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Cole Valley Tavern - Reviews

900 Cole St, 94117 San Francisco
All reviews at a glance
465

Reviews

80.2%

Satisfaction

73

negative

19

neutral

373

positive

What people say about Cole Valley Tavern

Price per Person
  • $21–$30
Visit Type
  • Quick Meal
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Wait Time
  • Short (6–15 min.)
chill G.
Review date: 10/10/2025
9
Great Smash Burger & Window Service!
My experience at this restaurant was very positive. The food was very tasty😋. I particularly enjoyed the smash burger, but my favorite part was the window service. You can walk up and get soft serve, milkshakes, tots and fries, or hot dogs and burgers all without needing to sit down!
  • food9
  • smash burger8
  • window service9
Price per Person
  • $21–$30
Visit Type
  • Tourist Experience
Group Type
  • Friends
Group Size
  • Small Group
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Dinner
Wait Time
  • Immediate (0–5 min.)
Walt “. S.
Review date: 10/10/2025
9
A Neighborhood Gem with Top-Notch Service
This place was bustling on a Thursday evening at 6 pm, which immediately signaled it was a neighborhood staple. There seemed to be a good mix of locals, tourists (like us), and everyday patrons. Our server, Cole, was top-notch and incredibly helpful with his favorite dishes and suggestions. The N/A cocktails were amazing, the ceviche was fresh, the smash burger was on point, and the salads were crisp. The entire experience was exactly what we needed. We finished it all off with an oreo sundae. If you're in the area and can find parking, definitely stop by – you won't be disappointed.
  • Cole10
  • N/A cocktails10
  • ceviche9
Visit Type
  • Casual Outing
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Lunch
Matthew O.
Review date: 10/07/2025
9
Delightful Afternoon Snack Spot!
We had a leisurely afternoon snack and drink here and were beyond delighted to have found the joint. The cocktails are excellent and the bartenders (Alex and Alex) are fun and quite competent. The ceviche was absolute ca$h money yummy. Just a happy place is all.
  • cocktails10
  • bartenders9
  • ceviche10
Price per Person
  • $41–$50
Visit Type
  • Quick Meal
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Dinner
Wait Time
  • Immediate (0–5 min.)
Ahmad E.
Review date: 09/05/2025
3
Decent Burger, Poor Service
My experience at this restaurant involved trying the smash burger and fries. The burger itself was decent. However, the hostess was standoffish and rude throughout my visit. I wouldn't recommend coming here if you're looking for good service.
  • burger6
  • hostess2
Price per Person
  • $41–$50
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Dinner
Wait Time
  • Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
  • Moderate
Chef T.
Review date: 08/26/2025
8
Decent Smash Burger, Amazing Mocktail
My experience at the restaurant involved trying their smash burger, which was pretty decent. The fries were a little over-fried for my liking. However, the mocktail I had was amazing; the Grapefruit Serrano is definitely one to try.
  • smash burger7
  • mocktail10
  • Grapefruit Serrano10
  • fries3
Price per Person
  • $21–$30
Visit Type
  • Regular Visit
Group Type
  • Couple
Group Size
  • Couple
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Dinner
Wait Time
  • Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
  • Moderate
Isabel H.
Review date: 08/25/2025
9
A Neighborhood Gem with Delicious Food
My boyfriend and I recently moved to the neighborhood and have been frequenting Cole Valley Tavern a lot more. On a Wednesday evening, we were seated quickly. I appreciate their selection of fun non-alcoholic beverage options, and we enjoyed the Blueberry Mint Lemonade and Ginger Bear. For our meals, I ordered the Rigatoni, and my boyfriend had the Smash Burger, which he declared one of the best in the city. On previous visits, I've enjoyed their Salmon tacos and Caesar salmon salad – all are delicious! I've heard great things about their soft-serve ice cream but haven't tried it yet. As a dog mom, I'm happy to note their patio is dog friendly, though they don't allow dogs inside. The service has always been amazing, and meeting the owner on this visit was a fantastic bonus. Cole Valley Tavern is a true gem in the neighborhood!
  • non-alcoholic beverage options9
  • Rigatoni8
  • Smash Burger10
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Eugene W.
Review date: 06/22/2025
9
Best Fish Taco Ever!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! I had the fish taco, which I can honestly say is the best I’ve had in my entire life. It had a perfect balance of spicy & refreshing flavors. I will definitely be back.
  • fish taco10
  • perfect balance9
Price per Person
  • $21–$30
Visit Type
  • Casual Outing
Group Type
  • Couple
Group Size
  • Couple
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Lunch
Max
Review date: 06/15/2025
7
Good Happy Hour, Bring Your Own Condiments
My experience at this restaurant was centered around their happy hour. The happy hour prices were very good. I found the wings to have a good texture, but they could have used more flavor or heat. Unfortunately, there was no ranch available, only a very dilly dill sauce. I did appreciate the super thin veggie strips. The tots were good but too salty. The beer selection was very limited. I would come again for happy hour, but I'd bring my own ranch and hot sauce. Considering the price, I can't really complain.
  • happy hour prices9
  • wings6
  • veggie strips8
  • beer selection3
Visit Type
  • Regular Visit
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Nick
Review date: 06/07/2025
10
Phenomenal Food and Great Experience
My experience at this restaurant was phenomenal. The food was excellent, and the atmosphere and service were great. If I'm in the area, this is the place I'll seek out, whether for dine-in or take-out. Whatever they are doing, they are doing it right.
  • food10
  • atmosphere9
  • service9
Price per Person
  • $41–$50
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Group Type
  • Friends
Group Size
  • Small Group
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Dinner
Mike W.
Review date: 05/27/2025
8
Excellent Steak Frites, Unique Drinks
I was invited to join friends at CVT for my first visit. While the specialty drinks were a bit too "precious" for my taste as a Boomer, my Gen-X and Millennial companions enjoyed them. I opted for a classic three-olive wet martini, made with gin, which was excellent. I was forewarned by another review that their Steak Frites wasn't a classic French brasserie style, but I found it to be even better. The steak was medium-rare and flavorful, the sauce was excellent, and the fries, loaded with garlic, were just how I like them.
  • specialty drinks5
  • classic three olive wet martini9
  • Steak Frites10

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