Every year hundreds of people get married in San Francisco City Hall. The iconic staircase, and the ambient lighting, it’s absolutely gorgeous in there. However, it doesn’t necessarily fit the 100+ on your potential guest list. And maybe the thought of saying your vows in front of that many people makes your head spin. Don’t worry there’s an answer! Have your ceremony at city hall and a larger reception somewhere else. There are so many amazing restaurants that can host your wedding reception in San Francisco. That way you get the best of both worlds. An intimate ceremony followed by a fun party with friends!
Don’t get me wrong San Francisco also has some amazing wedding venues. But, more and more people are deciding to either elope now and plan for the bigger wedding later or have a small ceremony with the closest people followed by a big party with everyone else. And if you’re looking to do that in San Francisco then I know of at least 15 restaurants that can help make that happen!
This is a working blog at the moment. A lot of these restaurants very frustratingly don’t have private dining events information readily available on their website. So, I’ll continue to update until all the info is here to help you make a decision.
1. La Mar Cebicheria Peruana
La Mar Cebicheria Peruana is the perfect restaurant for your wedding reception in San Francisco. And offers a unique dining experience any day of the week, but for weddings specifically, you have the option for an intimate room private dining experience or the patio located right on the waterfront.
The City Room sits along the Embarcadero with oversized windows overlooking SF’s Financial District. This room has its own optional entryway, exit, bathroom, and coat check. You choose between long rectangle tables or circular ones for a variety of seating formats. They also have all A/V capabilities upon request.
Their Patio is located right on the waterfront with amazing views of San Francisco and Treasure Island. This space can accommodate up to 150 guest standing and 100 guests sitting. The patio can be completely customized based on your wedding needs including a satellite bar, high-top tables, and lounge furniture perfect for cocktail hour and dinner tables for private dining. And if necessary the patio can be completely enclosed with heating. For more information and to inquire click here.
2. Park Chalet
Park Chalet is located right in front of Ocean beach and has not only amazing views of the water but of also Golden Gate Park. And this place could make a perfect wedding reception in San Francisco. Park Chalet offers both indoor and outdoor spaces. The indoor spaces include a glass atrium with a fireplace, a private bar, and a large lawn that’s accessible weather permitting of course.
With such a variety of different spaces, Park Chalet can accommodate anywhere from 40 – 450 people! That means this place is perfect for having a larger reception or dinner with friends and family if you want to keep your ceremony and wedding more small and more intimate.
3. Greens Restaurant
Greens restaurant located right in the Marina district also has amazing waterfront views. They offer 3 separate private dining spaces that can accommodate anywhere from 40-120 people.
| Space | Capacity | Budget | Includes |
| The Bay Room | 50 seated, 75+ reception | $1,500 + depending on the time, day, and date | 3 hours of event time, food and beverage charged person, custom printed menu, and custom floor plan |
| The Main Dining Room | 120 seated, 175 reception | $10k + depending on the time, day, and date | 4 hours of event time, food for up to 100 people, custom-printed menu |
| Outdoor Pavilion | 60 seated, 100+ reception | $2,500 + depending on the time, day, and date | 3 hours of event time, food and beverage charged person, custom printed menu, and custom floor plan |
They have a bunch of different add-ons and upgrades that you can use to really make the most of your time and their resources. Anything from helping to coordinate rentals from Fort Mason Center to also being in partnership with Acme Floral Company so you can have amazing flowers on your day.
Since renting the main dining room is the only one that comes with food for 100 people that have 3 different menu options.
| Package Name | Cost Per Person | Includes |
| Basic | $28 | a choice of salad, soup or chili and seasonal accompaniments |
| Standard | $44 | a choice of salad, choice of entree, and choice of dessert |
| Tassajara | $56 | a choice of greens seeded roll, choice of entree, and choice of dessert |
Though additional hours can be added for $800/hr I think this place would be best if you’re just hoping to host a meal with some family and friends. And you can take the rest of the party to another location after.
4. Villon and Charmaine’s at the Proper Hotel
The Proper Hotel is literally iconic in probably every way possible. There decor, the vibes, everything is *chef’s kiss.* There are 3 different spaces that you can rent here.
GILDA’S DINING ROOM is located right behind Villion this space is a perfect place to host an intimate dinner as this space only fits 12 people. The limited capacity makes it perfect for a rehearsal dinner or small gathering. And with a custom menu, you’ll definitely have a meal to remember.
LA BANDE A beautiful green cafe space that depending on the set up can host up to 40 guests seated. And since it’s right near a patio you can also include that as additional space which could give up to 100 guests with a standing capacity. This kitchen offers NorCal-inspired dishes with an array of craft beers and cocktails.
CHARMAIN’S If you want views of the city then, look no further. Charmaine’s offers sweeping panoramic views of San Francisco which is literally the whole point of a rooftop bar in San Francisco. There are both indoor and outdoor spaces that can accommodate your needs including both full and partial buyout options.
5. Starbelly
Starbelly is located right in the Castro and has a gorgeous patio that could be the perfect place for your wedding reception in San Francisco. The garden patio fits about 45 people for max capacity and has tables, and seating that is a mix of benches and chairs. During lunch hours (11 am to 3:30 pm), Monday thru Friday, the food and beverage minimum spend is $2500, plus a 20% service charge, sales tax, and 5% SF Mandates tax.
All the food is served from a pre-fixe menu that is $55 per person and they have an array of options from fish tacos and corndogs for starters to beef sliders and pizza for your mains.
6. Waterbar
Waterbar is located right on the Embarcadero waterfront in the Rincon Park area and if you love sea then this may be one of many places for you on this list. The entire second floor of Waterbar is dedicated to private dining experiences and features wall to wall windows and even a private terrace. The Bridge Tower Room fits 60 people sitting and 75 people standing. While the Looking Glass accommodates 24 people seated and 50 people standing.
There is a $350 service charge for wedding events at Waterbar. Food and beverage minimum depending on the time of day and day of the week. Menus are subject to change due to seasonality and
market availability. However, the lunch menu is $65 per person while the dinner menu is $110 per person
7. Del Popolo
Del Popolo is a cute Italian restaurant located near Nob Hill in San Francisco. If you want to reserve the Garden area the food and beverage min is $2500 Tuesday through Thursday and $3000 Friday and Saturday. While the back patio minimum is $1500 and $2000 for those respective days. And the entire cost is subject to SF sales tax, gratuity , and a booking fee.
Both of the spaces are located one level below ground and are only accessible via a staircase. Therefore you can be assure you’ll be able to entire a private intimate gathering.
The menus fluctuates between seasons and has a healthy list of starters, pizzas, and entrees. And the cost per person ranges from $65-$85 depending on your selection.
8. BiteUnite SF
BiteUnite offers a unique experience in general with cooking classes. However, this space can also be rented to host a private dinner with 20-30 guests. You’ll get to enjoy a culinary experience hosted by their local chefs in the Bay Area. And they offer four-course dinner series with an array of delicious cuisines for you to choose from, such as NorCal, Thai & Asian feast (in family style), Italian, Gourmet French, and Indian. You can check out their full menus on their site.
During the holiday period, a minimum of 20 guests are required. And there are 3 timeslots available for booking in 3-hour increments noon, 3 pm, or 6:30/7 pm. And a beverage package can be added for three hours at $42 pp. Once you’ve finalized your date and number of guests you can book directly on their site which is amazingly easy and pay. You’ll see a pending credit until the host official accepts. You can expect the total to be between $2000-$8000 depending on the number of guests and the cuisine chosen.
The space is also available for rental via Peerspace so you can totally craft the reception to your liking.
9. Wayfare Tavern
The Wayfare Tavern could be the perfect place for your wedding reception in San Francisco with 3 different private dining spaces including the Billards room (seats 14), the Sequoia (seats 50/80 standing), and the Bartlett room (seats 50).
BILLARDS ROOM This space is the perfect intimate dining room that seats up to 14 guests. For anything over 8 guests, you will have to choose a prix-fixe menu. Lunch is $40 per person and a $100 room rental fee. While dinner is $75 per person with a $200 room rental fee.
BARTLETT This space fits around 30 people seated and is best used as a dining space rather than a reception space. This is the original dining space at the Wayfare Tavern and features lots of windows to light the space and a private bar. This space offers both plated and family-style prix-fixe menus.
family — $55 / $85 person
plated — $75 / $95 person
Food and beverage minimums are $1500 and $2500 for dinner. And the room rental fee ranges from $250-$500+.
SEQUOIA This space is located on the 4th floor and is the perfect space for a large seated dinner or reception. The space can fit 50 seated or 70 standing and has setups equipped for both. Pricing is dependent on family style versus plated and with its lunch or dinner.
family — $55 / $85 person
plated — $75 / $95 person
Food and beverage minimums are $2000 for lunch and $3500 for dinner. And room rental fees range from $300-$500.
10. Fable
11. Cotogna
12. Fiorella
Fiorella is a small chain in San Francisco and offers dining locations in Clement, Sunset, and on Polk Street. This is a great wedding reception in San Francisco choice because they have 3 different restaurants that can fit your needs. Unless you are tied to a specific neighborhood because it’s your local spot then you’ll want to decide on the location most likely by guest count. Each location offers 2-3 possible buyout options and the price ranges anywhere from $45 per person to a $10k buyout. And can accommodate guest counts from 12 to 70 people.
CLEMENT This location offers a large table inside or outside or a full patio buyout. The table can fit 12-18 guests and each person is $45 for a prix-fixe menu including 3 courses. The patio buyout can accommodate 35 people seated which is $45 per head and then an additional $2200 minimum Sunday-Thursday and $3000 minimum Friday-Saturday.
SUNSET This location can fit 12-18 guests at a large table, 34 guests on the upper roof, and 70 guests for a full roof buyout. Same as above with a $45 per person cost and Sunday to Thursday $2500 food and beverage minimum Friday and Saturday $3250 food and beverage minimum for the upper deck. And Sunday to Thursday $5500 food and beverage minimum Friday and Saturday $7000 food and beverage minimum for a full rooftop buyout.
POLK ST. This location offers an entire restaurant buyout that fits 50 people or a large table reservation with 12-15 guests. For the entire buyout, they offer a $45 per person, family-style prix fixe menu with a $10,000 food & beverage minimum Sunday-Thursday & a $12,000 food & beverage minimum Friday & Saturday.
13. Leo’s Oyster Bar
14. Perbacco Ristorante & Bar
Perbacco Ristorante is only about a 10-minute drive from city hall. And if you’re having an afternoon wedding at City hall this could be the perfect place to meet guests. It’s super close to Bart, the Embarcadero, and the ferry. There are 4 separate dining options available that can accommodate you and your guests.
15. Spruce
Spruce is a gorgeous restaurant in Presidio Heights and could be the perfect place for your wedding reception in San Francisco. They have 3 separate rooms that could possibly fit your party size.
SHIRAGA This space can accommodate up to 12 guests. Food and beverage minimum range from $2750 – $3500.
LIBRARY This space can fit between 15-18 guests depending on the arrangement of tables. Food and beverage minimum range from $3250 – $4500. Located near the front of the restaurant with an open curtain that could allow potentially for an indoor-outdoor space.
LAUREL This is the largest space and can fit up to 20 guests at one long table or 40 guests at several round tables with the additional expense of chairs. Food and beverage minimums range between $4,000 – $6,500. This is also a fully private space away from the main part of the restaurant and dining room which provide a lot of privacy for an intimate dinner.
They have several different menu options including hors d’oeuvres, 3-course limited or open prix-fixe, 4-course luxury prix-fixe, or 5-course chef’s tasting menu. Hence the range in pricing for food and beverage minimums. All beverages, including wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages, are charged based on consumption, in addition to the per-person menu price. The cost for hors d’oeuvres ranges between $85-110 per person for unlimited while dinner ranges between $130-195 per person.
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