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New Restaurants, Bars and Cafes Opening in Yerba Buena are a Tonic for the Downtown Neighborhood

Eight New Businesses are Slated to Open in the City’s Premier Arts and Cultural District, Adding to 18 that Opened in 2024

San Francisco, Calif., March 6, 2025 — New restaurants, cafes and small businesses are opening in downtown San Francisco’s Yerba Buena neighborhood adding new flavors to nourish the resurgence of the city's premiere arts and cultural district, and home to Moscone Center. "The openings are a great sign that different types of small businesses are confident in investing in Yerba Buena," said San Francisco Supervisor Matt Dorsey, whose district includes Yerba Buena. "With more unique businesses choosing the neighborhood, it’s clear that the commitment to safety and cleanliness is paying off.”

Eight new businesses in Yerba Buena just opened or will debut at different times this year, adding to the 18 restaurants, galleries, bars and other neighborhood businesses that opened their doors in 2024, according to community benefit district Yerba Buena Partnership. “There’s unmistakable optimism that Yerba Buena is on the rise,” said Yerba Buena Partnership Executive Director Scott Rowitz. “The steady stream of openings will help create a stronger neighborhood that thrives around the clock and brings with it even more housing, jobs, arts, and culture. During the day and after dark, Yerba Buena is a destination with attractions you won’t find elsewhere in the city.” The neighborhood is feeding off of recent conventions like NBA All Star 2025, a steady drumbeat of office workers returning, events like Downtown First Thursdays street festival, and adding resources to ensure it is clean, safe and welcoming, according to Rowitz. "The excitement and momentum of new businesses opening in Yerba Buena reflect a strong confidence in our city's economic future. Businesses are eager to be part of Downtown's comeback, and I'm looking forward to the new energy and offerings they bring to the area," said Sarah Dennis Phillips, executive director, Office of Economic and Workforce Development.

Hey Tea at Metreon opened in February for the NBA All Star events and customers continue to line up for its original style teas. Several new businesses will open in the months ahead. They include:

  • Golden Eye Social is San Francisco’s first and only digital, interactive darts bar and elevated gastropub featuring 6,500 square feet complete with two full bars, lounge and dining areas, six individual lanes, and a dedicated private events space, opening in April at 311 Third Street @ Folsom Street.
  • Sextant Coffee Roasters, an independent cafe and roastery founded by Kinani Ahmed, a first-generation Ethiopian, opens in March at 201 3rd Street near Howard Street.
  • Hungry Table, an events space, opens in March at the SFMTA garage at 255 Third Street.
  • SHOJI, a new bar and restaurant by the Michelin-starred restaurant team from The Shota, opens in April in the Art Deco jewel at 140 New Montgomery Street.
  • Junbi, a cafe specializing in matcha, coffee and Japanese fare, celebrates its grand opening in early April at 685 Market Street.
  • West Coast Sourdough, a sandwich shop featuring all natural ingredients will open at Metreon.
  • East Brother Beer Co., the popular Richmond, Calif.-based craft brewer, will open a new taproom Metreon.

These new businesses add to a growing collection of popular restaurants, bars and clubs like Papa Noodle at 117 New Montgomery that opened in December, the Dawn Club jazz venue, Lark Bar, Palace Hotel Garden Court, Grove Bar, Feng Cha Tea House, Red Door Cafe @ Minna Gallery, Dabao Singapore, Kombu sushi, and many others.

The Yerba Buena neighborhood, emanating from Yerba Buena Gardens, includes SFMOMA, YBCA, Moscone Center and other iconic attractions, and boasts the highest concentration of museums, galleries and public art in the city. Yerba Buena is also located within the larger Filipino Cultural Heritage District.

About Yerba Buena Partnership

Yerba Buena Partnership is a community-based nonprofit organization working to improve the quality of life in the downtown San Francisco Yerba Buena neighborhood. The Partnership manages and maintains several blocks around Yerba Buena Gardens, encompassing roughly Second to Fifth and Market to Perry streets. The district boasts iconic destinations such as SFMOMA, YBCA, MoAD, Children’s Creativity Museum and Moscone Center, along with premier hotels, Academy of Art University, City College, and dining, shopping and entertainment venues. Yerba Buena is also located within the larger Filipino Cultural Heritage District. The Partnership began implementing programs in 2009 involving its Clean and Safe Team, neighborhood marketing, public art projects and many other neighborhood improvement efforts.