oChef » Absinthe – San Francisco » Absinthe – San Francisco – Reviews

Absinthe - Reviews

398 Hayes St, 94102 San Francisco
All reviews at a glance
637

Reviews

76.9%

Satisfaction

120

negative

27

neutral

490

positive

What people say about Absinthe

Price per Person
  • $71–$80
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Group Type
  • Friends
Group Size
  • Couple
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Dinner
Wait Time
  • Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
  • Quiet
Rishi R.
Review date: 10/14/2025
9
Delicious Food, Intimate Atmosphere
I had dinner with a friend, and the experience felt surprisingly romantic. Despite being busy on a Wednesday, the setting was intimate and private, ensuring we weren't bothered. I thoroughly enjoyed the Birds of a Feather and the sole with pureed potatoes, both of which were absolutely delicious. The service was good as well. It was a great first experience, and I hope to become a regular.
  • setting9
  • Birds of a Feather10
  • sole with pureed potatoes10
Price per Person
  • $101+
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Group Type
  • Couple
Group Size
  • Couple
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Charles B.
Review date: 10/12/2025
9
Nearly Perfect Dining Experience
My experience at this restaurant was very nearly a 10/10. The food and the drinks were definitely highlights. The only minor issues were that I wasn’t initially provided with a napkin, and my glass of port for dessert arrived significantly later than my companion’s dessert. Despite these small quirks, the overall experience was excellent.
  • food10
  • drinks10
  • napkin3
  • glass of port4
Price per Person
  • $61–$70
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Dinner
Wait Time
  • Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
  • Moderate
Gabs
Review date: 10/06/2025
9
French Onion Soup Steals the Show!
My experience at this restaurant last week was great overall. The French onion soup was the highlight and truly stole the show. I will definitely be returning.
  • French onion soup10
Price per Person
  • $21–$30
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Wait Time
  • Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
  • Moderate
Bobby B.
Review date: 10/05/2025
3
Disappointing Upscale Experience
My experience at this restaurant was decidedly ‘meh. ’ The bartenders were unable to identify which IPA had replaced another on tap, only stating it was ‘hazy. ’ Charging $3 for bread and butter, which is typically complimentary at a high-scale establishment, felt poor. Based on the bread alone, anyone expecting an ‘upscale and French’ dining experience will likely be disappointed.
  • IPA2
  • bread and butter2
  • upscale and French2
Price per Person
  • $101+
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Dinner
Essaime -.
Review date: 09/23/2025
9
Unbeatable Food and Service
My experience at this restaurant was exceptional. It's my favorite spot in San Francisco. While it's not cheap, the food quality and service quality are truly unbeatable. The atmosphere also received a perfect score.
  • food quality10
  • service quality10
  • atmosphere10
  • price4
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Tina M.
Review date: 08/16/2025
9
Delicious Brunch, Best Quiche Ever!
My experience at this restaurant was truly delicious. We went for brunch and discovered the best quiche ever. The salad was so fresh and lightly dressed. I will definitely return.
  • quiche10
  • salad8
Price per Person
  • $101+
Visit Type
  • Tourist Experience
Group Type
  • Friends
Group Size
  • Small Group
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Dinner
Michael M.
Review date: 07/27/2025
9
Phenomenal Duck Breast and Memorable Experience
I will eat here every time I visit San Francisco. The flavors were out of this world, and the price point was reasonable for the experience. We didn’t leave hungry. I got the peach salad, which I could eat every day. My dining companions raved about their onion soup and cucumber soup. We split an escargot dish, which was a pastry with really delicate flavors. All three of us ordered the pan seared duck breast, which was phenomenal. Each of us had a cocktail; mine was an absinthe drink. While not my favorite, I figured I should try it as part of the experience. All in all, between a split appetizer, a soup/salad each, a drink, and an entree, we spent about $100 each plus tip. Really not bad!
  • flavors10
  • price point8
  • peach salad10
Price per Person
  • $101+
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Group Type
  • Friends
Group Size
  • Small Group
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Dinner
Wait Time
  • Immediate (0–5 min.)
Matthew T.
Review date: 07/10/2025
10
Excellent Food and Service at Absinthe
As a local, this was my first time at Absinthe, a place I'd always wanted to visit but never found the right day or it was too busy. The food was excellent. I highly recommend the Birds of a Feather, salade lyonnaise, and the beef bourguignon. The tartare, escargot, pan roasted duck breast, and steak frites are also just as good. Our server, Ethan S. , was the best. He's a local San Franciscan from the Outer Sunset who went to Galileo. Knowing we had a lot to drink, he thoughtfully provided us with aspirin to combat the effects of the alcohol.
  • food10
  • Birds of a Feather10
  • salade lyonnaise10
Price per Person
  • $101+
Visit Type
  • Special Occasion
Group Type
  • Couple
Group Size
  • Couple
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Dinner
Noise Level
  • Moderate
Billie J. H.
Review date: 07/06/2025
9
Exceptional Birthday Celebration with Great Service
We celebrated my husband's birthday here last night and had a wonderful experience. Our server, Ethan, was incredibly attentive and knowledgeable, especially regarding the gluten-free options. He truly made the evening special by arranging for gifts of dessert and espresso. Francisco, our wine steward, was also very kind and helpful. The food, including the beef tartare, beef bourguignon, and duck, was not only beautifully presented but also absolutely delicious. The atmosphere was enjoyable with moderate noise, and the service was top-notch.
  • gluten-free options9
  • gifts of dessert and espresso10
  • beef tartare9
Price per Person
  • $41–$50
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Wait Time
  • Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
  • Quiet
Brent K.
Review date: 06/21/2025
6
Mixed Feelings: Great Soup, Terrible Eggs Benedict
My experience at this restaurant was a mix of highs and lows. The French onion soup was truly exceptional, easily one of the best I've ever had. However, the Eggs Benedict florentine was quite disappointing. The egg whites were underdone and had a strange texture, and the crispy potatoes were also underdone. I was told this was due to the eggs being prepped sous vide, but other pictures of the dish appeared to have more normally poached eggs, leaving me a bit confused.
  • French onion soup10
  • Eggs Benedict florentine2
  • egg whites2
  • crispy potatoes3

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