The Ultimate Guide To Folsom Street's Best Restaurants, Shopping, And Nightlife

By: Kyrie Sismaet By: Kyrie Sismaet | February 23, 2023 | Food & Drink, People, Lifestyle, Travel & Recreation, Wine and Spirits, City Life, Culture, Neighborhoods, Shopping, Clubs and Bars, Entertainment, Local, Community, List - Entertainment, List - Restaurants, List - Shopping,

Charmingly nestled within SoMa just a few blocks away from the glamorous Design District lies the lengthy Folsom Street, a vibrant can't-miss area bustling with several swanky restaurants and cocktail bars, unique retail stores, and vibrant nightlife. Also regarded as the Leather & LGBTQ Cultural District, this a fashionable and historic hidden gem in San Francisco that will have you amazed from one end of the street all the way down to the other.

Here is your guide to exploring where to start in this tucked-away hotspot.

Where To Eat

Californios

355 11th St / (415) 757-0994 / Website

Californios is an opulent two-Michelin Star landmark that immaculately elevates California Mexican cuisine, sophisticating familiar ingredients through modern artistic reinventions in taste and presentation by Chef Val M. Cantu. With an elegant and contemporary ambience, their tasting menu and Californios Experience are the ultimate VIP treat, especially out on their sumptuously serene and lush back patio.

Azucar Lounge

299 9th St / (415) 255-2982 / Website

Azucar Lounge is a Folsom Street cornerstone for comforting Mexican classics within an equally cozy and casual interior, especially when paired with their extensive mezcal and tequila menu! Whether it be for brunch, or just craving some homestyle cooking in a sunny den that will truly take care of you, Azucar Lounge is definitely a sweet choice, just be sure to also refresh with one of their signature frozen cocktails or margaritas.

Basil Canteen

1489 Folsom St / (415) 552-3963 / Website

Basil Canteen precisely delivers Bangkok-style Thai food and signature cocktails all from inside their sunny and spacious red-brick corner. While they do exceptionally serve all of the classic Thai offerings, this is also the place to try cultural dishes not widely seen everywhere, such as rich Gaend Ped Bpet Yang (pineapple red curry with roasted duck breast and baby bok choy), Pad Makeur Yao (Japanese eggplant in Thai bean sauce), and Kao Soi Neur (lime-coconut curry with grilled skirt steak, egg noodles, and pickled mastard green). Wash it all down with their exclusive SoMa Sling cocktail for a filling meal before hitting the clubs.

Eat Sushi

1516 Folsom St / (415) 355-1288 / Website

Eat Sushi is a bright and sleek restaurant that presents a large menu of carefully handcrafted rolls made with the freshest seafood. The portions are large while the prices are delightfully small, so definitely come hungry! We easily recommend their refined Uni Tasting or rich Truffle Hirame.

Rocco's Cafe

1131 Folsom St / (415) 554-0522 / Website

For all things family-style Italian, Rocco's Cafe is an old-school, no-frills business that's been delivering familiar and comforting fare for over three decades! This is the go-to choice for brunch or divine pasta that will nourish you along with their helpful and kind service.

Where To Stay

Inn on Folsom

1188 Folsom St / (415) 529-1369 / Website

The Inn on Folsom is an excellent place to reside when looking to be right in the middle of it all on Folsom Street. With cozy rustic brick, classic San Franciscan bay windows, and affordable prices, this is a fabulous stay that immediately takes you onto the heart of this area.

Where To Relax

Sextant Coffee Roasters

1415 Folsom St / (415) 355-1415 / Website

Sextant Coffee is a Black-owned business that freshly roasts all of their consciously-sourced beans with keen precision for maximum flavor, quality, and care. Beautifully located within a spacious and sunny warehouse, this is a delightful and calm escape for amazing espresso that also has a tucked-away outdoor patio for an ultimate moment of coffee-filled zen.

Bhakti SF

1227 Folsom St / (650) 772-8226 / Website

For those looking to feel inspired, centered, and empowered with a positive community, Bhakti SF is a spiritual center for everything from traditional mantra and meditation, to asana yoga and a wide range of engaging cultural activities. This is a brilliant nonprofit that truly cares for their participants without judgment, offering diverse weekly events and volunteering opportunities that are wholeheartedly uplifting, such as their delicious Vegan Dinner Feast and insightful Yoga Talks.

DecantSF

1168 Folsom St / (415) 913-7256 / Website

DECANTsf is a sleek and chic women-owned business that is a trusted and knowledgeable beacon for all things wine. With personalized sommelier experiences, engaging Bottle Club opportunities, weekly educational events, and a stellar offering of bar snacks and flights, this is a highly enjoyable spot to drink, become fully edified, and meet other wine enthusiasts during their irresistible activities like The Science of Winemaking led by a former microbiologist, and live music with Tarot readings!

Where To Shop

Out of the Closet

1295 Folsom St / (415) 558-7176 / Website

Out of the Closet is a thrift store that tightly curates their stock to provide housewares, vintage clothing, records, furniture, and more to all benefit the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Easily identifiable by their iconic fuscia and teal color scheme, this two-level cornerstore is bright, clean, and offers unbeatable prices that will draw you in along with their positive smiles and helpful service.

Samy’s Camera

1090 Bryant St / (415) 621-8400 / Website

For all of the photography afficionados, Samy’s Camera is your brimming wonderland. This is an expansive store that has anything and everything for photography, boasting 12,000 square-feet of retail space with diverse products and prices for you to unlock or further develop your camera skills.

For Pre-Dinner Drinks

Driftwood

1225 Folsom St / Website

Driftwood is intimate, gorgeously-decorated, and showcases innovative cocktails all within an elegantly sultry and Instagrammable marine-themed interior. This is an impressive nautical speakeasy to meet up with friends and relax in one of their sleek wooden dens at, with inventive cocktails like their Secret Garden with Chile Vodka and House Lavender Syrup, Oaxacan Old Fashioned, and Folsom Mule with coriander bitters.

The Willows

1582 Folsom St / (415) 226-7768 / Website

The Willows is a beloved community cornerstone renowned for their cheap drinks, talented DJ sets, lively community events, and casual atmosphere. Step in and feel like one of the regulars while ordering any of their exclusive beer and shot combos to enjoy in either of their rooms at this spacious and friendly local dive. Definitely don't miss out on their amusing, yet challenging, Trivia Wednesdays for deluxe prizes!

Bloodhound

1145 Folsom St / (415) 863-2840 / Website

Bloodhound is a snug and relaxed wooden lodge that feels warm, cozy, and absolutely inviting. When you need a restful break from the city, find lovely shelter in this delightful den and feel revitalized with their kind service and precise crafting of unique cocktails like their Gold Rush and New Fashioned. Complete with plush seating, a pool table, and natural decor, this is a resort you definitely won't want to check out of.

Where To Hit The Town

Bergerac

316 11th St / (415) 255-9440 / Website

When the evening falls on Folsom Street, Bergerac will light up your night with their upbeat music, refined cuisine, and ingeniously creative signature cocktails like their saffron-infused Tumbling Dice and Silky Creamy Smooth with honey, vanilla, and yogurt. This is an unmissable swanky lounge with several comfy couches and ritzy mood lighting to properly fuel up on their delectable Roasted Bone Marrow and Cod Croquettes on before hitting the dancefloor!

Trademark/Hidden Spot

1123 Folsom St / Website

Trademark is renowned for hosting several immersive pop-up bars like Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan, and right next door is their arcade and casual bar. This is a lively hangout that truly has something for everyone and is perfect for groups, those who want to watch sports, and those craving to play some classic games. Be sure to stay tuned to their calendar as to what the next hidden pop-up will be with their highly committed and talented actors!

Audio SF

316 11th St / Website

Hidden just above Bergerac is this electrifying dancefloor. While unassuming from the outside, walking up to this club will definitely astound you with their size, brilliant neon aesthetics, and talented roster of rotating musical guests! Dance your heart out at this elevated escape, and feel dazzled by the effortlessly Instagrammable extravagance.

SF Oasis

298 11th St / (415) 795-3180 / Website

Having been blessed by several appearances from prominent celebrities like Lil Nas X and drag queens, its safe to say that OASIS is a Folsom institution for all things entertainment and glam. Widely acclaimed for their hilarious themed drag performances, open-piano Sundays, and expansive space with two stages and a scenic rooftop, this is a must-visit that will always be memorable and entertaining, especially if you go when there's a famous guest, which is often!

Cultural Experience

SOMArts

934 Brannan St / (415) 863-1414 / Website

Near Folsom Street is SOMArts, a large gallery with a reverent outdoor patio showcasing local talents with stimulating and evocative exhibitions, events, and community programs. A haven for empowerment and social change since 1979, the masterpieces featured here will boldly inspire, impress, and thoroughly imbue you with a greater sense of awareness and solidarity. Be sure to check their calendar to see what's on display and what upcoming events you can get involved with.

Cafe Suspiro

1246 Folsom St / Website

Cafe Suspiro is an adorable stop for both culturally-inspired coffee and curated collection of records and books. Led by visionary Raul Sanchez, his cozy shop is replete with his favorite media for you to browse as you wait for your handmade pick-me-up, personally crafted using locally-sourced beans from Cento Coffee. The Horchata Latte is a creamy standout, and will have you leaving with a better understanding of Raul's story and personality as he expertly answers all of your musical inquiries.

Hidden Gem

HK Lounge Bistro

1136 Folsom St / (415) 668-8802 / Website

Last but definitely not least, HK Lounge Bistro is our hidden gem choice because while its exterior may be humble, the inside and menu are phenomenally palatial. This is truly the place for high quality dim sum, and you'll definitely want to explore the rest of Folsom Street after indulging in all of their refined cuisine!

If you're looking for somewhere to explore between the Design District, Mission, and the rest of SoMa, Folsom Street is the place to be!

Photography by: Courtesy of Justin Sullivan / Staff / Getty Images

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