By Su Yardimci

Pre-Dinner Drinks at Palm City

4055 Irving St.

Price: $

Hours: Monday and Tuesday: 4-10 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday: noon-9 p.m.

For a perfect date night in the Sunset, start your evening with pre-dinner drinks at Palm City – a beloved, independently owned wine bar and deli sitting on Irving Street. Opened in 2020 by husband-and-wife team Dennis Cantwell and Monica Wong, the shop quickly became more than just a pandemic-era pivot – it’s now a neighborhood staple known for its warm atmosphere, great wine and massive hoagies.

The space is bright with wood accents, shelves of natural wine and a steady hum of people picking up sandwiches or lingering over a glass.

Come back another time for its deli offerings. Palm City is perhaps best known for its Italian American hoagie. The eatery turns out sandwiches that are bold, balanced and built to travel – perfect for a picnic at Ocean Beach or an afternoon in Golden Gate Park. The menu is small but thoughtful, and the wine selection leans natural and approachable, with bottles you won’t find just anywhere. It’s the kind of place where you can grab something quick to go or hang out for a while and catch up with a friend.

What really sets Palm City apart is its strong connection to the local community. The shop has become a go-to for anyone craving something casual but quality.

Dine at DamnFine Pizza

3410 Judah St.

Price: $$

Hours: Monday-Thursday: 4:30-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday: noon-10 p.m. and Sunday: noon-9 p.m.

After your drink, walk over to DamnFine Pizza, a beloved, independently run pizza spot. Located on Judah Street in the Outer Sunset, it opened with care and intention during the COVID-19 pandemic and quickly became a neighborhood favorite for its wood-fired, naturally fermented sourdough pizzas and easygoing atmosphere.

The interior is simple and bright, with light turquoise seating, clean lines and a few quirky touches – like a disco ball overhead – that give it personality without distracting from the star of the show: the pizza.

The menu is small but thoughtfully curated. The signature is thin, chewy crust made using a three-day cold-rise process that results in deep flavor and easy digestion. Toppings range from classic pepperoni (best with a drizzle of hot honey or ranch) to more inventive combinations like pork shoulder with Calabrian chiles, mushroom blends or clam pies with burrata and fennel.

Every day, the space operates as a neighborhood coffee stop from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. with pastries and espresso. By night, it shifts into a casual pizza bar with cocktails, natural wine and a steady flow of regulars.

DamnFine is the kind of place surfers stop by after a session at Ocean Beach, families grab dinner to-go or friends meet for a relaxed night out.

Save Room for Dessert at Marco Polo Italian Ice Cream

3886 Noriega St.

Price: $

Hours: Every day, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Following dinner, walk, bus or drive to Marco Polo Italian Ice Cream, a cherished, family-owned gelato shop, now freshly settled into its new home on Noriega Street. Originally opened in 1982, the shop has long been known for blending traditional Italian techniques with distinctly Asian flavors, creating something that feels both nostalgic and entirely its own. The new space carries that same familiar charm, with a steady stream of locals stopping in for a scoop or two on their way to the beach.

Inside, the vibe is casual and welcoming. The gelato is thick, creamy and deeply flavorful, made in-house and served in generous portions. Flavors range from classics like chocolate and pistachio to standouts like black sesame, pandan, taro and lychee. There is a playfulness to the menu and a clear sense of care in the craft. You can sample anything that catches your eye, and the staff is always happy to talk you through the lineup.

Marco Polo’s beauty lies in how deep rooted it is in the Sunset. More than an ice cream shop, it’s a beloved local fixture that captures the spirit of the Sunset with every scoop.

Get a Buzz at White Cap

3608 Taraval St.

Price: $-$$

Hours: Monday: 4-11 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday 3-11 p.m., Friday: 3 p.m.-12:30 a.m., Saturday 1:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. and Sunday 1:30-11 p.m.

Head down to Taraval Street and end your evening with drinks at White Cap. This independently owned cocktail bar tucked in the Outer Sunset was founded by San Francisco native Matt Lopez, with a cocktail program designed by Carlos Yturria – known for his work at The Treasury and Beehive. The bar has become a neighborhood favorite for its laid-back energy. The space is warm and minimal, with wood accents, soft lighting and a breezy flow between indoor and outdoor seating that feels perfectly in tune with its coastal surroundings.

What makes White Cap stand out is its ability to feel both elevated and easygoing. The cocktail menu changes regularly, featuring house infusions, seasonal ingredients and playful twists that keep things interesting without ever feeling fussy. It’s the kind of place where you can drop in after a sunset walk, meet up with friends or settle in for a quiet drink and feel right at home.

Su Yardimci is a San Francisco enthusiast who has turned her childhood dream into reality. After moving to the Bay Area for college, she has been sharing her love for the City through film photography and neighborhood guides.