Le Central

Name: Le Central
Address: 453 Bush St., San Francisco, CA, United States, 94108
Telephone: (415) 391-2233
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.5

4.5

1979 Reviews

$31 to $50

French

Top Tags:

Opened in 1974, Le Central has been serving traditional French cuisine for over four decades, boasting the honor of being San Francisco’s most historic French bistro. Conveniently located on the cusp of the bustling financial district and downtown Union Square, Le Central stands out in a rare one-story historic brick building, crowned by a vintage Tabac sign. Offering classic French faire such as Filet Mignon au Poivre, slow-cooked Cassoulet and Roast Chicken Pommes Frites, Le central’s cuisine is comforting yet sumptuous. The exposed brick walls, stained glass features, and imported brass bar invite you to retreat and unwind in its charming, brasserie atmosphere. Le Central is the downtown stop for locals and visitors looking for a classic meal, delicious glass of wine, and a taste of la belle vie.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Dec 5, 2023

9:30 PM

Booked 31 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
French
Hours of operation
Lunch Daily 11:30 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon, Tue, Thu–Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(415) 391-2233
Website
http://www.lecentralbistro.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Johnny Tanphanich
Private party facilities
We welcome you to our little bistro with a big heart. Dining alone, on a date, with family, a special occasion, bienvenue chez nous. Gathering for a larger group event? We can do that, too. We can even provide a whole side of the restaurant for a private dining experience. Let us know your needs and we will do what we can to accommodate them.
Private party contact
Melanie Tanphanich: (415) 391-2233

Location
453 Bush St., San Francisco, CA 94108
Neighborhood
Downtown / Union Square
Cross street
Grant and Kearny
Parking details
Sutter-Stockton Garage
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

What 1,979 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5

4.5 based on recent ratings

4.5Food
4.6Service
4.6Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

1,979 Reviews

P
Pierre
San Francisco
30 reviews
vip
5.0
30 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Consistently great food and a terrific environment
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n
nicolen
San Francisco
9 reviews
4.0
9 reviews
Dined on November 28, 2023
overall4food5service5ambience3
SF Classic. As good today as it was a decade ago! Strongly recommend
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M
Murphy
San Francisco
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on November 25, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
As always, lovely surroundings, delicious food and outstanding service at reasonable prices. A “go to” spot for us!
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SS
SSKK
San Francisco
118 reviews
vip
5.0
118 reviews
Dined on November 25, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Absolutely one of the world's most charming and satisfying restaurants. It works on every level. It's a place we have loved for more than 40 years. It has changed and yet retained its charm. The food is good, the wine is good, the charming ambience is unique and memorable.
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JC
JamesC
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
A staple in SF dining and keeping up the tradition
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent food, excellent service and a wonderfully unique San Francisco dining environment and experience.
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GC
GilbertC
San Francisco
41 reviews
vip
5.0
41 reviews
Dined on November 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Went to try Le Central during Dine About Town Restaurant Week. We had a delicious 3 course meal. The server, Lindsay was excellent. We were fortunate to be inside the restaurant as ~ 1000+ peaceful protestors passed by the restaurant on their way to join others.
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M
Miker
San Francisco
2 reviews
1.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 14, 2023
overall1food1service4ambience4
We have eaten at Le Central several times over the years, but the place has gone down hill and we will go elsewhere. We had the same meal and agree: the onion soup was watery, the fries were not hot and the burgers were covered with so much stuff that we could not taste the meat.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Central Coast
9 reviews
vip
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on November 14, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience5
We dined for two and our experience was greatly enhanced by out lovely waitress (brunette with black-rimmed glasses). She was attentive, friendly, professional = exceptionally lovely!
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RE
RonaldE
San Francisco
19 reviews
vip
5.0
19 reviews
Dined on November 13, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
This is our tried and true French place in the city. Our server is awesome , food to die for and just great. You can’t go wrong with any the dishes. It is just simply great!
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N
Nick
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on November 11, 2023
overall2food3service1ambience3
Came here for restaurant week with my girlfriend, and the service was pretty terrible. We ordered two glasses of wine that never came, and it took 15-20 mins for us to get water after sitting. Again, the food was okay but it seems to be severely understaffed which takes the wind out of your sails for a nice date night. Would not come again personally
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RG
RichardG
San Francisco
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 11, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
An excellent dinner and excellent service. But there was party near us that was extremely noisy with loud, piercing voices. Well...that's eating out sometimes. You take your chances.
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MP
MargaretP
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 10, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Simply Lovely. Wonderful food. Excellent service. We so appreciated discovering it during restaurant week!
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JS
JoanS
Greater Boston
32 reviews
vip
5.0
32 reviews
Dined on November 9, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Le Central is a small, charming French Bistrot. We dined there during restaurant week and ordered the special dinner featured. We began with French onion soup, had Beef Burgundy as a main course, and finished with a lovely chocolate mousse. The food was delicious, our server was very pleasant and engaging, and we would be happy to recommend this restaurant to anyone who appreciates French food.
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k
kymore
Central Coast
98 reviews
vip
5.0
98 reviews
Dined on November 7, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience4
Great food, exceptional service. Seems like a locals gem! IMG_4713.jpg
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b
becca
San Francisco
65 reviews
vip
4.0
65 reviews
Dined on November 4, 2023
overall4food5service5ambience5
The food was very good. My friends and I went there for Restaurant Week, and we couldn't believe it was only $45. for 3 delicious courses! Very good service and excellent food. A wonderful "bistro" atmosphere. You could tell that many of the customers go there frequently. Also while there is a garage nearby, it was fairly easy to park on the street.
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R
Ricardo
San Francisco
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on October 28, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing meal. The tartare, the pâté and the escargot where excellent.
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GP
GregoryP
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 27, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent authentic French food in a Parisienne Cafe atmosphere, warm friendly responsive service, a favorite when we visit San Francisco.
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JA
JacquelineA
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 26, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious food. Steak was cooked perfectly and salmon excellent
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JD
JoeDeb
Orange County
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on October 24, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our server Lindsay was very helpful, our table near the window was perfect, and the food was exquisite. From soup to dessert and everything else was wonderful. The perfect place to celebrate our anniversary.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on October 19, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent dinner and impeccable service as always. Our favorite restaurant for a special night out in San Francisco!
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G
George
San Francisco
15 reviews
3.0
15 reviews
Dined on October 15, 2023
overall3food2service4ambience3
the "French" menu was pretty limited. I had the onion soup which did not have much in the way of onions. Wife had the cassoulet which was bland and it was more of a white bean stew with a fried chicken leg. The service was excellent and really fast.
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LS
LagunadelSolGuy
Sacramento
15 reviews
4.0
15 reviews
Dined on October 10, 2023
overall4food5service5ambience3
Great food but pricey.i recommend the steak au poivre and the cassoulet.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on October 8, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was tasty, we had onion soup, cassoulet, filet mignon and the chocolate cake, all excellent. Staff was great.
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NB
NB61
London
86 reviews
vip
5.0
86 reviews
Dined on October 6, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We were seated at a lovely window table. Our server, Benedict, was professional but personable. Our lunch was perfect: steak tartare for my husband, crab cake for me. We shared the endive salad and had two glasses of Sauvignon Blanc. I feel like we had a short trip to Paris.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
27 reviews
5.0
27 reviews
Dined on October 5, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Le Central has never disappointed me, over more than 40 years! Now that my digestive system has grown more delicate with age, I was afraid of the buttery sauces, but the waiter and chef took perfect care of me. The food was delicious, and my innards had no complaint.
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JA
JAMESL
San Francisco
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on October 1, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Classical French Brasserie with excellent food and service. Steak. Escargot, bib lettuce and PetrallQuiet uiet ambiance within walking distance of Union Square hotels.
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AT
AlysonT
San Francisco
5 reviews
2.0
5 reviews
Dined on September 27, 2023
overall2food2service2ambience5
Disappointed tonight… food not what we expected. Unfortunately
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MS
MikeS
Seattle
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Really excellent meal. Highly recommended………………..
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
4 reviews
1.0
4 reviews
Dined on September 17, 2023
overall1food1service5ambience4
This is an iconic restaurant sadly in decline. The soup tasted like a bottle of vinegar was poured in it- their famous French Onion. They remade it for us and it was a little better but still not excellent. The salad was literally not even edible- terribly sour. The beef noodle dish was barely ok on the beef, not seasoned well and the pasta literally dried up and shriveled to almost nothing left. Their French bread is pretty good. The waiter there is amazing- he was wonderful. We are SO disappointed in ownership for not getting their chef act together- it won’t make it if this trend continues on lack of food quality. Also, we had a terrible table guest shouting at her table guests and she should have been asked to leave. Totally improper. C’mon owner. Step up- you know very well your food is NOT where it needs to be. We won’t be going back and we are residents nearby :(. Sad. Those restaurants not nailing quality as the city fights to recover, are certain to have big issues
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W
Wayne
Caribbean
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Good food with excellent service. The petite fillet mignon was exceptional quality with the pommel puree and vegetables perfect. With the wine it was excelent value for money and because it was our anniversary we had complimentary champagne and an anniversary dessert. Would definitely recommend this place for a quick romantic dinner.
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AD
AlexandraD
Denver
16 reviews
2.0
16 reviews
Dined on September 13, 2023
overall2food1service3ambience4
Canadian Oysters during Happy Hour were very good. I should have ordered the petrale sole I’d intended to try. I don’t know what possessed me to order the burger instead. It was over cooked and tasteless. Wines were mediocre.
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NH
NigelH
London
125 reviews
vip
5.0
125 reviews
Dined on September 6, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Superb food from a lovely but slightly limited lunchtime menu. The wine was a little expensive but the service and ambience were perfect. We would certainly dine there again.
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GL
GeraldL
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 3, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Absolutely amazing as always! It never fails. Thank you for another wonderful evening 🙏❤️
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CS
CynS
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 24, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent service! We were there around 5 pm for an early dinner before seeing a show. The maitre'd greeted us at the door and welcomed us in, even though we got there a bit earlier than our reservation. Maria served us our dinner and drinks at the bar. She was very helpful, answering all our questions about different menu items. Food was fantastic! We will definitely be back!
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o
ozinsac
Sacramento
44 reviews
vip
4.0
44 reviews
Dined on August 20, 2023
overall4food5service4ambience4
It was a treat to be seated at the best table in the house without asking for it. A knowledgeable waiter, Adam, was our host. It seemed extremely quiet for a Saturday evening. The food was delicious.
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JA
JohnA
San Diego
14 reviews
vip
3.0
14 reviews
Dined on August 18, 2023
overall3food4service2ambience4
I revisited Le Central, a favorite of mine in the 80s and 90s when it was one of the hottest tickets in town with Stars and Masa’s. I adored the cassoulet, interesting wines, and yummy desserts. The food still holds up very nicely but unfortunately this night our server was sadly uninvolved with the customer experience. Not once were we asked if we were enjoying our meal, if we were satisfied — which is just the usual basic server interaction. We felt rushed as the server suggested bringing our second course at the same time as our appetizers. Perhaps he was having an off-night yet he was very attentive to the other tables and diners. The restaurant is charming and most staff are equally so. We just didn’t feel we were in the hands of someone who cared about our experience. Still, the restaurant is recommended as a lovely brasserie.
1 person found this helpful
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on August 13, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Gracious and attentive service without being intrusive
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VB
VickiB
San Francisco
107 reviews
vip
4.0
107 reviews
Dined on August 10, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience5
Incredibly attentive and professional staff. Delicious French food. Loved the salmon and the petrale sole. So many delicious salad options it is hard to make a decision. If you want a delicious meal in a quiet setting, this is your place.
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TC
TiCo
San Francisco
6 reviews
2.0
6 reviews
Dined on August 6, 2023
overall2food1service4ambience1
First- two stars because our waiter was nice & my French 75 was tasty. Maybe it’s because I returned from France a few days ago, but this location had no indication it was French other than the music, which often sounded Italian. Maybe consider a Bonsoir or merci, the table cloth was so dirty we had to change tables to avoid getting it on our outfits, the “bread service” was small, cold, tasteless & 5.00 - which is hilarious. The beef tartar was absent flavor. My fault that I didn’t carefully read that the ratatouille was smothered in melted cheese, had more green peppers than eggplant or zucchini, and tasted more like vegetarian spaghetti sauce vs stewed summer veggies in olive oil, the wine list led with CA wine & the bread pudding required a serrated knife to cut thru the cold, blah, brick of bread. For 3 people ( 1 drink ea + 1 bottle of red) $365 including the 5% surcharge and before the tip which pushes it over $400 with the accepted 20% gratuity. I have to agree w other reviews that for the quality Le Central is wildly overpriced. Net- I’m not recommending for anything other than a drink at the bar, unfortunately.
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Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily

Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
- Staff is vaccinated

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Le Central using the Order Online button.

Le Central is rated 4.5 stars by 1979 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Dec 5, 2023

9:30 PM

Booked 31 times today

Order delivery or takeout

453 Bush St., San Francisco, CA 94108

Additional information

Cross street
Grant and Kearny
Neighborhood
Downtown / Union Square
Hours of operation
Lunch Daily 11:30 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon, Tue, Thu–Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
French
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
Sutter-Stockton Garage
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Johnny Tanphanich
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.lecentralbistro.com/
Phone number
(415) 391-2233
Private party facilities
We welcome you to our little bistro with a big heart. Dining alone, on a date, with family, a special occasion, bienvenue chez nous. Gathering for a larger group event? We can do that, too. We can even provide a whole side of the restaurant for a private dining experience. Let us know your needs and we will do what we can to accommodate them.
Private party contact
Melanie Tanphanich: (415) 391-2233

Le Central

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Popular dishes

Escargot Bourguignon

Beef Bourguignon

Steak Frites

Menu

What 1,979 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing

Screening

FAQs

Does Le Central offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Le Central restaurant rated?

Is Le Central currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information