Chez Maman Reviews

4.6

66 of 5,064 Restaurants in San Francisco


Reviews

Best burger and best mussels I've ever had!!

By ClaudiaCalvet |

I absolutely love and miss this place since I moved from SF! The burger is one of the best I have ever had, and the mussels are awesome!!! The salmon, the french onion soup and the veal are also veeery good, but I did´t care for the pasta when I had. I used to go to the one in Potrero Hills because I lived closeby. The wait can be long, but I never regreted!!! It is cool to see your food being prepared right in front of you, and the service is also very friendly.

small French bistro good atmosphere and eats, try the chicken Panini

By luggedsteel |

cozy little French bistro. great food and drinks. pleasantly surprised by this place! I'd recommend for anyone, especially couples.

A neighborhood gem

By Marla B |

Second time here in a couple months. First time for brunch, this time for dinner. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis and they fill up quickly after opening. We were seated outside as our guest was running late. But the heaters outside are very powerful, so we were fine outside. The hostess Mary is the Bomb! Very attentive to our needs and even provided chairs for us to sit in while we waited for our guest. She did her best to hold a table for us inside, but the line dictated she had to give the table up. It was cool though. Service is steady and thoughtful. Always checking on us, but not overly so. Decent wine choices, my how the "bottle price" has gone through the roof $50. But it was a lovely choice. I may start returning to "bringing my own" if they allow it. Two guests shared the Beef Tartare which they loved. Those same guests had the muscles and sadly they were not impressed. We brought it to the attention of our waiter, and graciously they removed it from our bill. The fries that came with the muscles were only barely warm and not served with any sauces :-( I had the pork chop, which was cooked perfectly but the brussel sprouts were almost raw and hard to cut and chew. All this being said, we all do like this little gem and I will return. The chicken looked amazing, that will be my next order. Brunch is quite good. At the end our server brought us all a little after dinner port at no extra charge. They really do care about their guests and make every effort for you to have a good meal and a nice time.

Another SF favourite.

By HaveSkis |

I've been here several times over the past few years on various visits to SF. I've always had a great meal and enjoyable time solo or with a second. The burger is great, as are the steak frites, duck, and escargot. In typical French bistro style, expect generous amount of butter and salt, not the best choice if you're in the mood for something light :) Always busy and bustling, I usually sit at the bar. Interactions with the staff always enjoyable and amusing -- football (soccer), wine, randomness.

Paris in Hayes Valley

By coopersf |

We decided to give Chez Maman a try before a recent concert at the SF Jazz Center, and it was a good call. Got there at 5:30 with a 7:30 show time, and caught the last vacant inside table. The scene was just like several bistros we've enjoyed in France. Warm, noisy (but not insane)' and bustling. Service was fast and friendly, and the Caesar salad we ordered to share arrived quickly along with an extra plate and serving spoon. Excellent, and it's good that we split it because it was huge. Followed with the hanger steak (wife) and mussels mariniere (me). The steak was perfect, medium rare and tender, with excellent pommes frites; and the mussels were plentiful and delicious. Had a side of brussles sprouts, which were also perfectly done and beautifully seasoned. Two reasonable priced glasses of wine, and we were only sad that there was no room left for dessert. A great spot for pre-concert (or post-concert) dinner. Or any dinner.

Even the burger

By Mikhail A |

was cooked perfectly by the French! congratulations. Friendly staff. The only demerit is for bringing not the beer I ordered. V

Nice option for French cuisine in Hayes valley

By Rehsinup19 |

The food here was good with good service. I enjoyed the beef tartare, the Quail egg was a nice touch. The Striped Bass was also had a nice flavor with a tender texture. The atmosphere is comfortable but I would recommend avoiding the patio as the traffic noise is distracting and there is a chance of having a passerby approach your table and ask you for change.

Great food!!

By Sandra M |

This is not far from where our son's live. Long wait for a table but so worth it. The food was amazing!! I am not a fan of French Onion soup...my husband ordered it and said so good. I tried this....OMG--it was amazing!!! I had the Duck Confit and it was great as well. Will definitely want to go back here next time we visit our sons.

Loved every bite!

By ohdonnaoh |

We walked up from Dogpatch for a midweek stolen lunch. Man was it worth the hike! We dined on appetizers, escargot, baked camembert and beef tartar. Soooo decadent And so good! Perfectly complemented by a delicious Bellini. Dessert of a Cinnamon pain perdu bwhich was sticky, soft, sweet and tart hit and cold all at once was heaven. What a great view of the city to boot!!!

Amazing 9/10 Times, But Watch Out for Fish Bones in Ahi Tuna

By Whit998 |

Chez Maman has wonderful food, excellent service, and an adorable atmosphere. Their mussels are to die for and they have a solid wine list. One of my go-tos in the city. My only bad experience was my last dinner there, when I got a fishbone stuck in my throat while eating ahi tuna on the nicoise salad. Bones are definitely supposed to be butchered out. My throat swelled up immediately and I thought I was going to have a panic attack, so I left quickly, and haven't been able to easily reach the manager over the phone since. The bone was stuck for 24 hours, and I had to try every trick the internet had to offer to remove it. These things happen, but leaving a bone in ahi tuna is a MAJOR detail for the chef to overlook - so just watch out if you order it!

I'll never forget the duck

By Hanzosbm |

My wife and I got the onion soup, a cheese and potato crepe, and the duck confit to share. The soup was very good, probably the best I've had outside of France. The duck was simply amazing. By far the best duck I've ever had. Every bite was better than the last. The crepe, unfortunately, wasn't quite to our liking. The color was quite dark, so I don't know if it was made with a different kind of flour, or overcooked, or what, and the filling I didn't feel had enough seasoning. We had a few bites and set it aside. Our server was kind enough to offer to take it off of the bill, although we never asked her to do so. That being said, when the bill came, it was still on there. Oh well. I'm not upset because there wasn't anything wrong, per se, with the crepe, it just wasn't to our liking. Overall, as you can see from my 5 star review, we loved Chez Maman and would go back in a heartbeat. You owe it to yourself to do the same.

Best of our trip!

By zfilly |

This restaurant was quite crowded when we arrived at 7:45 on a Sunday, but we were seated outside under toasty(but not too warm)heaters in less than 30 minutes. Inside is noisier, however outside there can be street people begging. All three of us were very happy with our meals and the desserts, especially Tatin were wonderful. The French Onion soup was excellent. If you want a quit romantic dinner this is not the place for you. For good French style food at a reasonable price it's the place to go.

The best French meal ever!

By Renee L |

The restaurant was packed. We waited an hour to be seated at the bar. Well worth it. The absolute friendliest staff- my daughter is taking French in school and the bartender was testing her French- very fun. The food was absolutely delicious. Escargots were juicy, coated in pesto and garlic. I had the salmon with a cream fresh sauce that I had to stop myself from licking the plate. Highly recommended!

France

By Vladimir B |

Perfect place fo get test of FRANCE IN San Francisco. Food excellent French onion soup best in the menu. I recommended. Thank you.

A great local French Bistro

By Ann D |

There's always a wait at Chez Maman - with good reason. It's a great local place for traditional French food in Potrero Hill. It's well worth the wait and you can sip an aperitif or a glass of wine outside while you wait. Alternatively pop around the corner to the wine bar for a quick drink while you wait for your table.

Brunch but heard burgers are good too

By AliG |

Came here with cousin and her husband for brunch. It was good. We were first on the list since we waited a while outside. Its not the easiest to get to from MUNI but its not bad. The food was good. Service was ok.

bistro Hayes Valley

By Melanie B |

We recently ate here while visiting San Francisco. The meal we had was probably the best meal we had while visiting San Francisco and we felt reasonably priced for the area. Very quaint and cozy with outdoor setting as well. Hayes Valley is a lovely area to have a nice stroll after lunch or dinner.

My favorite French restaurant

By Dmitry A |

I hadn’t been at Chez Maman in quite some time and I was really surprised when the owner recognized me and even gave me a hug.  That was nice. So, I decided to really go for it. Ordered Baked Camembert with roasted garlic and toasted bread. It was delicious. The garlic was melting in my mouth. The burger…. They made it on a golden brown French roll on which there was a medium rare burger patty, sliced avocado, blue cheese, lightly marinated red onions. With it came thinly cut French Fries sprinkled with some greens. Got some Belgian ale. For dessert I got crème brulee and a cappuccino. I was in seventh heaven… All the owner and the waiters all speak English with a heavy French accent which adds to the charm of the place. Absolutely love it

Get there early!

By broncofan1 |

Tiny place with some outside seating, but the best food during my week in San Francisco. The salmon, sea bass and lamb were all excellent. Surprisingly affordable for the City, but the service was top notch. Everyone was friendly, helpful and efficient. Would eat there again in a heartbeat. Try the crème brulee desert!!

French in the City

By OxfordMom |

We've eaten here twice for lunch. Lovely atmosphere. Attentive service. Friendly vibe. Started off with a rosé, continued with a crepe. It's like a little slice of France in San Francisco. I was especially amused to see a San Francisco policeman come in, hang out at the bar, then take away a large sack of food. It's also lovely to sit outside and watch people go by in the stylin' Hayes Valley neighborhood. Highly recommend.

AWESOME

By carandnat |

We had dinner twice, and it was absolutely delicious, we had the "Escargots", "steak tartare, duck, burger, steak au poivre, " and the dessert OMG!!!!!!!!!!I had the crepe suzette, absolutely very tasty !!!!!!!!The staff very friendly and a special "Merci Thierry!!!!!!", hope we will come back soon.........

A Neighborhood Hot Spot

By SJAnita |

Staying at an AirBnB in the Potrero district, we walked to this place and loved it. A chilly nite, we savored not soup, rolls, salad, wine, and dessert, all very reasonably priced. It has a wonderful neighborhood feel to it. If you have a chance, drop by and you won't be disappointed.

5 Star Food As Usual

By Tony D |

My favorite place to eat in San Francisco without a doubt. Owner on hand and always there to chat. Food is amazing and for the quality is remarkably inexpensive. If you've never been, put it on your list and don't miss out. This is my go to place every time in town, I bring everyone and hopefully they will do the same. Don’t miss it.

Really good

By Eddie G |

We went out for dinner with friends who took us to this place. A rainy Monday night, but it was so packed and we had a thirty minute wait. Usually I'd move on, but we went to a local bar and waited for a call you say we had a table. Good move, the food was really good, French style, but with burgers and pasta dishes also available. I had striped bass, and it was superb. Reasonably priced too, this place is on my revisit list! Only minor criticism is there was no kids menu, but maybe in such a nice place, they don't need kids!

nice

By Dulce V |

Went here for my little sister's bithday dinner was nice atmosphere but the waiter really ignored us and it was such a small place, we should have gotten better more attentive service. I had the lamb sausage, which was great but my sister had a chicken dish that she had to send back. The salted carmel gelato was okay but very small.

A Jewel Right Where It's Needed

By NextPlanetTravel |

Near Davies Hall, this French-bistro is perfect for catching something to eat before or after a performance...or any time.

Have the burger!

By ItsStef |

They have the best burger I've ever had! I know you wouldn't think to order this when going to a french restaurant, but try it and you won't regret it. I've been to this place about 20 times, and all but one time I've had the burger. It's on a chiabatta bun, with garlic aioli, and whatever toppings you want (I get mushrooms and bacon). I also recommend the french onion soup. The staff are always super friendly. Be advised that the place has about 4 small tables inside, 3 outside, and some seats at the bar, and it's ALWAYS full. You'll most likely have to go put your name down on the list and go for a walk around the neighborhood until you'll be seated. They do not take reservations.

I will come back again

By Maggy |

APPETIZERS 。French onion soup 11 。Escargots de Bourgogne, parsley, garlic butter 14 LES MOULES 。Poulette: garlic, shallots, bacon, white wine, cream, parsley 19 Les Gourmandies 。Crème brûlée $9 Crème brûlée is awesome that is the best I’ve ever tasted even better than i had one in Café de Flore

My favorite French restaurant

By Jack B |

I went and had the mussels poulet with an albariño style wine, between the bread, wine, mussels, and french fries (you must try) I had the best meal of my trip to San Francisco. Having been to France and dined similarly, I was impressed by the quality of the food. Our French server was spectacular as well and he wore a stunning Pannerai watch ;)

Terriffic French Bistro

By Philip S |

Chez Maman is a neighborhood bistro on Potrero Hill with a wonderful menu and a great vibe. It's popular - no reservations. With everything from steak tartare to mussels in a variety of ways to hamburgers to salads to mains, there is something for everyone. Prices are very reasonable. This is one of our favorites.

Great Burgers!

By Wayne H |

We visited Chez Maman for a quick dinner recently... The service was good... The burgers were very good... The beer was good... The place was obviously busy every evening...one of the more busy places in the area. We were early so were able to get a table...the last one available at the time. It would have been nicer if we had been able to sit outside.

Good bistro food

By JOEL S |

It's a boisterous place with friendly service and well prepared typical bistro food. Expect the expected, as you won't find creativity on the menu. It is, however, reasonably priced with an appropriate wine list.

Phenomenal

By Natdea |

EVERYthing we ordered was fabulous. We started with the escargot which were delicious. We had to sop up all the butter sauce with our bread to not let it go to waste. We then ordered the gruyere and truffle oil Mac and cheese and pasta carbonara. Both were out of this world. We just regret having no room for dessert. We plan to go back again tomorrow evening...

Great Selection

By Juan M |

Food was delicious. Staff was very attentive and helpful. Nice wine selection. Great variety of types of food to choose from. From escargot to Mac n cheese.

Great French food

By Goerge Watson |

Great French food. Small place, so you might have to wait or make a reservation. Food was excellent, and the staff was helpful. Bartender let us try a couple of wines before buying a bottle. Would go back.

Cozy atmosphere and great service

By Noelle L |

We went to CM in Potrero Hill this past weekend for our anniversary. They don't take reservations so go early and be ready to wait for a table. There was a line for a table on a Thursday night even when other restaurants near by had open tables. You can leave your number and walk around the area. The food was great - we had delicious french onion soup, goat cheese salad, and 2 types of mussels (Provencale and Poulette, both very good). They also serve fantastic baguettes. I would also recommend getting gelato at the end of the night - the espresso one tastes just like drinking it; the salted caramel with almonds was okay - I prefer chocolate in mine instead of the nuts or just plain. The servers were all very friendly and attentive and the overall atmosphere was great - we sat at the bar but it was still cozy overall. Would definitely go again if we had the chance!

Great food and great ambience. I visited twice during nine days!

By thebarkingspider |

Staying with friends on Potrero Hill, they took me here one day for brunch. A wonderful experience, very friendly service and excellent food and swift service. I was glad when my friends brought me back on a second occasion!

Great food, good service, central location

By Pipi16 |

My wife & I are on vacation in San Francisco. We spotted Chez Maman on our walk thru the neigbourhood near our B&B in central San Fran. We were very impressed with consistently high standard of food and quick service - plus one of the best steaks I've ever had, and a creme brulee to finish. Superb - highly recommened and reasonably priced.

The mussels were some of the best I've had.

By Shirley H |

I love this place! The food, service and ambiance were first rate. It was my first time there and if I'd had more time in San Francisco, I would have gone back. The mussels were superb and a large portion. With the French bread, it was perfect.

Simple setting, great food

By John C |

I don't know much about French food, but this is GREAT food. The setting was simple. Prepare for a line sometimes. The chef was actually French. And the ambiance was just relaxed and chill and pretty awesome. Highly recommended.

Cute Little Spot!

By Jessica B |

This really is a cute little spot, so if you have a large group you may want to venture somewhere else for French fare! I had the Salmon burger and it was delish! The only downside for me is that there were tons of fruit flies around our table/food.

Good french bistrot that stays open late

By Don R |

The star of the 18th street corridor in Potrero Hill, this bistrot is reliable and consistant in its food and service. Basic cafe/bistro food and cheap but good wine - what you came here for. Mussels (4 different recipes) are great, good salad ( I like the Frisee and also the Nicoise), as well as one of the best burgers around. Matchstick sized french fries really do go well with anything really. Desserts are good - the rum-raisin gelato is a good enough reason to go there in the first place - but the crepe suzette is one of the best in the City. Oh yes, the crepes - there are savoury and sweet, and plenty of choices. Service is quick and pleasant.

Most delicious dinner

By nancy614 |

I’m lucky enough to have gone to many great restaurants. This one tops my list The dishes compliment each other beautifully. The wine brings out many more flavors as well. At home we watched a Netflix documentary about the restaurant, very informative!

High Quality Lunch at Chez Maman

By Frank Sories |

Prior to the current pandemic, my spouse and I were regulars at Chez Maman and have sampled virtually every item on the menu. For our anniversary lunch, we decided to try their outdoor dining. They have always had an awninged area on the sidewalk, but they've now annexed a couple of parking spaces on the street, set off by fencing and shaded by umbrellas. They go above and beyond in their social distancing efforts in that they place plexiglas dividers into a metal slot that has been attached to certain tables, which are brought out when they seat a party at an adjoining table. We didn't need one because there was no one at the table next to us. Service, as always, was pleasant and professional. The food was, in all honesty, actually better than in the past. The escargot were plumper than they were previously, and the amount of butter in the larger shells made for wonderful dipping for both of us. The veal scallops in mushroom cream sauce were more juicy than I remembered. The salmon crepe was fresh and delicious. We were disappointed that they no longer serve gelato, but, when we thought about it, we judged that to be a smart move. When capacity is so severely reduced, why would a restaurant want people to linger over dessert, when they can turn the table over and serve more hungry customers? Chez Maman is better than before COVID, perhaps because they are serving fewer meals. No matter the reason, it's a great place for an outdoor repast.

Mussels are fabulous esp. with fries!

By baflih |

Mussels are fabulous esp. with fries! Service was great--very attentive w/o being pushy. It was a very hot day so the ambiance in the crowded restaurant was not all that great.

Casual lunch

By LSherry1914 |

We really enjoyed an easy delicious lunch. Sandwiches were fresh, service prompt and efficient, authentic French menu. Croque Monsieur was fabulous!

Loved it

By crcfhrules |

French onion soup was soooo good! Mussels with truffle fries - perfect. And just because we are little piggies we had the pasta carbonara and chicken - both excellent. Chocolate gelato for dessert. Ate outside and it was lovely. Waiters were French - at least the two we had - so that was fun. Would love to come back to this lively neighborhood restaurant.

Soooooo Good!

By w0rldtravelbunny |

I went on vacation in SF with family and friends. We tried this place because it was recommended to us. It was so delicious! I definitely recommend. Get the mussels and Fries!!!

Has always been Consistent in Service and Food

By Chance Mallory |

I've been coming here for years and I can always expect service to be friendly but not too over-ly. They are never pushy even though there is a small line forming at the door. Their food tastes amazing every time! I know what I'm going to get when I order the mussels in white wine. Always get that side of fries. It's perfectly crispy on the outside and soft and buttery on the inside. It goes well with the mussels. Dip and go! The Croque Madame is legit here. I order it through Caviar sometimes when I'm super lazy, and get the brussels sprouts as a side! Chez Maman always comes through with making my belly happy.

A local treasure

By scootsmel |

If you are visiting San Fran make sure you make the effort to head out of the CBD and dine here. The place is always packed so head in early or later in the evening to avoid the wait. It is cosy yet buzzing with life and you cannot make a mistake with menu selection. Everything is delicious. By far my favourites are the pork chop and Brussels sprouts and don't forget dessert! The warm chocolate fondant is the perfect end to a perfect little dining gem. The staff are fantastic and the atmosphere is relaxed.

Dog friendly, great food, friendly service

By Teresa Moby |

Small cozy French bistro with absolutely delicious food. The mussels is truly the best we have had and be sure to order the fries to go with it. It's the thin and crispy, I literally destroying them! We were so full we ate the salmon crepes the next day and it was still very good. No fishy taste at all.

Quick and Delighful

By DnKs Way of Life |

Chez Maman East Hospitality - 4/5 Selection - 4/5 Quality of Food - 4/5 Overall - 4/5 Had a quick round table in the city, and asked the local’s where a great spot was for a nice meal. Chez Maman East was the answer and they did not disappoint. My colleague and I were welcomed in and seated right away. It was early, so they weren’t too busy. The waiter was quick to serve us and was very informative. Even suggested a few items they were known for. My colleague took his suggestion and got the Sole. He was very happy he took the suggestion. It was cooked beautifully and had great flavor. To the point he licked the plate clean! I chose the bell pepper soup and their famous burger. The soup was delightful and fit perfect on this rainy day. The burger was everything everyone had told me. The burger was cooked correctly, juicy, and tender. The add-ons were just icing on the cake. If we were to suggest anything to the restaurant to improve on, it would be have fresh bread. The baguette we ordered was dry and like chewing leather. Went great with the soup, but by itself was not enjoyable. Overall, we would return to try the rest of the menu.

Great Bistro and great food.

By Gary B |

I love Chez Maman. The food is very good and the service is great. They don't take reservations and the space is very small so you may have to wait for a seat at the counter or a table. There is no place to wait at Chez Maman so go next door to the wine store and taste wine while you wait. The mussels are awesome as is the pork chop.

Nice meals for a conoetitive price

By O_Laparoto |

Burger made in heaven and in front of your eyes! I had the classic burger with avocado and bacon with fries. What a delight. The service is very personal and friendly. Great place.

Boring

By itsnoway |

This restaurant wants everybody to think it's French. The truth is : it is not very much. As far as I am French, I don't think that crepes and mussels are a good representation of the french food. Anyway I took a Mac & Cheese (yeah not french either but at this point...) and my wife took a burger. The positive point is : the waiters are very nice, and the plates are generous. But, I have to say that it was quite heavy and not very much tasty.

Superb food. Superb service.

By NottinghamGent |

We tried to get into the Plow for lunch but the queue was 1.5hrs. The staff in the Plow recommended Chez Maman for which we did not have to queue at all. The food was really good and the service very friendly and priced very reasonably. I would definitely go back again and would absolutely recommend this place. We did also go to the Plow as it came do highly recommended but I have to say, I thought Chez Maman was much better. It's also away from the tourist trap restaurants and cafes do it feels much more like a local experience with mostly locals eating there which gave it more credibility and authenticity. Definitely worth visiting. Thank you staff!

Great night out on the town with friends

By AlmostCuban |

My first dinner in SFO with good friends. We sat outside and it was quite nice and not too cold if you had your jacket on (and open). They do not sit your party until everyone has arrived, but once you are all there and a table is ready you have great service. We shared Baked Camembert and Escargot de Bourgogne which were fabulous. My main course was the Flat Iron Steak which was cooked to perfection. The Camembert was quite nice and sharble and the Escargot were adequate. The steak was just the right size. Add in a bottle of red and the evening was quite nice. The food was amazing and met or exceeded all of my expectations. Make sure you have some powerful gum if you are going out afterwards. I'd have to say that this was a great place and it was quite affordable... something that I wasn't expecting before arriving at the restaurant. Something to note that the restaurant does not take American Express (if I remember correctly).

Very welcoming service

By Duncan E |

The maitre d' was quick to welcome me, late in the evening. The food and wine were freshly cooked French cuisine and the atmosphere was almost Parisian but friendlier - warm and with kitchen humidity. Nice old French decor too - altogether a home from home for a Francophile!

French Bistro food in a casual setting

By TravelgalCathy415 |

Craving moules (mussels) but can’t get to France? Always a good meal at Chez Maman in San Francisco. ❤️ It's a very good value in a casual atmosphere. The other dishes are good too. Bon appétit!

Delicious Find !

By CananUSA |

It was a wonderful surprise to find this restaurant for us! The food was excellent, prices were good . It has a very comfortable atmosphere with a friendly service. Finding a parking spot outside is not that difficult. Our overall experience was very positive 👍

THE BEST!

By Deirdrebck |

we met chef/manager Olivier at another the day before and were so intrigued to experience his place. even though it was a short cab ride the experience will stay with my husband and I for a LONG time. Olivier was both gracious and professional. A neighborhood restaurant that we ALL could only be so lucky to have. We met wonderful people and shared (yes even a stranger offered a bite of his pork chop) real yummy food. Must go! Tell him Deirdre and Jim from NY sent you! :)

Neighborhood French Bistro

By ElaineAndGreg |

Chez Maman is the kind of restaurant I really like. It is not fancy, but has simple charm, friendly service, and excellent food. Chez Maman is basically a cafe on a street corner. The restaurant is relatively small, with seating for about 10 on the sidewalk. The intersection is relatively quiet. The feel is very much of a neighborhood restaurant. You might not travel across town to come here, but if you are in the area it’s a great place to have a nice meal with friends. The menu and wine list are largely French favorites. They are particularly known for their French onion soup. I did not have it, but the others at my table did and thought it was terrific. The other appetizers are also French, such as baked Camembert, escargots, etc. The entrees have largely French preparations of different meats including fish, beef, pork, and chicken. The prices are reasonable for the quality of the food and experience. Our server was French, genuinely friendly, and made good recommendations. The only negative is that they don’t take reservations. We arrived around 6:20 and had a wait of about an hour, which we easily spent at a wine bar further down the block. I think the no-reservation policy is largely a function of size - two no-shows would be a significant problem for a cafe that doesn’t have all that many tables to begin with. All in all, a very good place to enjoy dinner with friends at a reasonable cost.

Always consistently great!

By Rodrigo P |

If you want to feel like you're on vacation (even as a local in SF), you can go eat at Chez Maman. The atmosphere is always vibrant, the food is consistently great, and the neighborhood is always lovely to walk through.

Liars

By WBX_1234 |

Not holding appointments! Lying in your face. Don’t go there. Not even worth a visit. And even not a real French restaurant.

What a charmer!

By Daryl L |

While traveling in San Francisco we joined a friend at this quaint French restaurant. The bartender is truly a sweetheart and very French! The French onion soup is classic. The endive salad is delicious but probably best shared for two. Great spot to drop by and have a casual lunch with some nice views.

Fantastic French Bistro in SF!

By Andrew F |

I know France, and this is a great French bistro. Staff is v. hip, wine/beer list is small but all good, the food is classic bistro style now:$14 Salads, Mussels, Burgers and higher priced "entrees" (too bad they bow to that corruption of the language) and all Delicious and professionally served. I love SF but was hoping for a taste of France and this place was 'Le paradis.'

Nice staff, good food

By ellengloucester |

Go early to avoid line, we got seated in 15 minutes at a nice table in the back. Waiters have nice personalities, food was excellent, we had mussels, burgers, pasta. Big servings, everyone enjoyed their dinner and the good wine selection. Desserts were really good, too, creme brûlée, crepe Suzette. YUMMY!

Paris met SAn Francisco

By liesl |

What an amazing bistro. Tastefully and great service. Onion soup, escargots, crepes, crème brûlée as delicious as it gets!!

A French gem in a cool location!

By Carl M |

A delightful, casual spot for a French dinner. Service was friendly, and our waiter was especially attentive. Both my wife and I settled for two identical appetizers--the French onion soup and escargot. Both lived up to our expectations and were ample for a meal. We skipped the entrees, although they looked delicious, and ordered chocolate mousse and berries crepe for dessert. Exceptional! We highly recommend it.

Great meal and service

By Travellover6128 |

6 of us had a fabulous lunch here one Friday. Service was efficient and super friendly. Meals were large and delicious. I can highly recommend the mushroom crepe and the baked Camembert. Will definitely be going back

Top French food!

By Marianne S |

Went there for a very early dinner. Glad we did the place was busy. I enjoyed the frisée salad and the moules marinières, which were delicious. My husband had the veal with cream and the baked Camenbert. Great atmosphere, very good service. Will go back, when in town again.

Outstanding at many levels!

By myworkshed |

Duck confit, Malbec, GREAT experience at the bar!!! Wish my main squeeze was with me. Casual yet outstanding quality. I had a rare business meeting in San Francisco… glad i went to dinner, so glad i stopped in here. Will definitely return.

Quaint, friendly French-American bistro

By Persephone11032 |

Several locals stated this was "traditional French fare" - I believe they meant French-American fare, which was still tasty and I have no complaints. We waited about 20 minutes for a table for 2; not bad at all! The restaurant is incredibly tiny, and tables are placed so close that you are basically at the same table with people on either side of you. If you do not mind being that close to strangers - we did not - and hearing their conversations or the potential of their hearing yours, the coziness can be fun. I had escargot as a starter; it was prepared traditionally in garlic butter and served in its shells. We were seated outside - I was not prepared for the numerous pedestrians walking by to stop and stare at my escargot and at me as I ate it. Repeatedly. Perhaps that's considered polite in SF? Not one asked a question or engaged us in conversation. Just stopped and stared, made comments to each other, stared again, and then kept walking. I felt like a creature in the zoo, but my escargot was delicious, and I finished it. And no, I did not offer any to the pedestrians. My friend had lamb for his entree; I had truffle mac and cheese. Both were good, but did not compare to the escargot. We finished our meal with a chocolate torte topped by creme anglaise. Again, good. It was quite chilly so I was ordering hot chocolate throughout the meal: excellent! I believe my hot chocolate was more "chocolatey" than the torte. I highly recommend the hot chocolate. Service was superb. Our waiter was attentive to our needs throughout our meal, even when we chatted quite a bit between entree and dessert, and then with my (third?) hot chocolate. The cafe remained crowded throughout, and not once did we feel as though we were occupying table space. We will see Maman again!

Quick lunch stop before flight

By Leslie |

This place was recommended to me for their burger. Quaint bistro style local place-great service, the owner /mgr. was very attentive to all patrons. I am not a fan of French cuisine (just my palate) no disrespect. ;-) so ordered their hamburger on chiabatta roll with Brie, which was amazing and I hear breakfast and the French onion soup are very very good. Next trip I will be back!

Lovely place on Hayes st.

By orlytModi_in |

Packed restaurant, really lovely. Good food and service. We had a ceaser salad, spaghetti carbona and a hamburger, all were great. A crepe with chocolate for dessert. Very enjoyable.

Delicious food in a quiet corner of Potrero Hill

By Maite C |

We´ve been here several times along the last three years, and always had great meals. It worth the usual wait. We prefer the tables in the terrace

Great bites

By Fabiana O |

Very good restaurant! Very smaller! Food very good, beer delicious , we love it!!👏🇺🇸😘😛❤️🌉they are very happy people !! Good location,nice decoration!

Can I say Aaaammmazing!!!!!

By DTecce |

This is probably one of the best experiences I have had at a restaurant! The service was impeccable! They were multiple people who continued to check on you to see if you needed more water, another drink, a new napkin, a plate taken away and etc. They were so attentive but not bothersome! Super friendly, funny, kind and were even nice enough to tell me their recommendations since I couldn't make a decision! My husband and I had the french onion soup and it was delicious! I had the salmon burger and it was incredible especially adding avocado and cheese! My husband had the flat iron steak and he really enjoyed it too! We topped it off with cappuccinos and gelato and it was an amazing night, meal and experience! If you are in the area, come here! If you are not in the area, get here! I can't say enough about this place! It was a perfect ending to our trip and I;m so happy this was our last stop!

YUM!

By Maral-Vieira |

Such yummy French food; great location and ambience, great wine and sidewalk seating (and that comes in so handy when traveling with a dog). Vive la France!

Happened upon

By Serendipity1701 |

The staff was very helpful and the restaurant was very comfortable. The most difficult choice was the menu, everything looked amazing. The dishes we chose were the escargot and the mussels which were delicious.

A bit of Belgium tucked away in a great neightborhood

By shetown12 |

While on business in San Fran I stayed at a lovely airbnb in the area. A short walked discovered a myriad of shops and restaurants including this gem. I truly thought I was in Belgium again! Great service, small and cozy, and great food. The moules e frites were the best since Brussels. Even if you don't stay in the area, this restaurant is worth the cab ride!

Excellent option

By John L |

What a fantastic find, we accidentally found this restaurant walking on 18th and had several option for some res as on after walk up and Dow the hill, looking at several restaurants this was the one. We started off with a Bloody Mary and a mimosa, I thought they had made the mix from scratch as, the flavor was perfect, spicy, thicker then usual, and flavor was excellent but was a ready made mix from a bottle with just enough vodka. The bartender started off with sweet cream butter and sliced baguettes, which was perfect followed with a Paninis filled a spicy lamb sausage with Brie, the bread was crispy on the outside and full of flavor, they both complimented the flavors and made an exceptional paninis, Le Moules, Marinière: Garlic, White Wine, Lemon Juice & Parsley served with French fries was perfectly done and did not skimp on the mussels or fries, this can be shared by two. My next visit I will try the Poulette: Shallots, Bacon, White Wine, Cream & Parsley. You have options in sitting outside, inside or at the bar. Parking is relatively easy and is on the sunny side of San Francisco.

Tres bon!

By Lia T |

We enjoyed our meal here very much. I ordered a burger and fries and the Ginger Beer. I have only had this Ginger Beer one other place. I particularly like this Ginger Beer (non-alcoholic) because it is flavorful, sharp and snappy. My friend had the Caesar salad. We let the waitperson know we wanted to share the burger and fried and the salad. When the food arrived, salad first, it had already been divided - so easy and no mess! We really appreciated that. How many places divide the food so neatly, separate plates and all, and don't mind when it's requested? Everything was just as attractive as if we had ordered our own. All the staff was helpful and nice. They also did not make us feel rushed. Many of the staff speak both French and American- lovely! Note on the Caesar salad - it is served with anchovies (as a true Caesar should be) so if you don't care for that, let them know. I love them myself and was very happy to recieve the ones off my friend's plate! We got hungry at about 4:30pm when so many places have closed for lunch and aren't yet open for dinner - so now we know there is a place in the area with good food and service that is open in the "in between" time.

Small, cute, delicious food

By Tara K |

We went to Chez Maman for dinner on a weeknight while visiting San Francisco and loved it! The baked Camembert was a perfect appetizer with roasted garlic and toast, and the ratatouille was fresh and incredibly tasty. There was a bit of a wait for a table, but definitely worth it. If you're traveling to San Francisco, do not miss this restaurant.

Good food. Spotty service.

By BD3856 |

We enjoyed the food but the three of us were seated at a table for two with an extra chair pulled up. That never turns out well. The table simply could not accommodate three people. Our drinks were not refilled. I think this is a place best enjoyed when they're not very busy.

Neighborhood Gem: Great Food & Service

By hollisJ_dr |

Strolled in for a leisurely glass of wine outside and didn't leave until almost 3 hrs. later! After perusing the menu & being charmed by Scott, our afternoon server, we cancelled our other nearby dinner reservation & just hung out to savor, sample, & people-watch. Amazing restaurant (almost like being in a french cafe), fantastic menu, delicious food, & outstanding service. Tried the Beef Tartare, Les Moules (mussels) Mariniere, Grilled salmon, Endive Salad, and Carmelized Apple Tart for dessert. Everything was superb...plan to go back for the crepes, baked camembert, and burgers. There's truly something for everyone here. Nice wine list. A must visit when in the neighborhood. One of our new favorites in the City.

Great Local Eatery

By SK8CJ |

WOW!!! What a treat, we were staying in the area and were told to try something new. I love this place and wish I lived in SF to eat here more often. Staff was amazing and we had stellar weather so we sat outside and soaked up the neighborhood. We ordered a burger and mac and cheese and I can still taste it in my mind. As the night passed there was a long wait but people didnt care they had a beer or glass of wine and waited and hung out together. Can t wait to go back

Perfect French-style lunch

By TaraOakland |

We had a lovely outdoor lunch here - my first time eating at a restaurant in over a year. French cuisine is comfort food for me, so this was perfect. My friend and I both had the delicious buckwheat crepes, hers the smoked salmon, and mine the l’Orientale with Merguez sausage, cheese and caramelized onions plus a perfect egg. Attentive service by the French waiters was excellent. What a find, I will be back!

Great Sancerre!

By HonduranHoustans |

Just stopped in for a glass of wine and loved the quaint atmosphere. A small place, but buzzing with happy customers. Bartender suggested the wine for me since I told him I like Sauvignon Blanc. Excellent choice!!

Good food if a little noisy

By Amanda1681 |

A small restaurant with great food, we went in because there was a table and what a good find. As its small it can be a bit noisy but what an atmosphere

Great steak frites, no reservations

By Sandy K |

We love coming here for a yummy steak frites and wine. There’s always a wait, but just plan for that...they don’t accept reservations.

Fantastic Food, Affordable, Limited seating

By Angela L |

My husband and I went here before a show at the Nourse Theater a block away. This is a French bistro and the food is absolutely wonderful, the service attentive, the wine excellent. Beware that it is a very small bistro, seating is very limited and tight.

Delicious Mussels.... Oh la la!

By Megan N |

My daughter is absolutely in love with this place. Even though she does not live in the area anymore but whenever she is here is for the visit, we will have lunch at Chez Maman right after I pick her up from the airport AND right before I drop her off there! Enough said, read between the lines - - - - - - People complaining about the service, honestly this is the best service you can get in any french operated restaurant.

Cozy but COLD

By jLong |

Mixed feelings about this place. Got to the restaurant by 5:45 (do not take reservations), found a seat at the bar. Service at counter was great fast, friendly and knowledgeable. Food was good and fair prices for the city - seems that a lot of people order sandwiches/burgers there. Only beer and wine (no cocktails); wine selection was okay, could have had some higher quality wines. The biggest trouble is that it was cold and windy in the City (51°) and they insisted on keeping the door open - which made sitting anywhere around the door freezing - at least 1/3 of the restaurant. Too cold to enjoy dinner even when wearing a long wool coat and scarf.

Amazing!

By BrennaDEvans |

The staff is extremely friendly, they treat the tourists like old friends just like their regulars! Everyone went above and beyond to make my daughter’s 21st birthday an unforgettable experience!

Everything was superb!

By Karin E |

Yum to the lamb and vegetable brouchettes with the currant coucous and some kind of light sauce on the side. My son had a good old American hamburger with delicious fries, and his girlfriend had a crepe. Along with a bottle of wine, and rum raisin gelato at the end, it was a satisfying and delightful meal. I highly recommend Chez Maman.

French menu in the heart of Hayes (San Francisco)

By Claudia F |

Small restaurant, doesn't take reservation but early enough and start putting your name on the list board. Small place, with great quality French bistro food. Nice atmosphere, in a lively area away from the touristic spots, recommend the chicken in lemon sauce

Fantastic meal! Great atmosphere!

By Kim B |

What a gem, happened upon this little restaurant by chance. The food was wonderful and the staff very attentive and friendly! Only is issue is long wait for table, but they offered us wine while waiting! Highly recommended.

Happy gathering

By Asria A |

Nice small place with bar , food and service is very good and very friendly staff. I recommend for family or couples.

A great little bistro

By Paul B |

Located on a corner on Potrero Hill, this little French restaurant offers excellent food at a fair price. They have mussels (4 different recipes), excellent burgers, a wide selection of crepes, and around a dozen main courses, They include 2 kinds of fish, an excellent roast chicken, veal in a cream sauce, pork chop and steak, and a couple of pasta dishes, Also appetizers, salads and some of the best escargots I've tasted. Friendly and attentive service and a good wine list also. Can be crowded.

Forget the calories..go for the crepes

By Lindsay W |

This was a lunch visit for us. Just needed a snack so we ordered the crepes. Perfectly cooked and well presented. We were staying near by and did the lunch option as the restaurant is very busy of an evening. Definitely recommend doing a reservation if you don't like waiting.

Chez Maman neighborhoodly accommodated us after a long travel day on a Sunday

By LJKP |

Chez Maman neighborhoodly accommodated us after a long travel day at their close of business on a Sunday. Mussels con frites, French onion soup, baguette, local red wine; nearly perfect. Thank you!

Quaint and Really Good

By LinGal2001 |

We ate outside so I didn't get a feel for the indoor setting. I'd go back for this little taste of France. Service was great, food was delicious. I just really enjoyed the whole thing. It's off the beaten path and we went because my daughter knew about it and had been there. Just lovely for the right price.

Wonderful meal in Hayes Valley-San Francisco

By David G |

Dining at Chez Maman was our goal and we lucked out in getting a table for our party of six which included two children. The food is excellent. We started with escargot and the baked camabert. The girls had mussels which we yummy. Our group had pasta bolognas, the pork chop and brussel sprouts and another serving of mussels. It was all delicious, the service was friendly, accommodating and timely. I look forward to visiting again and would recommend this to anyone looking for an intimate and delicious meal.

Viva la France!

By JeanetteCool |

We dine often at Chez Maman both at the Hayes Valley and the Portrero Hill restaurants. We LOVE the menu, it is fairly priced, good wine list and just delicious food. The waiters are always HELPFUL and fun to be truthful. We take friends, clients and also go there for a good meal. The ONLY negative comment I had was in reference to a crowded evening, and we were offered a table outside w/ heaters which we accepted and then a couple were seated with a dog!!! We do not eat with dogs -- and eventually, the dog won -- we had to leave. But I realize many people have no problem eating with a dog lying close by on the ground. We do! We left and will never sit in the dog area regardless of how much we love the restaurant.

Neighborhood Gem with excellent food!

By Edwin R |

C'est la vie... Oui....Monsier! I seem to be trending French cuisine in the past weeks.... recently in Boston, prior to that from Los Angeles... and now in my hometown, San Francisco!! Chez Maman is truly a neighborhood gem where locals meets their neighbors, the City folks and then some (tourists). Brought my coworkers here because truly, this is one of my favorite French "goto" place to dine in the City!! Really dig their local vibe, love the hip ambiance. Love their cute outdoor dining with heaters to boot, and I especially enjoy dining in at their counter, where I get to see tons of action. Definitely a great conversational piece with lots of interaction with the staff, and best of all; their food here has got to be, one of the best of the best! Simple French cooking with a little love from "Maman!" PS - their "Crème brûlée" is simply magnifique!! Until then, Cheers! ~ :p

French meets Belgian in a quaint cafe...

By VeryWellTraveledGuy |

On our way to a tour of the Anchor Brewing Co. (just down the street), stopped in for an early and tasty lunch at this small cafe-style restaurant. Wife and I both had Les Moules (mussels, with various toppings/treatments). Very tasty and served with crusty bread to soak up the broth. Service was slow to start but finished really strong. Good spot, check it out.

Great place

By mdallos |

Lovely french restaurant. Super tasty food and good vine. Family run place and the staff is realy kind and funny. Loved it.

Expect to wait, but it is worth it

By varulv |

Very good food, top atmosphere, on top of Potrero Hill. We had to wait almost 45 minutes, but the atmosphere is festive, even outside while you wait. I took the lamb on a skewer. very good.

Great food, nice people, reasonably priced

By RickAndFamily |

Wife and I were in town for a meeting and found this place on TripAdvisor. Sat at the bar and was quickly welcomed by very nice staff. We were there early evening so no problem getting a seat, but place quickly filled within the next hour or two. Shared the camembert appetizer, onion soup, salmon, while my wife had the truffle mac-n-cheese. Shared a dessert and a bottle of wine. Very surprised with how reasonable the prices were and the quality of the food was excellent. Would definitely return and try some of the other menu items.

Best duck I have ever had - except in France!

By travelgyspy |

On a romantic weekend my husband and I decided to stay in the city. I was delighted to find that this French bistro was within walking distance of our hotel (Inn at the Opera which I would not recommend). We had a short wait so we walked to a nearby lounge and had a martini. This bistro texts you when your table is ready which I tought was wonderfully convenient. In no time we were seated and drooling over the menu. My husband had the mussles which were so a little small, but packed with flavor and the broth that was so delicious he had to order more bread to sop it up because he wasn't going to give it up. The duck I ordered was the best I have had outside of France. It was cooked perfectly and was not to strong but just gamey enough. I can't tell you how amazing the duck was! Judging from their menu, you wouldn't go wrong ordering anything from Chez Maman and the next time I am in San Francisco, I am definately going back here again!

Authentic

By Katshibby |

Talk about delicious French food! The escargot was on point, the Camembert and toast was perfect, and the mussels and crepes were as tasty as can be. The wait staff was very attentive and cordial. Definitely eat here!

simple is better

By tiredgirlCanada |

I liked the restaurant, the atmosphere, the staff. I ordered the escargot since it's a french restaurant and hadn't had any in a while. Not good. Too strong. I think it was in a pesto sauce that was overpowering. I would have preferred it to be more simple and tasty.

5 Star Food As Usual

By Tony D |

My favorite place to eat in San Francisco without a doubt. Great to see they moved into larger premises, this helps with the wait time. Owner on hand and always there to chat. Food is amazing and for the quality is remarkably inexpensive. If you've never been, put it on your list and don't miss out.

Relaxed and friendly

By Alexanderd911 |

Small neighborhood restaurant, visited manily by SFO locals, run by waiters from various European origins, Swiss, Portuguese, French as well as Canadian. The Tartare is usually famous, sometimes a little too spicy, the garlic fries are a killer. good value for money! We visit every second week at least.

Delicious Mushroom Carbenera

By Erin C |

Love the new corner location (replaced Chez Papa). Great ambiance. Food is great quality. Service is typical French. Creme brulee could have been bruleed a bit longer. Excellent place for lunch or for a glass of wine and moules.

Great Neighborhood Restaurant

By Geri Z |

If you can make the stop here it is well worth it. Only restaurant in the area open after 10pm. This restaurant has excellent food, friendly & welcoming staff, and a great vibe. Nothing stuffy here but definitely top notch food. Went 2 days both for late night dinner. First night had Mac & Cheese - OOOOOOHHHHH my!!! So good. The next time was a burger. The burger was so juicy and very flavorful. I will be going here again.

I highly recommend Chez Mamsn.

By Mina L |

Four of us had lunch yesterday at Chez Maman & it was excellent on all counts. We don’t live in the City, but are familiar with the area. We ate outdoors & it was very comfortable. The staff, who really seemed to care about their customers, made sure we were warm enough & were most attentive, but not annoying, throughout our lunch. And the food was superb. I had the smoked salmon panini which was the best sandwich I have ever had. The others in our group equally liked their meals. The balance of ingredients was perfect & I can’t wait to go back.

Great late night bites!

By ajhorse21 |

Thank you so much Chez Maman for being open so late. We came here after a performance at the Symphony... Everywhere that wasn't a crowded bar or a cheapo chain was closed and we popped in. The place was still incredibly full (great job, guys) but they still squeezed us in at the bar. I had the macaroni and cheese and it was complete bliss. Even the leftovers the next day were great. We'd come back here for sure, for the late night bites and the French cuisine that goes down like butta... Because you know they're cooking with the real stuff!

Excellent Experience!

By ThunderRolls2 |

Very friendly people. We sat outside under the heaters and shared a memorable evening with the family. They gave us an extra appetizer just to be kind. The waiter made a small mistake on our appetizer but made up for it with free dessert. So kind. The food was excellent. Very worth.

Magnifique

By ehli_72119 |

Its been a pleasure in Chez Maman, a sweet little french island on Potrero Hill. We have has 2 brunches here with excellent crepes and omlettes. Very fresh, tasty and nicely displayed on the dishes.The service was excellent!!!

Good food and service

By jengled |

We were staying in the neighborhood and went to a number of the establishments along 18th Street. This place definitely exudes a french atmosphere. I had the veal as well. It was good but the meat was not as tender as I would have expected and it was on the salty side and lacking a bit in flavor. The service was friendly and attentive. The place was quite busy and had an energetic atmosphere.

Early dinner before a concert at the SF Jazz venue - terrific

By Chris H |

Went to Chez Maman for an early dinner before a Jazz concert round the corner. In at 5.15pm and already a few people there - they were queuing by 6pm. Even that is at least 2 hours early for dinner by our standards but when in Rome..... We would have preferred to eat after the concert...... Having said that, the welcome was friendly, the menu offered a wide choice of tempting options, the bottle of rose wine was good and a fair price and the atmosphere excellent. Our only adverse comment was that staff try to top up the wine glasses too quickly - wine should be sampled slowly, not gulped down. Maybe they wanted us to order a second bottle? Not verry professional. But that is a minor criticism of an otherwise excellent meal - we would eat there again if in that area. Our bill for 2 starters (delicious soup and baked camembert), 2 entrees (half a chickern and grilled fish) and a bottle of wine came to $91 plus tip.

A place for yuppie suckers

By g l |

If you like to go where all the other yuppies go without any knowledge of French cuisine then you've found the place for you! No wonder French people think Americans are stupid! I'm sure the servers here have the same opinion of all their patrons. A meat patty in a ciabatta slathered in mayonnaise with three sprigs of wilted arugula and they call it a burger. And there kitchen/doorway to the sidewalk where their putrid odor graces all the passerby's is not to be missed! Ooo la la!

Fabulous lunch

By Michelle R |

To say we ordered fish and a burger doesn’t do this neighborhood establishment justice. Enjoyed wild salmon and a most mouthwatering burger. Lovely service too!

Delicious, casual French restaurant

By Sharon L |

Located on Hayes Street in the Hayes Valley, this place is unpretentious and cozy. The food is incredibly delicious , the wait staff professional and the prices are fair.

Noisy and crowded but good food

By julesofthesea |

Close to Davies Hall for brunch before matinees. Nicoise Salad had so much ahi, I could not eat all of it. People are jammed into tiny spaces and it is very noisy so not recommended for older people or any one wanting an intimate experience.

Slightly pricey but super delicious french cuisine with excellent service

By SNB |

Based on several recent very positive reviews, decided to stop by Chez Maman East for lunch at 11:30am on a Wednesday. Free (2 hours) parking is available on all nearby streets which was not too difficult to find. Overall, we were quite pleased with the quality of the food and service at this locally popular restaurant. Immediately upon arrival, we were warmly greeted and service provided by our French server was very friendly and efficient. She was very familiar with the menu and gave us some very good suggestions. It was enjoyable to speak with her in French about France and San Francisco. Appetizers: Baked camembert with roasted garlic was very rich and tasty – what is really nice is that the roasted garlic is placed on the side leaving the customer to decide exactly how much (if any) garlic to spread on the toast. Assiette de merguez with harissa and mixed green salad was absolutely delicious. Best merguez we've ever tasted anywhere. Salads: Endives, pears and roquefort was crunchy fresh and delicious with just the right amount of a very tasty balsamic vinaigrette. Entrees: Roasted duck confit with port reduction was perfectly cooked, tasty and delicious. Unfortunately, both the green beans and potatoes gratin were perfectly cooked but covered with too much garlic making it difficult to eat. The pan-seared petrale sole Meuniere was super tasty, tender and delicious – it was served hot which I really appreciated. The accompanying cauliflower puree and charred romanesco was also tasty and delicious – I couldn't have been happier with this entree! As we were finishing off our after-meal espressos, one of the chef/owners stopped by our table and since my wife is from France, we had a very nice conversation following our 5 star meal. Next time we are in San Francisco, this will be on the top of our list of restaurants to visit.

great French cafe with consistent quality

By Rebecca Y |

Chez Maman is fairly close to my office and i am so grateful for that. The food is consistently good and the wine list is excellent without being overpriced. I have been here enough times that i have tried many of the dishes. The Nicoise salad is a classic French Nicoise, the green beans are crisp, the hard boiled eggs are fresh, the anchovies are whole and laid across the top, etc. The roast chicken is perfect, not overcooked, & the gravy is not thick or cloying. The roast duck is to die for. The last time i was there, i ordered a hamburger and it was overcooked (i like hamburgers rare) so i won't order that again. The restaurant is tiny and sometimes the dinner wait can be as much as 45 minutes - there's a reason for that. Hard to go wrong here.

Wonderful french restaurant reminiscent of France. GO!

By kendralawless |

My husband's God Parent's, who have lived in the city for 35 years, brought us here for my 31st birthday. If I lived in SF I would be here constantly! I am about 3 hours away so I will be returning! The staff were all incredibly charming and professional. I loved the ambiance. Outdoor dining. Very casual with high end food. I HIGHLY recommend the moules, excellent and the highlight! Cannot say enough. I had the salmon which was wonderful, my husband had the pork, and our hosts had the steak and frites, all delicious. Great wine. Wonderful experience! You will not be disappointed eating here.

Incredible

By Eduardo A |

The restaurant is small and you eat in the comfortable balcony watching the food preparation. We were met by the friendly owner of the restaurant. The food is delicious, well prepared and seasoned. We note that not cease to go meet. I asked the owner if they had to serve Vodka. They thought it was funny and said he did not have vodka on the menu. Of course, the restaurant is French. :)

Excellent in every way

By AshishGuptasfo |

Everything about this place is great. We went for Sunday brunch and they serve the entire menu plus some brunch only choices. They don’t take bookings and it can get quite busy so get there early and leave plenty of time. We started with a couple of orders of French Fries. The sauce for the fries is DELICIOUS. We all had the salmon benedict which was delicious. The service, atmosphere and food all works really well.

Great french cuisine, lovely atmosphere

By Janica N |

Excellent food that tasted almost exactly like in France! Great customer service, lovely atmosphere. We had the camembert, croque madame, onion soup and they were out of this world. Pasta was good, not exceptional. We’re in SF for two nights and I think we’ll be back tomorrow. Thats how good it was!

Very interesting and good menu

By EAGR13 |

They do have a small seating area outside, though the tables are on an incline, so a bit of nuisance, but still worth it to be out in the beautiful weather. My husband and I both had the Les Moules - a dish neither of us had eaten before. It is typically mussels in a sauce over fries. Theirs is basically just the mussels and then a side of your choice, though recommended with fries. I had the thai sauce, and it was delicious. More than enough food. Good service and beer.

AMAZING!

By Georjanna M |

Decently priced, GREAT FOOD, absolutely perfect atmosphere. The staff was super nice and the food was amazing! The only thing bad I have to say was the restaurant was a bit small, but i guess for San Francisco, that's normal.

Fantastic!

By cksrp |

We stopped at Chez Maman and were blown away by the food...so good! I highly recommend the beef tartare as an appetizer followed by the mushroom crepes. Cute place, good service, great food (and wine).

Goood value before or after a concert.

By Thomas T |

We stopped in at Chez Maman around 4:45 for an early dinner after a Sunday SF Symphony matinee concert. There were already a few occupied tables, we were seated immediately, and and it rapidly filled. We ordered the pork chop with Brussels sprouts and the half chicken; both were very good. I also ordered the French fries with aioli, the fries were excellent, though I was less enthusiastic about the aioli. The selection of wines, including an Alsatian which was good. We shared the tart tatin for dessert, which was just right to end an early light dinner. Service was attentive and friendly. I expect we'll return.

A great option for brunch!

By Michael C |

My wife and I were looking for a place to have brunch. We found great reviews of the Plow restaurant, but when we got there it was too crowded and the staff told us to wait for in hour. So we decided to walk for a while and found Chez Maman in the next block. We waited for ten mins for a table and it was totally worth it. My wife asked for the salmon panini and I had the provoncale clams. Everything was amazing, fresh ingredients and nice flavor.

I was disappointed after reading all the good recommendations

By Alexander N |

It was cold outside, so I asked for a place inside. It was cold and windy at my place inside - to an extend that I could not enjoy anything. Atmosphere could be great, if would be warmer. Service personal is very friendly. The soup of the days was very good. The burger with Angus beef did not really impress; the beef was rather "dry" (not sure how to say). No special idea in the recepie.

Great neighborhoods place

By Nan D |

This is a teeny place in Portrero Hill that serves some nice bistro French food. A nice array of salads, sandwiches, crepes, mains and desserts.

Good food that is worth the wait!

By Kim d |

My husband and I live in the area and this is our go to date night spot. The food here is really delicious and not badly priced (for a Bay Area restaurant). The staff are friendly and the service is always quick and professional. We really like the atmosphere which is warm and relaxed. We're usually too full for dessert after dinner but sometimes come here for just the dessert - try the Apple Tarte Tatin or Chocolate Fondant.

Duck confit awesome!!

By Philly62 |

The duck confit was awesome, we were there with friends they ate the mussels they were fantastic. Great wine selection price was good!! The bread was fabulous sour dough from Boudin the famous sour dough place in SF!!! If your close make sure you go the place is small so make reservations!!!

Delicious dinner in a relaxed environment

By SingingBee12 |

We stayed in the neighbourhood on a recent holiday and walked past Chez Maman several times. The fact that it always seemed busy and had lovely smells emanating from the restaurant resulted in us being keen to try it out. We went early on a Thursday evening and managed to bag a table in the window (they don't take advanced bookings). The food was absolutely delicious. Between three of us we had two starters, three mains and one dessert, and we couldn't find fault with any of it. I had the Moules Poulette and Frites with aioli followed by the chocolate mousse. The moules were plentiful and the sauce was delicious. The frites were crispy and the aioli was a perfect match. I still dream about that mousse, it was heavenly.

Just drove by and hungry

By 1JellyFish |

Saw a lot of people eating in their sidewalk tables. So we decide to have lunch at the bar inside. Great crepes and salmon burger. Fantastic services.

French food in a nice neighborhood

By Molly |

French style Restaurant in Potrero Hills with a good atmoshere. We had the mussels and shared the baked camenbert and the fries. The food was really good, but for a lunch a bit overprized.

Delectable lunch!

By amyztravelz |

Food and service were wonderful. Ordered the Lamb skewers with polenta. And also the crepe with eggs and salmon. Both were perfect! Lamb serving was quite big and got to have the leftovers for dinner😁 The crepe was cooked perfectly- a bit crunchy but soft and tasty. Staff was attentive and friendly. Loved this place!

Really really great place, great menu , burgers pasta and more

By JJFlash7 |

Really really great place, great menu , burgers pasta and more.... I had a truly amazing burger- perfect medium rare on sourdough with perfectly cooked thin fries with an excellent crunch with a great mayo sauce..and a Bloody Mary... the other entrees I saw near me looked fantastic... Wish I lived nearby but I’m from CT

Great French restaurant

By AirWavesC42MKII |

Wow! Finding Chez Maman was like finding a needle in a haystack! This authentic French restaurant is in the Potrero Hill neighborhood in San Francisco. Trust me...you won't be disappointed. No reservations are accepted so, TIP, get there around 6PM if you hope to score a table without a long wait. They have a few tables outside, with heat when needed, and this is our favorite spot. Don't be discourage that the menu is too casual. Yes they have hamburgers on the menu. Keep looking and you will find outstanding entree choices including veal (just $17 w/vegetables) that's to die for! The cost for 2 entrée selections plus a shared salad, great bottle of red wine, and a 20% tip is just $100 and is a great bargain.

Small, friendly and delicious

By mac_s_50_60 |

After a morning and afternoon of museum hopping it was time for an early dinner. Hmmm, where to go? We tried a few places and the parking was...eh....challenging. So my wife, a bit miffed decided to head home. Geez, this ain't pretty. As we got close to Potrero Hill my car (smart car) drove directly to Chez Maman. Okay, I made a bee-line and found a parking spot. Hallelujah! We got in just at the right time to be seated. It's a small place and very bistro-ish! I ordered a Vin Rouge and my wife not kidding around ordered Escargot de Bourgogne and the Les Moules (mussels & pome frits). I finally ordered the: Half Roasted Organic Chicken, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Lemon Confit, Lemon Jus. I was so happy. My wife was happy, thrilled & smiling too. Whew, close call. The service as usual was attentive and not in your face. Overall Chez Maman is a loud and happy place for outstanding food. Smiles in all directions. We've had lunch there during the week a number of times, and it's been great, but this is the first time we've had dinner. What a joy.

If only this was my neighbourhood bistro

By Enrico P |

This is the second time I've gone to this fantastic bistro and I'm glad to see that it has lost absolutely none of it's charm. While the food is not fancy the dishes fresh, delicious and generous. The space is noisy but in a fun way that means that it's still a great place to have dinner with your partner or by yourself. The service is friendly in a very genuine way which means the wine pours are not measured to the millimetre but instead are likely to be topped up when the bottle is nearly finished. There are no reservations so there might be a bit of a wait for a table but it's very much worth it and you can have a drink while you wait for your name to come up.

THIEVES

By Eilidh H |

Gave us the wrong bill (which is more than our bill) they said it wouldn't come out our bank, which it did! Went down and spoke to the manger who said 'you have to tip here otherwise the staff write their own tip?????' Is this a joke? I am from Scotland but surely that isn't right!!!! disgusting, rude & cheeky! Not about the money, it's the principle

Worth the wait

By Quills G |

I took friends from out of town here for dinner. The line was long but t was excellent. The portions are large and the service was exceptional. I also think the prices are great for all that you are getting. It has a great community feeling and is also buzzing. I would definitely come back here again with friends.

Mooching around SF!

By louby162 |

Amazing food, friendly staff and a relaxed atmosphere. Couldn't have wished for a lovelier evening in SF.

A mixed reaction review

By chiangmaicharlies |

Food was good to very good. The salmon and spuds meal was VG and the bass and spinach meal good (see photo). Seating outside was uncomfortable and offered limited space. Service good. The recommended red beer was not good. Crepes were poor. Quite expensive but it's San Francisco.

Not the best but recommended

By Budi B |

- The escargot was on point in terms of tenderness, presentation and taste; however, the garlic and the ginger overpowers the taste of escargot.... + the New York steak was cooked perfectly...better still, the fries that came with the white sauce was amazing. I expected an average NY steak but the seasoning and tenderness took me somewhat by surprise....the fries were seasoned well with bits of parsley or mint ( hard to tell because they are small) and when coupled with the white sauce, one will know this is more than an average French Fries. + Service was friendly and they were able to give you recommendations on the best menus and how they should be cooked. + A great place to just hang out on a Sunday afternoon with the setting and the clean location. 3 positives vs 1 negative.

Fantastic food and a great view of the skyline

By tinaNtravel |

The food was amazingly good. The server was very nice and friendly. The restaurant is located up on one of the many hills in SF in a mostly residential area. If you sit in the outside area, you get a great city skyline view - which is expecially amazing at night.

Good food

By Erin D |

The food was pretty good, but definitely not not mind blowing. The staff was friendly and "on it." I would pass on dessert. However, I didn't try the mousse, so someone should get on that.

French influence in SF

By Carisbr00ke |

Very good food, friendly staff. We chose to eat inside but there are tables outside shielded from the traffic. Salmon was good in a delicious sauce, chicken also good and side orde of veg cooked to perfection. Great ice cream for dessert, and mousse au chocalat also good.

Very well worth the wait

By hobbyjalan2 |

They are so packed they dont accept reservation. We waited about 30min standing outside the restaurant on a rainy evening. The manager came out repeatedly to check if anyone needed a drink. There was a family of 4 who came before us and only got their table when we asked for dessert menu. This restaurant is seriously too small. It has one bigger table with cushioned bench that can seat 6 guests, and small 2 seater tables, which can be lined to accommodate more people. If there are more than 2 guests, then it is better to go before the crowd arrives. The food is seriously good and with the price that they are charging, it tastes even better. I was happy that our server was a cheerful French girl. I love the red wine she recommended. You know that a restaurant is good from the bread they serve. I was just getting more and more excited that we were in an authentically French restaurant. We ordered the clams mariniere but was mistakenly served the Thai sauce. It turns out to be a blessing in disguise, the clams with Thai sauce was more delicious than any of the mariniare I have tried in different parts of the world. My BFF and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The escargot is very fat, the pesto sauce just right, the steak tartare is delicious and just the right portion. We ordered 3 desset, namely, a choc&banana crepes, a tartin which is tart, and a choc fondant which were good, especially that it has a medium crust and oozes out a lot of melted chocolate. I cant wait to go back for brunch and dinner...

Burger with Eggs

By Tiffine |

Cozy spot, prepare to wait in line if you're visiting on the weekend. They make a decent burger and you can watch the chef cook at the counter.

Just like a bistro in Paris

By dmkansas |

We recently visited Paris and had lunch and dinner in bistros all over the city. We were only in SF for 4 days and Chez Maman was only a block from our hotel. What a great surprise. The young gentleman who greeted us was wonderful and was newly arrived from Paris....at least that is what he said. His English was excellent and was a very, very welcoming. We arrived around 5:45PM and I am glad we did. By 7:00PM the wait was out the door. and onto the sidewalk. We had salmon and mussels. Both were amazing. We split the crepe suzette. The desert was great. They only serve beer and wine. Best of all was the service. Young servers and owners who love serving an amazing experience. The atmosphere is Paris bistro and is somewhat tight seating. Sitting outside in the warmer weather would be fun. We love stumbling onto great experiences. This was one. Arrive early and enjoy.

Great atmosphere

By Jimmy D |

Went here for lunch while staying in Potrero Hill. Had a great lunch (crepes) and really enjoyed the atmosphere.

Friendly & Fun

By Ciera |

I stopped here for lunch with a friend before visiting the SF ballet for Romeo and Juliet. Don't let appearances be deceiving, this restaurant is a little jewel! Welcoming and friendly staff, reasonable prices, delicious crepes and paninis, and a decent view of the quaint san franciscan houses. Would most definitely eat here again!

Fast and good

By Globetrottergourmet2 |

This place is a good one for french/ belgian style food. Servicewas good and quick. I just had meat as requested. No sides, no salt, medium and it came precisely and deliciously. Reccomended!

Tasty dinner in a nice setting

By RALTravels |

My husband and I enjoyed dinner at Chez Maman in Potrero Hill. The staff were helpful and the food we had was tasty. The apple tarte tatin was delicious (big enough that we shared). It's not all French food but offers a range of food so there's something for everyone.