout of the Outer Sunset taqueria/sports bar didn’t make sense during COVID, so the owner snagged Nopalito’s spot on 9th Avenue after it closed last summer. The new restaurant is much bigger, which means even more tacos, more sports and more beer. Okay, there aren’t a lot of sports to watch in restaurants right now, but one day (hopefully) soon there will be. In the meantime, Underdog Tres (The outsiders too near the beach is temporarily closed due to a major fire) serves tacos (including the popular Nick’s Way—a taco with a grilled crispy corn tortilla wrapped in a soft corn tortilla with cheese, pinto beans and guac – and more Mexican classics. A limited number of indoor seats are available, and more outdoors.
How to book: Introduce yourself or join the waiting list on the home page.
Lower Nob Hill
SF’s first-ever Uzbek restaurant is open for indoor and outdoor dining. The restaurant was founded by Ismoil Ochilov who was born and raised in the heart of historic Bukhara, Uzbekistan and came to SF via the UK. The menu is packed with classic Uzbek dishes like lamb chops fried and served with onions, somsas (a crispy roll) stuffed with beef or chicken, and ten different kababs. It’s clear that Ochilov and his team are passionate about this cuisine and their restaurant, and we’re excited to have new cuisine to try.
How to book: No reservations. Walk-in only.
The Hague Valley
This collaboration between celebrity chef Matthew Kenney and husband-and-wife team Kyle and Tracy Vogt is about all-plant-based Italian comfort food (no dairy or animal at all). The menu is changing because they had to change things up to accommodate the take-out/delivery life we’ve all been living for so long, but current dishes include a few pizzas, all kinds of pastas, and some classic Italian appetizers, like garlic knots, “meatballs” and mozzarella sticks. Baia also does weekend brunch and they had us at the “cacio e pepe scramble”. Oh and the reason you’re so glad indoor dining is available? The restaurant is in the former Espace Jardinère.
How to book: Book a seat inside or outside on open table.
Marina
The award-winning and highly acclaimed La Mar Cebicheria Peruana The culinary team opened a new casual Peruvian restaurant in the marina with traditional dishes. Think slow-roasted meats over charcoal on rotisserie, ceviche, and empanadas. Creative wasabi, jalapeno-vodka, and rum-infused sake cocktails are also in the game, and we can’t wait to enjoy more when happy hour rolls around (it’s coming soon). Jaranita’s goal is to “bring people together” and while that currently means a maximum of six people per table, we believe they will succeed when the rules start to relax a bit. Indoor and outdoor dining are available and you should expect a temperature check before you sit down.
How to book: Book a table at Resy.
Inner Richmond
Everyone hoped that Lily on Clement would live up to the hype of being one of the most exciting Vietnamese restaurants in town, and it did. The upscale restaurant (aka: $30-$40 for dinner) serves a thoughtful, modern twist on Vietnamese classics, like bahn mis (lunch only) and mi xao gion “surf and turf,” a stir-fry noodle crispy egg with grilled Wagyu steak, blue shrimp and scallops. Lily’s menu has pivoted to takeout, so it remains to be seen how it will evolve now that restaurant dining is back, but we’re pretty sure anything that comes out of this kitchen will be amazing. Lily’s stunning dining room is now open for service.
How to book: Book your lunch or dinner on tack. A $10 deposit is required for dinner reservations.
