Where to eat and drink to fall in love with the Bay Area again

Over the last year, the Outer Sunset has quietly grown into one of San Francisco’s most appealing food and drink destinations. You could easily spend a whole week there without getting tired, as its residents already know. With still-worthy old haunts and compelling newcomers, the Outer Sunset is a great neighborhood for a truly excellent food-fueled expedition. Let us guide you through it with the launch of this new food crawl series, called Best Day Ever.

Despite obstacles, an amazing array of new bars opened in the Bay Area during the pandemic — and several that squeaked in just before the pandemic managed to survive. As critic Esther Mobley writes, these bars have colorful spaces, vibrant drinks and, above all else, a sense of celebration. Here’s which ones to prioritize this summer, including a Caribbean beach shack with actual sand on the ground and a bar that looks straight out of a Kinfolk magazine photo.

Ice cream is acceptable all year, especially in the Bay Area, but there’s nothing like having a scoop to set the mood for the summer. It’s hard to go wrong here. These 12 ice cream and gelato shops, though, stand out above the rest — delivering on rich, flavorful scoops where the flavor is turned up full blast. Expect seasonal flavors using summer fruits, as well as plenty of options for those who go dairy-free.

After more than a year of home cooking, gathering inside a restaurant feels momentous. Plan one of your first meals back at a San Francisco restaurant known for its decor — whether it shows off the city’s history or has a contemporary look that feels appropriate for a night out on the town. This photo essay spotlights the beauty of our city’s restaurants, the kind that create a vibe that’s impossible to create at home. It will surely inspire you to make a reservation right now.

For those who aren’t ready to dine indoors, there are still plenty of outdoor dining options with a waterside view that will make a meal feel like an event. There are options along the Pacific Ocean, the San Francisco Bay and even the Petaluma River, serving ideal weekend fare like fried oysters, grilled local salmon and beer-friendly poutine.

Your next great meal awaits … at a gas station. There are family-run restaurants inside gas stations across the country, and in the Bay Area, that translates to an eclectic selection of quality eats: birria tacos, shawarma wraps, fried chicken, boba and more. In this guide, see which gas stations you need to put on your pit stop list when you plan an excursion this summer (or beyond).

What will your first night out look like? If you’re seeking inspiration and solidarity, hear from four Bay Area locals on what they’re envisioning — from dreams of an old-school San Francisco experience at the House of Prime Rib to day drinking at outdoor bars in Oakland. One thing: All of them aren’t planning the same kind of evening that they would have before the pandemic hit. They’re dipping their toes into celebrations, sometimes only with their closest of friends. 

Picnicking was one of the few safe activities for a while, but after so much time inside, breathing in fresh air and touching grass has never felt so good. Many of the Bay Area’s parks are filled with people relaxing with food now — including with grandiose picnics featuring portable grills and big buckets of fried chicken. Join them with our guide on superior takeout options that can be enjoyed while soaking in some of the Bay Area’s finest vistas. 

For this summer series, wine critic Esther Mobley has updated her list of Top 25 Wineries in the Bay Area. That means the wineries in this guide are especially well-suited to the warm weather — thirst-quenching whites and rosés, wineries with fun outdoor activities or board games, and of course, lots and lots of scenic views. Plan a whole day around it; summer feels better with a glass of wine in hand. 

If you weren’t feeling safe dining outdoors before, now is the time to catch up on all the impressive new patios and parklets that restaurants have created. Restaurant critic Soleil Ho updated her guide to the best outdoor dining in the Bay Area for this summer series, and there’s more than enough to take you through the season. They’re all comfortable enough for a transition back into restaurant life, but more importantly, the food will satisfy.