WAYFARE TAVERN, San Francisco - Financial District - Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Reservations - Tripadvisor
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Ratings and reviews

RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere

Food and ambience

Special occasions, Romantic, Large groups, Bar scene, Business meetings

Location and contact

Financial District
0.2 miles from Chinatown
About
A Tyler Florence restaurant.
PRICE RANGE
$29 - $31
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night
CUISINES
American, Bar
FEATURES
Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Gift Cards Available
Reviews (983)
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947 results
Traveler rating
479
285
116
42
25
Traveler type
Time of year
LanguageEnglish
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Traveler rating
479
285
116
42
25
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All reviews popovers fried chicken deviled eggs burger pop overs green goddess dressing salad fries yorkshire pudding chef tyler seated upstairs sat at the bar sf entrees
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Reviewed January 21, 2020

Not quite easy to find a high standard but not too upscale dinner restaurant in CBD on a Sunday evening without a reservation... The Wayfare Tavern's striped awning attracted us and much to our surprise we were seated immediately - not at a table but...at the counter with full view into the open kitchen. The place was busy and noisy and our waiter had to yell when telling us about the specials of the day. We ordered butternut squash soup, Akaroa king salmon and the filet mignon plus a bottle of Pinot Noir. The food was top quality, the wine had a rich flavour and it was most interesting to watch the interaction of chefs, kitchen team and waiting staff. The Wayfare Tavern made our (Sun)day (evening)...More

Date of visit: December 2019
Helpful?
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Reviewed March 1, 2020 via mobile

Had a wonderful meal at Wayfare in the building that formerly house the restaurant Rubicon. Took a while to get a booth. The cocktails were all excellent whether bourbon or vodka based. Appetizers included very unique deviled eggs (6), burrata with ham and beets, and...bone marrow. Wonderful. For mains we had fried chicken (their specialty) and huge hamburgers cooked exactly as ordered, mine with a fried egg on top. For dessert we split donuts, frosted with a tasty topping. The cost was very reasonable, and corkage for our wine only $25. Excellent service, timely and friendly. We will be back.More

Date of visit: February 2020
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed January 18, 2020 via mobile

I recommend making a reservation, it was very busy but worth the wait. The attention to detail on every plate with beautiful garnish was wonderful. The food was outstanding. The hot popovers they serve were delightful. The fried chicken was very good but a large...portion, two of us shared the chicken (the picture below shows a half portion of the chicken which they split for us) and ordered a couple of sides. Would definitely go again!More

Date of visit: January 2020
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed January 9, 2020

Our party of 4 dined for lunch recently at Wayfare Tavern - we had the steak tartare, deviled eggs and fried chicken. Each dish was uniquely flavored and delicious. Service was prompt and attentive, and the manager checked on us twice to make sure we...enjoyed our experience. The food, service, and ambiance of the dining room were all perfect for us.More

Date of visit: January 2020
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed March 1, 2020

I had been looking forward to their signature dishes: organic fried chicken and hot housemade glazed doughnuts. The fried chicken was very dry and the accompaniments did not enhance the dish. The brussell sprouts were too charred to enjoy. The glaze on the donuts was...too sweet, Our server was busy and not very attentive. He also seemed dismissive when asked if the beef was grass fed by saying that it was grass fed except the last 10 days as all beef are then fed grain to marblelize the meat. The hostess and hosts were very helpful. I only wish that the food and server were as good as they were.More

Date of visit: February 2020
Helpful?3  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed May 6, 2022

Wasn't expecting much when the hotel directed my party to this place. After all, "Tavern" is in the name and that means mediocre at best, right? Wrong. Let's start with the vibe of the place: it is a place where the obvious upscale locals don't...mind dropping an above-average++ cash on a good meal. There were people on dates; groups just hanging out with just drinks; small groups having an adult dinner; and the tourists like us who happened to be directed to the place that felt really good to be in. The host greeted us promptly, with a smile, laughed at my cornball jokes, and seemed to really enjoy his job. Again, it =felt= good to be there. The outside seating with heaters made for a cozy meal. The wine/drink list is sufficient. Servers were exceptionally attentive and knew what they were doing (these weren't teenagers who had no clue). Appetizers came out quickly and there was no rush nor lag time to finish them before the main courses were set before us. The pork chop was exceptional! Not a place for small children but well-behaved pre-teens/teens would be fine to enjoy a great meal if the parents don't mind paying for it. Prices were up there in the $$$ and worth it.More

Date of visit: April 2022
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Reviewed March 8, 2020

I went here on a friends recommendation and it does not disappoint! As I was alone I sat up at the bar, the entire restaurant was very busy with a lineup but because I was by myself they managed to find me a seat fairly...quickly. The burrata toast as a starter was very, very good, and the fried chicken for main course (apparently listed as one of the best in America) was also excellent. If you want a buzzing restaurant, fast service and great food you cannot go wrong here. Will definitely be back.More

Date of visit: February 2020
Helpful?3  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed January 24, 2022

We have been to Wayfare Tavern in the past and have always had a great experience. We like to sit downstairs in the bar area because it is lively and lots of fun to watch the food being prepared. We visited twice during the holidays....The first time we dined before a show so we ordered a salad with a side of Fried chicken – you get a breast and a drumstick and the chicken was just delicious. We also ordered the shrimp cocktail which were 5 large plump and perfectly poached. They also served us their signature popovers and did not hesitate to give us additional popovers when we asked. The service was excellent and he was very aware that we had a 7:00 pm performance to attend. The second time we visited was lunchtime on the day after Christmas. The service was quite a bit slower and it took 45 minutes for us to get a bottle of wine. It seemed like it touched 3 hands before it got to our table. It can get cold in the restaurant because both in front and back, the doors are constantly swinging open. Food was still good and they gave us extra popovers to take home. Still, this is a very cool place to dine and easy to get to the civic center area especially when there are numerous shows/events going on and it is difficult to get a reservation. Whether it be Muni, Bart or Uber it is easly accessible.More

Date of visit: December 2021
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Reviewed February 17, 2020 via mobile

The restaurant is very well run. The service was fantastic and professional. Delicious l, warm, flaky popovers were a nice surprise instead of the usual bread. The menu is expansive. The salads see delicious. It seems like the deviled eggs were a house specialty, but...we weren’t in the mood for this. We did order the fried chickens, which is one of their specialities. It was seasoned perfectly, crunchy on the outside and the meat itself was juicy. I can understand why it is listed as one of America’s best fried chicken.More

Date of visit: February 2020
Helpful?3  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed May 22, 2022

Wanted to go for dinner, but the restaurant was only open till 3:00 pm, so we opted for lunch. Very crowded, and we were seated upstairs. Waitress (Maria) was semi-rude when I asked about the lemon drop martini I had ordered 20 minutes earlier. She...said, "It's coming! The bar is downstairs!" Huh?? Several minutes later, she admitted that my drink was delivered to the wrong table, and it would be "on the house." It certainly was not! And I'm sure the gentleman who got my original drink did not pay for it! He was seated right next to me, and he did not offer to pay for my drink either! The food was extremely salty, but the hot popover was delicious. The negatives might have been outweighed if we had gotten to meet Chef Tyler, but that didn't happen. The one "redeeming" factor was the tip we got from a young hostess to visit the Ferry Building. We did, and it was one of the highlights of our day. Overall, I would say the experience was not optimal, but since it was high on my priority list for San Francisco, I don't totally regret going there.More

Date of visit: May 2022
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Reviewed June 15, 2022

We ate here last year and enjoyed the ambiance and food. so much, we returned on this trip Probably the best glass of wine I have ever had was consumed here. Yes, get a reservation as travel has really picked up in this city. A...lot more travelers and traffic. The menu is pub like and the elderly building has been refitted for cooking and safety, but still holds that ambiance and oh, yeah, the fireplaces! Fried chicken is wonderful, steak and salads great, fabulous hamburger for lunch were all enjoyed. Fresh from the oven popovers are served to each plate soon after arrival with oh so soft butter on the table. Service is superb and should be. Two levels inside and a few tables outside as well. we will probably do it again when in San Francisco, it's that good.More

Date of visit: June 2022
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Reviewed February 18, 2020 via mobile

Salmon special was AMAZING! Crispy skin and cooked perfectly. The popovers are to die for and if you like tea, I recommend ordering it. It’s a regular unsweetened ice tea, but served with a small scoop of lemon sorbet (instead of a boring ol lemon)...and a fruity simple syrup to sweeten it instead of sugar or Splenda. Phenomenal fast service, amazing food and great location in the financial district. Book a reservation! They get busy.More

Date of visit: February 2020
Helpful?2  
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Reviewed August 4, 2023 via mobile

Casual yet upscale bistro, with very interesting items. We started with Deviled Eggs and Burrata Toast, both had tasty twists and our table loved them. The Burger and the Fried Chicken seem to be the favorites so we dived into those - very good. The...menu had enticing sides but the meals themselves were quite generous in portion. The restaurant is quite noisy so not best for intimate meal and the wine list is rather pricey. The highlight was our server Ginger, who was knowledgeable, personable and a delight. She’s the type of employee that makes customers make a return visit, which we will!More

Date of visit: August 2023
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Reviewed July 31, 2022 via mobile

Delicious food and excellent service. Our waiter Wade was very accommodating and enjoyed learning that their “popovers” are Yorkshire puddings in the UK! Great choice of drinks and a menu to sort all tastes. Our Tavern burgers were first class and perfectly cooked.

Date of visit: July 2022
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Reviewed April 19, 2021

I stumbled across Wayfare Tavern a few years ago when I just moved to San Francisco and was looking for a place to enjoy dinner with a friend. I have been back for brunch and on this most recent visit I was there for dinner...with friends. I made a reservation and we were seated upstairs and it when I didn't think the place could be any cuter it was upstairs. Our server was amazing and she offered some great recommendations for food and drinks. The popper pastries they serve are AMAZING! We tried the Delores Cocktail which was so yummy. For our meal we started with Burrata Toast then we had Fried Chicken, the Wayfare Burger, Mac n Cheese, and the Burrata Whipped Potatoes. We did not have room for dessert but the table next to us was raving about the donuts. If you want a wonderful meal with great service then this is the place for you!More

Date of visit: April 2021
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Questions & Answers
Ask a question
mrskSantaMonica
March 17, 2019|
AnswerShow all 4 answers
Response from John L | Reviewed this property |
Casual will work. The restaurant is in the Financial district and will have an array of attire, business, casual, jeans.
1
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Julia S
February 24, 2019|
Answer
Response from Elvira B | Reviewed this property |
I’m sorry, I pretty much eat everything so I didn’t pay attention. You may want to look at their menu or call the restaurant ..... good luck!
0
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Julia S
February 24, 2019|
AnswerShow all 2 answers
Response from inthegarden | Reviewed this property |
I did not see any.
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WAYFARE TAVERN, San Francisco - Financial District - Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Reservations - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Wayfare Tavern

Wayfare Tavern is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travelers:
  • Food: 4.5
  • Service: 4
  • Value: 3.5
  • Atmosphere: 4.5