With just a bit of planning, spending time in San Francisco undoubtedly means eating amazing food. But while in San Francisco you will want to make sure you enjoy an outdoor patio with a view of the San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. There are countless delicious restaurants from all different types of cuisines, price points, and settings to tantalize your tastebuds and match the setting you are looking to enjoy.
So, what Makes a Great Patio Dining Experience?
Patios have become increasingly popular dining destinations, especially during the summer months. A great patio dining experience can create a memorable experience for customers, leaving them feeling satisfied and eager to return. So what makes for great al fresco dining in San Francisco?
Ambiance and Atmosphere
The ambiance and atmosphere of a patio are crucial to creating a great dining experience. Customers want to feel relaxed and comfortable, and a great patio should offer just that. This can be achieved through the use of lighting, music, and decor. Soft lighting can create a cozy and intimate atmosphere, while lively music can energize the space. Decor such as plants, comfortable seating, and unique features like fire pits or water features can add to the ambiance and make the patio feel special. Let’s talk about the VIEW. That alone makes Eagle Cafe one of the top patio restaurants in San Francisco.
Service
Good service is essential to any dining experience, and patios are no exception. The service should be prompt, courteous, and efficient, and the staff should be knowledgeable about the menu and able to offer recommendations. A friendly and welcoming approach can make customers feel valued and enhance the overall experience. Service can easily set a good patio restaurant apart from the best patio restaurants in San Francisco.
Food and Drinks
Of course, the quality of the food and drinks served on the patio is essential to the overall experience. The menu should offer a range of options to suit different tastes and dietary requirements, and the ingredients should be fresh and flavorful. The presentation of the food and drinks should also be visually appealing, adding to the overall enjoyment of the meal. Quality is one of the most important factor not just for the best outdoor seating restaurants in San Francisco, but for ANY restaurant.
Location
The location of the patio can greatly impact the dining experience. A great patio should offer a beautiful view, whether it be of the surrounding scenery or the hustle and bustle of a city street. Access to fresh air and natural light can enhance the experience and make customers feel more connected to their surroundings. Waterfront dining in San Francisco is hard to beat! If you’re looking for the best views in San Francisco restaurants, PIER 39 should definitely be your first stop!
Comfort
Comfort is key to enjoying a meal, and the same goes for a patio dining experience. Comfortable seating, temperature control, and protection from the elements can make all the difference. For example, providing shade from the sun or heat lamps during cooler months can create a comfortable environment that customers will want to return to.
A great patio dining experience should offer a comfortable and inviting atmosphere, excellent service, high-quality food and drinks, a beautiful location, and all the necessary comforts to make customers feel at ease. Whether you are a restaurant owner or a patron, paying attention to these key elements can help ensure a truly exceptional patio dining experience.
There are many San Francisco patio restaurants, however non quite measure up to the view of San Francisco from Eagle Cafe. Our waterfront dining patio is one of the most incredible, and least widely known at Eagle Cafe on PIER 39 in Fisherman’s Wharf.
Eagle Cafe Patio
The outdoor patio at Eagle Cafe is one of Fisherman’s Wharf’s best-kept secrets. Not only is it one of the only waterfront patios that serves breakfast every single day, year-round, but it also offers some of the very best views San Francisco has to offer. You can enjoy breakfast and lunch on this outdoor patio overlooking the bay. Why not eat at the most scenic patio dining in San Francisco? We open starting at 8am daily and breakfast is served until 11:30am.
What makes this patio so special, you ask? While most outdoor patios offer tables with chairs facing each other, many of the people eating at the table will actually have their back to the view. Not this outdoor dining experience! Our outdoor patio at Eagle Cafe is so unique because every single seat faces out to one of the most incredible views in the city. You will sit side by side with your dining companions while you take in breathtaking views of Fisherman’s Wharf, the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and the PIER 39 sea lions. It’s easily the best Waterfront dining in San Francisco.
The railing of this special patio offers a counter for you to pull your stool up to and enjoy your delicious breakfast or lunch, and favorite cocktail within reach as you gaze out over the spectacular view watch the people scurrying about, large ferry boats docking, while you sit above it all on your cozy calm patio.
What to enjoy at Eagle Cafe
While you take in the incredible views, enjoy fresh mimosas, famous house bloody mary’s loaded with bacon and pickled onion, and the best breakfast on fisherman’s wharf with dishes like fluffy pancakes, avocado toast with egg, omelets, breakfast burritos, sourdough french toast, and more.
If you join us for lunch, don’t miss our most famous dishes like fish tacos, Eagle burger, clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl, Reuben sandwich, crab roll, fresh salads, Nashville hot chicken sandwich served with hot crispy fries, and many more delicious options. You will also have a full bar to choose your favorite cocktail or local beer and California wines while you enjoy your meal with us on PIER 39.
Parking
If you plan to drive, don’t forget to park in the PIER 39 garage where we offer two hours of free parking validation. The PIER 39 garage costs $10 per hour on weekdays and $12 per hour on weekends so you will save $20-$24 dining with us and parking in the garage! Secret tip: Park on the 3rd level of the parking garage and take the pedestrian bridge across the street which lands you right at our front door. See you then!
Please note: We do not take reservations. We encourage walk-ins.
Eagle Cafe on PIER 39 is truly a must-see restaurant for visitors and locals alike. With its unbeatable waterfront location, exceptional service, and delicious food, it offers a unique and memorable dining experience that captures the essence of San Francisco. Not to mention, you’ll be getting the best patio dining in San Francisco. Whether you’re looking for a hearty breakfast, or a quick lunch, the Eagle Cafe is sure to delight with its fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and classic American fare. So if you’re in the Bay Area, make sure to add the Eagle Cafe to your list of must-visit restaurants and discover the magic of PIER 39.