Around Town: Mint Plaza

Located just across 5th Street from The Pickwick Hotel, Mint Plaza is one of San Francisco’s tucked-away gems. From gourmet mid-morning coffee to farmers’ markets, to drinks and dinner, Mint Plaza is a great place to stop before hitting the mall or after an afternoon of museum-browsing.

Here are some of Mint Plaza’s best features:

1. Blue Bottle Coffee
   You’ve probably heard by now that San Francisco has amazing coffee. Blue Bottle is among the most famous coffee roasters around. We highly recommend the New Orleans iced coffee and the mocha—made with TCHO chocolate, a local purveyor. At Blue Bottle’s Mint Plaza location you can also sit down at one of their long, communal bars to enjoy a locally sourced and organic breakfast or lunch.




2. Thermidor
   Thermidor prides itself in bringing retro food (think 1960s) to the 21st Century. Sit down in swanky mid-century surroundings and sip a classic cocktail while eating the namesake entrée—the Lobster Thermidor. Also highly recommended are the caviar and chips appetizer and the burger.




3. 54 Mint
   As described in our recent Top 5 Restaurant Picks blog post, 54 Mint serves authentic Italian fare, fantastic charcuterie, and an excellent selection of Italian wines. A great place for dinner while you are in town!




4. Chez Papa
   Chez Papa serves a mean cocktail. Stop at the bar for a drink after your conference is finished for the day or make a reservation for dinner. If you’re looking for contemporary French cuisine, this is your place.




5. Farmers’ Market
   From late July through the end of October, Mint Plaza offers a farmers’ market every Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Like much of the Bay Area, San Francisco residents take great pride in sourcing their produce seasonally and locally. Visiting one of the city’s numerous farmers’ markets while you are in town is a must!




6. Mezzanine
   Mezzanine is one of San Francisco’s nighttime hot spots. Want to catch a musical act or go out dancing? Mezzanine is the place! And with it being just across the street from The Pickwick Hotel, why not?

What are your favorite places to visit while staying at The Pickwick Hotel or in the Union Square area? We’d love to hear your thoughts!