oChef » The Buena Vista – San Francisco » The Buena Vista – San Francisco – Reviews

The Buena Vista - Reviews

2765 Hyde St, 90214 San Francisco
All reviews at a glance
636

Reviews

72.8%

Satisfaction

125

negative

48

neutral

463

positive

What people say about The Buena Vista

Price per Person
  • $41–$50
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Group Size
  • Solo
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Wait Time
  • Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
  • Quiet
Sean C.
Review date: 11/02/2025
9
Delicious Food and Great Service!
This was my first time here, and I found the food to be good, with my sandwich served hot. The service was very attractive. I also enjoyed the Irish coffee, which was delicious and one of the best I've ever had.
  • food8
  • sandwich8
  • service9
Visit Type
  • Tourist Experience
Service Type
  • Dine-in
JM N.
Review date: 11/01/2025
9
Great People Watching and Service
My experience at this restaurant was excellent. The Irish coffee origins were a point of interest, and the people watching was perfect. The staff handled the crowds well, and I had a good time. Highly recommend!
  • Irish coffee origins8
  • people watching9
  • staff9
Price per Person
  • $11–$20
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Wait Time
  • Short (6–15 min.)
Darcie M.
Review date: 10/30/2025
9
Must-Try Irish Coffee!
My experience at Buena Vista was fantastic, especially if you're looking for an Irish Coffee. They truly excel at it, and I absolutely loved mine! The food was rated a 5, and the service a 4, contributing to a great overall visit.
  • Irish Coffee10
  • food10
  • service8
Price per Person
  • $21–$30
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Wait Time
  • Long (31+ min.)
Rene N.
Review date: 10/28/2025
9
Best Irish Coffee, Go Early!
My experience at the restaurant was great, especially the Irish Coffee, which was the best I've had in SF. To avoid waiting, I recommend going early. The food was excellent (rated 5/5), and the service and atmosphere were also very good (rated 4/5).
  • Irish Coffee10
  • food10
  • Service8
  • waiting4
Visit Type
  • Casual Outing
Group Type
  • Couple
Group Size
  • Couple
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Breakfast
Wait Time
  • Short (6–15 min.)
Gina B.
Review date: 10/25/2025
9
Amazing Irish Coffees and Great Food!
My husband and I had a wonderful experience at The Buena Vista. He enjoyed the Corned Beef Hash w/ eggs, and I loved my Eggs Benedict. We were both very pleased with our meals. However, the absolute best thing about our visit was the IRISH COFFEES! We were so eager to dig in that we forgot to take pictures. We loved it all.
  • Corned Beef Hash w/ eggs8
  • Eggs Benedict8
  • IRISH COFFEES10
Price per Person
  • $21–$30
Visit Type
  • Casual Outing
Group Type
  • Couple
Group Size
  • Couple
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Wait Time
  • Short (6–15 min.)
Brady B.
Review date: 10/25/2025
8
Hearty Portions and Good Flavor at the Bar
If you're a party of two looking for cocktails, head straight to the bar to avoid the line. For food and drinks, expect to wait, but the line moves fairly quickly. The food has hearty portions and good flavor.
  • food9
  • hearty portions9
  • good flavor9
Price per Person
  • $21–$30
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Group Type
  • Solo Dinner
Group Size
  • Solo
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Wait Time
  • Immediate (0–5 min.)
Jason M.
Review date: 10/25/2025
7
Classic Irish Coffee and Accommodating Service
My experience at this restaurant was centered around enjoying a classic Irish coffee, which I successfully got. The bartender was accommodating, even reducing the alcohol content on my second drink. A tip for solo diners: there's no food at the bar, so getting a table might take a while if you're alone and planning to eat.
  • Irish coffee9
  • bartender8
  • food at the bar4
Price per Person
  • $21–$30
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Group Type
  • Couple
Group Size
  • Couple
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Wait Time
  • Immediate (0–5 min.)
jbird
Review date: 10/22/2025
7
Flavorful Chowder, Inattentive Service
My experience at the restaurant featured great flavorful clam chowder. I also enjoyed watching the bartender make rows of Irish Coffees. However, the waiter could have been more attentive.
  • clam chowder9
  • Irish Coffees8
  • waiter4
Price per Person
  • $11–$20
Visit Type
  • Tourist Experience
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Kevin D.
Review date: 10/21/2025
9
Classic Irish Coffee & SF Vibe
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic, especially with their Irish coffee, which truly lived up to the hype. Watching the bartenders prepare it was half the fun, like its own show. The cream floated perfectly, the whiskey provided a great kick, and the drink was incredibly smooth and rich. The atmosphere is classic San Francisco, with an old-school wood interior, bar stools, and warm lighting. While it's a tourist spot, it has real character and history, dating back to 1916. The location is also a major plus, being right by Fisherman's Wharf and Ghirardelli Square, making it a convenient stop. I definitely recommend it for the drink and the atmosphere. You can even ask for one to go!
  • Irish coffee10
  • bartenders9
  • atmosphere10
Price per Person
  • $21–$30
Visit Type
  • Casual Outing
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Dinner
John M.
Review date: 10/21/2025
6
Disappointing Service Despite Great Food
I had some great food tonight and settled our bill before moving to the bar. I ordered drinks at the bar and asked for a tab to be set up. The barman set it up but kept my debit card behind the bar. I watched others set up a tab and their cards were not kept behind the bar. We were in the pub two nights ago and had a tab without having to leave my card behind the bar. It was not good being treated differently from others, so we finished our drinks and left.
  • great food10
  • kept my debit card2
  • treated differently1

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