Highlights
- Great dessert
- Great coffee
- Great tea selection
oChef » Sears Fine Food – San Francisco
Sears Fine Food - San Francisco
Photo from Sears Fine Food
Sears Fine Food at a glance
San Francisco Union Square
- 🍔 American Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 174 of the guests
#1202 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#50 American Restaurant out of 121 in San Francisco
Good
7.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
855
Reviews
76%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Generous Portions
- Great Atmosphere
- Attentive Service
Frequently criticized
- High Prices
- Slow Service
- No Parking
The restaurant, an American Restaurant located in the vibrant Union Square neighborhood of San Francisco, offers a truly historic and casual dining experience. When you step into Sears Fine Food, you’re not just getting a meal; you’re immersing yourself in a piece of the city’s culinary past.
You’ll find yourself drawn to the inviting atmosphere, perfect for enjoying a quick bite or a leisurely meal. Don’t forget to save room for their great dessert, a highlight that consistently delights patrons.
Overview: Introducting Sears Fine Food
Sears Fine Food offers a dining experience that often leaves a positive impression, particularly with its tasty food and a generally welcoming vibe. Many guests appreciate the generous portions and the classic, retro feel of the establishment, making it a comfortable spot for a meal.
While some find it a bit hyped, the core offerings tend to satisfy. This establishment manages to blend a sense of history with a pleasant atmosphere, creating a setting that feels both familiar and special.
The staff often contributes to this positive experience, ensuring that guests feel well-cared for during their visit.
Good
7.5
out of 10
855
Reviews
76%
Satisfaction
153
negative
52
neutral
650
positive
Sears Fine Food achieves a solid 7.5 overall score, reflecting a generally good dining experience, complemented by a 76% customer satisfaction rate. This indicates that a significant majority of patrons leave content.
These insights are drawn from 855 customer observations, with 650 positive remarks outweighing 153 negative ones, painting a clear picture of its standing. Delving into specifics, the Ambience stands out with an impressive (8) score, suggesting a highly enjoyable setting.
Service (7.7) and Food (7.6) also perform well, indicating attentive staff and satisfying dishes. However, Value (5.1) presents a more average picture, suggesting that while other aspects are strong, the pricing might not always align with customer expectations.
What people like
- Generous food portions
- Welcoming, retro atmosphere
- Friendly, attentive service
What people don't like
- Perceived high prices
- Occasional slow service
- Limited parking options
If you’re seeking a dining spot with a classic atmosphere and dependable food, Sears Fine Food is certainly worth considering. With a strong 7.8 recommendation score, it’s a place that generally delivers on its promise of a pleasant meal, especially if you appreciate a historical setting and generous portions.
However, be mindful of the pricing, as some guests find it a bit steep. It’s a good choice for those prioritizing ambience and service over strict budget considerations, but it might not be the best fit if value for money is your primary concern.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Sears Fine Food
Food (7.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 98% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark with a solid score of 7.6 and a good customer satisfaction rating of 76%. Many diners rave about the variety of dishes, especially the lobster risotto and Swedish pancakes, noting the quality of food and generous portions. With 336 positive remarks out of 442 total, theres a lot to love on the menu.
However, not every dish is a home run. Some guests found "vegetarian options" limited, and a few mentioned disappointing "fries" or "hamburgers" that didnt quite live up to expectations. There were also concerns about some items being overpriced or having inconsistent food quality, as noted in 69 negative comments.
Food
442
Reviews
76%
Satisfaction
69
negative
37
neutral
336
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious Swedish pancakes
- Great dish variety
- Quality food preparation
What people don't like
- Limited vegetarian options
- Overpriced dishes
- Inconsistent food quality
Often praised
- foodWe visited Sears because it was conveniently located across from our hotel. While I personally felt it was a bit of a hyped up place, the food was tasty. I enjoyed the Swedish pancakes with berries, and my partner loved his steak, which he devoured.
- pancakesAfter being promptly seated, I ordered pancakes with bacon and egg. The pancakes were very good, and the scrambled egg was perfect. While the portion sizes were perhaps too large, in terms of value for money, we were very happy with this experience and would certainly recommend it.
- Swedish pancakesI happened upon this place around the corner from my hotel and it just hit right. I love Swedish pancakes, and though these were a different, silver dollar style rather than rolled, they were perfectly fluffy. The lingonberry jam is AMAZING.
- breakfastIf you have time, check out this place! I had an amazing breakfast with generous portions and great quality. The atmosphere was calm and the service was exquisite, creating a warm, welcoming vibe.
- coffeeI ate the Eggs Benedict and hash browns, which were not particularly delicious but made for a good Instagram photo. I prefer a warm coffee and a cozy, upscale atmosphere. It's crowded and has a good atmosphere, like a grandmother's house.
- portionsThe portions are substantial
- FoodFood:5
- baconthey know how to cool bacon
- dishesVittorio, the waiter, was very pleasant, smiling, and professional. The dishes were generous and very good! The lobster risotto was sublime!
- fish and chipsWent with the fish and chips, fisherman's platter, and I'm really happy with my choice.
Frequently criticized
- foodfood as it was obviously been sitting sitting there for awhile.
- pancakes18 tiny, slim pancakes but they are the equivalent of 2 regular pancakes
- baconThe coffee was also watered down and cost $5, which felt like a rip-off. My sister's side of bacon tasted like plastic, and my eggs Florentine were just okay, leaving a bad taste in my mouth for $24. Overall, this diner is WAY overpriced for the quality of food offered.
- breakfastbreakfast to be not worth the price
- coffeethe coffee is watered down. It may be good coffee but you really can't taste it
- menumenu describes as coming with julienne root vegetables and a citrus vinaigrette
- steaksteak so cold and raw the butter didn’t even melt
- Chocolate moussechocolate mousse was not sweet.
- Eggs BenedictEggs Benedict cannot be called so.
- FoodFood:2
If you're looking for a place with a generally strong menu, especially for breakfast or seafood, this restaurant is worth a visit. Just be mindful of the price point and perhaps steer clear if you have specific dietary restrictions or are craving exceptional fries.
Service (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 73% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid 7.7 score and a 78.8% customer satisfaction rate, its clear that most diners have a good experience. Out of 179 comments, 141 highlighted positive interactions, praising the friendly and attentive servers, quick service, and professional staff who often provide a warm welcome.
However, its not always perfect. About 34 comments mentioned issues like feeling ignored, long waiting times for things like the check or coffee refills, and occasional reports of rude or indifferent staff. While these instances are fewer, they suggest there's still room for improvement in consistency.
Service
179
Reviews
78%
Satisfaction
34
negative
4
neutral
141
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Quick service
- Warm welcome
What people don't like
- Feeling ignored
- Long wait times
- Rude staff
Often praised
- serviceWe got lucky and found no queue for dinner when my friends and I decided to try this restaurant, especially after seeing a very long queue the day before. The decoration was interesting, and the staff were friendly and attentive with fast service. We really love the crab cake😍 I also like the lobster risotto.
- staffMy experience at this restaurant was marked by excellent service and a friendly staff. The food was good, and I particularly enjoyed Lee's Eggs Benedict.
- ServiceService was so tasty
- waiterWe enjoyed multiple bottles of wine, appetizers, and main courses. Despite having a reservation, we were seated pretty quickly, and our waiter was great. The Dungeness Crab Chowder was hands down the best I have ever had, a must-try!
- serversI also recommend their clam chowder, it’s has the right proportion of meat and potatoes. The service is excellent; all the servers we encountered were very polite and attentive. Ask them for recommendations and they’ll tell you what’s good.
- serverIt's a fantastic blend of French brasserie style with American dishes, featuring a varied choice of tasty, high-quality dishes. The server was genuinely friendly. It's conveniently located just a stone's throw from Union Square.
- attentionthe attention very good
- friendly serviceMy experience at this restaurant was marked by its old charm and great friendly service. We ordered the all meat omelet, which was a good portion to split.
- ownerThe owner was also very friendly and kind
- peopleAll the people here were very nice and helpful
Frequently criticized
- serviceIt was very good, even though we felt the sauce could have been at least lukewarm. The price was a bit exaggerated for the service and compared to other similar places. Furthermore, our table was dirty/stained, and my husband ended up with a dirty sleeve from leaning on it.
- staffthe staff did not even say goodbye/thank you as I left
- billafter asking for a bill it will took 15min for a ladie to arrange.
- waitressThe waitress who took the order did not acknowledge or apologize for this
- ignoredWe felt absolutely ignored our whole time
- server20. 24, my server was terrible. After he got my juice, all I heard was "ready?
- waiting timewaited. Larger tables came in after and got their food.
- attentionNo one asked us if we needed anything else
- checkwaited a long time for the check
- coffee being refilledwaited a long time for the coffee being refilled
Overall, the service here leans heavily towards the positive, making it a place worth trying if you value a friendly and efficient dining experience. While a few hiccups occur, the majority of guests leave happy, so you're likely in good hands.
Ambience (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 68% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot truly shines! With a good score of 8 and a fantastic 85.2% customer satisfaction, it's clear most folks love the vibe. Out of 176 comments, a whopping 150 praise the unique decor, historic atmosphere, and even the jazz music, creating a truly relaxing environment.
However, not everyone was completely charmed. Around 20 pieces of feedback mentioned some concerns. A few found the noise level a bit high, others noted unpleasant smells from furniture, and some even encountered dirty tables.
Parking can also be a bit of a challenge, so plan ahead.
Ambience
176
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
20
negative
6
neutral
150
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Historic atmosphere
- Unique decor
- Relaxing vibe
What people don't like
- Unpleasant smells
- High noise level
- Dirty tables
Often praised
- atmosphereI prefer a warm coffee and a cozy, upscale atmosphere. It's crowded and has a good atmosphere, like a grandmother's house. It's not too salty, so it's okay, but after adding $5 for coffee and then more for tip, breakfast becomes more expensive than dinner.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- ambianceAnd the ambiance. Really great, every picture a revelation
- placeReally classy place
- vibeI had an amazing breakfast with generous portions and great quality. The atmosphere was calm and the service was exquisite, creating a warm, welcoming vibe. It's conveniently located just steps from Union Square.
- decorLovely decor and retro feel of this place
- historyHere you feel the history since 1938
- locationloved everything about this place, from the food to the location
- restaurantI really enjoyed this very friendly little restaurant. Vittorio, the waiter, was very pleasant, smiling, and professional.
- ambienceSo much so, we had our breakfast there every morning of our trip! The food was good, the ambience was amazing, and the service was superb. Especially the hostess/manager/busser – she remembered us the second morning, saying "welcome back, " which is crazy considering how many customers she sees each day.
Frequently criticized
- parkingMy experience at this restaurant was positive overall. Let's first talk about parking, there is none lol. You probably have to look for a parking garage when you’re in San Francisco.
- seating계산대랑 주방 입구에 앉혀서 정신 산만하고
- Noise levelVery loud, hard to hear
- Parking optionsPaid parking garage
- Parking spaceDifficult to find parking
- ceilingeverything from the floors to the ceiling including the furniture.
- dining roomThe dining room could use a little updating all around
- downstairsPlace is pretty stuffy downstairs
- floorseverything from the floors to the ceiling including the furniture.
- furnitureeverything from the floors to the ceiling including the furniture.
If youre seeking a place with character, history, and a generally relaxing vibe, youll likely be very pleased. Just be mindful that some minor issues like noise or cleanliness might pop up, and parking isn't always easy.
Value (5.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 28% of the guests
When it comes to value, many diners found things to appreciate, with 23 positive remarks highlighting aspects like being fairly priced and offering good value for money. Guests often praised the quality-price ratio and noted that happy hour specials provided excellent deals. Despite an overall score of 5.1, indicating an average perception, theres a clear appreciation for certain pricing aspects.
However, the picture isnt entirely rosy, as customer satisfaction sits at a rather poor 39.7%. With 30 negative comments, many felt the offerings were often pricey or downright overpriced, especially for breakfast. Concerns were also raised about items being expensive and the presence of extra taxes, leading some to feel it wasn't worth the money.
Value
58
Reviews
39%
Satisfaction
30
negative
5
neutral
23
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good value for money
- Reasonable pricing
- Excellent happy hour
What people don't like
- Food is overpriced
- Not worth the price
- Unexpected extra taxes
Often praised
- pricesLots of good food options for reasonable prices.
- pricePrice normal in a city like San Francisco
- valueThe bill came to $55 with no extras or drinks. Pretty good value for some excellent seafood pasta in a great place!
- value for moneythe value for money and quantity price is very interesting
- burger price$19 for the burger.
- fairly pricedFairly priced
- happy hourespecially during happy hour with all their food and drink specials
- price-performance ratioPreisleisung ist auch gut
- pricingPricing is good.
- quality price ratioI'm less of a fan of the cheesecake, but it was still good. An excellent quality-price ratio in San Francisco.
Frequently criticized
- priceIt was very good, even though we felt the sauce could have been at least lukewarm. The price was a bit exaggerated for the service and compared to other similar places. Furthermore, our table was dirty/stained, and my husband ended up with a dirty sleeve from leaning on it.
- breakfast priceIt's crowded and has a good atmosphere, like a grandmother's house. It's not too salty, so it's okay, but after adding $5 for coffee and then more for tip, breakfast becomes more expensive than dinner. The hash browns are not like McDonald's; they feel like unsalted potato pancakes.
- 48 dollarscame to 48 dollars which is kind of crazy tbh
- breakfast/brunch areasnot one of those good value breakfast/brunch areas
- coffee priceplus it costs $5!!! Not worth a buck
- combo platesno combo plates so things add up
- dinerWAY overpriced diner
- eggs Florentine priceleft a bad taste in my mouth for $24
- extra taxesthere's all these extra taxes like health which I've never seen before
- foodThe food is expensive
If you're looking for a steal, this might not be your spot, as many find it pricey. However, if you focus on specific deals like happy hour or appreciate the quality for what some consider a fair price, you might find some value here.
How are the prices at Sears Fine Food?
You’re looking at roughly 35 $ per person – reported by 174 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For an American Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Digging into the numbers, we see a good spread. While the average hovers around 35 $, a significant number of guests spend in the $21–$30 range, suggesting some great value options. But don’t worry, there are also choices for those wanting to spend a bit more, showing a nice mix of price points.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 174 reviews.
See how this American Restaurant stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco when it comes to value for money.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for an American Restaurant in San Francisco. Theres a good range of options, so you can find something whether youre looking for a casual bite or a slightly more indulgent meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Sears Fine Food
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Fantastic Seafood and Steaks!
My experience at this establishment for dinner was fantastic. The food was incredible, with both the seafood and steaks being great. The service was excellent, and the layout was very cool.
- food10
- seafood9
- steaks9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Great Breakfast and Atmosphere
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I stopped for a large breakfast on Sunday, October 26th, 2025. The service was great, the food was awesome, and the atmosphere was great.
Nobody rushes guests, and the conversations with staff were a wonderful supplement to the feast for my stomach. I highly recommend this place!
- large breakfast9
- service9
- food10
Price per Person
- $51–$60
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Delicious Baked Chicken!
My experience at the restaurant was wonderful! I had the baked chicken with mashed potatoes, and it was delicious! I highly recommend it if you are looking for American food.
- baked chicken10
- mashed potatoes10
- American food9
Price per Person
- $91–$100
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Perfect Lunch Experience
My experience at this restaurant was perfect. I stopped in for lunch and enjoyed a beer, the Dungeness chowder, a NY steak, and the apple tart. Everything was absolutely delicious.
It's a nice, casual sit-down spot.
- Dungeness chowder10
- NY steak10
- apple tart10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Iconic Venue, Best Staff, Good Food
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic. It's an iconic venue with good food. The atmosphere is described as fantastic old school and historic.
What truly stood out were the staff, who are the best. I still miss Sydney.
- venue9
- food7
- atmosphere10
What Sears Fine Food offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Historic
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere and dining options can you find at Sears Fine Food?
At Sears Fine Food, you’ll discover a historic yet casual atmosphere, perfect for any occasion. You can enjoy a variety of dining options throughout the day, including breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, all with comfortable seating and table service. Don’t forget to indulge in their great dessert offerings. They also accept reservations for your convenience.
Does Sears Fine Food offer family-friendly amenities and convenient payment methods?
Absolutely! Sears Fine Food is good for kids, providing a dedicated kids’ menu and high chairs to ensure a comfortable family dining experience. For your convenience, you can pay using credit cards, debit cards, or NFC mobile payments. Paid street parking is also available nearby for easy access.
How does Sears Fine Food generally perform?
Sears Fine Food holds a good overall score of **7.5** with **76%** customer satisfaction. Its **Ambience** (8), **Service** (7.7), and **Food** (7.6) are highly rated, though **Value** (5.1) is considered average.
What do customers appreciate most about Sears Fine Food?
Customers frequently praise the generous food portions, the welcoming and retro atmosphere, and the friendly, attentive service provided by the staff.
Are there any common concerns when dining at Sears Fine Food?
Some customers find the prices to be on the higher side, and there are occasional mentions of slow service or difficulties with parking.