The Lower Haight Neighborhood Guide

By: Kyrie Sismaet By: Kyrie Sismaet | March 1, 2023 |

Nestled right in between Hayes Valley, Duboce Triangle and the iconic Alamo Square Park, the Lower Haight is a diverse area known for its vibrantly eclectic and laid-back personality. From international eateries, to beloved no-frill dives, this relaxed and carefree neighborhood kindly offers something for everyone, making it a favorite choice for many to both reside in and frequent.

If you're looking to visit this artistic and alternative gem right in the heart of SF, here is our neighborhood guide for all of the Lower Haight's best sites.

Where To Eat

Otra

682 Haight St / (415) 500-2774 / Website

Otra is an absolutely charming family-run restaurant that elevates the traditional Mexican childhood favorites that Chef Nick adored. With an emphasis on uplifting fresh produce in their many vegetarian-friendly options, this is a gorgeously sleek location bathed in a rich blue motif that's refined and swanky while still feeling cozy and homestyle.

Axum Cafe

698 Haight St / (415) 252-7912 / Website

Axum Cafe is a casual Ethiopian restaurant that has been bestowing their devoted community with delectable cuisine that doesn't hold back on the spices. Whether you go veggie, or with any of their rich meat staples, everything here is immensely flavored with complex precision, giving you a proper introduction to this cultural cuisine, along with their frequent live music.

Nara Restaurant & Sake Bar

518 Haight St / (415) 638-6124 / Website

Nara is a classy, intimately dim, and luxurious escape for top-shelf sake and inventive sushi. Their menu is wonderfully expansive, offering an endless list of sashimi, nigiri, signature rolls, and of course, sake both hot and cold, and all for lavishly affordable prices.

Memphis Minnie's BBQ

576 Haight St / (415) 864-7675 / Website

For all things good, ol' fashioned BBQ, Memphis Minnie's has got you covered! Since opening in 2000, this playful eatery has been garnering endless acclaim, all for their authentic southern-style cooking, all in generously affordable and portioned servings! If you can't decide on which of their divinely smoked meats to indulge on, definitely consider the Minnie's Taster, which allows you to try any three of their meats, two sides (the mac and cheese, and sweet potatoes are a must), and a cornbread muffin.

Where To Stay

The Metro Hotel

319 Divisadero St / (415) 861-5364 / Website

The Metro Hotel is a boutique stay perfectly sitting in the epicenter of not only the Lower Haight, but also Buena Vista Park and NoPa. Chic, sultry, and brimming with amenities, this is a desirable retreat to return to once you're done exploring the area that's sophisticated and sexy while also being sunny and approachable.

Where To Relax

Alamo Square Park

Website

When in Lower Haight, you simply cannot pass up taking a short jaunt over to our landmark of the Painted Ladies! Whether you want to capture that ideal tourist photo, or just came to have a chill picnic (or both!), you will always find many locals doing the same, imbuing you with a positive sense of community at this cute park. Definitely stroll through the entirety of this city oasis, and feel yourself become centered and revitalized while in the center of it all.

Edo Salon

601 Haight St / (415) 861-0131 / Website

Edo Salon is the ultimate beauty experience. With a trusted dedication towards inclusivity, their expertly professional service not only carefully works will all natural hair textures, but actually celebrates and uplifts them, ensuring your new haircut and style personally suits your features beautifully with eco-friendly products.

Le Cafe du Soleil

400 Waller St / (415) 829-7935 / Website

For a serenely relaxing coffee shop, we recommend Le Cafe du Soleil, which, as its name promises, is a sunny and bright cornerstone that evokes an elegantly Parisian atmosphere. Take a seat with some freshmade and authentically French pastries and feel time slow down at this radiant European escape.

Where To Shop

Vinyl Dreams

593 Haight St / (415) 379-0974 / Website

Lower Haight is a hidden gem filled with even more undiscovered gems, and the underground Vinyl Dreams shop is the prime example of this. Head down to this musical cove and discover all of the hottest records for electronica, house, drum-and-bass, and all things danceable. Whether you're here to find an elusive collectible or for their live DJ sets, you definitely won't resist busting a move when you discover their expansive collections all with the most helpful service.

Black Nose Trading Co.

342 Divisadero St / (415) 503-1004 / Website

The Lower Haight shopping experience definitely isn't just limited to the humans, as your prized pooch will benefit from the Black Nose Trading Co.! This is a brimming boutique full of everything to spoil your furry companion with, from toys and treats, to grooming, dog-walking, and even overnight pet-sitting services for only $60! This is a luxurious stay that your dog will have a difficult time checking out of due to their kind and thoughtful expertise.

COVE

206 Fillmore St / (415) 863-8199 / Website

For the plant lovers, COVE is a botanical boutique that will unequivocally provide your home with vividly fresh foliage. This is a chic and magical wonderland that curates the most fashionable indoor plants, equipment, home decor, and more, and all with a keen appreciation towards natural, antique, and whimsical designs.

For Pre-Dinner Drinks

The Page

298 Divisadero St / (415) 255-6101 / Website

The Page is a classic cash-only dive bathed in a sultry low red lighting that feels classy, relaxed, and casually midcentury. Comfortably snug, this is a perfect place for a happy hour or a game of pool while being able to catch up. They also boast impressive live performances and an original jukebox to fully fill their cozy lounge with a positive ambience.

Toronado

547 Haight St / (415) 863-2276 / Website

Toronado is overwhelmingly renowned for being a sunny no-frills dive with over 40 beers magnificently available on tap! Take a seat down on their sticker-adorned bar and find the right one (or few) for you, all with careful help from their courteous and knowledgeable bartenders.

Woods Lowside

530 Haight St / (415) 548-5734 / Website

Woods Lowside is a clean, minimalist, and premier brewery and distillery that crafts a wide array of flavorful saisons, sours, lagers, natural wines, and more. This is an upscale spot for an afternoon drink with some Joyride Pizza as you also peruse their artisanal bottles for sale.

Where To Hit The Town

Madrone Art Bar

500 Divisadero St / (415) 241-0202 / Website

Madrone Art Bar is a fantastic option for a night out, whether it be on the weekend, or for their popular Motown Mondays! This low-lit dive is fully decorated with local art and presents a diverse calendar for musical events that caters to everyone's taste. Enjoy the live sets on their disco ball-illuminated dancefloor, or hang out on their spacious outdoor patio, just be sure to try their several creative and affordable cocktails.

Noc Noc

557 Haight St / (415) 861-5811 / Website

Themed as a fun "post-apocalyptic" lounge, Noc Noc has been repetitively dubbed one of the city's most unusual bars- a coveted title that they definitely uplift proudly! Colorfully neon and replete in funky aboriginal art, entering here feels like another universe in the most artistic, yet positively strange way. There is truly no other escape quite like Noc Noc, guaranteeing an intriguingly memorable time!

Nickie's Bar

466 Haight St / (415) 947-7800 / Website

Nickie's Bar is a lively pub perfect for hanging out with locals and watching sports games at. Their Tuesday MillerTime Trivia is also a riveting activity to join at this welcoming favorite that's also remarkable for brunch, packed skillets, and exclusive Yucatan specialties all for under $20.

Cultural Experience

Cafe International

508 Haight St / (415) 552-7390 / Website

Cafe International is a cultural experience in a cup. Inspired by the flavors, art, music, and decor of global destinations, this is a homestyle coffee and breakfast haven that will genuine make you feel like you've escaped to another country all from the first taste. Definitely don't miss their calming live Jazz Sundays, or the highly Instagrammable art and murals.

Berliner Berliner

545 Haight St / (415) 795-1457 / Website

For a hearty taste of Germany right in this global neighborhood, Berliner Berliner is a tiny, but mighty shop that is overflowing with all of the country's culinary delights. The sausages, Bavarian dishes, pretzels, Döner, and potato salad are all exquisitely flavorful and distinctly different, even offering vegan options and daily dessert specials. Pair this with a crisp, refreshing beer from their loving neighbor Toronado for a meal that is wholeheartedly summer in Germany, in San Francisco!

Hidden Gem

Haight Street Costumes

735 Haight St / (415) 621-1356 / Website

Need a high-quality wardrobe for Halloween or just desire a fun costume to impress others? Don't skip out on browsing Haight Street Costumes, a vivid queer-owned-and-operated business outfitting locals with the most grand and embellished themed apparel for over 33 years. Even if you don't need a costume, you will undoubtedly be drawn in to browse once you see just how intricately and committedly designed their wardrobe is for every aesthetic and apparel- from elegant Renaissance, to just silly wigs and masks!

From stores for costumes, dogs, and plants, to authentic restaurants in almost every cultural flavor, and lively bars that cater to all personalities, you will definitely fall in love with just how diverse and inclusive the Lower Haight is!

Photography by: Courtesy of Jian Adornado / EyeEm- Getty Images

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