On the southern border of Golden Gate Park between Arguello Blvd. and 19th Ave., you’ll find the Inner Sunset—a cozy neighborhood full of local shops, diverse dining, and more.
Here, you can order a craft cocktail from a newly-opened bar or sip a pint of Guinness at San Francisco’s second-oldest pub. You can buy seasonal produce and freshly cut flowers at the Sunday farmers market or join a workout class any day of the week. You can try your hand at gardening, sewing, or pottery painting, then tingle your taste buds with global flavors from Korea, Vietnam, and India or cool your palate with fresh mint ice cream from SF’s original small-batch creamery.
With plenty of new additions over the past few years and more on the way (hello, Luke’s Local!), the Inner Sunset has truly become a destination neighborhood.
Inner Sunset’s Best Restaurants
The sea bream sashimi for two is one of the signature dishes at Caché.
(Joseph Weaver)
New(er) Restaurants
Business partners Florent Thomas and chef Simon Mounier opened the modern bistro Caché (1235 9th Ave.) in March 2025 after working together at two Michelin-starred La Grande Maison de Bernard Magrez in France. Don’t miss the signature sea bream sashimi or the surf and turf crudo at dinner. If you pop over for lunch, try the octopus hot dog with mango curry mayo. // Mezze and Mooore II (627 Irving St.) opened in February 2025 and serves made-from-scratch Lebanese cuisine like tasty mezze plates, shawarma, and kebabs. // Chef Mohamed Aboghanem’s Savor (401 Irving St.) is the place for vegetarian and vegan food. The Arabic cuisine is modern and full of so much flavor that you’ll find yourself coming back again and again. // Inle Burmese Cuisine (822 Irving St.) moved from Noe Valley to the Inner Sunset in 2023 bringing its laid-back ambiance and tasty Burmese and Thai flavors with it. // For the ultimate casual meal, head to Super Duper (737 Irving St.) for cheeseburgers and chocolate milkshakes.
Neighborhood Favorites
At Um.ma (1220 9th Ave.), chef Chris Oh prepares Korean Seoul food, like 48-hour marinated kalbi short ribs, charred gochujang glazed pork belly with apple slices and Korean miso spread, and daily housemade kimchi and signature soy marinated quail eggs. The interior is chic, but you can also dine outdoors amongst the 80-year-old trees while listening to 90s hip hop. // Taste the most delicious, authentic Persian cuisine at Lavash (511 Irving St.), which has a cute parklet decorated with greenery and fresh flowers. // Manna (845 Irving St.) is a neighborhood go-to for Korean barbecue, bibimbap, soft tofu soup, and kimchi fried rice. // It's worth the wait at the wildly popular San Tung (1031 Irving St.) for Northern Chinese-style food, including their famous dry-fried chicken wings. Some might even say they’re addictive. // The specialties at Rose Indian Cuisine (1386 9th Ave.) include multiple varieties of curry, lamb, chicken, seafood, and vegetarian dishes: chef Om Kandel takes pride in sourcing authentic spices and the best local produce he can find. // Pasquale’s Pizzeria (700 Irving St.) serves delicious pizzas and pastas in a casual setting. // Fiorella (1240 9th Ave.) is a more upscale Italian restaurant with tasty craft cocktails and a few different seating areas, including a rooftop balcony. // At Yo También Cantina (205 Hugo St.), you have a choice of tamales in three different sizes served with a perfectly seasoned cabbage slaw. // Enjoy margaritas, tacos, and burritos at casual eatery Underdogs Tres (1224 9th Ave.). Everything is local and sustainable, plus they’ve got large T.V.s for watching the game (and a cute back patio). // If you're in the mood for sushi, try Ebisu (1283 9th Ave.). There’s a reason why it’s been a neighborhood staple for the past 40 years: fresh fish from around the globe presented in classic dishes like sashimi, nigiri, and sushi rolls. // Chef Kiyoshi's rolls and shared plates at Koo (408 Irving St.) are another Japanese treat. // Sustainable seafood restaurant and bar Pacific Catch (1200 9th Ave.) is large, airy, and has an outdoor fire pit. For an island escape, order a mai tai and dine on the bamboo decorated tiki terrace. // Tuck into crispy imperial rolls and an extensive selection of pho, garlic noodles, and Vietnamese rice plates at Perilla (836 Irving St.). // Marnee Thai (1243 9th Ave.) is a great spot for authentic cuisine. You can't go wrong with the khao soy chicken or the Thai-style fried rice. // For a classic American diner (with a little Korean cuisine added in), choose Art’s Café (747 Irving St.). Serving big portions at affordable prices, the small eatery has been in business over 30 years and has been named the best breakfast in the city more than once.
Inner Sunset’s Best Bars, Coffee + More
The Little Shamrock is one of the oldest pubs in San Francisco.
(Courtesy of sf.gov.)
Coffee, Tea, and Treats
A trip to Arizmendi Bakery (1331 9th Ave.) is the perfect way to start any morning. The freshly baked bread, scone of the day, and pecan rolls are among the reasons there’s always a line outside this worker-owned cooperative. // The Beanery (602 Irving St. and 1307 9th Ave.) serves hot and cold coffees using 100 percent Arabica beans. // Snowbird Coffee (1352 A 9th Ave.) does expert pour-overs. While you're there, pick up a bag of their locally-roasted, single-origin beans or popular third eye blend. // Treat yourself to contemporary afternoon tea at Sip Tea Room (721 Lincoln Way). Feel fancy pouring piping hot tea from an ornate pot while snacking on sweet and savory items like tiny sandwiches and warm scones served with clotted cream, preserves, and lemon curd. Add a side of sausage rolls—you won’t be sorry. // While exploring the neighborhood, pick up a Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea (645 Irving St.) made with seasonal juices like mango, lychee, and pineapple. // Hometown Creamery (1290 9th Ave.) keeps things fresh with their ever-changing rotation of ice cream flavors (think cantaloupe sorbet and strawberry balsamic), but a standout on the always-available menu is fresh mint chip ice cream, which has several pounds of mint leaves in each batch. // Willow on the Green (1327 9th Ave.) will supply you with all the British cheeses, crackers, and chutneys you might want for a picnic in the park. They also offer an impressive selection of domestic and international wine, beer, and ciders. // The specialty at Golden Bear Trading Company (1401 6th Ave.) is Turkish coffee ground fine as powdered sugar and brewed in a canister with a touch of spice. // The Inner Sunset location of Tartine Bakery (1226 9th Ave.) offers indoor and outdoor seating to enjoy freshly baked sweet and savory goodies. // For the ultimate DIY dessert, stop by everyone’s favorite frozen yogurt shop Easy Breezy (718 Irving St.) for fun flavors like busta limes and hella nutella, plus plenty of toppings. // Coming soon in the former Starbucks location: the much anticipated Saint Frank Coffee (1800 Irving St.).
Bars
Designed with handsome wood tables and plenty of greenery, Red Tail (545 Irving St.) is a welcoming place to enjoy a glass of vino or a pint of local craft beer, especially on Trivia Night. // The Little Shamrock (807 Lincoln Way) opened its doors in 1893, making it one of San Francisco’s oldest bars. The pub is cozy with antique furniture and sofas. Order a cold draft beer, play a board game, or challenge a friend to darts. // If you want chicken with your rotating list of local craft beer, head to Foghorn Taproom (534 Irving St.). Wings come in a dozen flavors including dry spice, pineapple basil, and lemon pepper. // Don't miss the happy hour specials at Fireside (603 Irving St.) which, as its name implies, has a fireplace. Look for contemporary drawings of elk and moose in cheeky homage to a hunter’s taxidermy trophies. // The Mucky Duck (1315 9th Ave.) has sports bar-themed décor and a pool table. // At Yancy’s Saloon (734 Irving St.), there are dart boards and big-screen T.V.s that are perfect for watching the game with a group.
Things to Do in the Inner Sunset
The San Francisco Botanical Garden is 55 acres of green space on the doorstep of the Inner Sunset.
(Courtesy of Gardens of Golden Gate Park)
Outdoors
With Golden Gate Park on the border of the neighborhood's northern edge, there is absolutely no shortage of accessible outdoor activities nearby. Enter the park from the Inner Sunset near the San Francisco Botanical Garden (1199 9th Avenue), which has 55 acres of flora and greenery with 8,000 different kinds of plants from New Zealand, Chile, South Africa, and beyond. // If you're inspired to test your green thumb, Garden for the Environment (1590 7th Ave.) is on a mission to educate San Franciscans about sustainable plants that can be grown in the city's environments. // More attractions near the Inner Sunset entrance to Golden Gate Park include the Japanese Tea Garden (75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive), the Conservatory of Flowers (100 John F. Kennedy Dr.), Blue Heron Lake (Blue Heron Lake Drive), and the park's museums—the De Young (50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr.) and the California Academy of Sciences (55 Music Concourse Dr). // You’ll find more green space at Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve (multiple entrances). Admittedly, it isn't as lush as it once was thanks to a deforestation project on the part of land owner UCSF, but there’s something magical about hiking through the tall trees surrounded by early morning fog.
Fun + Games
At Earthfire Art Studios (438 Judah St.) you can paint a piece of bisque pottery—coffee mug, vase, plate, dog bowl—in your favorite color scheme, or sign up for a pottery class. // The Game Parlour (1342 Irving St.) is a drop-in spot (though reservations are recommended on weekend evenings) for board game aficionados, with more than 1,000 games on offer. Snacks are waffle focused: think savory sandwiches and sweet mochi surprises. They also serve beer, wine, milkshakes, and Ritual coffee. // The high intensity strength training techniques at Yubalance (447 Irving St.) feature TRX, Swiss balls, and kettlebells. // The Moon and Stars Studio (1262 9th Ave.) is the place to be for pilates, yoga, and barre. // The Yoga Shala (455 Judah St.) specializes in heated Vinyasa power yoga.
Shopping
Stock up on seasonal produce, local honey, the tastiest hummus, and fresh flowers at the Inner Sunset Farmers Market (1315 8th Ave.), held Sundays year-round from 9am to 1pm. // For vintage treasures and local art and jewelry, the lively Inner Sunset Flea Market (Irving St. from 9th to 11th Aves.) is the place to shop every second Sunday from April to November. // For more vintage finds, crafts, plants, and pet supplies, visit Sunset Mercantile Emporium (653 Irving St.), a makers-and-merchants collective and community hub. // Explore the aisles of independent bookstore Green Apple Books (1231 9th Ave.) for stories in every genre and fun author events. // Comic book lovers: don’t miss Amazing Fantasy (650 Irving St.).They have over 1,000 graphic novels with new issues arriving every Wednesday. // Women’s clothing boutique Ambiance (756 Irving St.) is your one stop shop for trendy apparel and accessories. // For locally designed and screen printed clothes, head to San Franpsycho (1256 9th Ave). // Kira (1234 9th Ave.) is a colorful shop for all ages featuring its own apparel and collaborations with local vendors on unique clothing, accessories, and jewelry. // Pepperjack Provisions (1232 9th Ave.) is a modern neighborhood general store with cool gifts for the home. // My Favorite (601 Irving St.) has the best card selection in the neighborhood, but they’ve also got vases and planters, printed tote bags, and kitchen accessories. // For aspiring magicians—or those that just love a prank—visit Misdirections Magic Shop (1236 9th Ave.). It’s celebrating 28 years of being "a real magic shop for real magicians" but they have fun tricks and gags for everyone. // Coming soon: neighborhood market Luke’s Local (1266 9th Ave.).
Art Galleries
San Francisco Women’s Artist Gallery (647 Irving St.) promotes equity in the arts for all people, showcasing paintings, photography, and sculptures by new and established female Bay Area artists. You’ll want to take your time admiring the gallery’s impressive exhibitions. // The Marrow Gallery (548 Irving St.) is open Fridays from 11am to 3pm and by appointment, but the paintings and mixed-media art can be seen anytime from the street-facing windows. The neighborhood spot features local, national, and international artists. // Hunt and Gather (1108 Irving St.) is a seasonal art gallery with art shows and a gift shop.
