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La Société Bar & Café
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
La Société Bar & Café
8.3
Modern French brasserie inside Downtown SoMa’s hotel corridor serving breakfast/brunch with charcuterie, smoked salmon, and baked specialties. Clean lines and elegant plating make it an easy pick for camera-ready brunch.
Must-Try Dishes:
Smoked Salmon & Crème Fraîche Plate, Boursin Tarte Flambée, Steak Frites (later service)
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Refined French-leaning brunch with polished plating.
Who should go: Brunchers who want chic, hotel-adjacent elegance
When to visit: Early weekends for calmer room and lighting
What to order: Smoked salmon plate; tarte flambée; fruit + pastries
Insider tip: Request window seating for softer, natural light.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet available through the adjoining hotel for around $15; limited metered street parking nearby, often tough after 10am on weekends.
Dress code: Smart casual; jeans and nice tops are fine, but many guests lean business-casual or chic brunch attire.
Noise level: Moderate—conversations are possible without raising voices, though it gets livelier during peak brunch hours.
Weekend wait: Not applicable—focus is on breakfast/brunch and lunch service.
Weekday lunch: Typically little to no wait, though hotel guest volume can add a short delay at peak noon hours.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—pastry, egg dishes, and salads offer multiple choices.
Vegan options: Limited—expect 2–3 adaptable options such as fruit plates or avocado toast; best to confirm with staff.
Gluten-free options: Yes—several dishes can be prepared gluten-free, with bread substitutions available.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—its chic design, natural light, and refined plating create a polished but relaxed setting that works well for an early brunch date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? On weekdays and early weekends you often can, but reservations are recommended for prime brunch times to avoid a 20–30 minute wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids—high chairs are available, but the atmosphere is more adult-leaning, making it better suited for families with children 8 and up rather than toddlers.
Best For
Better for: Better for stylish brunch gatherings where presentation and setting matter more than portion size. Ideal if you want French-leaning dishes in a photogenic hotel corridor spot.
Skip if: Skip if you’re looking for bottomless mimosas, hearty diner-style plates, or a casual, kid-centric brunch scene.
La Société Bar & Café
8.3
Modern French brasserie in Downtown SoMa known for polished plating, strong steak frites, and a lively lounge setting. Locals use it for business meetups and date-night cocktails with classic bistro comfort.
Must-Try Dishes:
Steak Frites (au poivre, duck fat pommes frites), Duck Liver Mousse with baguette, Black Truffle Steak Burger
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: French brasserie classics with photogenic plating in a chic lounge.
Who should go: Business diners and design-minded date nights
When to visit: Weeknights 5–7pm for smoother seating and lighting
What to order: Steak frites, duck liver mousse, truffle steak burger
Insider tip: Ask for lounge high-tops by the window for best photo light.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet; nearby garages at 5th & Mission ($5–$8/hr) and metered street parking, though evenings can be tough.
Dress code: Smart casual—blazers, dresses, or neat jeans with a button-down fit in; avoid overly casual gym wear.
Noise level: Moderate—background buzz from bar and lounge, but you can hold a work or date conversation without shouting.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation, especially after 7pm.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait before 12:30pm; fills quickly afterward with business traffic.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several bistro starters, salads, and mains (like mushroom risotto) are vegetarian-friendly.
Vegan options: Limited—1–2 adaptable options; staff can modify sides and salads on request.
Gluten-free options: Yes—menu notations available; steak and many entrées can be made gluten-free.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—stylish interiors, flattering lighting, and shareable French classics make it a polished but relaxed choice.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible at lunch or early weekday evenings, but weekend dinners usually require advance booking.
Is it kid-friendly? Not particularly—best for adults and teens; no dedicated kids’ menu or play space.
Best For
Better for: Great for business lunches, cocktails, and photogenic French plating in a modern brasserie setting.
Skip if: If you’re seeking a quiet, family-oriented French spot or an extensive vegan menu, alternatives may suit better.
La Société Bar & Café
8.2
Modern French brasserie inside the Hyatt Regency Downtown SoMa with moody lighting, a long bar, and polished service. Expect well-executed classics—steak frites, seared scallops, and rich onion soup—shaped by Northern California produce for a classy, downtown date night.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hanger Steak Frites, Seared Scallops with seasonal vegetables, French Onion Soup
Scores:
Value: 7.3
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: A sleek brasserie setting with French classics refined by NorCal ingredients.
Who should go: Couples seeking a polished, downtown date night
When to visit: Tue–Sat after 7pm for peak ambiance
What to order: Hanger steak frites, seared scallops, onion soup
Insider tip: Start at the bar for cocktails before moving to a table.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet is available through the Hyatt Regency ($15–20); limited metered street parking nearby but fills quickly after 6pm.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy—collared shirts, dresses, and jackets fit the room. Upscale jeans are acceptable with polished shoes.
Noise level: Moderate—low background buzz from the bar but quiet enough for date-night conversation.
Weekend wait: 45–60 minutes without a reservation; reservations strongly recommended.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait, but seating is limited to bar service or partial dining room.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—seasonal salads, soups, and pasta are available.
Vegan options: Limited—1–2 composed dishes plus sides can be adapted upon request.
Gluten-free options: Yes—several entrees and salads are naturally gluten-free; staff is accustomed to substitutions.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—dim lighting, polished service, and refined brasserie fare make it a strong choice for a first impression.
Can I get a table without a reservation? You may find space at the bar or in off-peak hours, but dinner tables on weekends are almost always reserved in advance.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young children—the setting is adult-oriented and geared toward couples and business diners. Older teens may feel comfortable.
Best For
Better for: More upscale and polished than casual French cafés nearby, with superior ambiance and wine list for date nights.
Skip if: Skip if you want a budget-friendly meal or a casual, family-style French spot—this leans luxury and formal.
La Société Bar & Café
8.0
Modern brasserie inside the Hyatt with a steak-forward menu and French staples like onion soup and tarte flambée. Locals use it for business dinners and hotel-adjacent date nights thanks to polished service and a lively bar.
Must-Try Dishes:
Steak Frites (au poivre), Onion Soup Gratinée, Tarte Flambée
Scores:
Value: 6.5
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: Steak-centric French brasserie with a strong cocktails-and-wine program.
Who should go: Business diners and date-night brasserie fans
When to visit: Weeknights 5–7pm or late bar hours for easier seating
What to order: Steak frites, onion soup, tarte flambée
Insider tip: Ask about the steak frites prix fixe and add duck-fat fries.