CAFÉS, RESTAURANTS & NIGHT SPOTS
Updated 09/15/06

The coffee shops, cafes, food shops, and restaurants listed below offer everything from takeout items, coffee and muffins, pizza, and ice cream to light or full meals. Pete’s Café at the San Francisco Art Institute (Chestnut and Jones) is a little out of the way but well worth the walk. The rest are located on or near Hyde between Union and Broadway or nearby on Larkin or Polk. Other options are available on Hyde between Pacific and Washington, and Pacific between Hyde and Larkin. Early morning and lunch options are somewhat limited but available. Most restaurants open at 5:30PM, which makes them an option for afternoon walkers. For night owls, the bars and cocktail lounges listed are all open until 2AM.

JONES AT BROADWAY

Allegro Romano 1701 Jones at Broadway, 928-4002 (open daily except Tuesday 5:00-10:00PM). This local intimate restaurant offers classic Italian dishes. Clients range from locals to the Mayor to a former Secretary of State. If they are on the daily menu, sand dabs are a must.

HYDE STREET AT UNION

Zarzuela Restaurant 2000 Hyde at Union, 346-0800 (Tuesday-Thursday 5:30-10:00PM, Friday & Saturday
5:30-10:30PM) Features tapas, paella, and traditional Spanish dishes. Reservations only accepted for parties of 6 or more.

Searchlight Market 1956 Hyde at Union, 673-1010 (Monday-Friday 7:00AM-10:00PM, Saturday & Sunday 8:00AM-10:00PM) Sandwiches, soft drinks, etc. available for take out.

Swensen's Ice Cream* 1999 Hyde at Union, 775-6618 (open daily Noon-10:00PM) The original Swensen's, now owned by long-term manager Roy Campana since the Swensen family left the business. Check this out for your favorite ice creams, sundaes, and waffle cones. Everything is made on-site except the non-fat ice creams.

Okoze Sushi 1207 Union,  567-3397 (Sunday-Thursday 6:00-10:30PM, Friday & Saturday 6:00-11:00PM) Specializing in sushi, this restaurant also serves tempura, yaki, and other Japanese dishes.

HYDE STREET BETWEEN UNION AND GREEN

Sushi Groove 1916 Hyde, 440-1905 ( Sunday-Thursday 5:30-10:00PM, Friday & Saturday 5:30-10:30PM ) Very popular for sushi. In addition to a la carte orders, a variety of prepared salads and combination plates are offered.

ZA Gourmet Pizza* 1919 Hyde, 771-3100 (Sunday-Wednesday Noon-10:00PM, Thursday-Saturday Noon-11:00PM) Serves thin-crust pizza whole or by the slice, plus great salads. ZA also delivers.

Frascati 1901 Hyde, 928-1406 (open Monday-Saturday 5:30PM-10:00PM, Sunday 5:00-9:00PM ) A popular neighborhood bistro featuring rustic Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.

HYDE STREET BETWEEN GREEN AND VALLEJO

luella1896 Hyde, 674-4343 (open Monday-Saturday 5:30-10:00PM, Sunday 5:00-9:00PM) A top newcomer to the neighborhood serving creative Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.

Jona’s on Hyde at Vallejo, 1800 Hyde, 775-2517 (open 8:30AM-7:00PM) Come to this local friendly neighborhood shop for selected groceries, eat-in or take-out coffee, muffins, sandwiches, and soup.

LARKIN STREET

Amarena 2162 Larkin (at Green), 447-0441 (open daily 5:30-10:00PM, Friday & Saturday to 10:30PM) Friendly Italian restaurant serving innovative, skillfully prepared dishes. There is a daily "early bird" special of 50% off food from 5:30-6:30PM and a free antipasti buffet in the bar area on Wednesdays from 5:30-7:00PM.

POLK STREET

Antica Trattoria* 2400 Polk, 928-5797 (Tuesday-Thursday & Sunday 5:30-9:30PM, Friday & Saturday 5:30-10:30PM) Popular, rustic trattoria featuring well-prepared Italian favorites. www.anticasf.com

Harry Denton's Rouge* 1500 Broadway at Polk, 346-7683 (Thursday-Saturday 9:30PM-2:00AM) One of San Francisco's most dazzling drinking and dancing experiences. Call to reserve a booth. www.rougesf.com

Rex Cafe 2323 Polk, 441-2246 (Monday-Thursday 5:30-10:00PM, Friday 5:30-11:00PM, Saturday 10:00AM-3:00PM, 5:30-11:00PM, Sunday 10:00AM-3:00PM, 5:30-10:00PM) Comfort food and a superb brunch shine at this neighborhood hangout. There is a nightly $16.95 prix fixe menu.

Shanghai Kelly's* 2064 Polk at Broadway, 771-3300 (Monday-Friday 1:00PM-2:00AM, Saturday & Sunday Noon-2:00AM) Popular neighborhood bar with a football crowd during the season.

Tablespoon* 2209 Polk at Vallejo, 268-0140 (Monday-Saturday 6:00PM-Midnight, Sunday 5:00-10:00PM) An elevated dining experience in an atmosphere combining urban chic with neighborhood charm. The cuisine is California/American. www.tablespoonsf.com

Tonic* 2360 Polk at Union, 771-5535 (Daily 5:00PM-2:00AM) Neighborhood bar with jukebox and happy hour specials 5:00PM to 8:00PM daily.

CHESTNUT AT JONES

Pete’s Café Rooftop at San Francisco Art Institute, 800 Chestnut Street, 749-4567 (Monday-Thursday 8:00AM-9:00PM, Friday 8:00AM-5:00PM, Saturday 9:00AM-2:00PM when school is in session) Come here for lunch for less than $5 (soups, salads, sandwiches, etc.) and a million-dollar view of Telegraph Hill, Angel Island, North Beach, and the Bay Bridge. Check out the Art Institute's Diego Rivera Gallery on the way to or from the Café. Open only when school is in session.

* Russian Hill Neighbors Merchant Member