Late Night Dining In San Francisco

Nopa Restaurant

560 Divisadero Street
(415) 864-8643
Dinner: 6:00 pm-1:00 am Daily

Nopa has an inventive atmosphere that strikes guests the moment they arrive. On one side of the restaurant, long communal tables offer diners the option of a lively setting for a snack. An expansive bar provides exotic and creative cocktails like the “Wash House,” an untraditional take on a gimlet that includes basil and a sprig of thyme. The other half of the restaurant is separated by glass dividers, and offers diners a more traditional, intimate style of dining. Specializing in organic, wood-cooked preparations, Nopa’s cuisine is top notch while retaining a rustic, wholesome character. Think oven-warmed olives, flat-bread pizza, and rotisserie herbed chicken. Nopa accepts reservations from 2:00 pm to midnight every day.

Osha Thai

Three late night locations including
696 Geary Street
(415) 673-2368
Sunday - Thursday 11:00 am - 1:00 am
Friday & Saturday 11:00 am - 3:00 am

With an eye on tradition, Osha Thai serves a large variety of Thai dishes at three late-night locations in San Francisco. Osha is best known for its original location at 696 Geary, which stays open until 1:00 am Sunday-Thursday and until 3am Friday and Saturday. However, its 819 Valencia Street and 2033 Union Street locations also remain open until 12:00 am. Get your fill of curries, pan-fried noodles, noodle soups, and fried rice made as spicy as you want. Osha offers a variety of vegetarian dishes, including spicy eggplant with sweet basil and crispy tofu salad with mint and lime dressing. Osha offers a selection of sparkling, white, red, and after-dinner wines. The atmosphere at the Geary location is plain, but the Valencia and Union Street locations each have a hip and trendy decor. Parking can be tricky at all locations.

Alembic Bar

1725 Haight Street
(415) 666-0822
Dinner: 5:00 pm-12:00 am Daily

This hip and stylish bar specializes in whiskies, offering over 80 labels from all over the world, but its menu isn’t to be overlooked. Featuring all small plates, the Alembic has dishes as exotic as their libations, including bone marrow with caper gremolata and pickled quail eggs. But have no fear; they also serve heirloom tomato salad with bacon vinaigrette, miso-glazed black cod, a selection of fine artisan cheeses, and fruity and chocolate-filled deserts. The Alembic was opened by the owners of Magnolia Brew Pub, which is just down the street, and because the Alembic’s popularity continues to grow, getting a seat is sometimes difficult. Parking is also tricky in the Upper Haight neighborhood, and Alembic’s high-quality cuisine does demand a bit of patience.

The Brazen Head

3166 Buchanan Street
(415) 921-7600
Dinner: 5:00 pm-1:00 am Daily

The Brazen Head restaurant has the feel of an old-style pub and it’s a great place to grab a burger or sit down to a three-course dinner. If you like seafood, the menu offers typical San Francisco fare, such as Dungeness crab cakes, ahi tuna tartar, and colossal prawn scampi with a light cream sauce. For steak lovers, the entrees also include four choices of steak, which are the most expensive items on the menu, peeking at $26.95. If you aren’t in the mood for seafood or steak, the menu is otherwise limited to the usual salads and basic entrees, such as their “classic Caesar” and chicken marsala. Make sure to bring cash because the Brazen Head does not accept credit cards. The restaurant is small, and, if arriving in a large group, it is best to call in advance. They do not accept reservations but the staff members are friendly and might be able to accommodate your group.

Oola

860 Folsom Street
(415) 995-2061
Dinner: 6:00 pm-1:00 am Sunday and Monday
Dinner: 6:00 pm-2:00 am Tuesday-Saturday

Oola Restaurant focuses on the finer things in life: foie gras, oysters, and artisan cheeses, but that doesn’t stop them from taking them to new heights. Self-described as an American-style bistro, Oola offers decadent dishes to late night diners, like foie gras and chicken ravioli, bacon-wrapped monkfish, and  coffee-roasted duck breast.  They have an exceptional recipe for all-natural baby back ribs, which includes a cilantro, ginger, and soy glaze. The prices of entrees range from 14 to 30 dollars and the wine list has a wide range of sensibly and immaculately priced bottles. The atmosphere at Oola can be loud due to the bar, but the upstairs seating is significantly quieter. While it’s often hard to find street parking, Oola offers a valet service.

Ryoko Restaurant & Bar

619 Taylor Street
(415) 775-1028
Dinner: 6:00 pm-2:00 am Daily

If you don’t mind taking a rain check on atmosphere, Ryoko has high-quality, fresh, and traditional sushi. They offer the usual caterpillar rolls and albacore sashimi but also have such items as deep-fried provolone wrapped in wontons and agedashi tofu. Prices are moderate and there’s a full bar. As for the atmosphere, the restaurant is located below street level and is just around the corner from the less-than-savory Tenderloin district. However, once inside, Ryoko provides good service and an unpretentious, hip atmosphere. Ryoko offers seating at the sushi bar, which provides the fun experience of watching your sushi be made. A live DJ plays techno most nights of the week.

Mozzarella di Bufala Pizzeria

69 W Portal Ave.
(415) 661-8900
Dinner: 11:00 am-12:00 am Friday and Saturday

While plenty of pizza places stay open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, Mozzarella di Bufala in the West Portal district offers a lot more than just pizza. Grilled prawns, spaghetti bolognese, and chicken piccata with capers and lemon sauce showcase the Italian heritage of the family-owned restaurant; its Brazilian heritage is represented by elaborate dishes like moqueca de camarao, which includes prawns, coconut milk, cilantro, and vegetables, and frango a brasileira, which is chicken sautéed in saffron and dark beer sauce. The dishes are a far cry from a slice of Hawaiian pizza. Take-out and delivery are offered as well as in-house seating with good service.