Beach Chalet & Park Chalet

With its coveted location, it’s fortunate that two restaurants occupy the historic building at the intersection of Ocean Beach, San Francisco’s longest beach, and Golden Gate Park, the city’s biggest park. Upstairs is The Beach Chalet, an airy dining room with the city’s second-best ocean view (only the Cliff House is closer to the waves). Downstairs is Park Chalet, a casual dining and drinking establishment where the indoor/outdoor seating faces the park.

These are Golden Gate Park’s only restaurants, unless you count the museum cafes, which require museum admission. While The Beach Chalet is somewhat formal and romantic, the sort of place you bring a date, the Park Chalet is where you bring your friends or kids. Sandals and Frisbees are just fine at the Park Chalet, which is fitting with so many diners coming straight in from the beach or a day at the park.

The Beach Chalet restaurant and full bar upstairs is treasured for its views of Ocean Beach and the evening bonfires that line the beach like golden beads. Menu items include a rich Shrimp & Avocado Cocktail appetizer with crème fraiche; a Thai Steak Salad that blends grilled steak with fruits, vegetables and spices; and the aptly named Chocolate Sandcastle with its fudge-like turrets. Jazz is performed Tuesday and Friday nights. And be sure to order one of the six hand-crafted microbrews at either restaurant.

The Park Chalet Garden Restaurant and bar downstairs is mostly made of glass, with a glass dome that pours light onto the modern interiors, giving it an outdoor vibe. If the sun is out, step outside for a taste of the real outdoors by taking a table on the lawn. The quality of the food matches the upstairs fare, but with more emphasis on small plates, salads, soups, sandwiches and flatbread pizzas. The menu is the same for lunch and dinner, with excellent prices ($9 each for One Pound of Spicy Hot Wings or the Asparagus & Smoked Salmon Salad). Live bands play four times a week.

Even if you aren’t hungry while visiting the beach or park, stop to admire the 1936 wall frescoes in the entrance hall, which doubles as Golden Gate Park’s Visitors Center. The room is also filled with displays on the history and attractions of the park.

The Beach Chalet is open for breakfast (Mon. to Fri., 9-11, $7-$17), brunch (Sat.-Sun., 8-2, $7-$23), lunch (daily, 11-5, $12-$24/entrees) and dinner (Sun. to Thurs., 5-10; Fri.-Sat., 5-11, $12-$38/entrees). Park Chalet is open daily for Sat. brunch (11-2, $5-$16), Sun. brunch buffet (10-3, $19-$30), lunch/dinner (Mon.-Thu., 12-9; Fri.-Sat., 12-11; Sun., 10-9; $7-$15).

HelloSanFrancisco Tip: Park Chalet gets loud and lively on “Taco Tuesdays,” when $2.50 tacos and half-price margaritas are served while a local band rocks out.

- by Bob Cooper, San Francisco Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Bob Cooper

Bob Cooper is a full-time freelance writer (www.bob-cooper.com) who writes about travel, outdoor sports and health. He is a monthly contributor to Runner's World and has written recent articles for other national magazines such as Continental, Ladies' Home Journal and Inc.