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Gary Danko
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Gary Danko
8.9
Fine-dining institution marrying French technique with California produce in a polished, special-occasion room. Locals book it for milestone dinners and the tableside cheese cart.
Must-Try Dishes:
Glazed Oysters, Lobster Course, Cheese Cart Selection
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 9.2
Consistency: 9.3
Food Quality: 9.5
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 9.2
What makes it special: Classic French-inflected tasting menus with impeccable old-school service.
Who should go: Milestone dinner traditionalists
When to visit: Weeknights before 7pm for calmer pacing
What to order: Glazed oysters; lobster; cheese cart
Insider tip: Ask staff to tailor cheese selections by milk type and ripeness.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet service available at the entrance (around $20); limited metered street parking nearby but fills quickly after 6pm.
Dress code: Elegant attire recommended—jackets common for men, cocktail or evening wear for women. Business casual is accepted but lean dressy.
Noise level: Low to moderate—conversations at your table remain private; dining room maintains a calm, refined atmosphere.
Weekend wait: Reservations are essential—book weeks in advance. Walk-ins are rarely seated.
Weekday lunch: Closed for lunch—dinner service only.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—chef offers a vegetarian tasting menu upon request.
Vegan options: Limited—can accommodate with notice but expect a pared-down selection.
Gluten-free options: Yes—staff adapts tasting menus and marks substitutions clearly.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you want to impress—it’s more formal and high-stakes than casual. Great for serious relationships or milestone celebrations.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Almost never. Reservations are required and often need to be made weeks in advance.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young children. Best suited for adults and teens who can enjoy a multi-course fine dining experience.
Best For
Better for: Unparalleled service, polished French-Californian tasting menus, and the signature cheese cart that competitors lack.
Skip if: You want a spontaneous or casual night out, are on a budget, or prefer lively, noisy dining environments.
Gary Danko
8.9
Fine-dining institution blending French technique and California seafood in a polished, special-occasion setting. Known for glazed oysters, lobster, and white-glove service.
Must-Try Dishes:
Glazed oysters, Lobster entrée, Seared scallops
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 9.4
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: Classic fine dining with seafood showpieces and exacting service.
Who should go: Milestone dinner traditionalists
When to visit: Weeknights before 7 pm for calmer pacing
What to order: Glazed oysters; lobster; scallops
Insider tip: Leave room for the tableside cheese cart.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet service is available for around $20; limited metered street parking nearby fills quickly, especially after 6pm.
Dress code: Formal to business elegant; jackets recommended for men, cocktail attire for women. This is one of San Francisco’s dressier dining rooms.
Noise level: Low to moderate – the polished dining room is designed for conversation, making it easy to hear your tablemates.
Weekend wait: Reservations are required; walk-ins are rarely accommodated and waits can exceed 90 minutes without a booking.
Weekday lunch: The restaurant does not serve lunch; dinner-only service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – a full vegetarian tasting menu is available upon request.
Vegan options: Limited – possible with advance notice, typically 2–3 custom-prepared courses.
Gluten-free options: Yes – many dishes can be modified; staff is attentive to gluten-free needs.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, but only if you want a formal, high-stakes setting. It’s ideal for anniversaries or milestone moments rather than casual first dates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Almost never. Reservations open months in advance; occasionally, very late evening or bar seating may be available for walk-ins.
Is it kid-friendly? Not particularly – the formal atmosphere and long tasting menus suit adults. Children over 12 may enjoy it if they are comfortable with fine dining.
Best For
Better for: Special-occasion fine dining with white-glove service, curated seafood, and a renowned cheese cart unmatched in San Francisco.
Skip if: You prefer casual dining, shorter meals, or budget-friendly options – this is a splurge reserved for milestone evenings.
Gary Danko
8.9
Long-running fine dining room rooted in French technique with polished, prix-fixe service. Couples book it for celebratory dinners, deep cellar picks, and tableside flourishes in a low-lit setting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Roast Maine lobster, Seared scallops, Baked chocolate soufflé
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 9.2
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9.4
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: Classic French cooking with meticulous service and a deep wine program.
Who should go: Celebration-minded diners seeking polish
When to visit: Weeknights for smoother pacing and reservations
What to order: Roast lobster; foie gras; chocolate soufflé
Insider tip: Bar counter reservations open up last-minute; ask about cheese cart.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet service is available for around $20; street parking in Fisherman’s Wharf is scarce and metered until late evening.
Dress code: Formal attire recommended—jackets for men and cocktail or evening wear for women; business casual is the minimum.
Noise level: Low to moderate—voices carry gently but tables are well-spaced, making conversation easy.
Weekend wait: Reservations are essential; walk-ins are almost never accommodated. Without a booking, expect to be turned away.
Weekday lunch: No lunch service is offered—dinner only.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—vegetarian tasting menus are available by request.
Vegan options: Limited—vegan options require advance notice and may be customized by the chef.
Gluten-free options: Yes—accommodations available, and many dishes can be adapted upon request.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for milestone or special dates rather than casual first encounters—the atmosphere is formal and can feel high-stakes.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Almost impossible—reserve weeks in advance. The bar counter occasionally has last-minute seats but is unpredictable.
Is it kid-friendly? Not recommended for young children—the setting is formal, quiet, and lacks child-oriented amenities. Teens accustomed to fine dining may be appropriate.
Best For
Better for: Polished, celebratory dinners with high-level service, tableside touches, and a classic fine-dining feel unmatched by newer venues.
Skip if: You prefer casual or spontaneous dining, dislike prix-fixe formats, or want a lively, high-energy atmosphere.
Gary Danko
8.8
Long-running fine-dining institution by chef Gary Danko (since 1999) serving French-inflected, seasonal tasting menus with polished, old-school service. Locals book it for special-occasion dinners, caviar and cheese carts, and the signature chocolate soufflé.
Must-Try Dishes:
Roast Maine Lobster with tarragon, Glazed Oysters with Osetra caviar, Baked Chocolate Soufflé
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 9.2
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.9
What makes it special: Tableside flourishes and a flexible prix fixe with French technique.
Who should go: Special-occasion diners and classicists
When to visit: Book weeks ahead; arrive for 5pm openings
What to order: Glazed oysters, roast lobster, chocolate soufflé
Insider tip: The bar counter offers a shorter wait and full menu.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated valet; limited street parking nearby, especially after 6pm. Public garages within a 5–10 minute walk.
Dress code: Business casual to formal; jackets and dresses are common, jeans discouraged.
Noise level: Low to moderate—intimate enough for quiet conversation.
Weekend wait: Reservations required; book 3–4 weeks in advance. Walk-ins rarely seated.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable—dinner only service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—flexible tasting menu with multiple vegetarian courses available.
Vegan options: Limited—advance notice required; chef can prepare a vegan progression on request.
Gluten-free options: Yes—staff accommodates gluten-free needs with substitutions.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you’re aiming for an impressive, special-occasion atmosphere. The polished service and multi-course menu set a romantic, formal tone.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Unlikely; the restaurant is almost always fully booked. The small bar may offer limited seating but still fills quickly.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young children—no kids’ menu, long courses, and quiet ambiance. Better suited for adults or teens able to enjoy fine dining.
Best For
Better for: Classic French-influenced fine dining with old-school tableside polish and a deep wine list, ideal for anniversaries or milestone celebrations.
Skip if: You prefer a casual, contemporary, or fast-paced dining experience—this is a formal, multi-hour commitment.
Gary Danko
8.9
Long-running fine dining room at North Point and Hyde where a flexible prix-fixe leans on French technique—think glazed oysters, lobster, and a serious cheese cart—served with polished, old-school hospitality. Locals book it for milestone dinners and visiting guests who want classic San Francisco formality.
Must-Try Dishes:
Glazed Oysters, Roast Maine Lobster, Seasonal Cheese Cart Selection
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 9.2
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9.4
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: Classic French-inflected tasting menus executed with museum-level precision since 1999.
Who should go: Anniversary and fine-dining traditionalists
When to visit: Weeknights before 7pm for calmer pacing
What to order: Glazed oysters; lobster course; cheese cart
Insider tip: End with the cheese service—ask for guidance by milk type and ripeness.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet service is available for about $15; limited metered street parking nearby fills quickly after 6pm.
Dress code: Formal to smart elegant; jackets are common for men and cocktail attire is expected for women. Business casual is underdressed here.
Noise level: Low to moderate—quiet enough for easy conversation, even at peak dinner hours.
Weekend wait: Reservations are required; books out weeks to months in advance. Walk-ins are rarely accommodated.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable—restaurant is dinner-only.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—prix-fixe menu can be tailored with thoughtful vegetarian courses.
Vegan options: Limited—vegan requests require advance notice and will be accommodated with off-menu adjustments.
Gluten-free options: Yes—staff can adapt most dishes for gluten-free diners with prior notice.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you want to make a dramatic impression. The formal service and polished setting suit milestone occasions but may feel too grand for a casual first date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Highly unlikely—reservations are essential, often booked out well in advance. Call ahead for cancellations if you’re flexible.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young children; the atmosphere is formal and the menu is structured for adults. Teenagers who enjoy fine dining may be comfortable.
Best For
Better for: One of San Francisco’s top destinations for classic, formal fine dining with enduring consistency and a renowned cheese cart.
Skip if: If you prefer modern, experimental tasting menus, more casual energy, or budget-friendly dining, consider alternatives like Atelier Crenn, State Bird Provisions, or neighborhood bistros.