Best Restaurants for Quiet Conversation in Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness

Price

$$
$$$
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Cuisine

AmericanItalianSeafoodFrenchIndianMexican

Regions

MarinPeninsulaSan Francisco

Neighborhoods

ChinatownCivic Center / Hayes Valley / Van NessDowntown / Union SquareFinancial District / EmbarcaderoGlen ParkMarina / Cow Hollow / Presidio

Top Rated

CharmingGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for fine winesGreat for happy hour

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

22 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

1. Xebec-sf

4.7

Exceptional(67)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Western Addition

Booked 10 times today

Are you ready to embark on a mouth-watering journey down the Mediterranean coast, infused with the tantalizing flavors and techniques of Japan? Join us now to experience this meeting of cultures that will leave your taste buds craving for more!

A photo of Absinthe Brasserie and Bar - SF restaurant

2. Absinthe Brasserie and Bar - SF

4.8

Exceptional(7409)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• French • Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness

Booked 26 times today

We are currently accepting reservations for lunch, brunch, and dinner.Effective 09/26/2022:Outdoor seating will not be available.

A photo of Mr. Tipple’s Jazz Club restaurant

3. Mr. Tipple’s Jazz Club

4.8

Exceptional(931)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Cocktail Bar • Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness

Booked 20 times today

***Best Jazz Club in the City, by San Francisco Magazine***Mr. Tipple’s is a craft cocktail bar featuring live jazz.-Reservations have a 90min time limit from reservation time. There is a $20/guest min for table serviceMr. Tipple’s heralds back to a 1950s NYC basement. Cozy. Dark. Boozy. The intimate setting features local jazz artists up close and personal. It’s a joint where you come as you are, hear great music, tap your toes, and sip a properly chilled cocktail.-My name is Mr. Tipple. Just a simple and laughable bloke hailing from London. I run a recording studio. My friends joke that you’ll oft find me spinning cocktails, not reeling tape. After a few too many, I usually just sit back and enjoy the music, having forgotten to hit record. Regardless, the band is always jiving, the whiskey is always cold, and we’re having a smashing good time.

4. 54 Mint

4.6

Exceptional(3466)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • SOMA

Booked 50 times today

54 Mint is a hidden gem in the heart of downtown San Francisco across from the old US Mint Building. We offer authentic Roman cuisine prepared only with fresh and seasonal ingredients. Our pastas, bread and desserts are made fresh in house on a daily basis. Our bar offers an extended variety of Italian wines, craft cocktails and high-end imported and local spirits.

5. Corzetti

4.6

Exceptional(415)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 35 times today

Step off the bustling streets of Union Square and into a glamorous, coastal Italian getaway. Corzetti is a Ligurian restaurant and bar that evokes summers spent on the Italian Riviera where life moves at a slower pace, and seaside restaurants serve up menus influenced by the day’s catch and peak-season produce from the region.Chef Tali Missirlian's focus on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and handmade pasta reflects our commitment to sustainability and quality. You'll find fresh seafood-forward dishes on our menu including pizza, pasta and more, which pair perfectly with creative cocktails from our bar and an extensive list of Italian wines. Come in for lunch, happy hour, or a quick dinner before a show. Host birthday parties and get togethers in our private dining room. From our cozy and intimate atmosphere to our knowledgeable and attentive service, Corzetti invites you to savor the essence of Liguria's relaxed seaside culture in the heart of the city.

6. China Live

4.6

Exceptional(3356)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Chinese • Chinatown

Booked 123 times today

China Live, Eater's "Restaurant of the Year," features fresh, seasonal Chinese cuisine cooked from specialized stations that merge traditional Chinese and Western culinary equipment. Our main dining area, with views of our exhibition kitchens, plays centerpiece, appointed with chairs and tables all handcrafted in China from reclaimed Chinese elm. We also offer outside dining.

7. Hinata Sushi

4.8

Exceptional(218)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Sushi • Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness

Booked 12 times today

Hinata is a Sushi Omakase restaurant located in San Francisco's Van Ness district. We use quality ingredients along with authentic techniques to bring the most surprising and innovative Omakase experience to our guest.We offer a prix fixe sushi menu starting at $98. Our menu will change daily, depending on the season and what is available from the Toyosu Market in Japan. Our full course meal will include multiple courses: 18 pieces of nigiri sushi, 3 refreshing bites, miso soup, and house-made dessert.Please note:- We only offer a set Omakase tasting menu (each reserved seat MUST order the Omakase)- We can not accommodate Vegetarians/Vegans.- We require 24 hour notice for any allergies and dietary restriction modifications- We are unable to modify the menu on the same day of the reservation- Please review the CANCELATION/NO-SHOW policy before booking We look forward to seeing you soon!

8. Trestle

4.8

Exceptional(2872)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 36 times today

Hi Neighbor!At Trestle, we remember a time, not too long ago, where people took pause to enjoy a meal in the presence of great company, giving it the reverence and respect deserved. We provide a dining experience served in courses, with the satisfaction and warmth found at a family gathering, creating the foundation to a proper meal. Every day we feature a changing 3 course prix fixe menu with choices on each course for $45/person. We will have an optional additional pasta course for $12/person. Unfortunately, we do not offer ala-carte options.We are able to accommodate vegetarian options nightly. We do our best to accommodate other allergies/restrictions based on the menu for that evening. Due to our limited spacing, we can accommodate parties of 8 or less only.

9. Mr. Digby's

4.7

Exceptional(491)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Noe Valley

Booked 11 times today

Mr. Digbys Bar and Restaurant is the new neighborhood spot in Noe Valley, SF! Join us for elevated American comfort food and classic cocktails in a comfortable, polished setting. We offer dog-friendly sidewalk and parklet seating, bar seating and standard seating. Chronicle rated "Best Food of the Week" 2021.

10. Level III

3.7

Very Good(398)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 1 time today

Experience social food and modern cocktails at a new level - Level Three. An exciting and sophisticated dining experience inside the JW Marriott San Francisco. This chic restaurant and lounge features a menu of delicious sharable plates crafted from the freshest, local, seasonal ingredients complemented with an extraordinary cocktail menu custom-created by an acclaimed local mixologist. Situated on the third floor lobby level of the hotel highlighted by a 16 story atrium, you can dine on extravagant plates like Dungeness Crab Cake Benedict, Croque Madame, Avocado Toast, "The Burger", Artisinal Grilled Cheese, Filet Mignon, and our Daily Catch!

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

A
Annie
San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Excellent service. Amazing food! Always a great experience
More info
54 MintPrice: Expensive• Italian• SOMA
•
4.6
K
Kate
Washington, D.C. Area •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Really good food and a great margarita! Shared a lot of things - definitely was the way to go
More info
Xebec-sfPrice: Expensive• Mediterranean• Western Addition
•
4.7
C
Cynthia
San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Great ambiance and the music was amazing. It was such a great vibe.
More info
Mr. Tipple’s Jazz ClubPrice: Moderate• Cocktail Bar• Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
•
4.8
N
NicoleVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •24 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Service was fantastic. Cheeseburger was delicious!
More info
Absinthe Brasserie and Bar - SFPrice: Expensive• French• Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
•
4.8
P
Peter
New York City •5 reviews
5.0
Dined on Apr 17, 2025
perfect place for a quiet, delicious business lunch. Place was not too busy and was quiet for conversation; server was attentive and friendly, food (pasta, foccacia, panna cotta) was excellent. Also super convenient to the Westin St Francis next door where the conference was. Excellent experience.
More info
CorzettiPrice: Expensive• Italian• Downtown / Union Square
•
4.6

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