Bossa Nova

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Bossa Nova

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Address:
139 8th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

Neighborhood:
SOMA

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Cuisine:
Brazilian

Price: $30 and under

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Bossa Nova Details

Dining Style: Casual Dining
Website: http://www.bossahome.com/
Email: bossanovasf@gmail.com
Phone: (415) 558-8004
Hours of Operation: Lunch: Monday - Friday: 11:00am - 2:30pm; Dinner: Sunday - Thursday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm, Friday - Saturday: 5:00pm - 11:00pm: Happy Hour: Everyday 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Payment Options: AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Cuisine: Brazilian, Tapas / Small Plates, South American
Executive Chef: Ivan Witzil
Dress Code: Casual Dress
Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Private Room, Takeout, Wine
Catering: Pre-fixe menu options available for any occasion.
Private Party Facilities: 1920's speak easy lounge in the basement level. It is currently under construction. It will open in late August or September 2010.
Private Party Contact: John (415) 558-8004
Entertainment: Live Brazilian music on Wednesday and Sundays...

Getting there

Cross Street: Minna
Public Transit: 1.5 blocks from Civic Center station.
Parking: Street Parking
Parking Details: Metered street parking ends at 6pm. Free after 6pm. Paid parking available at Market and 8th street across from the Orpheum theater,1.5 blocks away.

A word from Bossa Nova

Bossa Nova Flavor.

Created with the look and feel of the Favela, Bossa Nova brings the flavor of Rio's Streets to San Francisco. The Favela (Rio's vibrant ghetto culture)is the birthplace of Samba and Bossa Nova. Music and dancing bursts out of dancehalls and clubs into the streets.… The air is fragrant with lime, sizzling churraquinho and fresh seafood. Cachaca flows as freely as conversation. The Favela is the place of the people.

Only 1.5 blocks from the Orpheum Theater. Continued

Bossa Nova

3.6

60 $30 and under restaurant

Featured Reviews

More Reviews ›

Reviews from OpenTable Diners Learn More

74 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Very Good) 3.5 / 5

Food

(Very Good) 3.6 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 3.3 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 3.4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

74 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Very Good) 3.5 / 5

Food

(Very Good) 3.6 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 3.3 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 3.4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

Filter Reviews By:

Diners classify this restaurant as:

neighborhood gem(30)
fit for foodies(28)
romantic(19)

hot spot(18)
vibrant bar scene(17)
good for groups(11)

Current OpenTable.com Diner Reviews (74)

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Food was quite good, though

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/11/2012

2011

Dined on 04/11/2012

2011

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Food was quite good, though definitely was slightly under the "oh my God I have to tell all my friends about this" threshold. Its close proximity to the Orpheum theater was fantastic, as was the atmosphere, decor, music, and the encrusted goat cheese tapas plate. I would highly recommend this place, especially for an intimate meal with your SO or a few friends."

Dined on 04/11/2012

2011

Special Features: fit for foodies, late-night find, romantic, special occasion

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Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Right now, their dining room

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/28/2012

2002

Dined on 03/28/2012

2002

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Right now, their dining room is closed due to a flood, and we were in the lounge. The food was still great, but the service was not."

Dined on 03/28/2012

2002

Special Features: fit for foodies

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Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

All in all it was a great

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/17/2012

2005

Dined on 03/17/2012

2005

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"All in all it was a great experience. Food was close to what authentic brazilian food is (being one myself). But wouldn't recommend to bring children unless they fix the dinning area (upstairs). To accommodate the dining folks, they converted the bar (downstairs) into a restaurant until the remodeling is completed. But good for groups to celebrate special occasions."

Dined on 03/17/2012

2005

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, romantic, special occasion, hot spot

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Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

The upstairs was closed for

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/17/2012

2006

Dined on 03/17/2012

2006

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Fair) 2 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"The upstairs was closed for repairs, so the only seating was downstairs in the lounge. That complicated service because the kitchen is upstairs. Some dishes were amazing, including the hamachi and the bacalao. The steak was tough."

Dined on 03/17/2012

2006

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Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

It gets a bit warm in here.

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/16/2012

2009

Dined on 03/16/2012

2009

Food

(Fair) 2 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"It gets a bit warm in here. So dress for summer even if it's chilly out."

Dined on 03/16/2012

2009

Special Features: good for groups, late-night find, hot spot

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Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

The location of this restaurant

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/11/2012

2007

Dined on 03/11/2012

2007

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Fair) 2 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"The location of this restaurant is perfect if you are seeing a show at the Orpheum theater. It is only 3 blocks away, so you only need to park once.
Due to their recent flood, they have some challenges. However, they seem to be dealing with them pretty well. Their entrance is now on the side and it is hard to see a sign for the restaurant. They are operating in the basement, which has ambiance, but a struggle for the two waiters to go up and down the stairs to the kitchen constantly. The service was a bit slow, but they tried hard. The food was good. We ordered appetizers and drinks, which were tasty. Their Brazilian lime drink was great. The chicken croquette and cheese with carmelized onions on toasted bread were standout dishes."

Dined on 03/11/2012

2007

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Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Hip Brazilian Spot

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/11/2012

2005

Dined on 03/11/2012

2005

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"The location is easy to miss. The address is an Eighth Street, but it's really on Minna. Minna and Eighth are uninviting and then the place is dark and you have to go down a flight of poorly lit stairs to get to the bar and restaurant. It seems very intimate and of course the music is wonderful. Ther was a woman playing the guitar and singing Jobim songs. The caipirinhas were terrific. We stuck to the small plates. Some were better than others, but they were all at least good. We certainly recommend the hearts of palm salad and the Brazil nut crusted goat cheese. Very yummy! The yucca was just OK, but the black beans were great. We'll go back with a group next time."

Dined on 03/11/2012

2005

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic, hot spot

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Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Brazileiro!

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/11/2012

2007

Dined on 03/11/2012

2007

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Entering Bossa Nova felt like entering a speak easy. Entered on a side street through a red door and down a flight of stairs. Had to walk past the trash bins and someone with open suitcases laid out on the street, but hey, it IS the city! A small, intimate space with a definite mood. Being understaffed led to one person acting as host/waiter and being a pre-theatre spot meant that seating happened within a short period of time. There were a few lags in service, but apologies were offered as well as a few free offerings. The food was very, very good. Loved the mussels! An added bonus was a very enjoyable singer,guitarist performing bossa nova standards. What a nice find!"

Dined on 03/11/2012

2007

Special Features: neighborhood gem

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Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

There was some flooding in

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/03/2012

2006

Dined on 03/03/2012

2006

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"There was some flooding in the restaurant, so they put all the tables downstairs at Sofa. At 9:30pm, they cranked the music way up, and since I was seated next to a speaker, I wanted to leave immediately."