Nightbird: Hayes Valley's After-Dark Gem.

Sparkling cocktails are on the house.

Tucked behind a carved-owl door, Nightbird is an intimate temple to Chef Kim Alter’s thoughtful, ever-evolving tasting menu. The space—a sleek 38-seat dining room—is minimal yet warm, setting the stage for an evening of culinary discovery.

Each week, Alter crafts a new prix-fixe menu celebrating peak Bay Area produce with quiet elegance. Dishes are named simply for their main components (think “lobster,” “chanterelle,” or “squab”) which allow the ingredients to shine and surprise. Current menu highlights include a green strawberry beignet and caviar tart, wagyu short ribs with cabbage and marrow, and bay leaf ice cream with parsnip crémeux and apple. Guests can enhance the experience with an optional wine pairing ($155 pp).

Service here is warm and attentive, never overwrought. House-baked breads like crusty farro and pillow-soft Parker House rolls arrive mid-sequence, enhancing the flow of each course. The whole experience feels like a curated late-night playlist, each plate a new track. It marries seasonality with sophisticated technique, intimacy with polished design, and playful cocktails with culinary gravitas. It’s elevated without pretense—an experience you’d want to savor well past last call.

7x7 Social Club members receive a complimentary sparkling cocktail upon arrival. If you’re not already a member, upgrade to paid to access this perk + more.

// 330 Gough Street (Hayes Valley)