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  5. Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
Absinthe Brasserie and Bar - SF, San Francisco, CA

Absinthe Brasserie and Bar - SF

4.6
4.6
6811 Reviews
$31 to $50
French
We are currently accepting reservations for lunch, brunch, and dinner.

As always, the health and safety of our employees and guests are top priority. We recommend that all non-vaccinated guests continue to mask up per CDC guidelines. If you’re feeling less than your best just give us a call and we’ll happily reschedule your reservation.


Effective 09/26/2022:
Outdoor seating will not be available for the remainder of 2022.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 36 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Cuisines

    French, Californian

  • Hours of operation

    Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Wed–Fri 11:30 am–3:00 pm Dinner Wed–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (415) 551-1590

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Smart Casual

  • Executive chef

    Ian Begg

  • Neighborhood

    Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness

  • Cross street

    Gough

  • Parking details

    No valet. Street parking and nearby public lot located on Grove between Franklin and Gough.

  • Additional

    Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

What 6,811 people are saying

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
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.1Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • San Francisco

    French

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  1. AlejandraC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It’s a very nice restaurant with a great atmosphere. Casual and also fancy. Service was fantastic and they were very attentive. 100% will come back. Perfect date spot.
  2. OliviaD

    San Francisco

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Such a classy and delicious date night out! Would definitely recommend it.
  3. judy

    San Francisco

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Love the caviar and champagne. Love the petrale sole. Shannon, our server, was fantastic.
  4. JojH

    Hawaii

    26 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    26 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great service, even on a busy night. Good help with wine we brought.
  5. judy

    San Francisco

    30 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    30 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    My daughter and I were seated at 5:00 pm, so it was very quiet. We were served promptly by our waiter. The food was absolutely delicious! As more customers arrived, they were seated near the windows. We were in a corner at the back. It became apparent that our waiter had forgotten about us. He didn't check on us and didn't see if my daughter wanted a second glass of wine. The busboy ended up taking our dessert order, and someone else, perhaps a manager, brought our check. We were delighted with the food--it's originality, taste, and presentation. However, we were not happy with being overlooked by our waiter. I usually tip 25%, but this time I only tipped 20%. We would definitely book Absinthe Brasserie again (and hopefully get a different waiter!).
  6. KateG

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    The friend I was dining with does not eat beef, pork or lamb so she found the food choices limited.
  7. Siriusguy

    Sacramento

    17 reviews

    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Excellent sole, though they could hsve skipped the mased potatos in favor of more shoestring potatos and a vegetable.
  8. sdia

    San Francisco

    22 reviews

    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always Ana I g, great ambience, delicious food, had the monkfish, dish impeccable, it was beautiful, amazing complex diverse flavored, Rick coordinated a lovely experience .
  9. BMLa

    San Francisco

    1 review

    vip
    1.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    We waited over an hour for our table even though I checked in 10 minutes prior to the reservation time. I informed the host it was a table of 4 which was noted on my reservation and he changed it to 3 ppl thus he couldn't or wouldn't seat us even though there was another party of 4 that came in after our party and he sat them down. He never came by to let us know he was working on our reservation nor offered us free drinks for having us wait for over an hour. Terrible customer service and the food was terrible. I've dined at Absinthe for many years and I can see that the quality of food has declined along with the service. I wouldn't waste your money or time dining at this restaurant.
  10. JonL

    Palm Springs

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My husband and friends have been regulars at Absinthe for many years. We have never had a disappointing experience. The bar and sidewalk seating is relaxed and fun. The dining room is Paris Brasserie sexy and cozy. The current menu offers something for every appetite and taste. Last night I had an exceptional Monkfish in a delicate sauce with exotic mushrooms. I'm still dreaming about it. My other two friends has the duck breast and enjoyed it equally as much as I enjoyed mine. I always love their hamburger. In the SF world of trends that open and close in record time, Absinthe is a rare and lovely pleasure. Just go!
  11. mitchellB

    San Francisco

    18 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Always a reliable, delicious meal. Perfectly served.
  12. Glenny

    Chicago

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on March 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Ssssssssddddddddddfffffggggyyuuiijiiiooooppppkiuuuuiiiiooiiiiu
  13. judyC

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Friendly service. Cozy atmosphere. Great food. Hostess not very friendly but she did her job. Overall good experience.
  14. JimB

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on March 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Of particular note, our waiter was fantastic. Fun, engaging and had a great knowledge of wine making for a terrific dining experience.
  15. SFgal

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Elegant meal with gorgeous beet and apple salad (enough for 2). Duck was perfect and petrale sole was delicious. Cocktails were creative and delicious. Service was friend and efficient. Had a great corner table which was intimate.
  16. AirBender

    San Francisco

    29 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on March 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of my favorite places in SF. A must visit if you are visiting any shows nearby.
  17. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on March 9, 2023

    overall3food4service3ambience4
    Service was not good. We got eye rolls for taking too long to order even though it was offered to come back in a few minutes. And then after ordering it took an additional 10 minutes until we were offered water.
  18. OpenTable Diner

    Aberdeen

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was exceptional and the service was attentive without being intrusive. Waiter made one very minor error and it was rectified way out of proportion to the impact of the mistake. Above and beyond!
  19. OpenTable Diner

    Sacramento

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 6, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    I was surprised at how ordinary the food was.
  20. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 4, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience3
    Had a lovely time with my friends here, parking is a bit of a hassle but the service was good ! Definitely coming again sometime for dinner 🤞🏼
  21. EileenT

    San Francisco

    39 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    39 reviews

    Dined on March 4, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Have eaten here multiple times over the years. It is very good overall. Service was excellent.
  22. joanh

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 4, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Food was exceptional. The beet apple salad, the Petrale sole, pchocolate pot de crème. A little pricey though.
  23. AnthonyC

    San Francisco

    19 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on March 3, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience4
    Unwelcoming hostess. Never smiled. Tried to seat us at window table in the BAR instead of main dining room like I had requested when making the reservation. Food good. Servive OK. Great desserts but below average tasting coffee and not HOT.
  24. VicRoyFromTROY

    Washington DC

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on February 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    It is in unpretentious French bistro with great food and service. This was our first time; I heard superlative reviews about this place from my friends and the Absinthe was above the expectations.
  25. michael

    San Francisco

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on February 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Service, as always, was excellent. All the dishes were very tasty and well prepared and we shared a large variety of them. Very good sophisticated bistro fare. Only complaint: Wine by the glass was too pricey---$16-18 per glass.
  26. ChrisB

    Washington DC

    5 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on February 25, 2023

    overall3food5service1ambience3
    Our server was non attentive upon arrival. No discussion about specials and was nearly silent throughout our entire service. She seemed engaged and conversational with the other tables. Not sure where the breakdown occurred. We drove from San Diego to celebrate my wife’s birthday at your restaurant, but based on the service we received, it will unfortunately be our last.
  27. EKHeatsworld

    Washington DC

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 25, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience3
    food was decent. service ok; not bad but staff could have been more attentive. would definitely go if first time, but probably not again.
  28. NicoleT

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Pricey for sure but the ambience was cute, great for a date night. The food was fantastic, yummy sauces and addicting creme brûlée-like mashed potatoes. and drinks were great too. Look forward to coming back when budget allows it
  29. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on February 24, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience4
    It is nicely decorated space but it was freezing for the lunch I had there, didn't turn the heat on? The soup and pasta we had was very heavy, cream-based. Couldn't finish it! The salad was nice. Pretty expensive. Overall I would have enjoyed it more if the heat was turned on and if I had skipped anything with a cream base,
  30. Skipper

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on February 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great. Very good service and good food. A bit expensive but what can you expect these days
  31. SteveC

    San Francisco

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on February 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We enjoyed a delicious dinner before a great show at SF Jazz. The French onion soup and celery root soup were amazing. We loved our salads, the crab salad and salad with duck confit, bacon, egg yolk and frisée. Plenty of food, no entree needed. Great service & ambience!
  32. HakimReza

    San Francisco

    49 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    49 reviews

    Dined on February 19, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    Food quality was, as always, the tops. Prep and preparation ditto. The only slight disappointment was selection. I appreciate the difficulties of operating a food service establishment in today's mileau. Maintaining one in today's San Francisco is exponentially daunting. But perhaps just a couple of more selections?
  33. micheled

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 18, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    french onion soup, salads, these were the only things ordered on this visit
  34. rbkeating

    San Francisco

    17 reviews

    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on February 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Was seated at nice cozy couch seating when the party all arrived . Wait person vary courteous and professional, made good recommendations. Didn’t feel rushed
  35. Betty

    San Francisco

    36 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    36 reviews

    Dined on February 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Never disappoints! The sole has been consistently excellent and hamburger is amazing. Chocolate tart with passion fruit ice cream was the perfect finish!
  36. TomB

    Baltimore

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We enjoyed a Prix Fixe Valentines dinner that was awesome! Service was friendly and not intrusive. The food was uniformly wonderful. We had lobster bisque, a roasted beet with goat cheese salad or a crab salad as first courses, main courses of scallops in a wonderful sauce or lamb shank. Dessert was raspberry mousse. Thoroughly lovely!
  37. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I came here for lunch with my daughter, the service was excellent and food was amazing!!! I had the truffle burger and my daughter had the duck confit salad. We finished our meal with foie gras ice cream which was absolutely fantastic!
  38. waterstrider

    Atlanta Metro

    29 reviews

    5.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on February 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great service and quiet atmosphere. Better than Paris.
  39. Theatremaven

    San Francisco

    45 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    45 reviews

    Dined on February 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always a lovely experience. Food, service, decor…all delightful.
  40. IntoGreatDining

    San Francisco

    140 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    140 reviews

    Dined on February 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great location, great service, just the right variety of choices. We went there before the symphony. Our server asked about our schedule and made sure we could make it in time. She was excellent! We couldn't ask for more.

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

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

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
    • Staff temperature check required

FAQs

Absinthe Brasserie and Bar - SF is rated 4.6 stars by 6811 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 36 times today
Google Map for Absinthe Brasserie and Bar - SF

398 Hayes Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

Additional information

  • Cross street

    Gough

  • Neighborhood

    Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness

  • Hours of operation

    Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Wed–Fri 11:30 am–3:00 pm Dinner Wed–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    French, Californian

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Dress code

    Smart Casual

  • Parking details

    No valet. Street parking and nearby public lot located on Grove between Franklin and Gough.

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Ian Begg

  • Additional

    Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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