Awkwardly dining with strangers isn’t just for family weddings. Communal tables are a common sight in many of San Francisco’s best restaurants. In fact, they’re one of the easiest ways to dine at places you’d never be able to get into otherwise. Try your luck at these top tables.
Flour + Water While happy to take reservations, Flour + Water has a line at the front door before the restaurant even opens for dinner. Many end up at the repurposed wood communal table near the window. The seats, which are bar height, are a bit uncomfortable and the naturally shaped table can get tight as it fills up with plates. But who cares? You’re feasting on flawless pizza, pasta and a chocolate budino that will make you cry. Edison lighting, a curated nightly soundtrack and a charming staff make it a Mission district mecca.
The Progress It is nearly impossible to get into State Bird Provisions. So you can just forget about checking out its brand new sister-restaurant, The Progress. Already overwhelmed with glowing reviews, The Progress is the hottest dining destination in town. Wisely and perhaps benevolently, they offer a communal table. No doubt diners will still have to wait for a seat, but the odds dramatically improve for those willing to savor squab with strangers.
Nopa Another tough spot to secure a prime-time table, nopa is known for its lively and laughter-filled communal table. While most restaurants don’t expect communal diners to engage with one another, here it’s de rigueur. Swing by around 11 on a weeknight for late-night bites and delightful chit-chat.
Rickybobby We would sit at a table of ex-boyfriends and ex-cons for a plate of pork fries at Rickybobby. That’s unlikely to happen at this Lower Haight shrine to comfort food, but diners in small parties are asked to share tables.
Z and Y Restaurant We’re going to let you in on a secret. Z and Y is the best restaurant in Chinatown. (President Obama is also a fan.) Like Rickybobby, diners in small groups are asked to share tables. The “chicken with explosive chili pepper” is not for the faint of heart, but neither is sitting at a table with a bunch of people you don’t know.
Beretta Like many popular spots on the Valencia Corridor, it can be a challenge to snag a table at the feverishly hot Beretta. That’s why many of us are happy to take a communal seat. The bar-level table is in the center of the restaurant, making it a prime spot for those looking to see and be seen. And let’s be honest, if you’re having dinner at Beretta, you want to be seen doing so.
Park Tavern Location, location, location! Park Tavern is located in the heart of San Francisco’s North Beach, and its communal table is right in the heart of the restaurant. In fact, Park Tavern’s communal diners act as a human divider between the restaurant and the bar, giving those seated at the table the dual benefits of an award-winning menu and hoppin’ bar scene.
Town Hall While Town Hall is no longer the new kid on the block, the South of Market Southern restaurant has withstood the test of time. It’s not hard to secure a table at Town Hall, but the communal table near the bar is still the best place in the neighborhood to enjoy a post-work snack and meet an employed person with good taste in restaurants.
Starbelly With so many great eateries in the Castro, it’s surprising how hard it can be to snag a table for dinner. This is especially true at a spot like Starbelly, as famous for the fantastic food as for the chic design and fun crowd. Starbelly’s bar-side communal table is an option for Castro diners who find themselves without reservations—and can turn into one of the most lively dinner parties in town.