Cafe Claude Reviews

We came on the first day and we repeated dinner on the last day. It's worth it! Delicious food with great service. And the place is a charm!

Rude service, asked for tap water and later got charged for 7$ for water. Mediocre food.

We had an amazing experience in this place. We liked the excellent vibes and the meals. The staff are super personal. I am happy we eventually managed to visit this restaurant.

Nice ambience and good food. Customer service is great!

I didn't have a real meal here because I went alone. I had an exhausting day at work and happened upon the restaurant. It's really cute inside. It was a small restaurant that was quite busy, even on a Monday, so I sat at the bar since I was alone. The bartender was super nice in a shy sort of way. I started with the french onion soup, which is almost always a winner and was here. Sometimes bad restaurants put crappy cheese into french onion soup, but this cheese was great, even as it started to cool.

I got the steak tartare. I don't normally eat raw meat, but this was extremely tasty. They mixed up a sauce that was mixed into the steak tartare right in front of me. The sauce seemed to have spicy mustard and something else in it, and was great. After I ordered the tartare I was worried I wouldn't be able to finish all that raw meat, but it was so delicious I ate it down really quick.

Great food and environment. Hiddrn in a ally it is an amazing find. You have to try this place.

A lovely place to eat in the busy financial district. Have had both dinner and lunch here, and both were top notch. Highly recommend the duck confit with puy lentils, which was perfectly prepared and presented. Bartender recommended an excellent cabernet franc (pictured) which was the perfect accompiament.

A perfect French bistro tucked away in an alley. Excellent service and food.

The food is delicious, the service is wonderful and the atmosphere is classic with its zinc bar and beautiful bartender. I think her name Makoto or Myoko I'm not sure but her cocktails and personality were a highlight of our visit. Will definitely be coming back here.

Outstanding French restaurant tucked away on Claude Lane around the financial district. Because it's removed from the frey, it doesn't get as crazily crowded as some of the other happy hour bar and restaurant scenes in the area. Turns out More

Truly one of the best meals I have ever had The coq au vin was delicious. The chocolate cake was great. The jazz combo was hot

Hit and miss at times, but generally a pretty stable selection of French food in downtown SF.

fantastic food, wine and service plus live music! It was a pleasure

It was closed on Easter Sunday though when I googled it, it said it was supposed to be open. No signs on the door either.

Inexpensive, the steak frites and mission IPA were great.

Good menu and decent service, but the food was disappointing. Haricots verts were overcooked, the canard confit was both overcooked & didn't taste fresh. For a dinner costing $120 for two plus tip, this was not meeting expectations.

The food was good but not great, but the atmosphere of the place was amazing. If you have a chance to be there while they have a live band on it's well worth the experience. Overall we had a fantastic night, with very attentive service, I would go back without hesitation.

Best duck confit in SF. Service was less spectacular though.

They offer an awesome variety of delicious food. I enjoy eating here. Employees are always very kind, rates are affordable and the place is always neat.

French food, super yummy. nice place to think about business.

What a delightful place! Great food, fabulous service and the music was divine. I would have given five stars if the table was easier to negotiate. I ll be back.

Entrees are good and could use a little more nuance. The duck was a little over done but the lentils were perfectly cooked. The Trout Almondine was well cooked but the capers were heavy handed taking away from the delicate flavor of the fish. Cafe Claude's Creme Brulee was the hit of the night. The food here is decent and a little pricey. The best thing this place has going for it is the live music. Jazz on the weekends is outstanding. Service is prompt and attentive.

Everything was fantastic. The steak, the wine, the entertainment, the service, and the overall vibe were excellent. We got the steak frites, french onion soup, and a glass of Pinot noir.

What San Fransisco was once upon a day in the best of ways and should be again. Perfect intimate atmosphere with pure Jazz and Soul. To be thoroughly enjoyed while being attended to by polite and professional staff, perfect food, knee weakening desserts (you get the reference) and, a high class stylish bar and bartender. May Cafe Claude be the example of what establishments should strive to be and the glorious embodied remembrance of what was once the beauty of San Fran. There are those that will agree with this and there are those that are wrong, that's okay people are allowed to be wrong. Cheers Cafe Claude cheers

Fine place for delicious french food. This place is absolutely outstanding. The service here is great. They have a lot of good reviews for a reason.

When we had to call ahead to add a few people to our party, Cafe Claude told us the only seating available was outside on a rainy day. But honestly, under the awning with the heat lamp, it was kind of an even better experience.



I d come back, and next time, especially on a nice day, I might even specially request outdoor seating. Made the experience that much more fun.

In terms of cafe setting, its very cute and minimal, lots of space for creativity to flow if youre planning to stay for a while, roomy seating for those who want to pop in as well. The baristas are extremely friendly and i had such a pleasant experience.

The food is very good. Service is decent. The desert was well done. The chocolat mouse and creme brulee were very tasty. The canard and lentils was very tasty. The place has a European feel with the outside seating in the street.

Service attitude and buzz of the place is just perfect have cocktail and let imagination take you back in time

Lovely quaint French Bistro with wonderful traditional food, open thru the whole day so u can eat at anytime

Love the food! It's unique setting is perfect, feels like you're in NYC. French dishes are fantastic, recommend steak tartare, pomme frites and onion soup. The staff makes you feel so welcomed. Definitely a five star

This was my second visit to Cafe Claude (both times for lunch), and it was just as good as my first. I had the Nicoise Salad, a dish I order often when I see it on menus, and it did not disappoint! The first time I shared the Coque Au Vin, which as also delicious. Lovely ambiance and service rounds out the experience. I'll be back!

Wonderful French cuisine tucked away in one of the alleys near dragon's gate. Food was and service was on point with a decor and ambience to match. Went for lunch, would definitely return for dinner.

Bummed they took out the zinc bar. The expanded space is decent. Excellent food and wine

Lively, escargot is to die for! Avoid the sole, duck was a touch over, but flavorful. Best Chocolate Mousse Ever! Cheese Board is traditional and would have made a meal...next time it's The Escargot, Cheese board and Chocolate Mousse....and that would be my recommendation.

Really great date place! Very yummy French food, (much of the decor is from the original restaurant in France).

Love love this place! Delicious food, great service and staff, and super cool ambient and cozy setting. We had the trout and swordfish and they were both incredible (especially the trout!). Chocolate cake dessert was amazing as well, very rich. Live music was a lovely touch too. Will definitely be back!

Will always have a special place in my heart. A bowl filled with warm, garlicky mussels. A plate of pommes frites. Yes, please.

To a visiting Minnesotan, it was refreshing to have the outer restaurant doors open during the month of March! The cafe had a casual feel but the food was superb. Wait staff was quite helpful with their suggestions and descriptions of wines and foods. The escargot was rich and tasty. The trout was okay with delicious toppings. The poulet was wonderful, with a very subtle tanginess and it was a generous portion. One caution - because it was Sunday evening, the cafe was out of a couple of dishes we had wanted. Apparently there are not certain food deliveries on Sundays. But we enjoyed our meals there.

So good we came back again the next day. Superb gem of a French Bistro hidden away in Claude Lane. We went on the final day of Bastille weekend, when live jazz was an unexpected bonus. It was so good rather than think about where else to go for our final night in San Fran we went back the Cafe Claude, and it was just as great the second time around. Seek it out, if love French food you will not be disappointed, and good value too.

Great ambiance and amazing food to match. We'll be back soon.

We loved this beautiful French Bistro. The food hit the spot, the servers were very nice, in the prices were very reasonable for San Francisco. We will definitely back the next time we're in town.

Bad service, more than 70 minutes since entry to get our mains. The food itself was mediocre

Excellent scene for french food. Looking forward to returning with my friends.

Omg this place is great. Visiting for the weekend on vacation, came here for a late lunch and it s crazy good. My gf and I both got the Croque Madame and the French Golden Ale. Both are helllllllla good. The salad that came with it was amazing, too.

We stopped in after a really long day. The staff was amazing with our two small girls, considering it's more of an adult spot. Amazing dinner entrees.

Amazing food! Really authentic and high end. Well priced for fancy food. Everything we tried was good (mussels, casserole, swordfish, cheese and honey platter, salads). Definitely get a cheese platter for dessert.

I don't know how this place could be highly rated. Made a reservation through open table and chose outdoor seating. Little did I know that outdoor seating means sitting in an alley that smells like urine. When I asked to be moved inside the seater claimed he could only seat us where I made the reservation. I explained that the restaurant was barely half filled but he didn't care. Ridiculous.

lol, mediocre food, ok service, ghetto street. Go at night, it looks a bit less shitty because it's dark.

Bit touristy but actually a lovely little spot tucked away from the madness. I've never gone wrong with the duck confit and their wine list.

The service was terrible: we had three different people come see us to order our drinks and food (we had to repeat that we had ordered already). Then we each got two sets of spoons because one waiter didn t see that the other had already given us spoons. We also got extra water glasses! Once our food was served nobody came to ask us how our meal was nor ask us if we were missing anything .

Save your money and go anywhere else but here.

Perfect date spot! Great ambience and service in the heart of downtown. Will definitely be back.

ALL year round favorite. Been coming to Cafe Claude for a number of years. Love the ambience, tucked away down the alley, soft lighting, soft jazz, a touch of French-waiter-tude, great wine list and food is always, always, always fantastic. This is more of a 'locals' kind of place, not the tourist haunts on the Square.

Cozy atmosphere with very tasty food. Smaller menu but plenty to choose from. All very yummy and well presented. A big wine list too, with local Californian and imported wines. Friendly service too.

Lovely French bistro on a side street near downtown. Expanded recently and doubled it's space. Good food and service.

Lovely food but main plate took about 45 minutes to come after the starter but would recommend

Great food great service lovely ambience and very affordable prices for good San Francisco restaurant

Ambiance = lovely. Food = Very good. I've brought several out of town friends here, groups large and small. Everyone has enjoyed the food. The nice part of coming with a big party is getting the charcuterie et fromage to share. I've had the chef's special prawns (they server them with the heads on) very good dish. Another time the trout, also excellent.

One word "MEH"
I was here yesterday to celebrate my husbands birthday. I guess I had a totally different idea of what this place would be like. My experience was less than satisfactory.
For the exorbitant price that they charge for the food, the least you can do is make it seem like you are putting some effort into it.

The menu and service were ahead of my expectations. I absolutely loved the ambience of this restaurant. Awesome restaurant to take the family out for dinner.

amazing experience. great lighting and delishious. flavors were all incredible and the swordfish is to die for . was very pleased

I dine in this lovely place quite often! This is my favorite place to to have a good dinner. I go there at least once a month. The cooking is just great, the crew is helpful and the prices are good. I enjoy going in this restaurant over a rich supper.

French food and the feeling here is above par. Service is always nice even when they have a full house. Fast, efficient, and courteous service. Bring your hunger - portions are large. I see why this place has a lot of good reviews.

Fantastic customer service with reservations! Will find my way back again.

Classy and eclectic restaurant/bar. French ambience and cool lounge music.

Nice restaurant with outdoor seating and overlooking a major and very popular road. Looks like an Asian but you can also enjoy French delicacies here. It's good for individual and group relaxation as well. Given the ambience and services on offer the price can be rated as very affordable and inexpensive.

Delicious french food (probably some of the best, in SF), super-friendly service, cozy, romantic, friendly atmosphere. Great live jazz music

Be warned: this restaurant is not handicap accessible, and is located in a dark alleyway, so indoor reservations are highly recommended. Waiter was nice; he checked on us regularly. Food was good, and so was dessert. I would recommend and return whenever I get the chance.

This is an authentic French restaurant, complete with French accents and intelligible menus. The food is very good and the atmosphere is what makes this place great. The biggest downside in my opinion is that it's pretty pricey.

The trout and escargot were quite good, and the mushroom pasta was delicious. Music was a bit loud. The alley location was fun, though it'd be better if they could get rid of the couple cars parked by Sutter.

Great food! A little hard to find, it's in the alley way.

Great find for French dining in San Francisco. The escargot was prepared to perfection. The foie gras was perfectly balanced with a berry compote. The swordfish was an incredible fish cooked to perfection. Looking forward to my next visit.

This place is my first choice site. Of all restaurants I know I like it most. I always suggests to my friends to go to visit this place. everytime I want to go to a superb lunchon, this restaurant comes straightaway to my head. fresh and varied food and a large list of dishes.helpful staff members, and agreeable spirit. And very important, the cost is reasonable. I suggest this place with pleasure.

Great place to come and grab some food if you have some money. Prices are usually 20-30's but has an excellent atmosphere. The waiting and bar staff is friendly and accomodating.

On to the entrees I ordered steak frites rare and N got fish, I think it was trout. We both left very satisfied but I think I got the better end of the deal as my steak had bone marrow butter on it. I'm quite the carnivore. Portion sizes are spot on, we both left satisfied but not overly full and no one had to roll us out of there. We also ordered dessert of creme brulee' and I decided it's vacation and since we were headed straight back to the hotel, the creme brulee' would be worth the discomfort. It had the perfect silky texture and sweet without being cloying. The calories here were certainly worth it.

OUTSTANDING in every way! Both my friend and I were delighted by our entire experience here.

- We were welcomed warmly.
- Thumbs up on the ambiance. Not too dark, nor too light. Classy but not pretentious!
- The space is comfortable, especially where we sat (big comfy booth with just one other couple near us)
- The live band (jazz quartet) was great... quite talented, and playing at the perfect volume. My friend and I never had to shout, despite sitting pretty close to the band.
- AND THE FOOD... WOW THE FOOD! Super-delicious, generous portions.
- Also, some of the tastiest cocktails I've had dining out!
- And a helpful, awesome server. Just the right amount of presence and friendliness; always there when we needed her, but never clingy or obtrusive. When we finished our meal and she gave us the bill, she thoughtfully encouraged us to stay as long as we wanted.

Oh, and for the food & drink specifics, here's what we had:
- Complimentary French bread with perfectly soft butter.
- Delicious foie gras with huckleberry with the most amazing crisp (toasted?) bread!
- Crispy duck with lentils (and I usually don't even like lentils!). So flavorful and tender!
- French onion soup (my friend got the biggest smile on her face when she tried this)
- Escargot in a crispy dough thing. I generally hate snails and even I enjoyed this dish.
- Two cocktails for each of us, but the only name I remember was the "Equinox" (which was probably the fav of mine and my friend anyway).

My only regret is that I wish we had had room for dessert.

We'll be back for sure!

We were in downtown SF and picked this place for lunch because it was a sunny day and the restaurant had outside seating. We ended up not eating outside because it was too windy in the alley where the restaurant is located. We didn't regret More

I read the reviews and was looking forward to a nice french food treat. I ordered a steak tartar and it was absolutely not the best steak tartar ... rough and blend ... sorry The escargot was good, although a bit salty, but garlicky and flavorful unlike steak tartar. I also had a bite of creme brulee and it was light and tasty!

Amazing food, friendly and attentive staff and very reasonable. Recommended highly!