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Wence's Restaurant, Pleasant Hill, CA

Wence's Restaurant

4.5
4.5
1094 Reviews
$31 to $50
Californian
WENCE'S OYSTER BAR & GRILL:

Wence's is a family owned and operated restaurant in Pleasant Hill specializing in California Cuisine. Our menu offers a variety of dishes including Rib Eye Steak, Chilean White Sea Bass, Pasta and more. Our friendly team will provide you with an impeccable dining experience and in the back you will find Chef Gerardo Wence and his highly skilled staff preparing you an outstanding meal!

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 19 times today

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Californian, Seafood, Cocktail Bar

  • Hours of operation

    Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–2:00 pm Lunch Daily 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 3:00 pm–8:45 pm Fri, Sat 3:00 pm–9:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (925) 566-8971

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Executive chef

    Gerardo Wence

  • Catering

    Please visit: Wencesrestaurant.com for more info on Private Experiences.

  • Private party facilities

    Please visit: Wencesrestaurant.com for more info on Private Experiences.

  • Neighborhood

    Pleasant Hill

  • Cross street

    Patterson Blvd

  • Parking details

    Private Lot

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

What 1,094 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
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.2Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Sort by

  1. Disappointin

    San Francisco

    88 reviews

    2.0

    88 reviews

    Dined today

    overall2food2service1ambience1
    We had the worst service for this visit. The waitress must have been overwhelmed and not able to handle more than 1 or 2 tables at a time. I ordered the special prime rib and specifically said NO horseradish yet it arrived with 2 containers but no butter or sour cream for the potato. We asked for the outside heater. It spewed gas and no flame. I finally had to speak to the hostess to get service. We kept waiting for catsup for a burger, sour cream and butter for the potato. Later I had to wait for a box as well as the check. It was most disappointing.
  2. DeniseD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful celebration dinner. Food is fantastic. Beautiful interior and awesome bar. Cocktails were a lovely presentation and delightful for the taste buds. We will absolutely return again for another celebration with friends or family.
  3. Phil

    San Francisco

    94 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    94 reviews

    Dined on May 21, 2023

    overall2food3service1ambience2
    My wife and I have eaten at Wences a number of times over the years, but this was the first visit in a while. It will likely be our last. A pervading issue, which remains, is noise level. it is NOT ENERGETIC and OpenTable should change its categories. It is so loud in the restaurant that two people seated across from each other cannot carry on a conversation without yelling. They have expanded both the indoor restaurant and have a large outdoor dining area which, along with other restaurants in the center make parking so difficult that we and others had to search for space on adjacent streets. We were seated on time. However it took 20 minutes before a server came by and was well on its way to being an hour before w were served. Yes, they were busy, but they should not take on more diners than they can serve. The food tasted ok, although elements were problematic. Some of the vegetables were effectively raw; they were replaced. I personally suffered gastrointestinal distress a few hours later. The timing seemed linked to the meal but who knows. Our primary problem was the noise level and that has been a problem in the past. While the restaurant could do some things to alleviate it -- carpeting and other sound absorbing finishes, they have done nothing. We have given this restaurant several second chances. This will be our last.
  4. ClaireA

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 21, 2023

    overall4food5service3ambience4
    Amazing food. Average service. Will be back but hope for better attention from staff.
  5. JackB

    San Francisco

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on May 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Had Fishand Chips, they were excellent, will definitely go back, Calamari was very good.
  6. JeannieY

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food and service. Wonderful family, neighborhood restaurant.
  7. WendyT

    San Francisco

    13 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    Food and service are just fine but this is the noisiest restaurant I have been to in a long time and I dine out a lot. Noise level was excruciating and we had to shout to each other at our own table. I suppose that this is why the patio is so popular but you cannot reserve a patio table.
  8. rustydust

    San Francisco

    90 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    90 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience3
    We arrived for brunch at 10:15 a.m. It was calm and quiet at that time, however it became crowded and noisy before we left an hour later. Luis, our server, was very attentive and accommodating. Our breakfast was very tasty with large portions. I am a vegetarian and wish they had some vegetarian entrees on their dinner menu.
  9. VipinS

    Hawaii

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing food and service. Crab cakes and Lobster Chowder are must have.
  10. OpenTable Diner

    Sacramento

    26 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on May 6, 2023

    overall3food4service4ambience3
    The food is good, Citrus Habanero scallops to start (my fave!), wedge salad, shared chicken piccata and the ribeye. Definitely not a quiet place. Service was good, cocktails delicious… vanilla crème brûlée was 👌🏼.
  11. DaveB

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food and staff was really good. It can get a bit loud.
  12. BruceN

    San Francisco

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on May 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This restaurant is a family favorite. The food and service is always great. It can be a little noisy in the dining room but the food and service make it worth it.
  13. CynthiaW

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 30, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    The lamb chops dinner was delicious, but I gave the food 4 stars because my potatoes were really cold and I had to send my plate back.
  14. GeorgeC

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 22, 2023

    overall3food5service5ambience3
    We arrived at 700. Seated us in the large dining room. The bad news was a baby shower going on with 12 20ish women. They had been there since 3 and very loud. We spoke to the manager who only could say he was sorry. Essentialy the baby shower women emptied the dining room. It was our 34th year wedding anniversary and wanted to go someplace nice. MacDonalds would have been better!
  15. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, great friends, great fun. The service is exceptional.
  16. johnv

    Sacramento

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything was great. Reservations were at 6pm. Seated promptly. Friendly service. Food was great. We had a couple tasty cocktails. Not inexpensive, but worth the money
  17. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on April 16, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Sat outside and had a fabulous meal. Drinks were excellent and the salmon was so very yummy! Fun casual date night with great food!
  18. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 12, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience4
    Unfortunately we came for a birthday, but they didn't provide a small ice cream treat (they did provide a birthday treat for the table next to us).
  19. Disappointin

    San Francisco

    87 reviews

    5.0

    87 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Easter brunch was lovely. Great food-a variety of egg Benedict’s, and other treats. Mimosa drinks and fresh oysters. Good service and a beautiful day to eat outside.
  20. Tanya

    San Francisco

    23 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    overall3food4service2ambience3
    The waiter didn’t come over for more than 10 mins then told us he “forgot” about our table. When we got our food there were a few items missed and we had to stop random people to ask for everything….salt, ketchup the rest of our order, water….. disappointing….
  21. Jodi

    San Francisco

    20 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great experience. Delicious food and great service. Will dine there again.
  22. MickT

    San Francisco

    20 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on April 6, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience3
    I was promptly seated for my 1:15pm, my order was placed no later than 1:30pm; however, the entrees were not served until well after 2:30pm! Totally unacceptable; outside of a standard apology, managements didn’t have the common courtesy to compensate us for the drinks. The restaurant was not full of patrons, in fact I could count the number of diners. WENCE must do better.
  23. KevinS

    San Francisco

    1 review

    vip
    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 2, 2023

    overall3food4service1ambience2
    Our waiter could do one thing at a time. He would only look at one table then take care of them, never checking on the others. He would take orders then walk away. He would stand at the bar waiting for drinks to arrive rather than check other tables. It is so loud inside just be prepared during rush hours to repeat yourself.
  24. BarbaraJ

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a great time as first time eaters! It was a special birthday and we were given a really nice table along with a beautiful dessert for the "birthday boy" and guests! Everyone was super, super nice. The food was delicious and fresh too. Will 100% be back!
  25. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 1, 2023

    overall3food3service2ambience3
    Service was very slow. Food was okay. That’s about it.
  26. OpenTable Diner

    Seattle

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 1, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Everything out group ordered was excellent! The pesto seafood risotto and cheesecake were best in class.
  27. RuthieN

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on March 29, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Always a treat to sit n Jose’s area and enjoy a meal. Food is fresh and thoughtfully prepared - pricing is always fair for quality A good little secret - everyone seems to be known there - it’s refreshing
  28. DylanS

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We were there for a birthday brunch. They really took care of us. Great food and service.
  29. Jilly

    Sacramento

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very good! Would go there again! Highly recommend !
  30. Sharon

    San Francisco

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on March 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food. Some of the dishes were really outstanding like the Lobster Chowder and the Lobster Pasta was out of this world!
  31. EvelynL

    Central Coast

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 19, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience3
    The brunch menu is excellent. Thoroughly enjoyed my avocado toast with corn, salsa, poached eggs, AND the best chicken maple sausage. Coffee came in a big cup, which I appreciated, but too strong. The server looked frustrated with us, but did give us everything we requested, so I'll assume he was overwhelmed having to handle too many tables. So, overall, because the food was very delicious, I'd definitely go back.
  32. CATHLEENM

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 19, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    The service was excellent and breakfast was good except I found the hollandaise sauce to be a little too spicey. Appreciated the third egg. A little expensive. I would try dinner there though.
  33. PatC

    San Francisco

    20 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on March 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Celebrated my sister-in-laws birthday. Wonderful meal great service & presented birthday girl with special dessert.
  34. Apits

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on March 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of our favorite local restaurant in the area. Best lobster chowder and fresh seafood dishes. Zach is our favorite server, always have a smile in his face no matter how busy sometimes they get. Will always be our go to dinner place!!
  35. JustinY

    Central Coast

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 12, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience2
    To busy with 35min delay from reservation time. Restaurant too noisy. Main meal arrived whilst we were still eating our starters.
  36. JamesW

    San Francisco

    16 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on March 12, 2023

    overall4food5service2ambience3
    Reservations were at 6:30. Arrived at 6:35 because of traffic and lack of parking. Table wasn’t ready, so we ordered a drink at the bar. Place was packed like sardines. Table was ready within 10 minutes. Perfect. We were seated and didn’t have a single waiter or staff member stop by our table for 15 minutes. We had to stop someone and ask for a service person. That lack of service continued through out the night. Food is excellent. Would not go again on a weekend. Too crowded and way too noisy. Love the food. Can’t rave enough about it. We brought first times to the restaurant and the service didn’t sit well with them either.
  37. JudiH

    San Francisco

    40 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    40 reviews

    Dined on March 12, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience2
    Wences is one of our favorite restaurants. The food is delicious and the service excellent. The problem is the noise factor. We had a reservation for 4 people on Saturday evening at 6 for dinner. It was so noisy we could not even talk to our friends seated across from us. I usually go to Wences either for lunch or early evening around 5 to 5:30. In the future, we will only go at those times. Also, it might have been better when people can sit outside so there would be less people inside. It was raining that evening so everyone was in the restaurant.
  38. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Awesome experience as usual, Food delicious and served hot.
  39. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on March 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing brunch - the Dungeness crab Benedict was fantastic. Great service and a cozy booth.
  40. RonV

    San Francisco

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on March 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing food. Great ambiance for a rainy afternoon. Highly recommend.

FAQs

Wence's Restaurant offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (925) 566-8971.

Wence's Restaurant is rated 4.5 stars by 1094 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 19 times today
Google Map for Wence's Restaurant

1922 Oak Park Blvd, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street

    Patterson Blvd

  • Neighborhood

    Pleasant Hill

  • Hours of operation

    Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–2:00 pm Lunch Daily 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 3:00 pm–8:45 pm Fri, Sat 3:00 pm–9:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Californian, Seafood, Cocktail Bar

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking details

    Private Lot

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Gerardo Wence

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Phone number

    (925) 566-8971

  • Catering

    Please visit: Wencesrestaurant.com for more info on Private Experiences.

  • Private party facilities

    Please visit: Wencesrestaurant.com for more info on Private Experiences.

  • Privacy Policy
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  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
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