Il Porto at Pier 31, Alcatraz Landing

You’ll want to add this one to your list of waterfront destinations. A new all-day café is coming to Pier 31 on San Francisco’s Embarcadero in Spring 2027. Located at the exclusive departure point for Alcatraz Island, Il Porto will give visitors a place to begin or extend their national park experience, and locals a new place to gather with day-to-night dining, music, and community activations. Il Porto will connect the energy of the city with more than 82,000 acres of national park lands across the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

“We’ve always believed the best park experiences start even before you arrive at your park destination,” said Christine Lehnertz, President and CEO of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. “Il Porto brings that feeling right to the San Francisco waterfront. It’s a place to grab a coffee, meet a friend, and feel connected to the Bay and the parks all around you.”

Things to know

• Who will operate Il Porto? Il Porto will be operated by Karl City LLC, part of Buen Rallo Hospitality Group, the team behind Il Parco and Colibri in the Presidio, and the upcoming La Piazza in Union Square, among nine properties across the Bay Area.
• What kind of food will be available at Il Porto? Il Porto is planned as a day-to-night destination featuring coffee, fresh food, grab-and-go options, and a bar program. Menus will emphasize seasonal offerings and locally sourced ingredients.
• Will the café be open to the public even if visitors are not going to Alcatraz? Yes. Il Porto is intended to serve waterfront visitors, neighborhood residents, commuters, and park visitors, in addition to people traveling to and from Alcatraz.  
• Why is Pier 31 an important location for Il Porto? Pier 31 sits within one of San Francisco's most visited waterfront corridors, with the Ferry Building, Exploratorium, North Beach, and Alcatraz Landing all nearby. Il Porto is designed to complement those destinations by creating a welcoming place to pause, gather, and connect with the waterfront. Il Porto will occupy approximately 3,760 square feet of indoor and outdoor space at Pier 31.
• How does Il Porto relate to other Parks Conservancy projects? Like Presidio Tunnel Tops, Lands End Lookout, and the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center, Il Porto reflects the Parks Conservancy’s commitment to creating welcoming public spaces that connect people to San Francisco’s national parks. The project brings that same approach to Pier 31, creating a waterfront destination for the local community and a gateway to Alcatraz. 
• Will more information be available before opening? Yes. Additional details about the café, menu, programming, and opening events will be shared as construction progresses toward the planned Spring 2027 opening.