Highlights
- Great wine list
- Live performances
oChef » Amelie – San Francisco
Amelie - San Francisco
Photo from Amelie
Amelie at a glance
San Francisco Polk Gulch
- 🍻 Bar & Pub
$$
Price per Person $41–$50
mentioned by 56 of the guests
#383 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#24 Bar & Pub out of 151 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.3 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
412
Reviews
86.7%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Wine selection
- Attentive staff
- Lively ambiance
Frequently criticized
- Food inconsistency
- Slow service
- Loud music
The restaurant Amelie, a vibrant Bar & Pub in San Francisco’s lively Polk Gulch neighborhood, invites you to an unforgettable experience. You’ll discover a place where the ambiance is as captivating as the offerings, featuring an exceptional wine list and regular live performances that truly set the mood.
Whether you’re seeking a casual evening or a romantic escape, this spot promises a memorable visit.
Overview: Introducting Amelie
Amelie offers a lively atmosphere, often enhanced by live music, making it a popular spot for wine enthusiasts. Guests frequently praise the thoughtful wine selection and the generally knowledgeable staff.
However, some experiences suggest that food quality can be inconsistent, with certain dishes falling short of expectations. While the happy hour deals are a definite draw, service can sometimes be a point of contention, especially during busy periods.
The overall vibe is often described as fun, though the noise level can occasionally be a concern for those seeking a quieter evening.
Excellent
8.3
out of 10
412
Reviews
86.7%
Satisfaction
39
negative
16
neutral
357
positive
Amelie generally performs well, reflected in its solid restaurant score of 8.3 and a strong customer satisfaction rate of 86.7%. This positive reception is built on a substantial 412 customer opinions, with 357 positive remarks outweighing 39 negative ones.
Both Food (8.5) and Service (8.5) stand out as key strengths, indicating a consistent experience in these crucial areas. The inviting Ambience also contributes significantly to the positive experience, scoring a respectable (8).
While Value (7.7) is still considered good, it’s slightly lower than the other categories, suggesting some room for improvement or perhaps a perception of higher pricing by a segment of guests. Overall, the feedback paints a picture of a well-regarded establishment.
What people like
- Excellent wine selection
- Knowledgeable, kind staff
- Lively ambiance
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Slow service
- Loud music
Amelie presents itself as a vibrant wine bar with a strong emphasis on its impressive wine list and a generally attentive staff. With a recommendation score of 8.5, it’s certainly a place worth considering if you appreciate a lively atmosphere and good wine.
However, be mindful that food quality can vary, and service might slow down during peak times. If you’re seeking a bustling spot for drinks and conversation, especially during happy hour, Amelie could be a good fit, but manage expectations for a quiet, flawless dining experience.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Amelie
Food (8.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 85% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot truly shines with a 8.5 score and a fantastic 89.9% customer satisfaction! With 160 positive remarks out of 178, guests rave about the delicious escargot, impressive wine selection, and excellent charcuterie boards. The flatbread options also receive high praise, making it a go-to for tasty bites.
However, it's not all perfect. A few of the 11 negative comments mention that some platters lacked in quantity and quality, with one guest noting a soggy flatbread. There were also mentions of small pours, suggesting some inconsistency in portioning.
Food
178
Reviews
89%
Satisfaction
11
negative
7
neutral
160
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Extensive wine list
- Tasty small bites
- Superb charcuterie board
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Small portion sizes
- Soggy flatbread noted
Often praised
- foodtry more of the food on the menu which looked great
- wineThe wine and old fashioned were incredible
- wine selectionyou can tell by looking at the wine selection that a lot of thought went into it
- winesexcellent array of wines by the glass or bottle
- wine listI enjoyed the great French cuisine and the huge professional wine menu, which featured selections from France and local regions. Germain has great taste and selected a very fantastic wine list at a very fair price. It’s a small wine bar, very casual and relax, with options for both indoor and outdoor seating.
- happy hourAmazing weekend happy hour to try all their wines
- wine flightsThe wine flights had a huge variety to pick from
- charcuterieeverything was good: charcuterie
- escargotsthe escargots are truly the best
- wine flightcan’t go wrong with a $12 wine flight
Frequently criticized
- burrata flatbreadThe burrata flatbread comes out soggy and falls apart.
- charcuterie plateThe charcuterie plate doesn't have any cheese on it, that's a miss.
- cod platethe cod plate had very little cod
- courses3 hours to get 3/4 courses is tough
- dessertwaited 1.5 hours for dessert that never came
- mainsthe mains were very unsatisfying
- plattersles planches ne soit pas Ă la hauteur
- pourthe pour was much smaller than I expected
- qualityQuantité et qualité très médiocre
- quantityQuantité et qualité très médiocre
If you're looking for a place with a generally delicious food menu, especially for wine and small plates, this is definitely worth a visit. Just be mindful that some platters might not always hit the mark in terms of portion size or quality.
Service (8.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 77% of the guests
Youll likely find the service here to be quite good, with a solid score of 8.5 and customer satisfaction at a strong 85.7%. Many guests rave about the friendly hosts, attentive bartenders, and super helpful servers. With 78 positive remarks out of 91 total, the staff truly shines, making great recommendations and ensuring a welcoming experience.
However, its not all perfect. A few experiences mention waiting times, with some finding the service pretty slow. There are also a couple of instances of rude staff, which can certainly put a damper on things.
These 12 negative comments suggest there's still a little room for improvement.
Service
91
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
12
negative
1
neutral
78
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Helpful hosts
- Attentive bartenders
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Long waiting time
- Rude staff
Often praised
- staffknowledgeable, gracious, and generous staff absolutely makes this little place shine
- serviceI’ve been to the NYC location and was expecting a similarly decent experience, but SF was absolutely AMAZING. My boyfriend and I were seated in front of the live performer and had the best time - great tapas and kind service. The octopus carpaccio and brussel sprouts were my favorites.
- serversMy experience at Amelie was for pre-dinner wine flights, which was so fun! The atmosphere was lively, and the servers were managing it all well, despite it being busy. We’ll definitely be making more stops here in the future to try out more of their selection.
- ServiceThe atmosphere was enhanced by a lovely vocalist and guitarist playing Portuguese songs and jazz standards. We speak both French and English and were served in both languages, which truly stood out as a wonderful experience.
- accueilperfect convivialité and accueil de Julien
- customer servicei love the customer service here
- hostsThe hosts were really helpful and caring
- welcomeWhat a super nice place! The wine was of quality, and we were very well welcomed. I recommend it :)))
- BartBart at Amelia saved our lives, he went out of his way
- FrédériqueFrédérique was great
Frequently criticized
- serviceyou would expect faster service
- waiting timeIt took us a while to get our seats
- checkwaited 20 minutes for that
- foodfood can take a while to come out on a busy evening
- rude staffextremely rude staff
- staffThe staff seemed to be on vacation
- stole my phoneSomeone stole my phone from this place!
- wait timethe wait time could have been improved
Overall, the service at this spot is a definite highlight. While you might encounter a wait or a slow moment, the overwhelmingly positive interactions with the staff make it worth a visit if friendly, attentive service is high on your list.
Ambience (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 80% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot truly shines! With a strong score of 8 and a fantastic customer satisfaction rate of 84.6%, its clear most guests love the atmosphere. Many rave about the vibes, live music, and outdoor seating, making it a neighborhood treasure for a date night or just a fantastic time.
This positive sentiment is echoed in 99 positive remarks out of 117 total customer observations. However, its not without its quirks. Some found the music to be loud, especially on busy nights, leading to a high noise level that made conversation difficult.
A few also mentioned the bar area feeling crowded or the chairs being too big for the space, contributing to an over capacity feeling at times, as noted in 13 negative comments.
Ambience
117
Reviews
84%
Satisfaction
13
negative
5
neutral
99
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Lively atmosphere
- Live music
- Outdoor seating
What people don't like
- Loud music
- Crowded bar area
- High noise level
Often praised
- atmosphereMy experience at this lively spot was very fun! I was impressed by the great selection of wines by the glass and bottle.
- ambianceperfect ambiance for a fun night out
- live musicMy experience at this well-loved wine bar in Russian Hill was intimate and cozy, enhanced by the red lighting and live music on Saturdays. It's a great spot to catch up with friends or go on a date.
- musicmusic is loud, but not too loud, really the perfect ambiance
- wine barGermain has great taste and selected a very fantastic wine list at a very fair price. It’s a small wine bar, very casual and relax, with options for both indoor and outdoor seating. It's one of the best places to hang out in SF with foodie friends.
- placeWhat a super nice place! The wine was of quality, and we were very well welcomed.
- vibeI love the vibe of this place
- vibesThe staff, including Bart and Fredo, are incredibly fun and accommodating. I enjoyed their great spritzes, good happy hour deals, and the overall fun vibes!
- ambienceGood ambience in a bustling place
- barMy experience at this restaurant was wonderful! I loved the customer service, it's the type of bar where you feel at home. The sparkling red wine is delicious, and they have live music on Fridays.
Frequently criticized
- BPMNevertheless, I shouldn't have to be so direct to request a change to music that was just introduced. Showing some restraint with BPM and volume would be beneficial. Anything above a resting heart rate (~70 BPM) or a hairdryer at close range (80 dB) can induce stress.
- ambianceit feels trashy - they now have disco ball
- atmosphereUnfortunately, we did not find the atmosphere we were expecting. The staff seemed to be on vacation, and as a result, the service was not great.
- bar areaThe bar area is really crowded
- chairsthe chairs are too big for the space
- intensity in musicthis sort of intensity in music ruined the meal
- loudvery loud on a Sat night
- musicmusic (and a volume) that would be incredible in a club
- noise levelYou shouldn’t have to shout at your date to be heard
- outside seatingBeware sitting outside after 4pm; it’s gets windy/cold
If youre looking for a lively spot with great music and a vibrant atmosphere, especially with outdoor seating, youll likely have a fantastic time. Just be prepared for potentially loud music and a crowded bar area if you visit on a busy night.
Value (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 23% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark with a 7.7 score, and customer satisfaction is a solid 76.9%. Most folks rave about the happy hour deals, finding prices to be quite affordable, especially for things like a wine flight. With 20 positive opinions out of 26 total, many consider it a fantastic deal, particularly during happy hour.
However, a few voices mention that the price can be a bit high, with some feeling the SF Food Week menu was a money grab. While only 3 negative opinions were noted, its worth considering if youre looking at specific, higher-priced offerings.
Value
26
Reviews
76%
Satisfaction
3
negative
3
neutral
20
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great happy hour
- Affordable prices
- Good wine flight
What people don't like
- High price points
- SF Food Week menu
Often praised
- happy hourMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic, especially during happy hour, which I believe might be the best happy hour in San Francisco. It's advisable to come early as it gets busy.
- priceI enjoyed the great French cuisine and the huge professional wine menu, which featured selections from France and local regions. Germain has great taste and selected a very fantastic wine list at a very fair price. It’s a small wine bar, very casual and relax, with options for both indoor and outdoor seating.
- $12 wine flighta $12 wine flight
- Happy Hourfavorite Happy Hour deal in the neighborhood
- Price per personPrice per person:$20–30
- affordablecurated and affordable
- cash discountSmall discount for cash
- happy hour dealshappy hour deals were worth
- happy hour pricesenjoy happy hour prices
- happy hour specialsdaily happy hour specials between 4-6pm
Frequently criticized
- SF Food Week menuThe SF food week menu seemed like a cheap money grab
- pricePrice is a bit high
- price per personfor $100/ person you would expect faster service
If youre looking for a fantastic deal, especially during happy hour, this place is definitely worth checking out. Youll likely find great value and reasonable prices. Just be mindful of certain special menus or higher-priced items, as a few guests felt those could be a bit steep.
How are the prices at Amelie?
You’re looking at roughly 41 per person – reported by 56 diners. That puts it in the $41–$50 category. For a Bar & Pub, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average sits at 41, its interesting to see that many guests spend less, with a good number in the $21–$30 range. However, theres also a noticeable group enjoying more premium experiences, showing a nice mix of options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 56 reviews.
See how this Bar & Pub’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
For a Bar & Pub in San Francisco, a 41 average feels fair. We think it offers a good balance, allowing for both casual visits and slightly more indulgent outings. It seems like a solid choice for a good time without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Amelie
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Delicious Food, Amazing Staff!
We stopped by for a late lunch after touring the Haas Lilenthal house. Our experience was fantastic! The food was delicious, and the staff were amazing.
Our favorite dish was the brussel sprouts. We'll definitely dine there again when in the neighborhood.
- food10
- staff10
- brussel sprouts10
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Loud
9
Great Wine Bar with Small Bites
My experience at this wine bar in San Francisco was fantastic! I was impressed by the lots of selections to choose from and the great small bites. The atmosphere was rated a 4, and the service was a perfect 5.
While the noise level was loud, it was still possible to hold a conversation. The food also received a 4. Overall, a great place for wine and food.
- wine selections9
- small bites8
- Atmosphere8
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Family
Service Type
- Dine-in
7
Wines and Escargots were good
Since my daughter is called Amelie, we wanted to pay a visit. The wines were quite ok, and the escargots were very good. All in all, it was an ok experience.
- wines7
- escargots9
- food6
Price per Person
- $51–$60
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
Noise Level
- Loud
8
Nice Spot for Wine and Bites
It was a nice place to have a glass of wine and snack on something. We enjoyed the live music on a Thursday evening. The atmosphere was casual.
- place7
- wine7
- something to snack7
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
My Go-To Wine Bar: Excellent Food & Wine
This wine bar is one of my favorites and it never disappoints. The wine list is always excellent, the escargots are truly the best, and the flatbread is amazing. I’ve been coming here for years, and I can honestly say it’s my go-to wine bar.
Perfect for a date or for a full catching-up with friends.
- wine list9
- escargots10
- flatbread9
What Amelie offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Food at bar
- Hard liquor
- Happy hour drinks
- Food
- Wine
- Beer
- Happy hour food
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Table service
- Seating
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Upscale
- Cozy
- Trendy
- Romantic
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere can you expect at Amelie San Francisco?
At Amelie San Francisco, you’ll find a diverse and inviting atmosphere. It’s a place that manages to be both casual and upscale, cozy and trendy, making it perfect for various occasions. You can enjoy a romantic evening or a lively night out with friends in its unique setting.
Does Amelie San Francisco offer happy hour specials?
Yes, Amelie San Francisco is well-known for its appealing happy hour. You can enjoy a selection of happy hour drinks and delicious happy hour food, making it an ideal spot to unwind after work or kick off your evening in Polk Gulch.
What is the overall customer sentiment and score for Amelie?
Amelie holds a strong restaurant score of 8.3 and a customer satisfaction of 86.7%. Its Food (8.5), Service (8.5), and Ambience (8) are particularly well-regarded, with Value (7.7) also scoring well.
What are Amelie's main strengths according to visitors?
Visitors frequently praise Amelie’s excellent wine selection, the attentive and knowledgeable staff, and the lively ambiance, often enhanced by live music. The happy hour deals are also a significant draw.
Are there any common concerns or drawbacks at Amelie?
Some guests have noted inconsistent food quality, particularly with certain dishes. Service can be slow during busy periods, and the music can be loud, making conversation challenging at times.