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Absinthe Brasserie and Bar - SF, San Francisco, CA

Absinthe Brasserie and Bar - SF

4.8
4.8
7340 Reviews
$31 to $50
French

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 34 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Charming
We are currently accepting reservations for lunch, brunch, and dinner.


Effective 09/26/2022:
Outdoor seating will not be available.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    French, Californian
  • Hours of Operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Wed–Fri 11:30 am–3:00 pm Dinner Wed–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (415) 551-1590
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Ian Begg
  • Area
    Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
  • Cross Street
    Gough
  • Parking details
    No valet. Street parking and nearby public lot located on Grove between Franklin and Gough.
  • Additional
    Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 7,340 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • San Francisco

    French

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Absinthe Brasserie and Bar in San Francisco offers a delightful dining experience with its "excellent food and great service." This charming French bistro is perfect for pre-opera or symphony meals, boasting a menu with "Michelin-rated quality" dishes like duck confit and petrale sole. The ambiance is "almost like being in Paris," with attentive staff ensuring a memorable visit. Enjoy a superb brunch or dinner, and savor creative cocktails in a "classy and elegant space."

7,340 Reviews
  1. Ruth

    San Francisco

    156 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    156 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We love this reliably delicious restaurant. I just wish that this and other restaurants in the area were open later. We were able to go after the symphony this evening only because it was a short concert, but usually the opera and symphony conclude too late for us to have dinner here. I realize restaurants are reluctant to commit to later hours given concerns over demand, but I think the ones in this neighborhood would do better business if they did so. We love to eat in this area after a performance, and this is one of the better options. The food is decadently delicious, the atmosphere is cozy and elegant, and the service has never disappointed. They know what they're doing.

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  2. Victor

    San Francisco

    26 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    26 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    As expected, fabulous meal, service and ambience. We were seated as soon as we arrived and immediately attended to. Great menu. Surprised it wasn't busier on a Saturday night. They gave us a dessert on the house to split for one of us, who was having a birthday. Plenty big for all 4 of us to share. So another great Absinthe experience. Check out the scallops, which were perfectly and evenly cooked so it melted in your mouth. I've been eating scallops for > 50 years, often. This was the best ever. Great cocktails , also as usual. Can't say enough good about Absinthe, except I wish it was cheaper, LOL.

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  3. Laura Eastridge

    San Francisco

    58 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    58 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We had not been to Absinthe in a few years and we very pleased that both the food and service are still excellent! Best French Onion Soup in the Bay Area, beautifully presented and delicious food and attentive and friendly staff.

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  4. Frits

    San Francisco

    38 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    38 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Such great food with a nice wine list. Service is amazing and cocktails are nice and inventive.

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  5. Bob

    San Francisco

    74 reviews

    5.0

    74 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always a treat with first class food, service and a great ambience! Kudos to all!

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  6. MicheleT

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Our party of six had a delightful time. Our waiter was friendly, attentive and helpful. The food service was prompt, and the food excellent. I had the poached pear salad and carpaccio. Another couple had the same, while two others had the burgers . . . all to very positive comments.

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  7. William

    San Francisco

    10 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on 17 November 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    I was disappointed this time around, being a longtime patron. The soup dish, my appetiser, was just warm, not hot. My sole, which arrived when I was halfway through my soup, was just warm, not hot as it should have been. Further, the mashed potatoes, which the sole sat on, were cool, not even just warm. The service, other than the early arrival of my main course, was quite good.

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  8. Lawrence

    Los Angeles

    66 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    66 reviews

    Dined on 17 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We enjoyed another wonderful dinner at Absinthe last night. Delicious food and great service! Thank you VERY much!

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  9. paul

    Hawaii

    41 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    41 reviews

    Dined on 16 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful evening and looking forward to next visit. Excellent experience

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  10. Bruce

    San Francisco

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on 15 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was wonderful. We couldn't finish everything and took a piece of cheesecake back to our hotel for a late night snack.

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FAQs

Absinthe Brasserie and Bar - SF is rated 4.8 stars by 7340 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 34 times today
Google Map for Absinthe Brasserie and Bar - SF

398 Hayes Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Gough
  • Area
    Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
  • Hours of Operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Wed–Fri 11:30 am–3:00 pm Dinner Wed–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    French, Californian
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    No valet. Street parking and nearby public lot located on Grove between Franklin and Gough.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Ian Begg
  • Additional
    Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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