Best Comfort Food Restaurants in Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness

Born and raised in the Bay Area but have been living in SF proper for 14 years now. Kinda ashamed to say I finally checked out this SF institute today but better late than never as the food and service were absolutely incredible! I consider myself a cioppino connoisseur so had to try theirs and cross it off my list. I must say, the cioppino at Original Joe’s definitely did not disappoint and immediately shot to my top 5 list for sure. Throw in the impeccable service we received from our server David and his fellow team members and I can see why it’s become such a San Francisco landmark! Kudos to Original Joe’s in North Beach!

Everything was fine except for one thing. The food and service were good, but for some reason, even though there was only one other table of customers in the restaurant at the time, they sat us right next to them, and then sat the next group, a large party of eight on the other side of us, when we had clearly asked for a quiet table so we could conduct business.

Nopa is a really special place. It does everything SO well. I will start with the food. Their menu stays interesting over time with new dishes regularly introduced with the seasons and what’s seasonally available. The ingredient quality and preparation are really next level and I don’t think there is a single thing on the menu that anyone would not enjoy. The flavor of every dish is always surprising in a wonderful way with interesting combinations and textures. And plating is, of course, just beautiful. And my god, don’t just order one dish per person; share! You will be wowed. Their mainstay burger should not be missed either. If you’re into mixed drinks or wine, again, Nopa is standout. And even if you don’t drink, there are mocktails that I’m confident you’ll enjoy. Next let’s talk about the staff. Nopa has such a special and wonderful culture. Their entire staff is very well versed in the ingredients and preparation of their food. They’re also extremely kind and accommodating. There seems to be a genuine enthusiasm and shared belief that they make great food, and I would agree. They have opinions and can definitely suggest wine and beverage pairings to what you order. They know where ingredients were sourced from. And their attention to detail is also remarkable. I made a note on our reservation that we’d love a table instead of the high table if one came available and true to form, they came through. Someone took time to read the comment I had left! If you have a chance to dine here, take it. Even if you don’t have a reservation, there is a high table and bar area that may be able to accommodate a drop in. It’s a lovely atmosphere and always a joy to be a patron here. Thank you Nopa staff for the unique place you’ve created here.

Made reservations for a group of 8 for dinner before the symphony. Our overall experience was fabulous! From start to finish the food and cocktails were scrumptious. If you order the lava cake expect a wait and it's worth it!

Went to Charmaine's this weekend with 12 people to celebrate a special birthday. The experience was beyond my expectations! We had a lovely area inside on the sofa and chairs. The service was just right--not too slow and not too rushed. The food and drinks were superb. We didn't sit outdoors around the cozy firepits because of the size of our group, but the ambiance and views of the city were superb. Went early to catch the sunset and it did not disappoint.