Heirloom Cafe Reviews

I went to Heirloom Cafe a week ago with friends who live in the neighborhood and had a real fine dinner with some very nice wines. The pole bean salad with the fig paste at the bottom is a must. It is one big room with 24 ft. ceilings and big tables.

It isn't very often that I visit a restaurant where I could happily order virtually every dish on the menu. Heirloom was hands down one of my top dining experiences in San Francisco. The menu was amazing, every dish looked so good. In the end my friend and I shared the bacon onion tart and the beat salad for starters. The chef was great and all the portions served to the table were ready to share for two. For our main courses my friend had the black cod (which was excellent) and I had likely one of the best chicken dishes I have ever enjoyed in a restaurant. The atmosphere at the Heirloom is great. The only disappointment I had in the entire evening is that there is a dearth of California wines on the menu.

Everything I ate here was good. The burrata with roasted asparagus and pain au levain toast was fantastic. The pappardelle was chewy and flavorful. The was a leafy green vegetable with a long Italian name that was simple and perfect. The berry cobbler was very good. The service was fast and the atmosphere was casual and friendly. The prices were very good for the quality and for San Francisco.

Wonderful restaurant, great value in the prix fixe with wine pairings. Lost half star (if I could) as the waitress was a bit speedy taking our dishes away as the last forkful was still in our mouths). Would definitely go back if in CA again.

Gordon Ramsey would hate this place because there's nothing to fix. A thoughtful and talented staff produces delicious and beautiful food out of an extremely well-run kitchen with extra attention given to service. I had the pleasure of sitting at the counter right by the prep station and stayed for 2.5 hours enjoying everything about the food and the overall experience. Upon arrival, they ask you immediately about any diet sensitivities or allergies (which sadly I have) and work hard to customize as much of the menu to your needs as possible. Chris, my server, and Mikan (totally misspelled, I'm sure!) must have asked the kitchen 5 or 6 questions about specific dishes, their ingredients, and what could be customized. I really can't overstate how rare and how powerful this level of attentiveness is. The crazy diet restrictions we all have now can flip a kitchen on its head. Which is why most will just tell you the three dishes that have safe ingredients for you. But Heirloom asked what I wanted and took on the burden to see how they could alter the dish so it was ok for me. It was some of the best service I've had in years. The food itself is excellent. I had the tuna tartare appetizer ("we'll make that without scallions for you") and the liberty duck salad. Both were bursting with rich and balanced flavor, and the wine options are unique and brilliantly matched. It's so much fun to watch talented people do their thing with confidence and calm, especially when it's combined with a personal warmth and attention to great customer service. As I said, locals have know about Heirloom for years. And now I do too. You should be next.

This may not be the greatest restaurant for tourists since it is deep in the Mission, but since it's in my 'hood, I love eating here. But even if it was further, I'd make every effort, as Matt and his crew do a superb job executing on his simple, homey menu. But Matt's forte is really wine pairing, which is made easy with the great selection of older wines (he has a thing for wines 7+ years old). My recommendation: trust his instincts, even if they seem counterintuitive; I've never had a bad wine or pairing at Heirloom. And I've never had a bad dining experience, whether going solo or with friends.

The chef and total wine lover is a genius in the way that he pairs food and wine. I absolutely love this place and can't wait to go back. Each dish is so creative and fresh. Highly, highly recommended.

Very good food, professional service, good atmosphere, wine way overpriced, if it was not for this detail I would recommend this restaurant with no reservations

This seems like a hidden gem. Traveling from the east coast, we always like to try out places that seem more like only locals know about. When we walked in this restaurant reminded us of a place at home that we love and the food did not disappoint. While my boyfriend will share with you that beer selection was slim, he is a very outspoken ipa lover, he could not get over how amazing the chicken was. So much so that he was open to eat there again the night after if our schedule permitted it. It really was the best meal of our trip and the best wine I've had in a while.

If you're visiting SF, this gem of a neighborhood restaurant is a quick cab ride from Union Square and definitely worth the trip. Quintessential, honest San Francisco food with a killer wine list (including some great affordable Burgundies - what??) to pair. The menu changes seasonally, with a few exceptions like the fantastic onion tart. If it looks good on the menu it is! We keep going back and have never been disappointed. Laid-back, casual vibe - with more locals than visitors. Highly recommended!

Recommended by a family member who knew we would be visiting SF. We were not disappointed. Very assuming facade, casual dining space with wonderful small and large plates served with warm, friendly service (rare in SF). Fresh, seasonal, inspired, and not super exotic. The night dined the Tuna Tartar was outstanding, fresh Halibut was lovely and the strawberry shortcake, superb. A return trip is required.

Recently enjoyed dinner at Heirloom Cafe with group from work. We dined early on a weeknight and the restaurant quickly filled up as the night progressed. Service was excellent. Great wine list with several hard to find selections. Food was incredible. Will certainly be back for another visit.

The restaurant is very inviting to go in. They have all kind of organic drinks and foods. They sell drinks, beef, chicken, lamb broth in jars which are made in the premesis. Its a little pricey, but we enjoyed our snack of salad and tea. The tea I got was lemongrass, lavender, lime combination and tasted different. Their cucamber, ginger and mint drink off their fridge is so refreshing we had to go second time to get some for the road. The tea and drinks are about $6 each. The patio is so cute and cozy. They provide blanket on each table setting for you to get warm if its cold. There are herbs and succulents all over in many different displays. We enjoyed our visit.

We took a cab from Union Square area - $15. It's discrete outside but welcoming inside. Impeccable service. The prix fixe menu and flight of wines accompaniment is excellent value at $66. Lamb tenderloin was tender and delicious. It's obviously a popular neighbourhood spot but its worth a detour.

We came to Heirloom for my best friend's birthday, and there were at least 10 of us. They had no problem accommodating our group, and also even let us have a cake from the elsewhere that they sliced and served! The busy atmosphere was also ideal for such a large party. They were really great about recommending wine throughout the meal, and our server was very attentive. While the food was very very good, it wasn't my favorite, hence the four stars. Not being from the Bay Area, I found it to be a bit pricey per person in the end, but comparable to similar places in San Francisco.

24th and Folsom was hardly on our radar as a gastronomic location. We were pleasantly surprised. The decor is homey and purposefully "worn", creating a comfortable environment. The food was uniformly great, and the four of us ordered 50 or 60% of the entire menu. Small plates; great, knowledgeable service; interesting, if expensive wine list focusing on Europe. Only criticism is the limited selection of CA wines, although the one's on the list are great.

Absolutely love this place. From the atmosphere to the food to (especially) the wine. Food is always fresh and seasonal, and there are amazing finds on the wine list, from older vintages to unique appellations, and most of it quite reasonably priced. Best of all, this place is just far enough off the beaten path that it's not impossible to get into, unlike many SF restaurants... Try the burger, which is off-menu -- made with epoisses cheese, served in a thin, doughy, fresh English muffin bun, and served simply aside some pickled carrots -- it's to die for.

The kind of place I wish I had down the street from me.

I went here with my dear Uncle on a weekend in April. I had the Hoffman chicken breast, crispy risotto, morel mushroom cream sauce, broccoli and it was perfect!

My husband and I had 6:30 reservations the night (Sat.) before Valentine's Day. We were seated at a two-top on the bench. I was afraid that when the other seats were taken we'd have a hard time conversing, but that wasn't the case. We ordered the prix fixe menu for $65 and an extra salad and the onion bacon tart. The wine, a wonderful Rioja, was recommended by our server. Everything was delicious - the squash soup was the best I've ever had! The lamb was perfectly cooked, the onion bacon tart shouldn't be missed. Dessert was only so so, but that would not stop me from returning!

My wife and I had a dinner at this quaint restaurant in Mission district during our recent stay in San Francisco. It is such a quaint place that we at first passed it without even noticing it. We had to back track to find it. The moment we entered we realized it will be a pleasant dining experience. Everything we had was fantastic. I highly recommend the squash salad and the lamb. Perfect place for a relaxing dinner out for a couple.

My wife and I visited Heirloom Cafe for a date night. We were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food, excellent service and great atmosphere. We started with a cheese plate. Nice that they offer this at the start of your meal. We had three wonderful cheeses with some delicious crackers. We paired this with some champagne. We then split a fennel + fava bean salad. Very tasty. For our main entree, my wife had an amazing Halibut dish - perfectly cooked and seasoned, with crispy skin. I had an amazing roasted chicken dish - prepared unlike anything I've had before. It was served in a bowl with some delicious chicken broth along with cubes of stuffing. The chicken was sliced on top. It was like a chicken soup. Incredible. The restaurant has an excellent selection of wines - many from small wineries. We chose to have glasses of wine with our meal in order to taste some of the many great wines. I would highly recommend this restaurant for a nice meal out.

Seven of us had a mid-week meal at this quaint neighborhood café and thoroughly enjoyed it. The waiter staff was very friendly and accommodating. We had various salads to start, all were good. The salmon, gnocchi and special cheese burger mains were ordered. Everyone enjoyed their meals, although I found the burger a little under done (even after sending it back once). The menu is very “compact”. We brought in our own dessert for a birthday celebration which they served for us without hesitation.

My daughter lives in the Mission and wanted to take us to this restaurant. She and her husband go from time to time. She fortunately made reservations right before the New York Times ran an article about it (36 perfect hours in SF). The meal was perfect, the setting a lot of fun, and the whole experience great. It was quite a memorable meal and evening. Parking is impossible so take a cab or Uber or Lyft.

Fantastic meal. Great service. The pappardelle with lamb was superb. Perfect ending to a busy week of travel and work.

that part of folsom street is not the typical restaurant neighborhood. however, it turned out to be very convenient to dine there and then head to the airport. the wait staff was friendly and the food was great! will certainly go back!

I felt like I stepped into the Midwest entering this place. Everything was too bright, pervasively so. My entree was overcooked, the veggie meh. And the chef/(owner) yelled at staff twice in front of my table. I felt like I was being prepared for a convalescent home with the overcooked food, bright lights and stuffy atmosphere. And then my bill came 120 for one app two drinks and two mediocre entrees. Waste your money elsewhere.

This was our first visit to Heirloom Cafe. It will not be our last. If you're looking for an intimate, cozy dining experience with a great neighborhood feel, this is definitely something to consider. It's a relatively small and open space, and we opted to sit at the bar, where we had a great vantage of the chefs working their magic in the kitchen. The food was excellent and freshly prepared, and the wine selection was notable for such a small establishment. But what most impressed us was the attentive, friendly service. We truly were treated like regulars, special guests even, although it was our first visit and we were visiting from out of state. That said, there are a few potential downsides for consideration: --Noise. It was very loud. Not so loud that we could't have a conversation, but this is not the kind of place for quiet whispers. Perhaps it was just a raucous Friday night crowd, but I suspect it was the building acoustics (high, smooth walls, small space). --Smell. We loved the open concept and being able to see the cooks in action was a treat. The smells wafting from the kitchen were intoxicating. But the downside was the next day, when we noticed the odor of cooking oil on our clothing. Again, these were minor quibbles with an otherwise wondering evening.

So happy this spot is back, regardless of limited function. The food is consistently delicious and I would walk in there and never need a menu and trust what they put on my plate! I like the addition of the bar seating, however it seems a bit large. I miss the bread and butter but excited for the pizza addition.

Heirloom is a charming place in the Mission district which delivers fantastic food and delicious wines at a price that, though not cheap, offers superb value for money. My wife and I visited for an evening dinner and the first thing that strikes you is the open space of the single large dining room, which creates a buzzy and loud acoustic. Don't go here if you're a table of 10 and you want to be able to hear what the guy at the other end of the table is saying on a Saturday night. Our waiter was friendly, chatty and very knowledgeable about the wines we were ordering (wine is the only drinking option here) and made us feel right at home. An onion and goats cheese tart stood out due to its fantastically sweet pastry, but to be honest the entire meal was fantastic. A blood orange and yoghurt concoction for dessert also wowed us. In a city that prides itself on its food, Heirloom is definitely worth checking out - you won't be disappointed.

I am not a drinker - so I can't comment on the wine pairings. I did drink a bottle of ginger beer which was excellent with my $23.00 bowl of chicken soup. Portions are well prepared with clean ingredients, but portions are quite small. The service was good, but the waitress did push us to order before we were ready. Dessert was great. I would recommend this cafe if you are into wine and want to see the local hipsters nibble. If you have a hearty appitite, you may leave and still be hungry.

We've been dining at Heirloom Cafe for the past 7 years and it arguably remains our favourite restaurant in the Bay area. The recent change in the kitchen, following the departure of long-standing head chef Josh DeClercq, doesn't not appear to have had any negative effect on the quality of the food, which remains outstanding based on our dinner there this week. Service from Matt and his team is excellent. Great food, wine and service, a lovely ambience and reasonable prices. It doesn't get much better than this.

After sampling some of the best during 10 days in SF I met a pal here. Great food, wonderful wine by the glass, good service, casual atmosphere -- what more do you want?

We arrived to a very busy restaurant. We have eaten at heirloom many times and were looking forward to another memorable meal. The testament to a restaurant is how they control the seating of the reservations. We were delayed in being seated and expressed our concern. The staff were amazingly gracious and explained their own dilemmas about having guests who would not leave. While we thought about departing we were persuaded to stay once the guests finally vacated their tables. We were again delighted with our decision. The food at Heirloom is always cooked from the heart. The ingredients are sourced from the very best regions . We started with the radicchio and apple salad with a miso dressing - fresh and bright with unusual flavors that even our grandsons loved. For our mains we had the pork ( sourced from Oregon and better than any tenderloin I have had in a restaurant for years), the petrol sole and the freshly made paparadelle with short ribs. Each dish had its own character and each was memorable. We only had one dessert - the meyer lemon pot d' creme. again it was a perfect ending. We live part time in San Francisco - we eat in many restaurants each time we visit, Heirloom's food never disappoints and tonight the graciousness of their staff as we had to wait to be seated added yet another appreciative element to our experience.

The Heirloom Café opened about 8 years ago and has been going strong ever since. That’s a good sign. Then again, you’ll find precious few options in the immediate area to get good wine along with a good meal. Yes, it’s essentially a neighborhood place with upscale eats and a wine list that could easily reside in a 2-star Michelin restaurant. The wines-by-the-glass list is good but nowhere as good as the reasonably priced bottle list. The restaurant offers a 3-course prix fixe dinner at 80 USD that includes three glasses of wine paired with the food (no substitutions allowed). You’ll save about 10% with that option. You can also order individual items off that menu at ala carte prices; though you’ll have to ask what the actual price is. There is also the now de rigueur off-menu burger if that strikes your fancy. Expect to pay 110 USD per person (tax, tip, and surcharge included) regardless. The Californian cuisine is well executed and the portions are adequate. Service is fine. The noise level is louder than average. A solo diner will be seated at the 6 person counter facing the open kitchen even with a reservation. Choose the seat at either end. The best two-top is on the exterior wall next to the service table. The second best is opposite it on the interior wall. Other two-tops are either too close together or awkwardly placed next to larger tables. There are only 50 seats and it’s always busy so you really need a reservation. I wouldn’t call The Heirloom Café a destination but if you’re looking to experience what now defines an SF neo-neighborhood restaurant this is the place to go to.

We went with my girlfriend for a diner under. I can only say that the food is excellent, the waiters are very nice and the ambience is cosy. I very like the way that we can see the cookers directly because the kitchen and the dining room are the same. The owner has a particularly good collection of wine. With the menu you will have 3 sorts of wine with the appetizers, main dish and desert. all three excellent. The only drawback: we were seated in front of the entrance so whenever someone crossed it, a small cold wind ran on my back which was not the most comfortable feeling.

Heirloom Cafe is an unassuming place on the edge of the Mission. We were there on a rainy winter evening and Heirloom was a very welcoming home-style place to land. Everyone, including the owner, was friendly with the right balance of formal and casual. Food was truly outstanding. My wife and I shared a butternut squash soup (out of this world) and she had the duck confit and I had braised short ribs. There were many other choices that also sounded great. Heirloom Cafe is a great find in a city full of great food and dining options.

Charming and bright ambience decorated with natural and rustic feel. Intimate and lively. Food was flavorful and done very well. Very nice and much appreciated that they split up and separately plated the items we wanted to share including the soup. Waiter was good and helpful. Loved the corn soup, the fettuccini, and strawberry shortcake. Also, the cheeses and rustic bread so yummy. Foodies will love this place. I'm not really a foodie, and I loved it too.

Thank you chef Josh! Excellent experience! Service: 10/10 we arrived early and were seated right away. The host was friendly and greeted us genuinely. Our server brought water, olives and almonds and extra olives for my wife with almond allergies so she can try the yummy olives. Amazing detail to my parties food allergies and checked to make sure the food was safe and had alternatives to accommodate. Food: 10/10 the food was delicious. French influenced California cuisine. Fresh high quality ingredients. Sauces that enhanced the flavors and a balance of umami in all dishes. It was great that one person can have the prefix menu and others at the table can order al a cart. You can also order just one dish from prefix menu. The duck was perfect, the 3 cheeses with toast paired perfectly with the Bordeaux. The smoked trout was very well seasoned and balanced nicely with the pickled cauliflower. The hanger steak was super tender and flavorful with no dairy!!! Wine paring is excellent. The selection of French wines is reasonable and great for food pairing. I think the josey baker sourdough beats tartine country bread! The warm Chocolate cookie with ice cream was delicious, the polenta cake with cream and rhubarb was shockingly good! Ambience: 8/10 I love the simple open decor. Bar, dining and kitchen blend together. It wasn’t too noisy because the ceiling pads dampened it. Price: $$ (great value) Overall, an amazing neighborhood up leveled cuisine in a casual setting. We will be back with friends!

A client had recommended this place for dinner. I was a little unsure about it upon entering and in initially reviewing the menu as my tastes can be a little finicky. However, I got the fettuccini which was very good. My client got the halibut which he enjoyed. We each had a glass of wine and for dessert we had one hot tea and a strawberry shortcake - the latter which was quite good. Overall, the bill was $98.31 before tip. I would recommend checking the menu before going just in case you might be picky like me. (Also, the noise at dinner can be loud depending on where you are sitting so be aware.)

Our second meal at Heirloom cafe - a little neighbourhood gem in the heart of Mission. It is tucked away on a corner; one would think it was simply another home in the area. Love that is has a communal large table in the centre, but also has intimate dining for two / up to four set around the room. Farm to table fare - always our choice if possible. Little dish of warm olives is a tasty little treat to get the palate honed :) We shared all our plates- burrata with tomatoes, toasted almonds and vinagrette- light and bright. We both had mains - and to our delight the dishes, rather than being brought to the table and having to divide the portion ourselves, the chef had made two smaller portions. A much nicer way to have the dish arrive as a complete but smaller size. Halibut was a tad dry- but I love the texture and taste of this fish so much that I forgave this! Hoffman chicken breast with chanterelles, porcini broth and crispy risotto was absolutely delicious. Wines - love the fact that these are all served by the glass or bottle; and that you get to taste each before making a choice. There is a formal wine list that is extensive if thats your want .... we also took a bottle of wine on our last visit here; can't remember the corkage charge but it was reasonable. We will certainly return here; love the fact that the locals who are well known to the staff pop in for a quick bite as well. Popular, so book :)

Really great service, delicious food and extensive, excellent wine list. My starter of bacon and onion tart was delicious, and my main of mushroom fettuccini was rich and beautifully made. Lovely.

Great spot, wonderful farm to table food. Fairly small, feels like you're eating in a farmhouse. Incredibly fresh food lovingly prepared. Extensive wine list.

Nice SF vibe, def fresh ingredients but lackluster tasting. The flavors didn't flow together well. Had the burger which sounded fabulous but was too salty and the carrots that accompanied it were inedible. Nothing special. Not worth a visit back.

We travel to San Francisco four to five times a year and we always eat at Heirloom Cafe. The food is outstanding, simply prepared with fresh ingredients. The menu changes relatively frequently so there is always something new for us to try. The atmosphere is cozy and everyone is friendly. A must-try restaurant if you are visiting San Francisco.

One of the best restaurants in San Francisco. Food is excellent, service is impeccable. An amazing experience, without fuss or attitude. Strongly recommended.

I dined here with a family member who lives nearby - this is one of her favorite places. Restaurant is not very large, but tables are not overly close together and the noise level is manageable. Service was excellent and they did not rush us out after dinner. The menu is not very expansive, so picky diners may have some issues. I had a hamburger infused with cheese which I thought was excellent. Neighbor is sketchy but up and coming.

In ten years of regularly visiting The Mission in San Francisco, and staying one block from Heirloom, we are frustrated that we hadn't found it before: we must have walked past the place so often, especially in the daytime, yet not looked at it! What a shame. It's a simple, unfussy, elegant place, with a very pleasant atmosphere, and very good service. It was totally full on a week night: fortunately we had booked, otherwise there would have been little chance of a meal. Our meals were delicious and we shall make it a priority to dine there next time we are in the city.

We had another amazing meal at Heirloom Cafe. The menu reflected the San Francisco springtime - from a nettle soup with the depth of flavor you come to expect from every soup you have at heirloom to homemade pappardelle with braised lamb and the freshest carrots you can imagine. Springtime means favor so we also had the fennel, favors, arugula, feta and walnut salad - it is the epitome of freshness and springtime flavors. Desserts at heirloom are always a treat - this time we had the home made strawberry ice cream with a graham cake - every bite was perfectly executed. Yo can go to the "trendy" tourist places in SF - or you can experience the real SF. You choose - we know that we always choose the superb neighborhood restaurants with the best food and service every time such as Heirloom Cafe.

four of us went and if you do not like small, noisy, fast paced restaurants this is not for you. From start to finish some of the best food and outstanding service I have ever had. Server Rudolfo was right on target with all of his tips, the duck confit salad was perfect and my braised pork was off the hook, but my wife had the house made fettuccine with chantrelles and we all said it was some the best pasta we have ever had. We all are well traveled and have eaten at some of the best restaurants, cafes and hole in the wall places that there are. great wine list and very good deserts, I can tell you that for a local very small place this one is right at the top. We left at 9:45 and there was still a line to get in. we will be back

I was here this past Friday while in San Francisco. I was eating with a friend and she said it was her favorite place so we went. I loved it. Loved the elegant but not stuffy room. Service was friendly and the waitress knew the menu well. The menu is small but well curated, all using the freshest seasonal ingredients. I had two glasses of red wine that paired well with my heirloom tomato appetizer and my pappardelle pasta main. Flavors were on point. I'd come back here for sure the next time I'm in SF.

We had the duck salad with fava beans, pea sprouts, croutons and kumquats, the potato gnocchi with braised lamb shoulder, english peas and mint, and the roasted baby yams with whipped tahini, chimichurri and chili. While the duck salad was good, the braised lamb shoulder and the garnet yams were disappointing. The potato gnocchi was very heavy and the whipped tahini, chimichurri and chili did nothing to enhance the flavor of the yams.

A $12 cab ride from Union Square and once you are there, there doesn't seem to be anyplace around worth visiting. But, the food was terrific. Oddly, olives were the only item placed on the table while we were waiting for our meals. We were surprised that bread was not seemingly available. (We didn't ask, but, also didn't see it anywhere in the full restaurant). Long tables and benches line the walls in this small no frills restaurant. Go there for the food. We each loved our meals -- wonderful salads and fish. They were able to make a vegetable substitute with no fuss. You go to a restaurant for a meal you wouldn't cook yourself. We got it here and went back to our hotel pleasantly surprised.

Great friendly service and good wines and a great neighborhood gem ! I wish they would open for lunch.

I cannot wait to go to San Francisco again to dine at this place. I had the Early Girl Tomato Salad, and it was the best salad I've ever had. Unfortunately, I don't think I can recreate it at home.

After reading good reviews on Yelp and TripAdvisor, we decided to try it out -- good thing we made a reservation as we wouldn't have got a table if we'd just walked in. The two of us ordered the bacon onion tart, burrata, and cesar salad. Pros: fresh-tasting food, unpretentious atmosphere, not in a bustling part of town so has a local rather than touristy atmosphere Cons: very short menu so not much choice, uninspiring-sounding desserts

Heirloom Cafe is in the mission. The location on the outside at night looks a bit sketchy. But once you're inside, the atmosphere is inviting and comfortable, like your eating in grandma's country kitchen. The wine list is excellent and the food is well prepared and with a clean, fresh and healthy taste. The noise level was just perfect, with enough room in between tables to make it feel like you can have your own conversation at the table without feeling like the whole restaurant is listening to you. For out of towners, this is what a locals call very San Franciscan.

I dined here with my bosses while in SF a few weeks ago. They live a few miles away and have dined there numerous times so they know the owner. I had it on my list as a "must try" restaurant so they happily agreed. The room reminds me of a country cottage, very warm and welcoming with a little rustic charm. There is a bar which is an extension of the kitchen counter and therefore everything is served from one area. I love that style. The owner Matt greeted us at the door and showed us to our table (we had made a reservation earlier). We sat at the table closest to the kitchen and my bosses gave me the seat facing the kitchen since they know I love to watch "the process" and all that. We started with a glass of bubbles and appetizers, and it wasn't easy deciding on entrees since everything looked delicious. I am told they keep the menu fresh and seasonal, so I went with a wild-caught salmon entree to follow my salad. We shared an onion tart as part of our first course as well. Matt has a fantastic wine list, and I look forward to visiting again since there are many great wines that I wish to try. He keeps his wine prices very reasonable as well, which is a refreshing change!

Great wine list, friendly neighbourhood feel. Reminds me of Barbuto in New York. The food is fresh and deliciously flavourful and seasonal.

When we first walked in it was a LOT warm in the building. They opened a door and it quickly cooled off. It was a very quaint little place. Nice ambiance. Limited menu but I enjoyed my asaparagus risotto. Had a great bottle of wine. Was a nice recommendation from a friend that lives locally.

Classic sit down neighborhood gem forced to pivot during these times. What emerged is an exceptionally strong pizza, salad, and wine stop. The selection of pies will be a crowdpleaser.. from kids to adults everyone will be happy. Throw in a couple of the creative and tasty salads, and a solid bottle of wine from their cellar and you have a great night. So good! Grab a bunch of individual pies and bottles and have a backyard party!

Went there last night for the 1st time. I loved the food and the service was great. I had the sole as a main dish and the duck confit salad as an appetizer. Both delicious. It is a great neighborhood find and I will be going back for sure.

This is a good restaurant that serves some very good food, the problem is that the staff seem to think that its the best food in the universe and won't stop talking to you about it which is damn wearying. By the end I'd have paid extra for the staff to go away and leave me along.

On a corner in totally residential area of the trendy Mission, Heirloom Cafe goes about the business of honest, creative, unpretentious yet sophisticated food with grace, charm and total professionalism! What a find. There is no frenzy or loudness here; everything works with magical precision and experience. Food is superb, too! Try the Epoisse hamburger (not on menu but always available) for true culinary brilliance! Reservations a must

What a wonderful meal- we had corn soup, fish, a deconstructed chicken soup and an amazing mushroom pasta. We ate early as we were on EST and had two little kids and the staff was very friendly and pleasant. Would definitely go back next time I'm in SF.

No matter how many times we visit Heirloom Cafe we always feel as if we are coming home . From the warm greetings to the seasonal and fresh ingredients which characterize cooking in the bay area we delight in the food and staff,. This is a restaurant that makes you feel welcome and valued. We started with the ahi tuna - you could not find fresher tuna but you could pay three times the price. I had the apple and radicchio salad. Yet another triumph... Can Heirloom publish its recipes and start with just their salads? everyone one is perfect . We both had the fettucine with mushrooms and Calabrian chili and mint. What a combination of flavors and perfectly cooked al dente pasta . We just returned from four weeks in Italy and England. Nothing compares to the service and food at Heirloom .We are glad to be back

We went here to "meet the parents" of my daughter's fiance and had an outstanding meal. The combinations of flavors in the dishes was incredible and made for a true culinary experience. The staff were great and every single dish we tried was absolutely delicious. I would go back here again and again. We all had a wonderful evening. I highly recommend this little unassuming restaurant.

This was one of my favorite meals and a highlight of a recent business trip to San Francisco. The salad with lamb might be an all time salad highlight. The wine pairings, suggested by our server, were spot on. Everything was fresh and beautifully prepared. I hope to visit the next time I am lucky enough to need to be there!

great wine list. small, but focused menu, perfectly executed. personable and knowledgeable wait staff. as an added bonus, they stream older jazz music, which I love.

We always stay in the Mission and like having a cozy place where we can walk in without reservations--this is it. The food and service are excellent. My only complaint: the noise level. I wish the owners would hang sound absorbing cloth panels from the ceiling.

There is a good reason this small and friendly restaurant is rising to the top of many lists. The food is very good (our dessert excepted) and, for how good it is, quite reasonably priced, the atmosphere fun and the service excellent. The restaurant is located on a corner in the Mission District where parking can be a challenge. The restaurant is worth the challenge. Set in a high-ceilinged building which used to house a candy store and then a pin-ball machine recycling center, the character is evident, especially in the floors which show years of use. Smart of the restaurant not refinish them to a shiny surface or overlay some other flooring. It adds character as do the large storefront windows and doors. This is not your fancy restaurant but rather one with well thought out character based on the architectural features. To the food... The menu is constantly changing. When we went we have the early girl tomato salad which was so yummy, with many flavors competing for subtle attention. This is the food I like. Where subtle and delicious flavors compete in complimentary fashion for the palate's notice and everything is fresh. For entrees, my fiancee had the homemade fettuccine with fresh oyster mushrooms, which I could not eat due to my GF diet. She reported that it was superb. It looked it. I had a Halibut, cooked perfectly. It was a wonderful entree, but I did think that the cherry tomatoes were a little over-powering to the halibut, but can see why others would like them in the dish. The wine list by the glass was short but well chosen, if not a little pricy. I had the lowest priced wine on the menu, a Beaujolais, which was quite good. The only blemish on the evening was that our dessert took about 20 minutes to get to us after we ordered it and the dessert itself was only so-so, a fairly bland panno cotta. Perhaps other desserts are better. Despite this, I highly recommend the restaurant for its delicious fresh foods at quite reasonable (i.e., most entrees less than $27). I look forward to going back.

We ate here recently while staying in the area in the midst of a major storm. This was the closest place to our hotel that was not a chain restaurant. The salad bar was very average. My grilled cheese sandwich was very good and my colleagues all enjoyed their meals, which looked good. The service was polite but rather slow, which was odd as it wasn't busy in the restaurant (due to the storm outside).

Loved the food, the wait staff and the whole vibe. We are both vegetarian and the menu on first glance doesn't look like it has a lot of options BUT they will do many of their dishes without the meat and they also made us one main that was "chiefs choice" that was fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!!! Loved the shaved fennel salad, snap peas, walnuts, Mt. Vikos feta, arugula; housemade fettuccine, spring onions, parmesan and a roasted asparagus with fresh barratta and salsa. YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!! W

Three of us, one with severe gluten allergy, enjoyed one of the best all-around meals of our lives at Heirloom in early September. We put together a ceviche and a Caesar salad with Romano beans, delicious duck with kadota figs and endive in a crisp crepe, lemon verbena custard with blackberries, and more, each dish executed with elegant taste and complemented by a carefully chosen wine from the Cafe's interesting list. Our server was busy but always present at the right time, cheerfully professional, smart and helpful in choosing wines and avoiding gluten. The setting is one of elegant simplicity and the sound level reflects a much appreciated establishment filled with happy guests who feel very well taken care of. Hard to imagine a more enjoyable meal, satisfying in every way.

What a wonderful find! The Heirloom Cafe provided a wonderful performance for us! Excellent food, an extensive wine list, attentive service, eclectic atmosphere .... it was perfect. The Black Cod, and the Gnocchi, were awesome. Excellent work!

This is a neat European restaurant which has great food. Our server was helpful and pleasant. We ate off the ala carte menu and had the heirloom tomato salad with pickled fennel, cucumbers and basil and it was soon good! We also had the burrata bruschetta, the bacon and onion tart and a pasta dish. This was plenty of food to share with the two of us. My only regret was that we didn't get the To-Go jar of slow roasted Early Girl tomatoes in olive oil to take home with us! The tomato dishes we ate during dinner were superb.

Excellent meal in the Mission District in a lovely setting. Food is fantastic and the wine list is impressive.

Our party of four visited Heirloom for supper on a Friday night , which was obviously a very popular night . While the restaurant was crowded , the service was good and the food excellent . The only problem was the noise level : because of the bare hard surfaces and poor acoustics everyone had to shout to be heard , the result being a nightmare . Maybe if we had gone on a less popular night it might not have been so bad .

We ate dinner at Heirloom on a Tuesday night. The place was packed the whole night. The restaurant is housed in a vintage building with beautiful high ceilings, original doors and windows, wood floors, and antique light fixtures. The menu and wine list are small but there is a nice variety of both. Wines by the glass are a bit expensive as were the menu items. We started with the marcona almonds with Castelvetrano olives. They were served together in a bowl and were delicious. Next we split the little gem lettuces. It was a great size salad to share. The salad was a wonderful mix of greens and herbs. It was very flavorful and crunchy. For dinner I ordered the cod. It was one of the best fish dishes I’ve ever had. It was served with yellow finn potatoes, sauce gribiche, and broccoli romanesco. Usually I get bored of entrees midway through but not this one. I finished every bite! For dessert we ordered the butterscotch creme de pot. It was disappointing, The pudding was bland and was overshadowed by the whipped cream.

Really liked this place. Came here with a large group last minute and they were very accommodating. We tried pretty much everything and enjoyed it all. Lots of great flavors without feeling too heavy or rich. Not too expensive either. The staff was also very accommodating of dairy allergies. Highly recommend.

We live part of the time in San Francisco and whenever we are here we dine at Heirloom Cafe. We eat at many restaurants n the city but none make you feel so welcome and at home with food that reflects what California cuisine is all about. On our last trip we took some local friends - they were amazed at he quality of the food and the welcoming and friendly environment. the food always reflects the seasons The soups are always the bets you can eat in the city - last visit we had the corn soup with a jalapeño basil garnish - it tasted as if the corn was just picked. You can always find Hoffman chicken on the menu - right now it reflects summer with squash and for and avocado. The salads at Heirloom are always a favorite - they change to match what is growing - but always taste so fresh. The menu is not extensive - nor should it be - it has all the choices you could ever want . I know that in San Francisco restaurants are trendy and hot places to go.. .Heirloom is one of those that will endure - We were there on a Tuesday and it was filled with locals. It will always be on our list of places to dine.. after all it is like going home .

Went to HC with family. Small accommodations, so reservations are recommended. Server was especially nice and efficient. All food selections were excellent. Had a burger that was infused with cheese on a grilled english muffin from daily special menu. It was perfectly prepared. Everyone enjoyed their entrees. The four of us split two house made desserts that were spectacular.

On a recommendation, we had dinner at this restaurant. We are vegan, and although they don’t have vegan items on the menu, the kitchen staff was quite accommodating. The ingredients were all fresh and delicious. The food was expertly prepared. The open kitchen was a delight to watch. The wine list is outstanding, and the owner and sommelier were knowledgeable. The restaurant was packed on a Tuesday night attesting to its popularity. I would definitely eat here again.

If you are looking for an exceptionally fine menu followed by exceptionally prepared and delicious foods, you won't go wrong in choosing Heirloom in the Mission District. Our group of three shared each dish with no one disappointed. From baratta to creamy corn soup, halibut and chicken, every bite was met with a smile. We appreciated our server's suggestions as well as her attentiveness to our needs. She as well as other staff were exceptional. Our dessert choices, a delicate panna cotta and a polenta cake with 'authority,' ended the meal with contrasts. These aspects, exceptional. Yet for conversation at the table, the acoustics of the small room let us down. It was difficult to hold a conversation without leaning in to hear what your table partner had to say. I realize the buildings here are old and difficult, but I hope they can do better in the future.

Last night my boyfriend and I arrived on time for a 6:15 reservation. We each ordered a three course meal and three glasses of wine. The manager cleared my boyfriend's soup as he was putting his spoon back into the bowl. The same manager tried to clear our main course before we were finished, but my boyfriend asked for more time. Seconds after our dessert was served, we were told that if we wanted to finish our meal, we would have to do so from the two empty chairs at the corner of a large table where a family was sitting. When we asked to speak with a manager, the explanation we were given was that the reservation was timed for an hour and forty-five minutes, it had been nearly that long, and they needed us to move to accommodate another reservation. No apology. It was the rudest, strangest thing I've ever experienced. I hate to think that the manager was prejudiced, but I can't think of any other explanation for why we were treated so badly.

We went to the Heirloom Cafe as we heard the food was fantastic. It lived up to expectations. Every single dish we had was great and we had many of the dishes on the menu in our group. The vegetarian corn soup was truly remarkable. Good wine list with knowledgeable waiters was helpful as well.

Good concept with an open kitchen. Food was very good but far overpriced for the small portions. Service was average. What disturbed me the most was the noisy environment, we were almost unable to talk normally.

We had a party of 9, some ordered off the pre fix menu and all entrees came out at the same time, cooked perfectly. Scallops were awesome. The kitchen is very relaxed and efficient. Awesome neighborhood restaurant.

I used to be a San Franciscan so when I come to visit I have one friend who always takes me to a new and wonderful SF restaurant. SF is such a foodie town, with restaurants are always coming and going, consequently I always appreciate that she curates where we go. So on a very warm evening (for SF) 3 of us went to Heirloom for dinner. Located in the Mission, it's one open room is small enough to feel intimate, and seemingly casual enough. They put all their attention towards the food and the service. The food is based on excellent quality and freshness (no SF restaurant could get away with anything less frankly), and the dishes themselves are straightforward, very edible. The wine list is excellent. I found the service staff are very knowledgeable about the food and the wine, plus attentive. To me it seemed like a quintessential San Franciscan restaurant, a place where everyone is on the same page re experiencing the food and the wine, and each other.

Food was well executed and very flavorful. Fish and vegetable were fresh and well prepared. If you're looking for a small restaurant with some character and great food I would highly recommend this place.

The food is excellent with wonderful flavors and combinations. The wine list is also very good and there are some excellent choices to pair with your food. The only negative is that it is located in an old house and due to the very high ceilings, hard floors and walls, it can get a little noisy when busy. Not easy to talk over the noise, but other than that, it is definitely worth a try.

Loved the food. The service. Everything about this place.