Restaurants reopening with outdoor seating

Last Updated On Sep. 11, 2020
Photo courtesy of Lima. 
 
You’ve seen the lines already. With shelter-in-place mandates starting to ease and restaurants slowly reopening at the same time that summer has hit, be prepared to wait for a table. Everybody wants that coveted two-top to social distance outdoors while being served their favorite meal and drink.
 
Usually when someone tells you to “take it outside,” it’s not a good thing. But right now, the sudden uptick in restaurants taking their seating outside has been a sight for sore eyes. Here are a few BARTable eateries where you can flex those in-person ordering skills that have been dormant these past months. Don’t forget to tip the mask-wearing staff.
 
Photo courtesy of The Irish Bank, located at 10 Mark Ln, San Francisco.

The Irish Bank

Since you can’t exactly jump on an international flight to Ireland due to current travel restrictions, visit the Emerald Isle with a session at The Irish Bank. Make your way around the corner from Montgomery St Station in Downtown San Francisco for some casual pub fare. This is a locals’ favorite for its back alley outdoor seating, especially now. You and your crew can enjoy a classic Irish breakfast, shepherd’s pie, and fish and chips—with some pints of Guinness, of course.
 
Photo courtesy of Tribune Tavern, located at 401 13th St, Oakland.

Tribune Tavern

Downtown Oakland’s Tribune Tavern, not far from 12th St/Oakland City Center Station, has reopened not just a little, but all seven days a week from noon to 8pm. Choose from a diverse array of tavern fare—ribs, risotto, burgers, and more—along with a full bar’s drink selection. Dine outdoors at a two-top on the heated patio (or put in an order for takeout) and enjoy people watching from a 6-foot distance.
 
Photo courtesy of Lima, located at 2151 Salvio St, Concord.

LiMA

Located in Concord’s Todos Santos Plaza, a quick walk from Concord Station, LiMA serves up its bold and bright mix of authentic Peruvian fare. Post up at a table in the restaurant’s back and side patio seating to take in some prime ceviche and cocktails. Open from 11:30am to 8pm, Lima is back with its full menu: Start with empanadas and ceviche, move to seafood paella or braised lamb shank, and finish with some sweet alfajores cookies. Don’t forget the LiMA Colada, LiMA's specialty cocktail with coconut rum and Luxardo liqueur, on your next summer night.
 
Photo courtesy of La Note, located at 2377 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley.

La Note

La Note is Downtown Berkeley’s beloved source of hearty brunches. Dive your fork into its famous lemon gingerbread pancakes and omelets. The charming back patio is ready for you: Sit back and social distance beneath purple umbrellas, the East Bay sun, and a setting inspired by the south of France. Choose from patio dining when you’re up for fresh air and eating amongst fresh faces, or you can stick with online ordering and takeout.
 
Photo courtesy of El Techo, located at 2516 Mission St, San Francisco.

El Techo

Reunite with El Techo’s rooftop just in time for summer revelry—six feet from strangers and with masks, of course. One of the Mission’s most popular outdoor (and elevated) patios is where Latin American street foods and vibrant cocktails are fueled by the views of the SF skyline. Celebrate its reopening with pitchers of sangria beneath romantic string lights.
 
Photo courtesy of The Monk's Kettle, located at 3141 16th St, San Francisco.

The Monk’s Kettle

Nestle yourself into the sidewalk seating where 16th Street and Valencia Street meet in front of The Monk’s Kettle. The popular tavern in SF’s Mission has gone from strictly takeout and delivery during COVID-19 mandates to reopening outside dining. We all deserve a good fried chicken sandwich with steak fries at this point of 2020, right? 
 
Photo courtesy of Zeitgeist, located at 199 Valencia St, San Francisco.

Zeitgeist

For those who’ve felt isolated indoors during shelter-in-place, you’ve earned the chance to stretch your limbs with a filling, spicy Bloody Mary in hand—all beneath the Mission’s summer sun near 16th St Mission Station. Zeitgeist is answering the call. Having reopened its ever-popular back patio with clear partitions installed amongst those signature wooden picnic tables, the beer garden and eatery is ready for you to indulge in some grilled cheese and garlic parmesan fries. 

Let's be foodies. 

Have a favorite BARTable restaurant that's open for outdoor dining, delivery or take out? Let us know via social media, @SFBARTable #SFBARTable! Keep up with us on FacebookInstagram and Twitter to see all of the best BARTable (virtual) events, places to eat (grab take out from) and have fun (outside) around the Bay. 

 

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