We enjoyed our meals before the symphony. Two of us enjoyed fish and a third wanted a light supper and ordered a salad which turned out to be huge and which she enjoyed.

Since the change of ownership, the style and ambience has changed, but not for the better.
Menu change eliminates some old favorites and now is somewhat mundane and, for the first time, saltier than in memory.
It is a "nice" spot but with caveats.

Very nice place. Excellent food and cocktails.

The people here were SO nice. I'ts a pleasant local place. I want them to do well, but my food just wasn't very good. I had a puréed soup of cauliflower and potato that was pretty darned watery. My chicken salad was full of gelatinous stuff from the roasted and cooled chicken juices. Instead of mixed greens, as the menu stated, it was made with iceburg lettuce. The others in my group had a Reuben sandwich, biscuits and gravy, and a wedge salad, which all looked fine.

Great food, AWFUL service

We do not live in the city, but any chance we can get up there we choose eating at Dobbs Ferry. We actually are coming up to the city more often just because we want to eat there. We Love everything about Dobbs Ferry Restaurant!

In the thirty two years I have lived in San Francisco this was the worst meal I have had in any restaurant. I will never set foot in that place again.

The food was good, but not memorable - especially with some of the other GREAT restaurants nearby. What really brought down the experience, though, was the service. Our server seemed to be overwhelmed, and not really attentive to our needs. For example, she took a drink order, and then completely forgot about it when she came back to the table. Additionally, whenever we needed anything, we had to flag her down - she did not make regular visits to the table.

We had a reservation before the Symphony. Our waitress recognized this right away, even confirming our performance time "7:30 or 8 PM show...". The courses were brought out in a timely manner, and we left with "plenty of time to spare". Curiously, at least six (6) of our fellow dining guests, we saw later at the same performance. It is conveniently located to the Symphony, to say the least! Their (warm) mushroom salad could make me change my mind about octopus salad being my favorite salad. Portions were generous-we did not leave hungry. More importantly, we plan to be back!

Good food and good service, although the vibe could have been better for brunch.

A pre-symphony early meal. We were a little late (slow BART) but no issues in getting seated. The sprouts side/app was a large portion - enough for four to share. The fry bread was an unusually small portion and the cheese sauce just okay.
The main plates were good and the usual generous portions; sadly we had to leave some food on the plates. Two of us had their fried chicken which stands up to their reputation. Others had pasta and enjoyed the preparation. We splurged on a couple of shared desserts which were fine, but the brownie/smore seemed to only been warmed enough to show a char on the marshmallow - a warm brownie would have enhanced the dish. There was one pretty major prep issue but it was handled quickly and we were treated more than fairly. We have found them to be a fine spot and we will return. Oh - ask for seating in the back room. The front area near the bar was pretty, uhh, exuberant.

Great food - everything is made from scratch, including things like potatoes and condiments. I'd strongly recommend indulging on dessert - it is worth it!

Staff is really friendly, helpful and nice. they made us feel at home and very welcome even though we were late for our reservation.

We love dining at Dobbs before the ballet. We typically share plates and love trying all their tasty items. The best part is the consistently good service. The waitstaff are always friendly and make us feel welcomed. I have to mention the creative and thirst quenching cocktails too!

This is a perfect location for the Opera, Symphony, Ballet and the Jazz Center.

Great menu and there is something for all. Fantastic Pate'!

The kitchen was having trouble on our last two visits. The latest time, the wait for our entrees was terrible and we got our food about 20 minutes before the ballet started. We arrived at 5:45 and got our entrees at 7:10. We had to gulp our food and take dessert with us. The time before, the kitchen was again having trouble. My over easy egg was served with the ugly side up. The potatoes were different from how they used to be: more like thick potato chips than something for breakfast.

I have to say the rigatoni, ravioli and salad were delicious, that’s why we keep coming back. I can’t have a mojito because the bar doesn’t have mint. I’m thinking of bringing my own.

The restaurant itself is very cozy and nice, but pricey. I ordered Bucatini. The pasta was overcooked, no salt whatsoever, didn't see any bacon there and it was drowning in sauce. I didn't even finish, and I was hungry. Panna cotta for desert was very nice though.

Wonderful experience all around - friendly service, good food in a relaxed atmosphere. Accommodated a large group ranging in age from 10-75. Would definitely visit again.

I always enjoy this place. Too bad our waiter didn't seem to like having a table of women, "was our guess" whatever :( we still enjoyed the food, the ambiance and the place good times :)

The food was delicious and a great value. The service was very friendly and good humored. Our waiter got a couple things wrong but happily fixed them. I gave 4 stars for ambience because, while our table in the dining room on Geary was delightful, the tables were a bit close in the other dining room. Overall, I would recommend this highly, especially over other nearby restaurants.

Always great service and great food. Menu is somewhat limited but it is easier to decide because of that. crab cases were awesome! Pappardelle was very well done!!

We’ve been going to Dobbs Ferry for many years and have referred many many diners to this neighborhood gem - even convinced tourists on the corner, overwhelmed by all the restaurant choices, to pick Dobbs.

But alas, all these affections are now gone with recent menu and staff changes. Fresh made chips & dip - gone, Pete’s Meatball & Spaghetti- gone, our beloved hostess Miranda - gone.

We always knew what to expect when we made reservations at Dobbs, but will have to start from scratch to guarantee it’s still a standby and a favorite. So for now, the gem status is on hold until a few more visits.

It was my third time there and it was as good as alwAustin!

My daughter always enjoy our outing at Dobbs Ferry Restaurant. The food is always delicious. The wait staff is always nice and efficient. We loved the cheesecake this visit!!! Can’t wait till next time.

Went for brunch prior to Symphony. Relaxed, tasty meal. Tables far enough apart to have easy conversations.

It was tight. Nothing special. Meal was as described. Good food, good drinks, nothing more, nothing less. I'd eat there again.

First time at Dobbs Ferry, before theater dinner for a group of five. We had a great time. Service was friendly and efficient and the food was terrific. Far exceeded our expectation. We'll be back.

Quick service. Meal was excellent. Had to request bread after we waited for ten minutes after orders were taken. Friend’s cappuccino was delayed. Excellent location for Symphony meal. Would return.

The food, ambiance, and drinks were great! The restaurant was very clean and was perfect for brunch.

Bottomless mimosas brunch was so fun, I don't think I can go anywhere but Dobbs Ferry.

Main course special was not appetizing looking not tasty— wedge lettuce was not as crispy as it should be— service was pleasant and goof
I will not return

Really disappointed this time at Dobbs Ferry. The chicken liver pate was very good, nut the papardelle was terrible and the fried chicken was ordinary. The sausage gravy was goopy and flavorless. We used to like this place, but now we won’t bother to go back.

Dobbs Ferry is one of the many restaurants in the SF Civic Center/Symphony, Ballet, Opera area that is causal, has a variety of entrees and drinks, and takes care of its diners. It is an excellent place to eat before a symphonic performance. (One of the first questions asked is--" are you going to a performance tonight?")

While Dobbs Ferry is not one of SF's expensive, gourmet restaurants, I have never had a meal I wanted to send back.

Have been going here for years but last 2 visits had unacceptable table service. Each time had to actually go find the server to either request items forgotten or requested never brought and each time to get bill to make theatre times.

Crab cakes with fried brussel sprouts as an appetizer was FABulous! Even if you don't like brussel sprouts!

Pre-concert dinner. Burrata was excellent, as was the scallops over risotto.

Good food and quick, kind service

Everything was terrible!

Last month we had had a less than great experience at Dobbs Ferry during "restaurant week" or some such, where the restaurant was serving 3 courses during this special event.
It felt like they were in over their heads, didn't pull it off, and the service suffered. (At one point 4 of us had 8 plates on a table much too small to accommodate them!)
I'm happy to report that we returned last Saturday night for a significantly better experience.
The food was perhaps the best we have had there...the service was relaxed and efficient.

Enjoyed this pre-symphony dinner. Food was very tasty - scallops on pureed beet, the friend chicken, break pudding. I would have enjoyed one or more scallops than the 3 served!