Highlights
- Great wine list
- Sports
oChef » Howells – San Francisco
Howells - San Francisco
Photo from Howells
Howells at a glance
San Francisco Marina District
- 🍻 Bar & Pub
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 4 of the guests
#153 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#9 Bar & Pub out of 151 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
120
Reviews
94.2%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Exceptional service
- Pleasant atmosphere
- Delicious food
Frequently criticized
- Social distancing
- Staff attentiveness
The bar & pub Howells invites you to experience its cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere right in the heart of San Francisco’s vibrant Marina District. You’ll discover a fantastic spot where you can unwind, catch up with friends, and enjoy a truly great wine list.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxed evening or a lively gathering, this is your go-to destination.
Overview: Introducting Howells
Howells offers a pleasant experience, often noted for its inviting atmosphere and a generally positive vibe. While many appreciate the good service, some past concerns about adherence to social distancing guidelines during a specific period were noted.
Guests often find the food and drink selections, like the hummus and wine, quite enjoyable. The pricing is generally considered reasonable, contributing to a good overall impression for many visitors.
Excellent
8.7
out of 10
120
Reviews
94.2%
Satisfaction
5
negative
2
neutral
113
positive
Howells achieves a solid overall Restaurant Score of 8.7 out of 10, indicating a generally good experience. This is further supported by an excellent Customer Satisfaction rate of 94.2%, suggesting most patrons leave pleased.
These figures are based on a substantial 120 customer observations. Digging deeper, Service (9.3) stands out as excellent, frequently praised for attentive staff.
Food (8.5) is also rated very good, with Ambience (8.4) closely following, creating a pleasant setting. Value (8) is considered good, making it a well-rounded offering, with 113 positive remarks against only 5 negative ones.
What people like
- Exceptional service
- Pleasant atmosphere
- Delicious food options
What people don't like
- Past social distancing concerns
- Occasional staff attentiveness
Howells presents itself as a reliable choice for a pleasant outing, particularly if you appreciate attentive service and a comfortable setting. With a strong Recommendation Score of 8.7, it’s certainly worth considering for a relaxed experience.
While past concerns about specific operational choices were noted, the overall positive feedback on food and value suggests a generally satisfying visit. It’s a place that largely delivers on its promise of a good time.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Howells
Food (8.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 71% of the guests
If youre wondering about the food and drink here, get ready for a treat! With a fantastic score of 8.5 and an excellent customer satisfaction rate of 94.1%, guests are clearly loving whats on offer. Based on 32 positive opinions out of 34, the wine selection is a huge hit, alongside tasty arancini balls, delicious sushi, and spicy scallops.
Many also rave about the small plates and hummus, making it a perfect spot for delightful bites. What's even more impressive is the complete absence of negative feedback regarding the food and drinks. Out of all the opinions, not a single one mentioned any downsides, which is quite rare!
This suggests a consistently positive experience for everyone who has tried their offerings, leaving no room for constructive criticism in this area.
Food
34
Reviews
94%
Satisfaction
0
negative
2
neutral
32
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great wine selection
- Delicious small plates
- Yummy sushi and scallops
What people don't like
Often praised
- wineWonderful wine and food
- wine selectionVery good wine selection
- foodWonderful wine and food
- hummusThe hummus is made from scratch upon order and taste delicious
- Armenian blendThe Armenian blend was very smooth
- arancini ballsarancini balls that were a nice accompaniment
- delicious sushiDelicious sushi
- glass of beerMy experience at the restaurant was centered around its great atmosphere, which provided a perfect setting to relax and enjoy people's company. I had a glass of wine or beer while soaking in the ambiance. The service and atmosphere were both rated a perfect 5, and the noise level was quiet, making it easy to talk.
- glass of winewith a glass of wine or beer
- impossible slidersthey were yummy
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If you're looking for a place with consistently excellent food and drink options, especially a great wine selection and tasty small plates, this spot is definitely worth trying. You can expect a delightful culinary experience with virtually no complaints from past visitors.
Service (9.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 87% of the guests
When it comes to service, this place truly shines! With an impressive score of 9.3 and an excellent customer satisfaction rate of 94.3%, its clear guests are thrilled. Many of the 33 positive remarks praise the staff members and manager for providing great service and making everyone feel welcomed from the moment they walk in.
However, out of 35 total comments, there were a couple of minor hiccups. A few experiences mentioned a bartender being less than welcoming or staff needing to be a bit more attentive. While these are isolated incidents, theyre worth noting for a truly perfect visit.
Service
35
Reviews
94%
Satisfaction
2
negative
0
neutral
33
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Excellent, friendly service
- Knowledgeable staff
- Attentive team
What people don't like
- Inattentive staff
- Unwelcoming bartender
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at the restaurant was marked by exceptional service, with the bartender going above and beyond by coming upstairs multiple times to check on us. The food was good, particularly the hummus, and the wine was also enjoyable.
- staffThe staff was super friendly and welcoming
- bartenderbartender with good hand-eye coordination put on an impressive show
- ServiceService:5
- bartendersFriendly bartenders
- credit cardreturned my credit card
- crewNate and his crew are friendly, knowledgable and helpful
- great serviceMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. It's a good spot for a nice drink, and I was impressed by the great service. The atmosphere was super, and I enjoyed the company of the nice patrons, leading to good times.
- knowledgeable staffvery knowledgeable staff to guide you
- location recommendationsgot some great location recommendations
Frequently criticized
- bartenderThe bartender greets me with “We’re closed”.
- staffStaff could be a bit more attentive
If youre looking for a place where youll feel genuinely cared for, this spot is definitely worth a visit. The overwhelmingly positive feedback on service suggests you're in for a treat, though a rare moment of inattentiveness might occur.
Ambience (8.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 81% of the guests
If youre looking for a place with a fantastic atmosphere, youre in luck! This spot boasts a 8.4 score for ambience and an impressive 93.9% customer satisfaction, indicating an excellent experience for most. With 46 positive remarks out of 49, guests consistently rave about the wonderful vibe, making it a perfect date night destination.
Many also appreciate the unique wood bar and overall atmosphere that creates a relaxing environment. However, a few voices raised concerns, with 3 negative opinions noted. These primarily revolved around issues like adherence to social distancing guidelines and the decision to open during pandemic times.
There was also a minor point about open hours not being consistent. While these are specific concerns, they are worth noting for those prioritizing health protocols.
Ambience
49
Reviews
93%
Satisfaction
3
negative
0
neutral
46
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Intimate date vibe
- Relaxing atmosphere
- Unique wood bar
What people don't like
- Pandemic safety concerns
- Inconsistent open hours
Often praised
- atmosphereGreat atmosphere to relax and enjoy people company
- vibeMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. It's a sweet little hole in the wall place with good prices and a cool vibe. I didn't find anything wrong with it at all.
- wine barMy experience at this nice little wine bar was pleasant. It offers a modest wine list with some food pairings.
- baractual bar is the most intricately crafted piece of furniture
- vibesgreat service and vibes
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- Noise levelNoise level:Quiet, easy to talk
- ambianceGreat ambiance
- bar cleanlinesskeep the bar clean
- conversationhold a conversation easily
Frequently criticized
- open hourssupposed to be open til 1 AM.
- opening during pandemicashamed of opening during a pandemic
- social distancing guidelinesA glass of wine is not worth risking your health. I was disappointed that Howells chose to open during a pandemic and was not adhering to social distancing guidelines. This was a poor decision.
Overall, if youre seeking a place with a truly inviting and intimate atmosphere for a relaxed evening or a date, this spot is highly recommended. Just be mindful of past concerns regarding pandemic-era operations and check their current policies if thats a priority for you.
Value (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 6% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot truly shines! Customers are absolutely thrilled, giving it an excellent customer satisfaction of 100% and a good score of 8. Based on 2 positive remarks, diners consistently praise the prices and describe things as reasonably priced, noting they found nothing wrong with what they paid.
Whats truly impressive is the complete absence of any negative feedback on value. With 0 negative comments, its clear that guests are genuinely pleased with what they get for their money, finding no issues with the cost.
Value
2
Reviews
100%
Satisfaction
0
negative
0
neutral
2
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Excellent pricing
What people don't like
Often praised
- pricedpretty reasonably priced
- pricesMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. It's a sweet little hole in the wall place with good prices and a cool vibe. I didn't find anything wrong with it at all.
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If you're looking for a spot where your money goes a long way, this restaurant is definitely worth a visit. You can expect good prices and a satisfying experience without breaking the bank, making it a solid choice for budget-conscious diners.
How are the prices at Howells?
You’re looking at roughly 39 per person – reported by 4 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For a Bar & Pub, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Interestingly, while the average sits here, the actual spending varies quite a bit, from budget-friendly visits around 11 – 30 $ to more premium experiences over 101 $! With only 4 reviews, this gives us a good indication, but keep in mind the data is limited.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 4 reviews. While the data is limited, it gives us a good indication of the spending patterns.
How this Bar & Pub stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco when it comes to value for money.
Given the diverse spending habits, we think the pricing can feel fair for a Bar & Pub, depending on what youre looking for. It seems you can have a more budget-friendly visit or opt for a premium experience. Its helpful to know there’s flexibility!
Customer Reviews: what people think about Howells
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Great atmosphere for company
My experience at the restaurant was centered around its great atmosphere, which provided a perfect setting to relax and enjoy people's company. I had a glass of wine or beer while soaking in the ambiance. The service and atmosphere were both rated a perfect 5, and the noise level was quiet, making it easy to talk.
- atmosphere10
- people company9
- glass of wine8
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Beautiful Bar with Friendly Staff
We stopped by after dinner for a glass of wine and had a wonderful experience. The bar is beautiful with a relaxed, casual vibe. The staff was super friendly and welcoming, which enhanced the overall experience.
It's a cool spot, and we will definitely be back!
- bar9
- vibe9
- staff10
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Closed Early, Rude Bartender
I arrived at 12: 19 am with a party of 8, and the bar was still occupied, even though the establishment was supposed to be open until 1 AM. The bartender greeted me with a blunt, "We're closed. " I only wanted one drink.
Fine. I'll take my business elsewhere.
- bartender1
- open hours2
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Cozy Lounge with Great Service
My experience at this restaurant was wonderful. It's a cozy lounge tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Chestnut Street, offering a great ambiance. The service was also excellent, contributing to a very pleasant visit.
- ambiance10
- service10
- cozy lounge10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Great Neighborhood Wine Bar
My experience at this neighborhood wine bar was fantastic! They offer many by the glass wine options, which is a huge plus. The atmosphere was great, and the staff were incredibly friendly and fun.
I highly recommend this place.
- wine options9
- atmosphere9
- staff10
What Howells offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Food at bar
- Food
- Wine
- Beer
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Table service
- Seating
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere and service options can you expect at Howells?
At Howells, you’ll find a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere perfect for unwinding. You can choose from various service options including comfortable dine-in seating, convenient takeout, or enjoying the fresh air with outdoor seating. It’s designed for you to relax and enjoy your visit your way.
What types of food and drinks are available, and is Howells accessible?
Howells offers a selection of food available at the bar, alongside a diverse range of beverages including wine, beer, and other alcoholic drinks. You’ll also appreciate its commitment to accessibility, featuring a wheelchair-accessible entrance and a wheelchair-accessible restroom for your comfort.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Howells?
Howells has an excellent overall **Restaurant Score** of **8.7** and an impressive **Customer Satisfaction** rate of **94.2%**. Customers particularly praise the **Service** (9.3), **Food** (8.5), and **Ambience** (8.4), with **Value** (8) also rated well.
What do customers appreciate most about Howells' atmosphere?
Guests frequently highlight the great atmosphere and cool vibe, describing it as a comfortable place to relax, enjoy company, and hold conversations easily due to quiet noise levels.
Are there any common concerns or areas for improvement at Howells?
Some past feedback noted concerns regarding adherence to social distancing guidelines during a specific period and occasional comments about staff attentiveness.