Hayes Valley | A guide to exploring San Francisco’s neighborhoods
Hayes Valley sits right in the heart of San Francisco, where old Victorians bump up against glossy storefronts, galleries, and some of the best people-watching in the city. What used to be a stretch of freeway became a pocket of creativity after the ’89 earthquake, and now Patricia’s Green is like the neighborhood’s front porch. It’s where you’ll find friends meeting up for coffee, families hanging around the park, that guy who walks his parrot, and people soaking up sun on our rare sunny and warm days. The whole area feels like a small love letter to community, design, and delicious bites.
The food scene here mirrors that same energy. Dumplings one night, a perfectly crispy chicken sandwich the next, and refined menus when you need to celebrate. Whether you’re popping in for a quick pastry or settling in for a prix-fixe moment, Hayes Valley always delivers. This guide rounds up my go-to spots: bakeries worth getting up early for, an impossibly cozy eight-seat bar hidden down an alley, and my favorite little patios to yap over wine and crispy snacks. Consider this your excuse to wander Hayes and get familiar with my favorite places.
Must try restaurants in Hayes Valley
Absinthe | French $$
Absinthe Brasserie feels like stepping into a classic Parisian restaurant with its dim lighting, velvet seating and huge paintings. Indulge in oysters or tartar for a sophisticated start or cozy up with a bowl of french onion soup before diving into their rich pastas and mains like the duck confit that effortlessly balances crispiness with tenderness. The wine menu is filled with curated French and California selections and expect to find classic favorites on their cocktail menu.
best for: a cozy date at the bar or large groups
Arbor & Arlequin | American $
If you’re hunting for a casual spot to grab a meal on a lush private patio, Arbor’s the place. The crispy fried chicken sandwich paired with their irresistible curly fries are a match made in comfort food heaven. Seamlessly connected to neighboring Arlequin Wine Merchant, you can treat yourself to a comforting bite while sipping on wines from around the world. It’s the perfect casual weeknight spot!
best for: casual hangs, happy hour, french fry cravings
Arsicault Bakery | Bakery $
This might be a stretch outside of the bounds of Hayes but if you’re chasing a croissant that flakes perfectly and shatters delicately with every bite, Arsicault is the spot. Their crossiants are so buttery, golden, and impossibly tender while their kouign amann toes the line between caramelized and cloud-soft. The smell alone always takes me right back to the summer I spent in Paris and I’m bold enough to say this is the closest you’ll get to a perfect croissant in paris without buying a plane ticket.
best for: slow mornings & pretending you’re in Paris for an hour
The Bird | American $
The Bird is where we go when the craving for crispy chicken hits and we simply refuse to compromise. Their fried chicken sandwiches are crackly, juicy, and satisfying but the tots and curly fries that deserve just as much attention as the menu star. It’s unfussy in the best way possible, the kind of place you duck into for a quick bite that turns into a beer and fries with a friend. Easy, delicious, and always hits.
best for: casual hangs, quick bites & fry cravings
Dumpling Home | Chinese $ | Michelin Bib Gourmand
Bring your pals and try all of the juicy dumpling pockets this Hayes Valley spot has to offer. The savory, irresistible aroma of freshly steamed dumplings hits you as you walk into Dumpling Home and sets the stage for the meal. The delicate shrimp and wood ear mushroom dumplings are perfectly pleated, the pork dumplings with chili oil are the perfect spicy bite and the pork xiao long bao are a must-try. Dumpling Home is a must-visit for those craving a mouthwatering dumpling adventure.
best for: double dates & weeknight bites with pals
Loquat | Jewish Bakery $
From San Francisco baking legends, Loquat is an artisanal bakery focused on baked goods from the Jewish diaspora. The pistachio kouign-amann is a delicate masterpiece of flaky goodness with a nutty twist. The cardamom morning bun pairs perfectly with the freshly brewed Four Barrel coffee and the bourekas are a perfect savory bite filled with spiced potato and caramelized onions.
best for: a quick pit stop or a spot to settle in with friends
Nojo | Japanese $$
On the east end of Hayes Valley, sits Nojo Ramen tavern, one of my favorite little ramen spots in the city. Nojo first opened in Japan and pivoted from the ramen standards by offering a chicken paitan broth based instead of the traditional tonkotsu pork broth. The crispy gyoza are the perfect appetizer before diving into a bowl of their soul-soothing ramen. The soy sauce ramen tempts most with the whole chicken leg but the tan-tan spicy miso ramen is a must try.
best for: cold nights & curbing umami cravings
Nightbird | Californian $$$ | Michelin Guide
If you’re on the hunt for a moody, elevated pre-fixe dining experience, Nightbird delivers. Her sleek dining room, food presentation, and artistic ceramics feel like dining in an art museum. The rotating menu features seasonal California dishes like roasted duck with a compote of gooseberries, quail eggs, and decadent black truffle pasta. Journey down the back hallway (or enter from the alley) into their sophisticated 8-seat speakeasy, The Linden Room. The craft cocktails show off the precise techniques of their bartenders and the wine menu is a delight.
best for: fancy date night or when the boss offers to buy
Rich Table | New American $$$ | Michelin Guide
An easy neighborhood favorite, Rich Table offers a rustic and moody ambience in an intimate, modern farmhouse setting. Start your meal with their famed small bites section. The sardine chip with horseradish crème fraîche is a house favorite and the dried porcini donuts with raclette are a must try. The menu rotates daily and boasts of rich seasonal balance, leaving you endless reasons to come back.
best for: date night or impressing the parents
Souvla | Greek $
Souvla is my go-to when I need something fast but still crave-worthy. The lamb always hits, the rotisserie chicken is so juicy, the avgolemono soup is pure comfort food, and everything always feels fresh. It’s easy, reliable, and exactly what you want when you don’t feel like committing to a full sit-down moment. And whatever you do, don’t skip the frozen Greek yogurt topped with baklava crumbles and honey. My husband and I always fight over the last bite.
best for: quick lunches, easy dinners, a little sweet treat
Zuni Cafe | French bistro $$$ | Michelin Guide
Zuni Café is pure San Francisco soul. Famous for its iconic roast chicken and that glorious mound of shoestring fries, it’s a place that feels both timeless and effortlessly cool. The room hums with conversation, soft jazz vibes, and the clink of wine glasses, making it the ideal pre-theater dinner or a long, lingering night out. This is classic SF dining at its finest: warm, polished, and always worth returning to even if the price gives me a little eye twitch. Keep an eye out for their special guest chef menus too!
best for: date nights, special occasions & dinner before a show
Bars for yapping or nightcaps
Birba | Wine bar $$
Birba, meaning "little troublemaker," is a casual wine bar tucked a block off of Hayes Valley's main haunt focusing on imported European wines. The parklet is perfect for people watching or catching some sun (when we have it) and the back patio is my favorite place to get away from the busyness of the city. Their menu is filled with lovely wines and light bites like hummus and pistachio-feta dips. Grab a bottle to take home and some imported pantry favorites on your way out!
best for: a mini date night & catch-ups with friends
The Linden Room | Craft cocktails $$
Tucked behind Nightbird, this is an intimate, eight-seat speakeasy that feels like a secret you’re lucky to be in on. Candlelit and impossibly chic, it’s the kind of place where every detail is considered, from the glassware to the garnishes. The cocktail menu leans inventive and refined. It’s quiet, cozy, and luxurious without trying too hard, the perfect cap after dinner or a destination all its own.
best for: date nights & speakeasy vibes
Phonobar | Craft cocktails $
Phonobar is for nights when the plan is loose but a vibe is required. It’s moody and music-forward with occasional DJ sets. The cocktail menu is fun and well-balanced, the vegan bites are quite delicious, and it’s the perfect spot to slip into after a show when you’re not ready for the night to end but don’t want anything too buttoned-up either.
best for: post-show sips, vegan bites
Smugglers Cove | Tiki Bar $$
Take a boozy voyage into one of San Francisco’s pirate paradises. Smuggler’s Cove feels like entering a hidden treasure trove waiting to be discovered and their menu showcases a variety of rums and exotic tiki classics with potency levels for the adventurous. Try a Mai Tai for a liquid vacation or see where the night takes you after downing the Zombie cocktail. Smuggler’s Cove is the perfect spot for a no-nonsense, swashbuckling evening out with pals in the heart of the city.
best for: when college pals visit & playful dates
Coffee, treats & little shops
Ritual Coffee — great little coffee shop inside a converted storage container to grab a latte or a pour over
Epicurean Trader — one of my favorite speciality shops for liquor, wine, cheese, chocolate, and general snacking items
Miette Patisserie & Confiserie — the cutest pastry shop in town and home to some of my favorite candies
MMClay — absolutely gorgeous handcrafted ceramics
Orange Bird — a go to gift shop for adorable cards, trinkets, candles, and stationary
Salt & Straw — a must hit ice cream shop with monthly flavors
On my radar…
New to the neighborhood or longtime favorites I somehow still haven’t made it to, these are the spots at the top of my next-to-visit list:
Bosque — a new to the neighborhood wine bar with a seasonal food menu and approachable wines
Domo — a tiny counter sushi spot with, I hear, great nigiri
Hayes Street Grill — a seasonal seafood spot sourcing from Monterey Bay with classic SF white table cloth restaurant vibes
Kiln — Nordic leaning upscale spot with two Michelin stars
Papito Hayes — this Mexican restaurant is always crowded so I need to know what the hype is about!
Robin — Contemporary high-end multi-course omakase
RT Bistro — new bistro spot opening soon from the Rich Table team which is rumored to bring back the coveted RT Burger
