Finding a restaurant that features local, organic, seasonal food in the heart of San Francisco’s Haight Ashbury district shouldn’t come as a surprise. Thankfully, we weren’t overwhelmed by an extensive amount of tie-dye – instead, Magnolia Pub & Brewery Restaurant is vibrantly decorated with custom-painted murals.

Open for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch, Magnolia is often busy. Most often though, you won’t have to wait more than 15 minutes for a table – and it is well worth the wait. Small on the inside, they often have outdoor seating when the weather is favorable. My first time around, I chose to sit inside, right next to one of the restaurant’s massive, perfect-for-people-watching windows.

Don’t let yourself get too distracted by Magnolia’s home-brewed sodas and beers (they have quite the rep for these) – the food is the main attraction. My first meal consisted of a Niman Ranch burger, accompanied by a side of fries and a small mound of dressing-drizzled greens. During subsequent visits, I’ve tried the buttermilk-friend okra, brewer’s yeast pizza, beer brined pork chops, roasted sweet potatoes, and spicy chicken sausage. Not once have I had an unpleasant meal here.

If you plan to visit for Sunday brunch, make sure to call ahead of time – it can be quite busy. As expected, their vanilla bean French toast, mushroom omelet, and fresh squeezed juice remind me of carefree times with my grandmother at her country home.

The ambiance is friendly and fun; the food is worth writing home about; and no menu is complete without some delicious desserts, which Magnolia has in spades.

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