Hayes Valley Restaurants

When it comes to restaurants, Zuni Café is a San Francisco institution. Its warm and inviting space, unpretentious feel, and delicious food are reasons to come back again and again. Judy Rogers cooks the way mom might if she had access to all the best produce and hours of time. Whether it is the classic Chicken-For-Two with a side of bread salad, a perfect cut of meat, or the heavenly Ricotta Gnocchi, the dishes are all wonderfully executed and mouth-watering. It’s near impossible to sample everything San Francisco has to offer, but if you’ve had a chance to dine at …

When “less is more” just doesn’t cut it, find solace in the authentic hearty and satisfying fare at Suppenkuche Restaurant. Regional German cuisine is served up in a sparsely decorated dining space that is warm and inviting. Long wooden benches unite diners in a communal dining experience only complemented by the lumberjack of a beer and wine menu – beer-enthusiasts will appreciate that it will take more than a few pints to get through this extensive seasonal selection. And for foodies, meat-and-potato lovers, and plain ol’ hungry folk alike, the fresh and true food menu will not disappoint.

Located in Hayes Valley, Absinthe Brasserie & Bar combines elements of fine French dining with the laid back atmosphere of a Parisian café. Absinthe recalls an earlier time when food and spirits were homemade and without preservatives, and when one could dine on a fine meal without worrying about all the etiquette. The name itself brings to mind nostalgia of a time long past, but certainly not forgotten. The pressed tin ceilings and copper table tops shine amidst the traditional French design and are an ideal setting for the restaurant’s American-inspired French and Northern Italian cuisine.

For a restaurant that offers such unique amenities and menus, Sauce is surprisingly comfortable, relaxed, and uncomplicated. Located on Gough in Hayes Valley, Sauce is unlike many of the restaurants you'll find in San Francisco, but still retains the charm that Hayes Valley restaurants are well known for. The bar space—where many of the patrons gather—is supremely intimate, giving it a social feel without being too cluttered. There are tables available in the bar area, as well as elegantly arranged tables adorned with white table cloths in the spacious dining area. Mirroring the layout of the restaurant, Sauce's menu is …

Red means stop, green means go…and bring me more meat while you’re at it. At Espetus Churrascaria, an authentic Brazilian steakhouse, you get to unleash your inner carnivore. With two locations, one in San Mateo and the original just east of Hayes Valley, patrons get to enjoy fresh cuts of meat prepared over an open flame and carved tableside. Options like Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast, Pork Loin crusted with Parmesan, Filet Mignon and Sirloin keep you seeing red (meat). A 20-item salad bar with traditional and exotic roughage along with side dishes like rice, black beans and fish stew will …