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Gibson, San Francisco, CA

Gibson

3.8
3.8
312 Reviews
$31 to $50
Californian
Gibson brings a new cocktail and dining experience to San Francisco. Located in the Hotel Bijou in San Francisco’s Tenderloin district—just a half-block from the Powell Street BART station—Gibson combines elegant and exceptional cocktails with a thoughtful menu subtly influenced by smoke, live fire and exotic spices. The casual yet refined bar and restaurant are designed to encourage sharing, community and conviviality.

No pretense, just a great time.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Cocktail Bar, Contemporary American
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Wed, Thu 5:00 pm–8:45 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:15 pm Happy Hour Wed–Sat 5:00 pm–6:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (415) 771-7709
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Owned/operated by
    Black/African American, Middle Eastern
  • Neighborhood
    Financial District / Embarcadero
  • Cross street
    Eddy
  • Parking details
    Street parking as well as multiple lots within 2 blocks.
  • Public transit
    BART: Powell St. Station<br />MUNI Lines: 8, 27, 30, 31, 45
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 312 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

3.8
3.8 based on recent ratings
  • 3.9Food
  • 3.8Service
  • 3.8Ambience
  • 3.5Value

NoiseModerate

312 Reviews
  1. NanG

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on August 28, 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience3
    The food was spectacular; the bar, not so much. There were no familiar labels of spirits. I just got a glass of wine instead. We will return.

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  2. BarryT

    San Francisco

    16 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on August 28, 2022

    overall2food4service1ambience3
    Had high hopes for Gibson based on what I have heard and read. The food was fine, the lamb shank braised in peanut butter with white balsamic was awesome and the executive chef shared it’s history which made it all the more enjoyable. However, the service was terrible. To get drinks from the bar we had to hunt down the bartender as she was the only server on Saturday night. Our party was not in a hurry, but the table next to us was extremely irritated as they had tickets for a show. It’s always a bad sign when you need to ask for the check as your entrees are being delivered. Would really like to give it another try, but at $500 for a party of 4, it’s doubtful. I sincerely hope they can get it together and make it work. I totally understand the challenges hospitality is facing now. But if you want to do it, you need to figure it out.

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  3. JillL

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 25, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Far exceeded expectations. Highly recommend. The tomato dish was spectacular as was the service.

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  4. NealM

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on August 20, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This restaurant is a true hidden gem. Yet it hides in plain sight just one short block from the Powell Street cable car terminus and the Powell Street BART and MUNI station. The chef is a local talent with roots going back to the Culinary Arts program at City College of San Francisco. But his vision and artistry show but a mere glimpse of his future potential. Yes, Chef Johnathan is one to look out for in the future. Look out for fascinating treatments of pickled elements in both mains and cocktails. All house-infused. And in this day of chincy bread services, theirs shines with house made bread and spreads that will make you want to weep. And excellent service along with one of the most beautiful dining rooms in all of San Francisco, a real homage to the best of art deco design. You will enjoy every minute of dining at Gibson.

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  5. OpenTable Diner

    Calgary

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on July 30, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    You’ve gotta eat here!!! Dining at Gibson is an amazing experience. The bartender started off the experience with a great selection of unique cocktails. He will surprise you if you let him with something that isn’t on the menu…I had a very refreshing apple infused scotch cocktail that started the evening off wonderfully. The food is also incredible…they take you in a culinary journey through each course with well thought out flavour choices and strong presentation. Even the salad is meticulously put together….apparently the dressing takes a week of preparation before it is ready to be served. I had the 60 day beef which melted in my mouth…my wife had the salmon and was bursting with flavour. You can taste the great care the kitchen team prepared each dish and if you are lucky enough to get a table near the open kitchen you can watch them at work. Even the desserts are unique with finely balanced flavours. The chef and the staff are very knowledgeable and personable. The chef presented each course and swung by a few times during the meal explains how the course was prepared and how the flavours work together. The experience was second to none…even the French press coffee at the end was served with a hot mug. With food this good I was shocked that I could even get in on a same day reservation. Gibson is truly a must try place when you are in town. I was staying at the Westin St Francis - nothing in this hotel comes close to this place. I will definitely come back - I wished I lived closer so I could experience their dinner more often!

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  6. Sharon

    San Francisco

    55 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    55 reviews

    Dined on July 28, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The Space is beautiful and the food delicious. Both our server and the Chef were very personable and spent time chatting with us. Definitely want to go back.

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  7. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 16, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of our favorite spots in the city!

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  8. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 14, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was amazing. Great food quality!

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  9. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on June 19, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    If I could give this place a higher rating than the options offer, i would. This is, hands down, the best dining experience. I live in NYC and SF and have eaten at some of the best rated restaurants in the world, and this is by far the best and most underrated experience. The food, service and bar expertise are unmatched. This restaurant should have at least two Michelin stars for the incredible dining experience.

    1 person found this helpful

  10. dfox

    San Diego

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on June 5, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent restaurant. The lamb was melt in your mouth tender and very tasty. The house salad dressing is probably the best I've ever tasted- perfectly balanced, rich, complex, and yet not overpowering or overly vinegar tasting. The fish was cooked perfectly, and the cocktails were delightful. Service was perfect, and since our table had a view of the open kitchen, we got to enjoy watching the chef as well. We enjoyed our dinner very much!

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  11. YselaC

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on June 4, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fue una cena increíble! El lugar nos encantó

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  12. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 29, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    The chef and wait staff were more than friendly. We got to sit by the kitchen and watch the action happen which was pretty legit. Not every dish was for me but most of it was, we did the tasting menu to try and branch out. Cocktails were on point! Highly recommend!

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  13. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on May 29, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Go. Just go. Flavor profiles I’ve never experienced before from a chef who clearly loves his craft. Attentive, generous, service where you are truly made to feel like a welcome guest. Fine cocktails and warm hospitality from the bar tender. Seated with a view of the very open, shiny clean kitchen, watching the chef do his thing…Priceless! Go! Just go!

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  14. MegS

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 22, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was a real hidden gem- everything was wonderful- and couldn’t have picked a better pre-theater dinner!

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  15. DIMo

    London

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 15, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fabulous food, great ambience. Would definitely return again!

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  16. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 7, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food and service. An hidden gem in Mid-Market!

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  17. RebeccaC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 30, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Soooooo so so so good! Literally almost cried tears of joy from that delicious beef dish!

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  18. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing service and food. The lamb was perfect!

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  19. RichardA

    Greater Boston

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on April 17, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful food, great service, creative cocktails - run by a terrific couple who make you feel at home. We’ll be back!

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  20. marianaG

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 10, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing experience. Loved the open kitchen. The bread is great!

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  21. Erin

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 10, 2022

    overall3food3service2ambience4
    This place is a bit overpriced. The food is good but everything is very salty, could not finish each dish. Instead, I had to drink a lot of water during dinner. Also, it seems the restaurant does not have enough staff. The waitress seems too busy to notice our demand. Had to wait for a long time for food, water refill and also the check.

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  22. ingridstef

    London

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 8, 2022

    overall4food3service5ambience5
    great service ; Smoked trout wasn’t as expected - cooked rare to medium rare ; almost no one at restaurant - strange on a Thursday night 8pm.

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  23. OpenTable Diner

    Seattle

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 3, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Food was delicious and the service was outstanding!

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  24. massgrizzly

    Greater Boston

    16 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on April 3, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    The chef's tasting menu was reminiscent of Iron Chef, Battle Trout. Unfortunately, trout is one of my least favorite fish and the chef embraced trout's distinctive flavor. I'm sure that trout lovers would have been thrilled.

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  25. Amaezm

    Minneapolis

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 26, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    AMAZING FOOD!

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  26. MichelinFoodie

    San Francisco

    52 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    52 reviews

    Dined on March 16, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A tremendously talented team and amazing service. The food was spectacular with so much attention to detail and a real sense of ensuring a sustainable food practice and culture. Would repeat and highly recommend

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  27. Bobb

    San Francisco

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on March 11, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    An elegant oasis in the Tenderloin. Great staff - awesome waitress. Everyone seemed dedicated and happy to be there. Warm and welcoming atmosphere; and GREAT food. Chose to dine here before a show at the Warfield and it was perfect!

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  28. MissionFoodie

    San Francisco

    35 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    35 reviews

    Dined on February 27, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Lively bistro style space with interesting cocktails and excellent food. The menu is currently a bit limited, but everything is well executed.

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  29. bkheightstim

    New York Area

    28 reviews

    5.0

    28 reviews

    Dined on February 26, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very accommodating of our dietary needs. Some of the best food I’ve had in years. I don’t eat desserts often but felt I needed to try the cobbler and I was glad I did. The staff is amazing and very knowledgeable. I will be going back for a cocktail at the bar tonight.

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  30. eatntalk

    San Francisco

    16 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on February 4, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Beautiful setting. Delicious food.. few choices.

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  31. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 29, 2022

    overall1food1service5ambience1
    Honestly I feel bad writing this, but the vibes were SO off with this place. Reservations at 7pm

    1 person found this helpful

  32. SarahS

    London

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on January 29, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is the perfect restaurant for a pre-dinner show if you're going to The Warfield, The Curran, or in our case the ACT. We had a 6pm dinner reservation and finished our 3 course prix fixe meal by 7:40 for a quick two block walk to The Geary Theatre. The food, ambience, experience, and service were delightful. I couldn't believe it wasn't packed (Covid ), which is why I'm writing this review. This restaurant is attached to a boutique hotel and the ceilings are high and the tables are amply spaced. I felt very Covid safe even though we weren't dining outside. This dining room is also perfect for a large party. They can accommodate large groups. I've been to Per Se, Meadwood and other fine dining restaurants. I thought this was a perfect fine, casual restaurant with great food and service. Highly recommend. The homemade bread was also incredible, and I'm not a bread person! Cocktails are also great if you just want a place for pre or post dinner drinks!

    1 person found this helpful

  33. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on January 28, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Went the the theatre.

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  34. Joseph

    San Francisco

    32 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    32 reviews

    Dined on January 23, 2022

    overall4food3service5ambience5
    Service was fantastic and attentive. Cocktails and wine also fabulous. It has a cool, old-school vibe that I loved. Only problem? The food was only ok. Except for the bread. OMG the bread. Everything else was just fine. And the apple cobbler at the end was like a weird apple nut soup. But the bread....

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  35. StevenH

    San Francisco

    18 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on January 8, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Nice venue though very empty in our visit due to Omicron. Service was attentive and food decent. The standout item weirdly enough was the mixed leaves salad - great combination of leaves plus an super tasty dressing. Scallop crudo nice but tiny (one scallop sliced into three). Branzino was grilled with a tasty crispy skin but oddly came with a miso glaze that did not work well with our choice of side (grilled endives in a cheese sauce) — possibly would work better with the broccoli. We had some perfectly serviceable cocktails and wine by the glass — reasonable choice though the Pinot was faulty.

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  36. EatWell

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 1, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Had a wonderful dining experience. The ingredients that were used in each course were fresh and all made by the chef. The cooking technique was explained and very interesting.

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  37. AlishaGregJennaeMike

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 19, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent cuisine, top notch service. Would recommend to anyone.

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  38. SamreenS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 18, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We came to Gibson to celebrate my husband's 30th birthday. Due to the holidays, the restaurant was pretty empty - more privacy for us! We ordered the half chicken, the 60 hour cooked beef, and the cauliflower bites. The chutney that came with the half-chicken.. more please!! It was the perfect mix of sweet & savory. The 60 hour cooked beef melted in our mouths, definitely loved the drizzle atop. The sauce that the cauliflower bites sat in - DIVINE!!! We most appreciated that the humble chef came to present his dishes to us personally (I'm sure that's standard practice for all tables but it certainly felt personal), it gave us the opportunity to thank him in person! Last, but not least, we didn't realize that marking the occasion of our visit in OpenTable meant the restaurant actually preparing a birthday dessert with a candle! It was the sweetest little surprise. The perfect dinner with the perfect ambiance, design, and DECOR. 10/10 would recommend!

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  39. KateK

    San Francisco

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 12, 2021

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    Overall, lovely hidden gem in a sketchy part of SF but rating a 4 Star due to entrées being A la Carte and quantity of meal for the price wasn’t sufficient. Would rec ordering a side dish so you don’t leave hungry still.

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  40. AlexG

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on December 5, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing spot. Hard to park, but worth it

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Extra space between tables
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
    • Staff is vaccinated

FAQs

Gibson is rated 3.8 stars by 312 OpenTable diners.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

Google Map for Gibson

111 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94102-2713

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Eddy
  • Neighborhood
    Financial District / Embarcadero
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Wed, Thu 5:00 pm–8:45 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:15 pm Happy Hour Wed–Sat 5:00 pm–6:00 pm
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Cocktail Bar, Contemporary American
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street parking as well as multiple lots within 2 blocks.
  • Public transit
    BART: Powell St. StationMUNI Lines: 8, 27, 30, 31, 45
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Owned/operated by
    Black/African American, Middle Eastern
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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