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The Lower Haight is less famous than the nearby Haight-Ashbury district, but what it lacks in ’60s nostalgia it makes up for in substance. It’s home to legendary bars, tattoo shops, salons, boutiques, record stores cafes, and plenty of other places to explore. Nearby Duboce Park is the perfect place to walk the dog or relax in the sun, and the N-Judah train makes it delightfully accessible. Read on to see what you’ve been missing.
Coffeeshops
1. Sightglass Coffee
This airy, mid-century modern cafe is easily one of the most famous and popular coffee shops in the neighborhood. It lacks plugs and wifi but more than makes up for it with delicious pastries, exceptional coffee, and a variety of communal seating suitable for a solo coffee date or a gathering place for a few friends.
Location: 301 Divisadero Street
2. Cafe Reveille
This corner cafe with a full kitchen and a substantial all-day menu is an enchanting spot to meet a friend or escape your home office for a bit. Their strong and reliable wifi is almost as good as their deftly brewed and artfully poured coffee drinks. They offer a large indoor seating area as well as ample sidewalk/parklet seating if you crave a little sunshine.
Location: 201 Steiner Street
3. The Grind
This cafe and restaurant have been keeping the Lower Haight well caffeinated for the past 18 years. The Grind prides itself on sourcing premium ingredients from quality local vendors serving a range of brunch classics. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating options, and reasonable prices compared to other neighborhood options.
Location: 783 Haight Street
Breakfast and Brunch
4. Sidewalk Juice
Sidewalk Juice has been nourishing health-conscious and/or hungover San Franciscans for over a decade. Their fresh-pressed juices, tasty smoothies, and bowls offer a nutritious start to the day.
Location: 791 Haight Street
5. Kate’s Kitchen
This small breakfast/brunch restaurant is absolutely heaven for any breakfast lover in your life. With unique menu items like New England Flannel Hash, French Toast Orgy, and the Flanched Farney Garney (a flipped egg and cheese sandwich), it’s unlike any other breakfast joint in SF.
Location: 471 Haight Street
6. Le Cafe du Soliel
This popular corner bistro serves Parisian-inspired fare including pastries, open-faced sandwiches, and incredible salads. This place serves from 7am-10pm, making it an ideal spot for a drink and a quick bite whenever the mood strikes.
Location: 400 Waller Street
Casual Bites
7. Berliner Berliner
This shoebox-size restaurant focuses on sausages and burgers and does them both extremely well. The ideal situation is to grab a seat at Toronado next door and have a friend hold your table while you put in an order. This spot is decidedly unfancy but the quality and flavors are exceptional.
Location: 545 Haight Street
8. Memphis Minnies BBQ Joint
If you have a craving for Southern-style barbecue and sides, this is the place. As San Francisco’s longest, continuously running barbecue restaurant they are a destination for barbecue lovers across the City. You can enjoy classic sides like potlikker greens, pit-smoked beans, and meats ranging from St. Louis-style smoked pork ribs to smoked fried chicken and much more.
Location: 576 Haight Street
9. Mythic Pizza
Sometimes you just need a good slice of pizza and Mythic is consistently delicious. You can grab a slice to go or a whole pie alongside appetizers, salads, and sandwiches. It’s not fancy but it’s everything you want in a slice house, especially after a night of bar hopping.
Location: 551 Haight Street
Shopping
10. Earthen
This gorgeous ceramics studio and shop also features a curated collection of homeware, apothecary, pantry items, and jewelry from independent artists. It’s the perfect place to grab a gift for a friend or a little something for yourself.
Location: 136 Fillmore Street
11. Sabah
This sun-soaked shop sells handmade leather slip-on shoes made by hand in Turkey and Texas. Their Lower Haight shop also stocks a curated selection of clothing, accessories, and other goods. If nothing else, you should definitely browse this gorgeous space.
Location: 663 Haight Street
Parks
12. Alamo Square
This hilltop park is located along Steiner St. and offers a postcard-perfect view of some of SF’s most famous houses, the Painted Ladies. This row of seven Queen Anne Victorian-style homes is one of the most recognizable sites in SF and has been featured in movies such as Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) and television shows like Full House (1987-1995). It’s a great place to snap a few pics or spread out a picnic blanket.
Location: Hayes and Steiner Street
13. Duboce Park
This long, green, hillside park is popular with dog owners and is also the site of numerous dog-centric festivals and events throughout the year. Dog or not, it’s an excellent place to lay out a blanket and drink in some sunshine on a nice day.
Location: Duboce and Scott Street
Restaurants
14. YH-Beijing
This Northern Chinese-focused restaurant serves up steaming bao buns, brightly colored dumplings, spicy wontons, and a wide variety of other delicious dishes.
Location: 500 Haight Street.
15. Otra
This extraordinary Mexican restaurant is focused on fresh masa, bold flavors, and traditional Mexican cooking techniques. You’ll find exceptional tacos and tostadas on the menu alongside fresh agauchile, albondigas with mole verde, and other tasty bites alongside a variety of creative cocktails.
Location: 682 Haight Street
16. Nara
This consistently tasty destination for sushi and sake serves dazzling platters of freshly prepared sushi, sashimi, and nigiri in a chic setting. If you’re looking for a place to satisfy that sushi craving, this is your spot.
Location: 518 Haight Street
Bars
17. Toronado
Any self-respecting beer lover in SF deserves a trip to Toronado. The menu is borderline overwhelming, but the selection is incredible and the beer is always fresh. They typically host special releases for SF Beer Week and other beer-centric events. The bar staff can be a little gruff and they only take cash, but you’ll certainly drink something extraordinary.
Location: 547 Haight Street
18. The Page
This beloved neighborhood bar is a dive with a lot of character, warmth, and charm. They frequently host live music in their parklet, have a pool table, and an excellent list of beers on tap.
Location: 298 Divisadero Street
19. Woods Lowside
This sprawling bar features a gorgeous interior with mid-century modern styling and a charming back patio. Woods is renowned for brewing some of SF’s most creative (and delicious) beer, cider, and wine. Stay for a few rounds or grab a 6-pack for the road.
Location: 530 Haight Street