28 SF Restaurants Ideal for a Small Celebration
The truth of the matter is, pandemics can’t stop us from celebrating life’s most special moments. While events may be postponed as we focus on our role in social distancing, they are not canceled altogether. The fun will go on. In fact, I have a hunch post-pandemic celebrations will be even more special.
Dreaming up a distant celebration once things are back to normal? With the help of industry friends, past and current clients, and *personal* research (meaning I personally ate all the foods and drank all the drinks) I’ve compiled a list of some of the best spots in San Francisco for private events.
The list isn’t limited to restaurants, but also includes cafes, bars, and intimate private event spaces. Whether it be an intimate wedding, anniversary party, City Hall elopement celebration, or wedding rehearsal dinner you’re planning, you won’t go wrong choosing any of these.
NOTE: Given many small businesses are truly hurting during this time, please consider supporting any of which you’re a big fan. Below I note specific ways some of these local San Francisco spots need our help, but a few general ways to support local businesses right now include:
Ordering take-out or delivery
Purchasing gift cards to gift others or use for future date nights
Submitting a 5-star review on Google or Yelp
1. OCTAVIA
Neighborhood: Pac Heights
Known for: the chef’s table situated in the middle of the kitchen for prime mealtime interaction
No. Guests: 12-70
Website: www.octavia-sf.com
To help, donate to their employee fund here
2. ABV
Neighborhood: Mission
Known for: cocktails that are simply out of this world
No. Guests: 20-150
Website: www.abvsf.com
To help, donate directly to a fund established for their team members here
3. BERETTA
Neighborhood: Mission
Known for: the inventive cocktails and thin crust pizzas that make this a true San Francisco staple
No. Guests: 45
Website: www.berettasf.com
4. CENTRAL KITCHEN
Neighborhood: Mission
Known for: the industrial loft space feat. family-style meals by Chef Thomas McNaughton of Flour + Water (remember P+C’s springtime wedding here??)
No. Guests: 16-100
Website: www.centralkitchensf.com
5. CERF CLUB
Neighborhood: Tenderloin
Known for: an artistic and eclectic backdrop just begging for a modern minimalistic wedding
No. Guests: 60-108
Website: www.cerfclub.com
6. CHE FICO
Neighborhood: Nopa
Known for: handmade pasta and Neapolitan pizza in what was once an auto body shop
No. Guests: up to 16
Website: www.chefico.com
To help, support their efforts to buy up to 120 dinners for those in need EVERY SINGLE night here
7. COOKHOUSE
Neighborhood: North Beach
Known for: the blank slate, state-of-the-art loft kitchen that will have you plotting to move in full time
No. Guests: 8-30
Website: www.cookhousesf.com
To help, donate funds to support their staff here
8. ANGLER
Neighborhood: Embarcadero
Known for: the taxidermy-filled Game Room feat. a life sized bear and top notch oceanic fare
Website: www.anglerrestaurants.com
To help, donate directly to a fund established for their team members here or purchase gift cards to Saison and Angler on their website
9. DEL POPOLO
Neighborhood: Nob Hill
Known for: the cozy heated garden patio and the wood-fired pizza made famous by their truck
No. Guests: 50-125
Website: www.delpopolosf.com
To help: donate to their employee fund here
10. THE DORIAN
Neighborhood: Marina
Known for: Stylin digs in the heart of the Marina
No. Guests: 10-250
Website: www.doriansf.com
11. FIORELLA
Neighborhood: Richmond District
Known for: the ‘grammable Bay Area Toile wallpaper and thin-crusted Neapolitan pies
No. Guests: 20
Website: www.fiorella-sf.com
12. THE SNUG
Neighborhood: Pac Heights
Known for: comfy vibes (hence the name), small-producer beers and wines, and upscale California comfort food
No. Guests: 10-135
Website: www.thesnugsf.com
13. FOREIGN CINEMA
Neighborhood: Mission
Known for: their outdoor heated courtyard in full view of the nightly ‘drive-in’ style film (remember M+K’s winter wedding here?)
No. Guests: 12-350
Website: www.foreigncinema.com
To help, donate funds directly to their employees here or order their cookbook here
Image by Hillary Jeanne
14. LE MARAIS BAKERY
Neighborhood: Marina & Castro
Known for: canapés, champagne, patisseries … and my personal favorite, raclette
No. Guests: 20-150
Website: www.lemaraisbakery.com
15. LEO’S OYSTER BAR
Neighborhood: FiDi
Known for: Have ya seeeeen the interiors? The raw bar and speakeasy ain’t too shabby either
No. Guests: 14-110
Website: www.leossf.com
16. MARIANNE’S
Neighborhood: SoMa
Known for: the beautifully appointed speakeasy style salon behind The Cavalier
No. Guests: 20-50
Website: www.mariannessf.com
17. MARLOWE
Neighborhood: SoMA
Known for: the neighborhood bistro ambiance and definitely the burger
No. Guests: 16-90
Website: www.marlowesf.com
18. STARBELLY
Neighborhood: Castro
Known for: the heated patio and casual friendly neighborhood vibes
No. Guests: 20-110
Website: www.starbellysf.com
19. MISTER JIU’S
Neighborhood: Chinatown
Known for: beautifully executed Chinese cuisine and their new Moongate Lounge
No. Guests: 80
Website: www.misterjius.com
To help, donate directly to a fund established for their staff here
20. QUEENS
Neighborhood: Inner Sunset
Known for: Korean classics and a communal table for a cozy celebration in this superette
No. Guests: 8
Website: www.queenssf.com
To help, purchase gift cards here to directly benefit employees and neighborhood businesses
21. STABLE CAFE
Neighborhood: Mission
Known for: the gorgeously manicured garden smack dab in the middle of hustle and bustle
No. Guests: 100
Website: www.stablecafe.com
22. SCHOOL NIGHT
Neighborhood: Dogpatch
Known for: hand-crafted pisco, agave and whiskey cocktails and Latin-inspired bites
No. Guests: 85-120
Website: www.schoolnightsf.com
23. TROU NORMAND
Neighborhood: SoMa
Known for: The heated patio and host-your-own-charcuterie parties
No. Guests: 12-100
Website: www.trounormandsf.com
24. UNGRAFTED
Neighborhood: Dogpatch
Known for: the fancy wines in an approachable setting
Website: www.ungraftedsf.com
To help, order a meal kit with paired bottle and tune in for virtual Monday Blind Tastings here
25. WAYFARE TAVERN
Neighborhood: FiDi
Known for: the multitude of well-appointed gathering spaces (and their burger)
No. Guests: 16-80
Website: www.wayfaretavern.com
26. WILD SEED
Neighborhood: Marina
Known for: an approachable plant-based menu crafted by omnivores
No. Guests: 40-60
Website: www.wildseedsf.com
27. TWENTY FIVE LUSK
Neighborhood: SoMa
Known for: its vibbbe (previously a meatpacking and smokehouse facility), cocktails, and rooftop terrace. Remember L + A’s black tie wedding here??
No. Guests: 15-650
Website: www.25lusk.com
Image by Dani M Photography
28. PARK TAVERN
Neighborhood: North Beach
Known for: their private Eden Room and the deviled eggs
No. Guests: 50-60
Website: www.parktavernsf.com
Okay so tell me, what did I miss?
Please share your favorite SF spots for private events in the comments below!
Mister Jiu’s image by Buena Lane
Cerf Club image by Olivia Marshall
Stable Cafe image by Lauren Crew
Trou Normand image by Vicki Grafton