The Rotunda - Reviews

My wife and I had a wonderful experience stopping in for some lobster bisque that did not disappoint! It was creamy, rich, and steaming hot. We also appreciated the accompanying pop bread for dunking. Although there were many other items on the menu, we opted to eat light. The atmosphere was a perfect 5, and the service was equally impressive at a 5. The food also received a perfect score of 5. It was a quiet and easy to talk environment, making it ideal for lunch.

My experience at this restaurant was top-notch! The servers were incredibly attentive. The food was simply outstanding, and the atmosphere was unlike anything I've ever seen. It was a truly memorable dining experience.

My experience at this restaurant was one of disappointment. While the location is just gorgeous, the cuisine has never been a standout, and this last visit was a total failure. I won’t be going back. The popovers were cold and not crispy, and the chicken salad left so much to be desired. It was tasteless and served on a bed of mixed greens that seemed to come right out of a bag. Despite a very nice waiter, the food was awful.

My wife and I love this place. It’s such a perfect setting for a lovely lunch. The service is impeccable with uber attentive and friendly staff. The food is very good with appropriate prices. Always happy to dine here.

My experience at this restaurant was a tale of two halves. The ambiance was truly wonderful, with a light and airy circular open dining space featuring a beautiful dome overhead and plenty of windows. It's an experience to be sure. However, the food was only so-so. The popovers did not look appealing; they appeared dull and dry, though they tasted "ok. " My hamburger was plated plainly and looked rather petite for the size of the plate, with my dining partner commenting that it was small, period. It tasted like a hamburger, and not much more. The fact that all five of us didn't comment on the food as we ate was very telling. On a positive note, the coffee at the end of the meal was good. It's a shame the food didn't stand out given the setting.

My experience at this restaurant was largely positive. The cold brew coffee ice cream was outstanding! The service was very good to excellent, with smartly dressed and extremely well-mannered staff. I found the lobster bisque and soup to be terrific. While the chicken salad was fine, it wasn't fabulous. My friend's salmon was delicious. The historic setting was beautiful, and it was fun to see families dressed up for lunch. The cocktails looked fabulous from a distance.

My experience at this restaurant was largely disappointing. The food was quite mediocre and did not justify the prices. While the hostess and waiter were not the friendliest, their service was overall acceptable. Given the options, I wouldn't return as there are other restaurants I would prefer to support.

My experience at this restaurant was a mix of pleasant and unpleasant. While the dining room and views were beautiful, and most of the staff were pleasant, the presence of hairs in food was a significant issue. Three of the food items were memorable and I would want to taste them again, but others were quite forgettable. The rude staff member who informed us our allotted time was over also detracted from the experience. For around $75 per person including mandatory gratuity, I would not return.

The Rotunda is one of my favorite spaces in San Francisco. I’ve celebrated quite a few milestones in the restaurant, and I plan to return, but today’s service ruined an experience that otherwise could have been quite memorable. For reasons unbeknownst to us, our server was downright hostile. Eye rolls and constipated grimaces were her go-to reactions to each of our benign requests. It got to the point where we became so uncomfortable in her presence, that we shrunk ourselves into obsequious church mice, shivering in her scolding utopia. Truly unacceptable. It was like dealing with Kathy Bates from American Horror Story. She needs a nap or an SSRI.

It had been 15 years since my last visit, and my experience was fantastic. The restaurant offers such an elegant setting, complemented by great food and excellent service.