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Cafe Claude

About

  • 4.6 ( 48 reviews)
  • 21-40, $$, $$$

Affectionately known as the "Paris of the West," Cafe Claude is a San Francisco institution. Situated on one of the city's hidden alleys, Claude Lane, Cafe Claude offers a taste of France, with classic bistro dishes at lunch and dinner, a full bar, and an affordable wine list. On warm days, linger on the patio and enjoy a rare dose of sunshine, or a warming bowl of onion soup or coq au vin inside. On weekends, the restaurant comes alive with live jazz from 7 to 10pm, Thursday through Saturdays.

Day of the Week Opening Hours
Monday 11:30 - 22:00
Tuesday 11:30 - 22:00
Wednesday 11:30 - 22:00
Thursday 11:30 - 22:00
Friday 11:30 - 22:00
Saturday 11:30 - 22:00
Sunday 17:30 - 22:00

Cuisines

  • 🥖 European
  • 🥐 French

Dining Options

  • 💺 Seating
  • 🥡 Takeout
  • 🍽️ Table service
  • 📅 Reservations
  • 🍷 Serves Alcohol
  • 💳 Accepts Credit Cards
  • 🌳 Outdoor Seating
  • 🍸 Full Bar
  • 📶 Free Wifi
  • 💳 Accepts Visa
  • 💳 Accepts Mastercard
  • 🍷🍺 Wine and Beer
  • 💳 Accepts American Express
  • 💳 Accepts Discover
  • 💳 Digital Payments
  • 🎶 Live Music
  • 🍱 Lunch
  • 🍽️ Dinner
  • 🎷 Jazz Bar

Accepts Credit Cards

Accepts Visa Accepts Mastercard Accepts American Express Accepts Discover

Recommended Reviews

5
64%
4
31%
3
4%
2
0%
1
0%
4.6
48 reviews
😍
TK MetalArts
2018-11-20 on google

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

😍
Jennifer Raven-Harris
2018-10-14 on google

My first time at this special French bistro. Live jazz music, friendly service, delicious food. $30 corkage is reasonable. Loved the duck confit and goat cheese salad. Scallops were cooked well but over salted. But still a delightful experience.

😍
S Ibarra
2018-10-07 on google

Had a good experience in here with my wife. The food arrived quickly and the service is just fantastic. Prices are fair.

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Chris Leppanen
2018-09-23 on google

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

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Rhonda Romero
2018-09-22 on google

A preferred place for quality French food. Very filling. The staff was very kind and attentive. This place has a cool atmosphere. Menu is similar to a restaurant in Jacksonville I liked.

😀
Kimberly Ann Graham
2018-09-04 on google

Beautiful little French restaurant hidden in a small San Francisco alley, you'll have to look hard to find this one. The menu is classic French cooking and very well done. The cocktail list is impressive. A perfect place for a romantic meal.

😍
Rick Stevens
2018-07-21 on google

Best spot to have something when in a hurry. Their customer service is efficient, pricing is reasonable, great character. Would recommend to others

😀
J S
2018-07-15 on google

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

😍
Mayito Salomon
2018-05-15 on google

The food is great, I played there with my Latinjazz trio and we love the space, and the crowd.

😍
Jorge Villalobos
2018-03-15 on google

Amazing!! Had the perfect date today. The mood,lighting, food, and the music created the perfect mood for a night out.

😀
Andreea Francu
2018-02-03 on google

We were in downtown SF and picked this place for lunch because it was a sunny day and the restaurant had outside seating. We ended up not eating outside because it was too windy in the alley where the restaurant is located. We didn't regret eating inside because the interior felt comfortable and cozy. We were seated promptly even though the restaurant was almost full. Service was fast, friendly and efficient. I had the cold cuts plate (assiette de charcuteríe) and the trout with green beans (truite amandine) and both were very good. The kids had the roasted chicken and emptied their plates. Recommended, I would eat here again.

😀
Kristine Handgen
2018-01-27 on google

Very tasty, and a more relaxed French atmosphere - not snooty at all. Generous portions. And a lovely trio of live entertainment.

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Claudio
2018-01-17 on google

Very satisfied. Food was delicious. Wait staff where Phenomenal.

😀
Jennifer Dimovich
2017-10-12 on google

Great place, awesome food! Love the ambience (hidden alley in finance district of SF).

🙂
Yiğit Berk Tırpançeker
2017-10-09 on google

Edit: I have been contacted by the management of Cafe Claude. So while the below points, especially on dining outside, are still valid, this shows they actually care about customer experience. Definitely appreciated.This place is the definition of underwhelming. Do not sit outside by the way - every 3 mins you will be interrupted by a thunder kinda sound which is coming from garbage bins. And dear Cafe Claude service team, the next time you bring a $70 bottle to the table, please ask your patrons first. Oh the food is OK actually. Cheers.

😀
Sanya Oluwadare
2017-09-27 on google

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

😍
Erick Robinson
2017-09-14 on google

My top spot for tasty French food. i love this place, excellent food & service. it has an awesome feel to it.

😀
Bon Manhkong
2017-08-21 on google

Wines are very good. Food is OK. Service is friendly. Ambience is nice.

😍
Trevor Owens
2017-08-15 on google

Great food! Good date spot. Low lighting. Nice atmosphere. It's on a cute little alley. There was like jazz playing. We had the deviled eggs with truffle, which were tasty, the French onion soup was amazing. We had the farro risotto for dinner, even though it's not very French. It was delicious. They have a few great beers on tap like La Fin Du Monde. I wasn't particularly impressed by the wine by the glass, but it was good. We had a nice, low oak French Chardonnay.

😍
Guanzi Shen
2017-06-19 on google

Really friendly staff, cozy atmosphere and good food.

😀
karen chiu
2017-06-10 on google

Delicious food but the wait time for the food to come out was insanely long. We came during a weekday and we thought we were lucky to get a table for 3 around 7PM, but the whole meal was about 1 1/2 hours to get all the food on the table. They did give us some bread in advance. However we were very tired by the time we finished our meal. We ordered the roast duck, steak and cheese plate with honey comb. Everything was lovely, no complains on the food.I’ll back again for another meal with my friends, hopefully the food wait time would be shorter.

😍
Chris Garnica
2017-05-19 on google

Outstanding French restaurant tucked away on Claude Lane around the financial district. Because it's removed from the frey, it doesn't get as crazily crowded as some of the other happy hour bar and restaurant scenes in the area. Turns out Gitane across the way, Cafe Claude's sister restaurant/bar, recently closed but they remodeled Cafe Claude to incorporate a brand new bar room and area for the live bands to perform. We so happened to hit it on opening night. The bartender taking care of us was incredibly charming and the coctkails were well-crafted. The Salade de Chèvre Chaud was light and refreshing and the Confit de Canard (duck confit) was decadent; I highly recommend it.

😍
Ron Goodwin
2017-05-15 on google

Cafe Claude was wonderful. The staff was wonderful. The ambience was wonderful and eclectic. The food, ooo la la! The morrow bitter on a perfect steak, and so so tasty steak were amazing. We started with a drink " perfect something" and ended with a creme brulee and apple carmel tart. Wow. The parking is a challenge but so worth it. Fun to walk around the city too.

😀
Timothy Williams
2017-05-14 on google

Pro's: The interior of the restaurant looks great. The food is pretty good. The steak frites and cheese and fruit board was good.Con's: Service was slow and the waiter rarely checked in with us. I'd understand if they were busy, but they were slow.

😍
Mike Adams
2017-05-08 on google

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

😀
Bill MacKenzie
2017-02-04 on google

A funny location down an a alley adds to the French bistro vibe. Service was excellent and food was very good.

😀
Valentin Rasquin
2017-01-08 on google

Beautiful setting and lovely live music. Only 2 downpoints with my visit: 1) the fact that I made a reservation but still had to wait 40mins for a table. 2) my grilled chicken was bathing in the spinach juice, which made it quite soggy. French fries were delicious though!

😍
Peter Bates
2017-01-05 on google

Nice ambience and super welcoming service. The food was fresh and yummy. Will absolutely recommend this spot to friends and family. Affordable prices and big portions. Keep up the great work.

😀
Karsten C.
2016-11-12 on google

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

😍
Aleissia Laidacker
2016-11-08 on google

Great decor. Loved the Truite Amandine. A must try

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Frank Haines
2016-10-24 on google

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

😍
Alyssa Villegas
2016-10-05 on google

french food and the feeling here is great. Staff is always nice even when they have a full house. Staff treated us so nice. This place has a nice feel to it. Atmosphere is similar to a cafe in San Jose I loved.

😍
Mark Biebrich
2016-09-17 on google

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

😍
Zyaire Hurst
2016-09-07 on google

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

😍
Richard Hunnicutt
2016-08-08 on google

I had a superb experience at this place. We loved the amazing environment and the food. The staff members are very affable. I am content we ultimately decided to eat here.

🙂
Volha Tryputsen
2016-08-04 on google

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

😍
Garrett LaLone
2016-07-22 on google

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

😀
Yuan Chen
2016-07-13 on google

The escargots are awesome

😍
points_2_travel
2016-06-20 on google

Closest French dining outside of France. A quaint tucked away spot that is authentic.

😍
Amber F
2016-06-16 on google

French food, yeah, so good. Great place to meet and catch up with friends. Looking forward to returning with my relatives. This place has a good design. My apartment is far from here, so I can't visit often.

😍
Jessica Alba
2016-05-07 on google

This place never disappoints. Your meal is both delicious and beautifully prepared. The service and ambience are topnotch. Great wine and cocktail menu.

😍
Lilian Fierros
2016-04-23 on google

Yummy food, we got sit in the ally side but the heaters made it warm. Delicious cheese and bread.

😍
Ralph Harmon
2016-04-18 on google

This place is worth a try. They have large portions for convenient rates. Constantly clean and with fantastic vibes. Will visit here again.

😀
Hedieh Yaghmai Steele
2016-02-27 on google

Little hidden gem. French onion soup is great. The muscles used to be my favorite but the recipe is different now.. still good just not the same.

😀
Wayne Chang
2016-02-24 on google

Great decor. Sole and duck was a bit over done/dry.

😍
Patrick Larvie
2016-02-14 on google

This place is great. There's live jazz Thursdays through Sundays. The menu is limited but everything is very good to excellent. Cocktails are a real standout. One of my favorite places in SF.

😍
Josef Aukee
2016-01-22 on google

This amazing favorite is now even better thanks to a makeover. From apps to swordfish, a bistro for relishing. Indoor/outdoor seating. Staff is a joy. No fuss, just class.

😍
Thomas Novelli
2016-01-01 on google

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

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