If you need a reason to love San Francisco, walk, bike or Uber to the Presidio and grab a table at Il Parco. Restaurateur Eduardo Rallo of nearby Colibri opened the Italian-leaning cafe inside the park on Jan. 15. Now you can enjoy those stunning Tunnel Tops views with a slice of sourdough pepperoni pizza in hand.

Located at the Presidio’s entrance, inside the Transit Center at 215 Lincoln Blvd., the counter service restaurant took over the Transit Cafe space once operated by Traci Des Jardins. It joins the ranks of Dalida and Presidio Social Club in offering memorable eats in one of the Bay Area’s most beloved national parklands. A mere 100 feet from the 14-acre playground, Il Parco offers unobstructed views of the Golden Gate Bridge from its festive, glass-encased outdoor dining area. On clear days, it definitely ranks as one of the most scenic spots to dine in the city.

When we stopped by on its third day of business, Il Parco was swarming with lunchgoers waiting in line, ordering by pointing — there were still no menus and it was too loud for questions — to what looked good behind the glass. It ALL looked good: thick-as-bricks slices of focaccia-style sourdough pizza with house-made mozzarella, vegetarian-leaning soups and a simple muffuletta sandwich that this editor will be craving until it’s time to go back again.

International pizza consultant Anthony Falco, who held the position of “pizza czar” at Brooklyn’s legendary Roberta’s, is behind the pies. Developed with chef Daniel Gomez, they have audibly crunchy golden-yellow crusts and a light and airy middle. They’re topped with combos like spicy soppressata, chili oil and honey (our favorite). Expect three to six options ($4-$11.50) during lunch, depending on what sells out and what can be immediately replenished. For instance, a white slice with Mt. Tam Triple Cream and Cypress Grove Humboldt Fog was gone when we placed our order but had resurfaced by the time we headed out.

An upside-down Sicilian pie made with Bianco DiNapoli tomatoes and wild oregano needed punchier flavors, but we found them in the panini selection ($13-$15), which also relies on Falco’s focaccia. What a sponge that bread was for briny green-and-black olive spread and nutty pistachio powder on the muffuletta ($13). With layers of mortadella and paper-thin mozzarella, the hefty sandwich was a steal and would’ve kept us full for hours on its own.

On this particularly mild mid-January day, clouds were scant, the sky was a perky blue and recent rain had left the greenery extra lush. Golden Gate-orange tables and chairs held empty wine bottle centerpieces stuffed with candlesticks, Italian flags and olive branches, all wrapped together with twine (semi-gaudy, but it worked).

Tables turn over quickly, especially during lunch, but Il Parco will no doubt be popular among the carry-out crowd. A wall of refrigerated grab-and-go items included salads and canned sodas and wines, perfect for pepperoni-laden picnics. Freshly baked cookies and muffins as well as snacks from La Cocina’s Noodle Girl and Don Bugito rounded out the offerings. 

Pizzas don’t roll out until noon, but before that you can sip on Equator Coffee with a fruit and yogurt bowl or one of several toasts — smoked salmon, matcha mascarpone and more — while marveling at the view. And, stay tuned: Il Parco recently added meatballs and two types of lasagna, with more hot entrees to come soon. 

Il Parco, 215 Lincoln Blvd., San Francisco. Open Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.