Absinthe Brasserie & Bar

With its lively, informal décor evocative of turn-of-the-century France, Absinthe Brasserie & Bar in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley neighborhood romances locals and visitors alike.

9 / 10
971
ratings
  • Phone

    (415) 551-1590

  • Website

    absinthe.com

  • Instagram

    No Instagram

  • X (Twitter)

    absinthesf

  • Facebook

    No Facebook

  • Type

    French Restaurant

Address

398 Hayes St (at Gough St) San Francisco , CA 94102 United States

Credit Cards Yes (incl. Discover & Visa)
Wi-Fi Yes
Outdoor Seating Yes
Menus Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Happy Hour
Drinks Beer, Wine, Full Bar, Cocktails

Comments / 251


Keywords:

cocktails good for dates pretzels desserts brunch food restaurants trendy breakfast food famous chefs meats off-menu items hot dogs spicy food chartreuse salads great value French toast roses dinner eggs
Ashok Lalwani

Very lively and yet very cozy to go on special occasions . I have been here 2 times and both times for late night desserts . Delicious deserts and pair them with wine recommendations.

Cody Hard

Food was great, nice atmosphere, wait staff was incredibly helpful. Cocktails were a little sweet for me. Ordered pretzels and spaghetti , both were great. They also did a great job celebrating a bday!

Becherovka Voyager

If you are looking for a staff knowledgeable about herbal drinks like Becherovka, this is the place to be. Enjoy every last bite of even the simplest foods, with the perfect drink pairing every time.

Simon Edwards

Friendly staff (call for table if Open Table doesn't have availability), good food (rock cod was tasty although lacked a little texture, octopus was second to none), and extensive wine list (~2,500)

Yev Pusin

Amazing restaurant . Love the tartare appetizer . Menu changes often so recommendations are hard to make, all good!

Tasting Table

Stop by Absinthe for a glass of organic bubbly or the namesake cocktail . Grab a sidewalk table and snack on Parmesan-garlic popcorn or spicy fried chickpeas . Read more

Albert Treat

The baked Mac & Cheese is delicious - and entree sized! Also, try the 3 cheese trio of Humbolt Fog, Cloth Wrapped Cheddar , and the Pecora. Feeling Bond-ish? Their Vesper Martini is great!

Wilson Favre-Delerue

The menu doesn’t cater to classic brasserie fare but a few dishes - the onion soup , sweetbreads and coq au vin - somewhat rescue it. All are on the highly heavy, indigestible side however.

Aisha

Great place to go for lunch . Burgers are delicious - made to perfection. Entire staff is friendly - from hostess , servers, bus boys and everyone! They will make menu recommendations too!

Andy Wang

Very good food. Even better wine list with some real gems. Don’t skip the dessert , worth the extra calories

Brian Strauss

A bar and grill stalwart — excellent manhattans and martinis . A few surprises to go with the classics.

Annie ???? Jalota

Came here with a friend to get some dinner late in the evening after drinking for a bit. We're vegetarian and got the soup and pasta - both delicious!

Eater

Adam Keough has revived this bustling Hayes Valley fixture. Its lively , yet comforting brasserie scene remains, but now there’s an energized bar food program & the menu has new soul. [Eater 38 Member] Read more

Kristine Dier

Best French onion soup ever! Also if the drink you want is not on the menu , no problem. The bar tender will still make it for you.

Kendra Storm

The ceviche , pork belly , and mussels were delicious! Walking distance to the Opera House, and servers are conscious of show times to remind you to skedaddle!

Irina Leonidovna

Used to come here for brunch only but the dinner menu now is really great! And of course their cocktails and wine list never disappoint

Samantha Berg

Great cocktails ! Go for a Manhattan and accompany it with garlic pretzel bites

Kelly ????

Get there at 11 on weekends to beat the brunch crowds. Yummy French toast and huge portion . Skip the open face trout sandwich unless you love mayonnaise and eggs

Kyle Minor

Pickled is a monthly pop-up bar on the last Monday of the month (excepting December). Artisan , culinary cocktails , select wines , beers , and small plates served in the Absinthe private dining room. Awe

Ashley Mowrey

Con: $11 for a fruit bowl that I could've made for $2? No. Pro, the breakfast potatoes were amazing. Painfully pleasant servers who appear to be begging you to set them free, & seniors everywhere.

Phil Toronto

The Steak Tartare is very solid. Don't second guess yourself.

Jade Jennings

The food and drinks here are amazing and the bartenders are really nice too get the pomegranate martini !! The Nevada was pretty good too

Matthew Chung

Get the Spanish Coffee - its not on the menu and it's fun to watch them make it. Oh, and one of the bar tenders is allergic to the cinnamon in it so thank the poor dude.

Brian Nguyen

Lamb chop for dinner is better than their stack. But the coq au vin is the best anywhere.

Edward Clarke

Great food, sweet atmosphere and our server Carlos was wonderful!

Kaylen Parker

The cocktails were delicious and the strawberry desert was to die for.

Stephen Bassman

Try the Soft garlic pretzels - Guy next to me at the bar : "If you want to drink the rest of that beer cheese sauce , I won't judge you."

Rachel Roth

Pop into the bar for a cocktail and the pretzel bites with hot cheese !

Areej Ashour

The burgers .. Amazing! and the coconut-corn soup is so creamy and delicious.

Siv

A perfect spot to have a cozy birthday dinner . The service, food, and ambiance was super warm and friendly . I thoroughly enjoyed the birthday mango ice-cream. :)

Brook Shelley

Solid gin cocktails . The bar is a good spot to escape from the bustle of Hayes.

Daddy said I'm special

Great selection of drinks. Oysters are a must! Grilled cheese with mushrooms is good but way to big

SF Weekly

SF Weekly’s Best Of 2011 Winner – Editorial Pick – BEST POP-UP BAR NIGHTEssentially a pop-up bar w/in a bar , a set menu features seasonal cocktails & bites that aren't typically available elsewhere. Read more

SF Weekly

SF Weekly’s Best Of 2011 Winner – Editorial Pick – BEST POP-UP BAR NIGHTEssentially a pop-up bar w/in a bar , a menu features seasonal cocktails & bites that aren't typically available elsewhere... Read more

Frank Kim

Their ceviche dish is pretty flavorful and spicy , the French onion soup and buttersquash soup were excellent.

Kim Fujiwara

Try the Dungeness Crab Omelette - Fresh crab meat and spinach tucked within a light, fluffy omelette with green onions and chiles ... Must try!

Jake Card

the coq au vin is one of my favorite dishes anywhere

The Culinary Institute of America

With a menu that lives up to its reputation, Chef Adam Keough has a lot to be proud of - and so do we! We’re so proud of everything our alumni accomplish.

I M

Delightful, comfortable , mature brasserie . Perfect for after theater . Great cocktails .

Garry Tan

Great cocktails and the scalloped potatoes on the salmon is very classic.

Alice Louie

The soft garlic pretzels is very tasty and the dipping sauce is delicious. Hamburger is cooked perfectly and Croque Monsieur is great!

Ariel Potashner

Everything. Cheese plate was incredible, great salads , bomb mashed potatoes and chicken

Ro J

Braised pork shoulder and buttermilk pancakes for brunch . Yum!

Pawel Pietryka

Nice French style food. Good atmosphere. Coq au vin and oysters were really good.

Brad T

Brunch menu changes often but if you come across the duck confit ragout: don't hesitate.

Tasting Table

Grab a sidewalk table and snack on Parmesan-garlic popcorn ($4) or spicy fried chickpeas ($4). Read more

Jean-Pierre Pommet

Desserts and digestive drinks are excellent! I highly recommend this place

Monty Hamilton

OK... If you're lucky enough to spot the Apple Pie Panna Cotta ... Just say YES! Right up there with the best...

Katie Congleton

Oysters , pretzels , French onion soup , the burger - we had it all and everything was delicious!

Asha Servia

Great ambiance, filled with chatter but dimly lit. The hot dog 's the 7x7 list of things to try but I just found out from the server but they have a new chef and no longer have it on the menu.

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