Love & Haight: Craft Brews, Vintage Style + Comfort Eats on SF's Most Famous Street
(Courtesy of @g_reyes_vision)

Love & Haight: Craft Brews, Vintage Style + Comfort Eats on SF's Most Famous Street

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Once the psychedelic heart of the famous Summer of Love, Haight-Ashbury is where throngs of youths, drifters, and free-wheelin', free-lovin' individuals converged for an all-out celebration of acid-induced peace and love.

(Those who missed out can head down to The Booksmith and pick up Tom Wolfe's The Electric Kool-aid Acid Test for a first-hand account).

These days though, The Haight has mellowed like a fine bourbon—smoother on the palette but still kicky.


There's plenty of personality here and Haight Street remains a destination for craft beer enthusiasts and vintage clothing lovers. From edible lingerie to vegan burgers, there'll be something here to pique your interest. Be sure to snap a pic at the corner of Haight and Ashbury, and official national treasure.

The Best Restaurants on Haight Street

Seared kampachi in green tomatillo sauce at Otra.

(Sarah Chorey)

It may not be the city's destination for fine dining, but you'll find some quality, budget-friendly eats in the Haight.

Quick Bites

The neighborhood's newest comer takes a page not from the Haight but from New Orleans. Sandy's Muffalettas(1457 Haight St.) is slingin’ all kinds of meat and mushroom sandos alongside cookies, coleslaw, and chips. // With its bright façade, you can't miss Parada 22(1805 Haight St.), which serves up an array of mouth-watering Puerto Rican dishes. // Next door's Cha Cha Cha(1801 Haight St.) is run by the same owner, and is a Haight Street institution specializing in Caribbean-style cuisine since 1984. // Cow Hollow spot Dumpling Union recently opened its doors in the old Maven space (598 Haight St.) and is serving up all the tasty glutenous morsels. // Those in the mood for something quick and tasty can pick up a super burrito at Street Taco(1607 Haight St.), a five-spice chicken noodle bowl at DragonEats(1671 Haight St.), or angry Korean chicken wings and buttermilk biscuits at Wing Wings(422 Haight St.). // Pizza fans shouldn't miss Slice House(1535 Haight St.), owned by World Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani. Pick up a pie and judge for yourself. // Burger-craving vegans will be satisfied at the first SF outpost of robust Singapore-based eatery VeganBurg(1466 Haight St.). // Hungover Haighters always appreciate the stick-to-your-ribs breakfast options at Pork Store Cafe(1451 Haight St.). // Originally hailing from North Beach, the Haight address for Brioche Cafe(1640 Haight St.) also offers plenty of carb goodness ranging from brioche french toast to prosciutto tartines to chicken paninis.

Dinner

If dinner's in the cards, meander down to Lower Haight. At Uva Enoteca(568 Haight St.), find a host of Italian options like burrata topped pizza, boar Bolognese lasagna, and cheese plates inside a dimly lit intimate space or outside on the patio. // Don't forget to check out Iza Ramen(237 Fillmore St.) for a bowl of their famous Iza Tsukenmen. // Take a group and start with some margs and salsa before trying all the tacos and tostadas at Otra(682 Haight St.).

Coffee + Snacks

Find your obligatory morning caffeine shot at Ritual Coffee Roasters(1300 Haight St.). // Flywheel Coffee Roasters' brick and mortar (672 Stanyan St.) or Golden Gate Park kiosk just across the street will also keep you fueled up. // Of course, a trip to Haight Street wouldn't be complete without a stop at Ben & Jerry's(1480 Haight St.). If the weather is right, take your scoop to the park.

Craft Beer + Cocktails in the Haight

The gin-forward Medicinal Scapegoat at Alembic, one of San Francisco's best cocktail bars.

(Courtesy of @alembicsf)

Beers + Dives

Quench your thirst with a fresh pint of cask ale at the famous home of Magnolia Brewing(1398 Haight St.), which also serves hearty gastropub fare. // Craft beer aficionados continue to go ga-ga over the enormous selection of brews available at the original location of Toronado(547 Haight St.). // Ernest Takai's Noc Noc(557 Haight St.) bills itself as the city's "most unusual" bar—this might have something to do with the trippy mood lighting and cave-style wall paintings. Don't even try to order a PBR. // Mad Dog in the Fog(1568 Haight St.) is the place to pair your pints and pub grub with whatever sports game is on the telly.

Cocktails

If a cocktail is more your speed, find plenty of intoxicating libations (plus bar bites) at the lively Alembic(1725 Haight St.). Select from offerings like the Stiff Upper Lip (fino sherry, concord grape shrub, benedictine, and cardamom) or the Harvest Manhattan (Rittenhouse rye, pumpkin liqueur, and Italian vermouth rouge). Learn from the pros by taking one of their popular mixology classes. // Ahoy, mateys! Get your rum fix with more than 100 varieties and classic tiki drinks at Hobson's Choice(1601 Haight St.).

Fun + Games

Pay homage to Haight-Ashbury's musical history with live music daily at the lively Club Deluxe(1511 Haight St.) where old-time jazz vibes rule and no one can turn down a fresh-squeezed greyhound. // Head to The Milk Bar(1840 Haight St.) for comedy debates on Tuesdays, trivia on Wednesdays, stand-up comedy on Thursdays, and plenty of other shows.

Vintage, Costumes, and Sneaker Shopping on Haight Street

Need some lingerie? Just look for the legs.

(Allison Fong)

Fashion + Gear

Seriously, where else can you find a collective of tie-dye artists? To get a taste of its 1960s heyday, head down to Love on Haight(1400 Haight St.) for the best psychedelic styles. // RVCA(1485 Haight St.) stocks gear and lifestyle wear for skaters, boarders, and more. // Nice Kicks(1420 Haight St.) peddles sneakers with street cred and accessories in a lofty space. // Stock up on T-shirts and hoodies from an array of artist collabs next door at Upper Playground(220 Fillmore St.). // With an iconic pair of fishnet legs beckoning shoppers into the Piedmont Boutique(1452 Haight St.), you know it's the go-to place to pick up lingerie and accessories for all your burlesque needs. // Then visit the cavernous Sockshop(1742 Haight St.) where a plethroa of prints will keep your feet happy. // If you're looking for an iconic souvenir, check out Derby of San Francisco(1472 Haight St.), which has been selling American-made Derby jackets since 1963. // For California-themed keepsakes created by local artists, venture in to San Francisco Mercantile(1698 Haight St.).

Vintage, Costumes + Thrift

Hand-embellished clothing with fringe, patchwork appliqués and painting—since one person's trash is another's ticket to the pages of Vogue, Haight Street is the perfect place to scour thrift shops. Budget-conscious vintage lovers should make a beeline for Wasteland(1660 Haight St.), Berkeley transplant Indigo Vintage Cooperative(1649 Haight St.), and Relic Vintage(1475 Haight St.). // Buffalo Exchange(1555 Haight St.) has decent selection of modern wardrobe pieces at pocket-friendly prices. // Party people will dig Haight Street Costumes(735 Haight St.), which overflows with accoutrements for your year-round dress-up needs.

Things to Do in the Haight: Hippie Culture + SF's Most Famous Park

Grab a pre-roll and a snack to go and wander into Golden Gate Park.

(Photo by Jeffrey Eisen on Unsplash)

Arts + Culture

For those who don't live in the neighborhood, no trip to the Haight is complete without a stop at the iconic Amoeba Music(1855 Haight St.), where you can get lost in the aisles of records and CDs and even catch a live show or DJ set. // At The Booksmith(1727 Haight St.), knowledgeable staff are ready with recommendations for the latest releases. Plus, check out their ongoing author events. // Pay tribute to the 'hoods most influential figures with a photo op outside the Grateful Dead House(710 Ashbury St.), a beautiful Victorian that was occupied by the band's five founders in the 1960s. // If you're feeling crafty, a trip to Workshop SF(1310 Haight St.) is a must. Learn to sew, make candles, and much more over chatter with your instructor and fellow students. // More in the mood to see art? Opened in 2017, Haight Street Art Center(215 Haight St.) celebrates poster art with regular exhibits. // It's easy to spend an afternoon gaming at Free Gold Watch(1767 Waller St.). The arcade slash print shop is home to more than 50 pinball machines, Pac-Man, Gold Mine, and other favorites.

Fitness + Outdoors

Obviously the Haight has primo access to Golden Gate Park, where you may still conjure all the Summer of Love vibes you like—especially after a quick stop at the cannabis dispensary Sparc(473 Haight St.) for some sun-grown pre-rolls or Camino gummies. But if you prefer to avoid the masses, opt instead for a stroll through the secluded trails of Buena Vista Park to admire the bordering mansions and the view of the SF skyline. // Need to sweat? Sign up for a 40-minute sesh on one of BodyRok's (1529 Haight St.) custom reformers.

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