What is it? Opened in the Mission District by the two-Michelin-star Lazy Bear team, one of the nation’s best fine dining restaurants, True Laurel is the more casual sibling: hip, relaxed and playful with design inspired by Isamu Noguchi and a bar made from a fallen laurel tree, flanked by a sunny front patio.
Why we love it: From its place in North America’s 50 Best Bars to James Beard nominations, True Laurel has rightly racked up awards and accolades since opening in 2017. But we knew it was superb from day one. Warm service and killer food make TL the “whole package,” as do sustainability practices, for which it won 50 Best’s most sustainable bar in North America.
Aged white cheddar mousse and tomato jam gougeres, loaded baked potatoes and caviar-topped corn pancakes are gourmet but served with unpretentious ease, while the now iconic TL patty melt of dry-aged beef, melty cheese, caramelized onion “special sauce” and pickles on pain de mie is worth going for alone.
Bar director Nicolas Torres and team’s rotating lineup of cocktails is TL’s heart, whether signatures like In the Pines, Under the Palms (toasted coconut-infused rye whiskey, St. George Terroir Gin, vermouth blanc, maraschino liqueur, arak and redwood tips) or seasonal fun like Pea-Casso, vod-quavit (vodka and aquavit), snap peas, cream sherry, citrus and flat tonic. Drinks are complex, seamless, delicious, appealing to cocktail geeks and casual sippers alike. The signature style includes house-fermented ingredients, tinctures and unique spirit infusions like sesame-washed genepy.
TL continues to host some of the world’s best bars from Singapore to NYC, which often guest-bartend, while TL also pops up in their bars.
Time Out tip: Their rare, eclectic and vintage spirits collection is a draw for spirits lovers and those looking for rarities in everything from brandy to amari.
Address: 753 Alabama St, San Francisco, 94110
Opening hours: Tue, Wed 4–10pm; Thu 4–11pm; Fri 4pm–midnight; Sat 11am–midnight; Sun 11am–10pm
Expect to pay: Cocktails run $14–$18; dishes $10–$27