Early Dinner Recomendations

Question

We usually don’t eat until 8 pm, but we have a domestic flight from SFO at 8:02 pm (April 1). Since we’ll only be carrying on and have TSA Pre, we can afford to be a bit late for the airport. Unfortunately, we’ll arrive too late to have dinner at our destination.

Can anyone recommend a place to eat that opens early enough for dinner and ideally has a BART station on the SFO line nearby? I’ve considered Foreign Cinema, which opens at 5 pm, but I’m not sure if leaving there by 6:15 pm would be enough time.

Answer

For your situation—wanting an early dinner in San Francisco on April 1, with proximity to a BART station on the SFO line—there are several convenient options that allow you to enjoy a meal and still comfortably reach the airport.

Given that you have TSA PreCheck and are only carrying on, leaving around 6:15 pm for an 8:02 pm flight gives you roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes to eat, get to BART, and transit to SFO. This is tight but feasible if you choose a restaurant close to a BART station and keep the meal simple.

Recommended areas and restaurants near BART stations:

Mission District / 16th Street BART: A bit of a ride, but accessible.
- Foreign Cinema – opens at 5 pm, located in the Mission, about 10 minutes from 16th Street BART. You could have an early dinner around 5:15–6:15 pm and catch BART after. Reservations recommended.
Downtown / Embarcadero BART: Very convenient for SFO-bound trains.
- Hog Island Oyster Co. – casual seafood, opens at 11:30 am, Embarcadero BART nearby.
- MarketBar – contemporary American, opens at 11 am, close to Embarcadero BART.
- Bouche – casual French fare, opens at 5 pm, walkable from Embarcadero BART.
Union Square / Powell Street BART: Central location, many options.
- Farallon – seafood and more upscale, opens at 5:30 pm, near Powell Street BART.
- The Rotunda at Neiman Marcus – unique setting, opens at 11 am.
- Scala’s Bistro – Italian, opens at 11:30 am, near Powell BART.

Tips to maximize your time:

Make a reservation to guarantee seating and reduce wait time.
Choose a spot within walking distance to a BART station that goes directly to SFO (Embarcadero or Powell Street are ideal).
Plan for a light or quick dinner rather than a multi-course meal to ensure timely arrival at the airport.

Summary: Foreign Cinema is feasible if you leave promptly by 6:15 pm, but if you want even less stress, pick a restaurant near Embarcadero or Powell Street BART. That way, you minimize transit time and still enjoy a relaxed early dinner before your flight.

Early Dinner Recomendations

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