Cavaña

In a city where hotel rooftops are often boring and overrated, Cavaña stands out. This Latin American bar on top of LUMA Hotel in Mission Bay serves killer cocktails, cool skyline views, and decent (though pricey) food. Plus, there’s a DJ who spins reggaeton tracks on a small dance floor, making it feel (briefly) like a mini getaway to Miami. 

photo credit: Melissa Zink

photo credit: Melissa Zink

No matter the night of the week, Cavaña is a grab bag of locals, tourists, and Giants fans sneaking a look at Oracle Park. Couples on date night sip Pisco punches by the bar while influencers gather around the lush green grass wall with their ring lights. It’s not a proper clubstaurant, in the sense that it never becomes a full-out party, but with its great music and plentiful outdoor heaters, it’s the best place to slowly sway your hips around a fire. 

The brightly colored cocktails are made with savory ingredients such as hoja santa, mole bitter, and tomatillos, and they come out smooth and with a bit of tropical tang. When it comes to the food, which ranges from halibut ceviche to quesabirria plates, sticking to the small bites is the way to go. Is it overpriced? Sure, but like with most rooftops, you’re here for the view, and when grading on the hotel restaurant curve, it’s not bad at all. It’s a bar worth braving the ever-changing weather for the skyline, and the occasional dancing is just a plus.

photo credit: Melissa Zink

photo credit: Melissa Zink

photo credit: Melissa Zink

photo credit: Melissa Zink

Food Rundown

photo credit: Melissa Zink

Halibut Ceviche

Despite the six ingredients (peruvian corn, garnet yam, coriander, leche de tigre, serrano chili, cilantro oil), the non-spicy ceviche amounts to a shrug. Chips are extra.

Quesabirria Plate

Quesabirria competition is stiff, and these don’t even get close to making the shortlist. Each order of these beef brisket quesabirrias is $21 for a pair, and the meat is dry.

photo credit: Melissa Zink

Papas Doradas

Crispy yet soft, some of these papas are only coated with a hint of an aioli. But a lucky few at the bottom are drenched. Dig your spoon in and spread the aioli wealth.

photo credit: Ricky Rodriguez

Quesillo

This raspberry-topped custard is soft, caramelly, and just a tad sweet. If you order only one thing here, make it this.