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 (2196)

$31 to $50

French

453 Bush St., San Francisco, CA 94108

Make a reservation

2 people

Jun 20, 2025

8:00 PM

Booked 14 times today

About this restaurant

Charming
Good for special occasions
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 2,196 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 offers a "great bistro atmosphere" with "delicious French food" and "outstanding service." It's a classic spot perfect for pre-theater dining or a "special treat." Patrons rave about the "cassoulet," "crème brûlée," and expert wine pairings. The restaurant's charm and history make it a "must-visit" in San Francisco.

2,196 Reviews

R
Rod
San Francisco Bay Area8 reviews
4.0
Dined 2 days ago
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 Area50 reviews
4.0
Dined 6 days ago
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 3 days ago
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 Area19 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
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 3 days ago
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 Area25 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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S
Stewart VIP
Las Vegas56 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 6, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Winemaker dinner with St. Innocent of Willamette Valkey Oregon was outstanding. 6 course meal expertly paired with terrific Oregon Pinot Blanc/Pinot Gris/Pinot Noirs. The. Pan seared duck breast and the savory bread pudding with veal Demi-glacé and maitake mushrooms were standouts. Just a terrific dinner not to be forgotten.
Le CentralResponded on June 10, 2025
Thanks Stewart! So glad you enjoyed the dinner!
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D
Dick VIP
San Francisco Bay Area20 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 5, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was very good, as well as the service. Will definitely go back.
Le CentralResponded on June 10, 2025
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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T
Teresa
Unspecified1 review
5.0
Dined on May 31, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicious French food and it supported Muttville! It
Le CentralResponded on June 10, 2025
Thank you for the great review Teresa, we are so glad you enjoyed everything. We hope you dine with us again soon. Muttvile fund raiser has become an annual event for us, its such a good cause, thank you for your support!
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J
Justin VIP
Greater Boston1 review
2.0
Dined on May 30, 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 3
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 3
Waiter was surly, unhelpful, didn’t ask how our meal was, and we indicated it was a birthday occasion and nothing was done to celebrate, not even a greeting. Crème brûlée had no flavor, room temperature custard. Waiter walked past ten plus times and neglected to inform us our jacket was on the floor.
Le CentralResponded on May 31, 2025
Justin, Thank you for your honest review. I'm so sorry you had this experience, I will speak to your server and find out why this happened, this is very unusual for our servers, the service is usually quite the opposite here.
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M
Michael
San Francisco Bay Area11 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 29, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I had the Mussels, and my wife had the sole. We also shared the Petite Tartine which was amazing The food was incredible and very French. The service was wonderful and not rushed at all. Great downtown restaurant. Such a special treat,
Le CentralResponded on June 10, 2025
Michael, 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 2196 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 20, 2025

8:00 PM

Booked 14 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 2,196 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