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: 4.6

4.6 (2201)

$31 to $50

French

453 Bush St., San Francisco, CA 94108

Make a reservation

2 people

Jun 30, 2025

7:30 PM

Booked 5 times today

About this restaurant

Good for special occasions
Charming
Neighborhood gem

Opened in 1974, Le Central has been serving traditional French cuisine for five decades, boasting the honor of being San Francisco’s most historic French bistro. Located on the edge of the Financial District, Union Square, and Chinatown in a rare one story brick building adorned with its iconic pink neon sign and crowned by a vintage “Tabac” sign. Step into this charming restaurant and be transported to a Parisian brasserie. With exposed brick walls, original imported brass bar, stained glass features, and cozy banquettes topped with brass railings. The atmosphere invites you to unwind and enjoy delicious French fare and exceptional wines and cocktails in an upscale, yet casual environment. Enjoy French classics like steak-frites, escargot, onion soup, and our world famous Cassoulet. Le Central’s cuisine is comforting yet sumptuous. Le Central is the downtown stop for locals and visitors looking for a taste of “La Belle Vie”!!!

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
French
Hours of operation
Lunch Mon–Sat 11:30 am–2:30 pm Happy Hour Mon–Sat 4:30 pm–6:00 pm Dinner Mon–Sat 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
Private party facilities
Le Central is available for private events, please visit our website for inqueries. https://www.lecentralbistro.com

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

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Popular dishes

What 2,201 people are saying

Le Central reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.7Service
4.5Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

San Francisco
French

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Le Central delights with its classic French bistro charm and consistently "great food" and service. Diners rave about its "impeccable cocktails" and atmosphere, making it ideal for social gatherings. Highlights include "delicious cassoulet" and "outstanding traditional cuisine." While some find seating cramped, its authenticity and vibrant ambiance win hearts.

2,201 Reviews

P
Preston
Hawaii7 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
High standards have been maintained! Haven’t been her in a long time.
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P
Pamela
San Francisco Bay Area55 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Le Central is an iconic San Francisco restaurant for a reason. Impeccable cocktails, impeccable food, and impeccable service. Wilkes Bashford, Willie Brown, and Herb Caen can't be wrong, right? We'll be back.
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K
Ken VIP
San Francisco Bay Area15 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
have always loved Le Central but the food, service and decor are better than ever
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J
John VIP
Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities43 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Great French restaurant, would definitely go back again, had sole meunière.
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M
Miriam
New York City3 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 21, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Very good cassoulet and we could hear each other speak!
Is this helpful?
R
Rod
San Francisco Bay Area9 reviews
4.0
Dined on June 19, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This was our second time at LeCentral. I love this place. Basic provincial Frenvh. Consistently good food and service. We will be back for sure.
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r
ron VIP
San Francisco Bay Area51 reviews
4.0
Dined on June 15, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Charming restaurant with red brick walls. Food was very good, but not exceptional. Service was first rate. Prices reasonable. Great for pre-theater. Recommend.
Le CentralResponded on June 18, 2025
Ron, Thank you for the nice review, we are glad you enjoyed everything. We always strive for exceptionalism, but we will take "Very good"! Thanks for dining with us, we hope you dine with us again soon.
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g
gregory VIP
San Francisco Bay Area20 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 14, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Lovely French food near Union Square & Downtown. The sole was one of the best fish dishes I have had anywhere...and the Creme Brulee!! Great bistro atmosphere. We also appreciate the non-alcoholic cocktails.
Le CentralResponded on June 18, 2025
Gregory, Thank you for the great review, we are so glad you enjoyed everything. We hope you dine with us again soon.
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S
Sarah
San Francisco Bay Area26 reviews
4.0
Dined on June 12, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
I have gone to Le Central for over 40 years. I'm glad the restaurant is still here. Our waiter was courteous and attentive. However, our seatd in the window by the 'Caen/Bashford/Brown' panels made it hard to hear; had I arrived sooner I would have asked to be re-seated in the larger room where the ambiance is better. The food was consistently good; it was good to be back in that old, familiar place.
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R
Ruben
Los Angeles4 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 8, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Low key best spot in town for French food. Make a day of it at city center. The bartender Carlos is super attentive and chill. The food is chefs kiss. Highly recommend Le Central.
Le CentralResponded on June 10, 2025
Ruben, Thank you for the great review, we are so glad you enjoyed everything. We hope you dine with us again soon.
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FAQs

Le Central is rated 4.6 stars by 2201 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Jun 30, 2025

7:30 PM

Booked 5 times today

453 Bush St., San Francisco, CA 94108

Additional information

Cross street
Grant and Kearny
Neighborhood
Downtown / Union Square
Hours of operation
Lunch Mon–Sat 11:30 am–2:30 pm Happy Hour Mon–Sat 4:30 pm–6:00 pm Dinner Mon–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
French
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
Sutter-Stockton Garage
Public transit
Powell or Montgomery stations
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, 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
Le Central is available for private events, please visit our website for inqueries. https://www.lecentralbistro.com

Le Central

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Additional information

Ask Concierge
AI Beta

Popular dishes

Steak Frites

Le Central Cassoulet

Onion Soup Gratinée

Menu

What 2,201 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is Le Central restaurant rated?

Is Le Central currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information