Highlights
- Great tea selection
oChef » Dragon Well – San Francisco
Dragon Well - San Francisco
Photo from Dragon Well
Dragon Well at a glance
San Francisco Marina District
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 37 of the guests
#1609 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#149 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Good
7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
401
Reviews
67.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious food
- Pleasant atmosphere
- Kind service
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent quality
- High prices
- Cross-contamination
The restaurant Dragon Well is a Chinese Restaurant in San Francisco’s vibrant Marina District. You’ll find a truly authentic culinary journey here, highlighted by a great tea selection that sets it apart.
Whether you’re seeking a cozy dinner or a quick bite, this spot offers a casual atmosphere perfect for any occasion. You can enjoy delicious meals with friends or family, knowing you’re in for a treat.
Overview: Introducting Dragon Well
Dragon Well offers a mixed experience, with many guests praising its delicious and flavorful Chinese dishes, often highlighting the variety, including gluten-free options. The excellent service and pleasant atmosphere also contribute positively to the dining experience.
However, some diners have found the food to be lacking flavor or even cross contaminated for specific dietary needs. Concerns about subpar service and portions, alongside perceptions of it being overpriced for the quality, suggest areas for improvement.
Good
7
out of 10
401
Reviews
67.1%
Satisfaction
113
negative
19
neutral
269
positive
Dragon Well achieves a solid Restaurant Score of 7, indicating a generally good experience. However, customer sentiment is a bit more mixed, with Customer Satisfaction at 67.1%.
This slight divergence suggests that while many find it a worthwhile visit, a notable portion of patrons have reservations. Looking closer at the feedback from 401 customer remarks, with 269 positive and 113 negative, Food stands out with a strong (7.4), often described as flavorful.
The Ambience (7.4) also contributes positively. However, Service (6.4) is more average, and Value (4.3) appears to be a weaker point, indicating some concerns about pricing and portion consistency.
What people like
- Delicious, varied food
- Pleasant dining atmosphere
- Attentive, kind service
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Perceived high prices
- Gluten-free cross-contamination
With a Recommendation Score of 7, Dragon Well is a place worth considering, especially if you appreciate flavorful Chinese cuisine and a pleasant setting. It offers a generally good experience, making it a solid choice for a casual meal.
However, be mindful of potential inconsistencies in food quality and service, and be prepared for prices that some find a bit high. If you have specific dietary needs, particularly gluten-free, it’s wise to communicate clearly to ensure a smooth experience.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Dragon Well
Food (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 94% of the guests
When it comes to the food here, things are looking pretty good! With a solid score of 7.4 and a customer satisfaction rate of 71.8%, many diners are leaving happy. Out of 245 comments, a whopping 176 praise dishes like the standout walnut prawns, fresh ingredients, and the extensive gluten-free menu, noting the flavorful options and generous portions.
However, not everyone is completely satisfied, with 56 comments raising concerns. Some found dishes bland or lacking flavor, while others worried about cross contaminated gluten-free options. There were also mentions of inconsistent portion size for takeout and issues with certain ingredients like too many onions.
Food
245
Reviews
71%
Satisfaction
56
negative
13
neutral
176
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious GF options
- Fresh, quality ingredients
- Flavorful, generous portions
What people don't like
- Gluten cross-contamination risk
- Inconsistent flavor
- Small takeout portions
Often praised
- foodThe food was delicious, delicate, and flavoursome, with great attention to detail in its preparation. The mouthwatering food included the crab wonton, dragon beef, mu shu pork, and stir-fried vegetables. Dishes arrived within minutes, and the service was excellent.
- Chinese foodMy experience at this restaurant was excellent. I found it to be the healthiest and most tasty Chinese food in the city. The owners are consistently present, contributing to the overall experience by ensuring speedy service and fostering a neighborhood feel.
- gluten-free menutheir gluten-free menu, which had an incredible number of options
- walnut prawnsThe owners were incredibly kind and passionate, and I noticed their attention to detail. This was evident in the high quality beef in the beef chow fun, the homemade pancakes in the mu shu pork, and the tasty candied walnuts in the walnut prawns. They even offered chocolate fortune cookies!
- portionsThe portions were generous
- FoodFood:5
- Hong Kong noodlessimple, uncomplicated, delicious. we had the Hong Kong noodles
- Walnut PrawnsWalnut Prawns were as good as always
- flavorWe ordered the wok-tossed prawns first, which were a great start. The flavor was great, but it definitely wasn't as spicy as I was expecting. The wonton soup was very good and exactly what you would expect and more!
- gluten-free optionsorder quiet a few of the gluten free options available
Frequently criticized
- foodthe food was subpar—lacking flavor, freshness, and quality
- cross contaminatedthe food was clearly cross contaminated since I ended up feeling sick
- food flavoreverything lacked flavor
- gluten free menuthey have a whole gluten free menu, however the food was clearly cross contaminated
- Chinese pancakesThe food lacked flavor, and the service was slow, which was particularly noticeable as I was the only customer at 5 pm. I was also surprised by the pancakes served with the mushu pork; they were not typical Chinese pancakes and resembled poorly made flour tortillas. Only four were provided.
- Gluten-Free menuGluten-Free menu used to be so good, but now
- Kung Pao ChickenKung Pao Chicken was bland & dry
- Mongolian beefMongolian beef which meat was tough And flavor was salty
- Mongolian beef takeoutdisappointed with the last 2-3 times I ordered the Mongolian beef takeout
- beansI spoke with their manager this time who informed me that previous servers had thrice(!) served me cross-contaminated meals, even though at the time they had been adamant all was safe. If you do dine here and are severely reactive to CC, stay away from anything that has tofu and do not get the beans (they are deep fried). Dragon Well really should consider placing a warning on their menu since all three occasions, before today, their servers told me otherwise.
Overall, if you're seeking a Chinese meal with generally good flavors and a strong emphasis on fresh ingredients, especially with great gluten-free choices, this spot is worth a try. Just be mindful of potential inconsistencies in flavor and, if you have severe allergies, double-check on cross-contamination risks.
Service (6.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 67% of the guests
Based on 66 positive comments out of 104 total, the service here often shines! Many guests rave about the friendly and highly attentive staff and attentive servers who are knowledgeable and make great menu suggestions. You'll often find stellar service with quick order times and a welcoming atmosphere, making you feel like a VIP.
However, the service scores an average 6.4, with customer satisfaction at a mixed 63.5%, indicating some areas for improvement. There are concerns about inattentive staff, long wait times, and occasional reports of rude owner/manager behavior, particularly regarding seating and takeout orders, which can leave a sour taste.
Service
104
Reviews
63%
Satisfaction
38
negative
0
neutral
66
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Quick, efficient service
- Welcoming owners
What people don't like
- Rude staff/owner
- Long wait times
- Inattentive service
Often praised
- serviceThe mouthwatering food included the crab wonton, dragon beef, mu shu pork, and stir-fried vegetables. Dishes arrived within minutes, and the service was excellent. The taste was truly to die for.
- staffThe staff is kind, but I was really disappointed with the last 2-3 times I ordered Mongolian beef takeout. I pay nearly $25 each time, and after adding broccoli, the medium-sized carton was only about 3/4 full.
- serverOur server was very helpful, knew the ingredients in their food
- AlexAlex thanked us for coming and wished us well.
- ServiceService:4
- ownersowners are always there, and part of the experience
- peoplethe people were nice
- take outI ordered take out using Caviar.
- waitressThe young Asian waitress was so kind and full of good recommendations
- Asian hostessThe only thing good about this restaurant is the friendly Asian hostess
Frequently criticized
- serviceWhile there were numerous great food options on the same street, the pricing here seemed steep. However, the most disappointing element was the subpar service. Despite multiple empty tables, the owner and staff made customers wait for over 15 minutes.
- staffthis girl name “Olga” says in a loud voice, “ we just got there and we should wait for the server”. She then yelled across the room for the server
- customer serviceDon’t you know anything about customer service?
- waiting time60 minutes for 2 items is crazy
- Apple PayFyi they don’t take Apple Pay.
- Google My Business pageNeedless to say, I won't be going back. It turns out they have claimed ownership of their Google My Business page, so it's their own fault the prices are fraudulently wrong on Google Maps. That information is controllable by their profile on GMB, which they are too lazy to make accurate.
- PersonPerson was not very customer friendly
- condimentsa few condiments had been included to the bag
- customer treatmentI was told they were not taking to-go orders, despite the restaurant having only about 5 customers. This was a terrible way to treat a customer.
- employee Olgaemployee Olga.very rude
Service here is a bit of a mixed bag; you might encounter incredibly friendly and efficient staff, or you could face longer waits and less attentive interactions. Its worth trying if youre feeling lucky, but manage your expectations.
Ambience (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 29% of the guests
Hey there! When it comes to the vibe, this place generally hits the mark, scoring a solid 7.4 and leaving 75% of customers feeling good about it. Based on 21 positive remarks out of 28 total, folks really appreciate the location and often describe it as a hidden gem with a pleasant modern restaurant feel.
Many also rave about the patio seating and warm vibe, making for a great experience. However, its not all sunshine and roses. A few voices, 3 to be exact, found the atmosphere to be disappointing, and some mentioned that finding a parking space could be somewhat difficult.
' So, while mostly positive, there are a couple of minor snags to consider.
Ambience
28
Reviews
75%
Satisfaction
3
negative
4
neutral
21
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great location
- Pleasant atmosphere
- Cozy patio seating
What people don't like
- Disappointing atmosphere
- Difficult parking
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- atmosphereit has a nice, pleasant atmosphere
- ambienceIt's a great spot for visitors seeking a great culinary treat. The service is second to none with friendly servers and great ambience. For San Francisco, their prices are pretty reasonable.
- bathroomsbathrooms are clean and well stocked
- dining by yourselfThis restaurant is a perfect place to go for a good and hearty Chinese meal. Whether you're dining by yourself or with others, it offers a satisfying experience.
- dining with othersThis restaurant is a perfect place to go for a good and hearty Chinese meal. Whether you're dining by yourself or with others, it offers a satisfying experience.
- experienceThe service was good. I would recommend it as the experience we had here was great!
- good restaurantBon restaurant
- heat lampthey did bring us a heat lamp outside
- heaterthey gave us our own heater
Frequently criticized
- Parking spaceSomewhat difficult to find parking
- atmospherethe atmosphere was equally disappointing
- dedicated gf spaceno dedicated gf space as I had been told
Overall, if you're looking for a spot with a generally pleasant and welcoming atmosphere, especially if you can snag some patio seating, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be prepared that parking might be a bit of a hunt, and a small minority found the indoor vibe less appealing.
Value (4.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 23% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot seems to be a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 4.3 which is average, and customer satisfaction sitting at a rather low 25%. Despite these figures, some diners have been pleasantly surprised, finding great value and affordable options, especially praising the lunch specials for being quite reasonable. Based on 6 positive remarks, a few folks truly feel they've found a good deal.
However, the majority of the feedback, with 16 negative comments, points to significant concerns. Many feel the experience is expensive and overpriced for what you get, often citing issues with quantity and confusing pricing. It seems many expected much better for the price they paid, leading to considerable disappointment.
Value
24
Reviews
25%
Satisfaction
16
negative
2
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great lunch specials
- Reasonable for area
- Good value found
What people don't like
- Overpriced for quantity
- Misleading pricing
- Steep costs
Often praised
- priceVery reasonably priced for the area
- affordableIt was also quite affordable
- great valueshocked at how good of a value this was
- lunch specialsLunch specials are a great value
- pricesThe service is second to none with friendly servers and great ambience. For San Francisco, their prices are pretty reasonable. That being said, the food didn't quite hold up to that pricing.
Frequently criticized
- priceThe staff is kind, but I was really disappointed with the last 2-3 times I ordered Mongolian beef takeout. I pay nearly $25 each time, and after adding broccoli, the medium-sized carton was only about 3/4 full. It contained only 4 small pieces of soggy broccoli and way too many onions.
- pricesrealize the prices have went up
- Google Mapsprices are fraudulently wrong on Google maps
- PriceOverpriced
- basic simple teayou’d think a basic simple tea would be included but you have to order tea off the menu for about $8
- discrepancyBut that was a $20 discrepancy
- expensiveIt's expensive for the quality of food
- extra brothIt's unclear how we would have known to do this. While the food is good, it seems you need to pay for extra broth if you order soup takeout, which feels counterintuitive. Additionally, our chicken and vegetables order only contained broccoli, missing carrots, mushrooms, and other advertised ingredients.
- meal for two$75 meal for two, that left me disappointed
- price informationI'm unsure who is responsible for maintaining the price information on the menu here, but I ordered Mongolian beef, veggie stir fry, pork potstickers (appetizer), and 1 small rice. According to the information available, the total should have been around $32, including sales tax and a 5% healthy SF charge.
If you're considering this place for its value, proceed with caution. While some find specific deals like lunch specials worthwhile, the general sentiment suggests prices are often too high for the quality and quantity received. It might be a gamble, so manage your expectations carefully.
How are the prices at Dragon Well?
You’re looking at roughly 40 per person – reported by 37 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For a Chinese Restaurant in San Francisco, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Interestingly, while the average is 40, many guests actually spend a bit less, with a good number falling into the $21–$30 range. But if you’re feeling fancy, there are also some premium options that go quite a bit higher!
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 37 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Chinese restaurant in San Francisco, especially given the range of options available. It offers good value whether you’re looking for a casual meal or something a bit more special.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Dragon Well
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Generous Portions, Great Value Chinese Food
My experience at this restaurant was very positive. The Chinese food was of very good quality, and the portions were generous. I also found the price to be not excessive, with it costing around $40 per person.
The food received a perfect score of 5, and the service and atmosphere were rated a 4.
- Chinese food10
- portions9
- price8
Price per Person
- $61–$70
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Best Chinese Food in the Bay Area
My experience at this restaurant was unequivocally the best Chinese food I've had in the Bay Area, and it stands as a top restaurant across any cuisine category. The quality of the food, the attentiveness of the staff, and the atmosphere were all superb. To top it off, they offer a fantastic selection of wines.
- Chinese food10
- quality of the food10
- attentiveness of the staff10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Delicious GF Chinese Food!
We were super happy to find this delicious Chinese spot that actually has GF options. It was the first Chinese restaurant we've found with gluten-free choices, and every dish we tried was great. Thank you for offering these options!
- GF options10
- every dish9
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Dragon Well: Consistently Amazing Chinese Food
I've been a loyal customer at Dragon Well since 2000. Every time I visit San Francisco, I make it a point to stop by for an amazing meal. It's definitely worth a stop if you live in SF or if you're visiting and craving a clean, delicious Chinese food meal.
In my opinion, there's no better place.
- amazing meal10
- clean delicious Chinese food meal10
- No better place10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Overpriced and Bland Food
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The spring roll was overpriced and contained only sour marinated vegetables with no meat, something Panda Express could easily do better. The noodle dish was dry and the flavor was bland.
- spring roll2
- noodle2
- Price2
What Dragon Well offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Healthy options
- Vegan options
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Catering
- Table service
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Usually difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What dining and service options are available at Dragon Well?
At Dragon Well, you can enjoy a variety of service options including outdoor seating, dine-in, takeout, and delivery. For dining, you have choices for lunch, dinner, and catering, all with comfortable seating and table service. You can also make reservations for your visit.
Is Dragon Well accessible and suitable for families with children?
Yes, Dragon Well is designed to be accessible, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restroom. It’s also a great spot for kids, offering high chairs to accommodate younger guests, making it a comfortable choice for families.
What is the overall rating for Dragon Well?
Dragon Well holds a Restaurant Score of 7, with Customer Satisfaction at 67.1%. Guests particularly appreciate the Food (7.4) and Ambience (7.4), though Service (6.4) and Value (4.3) receive more mixed feedback.
Does Dragon Well offer good value for money?
Opinions on value are mixed. While some find it reasonably priced, especially for lunch specials, others consider it expensive for the quality, citing issues with portion sizes and overall pricing.
Are there good options for gluten-free diners at Dragon Well?
Dragon Well offers an extensive gluten-free menu with many options. However, some diners have reported issues with cross-contamination, so it’s advisable to communicate your needs clearly.