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Zuni Café
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Zuni Café
8.8
A San Francisco classic for wood-fired, California-style cooking where the iconic roast chicken with bread salad anchors a constantly changing seasonal menu. Locals come for warm hospitality, a timeless bar, and sidewalk energy near the arts corridor.
Must-Try Dishes:
Roast Chicken with Bread Salad, Zuni Caesar, Half Dozen Oysters
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 9.4
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 9.5
What makes it special: Home of the definitive roast chicken with bread salad.
Who should go: Seasonal-Cal cuisine fans and theatergoers
When to visit: Early evening or late after peak pre-show rush
What to order: Roast chicken, Caesar, oysters
Insider tip: Order the chicken first—prep and roasting take about an hour.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is metered and competitive near Market; garages at Civic Center and Hayes Street are the most reliable options.
Dress code: Smart casual; many diners lean stylish given the arts corridor location, but jeans and nice tops are acceptable.
Noise level: Moderate buzz; you can hold conversation, but bar and sidewalk seating have lively background energy.
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes without a reservation; bar seating may open sooner.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait if arriving before 12:30 pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – several salads, seasonal veggie plates, and pastas rotate in.
Vegan options: Limited – usually 1–2 vegetable entrées or customizable plates.
Gluten-free options: Yes – many proteins and salads are naturally gluten-free; servers accommodate substitutions.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes. The warm lighting, seasonal menu, and iconic roast chicken make it a romantic yet lively choice for an impressive first date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possibly. The bar and sidewalk seats are often first-come, first-served, though prime dinner hours can require patience.
Is it kid-friendly? Better for adults; no kids’ menu and a bustling room. Tweens and older teens who enjoy adventurous food will be comfortable.
Best For
Better for: Definitive roast chicken, timeless California cooking, and a blend of historic SF charm with modern seasonal dining.
Skip if: You want very quiet, white-tablecloth fine dining or a menu heavy on steakhouse classics.
Zuni Café
8.6
Market-driven California cooking in an iconic triangular space where Sunday brunch centers on wood-fired technique and thoughtful salads. Locals come for classics like the Caesar and shoestrings while planning around the famous roast chicken.
Must-Try Dishes:
Roast chicken with bread salad (allow time), Zuni Caesar, Shoestring potatoes
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8.5
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 9.2
What makes it special: Wood-fired brunch staples executed with precision and history.
Who should go: Classic SF brunch seekers
When to visit: Sunday 11–1 for best energy
What to order: Roast chicken; Caesar; shoestrings
Insider tip: Order the chicken early—limited and takes up to an hour.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited; nearby paid garages on Market and Hayes offer more reliable options.
Dress code: Smart casual; jeans are fine but most guests lean polished for brunch.
Noise level: Moderate to lively—conversation is possible but expect a steady background buzz.
Weekend wait: 45–60 minutes without a reservation; book ahead for prime times.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; walk-ins can be seated quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—salads, pastas, and wood-fired vegetables are always available.
Vegan options: Limited but doable—expect 2–3 composed plates or modifications.
Gluten-free options: Several options, including salads and roasted mains; servers are accommodating.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—the iconic space, thoughtful food, and lively but not overwhelming atmosphere make it memorable and relaxed.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible but unpredictable—bar seating is first-come, and walk-ins may wait up to an hour on weekends.
Is it kid-friendly? Best for older children and teens; no kids’ menu or high chairs, and the vibe skews adult and social.
Best For
Better for: Zuni excels at turning California classics into timeless, wood-fired staples in an iconic setting—few places match its blend of history and execution.
Skip if: If you want a quick, budget-friendly brunch or highly specialized vegan/gluten-free menus, other options may be better.
Zuni Café
8.6
A San Francisco classic where a towering pile of hot, crispy shoestring fries is a staple alongside wood-fired plates. Locals come for the confident execution, consistent quality, and timeless brasserie energy near Civic Center.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shoestring Fries with Aioli, Zuni Burger with Fries, Roasted Chicken (share, start with fries)
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 9.2
What makes it special: Iconic shoestring fries fried crisp and seasoned just right.
Who should go: Classic brasserie fans who love perfect fries
When to visit: Early evening before performing arts curtain times
What to order: Shoestring fries; Zuni burger; roasted chicken
Insider tip: Ask for aioli with fries—simple, perfect pairing.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive around Civic Center, especially after 6pm; nearby paid garages on Hayes Street or Grove Street are the safest bet.
Dress code: Smart casual—most guests lean dressy with jackets, dresses, or polished denim.
Noise level: Moderate—conversations are possible at tables, though the brasserie energy keeps a lively hum.
Weekend wait: 45–60 minutes without a reservation; bar seats sometimes open faster.
Weekday lunch: Generally minimal wait, though prime noon hours can see a short queue.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—salads, pizzas, and sides (like fries) provide solid options.
Vegan options: Limited—some small plates and salads can be adjusted, but mains are few.
Gluten-free options: Yes—several dishes can be prepared gluten-free, including roasted chicken.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—the warm brasserie atmosphere, iconic fries, and central location make it an ideal spot for an impressive but not overly formal first date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible but risky at peak times; bar and counter seating often turns faster than tables, especially on weeknights.
Is it kid-friendly? Not particularly geared to kids—best for adults and older teens; there are no high chairs or children’s menu.
Best For
Better for: Zuni’s fries are unmatched in execution, and its wood-fired classics bring consistent quality in a timeless brasserie setting.
Skip if: If you want a quiet, kid-oriented spot or a fully vegan-friendly menu, this isn’t the best fit.