We love a night out in San Francisco but, post-club or bar crawl, often find ourselves hungry in a city gone dark by 10pm. And fast food chains? No thank you, we're grownups.
Fortunately, SF does still have some solid spots to grab a snack or a meal with many of our longtime favorites serving food till midnight and even later.
Here's where to grab late night eats in San Francisco.
Beretta
(Courtesy of @berettasf)
The eggplant caponatina and the "bartender's" pizza (topped with Calabrese pepper, olives, burrata, and sausage) need no introduction—this crave-worthy Italian fare made with local, organic ingredients has been a staple of the Valencia Street restaurant scene for almost as long as we can remember. Recent history has also bought us a Divisadero Street location. But Beretta is extra-special among the crowd as one of the rare full-service dining-rooms-slash-cocktail-bars that serves food till 11pm most nights, and till midnight Fridays and Saturdays (at the Mission restaurant only). Throw in a chopped little gem salad for good measure. // 1199 Valencia St. (Mission), berettasf.com
El Farolito
This popular Mexican spot is well known among San Francisco night owls who can't get enough of carne asada burritos, super quesadillas suizas, and tortas after midnight. There are several locations around the Bay Area but only three serving past 1am in SF. // 2950 24th St. (Mission), 2779 Mission St. (Mission), 4187 Mission St. (Excelsior); elfarolitosf.com
Buster’s Cheesesteak
Nights out in North Beach typically involve pizza, but with its vibrant yellow exterior Buster’s Cheesesteak is a can't miss for hearty, greasy grub under $15. We think you should go for the classic Philly-style sando loaded with steak and melty cheese on soft baguette, but burgers are also an option. // Open until 3am daily; 366 Columbus Ave. (North Beach), busterscheesesteaksanfrancisco.bestcafes.online
The Monk's Kettle
Since 2007, The Monk’s Kettle has been a destination for beer lovers who also appreciate elevated pub grub like hop salt fries, lamb burgers, larder boards, and steak frites. Healthy eaters and vegetarians will appreciate a selection of salads and soup. Order from the extensive draft list with a bit of everything—English bitter, bohemian pilsner, kölsch, and West Coast IPA—and don't forget to grab some bottles and cans to take home. // Open noon to midnight daily; 3141 16th St. (Mission), monkskettle.com
ABV
Grapefruit spritz highballs? You don't have to ask us twice. This walk-ins only eatery is typically top of mind for cocktail connoisseurs—ABV's pineapple sherry made 7x7's list of SF's 50 most iconic cocktails this year. But before you get too carried away with the drinks, get your food order in. The bar stays open till 2am daily but the kitchen closes at midnight. You can chow a plate of Thai ceviche, gulf shrimp tacos, and the popular ABV burger right from your bar stool. // 3174 16th St. (Mission), abvsf.com
Trick Dog
Where else can you get a kale salad with your cocktail until 10pm?
(@thereelmarcus, courtesy of @trickdogbar)
Since the vast majority of decent SF restaurants close at 9pm, an extra hour of kitchen duty makes the mainstay cocktail bar Trick Dog all the more appealing. Enthusiasts love the rotating themed list that verges on performance art: The current offering, called "In Good Spirits," is "one part poetry anthology, two parts cocktail menu" and features drinks inspired by poems written by the likes of Langston Hughes, Emily Dickinson, and Edna St. Vincent Millay. Hungry? Scarf up a Quik Dog burger, crispy chicken sando, and our favorite kale salad. // 3010 20th St. (Mission), trickdogbar.com
Horsefeather
The vibe is calm, cool, and collected at Horsefeather, where the last seating for dining is 10pm nightly. We love both the indoor and outdoor atmospheres here, so choose between the warm wood-clad interior with tufted teal banquettes and stained-glass accents or the plant-filled covered patio at the sidewalk. Crowd favorites such as Gochujang crispy wings, pulled pork tacos, and whiskey butter cake are just what the bartender ordered to pair with creative drinks like the California Cooler (gin, thyme sauv blanc cordial, celery, lime, sparkling cremant), another pick on 7x7's 2022 Big Drink. Horsefeather also offers non-alcoholic options such as Athletic Brewing's Upside Dawn golden ale. // 528 Divisadero St. (Fillmore), horsefeatherbar.com
Grubstake
When it's way past everyone else's bedtime and the hankering for American comfort food strikes, Grubstake, a TenderNob classic for over 50 years, still gets it done. Bring your entourage and share all the diner favorites—think potato skins, chicken fingers, and an A-1 Smackdown burger. If you’re looking to get your fork into a stack of fluffy pancakes, Grubstake serves breakfast all day. // Open till 4am Thursday through Saturday and 3am Sunday through Wednesday;1525 Pine St. (TenderNob), sfgrubstake.com
Hot Cookie
You'll laugh all the way home from a late-night stop at the Castro's Hot Cookie where sweet treats come in shapes both classic and carnal (it's par for the neighborhood with a nail salon called Hand Job). Go for a phallic white chocolate macaroon or a dark chocolate hoo-ha. // Open until 11pm Sunday through Thursday, 2am Friday and Saturday; 407 Castro St. (Castro), hotcookie.com
Mel’s Drive-In
The original Mel’s Drive-In opened in Cow Hollow in 1985 but this is a straight-up '50s throwback serving classic American diner fare all day long. Favorite menu items include the Melburger, short ribs, a Southern-style fried chicken sandwich, and Nutella French toast. If you really want to vibe with the theme, order a thick and creamy Penguin milkshake, lower the convertible top, and kick up your heels on the dash. The SoMa and Lombard locations are open till 3am on Fridays and Saturdays. For something a bit more upscale—think avocado toast, eggs Benedict, and cocktails—you can check out the new Mel’s Kitchen (1050 Van Ness Ave.) daily until 11pm. // Multiple locations, melsdrive-in.com
The Melt
Grab one of The Melt's Mac Daddy meals for the ultimate grilled cheese & mac and cheese crossover. (Courtesy of @themelt)
Did you know the mecca of grilled cheese is open till 2am? Soak up your sins with any of the ooey-gooey options, including the three-cheese classic, a steak and cheese, the Mac Daddy, Meltburgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, and even salads. // 925 Market St. (SoMa), 455 Market St. (SoMa), and One Embarcadero Center (FiDi), themelt.com
