How is Benu restaurant rated?

Name: Benu
Address: 22 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA, United States, 94105
Telephone: (415) 685-4860
Price range: $50 and over
Rating: 4.7

Award-winning

Benu

4.7

1539 Reviews

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Top Tags:

Benu offers a fixed menu. Please indicate any dietary restrictions when making your reservation. Soy sauce, salt, and sugar are used in many of our base preparations and cannot be removed. If you have very severe allergies or a combination of restrictions, please contact us directly to confirm whether we’re able to safely modify your menu. We also request a credit card to hold your reservation and require all bookings to be confirmed by phone or email 4-6 days in advance. If we are unable to confirm with you using the contact information provided, your reservation will be cancelled 3 days prior to the reservation date at 5:00 pm. In the event of a no-show or cancellation with less than 2 days of notice, the credit card will be charged the full menu price per guest ($325). Due to the length of the meal and quiet ambiance, we do not allow young children unless they are able to partake in the full tasting menu. Thank you for understanding.

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Cuisines
Contemporary American
Hours of operation
Dinner Daily, 5pm-10pm
Phone number
(415) 685-4860
Website
http://www.benusf.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Corey Lee
Catering
Please contact us for further information.
Private party facilities
Benu offers a customized private dining experience for parties of all sizes. Reservations can be made up to a year in advance for anytime. Please contact us for more details.
Private party contact
Sinead Quach: (415) 685-4860 ext. 117

Location
22 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
Award-winning
1. World's 50 Best #97 2022
Neighborhood
SOMA
Cross street
Howard and Hawthorne
Parking details
Valet parking is available at the restaurant for $20.
Additional
Banquet, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

The Diner Reviews Are In: 100 Best Restaurants in America

What 1,539 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.7

4.7 based on all time ratings

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.4Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Quiet

1,539 Reviews

EZ
ErickZ
Chicago
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on March 15, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Splendid, best quail I have ever had. The caviar with egg is extremely tasty.
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DN
DouglasN
San Francisco
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on March 15, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful evening of fine dining.
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M
Misty
Las Vegas
434 reviews
vip
4.0
434 reviews
Dined on March 14, 2020
overall4food4service5ambience4
We have been wanting to try Benu for years, so were excited to finally make a night of dining here. The service was outstanding. The timing of the dishes coming out was excellent and we found the servers to be professional and also very charming. The food, though, fell a bit short of expectations for a 3-star restaurant. Most of the starting tastes were delicious, but some of the main courses were not very good. The xiao long bao and beef courses were excellent, but the soup was rather bland and the BBQ quail had an overwhelming smoke flavor that was unappealing. After dining at Quince, Acquerello, and Manresa, we were disappointed in the food at Benu. It was a good experience overall, but not really worth the price in comparison with similar class restaurants.
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T
Taehoon
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 12, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Technicality wise it is at the highest caliber. Service was impeccable. Atmosphere is very calm and intricate. Personally, it felt amazing to see simple everyday Asian food presented in exquisite ways. Lots of praise for the Benu team
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HT
HillaryT
San Francisco
9 reviews
vip
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on March 8, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing from start to finish. The food, service and hospitality were unmatched.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
13 reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on March 8, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
2nd time there and food was just as good. They even remember that I was there a few months ago and make sure that I did not have repeat dishes.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 8, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Loved every dish and service was superb
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CS
CollegeStudent
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on March 7, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Really great food. Some courses were out of this world, some courses were just really good but not worth the cost. All in all a great experience for a special occasion.
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G
Gabifines
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on March 6, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
One of The most amazing meals of my life. The food was perfect. And THE SERVICE: like a ballet! Also The Ambience, The Music. The beautiful Wine list! A Trip to San Francisco is only complete it if you visit Benu: The Food Cathedral!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Atlanta Metro
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 5, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was exceptional
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GH
GregH
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 1, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
The xiao long bao is an explosion of flavor - a truly amazing creation! This alone made this a life experience. Flawless!
1 person found this helpful
TM
TheMostBlueSky
Greater Boston
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on February 28, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience4
Food is good, no problem Need a more comfortable chair to be honest. And need to increase the distance between tables defintely.
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D
Disillusioned
New York Area
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on February 28, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Innovative and classic at the same time. What an experience!
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SF
SF2103
San Francisco
57 reviews
vip
5.0
57 reviews
Dined on February 27, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience4
Absolutely excellent and attentive service of 3 Michelin star. The food was wonderful. Thank you
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a
akwok
San Francisco
5 reviews
vip
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on February 20, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience4
it has actually improved from last time I was there, thought there was no room to move further, but I am wrong, they can do even better than better
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TP
TimothyP
Omaha
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on February 15, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience4
Every item of food was truly unique. The explanation by the staff was very clear and welcome
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 15, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing. We’ll be back!
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 13, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
I’m still blown away by the culinary experience and Service. That the Benu team provides. The menu was beyond delightful. Loved the Asian influence and all the delicacies. Pictures speak for itself.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 12, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience3
Anniversary dinner!
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SL
SiminL
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 12, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
We went for our anniversary. Very beautiful dishes and tasty as well. I don’t like raw food so Benu is the right type of restaurant for me. Most of dishes are from China and Korea. If you like Asian food or want to try Asian food, then you will like it
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S
Samantha
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 7, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Worth it. It's a month of daycare/preschool for one kiddo. But I like good food/booze, so does my husband, and I appreciated the multicultural, equal gender reppin that night.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Dallas
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on February 7, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Most incredible restaurant on the West Coast, worth every penny and the entire trip!
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LH
LawrenceH
San Francisco
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on February 2, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Outstanding quality of food, drinks, presentation, and service.
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SO
SpecialOccasionDate
San Francisco
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on February 2, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
An upscale dining experience great for a date night. The food and service were excellent, but be prepared to spend some serious money.
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MP
MalgorzataP
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 2, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Each dish looked like a masterpiece. The taste of the food divine. The minimalist decor soothes the senses and awakens imagination. Excellent service.
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CC
CharlesC
San Francisco
141 reviews
vip
5.0
141 reviews
Dined on February 1, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Repeat visit to this exceptional restaurant. Interesting dishes, wonderful presentation, excellent wine pairing. Overall, an extraordinary experience.
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JK
JulieK
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 31, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
A new found appreciation for ingredients I grew up with. A fascinating and well thought out twist on Korean and Chinese cuisine. One of the most perfect meals I’ve had. Every bite was a dream and the portions were perfect. Benu is an institution and a must visit if you’re in SF!
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SC
SharanyaC
London
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 31, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
My favourite dining experience to date. We went for our anniversary and the service was beyond impeccable. The flavours were inventive and yet still so delicious. Such a special dining experience!
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MF
MFKFisher
San Francisco
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on January 29, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience4
Each dish, brought one by one to the table at a comfortable rate, was amazing. It felt like we were dining in our own home as there was continual interaction with the kindly, professional wait staff. They were eager to answer questions and seemed to enjoy how much we were enjoying the experience. I loved the presentation of each delicacy in a special bowl or on a plate made just for that offering. The only flaw to our evening, one which was not under the control of the waitstaff was the loud talking from a nearby table of business people who could not have actually been eating, or at least not really savoring what was being brought to them. The food itself was totally worth the price, which is admittedly not for the faint of heart. You cannot get these dishes anywhere else and the ingredients are rare or difficult to source. The wine offerings were similarly stunning and so were the prices for wines by the glass, which added substantially to our final bill. It was a special event for us, so we didn't mind the loud conversation nearby us nor the final bill-- we were prepared for that . It was an epic evening.
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J
Jerry
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 29, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
It’s really an amazing restaurant which deserved 3 stars Michelin
Is this helpful?
JD
JoshuaDavid
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 24, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Hands down the very best service you will ever receive, and the food was euphoric.
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KW
KeithW
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 18, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Really enjoyed the meal. Loved the Asian influences.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 18, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
have good service
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TL
TristaL
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 18, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
I have twice dined at Benu!! The cuisine and the staff are quite amazing! Also, I really appreciated that the tasting menu had quite a few new additions between my 1st visit and most recent visit!
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JG
JacekG
New York Area
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on January 1, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great Meal as the last time. Great food and service from start to the desserts. Every time will be back to SF will visit Benu. All best for all team great job.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 1, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Sublime restaurant experience.
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E
Epicureanoptimist
San Francisco
15 reviews
vip
4.0
15 reviews
Dined on December 31, 2019
overall4food5service5ambience5
Delicious. Innovative flavor profiles, consistent and excellent execution, thoughtful and perfectly balanced wine pairings The service was knowledgeable, professionally enthusiastic, and unobtrusive. Loved our main wait person and the somm was excellent!
1 person found this helpful
OT
OpenTable Diner
Montreal
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on December 30, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
Outstanding ! Never disappointed! The food is exquisite, innovative, yet with a respect to the spirit of traditional Chinese and Asian gastronomy. The staff is A+.
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P
Phil
San Francisco
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on December 28, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience4
Creative and delicious food in a wonderfully sedate setting.
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DS
DanielS
London
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on December 28, 2019
overall1food1service4ambience2
Pretentious & largely tasteless food served by smug, arrogant staff.
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FAQs

Benu is rated 4.7 stars by 1539 OpenTable diners.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing

22 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105

Additional information

Award-winning
1. World's 50 Best #97 2022
Cross street
Howard and Hawthorne
Neighborhood
SOMA
Hours of operation
Dinner Daily, 5pm-10pm
Cuisines
Contemporary American
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
Valet parking is available at the restaurant for $20.
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Corey Lee
Additional
Banquet, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.benusf.com/
Phone number
(415) 685-4860
Catering
Please contact us for further information.
Private party facilities
Benu offers a customized private dining experience for parties of all sizes. Reservations can be made up to a year in advance for anytime. Please contact us for more details.
Private party contact
Sinead Quach: (415) 685-4860 ext. 117

Featured in

The Diner Reviews Are In: 100 Best Restaurants in America

Benu

Not available on OpenTable

Additional information

The Diner Reviews Are In: 100 Best Restaurants in America

Overall ratings and reviews

FAQs

How is Benu restaurant rated?

Not available on OpenTable

Additional information

Featured in

The Diner Reviews Are In: 100 Best Restaurants in America