How is Monsieur Benjamin restaurant rated?

Name: Monsieur Benjamin
Address: 451 Gough Street, San Francisco, CA, United States, 94102
Telephone: (415) 403-2233
Price range: $50 and over
Rating: 4.5

Monsieur Benjamin

4.5

2221 Reviews

$50 and over

French

Top Tags:

Please note: At this time, please visit our website to make an outdoor dining reservation or place an order for pickup/delivery.
Monsieur Benjamin is a modern restaurant and bar in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley, inspired by the great Parisian bistro culture and traditions of French cooking.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
French
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–10:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–12:00 am
Phone number
(415) 403-2233
Website
http://www.monsieurbenjamin.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
George Dingle

Location
451 Gough Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Neighborhood
Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
Cross street
Gough and Ivy
Parking details
We are located kitty-corner from the Performing Arts Garage located at 360 Grove Street.
Public transit
The closest Bart station is Civic Center. Bus Stops for the 5, 21, 47, and 49 are located nearby.
Additional
Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Full Bar, Late Night, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access

Featured in

100 San Francisco Bay Area Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Butter Lettuce Salad$12.50
Fines Herbes, Radishes
Endive and Apple Salad$15.50
Walnut, Fromage Fourme d'Ambert
Foie Gras Confit$22.00
Vegetables Jardiniere, Truffle, Brioche
Pate de Campagne$16.50
Whole Grain Mustard, Cornichons
Chicken Liver Terrine$15.00
Apple Compote, Brioche
Steak Tartare$18.50
Egg Yolk, Pissaladiere Lavash
Vegetable Bouillon$15.00
Black Trumpet Mushrooms, Chervil
Steamed Bouchot Mussels$20.00
White Wine, Saffron, Creme Fraiche
Seafood Sausage$18.50
Pine Nuts, Beurre Rose
Escargots Bordelaise$17.50
Mushroom Duxelles, Garlic, Parsley
Sweetbreads Grenobloise$18.50
Sweet Onion, Capers, Brown Butter
Marrow Bones "Blue Ribbon"$18.50
Bacon Marmalade, Country Bread

Plats De Resistance (Main Courses)

Crepe au Sarrasin$18.50
Ham, Cheese, Spinach, Mushroom, Egg
Pasta a la Monegasque$22.00
Spaghetti, Tomato, Anchovy
Arctic Char Amandine$38.00
Haricots Verts, Sunchoke, Beurre Noisette
Chicken Leg Roti$28.00
Anna Potatoes, Sauce Alicuit
Quail a la Chasseur$36.00
Mushrooms, Cabbage, Vin Jaune
Hamburger$18.50
Fully Dressed with Frites
Beef Short Rib$36.00
Pommes Puree
Tripes a la Provencale$24.00
Cassoulet$32.00
Tarbais Bean Stew Duck Confit, Toulouse Sausage
Steak Frites$45.00
Ribeye, Sauce Choron, Herb jus

Garnitures (Sides)

Haricots Verts$9.00
Grilled Gem Lettuces$9.00
Sauce Ravigote
Pommes Frites, Aioli$7.00
Pommes Puree$8.50

Desserts

Lemon Tart$12.00
Mint Chantilly
Chestnut Pot de Creme$11.00
Milk Chocolate, Salted Caramel
Gateau Marjolaine$14.00
Hazelnut, Praline, Creme Anglaise
Marzipan and Cherry Ice Cream$8.50
Almond Tuile
Palmier Ice Cream$8.50
Calvados Caramel
Orange Sorbet$7.00

What 2,221 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.5

4.5 based on all time ratings

4.4Food
4.4Service
4.3Ambience
3.9Value

Noise • Moderate

2,221 Reviews

WP
WalterP
San Francisco
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on March 10, 2020
overall4food4service4ambience4
Good and nice resto, where you can order really good and tasty French food. Downsides, it's a tipless restaurant that will charge you 20% gratuity by default.
1 person found this helpful
J
Joliesse106
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 8, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
One of my favorite restaurants in SF. Whether this is for a quick bite or a late night dinner, Monsieur Benjamin never disappoints. I would recommend getting a reservation instead of popping in unless you don’t mind the wait. If you have to wait, I say grab an Ace with a side of fries at the bar. It’s a delicious pairing. When you finally get to sit down at the table, it may take you awhile to decide on what to order. Everything is so good especially the escargot, seafood sausage and the duck confit. To top off, I say order the Palmier Ice Cream with a cappuccino! Nothing can beat a night cap like this pairing. Bon Appetite!
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S
Service
San Diego
6 reviews
vip
3.0
6 reviews
Dined on March 7, 2020
overall3food3service3ambience3
Not great-mediocre Both in food and service.
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d
discerningdiner
San Francisco
12 reviews
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on March 7, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience4
Good food, generous proportions, and nice service.
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m
mobs
San Francisco
6 reviews
vip
3.0
6 reviews
Dined on March 4, 2020
overall3food3service3ambience3
The menu doesn’t change and it’s difficult to find something simple. Too many sauces. Why isn’t there a grilled fish or simple mussels? Don’t like smoked flavors. Server wasn’t overly friendly and when it came time to leave couldn’t find server to present the bill.
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M
Mike
San Francisco
8 reviews
4.0
8 reviews
Dined on March 2, 2020
overall4food5service4ambience4
They include 20% gratuity already. Sometimes you may know. I ended up double tip 20% plus 20%
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w
wags
San Francisco
173 reviews
vip
4.0
173 reviews
Dined on March 1, 2020
overall4food4service5ambience3
As always the food was delicious, especially the mussels. Service was attentive but not overbearing. A thoroughly enjoyable meal. Will return soon
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JM
JimM
San Francisco
47 reviews
5.0
47 reviews
Dined on March 1, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Hands down the best burger in SF. Excellent meat & the perfect soft bun. Great crispy fries. Always consistent and tasty
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on March 1, 2020
overall5food4service4ambience5
First time there Food was better than Gary Danko’s and other french restaurants we have dine in Excellent service Will go back for sure
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JL
JonasL
San Francisco
11 reviews
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on February 29, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Monsieur Benjamin’s Brunch is really great - we come back here almost every time we’re in San Francisco. It’s a great location when we’re going to the Symphony.
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c
charlesg
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 29, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
I love Monsieur Benjamin. Consistently great food and service.
Is this helpful?
LD
LeticiaD
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on February 29, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fantastic food, I did notice that the wait staff were all women and they were dynamite !!
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f
fasteddie
San Francisco
84 reviews
4.0
84 reviews
Dined on February 28, 2020
overall4food4service4ambience3
This is a great spot for pre-performance dining. Food is good, but a little overpriced. Noise level is getting worse. Good service and delicious muscles. Like the cocktail choices.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Munich
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on February 27, 2020
overall4food4service3ambience5
Slow service, bread came late for escargot
Is this helpful?
FB
FredericB
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on February 25, 2020
overall4food5service5ambience4
Very nice - a bit pricey - the steak at 56$ ... but great service and great ambiance
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AP
AllenP
San Francisco
60 reviews
vip
5.0
60 reviews
Dined on February 24, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience4
Pre concert dinner great onion soup even greater steak Frittes perfectly cooked w great sauce and a dessert to die for Banana crepe!! Wow
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
20 reviews
vip
4.0
20 reviews
Dined on February 24, 2020
overall4food5service3ambience4
Very slow service first half hour. Then improved. Food excellent.
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L
Lindy
San Francisco
33 reviews
5.0
33 reviews
Dined on February 23, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
We shared several small plates for lunch and everything we had was delicious. Our service was very timely and we had plenty of time before heading to the SF Ballet.
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JM
JackM
Seattle
11 reviews
vip
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on February 23, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Anissa and Kimberly took great care of me and my girlfriend on our anniversary. Best service in SF. Incredible food too, everything was perfect.
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y
yuri
San Francisco
48 reviews
vip
5.0
48 reviews
Dined on February 22, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
The server forgot to mention that the service fee was included in the check.
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D
7Divas
San Francisco
20 reviews
5.0
20 reviews
Dined on February 21, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
OMG another amazing meal with superb service. We arrived at 6 with a 7:30 show to attend and yet our servers treated us to a perfectly paced dining experience that didn't feel at all rushed; serving us our bottle of wine, Blue Carb Rillete appetizer, Butter Lettuce salad and then our entrees of Duck Confit and Gulf Flounder Gratinée. Every dish were delicious past favorites and didn't disappoint.
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M
Mspiggy
New York Area
234 reviews
vip
3.0
234 reviews
Dined on February 21, 2020
overall3food3service5ambience5
Expensive not as interesting menu as when first launched but good cocktails good service ..
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DG
DottyG
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 19, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food was amazing!!!!
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
57 reviews
vip
5.0
57 reviews
Dined on February 19, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had a pre theater dinner. Food was excellent. Service was wonderful . Loved our waiter.
Is this helpful?
FF
FFGIII
Washington DC
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on February 17, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience4
Loved the quail!!!
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on February 17, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
It was our first time at the restaurant and everything was amazing!
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S
Shirley
San Francisco
12 reviews
vip
2.0
12 reviews
Dined on February 16, 2020
overall2food1service3ambience4
Food was not good. The salad was very vinegary, and the blue cheese was slimy and did not taste like blue cheese at all. The crepe was not sufficiently warm. Also a 20 percent service charge was automatically added to the bill, without the customer having any say whatsoever. This will be my last time at Monsieur Benjamin.
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W
Wolf
San Francisco
15 reviews
3.0
15 reviews
Dined on February 16, 2020
overall3food3service3ambience3
High prices and a hefty 20% surcharge is automatically added to your bill.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
5 reviews
vip
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on February 16, 2020
overall5food4service4ambience4
Great pre ballet brunch
Is this helpful?
CR
CaptainRon
San Francisco
13 reviews
vip
3.0
13 reviews
Dined on February 16, 2020
overall3food4service4ambience2
Decent restaurant, but a bit overpriced. Far too many tables too close together. Very cheaply made child size utensils may make the tiny tables look a little bigger, but overall just give a very cheap feeling to the table settings.
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t
tikinca
San Francisco
24 reviews
4.0
24 reviews
Dined on February 15, 2020
overall4food5service4ambience4
Regretfully one person could not eat the waffles. No diabetic (no sugar) syrup. The hamburger was not a good replacement.
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KM
KookieMonster
San Francisco
8 reviews
3.0
8 reviews
Dined on February 15, 2020
overall3food3service4ambience5
Some how brunch was not as unique as previous years but price stays the same, I tried to impress my guest by mentioned it's Michelin Chef, but the dishes did not represent my statements. Selections all look like some regular hotel brunch items, stake tartar used to come as a big cracker, which was visually unique, but this time just home made chips. Other dishes are not cheap but also less creativity and presentation comparing to other brunch locations. Service was good, but somehow doesn't feel engaged.
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m
moodyjones
San Francisco
40 reviews
vip
3.0
40 reviews
Dined on February 15, 2020
overall3food3service2ambience4
Decent spot. Service was spotty Seafood was great, brunch wasn’t.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on February 15, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fabulous Valentin’s Day price fixed menu. Excellent service. We especially like the late night availability.
Is this helpful?
NS
NamiS
San Francisco
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on February 15, 2020
overall1food1service1ambience2
I hate to write a bad review, but this place definitely deserves it. Laughable service, including rude hosts who don’t even bother asking the kitchen when you tell them you have a dietary restriction, horrendous (and I mean horrendous) food. I’ve never been more disappointed in dinner; it truly falls short of a $29.99 dinner at a low tier restaurant. It’s supposed to be a classic French place but the kitchen is an assembly line of fast-food grade line cooks who put 0 soul into the food, and look like they have no clue what they’re doing. Some waiters are clearly students who don’t have the hospitality skills necessary for a restaurant, and even misplace utensils on the table. The valentines special menu’s vegetarian main course was a large piece of cold broccoli with 3 small lukewarm potatoes, hugely under seasoned and bland. I did not eat a single course except for half of the cake at the end. I truly advise all of my friends to stay far far away from this restaurant.
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G
Guadalupe
San Francisco
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on February 15, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Lovely time.
Is this helpful?
c
cujojp
Exclusive
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on February 15, 2020
overall2food2service5ambience2
We didn’t stay because we felt the vibes would be much more intimate. The tables were very close to one another, similar to community seating. Thus if you want a much more intimate vibe then this is not the place for you — or sit at the bar. It was not the experience we were thinking it was going to be. However the service was very accommodating and understanding, and appreciative.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 15, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience4
We had a fantastic experience at Monsieur Benjamin! Made our Valentines Day so special!
Is this helpful?
GF
GaryF
San Francisco
24 reviews
vip
2.0
24 reviews
Dined on February 14, 2020
overall2food2service3ambience3
We have eaten at Monsieur Benjamin several times. There has been a significant decline since we last dined there. The drinks were weak and bland - the bartender not very knowledge able (previously Evan was an amazing bartender). The food was overpriced from the bread to quail. The smell of the fish dishes was overwhelming in the restaurant (in a bad, cheap restaurant way). Monsieur Benjamin seems to have become only a pre-show eatery where concern for the quality of the food and service does not matter. We will no longer recommend this restaurant to our friends and family.
Is this helpful?
RP
RyanP
Austin
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 13, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
We've enjoyed Monsieur Benjamin on previous visits and highly recommend. On our most recent visit, the power went out in the entire neighborhood, but the staff kept the show going and continued to serve. They demonstrated real grace under pressure and turned a situation that could have been a disaster into one of our more memorable dining experiences. Thanks!
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FAQs

Monsieur Benjamin is rated 4.5 stars by 2221 OpenTable diners.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing

451 Gough Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

Additional information

Cross street
Gough and Ivy
Neighborhood
Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–10:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–12:00 am
Cuisines
French
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
We are located kitty-corner from the Performing Arts Garage located at 360 Grove Street.
Public transit
The closest Bart station is Civic Center. Bus Stops for the 5, 21, 47, and 49 are located nearby.
Payment options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
George Dingle
Additional
Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Full Bar, Late Night, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access

Website
http://www.monsieurbenjamin.com/
Phone number
(415) 403-2233

Featured in

100 San Francisco Bay Area Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Monsieur Benjamin

Not available on OpenTable

Additional information

100 San Francisco Bay Area Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Fruits De Mer (Seafood)

Oysters

Sea Urchin, White Verjus$17.00

Gulf Blue Crab Remoulade$16.50

Poached Shrimp, Court Bouillon

Plateau$72.00

Grand Plateau$130.00

Petits Plats (Small Plates)

Oeufs Mayonnaise Pimenton, Chervil$6.00

Serrano Ham$8.50

Beef en Gelee Horseradish Cream$8.50

Potato and Leek Croquettes$8.00

Fried Frog Legs en Aigre Doux$14.00

Epoisses Toast$13.50

Hors D'oeuvres (Appetizers)

Butter Lettuce Salad$12.50

Endive and Apple Salad$15.50

Foie Gras Confit$22.00

Pate de Campagne$16.50

Chicken Liver Terrine$15.00

Steak Tartare$18.50

Vegetable Bouillon$15.00

Steamed Bouchot Mussels$20.00

Seafood Sausage$18.50

Escargots Bordelaise$17.50

Sweetbreads Grenobloise$18.50

Marrow Bones "Blue Ribbon"$18.50

Plats De Resistance (Main Courses)

Crepe au Sarrasin$18.50

Pasta a la Monegasque$22.00

Arctic Char Amandine$38.00

Chicken Leg Roti$28.00

Quail a la Chasseur$36.00

Hamburger$18.50

Beef Short Rib$36.00

Tripes a la Provencale$24.00

Cassoulet$32.00

Steak Frites$45.00

Garnitures (Sides)

Haricots Verts$9.00

Grilled Gem Lettuces$9.00

Pommes Frites, Aioli$7.00

Pommes Puree$8.50

Desserts

Lemon Tart$12.00

Chestnut Pot de Creme$11.00

Gateau Marjolaine$14.00

Marzipan and Cherry Ice Cream$8.50

Palmier Ice Cream$8.50

Orange Sorbet$7.00

Overall ratings and reviews

FAQs

How is Monsieur Benjamin restaurant rated?

Not available on OpenTable

Additional information

Featured in

100 San Francisco Bay Area Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day