Wayfare Tavern Reviews

In town on business and ate at the bar - I could sit and just eat those warm popovers and butter. Very good food. Bartenders both times were attentive and pleasant. Great atmosphere inside. And very busy.

Just finished lunch at the Wayfare. I had the burger and an "adult beverage". The burger was outstanding! One of the best I've ever had. I sat at the bar, and bartender Eduardo did a very nice job. This is a small place, so don't arrive here with a large group for lunch and expect that you will get right in. This place was hopping with a full house at lunch time. Well worth it though. Would I go back? Oh heck yeah. This could be my standard lunch place when I am visiting San Francisco.

We came to meet a friend whom we hadn’t seen in years so we were looking forward to a nice relaxing meal with good food and drinks and great ambience. I ordered a salad and the beef tartare which is always a treat when you know the food quality is good. However, from the beginning we felt rushed by our waiter. He seemed helpful when we asked for recommendations but it was a bit hard to understand him since it was a bit loud and he had a thick French accent. Once we received our food we felt as though someone was coming by the table every 10-15 min asking if we were done, etc. we felt it was challenging to simply have a conversation. And my beef tartare, although tasty looked a bit like a plate of wet catfood. It was a big plate and the tartare was spread out and flat. Strange looking. We were seated for a little over 2 hours which I don’t feel is an unreasonable amount of time for a nice dinner so being rushed-not cool and didn’t make us want to stay and buy more food and beverage.

I stumbled across Wayfare Tavern a few years ago when I just moved to San Francisco and was looking for a place to enjoy dinner with a friend. I have been back for brunch and on this most recent visit I was there for dinner with friends. I made a reservation and we were seated upstairs and it when I didn't think the place could be any cuter it was upstairs. Our server was amazing and she offered some great recommendations for food and drinks. The popper pastries they serve are AMAZING! We tried the Delores Cocktail which was so yummy. For our meal we started with Burrata Toast then we had Fried Chicken, the Wayfare Burger, Mac n Cheese, and the Burrata Whipped Potatoes. We did not have room for dessert but the table next to us was raving about the donuts. If you want a wonderful meal with great service then this is the place for you!

Excellent food. Friendly service. Very nice atmosphere. Fried chicken as excellent. Steak was on point. Popovers are outstanding.

Delicious food and excellent service. Our waiter Wade was very accommodating and enjoyed learning that their “popovers” are Yorkshire puddings in the UK! Great choice of drinks and a menu to sort all tastes. Our Tavern burgers were first class and perfectly cooked.

Service was disappointing. Our waiter was condescending as was the bar tender. I’m not sure if it is the general attitude or if it was the fact we had our kids with us (ages 8 to 16). Our kids travel frequently and join us to dine in restaurants often. We booked this weeks ago were looking forward to this meal as our final fun night in San Francisco. It was disappointing for all of us. Food was good - but honestly would never consider going back because of the staffs’ poor behavior. Haven’t had a dinning experience like that in a very long time.

We came here to celebrate my daughter's 30th birthday and it was a pleasure from start to finish. We had a 6:00 reservation and were seated as soon as we walked in the door. Our wait staff were exceptional - very attentive and informative, and Mei, our server was also excellent - she was always there and never intrusive. The meal which included salmon, gem salad with fabulous Green Goddess dressing, a burger and short ribs were perfectly cooked and presented. We also had a very nice choice of beverages to choose from. And I can't not mention the POP-OVERS!! To die for! We finished the evening with a nice macaroon with a candle for my daughter and lovely desserts. This is definitely a special occasion perfect destination!

There’s a reason this restaurant has been acclaimed for serving the best fried chicken in the U.S...because it does! I am not much of a chicken fan but eat it occasionally. I was interested to see if this place could wow me with it and damned if they didn’t! My husband and I both ordered fried chicken and next time we will see if we can split it, because you get a whole platter. There are perfectly cooked garlic cloves on the plate, some salt and pepper as well. Perfectly crispy coating with tender moist chicken underneath. So good. We also shared the burrata potatoes which were fabulous. Sadly no room to try dessert, but likely due to having two popovers prior to the entrees. These popovers...definitely the best I’ve ever tasted, no kidding. Light, airy, delicious, with a taste that leaves you craving more. As for ambience, it was loud, but that was due to folks talking, not music. If you’re looking for a quiet place just be warned. But don’t miss out on coming here, your taste buds will never forgive you.

Again, this review is for the new Pine Street location ( as of Summer 2025). The atmosphere is wonderful. Both warm and elegant. The service excellent from the server to the bus persons to the actual Bar man bringing drinks to the table and presented with a flouish. We started with the deviled eggs which were quite delicious. I then had the Pork Schnitzel, which again was quite delcious. We split a side of creamy mashed potatoes which again were amazingly good. Be warned, the dinner choices are a la carte, but the portions are very large. Next time (and yes, there will be a next time!) We will order starters and split an entree. Large wine list as well.

Loved this spot so much that I ate there two days in a row. Very crowded the second day but the host found three of us a seat anyway - at the upstairs bar - very accomodating. Salads, salmon, chicken - all delicious. New favorite lunch spot in SFO.

Wayfarer Tavern is nice overall but very slow to get seated and felt like they were understaffed. Food was enjoyable (lunch) and ambiance was good.

Excellent food! I am a fried chicken connoisseur and Wayfare is in the top three for me, right up there with Willie Maes Scotch House and Gus's. The pop-overs were superb! Prices are reasonable for SF. Staff was attentive and pleasant. Will go again next time I'm in town.

Great gourmet food! We went for lunch. Came back for dinner. Great staff and service. Had the club sandwich with salad fries etc. Also burger and other in the evening.

Fried chicken on point, well marinated, moist inside, crispy outside. Only comment is the "organic" chicken was soft, didn't taste free-range. Asparagus salad had too much sauce, but still ok. The homemade bread with butter cream is just fantastic! Server recommended me doughnuts which I was concerned but he assured me it was "light". It was not, but still pretty yummy assuming you can stomach another 800 cals or so. Overall, I recommend this. Nice buzz around the restaurant.

One of my favorites in San Francisco. The food is really good, so is the atmosphere and it's fairly walkable depending where you're staying in downtown.

Loved Wayfare Tavern! We came here for our after wedding day brunch, and so glad we did! The food was delicious (french toast and eggs Benedict,) and the atmosphere was lovely. Loved the music and decor. Our waiter, Sean, was amazing, super friendly and made us feel so welcome. Their house-made doughnuts are delicious!

Actually just wanted a burger whilst in the area and my husband picked it out - expected a bar so bit surprised to find an upscale, business dinner type setting! Beautiful restaurant and staff were super attentive. Wasn’t expecting how delicious the burger was - satisfied that craving and ended up being a great last meal of our San Francisco vacation

Happened upon this place when in SF for only 1 night. Couldn't have been more pleased! The menu was GREAT. I highly recommend the steak tartar (best I've ever had and a more than ample serving = could easily satisfy 2 or 3) and the deviled eggs (regular order comes with 6 but you can downsize to only 3 = still plenty!). If you don't want to sit at the bar, make sure to reserve in advance.

The interior is really lovely and cozy. We booked a table quite last minute and was sat upstairs. It was a nice dining room with great ambience, but for a party of two, I think I might have liked to have sat downstairs more with the fireplace with a bit more casual vibe. The food was ok - good quality, but wasn't amazing and thus the average rating. The service was a bit spotty as I think they were busy. I think I'd suggest this as more of a place for some drinks and nibbles with friends, but not necessarily go to expect an amazing meal.

We came here on a whim because the food channel called this fried chicken the best in America. That completely did not disappoint, and two of us ordered friend chicken, which is a huge portion, BTW. Our appetizers were very good, but not super special. We had deviled eggs, beef tartare and fried green tomatoes. The tomatoes were very good, but I would not really order the other two things again. The donuts for dessert were fabulous.

I'm from out of town and a friend who lives in the area suggested this place. The place definitely had old school ambience and the service was fine. Our waiter was helpful and attentive. My friend had made a reservation through Open Table. They could find no evidence in their system for it Not sure whose fault that was, but they seated us promptly anyway. Fortunately, they seated us in the quieter upstairs area, as downstairs was the typical noisy urban bistro. If you're not into noise, upstairs is the ticket. Checking up on it online I noted that they claim to have great fried chicken, which is something I rarely order at a restaurant (though I like it). I figured that if they feature, it, it must be good. Bad assumption It was not bad, but not particularly good either. It was a bit dry for something fried. Considering it was a la carte, it was definitely overpriced for what it was. The waiter suggested a side of corn, which was OK, as well. Other dishes may be just fine, but I don't recommend the fried chicken, particularly since the chicken plus a side of corn, a Diet Coke and tip ran about $50. I guess I'll stick with take out chicken.

Great historical ambiance. Great cocktails. Ask them about the bricks. Food was excellent as was the service, thank you Ginger. Music was a bit loud for conversation so they even obliged when we requested a reduction in the volume. A historical gem. Looking forward to next visit.

Great place for a business meeting, service was good, food tasty and I had some good service despite the food taking a little bit long to come out, overall lovely place to have a business Linch would recommend

The food was excellent. The fried chicken was as good as advertised. Moist but not greasy and very flavorful. Burger was also A+. Service was so so. A bit slow and inattentive.

The food was not wow but still better than most restaurants in San Francisco. There is a good ambiance and it makes it a good spot a night out with friends.

Had a wonderful meal at Wayfare in the building that formerly house the restaurant Rubicon. Took a while to get a booth. The cocktails were all excellent whether bourbon or vodka based. Appetizers included very unique deviled eggs (6), burrata with ham and beets, and bone marrow. Wonderful. For mains we had fried chicken (their specialty) and huge hamburgers cooked exactly as ordered, mine with a fried egg on top. For dessert we split donuts, frosted with a tasty topping. The cost was very reasonable, and corkage for our wine only $25. Excellent service, timely and friendly. We will be back.

This was recommended to us by the local team, it was ok - almost great. Good food, somewhat overpriced. Fried chicken was tasty but far too much on the plate, the burger was good. Good first dinner in SF, we just found better elsewhere.

My son and I had a wonderful lunch at WAYFARE TAVERN this afternoon. We had Washington and California oysters to start, the pasta with cheese and pepper and the Crab meat BLT: all delicious. Then, we topped off our lunch with a banana and cream tart: very good. Service was very friendly as usual.

When for dinner the week of Christmas. Sat upstairs, very cozy. Beautiful restaurant and great food. We had burger and gnocchi.

Very nice looking bar with good drinks. Food is a little too oily and heavy...yes even for the dishes that are not meant to be light. Fried chicken which is advertised as the best in the country is excellent...but 'best' maybe too optimistic (try Yardbird in Miami, or Gus's in Nashville!!!). However shrimp and grits were over salted...massively. Both waiter and chef confirmed that after we sent it back. The manager did comped us with their signature desert - donuts - which were to die for. Service was professional.

Context: Five of us. High expectations, recommended by friends in LA, reserved weeks in advance. Arrived: Seated quickly. Decent booth. Festive lively scene. Appetizers: really good, shared a burrata dish and a beef carpaccio with arugula. The popover: as everyone says - satisfying. All great so far. But the fresh oysters? Pathetically small, tattered and nearly tasteless. No joy there. And at $4.67 a tiny morsel definitely a non-starter. The sauce (which I don’t use) was good in fairness. Added to the burrata. The Bouillabaisse was simply poor. The dish arrived luke-warm, the broth a thin, translucent brown. It was more akin to an overly salted beef broth than the rich lobster described on menu. The seafood was banal. A couple of unremarkable scallops, four or so mussels, and if there was anything else it was forgettable. Don’t go with this dish. At $36 it was one of the pricier selections and not worth it. Try your luck with one of the other seafood offerings on the menu. But I am skeptical and left wondering how a well reviewed restaurant in a city renowned for seafood should deliver such disappointing results. - Jack

More than a gastro pub. The food was good... i really enjoyed the clams. Waitress v friendly. Sat overlooking the preparation area..they all seemed v organised..was fascinated. Good place for dinner 4 2

This is a popular restaurant in the heart of the financial district in San Francisco. It is beautiful inside with gorgeous lighting and comfortable seating. We met some college friends for lunch. We ordered the club sandwiches and the fried chicken sandwiches. They were delicious! The service was very good. I only have one complaint. The host presented himself as a snob and should therefore not be the first person you meet at the door. Although we were dressed for rain, we should not have been disdained.

We were visiting San Francisco (SFC) for several days and this place was recommended by the staff at our hotel. Go with the understanding that everything is very high priced in SFC and surrounding area. This was our first meal on our vacation - a late lunch, around 3pm. We sat in the back right in front of the fireplace - very cozy setting. The service was great. My wife had the Oven Roasted Turkey Sandwich and I had the Tavern Burger; both were very good. The only downside is the prices - they are very high for what we are used to for this kind of food, but again, this is SFC.

I went here on a friends recommendation and it does not disappoint! As I was alone I sat up at the bar, the entire restaurant was very busy with a lineup but because I was by myself they managed to find me a seat fairly quickly. The burrata toast as a starter was very, very good, and the fried chicken for main course (apparently listed as one of the best in America) was also excellent. If you want a buzzing restaurant, fast service and great food you cannot go wrong here. Will definitely be back.

We had bone marrow as appetizer, pork chop and fried chicken. All were great choices. Service was friendly and quick

After an awkward greeting from the hostess, upstairs, a lot of stairs, to a beautiful room with a lovely small bar, and another room with some 4 & 6 tops, and the our room and our 2-top. Waiter, menu, butter w/ EEVO, and then popovers. OMG. Crazy steamy goodness. Beef tartare shared with Mac and cheese, perfect both, so satisfying and delicious. Beef cheeks are OTT (over the top). Melting beef, reduced beyond Marchand du vin sauce, and deeply rich. Salmon was good, not clammy. Wines by the glass offers great choices, and the bottle list is out of this world. Excellent service in a busy room. Such a beautiful space. Enjoy!

I didn’t really know what to expect with this place as my husband had picked it - with eyes set on getting the burger. I wasn’t hungry enough for all that so I opted for one of their appetizer salads (it was delightful and creative, which is hard to do with a salad) and my husband got the burger. I tried his and it was so rich - but great! We sat at the bar overlooking the kitchen which is always fun but you can sit at the regular bar as well. You can certainly tell they take pride in their service as we were well attended to. We ordered two cocktails and they were both lovely; we were there during the brunch hour so I can’t speak to the prices for dinner but I thought they were reasonable considering the ambiance. The vibe makes you feel like you should be better dressed but we were wearing verrrry casual clothes and it was fine!

Best Burger in San Francisco? I am a burger fan, and also visit San Francisco very often - almost once per month, for the last 15+ years. I spend most of my days solo, as my wife has meetings there, so I get to dine around quite a bit. Over those years, I have had many burgers, in what I call Burger Quest. I have had some good ones, some not worth mention, and then a few great ones. In Oct, I was back in the city, and decided to revisit my Number 1 contender, for Best Burger, Wayfare Tavern, in the Financial District, at 558 Sacramento St. I first encountered Wayfare Tavern, when we stayed at a hotel, just around the corner. I had heard good things about it, so on one of the few instances, where I got to dine with my wife, we visited. Both the Burger, and their Fried Chicken were hits with both of us. In 2017, I returned, to have the Burger again, and was just as impressed. This was my third visit, and it was their wonderful Burger, calling me back - I just had to check out that it was really as good, as I remembered - and it was! I was early for the lunch crowd, and was seated downstairs at a nice two-top. My wine list was in hand, along with the menu, very quickly. I decided on the Frog’s Leap Zinfandel ‘16, as I knew I was going with the Burger. The only choice was which Burger? Well, it had to be “The Tavern Burger” featuring a “proprietary grind,” Marin brie, red onion marmalade (which I took on the side), smoked bacon, served on a brioche bun – $22. Not an inexpensive Burger, but a great one. The patty was a perfect size, and crisp on the outside, but medium-rare on the inside. It was so very juicy, and flavorful. The brioche bun was perfectly toasted, and the bacon crisp - as I like it. Even when the restaurant filled, my service was great. The noise-level did rise, but stayed right at “moderate.” If there is any complaint, it was that it was a bit dark at my table, but then Wayfare IS a tavern, and the lighting is in keeping with that. Next time, I will request a bit brighter table. I will return, and swear that I will order that Fried Chicken - if I can forego the Burger, that is. Better yet, I will make sure that my wife is with me, and just share. Still, the No 1 Burger I have had in San Francisco, and actually many places.

Good food, great oysters and friendly bartenders. Nice surroundings. Next time I might try the cracked Maine lobster, which looked phenomenal.

I was here about five years ago and went back for a repeat visit, and really glad I did. The Wayfare did not disappoint. I had the Tavern Burger and it is one of the best burgers you can find The guy sitting next to me at the bar had the Pastrami sandwich special and raved about it. Both times I’ve been here the food and service have been amazing. This is on my places to go again for a repeat visit

Nice business lunch in the Wayfare Tavern in the financial district. We sat outside which was pleasant. Food was good as was the service.

Casual yet upscale bistro, with very interesting items. We started with Deviled Eggs and Burrata Toast, both had tasty twists and our table loved them. The Burger and the Fried Chicken seem to be the favorites so we dived into those - very good. The menu had enticing sides but the meals themselves were quite generous in portion. The restaurant is quite noisy so not best for intimate meal and the wine list is rather pricey. The highlight was our server Ginger, who was knowledgeable, personable and a delight. She’s the type of employee that makes customers make a return visit, which we will!

Went for a few drinks here for a friend while visiting. There’s a small bar upstairs where we were able to sit. The staff are super friendly and attentive. One guy even gave me some recommendations on where we might be able to go for a night out at the weekend.

The Best Fried Chicken and Mashed Potatoes I could of returned every night of our 4 night stay in San Fransisco!! Very Larch Portions we could of easily shared one.

Beautiful restaurant in a great location. Fast and friendly service. The best whiskey sour I've ever had. I think this place would be perfect for a business lunch/dinner or a romantic couples date. Delicious food. I'm looking very much forward to visiting again.

Stopped for some small bites and drinks. Place had a bit og an upscale feeling, but without being to posh. Staff was friendly, food was good and i got a couple of good beers. What more can you ask for?

I’m in San Francisco for a couple of days for business and was invited to Wayfare Tavern for a business lunch. All I can say is ‘wow’! I was told they are famous for their fried chicken but I went with the salmon since that was the chef’s special the day I visited. It was amazing. A colleague ordered the fried chicken and I had to try that as well. It was also amazing, as it is not dry and crispy as one might expect, but very tender and easy to cut through. I also recommend the deviled eggs as a starter. Everything about the experience was top notch; the atmosphere, service and the food. I highly recommend this place if you’re in the area.

We went here on a recommendation from a friend. Fried chicken was the recommendation so we both had it and shared a side. Plenty of food and definitely good. It is a little pricey but I disgree with the other reviewer. Ours was very flavorful and definitely not dry. If yours is either I would suggest you mention it because that should not be the case. My wife spritzed the lemon on hers. I did not. Your call. We have tried fried chicken all over the country, from Harlem to the south. This is definitely in our top five. My wife thinks the top! Popular place so book early. Open Table worked well for us. It is a noisy urban bistro (up and down) but great atmosphere. We sat upstairs. It appeared downstairs would have been noisier but I'm not sure. Found out the restaurant is a Tyler Lawerence place, which is cool.

Don't get me wrong: the location, the building, the service, the food, the drinks... the whole entourage matched and nothing really to complain about. Yet, at the same time, I also did not have the feeling it was a special experience. Especially the table service was quite impersonal. I had chicken, which was good, but nothing I did not have before (in cheaper places).

Had a drink and dinner here with my wife. Drinks were ok (but expensive), food again ok (but expensive). All in all pretty average.

From the appetizers to the sides to the grilled meat, the food was excellent. We were seated by the fireplace, and it did get a little warm, but not unbearably so.

I can’t think of enough good things to say about the Wayfare Tavern! One of my favorite places to eat in the city! There isn’t a bad thing on the menu. They are most famous for the Rosemary Fried Chicken. Just order it, you can thank me later. They also have a full bar that employs a serious mixologist so the cocktails are delicious! I do recommend reservations for this place always!! It’s not the kind of place you can roll up to just grab a table. You can always try to grab a spot at the bar, but it’s tough so just reserve a table. The dining room doesn’t have a dress code necessarily BUT it’s in the financial district it’s a nice place so keep it classy and swap out your sneakers. There is something for everyone here it’s a must eat!

Salmon special was AMAZING! Crispy skin and cooked perfectly. The popovers are to die for and if you like tea, I recommend ordering it. It’s a regular unsweetened ice tea, but served with a small scoop of lemon sorbet (instead of a boring ol lemon) and a fruity simple syrup to sweeten it instead of sugar or Splenda. Phenomenal fast service, amazing food and great location in the financial district. Book a reservation! They get busy.

Tried for a few nights to get a table but the wait was too long. Prior to traveling back across the country I was able to grab a seat. Had a nice drink, the fried chicken, and a great side (Mac and cheese). Nice service and knowledgeable staff. Kitchen is well operated. America’s best fried chicken…I’d debate that, being from NC, however is was really good.

We stopped in for a drink before heading to dinner reservations elsewhere and were disappointed not to be staying. We enjoyed the ambiance and very friendly service. Their cocktails are a work of art. We'll definitely be back next time we're in town.

Great atmosphere, great food and a fabulous selection of wines - in a business district a real break from the corporate world with friendly service and great food. The chef's counter is much recommended for seating!

I made a reservation at Wayfare because it appeared to have variety in the menu, specialty cocktails , and was open for a 3pm reservation. I was on a double date with friends and looking for a place to eat before a 6:30 show. We sat down in a spacious booth and was offered delicious popovers as a starter. The popovers had an amazing texture with a flaky crust outside and a soft buttery inside. Creamy whipped buttered was offered on the table. I ordered the Portola Spirit for my cocktail. It was basically a gin and tonic with a wedge of grapefruit, whole juniper berries, and lime leaf. I was pleasantly surprised of the fresh aromatic fragrance the ingredients added that invigorated my scenes without adding flavor. I slowly sipped on the boozy beverage the entire meal. I ordered the Fried Chicken as my main with the Macaroni and Cheese side, I was served four pieces of chicken with sprigs of grilled thyme. It was also served with lemon and a side mound of salt and seasoning you add yourself. The chicken was tender and full of flavor! Some pieces were served without the bone, which made it easier to use utensils instead of your hands. This restaurant offered the best-quality food and service for the price over every other expensive restaurant I've been to in San Francisco. Our server was prompt, friendly, and professional. I would definitely come back to this restaurant for a lovey night out or just for cocktails.

Attentive and friendly service. Prices are a bit high for the fare offered. Shrimp cocktail was perfect in every way. The fried chicken was cooked well and very juicy but lacked adequate seasoning. The cauliflower was nothing short of spectacular with great flavor. Wow! Deserts were OK.

Iconic San Francisco! This cozy little restaurant oozes with ambiance. Think warm wood, a staircase at the entrance, rich colored fabrics, and I haven’t even gotten to the food. You’ll need a reservation. We were extremely late for ours so we had to sit at the little bar upstairs. It would have been beyond perfect if the barstools had had backs. There is something on the menu for everyone. Fish, seafood, chicken, beef, vegetarian, all are options. Notice the rolls so hot they emit steam when you break them apart. They are kind of like a fluffy sourdough. Very important: leave room for dessert. Even if you just had the steamy rolls and dessert, your life would be complete.

We had reservations, and were seated upstairs right away. For appetizers, we ordered the bone marrow and the Poutine. My friends and I decided that the Poutine was the definite winner! For entrees, we ordered the fried chicken and pork shank. They were both delicious. One of my friends has celiac disease, and had no problems with the poutine and pork shank. The only negative comment we had was that service was less than desirable. Our server, Bradley (we only found out his name through receipt), was not very attentive. We were going to have dessert there, but ended up leaving and going across the street to the Omni for dessert.

Had an absolutely delightful time here on Christmas Eve!!! The restaurant was decorated so festively and it was warm and well-lit. Extensive beer and cocktail list with our favorites being the Hot Toddy and the Holiday Hot Cocoa (yes, with booze). Deviled eggs and Brussels sprouts were both delicious, well-seasoned with a nice large portion. Burger was prepared exactly as ordered and the fried chicken was excellent as well. Seasoned nicely, still moist with a crispy crunchy breading. For dessert the donuts were hot and gooey - - very unctuous but not too sweet. Staff was very good - super busy which caused a few delays but always apologetic if you had a wait and super helpful to boot. Great meal - A!!

First class service. Great atmosphere. Exceptional food. Everything we ate was amazing. Don’t bother with anything else on the dessert menu; get the doughnuts. Very good wine and beer menu.

We waited for our main course to come. And waited. And waited. When it did arrive, one of us (pork chop) was disappointed. Although it was served medium-rare, it was so dry it was hard to cut and harder to chew. The Caesar salad was, not surprisingly, very creamy. The highlight of the meal were the popovers with sweet butter. Waiters were remarkably busy--not their fault that they couldn't provide first-rate service. Entrees were huge--neither of us (small-ish women) couldn't finish even half of our entrees.

We stumbled upon this place whilst walking around the area trying to find somewhere still serving at 21:30. We hit on a gem. The food and service was fantastic. We had the pasta and the fried chicken. It was the best fried chicken I have ever had. Would highly recommend.

Our concierge recommended Wayfare when I asked for an upscale place with great food where we could enjoy talking with our adult daughter . I have to say it didn't hit any of the criteria. Very crowded, extremely noisy, average food. We waited near the bar for 20 mins until it was time for our reserved seating. We were seated in the back near the busy kitchen area. Awful! No ambiance and louder than the bar (hard to imagine). After 20 minutes without so much as a glass of water, we flagged down a server who gave us water and then we waited for a different server to take our order. 15 mins later still didn't have our drinks. I flagged down another,older gentleman who apologized and hurried to bring our first course. Average salads, underdressed (I never say that as I don't like much dressing but I couldn't find more than a smudge on my salad. Now we've been her over 90 mins and my daughter needs to leave just as the entrees get there. We were all so anxious by then, the evening was ruined. I'd never go back.

Fried chicken dinner kit for two: Mac and cheese, five pieces of fried chicken, pop doughnuts, dipping sauce and chantilly cream Chicken in over for 20 minutes; Mac and cheese in boiled water for 10 minutes - we have our dinner

Awesome place. SF colleagues raved about the place, and for a good cause. Totally topped all expectations. Wine selection is great, service is solid, food even better. Can't wait to take my girlfriend here next time we're visiting for leisure.

My husband and I came here after going to see Hamilton. It was a Sunday afternoon and it was surprising how hard it was to find a restaurant open for a later lunch on a Sunday in the Montgomery / Embarcadero neighborhood. Finally I found Wayfare Tavern and was able to get a reservation for 4:30. It's such a quirky neighborhood. I used Google maps to navigate from the Embarcadero BART station and then after going through an alley - there it was - on a corner. I immediately fell in love with the decor. It has that dark prohibition era vibe with heavy furniture and a neighborhood feel. We weren't able to get seated right away because our table was taken by a group that really stretched out their meal so we did get seated at the chef's table which honestly I love so it worked. We ordered the butter lettuce salad which we shared and was plenty because it was huge and fresh and light and lovely. Then we shared the burrata toast - another exceptional dish. Then we shared two more dishes - the Baked Macaroni and Cheese which was way too rich for my palette and the roasted Brussels sprouts without bacon and by that time we were pretty full so we didn't finish that plate either and they also gave us popovers which were insanely delicious. Our service was timely and professional and it was a very enjoyable meal. Keep in mind that the shared plates are large. I think three between two people is probably enough. Also - I don't eat meat so there were some options however if you are vegan I don't know that there are any choices so that must be considered. It's a 12 minute brisk walk from the Embarcadero station. I would definitely come here again.

This was my first time dining at the new location on Pine Street. I like the new decor. I was informed there were private dining rooms upstairs. The food was great as usual. I had the clam chowder and chicken sandwich. I loved the shoestring fries. Service was friendly.

The dishes were excellent, the waitress super kind : all was perfect from A to Z. We tried the mussels, the burger and the Caesar Salad. Wonderful

There were few people in the restaurant for lunch. Colin, our waiter, had personality plus and was very attentive. The specialty was the fried chicken so that was a must to order. For $26, there were 5 pieces of chicken with several being the smaller pieces such as the wings. For $5 more, we could order another piece. The chicken was one of the best I have ever eaten, think it was due to the seasonings. Food & Wine magazine listed this fried chicken as one of the best in the U.S. The whipped potatoes truly melted in your mouth. The butter lettuce salad had Green Goddess dressing which I would have preferred a different dressing. The complimentary popovers were average.

I hosted a private dinner for 35 people on the 3rd floor. The room was spectacular, the wine choices excellent, the food was so very good and the service was brilliant.

Booked a table at 6.15 for my Fathers birthday. The restaurant even called thebday before to confirm the booking. We turned up at 6.10 to be told the table was not yet ready. Fair enough. At 7.00, 45 minutes after our reserved time we gave up and left. They should have been.honest and told us they mistakenly gave our table to someone else but instead said people were taking longer than they anticipated to finish their meals. This has never happened anywhere else before. Whats the point in booking a table if you are not going to get a meal?

What a space. Bar and some seating on the ground floor, lots more seating upstairs. Very good menu, lots of different protein choices. Excellent cocktails, service was top notch, and the food was delicious. Enjoy!

We ate here on our last night in San Fran from Texas. The fried chicken was amazing and just FYI one order will feed 2 adults!!!

Wait staff in white shirts & tie. Well known watering hole in the financial district. Some great specialty items, deviled eggs, and famous fried chicken. The dinner rolls are worth the visit. Fried chicken is marinated and tasty to the bone. Burger is thick and perfect. You will like.

We went to Wayfare for my Birthday in October and it was incredible! The service was excellent, food was fantastic and... they even left me a Birthday Card and my dessert had Happy Birthday written on the plate!

My boyfriend and I went here during a weekend trip to San Francisco, and the food was excellent. We loved the Revolutionary Way-era atmosphere and the service was great.

What great service, great fried chicken, excellent salads. The cocktails were expensive but they were strong and so tastey. We had a blast at this restaurant!

Three of us gals dined here yesterday. We had reservations which is a must. Our reservations were for 1:30. Even at this time, the restaurant was very crowded because the food is delicious. This was my second visit here. The three of us each had a glass of wine, and split three items: fried chicken entry, a large salad with apples and blueberries and kale, and green beans. We were served popovers as our bread to go along with the whipped butter and flakey sea salt. Everything was great - the food, the service, and the restaurant. It was noisy until about 2:15, so if noise is an issue, I would consider dining later in the day or perhaps earlier. I'll be back.

The service was the best we have experienced in any SF restaurant. Food was average but wonderful wine. The atmosphere could use a bit of a refresh from Ken Fulks. Tables are elbow to elbow close. Host worked hard to accommodate seating requests and provided consistent updates while waiting at bar. We came on a Saturday night and the place was just busy enough not to feel overwhelmed.

We had dinner , drinks , and a birthday dessert. Excellent service , cocktails , food , atmosphere. The popovers are better than grandmas, the fried chicken and the pork chop were delish ! Highly recommend ! Busy place , make a reservation

Our party of 4 dined for lunch recently at Wayfare Tavern - we had the steak tartare, deviled eggs and fried chicken. Each dish was uniquely flavored and delicious. Service was prompt and attentive, and the manager checked on us twice to make sure we enjoyed our experience. The food, service, and ambiance of the dining room were all perfect for us.

We have an amazing experience every time we visit Wayfare Tavern, and this was no different! Amazing food, wonderful service, great cocktails, and a special birthday dessert for my fiance. Thanks y'all!

Celebrated my partner’s birthday at Wayfare - it was lovely- they even had a birthday card waiting for him at the table. Food was spectacular, great service (if not a bit OTT) and the venue is really welcoming too. Absolutely loved the Yorkshire pudding bread instead of a regular bread and little touches like the butter holder and the way the minestrone soup was served. I’d definitely eat there again.

Best part was the ambience - San Francisco charm in architecture. A bit pricey for options (why a 4 vs 5) though everything tasted great - from soups to salads to brunch dishes. Try to sit downstairs in a booth.

I love this place and go almost every time I’m in town. I usually take co-workers and/or friends with me. I found out about this place from cooking channel. It’s my go to place! Everything here is delicious! The staff is the icing on the cake! They remember me every time I come back! My last visit when I brought 2 coworkers with me, they were over the top! Thank you for everything! Brad, you and the rest of the staff were amazing! I am grateful for the way you treated me! I never expected but soooo appreciated your treatment to me and my coworkers! Oh, make sure you have a glass of proseco! It’s delicious😍 This place is AMAZING! See you on my next visit! A very satisfied customer for life!

Lively, fun, downtown eatery with attentive service. Burger is excellent! Lots of other great choices, too. Can get a bit loud at peak times.

Has a recent one night stay in SF and Wayfare was highly recommended by our concierge, had a quick look at the website and the rest was made. Had a great table upstairs ( recommended if you're looking for a little more romance) by the window. Staff were friendly and knowledgeable with a quick recommendation for their faves. Had the fried chicken with the mac and cheese and it was as good as it had been hyped to be. No traditional in that it wasn't a heavy breading. Lightly coated, heavy on the herbs, and delicious as all get out. Great wine list as well as NOCAL craft beers on tap made it a great evening. We'll be back !

Dinner here with twenty was great fun. Amazing that all 20 dinners came out at the SAME time. Highlights were deviled egg appetizer, and for the main dish, either the fried chicken or NY strip sterak, done perfectly. Nice but pricey bar. Great place for date night or with dear friends.

Warm and casual ambiance with very flavorful dishes...enjoyed the fried chicken, hamburger ,deviled eggs, Mash potatoeswithburata ,great doughnuts...sat at bar and enjoyed watching kitchen in avtion

Glad I eat there. The food was family style, was out of this world. The service was great and staff tended to our needs promptly.

Loved it here — we had lunch there and went back for dinner! Delicious fried chicken. Terrific wine list. Atmosphere was English pub. No tv at the bar which I consider a plus. make reservations we had to wait for dinner over 1/2 hour because we didn’t— they were that busy on Sunday night.

I had been looking forward to their signature dishes: organic fried chicken and hot housemade glazed doughnuts. The fried chicken was very dry and the accompaniments did not enhance the dish. The brussell sprouts were too charred to enjoy. The glaze on the donuts was too sweet, Our server was busy and not very attentive. He also seemed dismissive when asked if the beef was grass fed by saying that it was grass fed except the last 10 days as all beef are then fed grain to marblelize the meat. The hostess and hosts were very helpful. I only wish that the food and server were as good as they were.

I'll just echo everybody else in saying the fried chicken is amazing. 3 out of 4 of us got it and the fourth one got a side of the chicken with a salad. More than 50% of tables had the chicken. Sides were great. The whole place was awesome. Just go.

The wait staff and kitchen staff were very helpful and accommodated my temporary diet limitations. As a solo diner, I was offered seating inside the dining room or at the chef’s table. I opted for the latter and throughly enjoyed watching “the choreographed dance” in kitchen. Truly amazing to observe. The braised short ribs were tasty, moist, and fell off the bone. I will certainly return again when I am available to try additional menu items.

Fancy restaurant located near Union Square. Warm atmosphere. Food is delicious and not that expensive considering the prices in SF. Hamburger was dope!

The restaurant has some very nice outdoor space but it is shady so bring a jacket. Our service was great.

Wayfair Tavern definitely checks all the boxes. Outstanding atmosphere, food and service. Our waiter was very attentive without being bothersome. In particular, the fried chicken is one of the best we’ve had. Deviled eggs are fantastic! We’ll definitely return!

We have been to Wayfare Tavern in the past and have always had a great experience. We like to sit downstairs in the bar area because it is lively and lots of fun to watch the food being prepared. We visited twice during the holidays. The first time we dined before a show so we ordered a salad with a side of Fried chicken – you get a breast and a drumstick and the chicken was just delicious. We also ordered the shrimp cocktail which were 5 large plump and perfectly poached. They also served us their signature popovers and did not hesitate to give us additional popovers when we asked. The service was excellent and he was very aware that we had a 7:00 pm performance to attend. The second time we visited was lunchtime on the day after Christmas. The service was quite a bit slower and it took 45 minutes for us to get a bottle of wine. It seemed like it touched 3 hands before it got to our table. It can get cold in the restaurant because both in front and back, the doors are constantly swinging open. Food was still good and they gave us extra popovers to take home. Still, this is a very cool place to dine and easy to get to the civic center area especially when there are numerous shows/events going on and it is difficult to get a reservation. Whether it be Muni, Bart or Uber it is easly accessible.

Booked last minute and so pleased we did. Food was excellent, service was exceptional, we were looked after by Alvetta, what an asset to the restaurant, she answered all our questions, not only the food but about area.

We stumbled on this place stretching our legs after a long flight. We ate at the bar and the bartender was attentive but not overly and she pored a mean gin. Beautiful chowder and hubby enjoyed the burger. Great way to star our holiday.

Financial district , sit out euro style or sit inside that feels historic old SF. Burgers, Sandos/salads and great bar. Some sea food apps. Wonderful popover type bread

Always a friendly welcome. Upstairs seating, menu waiting. Waiter and water and what a read. Great cocktails, and what delicious offerings. Tartare split, what a treat. Fat boy heaven. Delicious chicken sandwich, huge and so tasty. The salmon was so complex and delicious, well prepared and presented. Enjoy!

Host was very accommodating of my solo diner status. Server was attentive and helpful in describing items to which I sought further clarity. Popover was fantastic enhanced with butter and sea salt sprinkle. Butter Lettuce Salad with Green Goddess Dressing was fantastic - crisp and refreshing. I added the renowned Fried Chicken to the salad for a lighter take than the entree itself. Desserts sounded great but willpower prevailed as I passed reluctantly.

Love this place. Great vibe, true Tavern feel. Service was wonderful, attentive and thoughtful. The food itself was spot on. For everyone questioning, the friend chicken really is that good. It is very shareable for two people (that is what we did with a couple of sides). Some of the beast steak tartare I have had in years. Well done.

The restaurant is very well run. The service was fantastic and professional. Delicious l, warm, flaky popovers were a nice surprise instead of the usual bread. The menu is expansive. The salads see delicious. It seems like the deviled eggs were a house specialty, but we weren’t in the mood for this. We did order the fried chickens, which is one of their specialities. It was seasoned perfectly, crunchy on the outside and the meat itself was juicy. I can understand why it is listed as one of America’s best fried chicken.

This weekend went back to the Wayfare Tavern. ALWAYS a fantastic meal! This time there were some interesting side dishes with a Japanese flavor- roasted kabocha and furikake butter broccolini- and the fresh butter leaf salad...total winning combo with the famous fried chicken! The flavors are extraordinary alone - combined it's elegant, fresh and elevated dining experience. I've been here a number of times, and it never disappoints! I took a friend who had never been before- she was blown away. Tony is a wonderful bonus! Service and atmosphere are top notch. Make reservations and check out parking options in advance. Enjoy!

I recommend making a reservation, it was very busy but worth the wait. The attention to detail on every plate with beautiful garnish was wonderful. The food was outstanding. The hot popovers they serve were delightful. The fried chicken was very good but a large portion, two of us shared the chicken (the picture below shows a half portion of the chicken which they split for us) and ordered a couple of sides. Would definitely go again!

I literally watched the restaurant give my table to another customer who had been seated outside. (This was a very cool evening - but heat lamps were provided.). We checked in about 20 minutes early. Another party was seated at an open table outside after we arrived. The woman who apparently arranged the reservation complained. She and her party were then moved indoors. Immediately thereafter, we were seated at the outdoor table - one of the COVID era street tables - and moreover, not even under the makeshift tent. I watched all of this from a window inside the restaurant as we were waiting next to the hostess stand. I was in disbelief to have been treated so shabbily. I was told at the time of seating this was intended to be our table, as we had not specified indoor seating. I was not given an option; therefore, I properly assumed I would be seated indoors. And, in fact, it seems I would have been. I felt really bad, and I wanted to leave, but it was late and my son was hungry, so I let it slide. The food was so-so. I ordered a salad with salmon. The salad was OK at best - certainly not great. The salmon was recommended to be cooked medium rare, to which I agreed. It was sent to me at a more medium temperature - just slightly overcooked beyond what was promised. Still tastes find, My son’s burger was good. His French Fries were not good. The pop overs at the beginning were great, but delivered late. My husband ordered fried chicken. It was only OK. I will never return.

During my dad's recent visit to San Francisco, I wanted to treat him to a special dinner, so I chose Wayfare Tavern, a restaurant we both had yet to experience. Despite not having a reservation, the staff graciously accommodated us. It was during a casual conversation with the host, who turned out to be the manager, that I mentioned my role at the Omni Hotel and my persistent recommendations of Wayfare Tavern to our guests.​ ​ From the moment we stepped inside, Wayfare Tavern exuded a sense of warmth and hospitality, as if we were being welcomed into someone else's cherished home and family. The staff, clad in traditional butler and server uniforms, further enhanced this feeling of stepping back in time to a bygone era of refined service.​ ​ Throughout the evening, the service was impeccable—attentive without being intrusive, with water glasses refilled seamlessly and dishes presented with perfect timing, never interrupting our conversations. They even honored my request for my wine to be served simultaneously with the Filet Mignon. On top of that, they brought out a complimentary desert for what I suspected to be because of my comment while entering.​ ​ My father and I were truly impressed by the humble yet exceptionally professional service we received at Wayfare Tavern. It reminded us that amidst a market saturated with experimental dining concepts, there is still a place for the traditional dining experience, where impeccable service and attention to detail reign supreme. Wayfare Tavern exemplified the enduring value of classic hospitality in a modern culinary landscape.​

We have a sister visiting from out of town so as we were touring the Financial District we ran into this restaurant. Since we know that this is Tyler Florence restaurant, we were curious what was on the menu. We decided to eat here and we were not disappointed. The fried chicken were cooked to perfection crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, the mignonette for the fresh oysters was well balanced and not too vinegary as other restaurants, the macaroni cheese was bursting of flavors and did I mentioned the popovers? They came out warm with this salted and creamy butter.....they were so delicious!! We would definitely go back Beware: This restaurant gets really crowded during the lunch time (so I highly suggest making reservation or by going there when they open up or after the lunch crowd)

Friday evening, February 1st, arrived promptly for our reservations and seated promptly. Service started out well, with cocktails being served immediately, popovers, are amazing, apps are incredible, fried chicken was just okay, not what I was expecting as I have had it before. Prime tartar excellent and the bone marrow is just as good and would definitely have it again. Server never cam back to ask if we wanted another bottle of wine, leftover a complete F-up not sure how they could mix that up but they did. Would go back for the food, not the chicken, excellent martini’s! Rating is not the quality of food but the mishap of service. :-(

Wayfare Tavern serves great comfort food with a twist. We ordered a beef tartar to start. It was really yummy and huge! Instead of bread, chips were served to go with the tartar. It was a really good combination. The scallops were very big and delicious. The fried chicken did not disappoint as well. No wonder they are voted the best in America. The salad was also very fresh and yummy. Reservation is a must. The restaurant was full on a Monday night. We made a reservation on Monday at 6:45 p.m. But, we still had to wait for 10-15 minutes as the table before us were paying.

A friend and I decided to eat dinner here after reading about the fried chicken. As others have mentioned, the portion is large (5 pieces, 1/2 a chicken) and the breasts are boneless. While delicious, calling it “the best in the country” is certainly a stretch. We shared burrata crostini as an appetizer, which was ok, heavy on the bread and light on the cheese. For sides we had the corn (ok) and mac’n’cheese (outstanding). Our waiter, Sam, was borderline rude and inattentive. Other staff members were nice but Sam behaved as though waiting on 2 women was beneath him. The poor service and bad attitude continued up until the end of our meal, culminating in him bringing us the wrong check. He never apologized or acknowledged his error in any way. He brought the corrected check over and said “here you go”. I will never eat at this restaurant again when in San Fran. There are far better options, with pleasant service, in the city and even within the same general area.

Was here for a quick bite - server Philip was so lovely! Service is everything and he was excellent - kind, funny and helpful. The burrata potatoes were beautiful, especially served with a fantastic yorkshire pudding. So great. Wonderful atmosphere too. Recommend!

Disgusting !!! Me and my husband went to have dinner and while we were waiting for our food we saw 3 rats beside our table next to the kitchen. I definitely don’t recommend this restaurant.

To be perfectly honest, came to the Tavern completely by accident. Was headed to dine at another establishment, but was struck by the Tavern's chic exterior that led me to deviate. What a totally awesome decision this turned out! Carlos was an incredible host. Super nice, extremely knowledgeable, made fantastic recommendations on menu selection when I mentioned a desire to dine on the lighter side. I really enjoyed the chic interiors and the superb quality of food. The burrata, avocado, smoked salmon, grapefruit toast special absolutely blew me away. The oysters were lovely, and every member of the staff I interacted with was highly professional. In general, an absolutely superb experience. I will definitely be back.

The place is very busy at lunch time during the week but snatch a place at the bar if you can’t get a table and enjoy the professional, courteous, and friendly service. The food is amazing -despite what seems like a limited menu give the burger, fried chicken, chicken sandwich, Mac and cheese or anything in the menu a chance...it is absolutely fantastic. We were in San Francisco for a week and this was the only restaurant we went to twice. Fantastic food and great service. If you don’t like crowds go on the weekend, it’s a completely different experience. Highly recommend it.

Greeting was wonderful with the hostess cheerful greeting and sincere concern for my allergy. Perfect setting in the booths near the open kitchen. Elegant and interesting. Server a bit pretentious but efficient. Assistant servers were amazing. Food was attractive and tasty. Expensive but worth it.

We made reservation via phone for 5:30pm on a Thursday, the place was packed! Please reserve or you will expect to stand in line for a while. Staff is very friendly, explained what are good to share among 6 people. We ended up getting a variety of stuff off their menu. We were happy with all of them. The deviled eggs were beautifully presented, nice truffle aroma but not overwhelming. Just the ring among of zing from the mustard. Delicious! The fried chicken is worth all the hype, you pretty much will see it on every table, the batter is light yet extremely crispy and flavorful. The fried sage on them adds a nice touch. We also really enjoyed the popovers here, light and airy. All six of us had a good time. We will be back!

We found this on our last night in San Francisco and I can only say everything was excellent. The service was attentive and the food was excellent. We had shrimp and steak tartare to start, both of which were superb (especially the steak tartare), followed by a very good burger and excellent fried chicken (it really is the best I've ever tasted!).

I was fortunate to find a table for a quick dinner, after a long drive from Monterey. It was a weekday but still a busy night and there was a lot of ambient noise. However it was fairly better on the upper floor. Got the Tavern Burger (22$) and a couple of beers. Must say the burger was as juicy and decadent as I expected it to be. The popovers were to die for! I would happily munch down at least 2 more!

We ate here last year and enjoyed the ambiance and food. so much, we returned on this trip Probably the best glass of wine I have ever had was consumed here. Yes, get a reservation as travel has really picked up in this city. A lot more travelers and traffic. The menu is pub like and the elderly building has been refitted for cooking and safety, but still holds that ambiance and oh, yeah, the fireplaces! Fried chicken is wonderful, steak and salads great, fabulous hamburger for lunch were all enjoyed. Fresh from the oven popovers are served to each plate soon after arrival with oh so soft butter on the table. Service is superb and should be. Two levels inside and a few tables outside as well. we will probably do it again when in San Francisco, it's that good.

Reservation on Open Table. Seated immediately. Served promptly by a friendly guy. Ordered famous fried chicken, Brussels sprouts and burrata whipped potatoes. All superb. Reputation well-deserved. Restaurant a bit noisy and active but it's a fine trade-off for excellence. Highly recommend.

A nice surprise that they are open on Sunday night. I went alone and sat at the bar. The wait staff is fantastic and makes good recommendations. Good beer on tap and great signature dishes (deviled eggs, fried chicken, hamburger) Very cool inside. Can’t go wrong here!!

We tried famous fried chicken. It was like in KFC, only for 10 times higher price. Very dissapoiting! Portion was very big, that we could not finish it (due to poor taste even did not want to finish).

The food was fairly decent but the service was slow and poor. On top of the poor service, the seating was horrible. The restaurant squished us into a banquette with a 25 inch table, my husband is over 6 ft tall and the seating was uncomfortable and cramped. We were given butter that was used before we got it and we didn’t get bread until very late.

Wasn't expecting much when the hotel directed my party to this place. After all, "Tavern" is in the name and that means mediocre at best, right? Wrong. Let's start with the vibe of the place: it is a place where the obvious upscale locals don't mind dropping an above-average++ cash on a good meal. There were people on dates; groups just hanging out with just drinks; small groups having an adult dinner; and the tourists like us who happened to be directed to the place that felt really good to be in. The host greeted us promptly, with a smile, laughed at my cornball jokes, and seemed to really enjoy his job. Again, it =felt= good to be there. The outside seating with heaters made for a cozy meal. The wine/drink list is sufficient. Servers were exceptionally attentive and knew what they were doing (these weren't teenagers who had no clue). Appetizers came out quickly and there was no rush nor lag time to finish them before the main courses were set before us. The pork chop was exceptional! Not a place for small children but well-behaved pre-teens/teens would be fine to enjoy a great meal if the parents don't mind paying for it. Prices were up there in the $$$ and worth it.

Went to diner with family and of course the fried chicken was the preference of everyone. I had the soup which in my opinion was tasteless, I had to add salt in order to eat it.

I was expecting an outstanding experience based on some prior reviews and the Food Network connection. Deviled Eggs we’re good, nothing special. Trout was fine. A colleague had the fried chicken and said it was very good. Buratta mashed potatoes were runny. Overall: Good food - nothing spectacular or memorable.

Not quite easy to find a high standard but not too upscale dinner restaurant in CBD on a Sunday evening without a reservation... The Wayfare Tavern's striped awning attracted us and much to our surprise we were seated immediately - not at a table but at the counter with full view into the open kitchen. The place was busy and noisy and our waiter had to yell when telling us about the specials of the day. We ordered butternut squash soup, Akaroa king salmon and the filet mignon plus a bottle of Pinot Noir. The food was top quality, the wine had a rich flavour and it was most interesting to watch the interaction of chefs, kitchen team and waiting staff. The Wayfare Tavern made our (Sun)day (evening)...

We took five staff members to this restaurant and got a good sampling of the menu. The starters, squash soup was excellent. Also good was the Caesar salad. For the entrees, the fried chicken and pork shops were standouts. Also good was the salmon and burger. Their popovers were amazing. Also good were the cocktails and a decent but small wine list. Deserts were also good. Service was average.

Supper was super. Fantastic menu. Hard working staff. Masks were worn by all staff. Beer and wine list was a joy. We will back.

While staying at Le Meridien in San Francisco’s Financial District, we were recommended to eat at the Wayfare Tavern. The restaurant employs a highly trained staff of professionals with incredible manners, finesse, and knowledge. From our initial greeting by the host to the three waiters that served us, to the busboy, each encounter was courteous, dignified and really respectful! They run an incredibly tight ship and everyone knows exactly what their role is and how to execute it! It’s an upscale tavern with a great atmosphere, high ceilings, an open floor-plan, and tastefully appointed decorations. Loved the classic deer head on the wall! So why were we here? Oh, the food,. . . oh my God, amazing!!! Everything we ate was fantastic! They began with Yorkshire pudding perfectly prepared to perfection! My boyfriend asked for a second one for me, one was just not enough. Then we shared a phenomenal split pea soup to which the waiter tabletop poured over “mushroom croutons”, fresh English peas and ham and creme fresh. Seriously, the best I’ve ever had, and I’ve had many. We also shared a fantastic prosciutto burrata toast, it was delicious. For our entrees we ordered a green goddess wedge salad with salmon and a beef sandwich on pretzel bread with fries. Everything was spectacular BUT, the sandwich was ABSOLUTELY off the charts! Unbelievably perfect, incredible flavor profile, fantastically prepared! The chefs have truly created something kind of magical here! They’ve taken standards and added a little something to surprise the palate and tantalize the tastebuds. We had such a wonderful experience, and we went alcohol free!. . . So there were no libations to enhance that magical experience we enjoyed. Wayfare Tavern has truly nailed it! We will certainly return and recommend this special place to others! Thank you Wayfare!

My daughter and I were in SF for five nights and this was one of our favorite meals while there. Great mac and cheese and fried chicken and awesome popovers!

Had my wife's birthday dinner here recently. Very good meal in general. Great service. Valet parking was wonderful. Great wine recommendations from the waiter. Deviled eggs were good but not great. Organic Fried Chicken was interesting, though perhaps not as great as everyone says. Brussels Sprouts you should skip--just a big mess, not crunchy at all, just a big mess of cheese. Lots of fat in everything. Porto fries were good but I'd probably skip. Not worth the fat/calories. Maybe get if you have a large number of people. Brownie Sunday looks good but not worth it. The Panna Cotta was very good though. Oh and the "poutine" isn't poutine, more of a meatball/mashed potato/cheese melange but whatever it was still good.

This is our second visit to the Wayfare Tavern. We first went last November and were blown away by their burger. This time we repeated the experience and it did not disappoint. We arrived at the end of lunch time rush and were seated upstairs. Our server, Maria was a delight! The potato leek soup was excellent and the burger, a proprietary grind, brie, onion jam , and bacon on a brioche bun is still the best burger we have ever had. It comes with fries or salad so we had one of each and both were very, very good. The service was deft and professional, while far from cheap, the meal was certainly worth the price.

I REALLY wanted to love this place. Cool vibe, great reviews….and TripAdvisor has NEVER let me down. Friendly greeting by the host was encouraging at first but it went downhill…fast. Server throughout my visit was either naturally slow or indifferent or both. That may just be the SF way, but business travelers on a schedule don’t like it. Had high hopes for the fried chicken based on reviews but it was TERRIBLE. Very dry and flavorless. Had to add salt just to make it palatable. Got the bill and was charged $6.00 PER SOFT DRINK…no free refills. I don’t think this is mentioned on the menu and certainly wasn’t by the server. Also watch out for the 5.5% “SF Mandate” fee tacked on at the end. Not exactly sure what that’s all about. By the way… Trust the previous reviewer who said it can be cold inside. It was freezing.

Bread is weird. Basically a shell with a hollow inside. Plus it tasted like clay. Pork chop was good. Decent sizzle. The broccoli dish was extremely bitter. I believe there must have been rabe included thought I read the menu different. Where this place shines is the donut dessert. Donuts are delicious. It it comes with an amazing apricot dipping sauce. Killer. I may come back and if I do, the burger and salmon looked amazing. Plus the donuts.

Had dinner here for the first time and it was terrific. Good atmosphere, nice menu - nothing too exotic but very well executed and very good service.

Wanted to go for dinner, but the restaurant was only open till 3:00 pm, so we opted for lunch. Very crowded, and we were seated upstairs. Waitress (Maria) was semi-rude when I asked about the lemon drop martini I had ordered 20 minutes earlier. She said, "It's coming! The bar is downstairs!" Huh?? Several minutes later, she admitted that my drink was delivered to the wrong table, and it would be "on the house." It certainly was not! And I'm sure the gentleman who got my original drink did not pay for it! He was seated right next to me, and he did not offer to pay for my drink either! The food was extremely salty, but the hot popover was delicious. The negatives might have been outweighed if we had gotten to meet Chef Tyler, but that didn't happen. The one "redeeming" factor was the tip we got from a young hostess to visit the Ferry Building. We did, and it was one of the highlights of our day. Overall, I would say the experience was not optimal, but since it was high on my priority list for San Francisco, I don't totally regret going there.

We had the Plateau de Fruits de Mar. I was very disappoint in it. There was no lobster, just the shells. Lots of raw oysters and mussel, a few large shrimp. It was very noise and very crowd, The fried chicken was excellent. The risotto was fabulous. The 32 ounce steak was tough and under cook. The peanut butter cheesecake was very melt in your month good.

Dined for lunch and were lucky to visit before they moved to their new location. Great friendly service, rustic old school tavern vibe (at least in this location). Fried Chicken was excellent, moist and a perfect ratio of breading . Tavern burger was very moist and flavorful. Side of cauliflower was excellent.

Wayfare is tucked away in the SF Financial District and presents visitors with an old style charm. The service was spectacular, and the food scrumptious. Deviled eggs made with lobster were a divine way to start the meal. The fried chicken was indeed one of the "best in America" as F&W magazine writes. Tangy and tasty, and plenty to go around. Bravo and the highest marks for this great dining spot.

Date night at the Wayfare Tavern. Everything from beginning to end was really solid. All of our dishes were very very good! Our server was a little more formal, but did a really nice job and warmed up to us by the end of the evening. And who knew that the doughnuts would be such a great hit! Definitely order these for dessert!

Simple food done in excellent way. Came in here for a last minute lunch and was blown away by the burger. I normally don’t like oversized patties but the quality was top notch. The beef tartare was also excellent and the deviled eggs were good but were a little too refrigerated.

Everyone raves about the donuts, which seem to have seasonal accompaniments, but there is a lot to love in the main menu. We shared the mac & cheese and though a little salty it was still terrific. I've eaten here a couple time and the last time I was there I had a hamburger and a champagne cocktail. Ask the chef how he likes it and savor the raw meaty flavors.

Elegant atmosphere with a touch of home cooking. Leave the intimate bar and climb the carpeted stairs to begin your dining adventure. Choose fried chicken with creamy mashed potatoes or fried green tomatoes. I recommend the perfectly prepared Alaskan King Salmon with toasted orzo.

I had the chicken sandwich and my wife had the burger. Outstanding food! The fries were hot and fresh too. For dessert we split chocolate and caramel ice cream. The caramel was the essence of "burnt sugar", and the chocolate was a sweet, darker than milk chocolate, chocolate. We'll be back for sure!

An unexpected surprise! Found this amazing must go to restaurant online. We were a bit early for reservations (which we made online also) so we sat outside and enjoyed a drink. We then were sat at a table in the second floor. The ambience in this place is so charming. Tables were set with deliberate style. First we were greeted with warm popovers. Yes- you are drooling, it’s ok! Between four of us we ordered the deviled eggs, mushroom pappardelle, the tavern burger and the house specialty- chicken with a side of mushrooms. ALL selections were excellent. I haven’t been this pleased with a dining experience in a long time. All staff, especially our server, were friendly and timely and fun to interact with! Go and go hungry. They boxed our leftovers for hotel room storage! Surprising, it was not overpriced- even for San Francisco.

Came here on a Sunday for brunch. My friend and I each had the tavern plate. This was easily the best tasting scrambled eggs I’ve ever had. Perfectly cooked with some great roasted potatoes. I wanted to skip the toast due to health reasons but it was so good that I had to make an exception. Coffee was good too. The service was exceptional. Later I found out it’s owned by Tyler Florence, who is a former prominent food network personality I’m a fan of. It’s a bit pricey, so a choice when you want guaranteed quality and can splurge.

A good address in San Francisco for neat American cuisine in a nice setting. Service considerate. We recommend.

Not a bad place, however the burgers we received were very greasy. Couldn’t fault anything else though, good service. Nice pub.

We knew we were in for a treat the minute we walked in the door! The Friday evening dinner crowd was in full swing and quite obviously enjoying themselves. it wasn't long before we knew why. We were treated to excellent and subtle service, a nice variety of menu choices and the good itself, quite memorable. We were giving the choice of a "kitchen view" table and so glad we accepted the offer. it was a blast watching this highly skilled crew deeply immersed in their art. At tasty art at that!

Sat at the bar for dinner and a couple of drinks last night Friday, I didn’t catch the bartenders name but he was excellent. Knowledgeable, friendly, and very attentive. Caesar salad was good, generous portion, and had the 8oz steak which was cooked to perfection. Atmosphere was pleasant as well, music on point. All in all, 100 points.

Amazing pork shank dish served with efficiency and attention to detail. Lively atmosphere. A very enjoyable dinner with colleagues

Splendid early evening dinner. We sat at the bar - very comfortable and immediate service from the staff. Great cocktails and the food is delicious. I had the fried chicken - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Will definitely eat here again when we next visit.

Late weekday evening but here serves to 11pm Freshly cooked. Nice choice and enjoyable meal. Would re visit

I was a bit intimidated to go there, I thought it would be snobby and pretentious, but we were greeted warmly when we arrived by a smiling hostess, who showed us to the bar where we could sit until our table was ready. The bartenders were classy, fun, and very knowledgeable, and make great drinks. Try any one of the signature cocktails for a tasty change. We also had one of the popovers. Wow. You'd think it would be bland and boring. It was perfect. Hot, flaky, served with soft, whipped butter with salt grains on the top. We waited about ten minutes for our table and then were seated by the fireplace. Our waiter was Joe, who was knowledgeable, funny, and gave excellent service. He helped with questions we had about the menu and we made the right decisions with his help. I had prime beef tartare, which I've had a couple of times elsewhere and haven't been impressed. If you like tartare, do NOT miss it here! Tender, tasty, with garlic, sprouts, dijon, and an egg yolk on the top, Joe mixed it for me, and my husband and I devoured with the home-made potato chips. It was exquisite, seriously. The oysters were so fresh and tasty. I had the scallops and husband had the pork chop, sharing the Little Gems side. Every attention to detail was perfect. We were stuffed but tried dessert and some coffee. We didn't feel rushed, and had a wonderful night.

Despite making a reservation we were made to wait twenty minutes because the table wasn't ready. This didn't seem to bother the staff in the slightest. The food was good quality and tasty with imaginative recipes. Atmosphere noisy and difficult to talk.

Sunday evening dinner was fabulous! Great wine and cocktails. Ordered cavatelli, steak and the pork chop. Everyone was very happy with their choices. This is a must when in San Francisco; perhaps more than one visit per trip!

Went here for dinner with some work colleagues, wines and beer selections were outstanding. I had the fried chicken and it was very good, crispy, moist on the inside. Very nice venue