Mouthwatering Tapas/Small Plates in San Francisco

Petiscos

★★★★☆ 3.9 (586) • $$$

"Came in with positive expectations that this place will deliver food similar to Portugal. Unfortunately, the overall dining experience was so-so. We were seated quickly after entering since we had a reservation. On a Friday, on Valentine's Day, the dining if room was at 60% capacity when we were seated. It took a while before someone came to fill our waters and ask us if we had questions about our menu. When we finally ordered, the food was churned out very quickly... pretty much all at once with the exception of Bacalhau à Brás (which came out when the rest of our food was done). So pacing of the meal felt rushed. Food: in general, all the food came out room temperature. This tells me that the food was cooked and was sitting on the counter for a while before it was brought to the table. Not sure why because the restaurant wasn't at full capacity yet. Flavors of each item was good. Vegetables had a good char to them. Beef tongue was tender. Dislikes: The Chouriço was burnt. Since the sausage was already cooked, and the flame was for show, I was surprised to see that the ends of sausage end was blackened when it came out. The Bacalhau à Brás was way too salty. And it came out at the very end of the meal. The rest of our dishes had already cleared. The pastel de nata could be warmed up a touch. That would have made a huge difference. Service: not attentive. I felt like where we sat, it was difficult to get the attention of the server. We asked one server who took our order for dessert, for the check two times. Never brought us the check. Asked another server who cleared our dishes away...we also asked him several times for the check. Overall: a cute place for date night. Food seasoning, temperature of food, and service could improve."

Lolinda

★★★★☆ 4.2 • $$$

"I really enjoy this food because of the atmosphere and delicious food.I've been here quite a few times for birthday dinners, date nights and when friends are visiting from out of town.They have a great selection on the menus.Great to share family style/Tapas. You get more bang for the buck and the ability to try more of the menu. The drinks are delicious as well.Sometimes it can be quite busy so I would recommend making a reservation."

The Check-In Lounge

★★★★★ 5 (40)

"Finally! A wine bar in my neighborhood. Given that this area is primarily residential without the multitude of eating establishments and decent hangouts that Noe Valley, Bernal Heights, or even Jngelside near CCSF has now, The Check-In is a very welcome addition. Serving some wonderful wines by the glass and smallish dishes to complement, it's the perfect place to meet friends for a casual weeknight hang."

Fenikkusu

★★★★★ 4.5 (162)

"Fenikkusu serves some interesting dishes that you wouldn't find at your typical Japanese restaurant. As the name says they serve tapas (ie small portion) dishes and specialize in sushi.The mini kaisen don is the real star of the menu and is a well thought out balance of sashimi rice, aromatics and salmon roe for some brininess. The mentaiko pasta is also a really awesome dish. I would come back here for these two dishes. I also enjoyed the corn fritters and the mackerel. I would stay away from the oxtail pot and is the main reason why I didn't give a five star rating."

Iberia Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4 (378) • $$$

"If you're looking for some authentic, Spanish cuisine in the SF Peninsula, I recommend this place! From the moment you get there, the exterior looks very European! Once inside you feel transported to a small Spanish town. The interior is very cozy and intimate. We ordered several typical tapas. Patata bravas, croquetas and pa amb tomaquet to start. The food came out and looked so delicious. Tasting them also was another level. The food tasted fresh, full of flavour and an authentic. The food tastes as if you're at a family dinner, full of good seasoning and flavours. We ordered the paella to share, and of course you have to order it sacarrat style which is with crispy edges. The desserts were amazing and súper good! The service was great, with our hostess checking in with us throughout the dinner. I've driven by this place hundreds of times and finally got to try it. Parking is along the street. I also highly recommend making reservations as this place is on the smaller side. It's a must try!"

Savor

★★★★★ 4.7 (257) • $$

"I'm not vegan or vegetarian but I'd convert if I ate food from here everyday. On a whim my friend and I decided to catch-up and try something healthy, we found savor and it looked amazing. Parking in the area can be a bit difficult but it wasn't too bad. We got seated right away and the guy helping us gave us great recs we had 3 things that we shared and it was enough for us. We had the hot and cold asparagus which was amazing! I love asparagus and it wasn't overcooked , it was still crisp and it had a great sauce that went with it. We also had this dish with tofu and caramleized onions and some greens on the bottom. It was super flavorful and tasty, we devoured this so fast. The mushroom knaffe was so crispy with a bunch of savory mushrooms inside. We loved this as well. We ended dinner with their bread pudding and it was also super soft and not too sweet. Could taste some jam on top and cinnamon, was the perfect way to end the meal.Will definitely be coming back when i stop by in the area. Love this place and can't get enough of it! Total for 2 w/ tax & tip: $70"

Fire Hibachi

★★★★☆ 3.5 (11)

"Highly recommend this place. I personally would rate it, four out of five however, my husband gives it a five out of five. To me what makes the food amazing is the sauces. I feel like they have to add more seasoning to their food. The service is great. The ambiance is okay, it's a food truck so be prepared to wait a while and there's no chairs for customer to sit. Other than that I highly recommend this place."

Binu Bonu

★★★★★ 4.9 (17)

"Ummm...why does this establishment only have 4.8 stars?! It needs 5 stars at a minimum!! Lorrella and Massimilano, hailing from La Cicca fame, are the sweetest people in the world. We sat at the bar and had the most wonderful time chit chatting about favorite sushi spots in the city, the quirky eccentricities of winemakers, and what defines a natural wine. Oh, and we had the most delicious octopus salad and a taste of some spicy spicy chocolate! I do like Unwined in West Portal but sorry, Binu Bonu takes the cake! Look forward to many more outings here."

District San Francisco

★★★★☆ 3.8 • $$

"A bunch of stopped in here for drinks and good times with friends. We had some glasses of wine and enjoyed the ambiance of this wine bar. It's a great place to catch up with friends in San Francisco, more of a lounge chill vive. Service was great."

Mazra

★★★★★ 4.7 • $$

"Fall 2022 - Narrowed down 6 places for my significant other's parents to choose; treated them out for their birthdays. They've never been and the food and service was great. Very lively and spacious place - very busy - somewhat bustling. And little did I know, that this place is rated outside of yelp with many 'recognitions/awards'. After that night - said parentals introduced this establishment to their other relatives who also really like the food - however one couple already knew the owners eons ago. And they were all going without us for months. But, we had since all gone together for someone else's birthday at some point. There is not a dish I don't like here. Highly recommend everything."

Barcha

★★★★☆ 4.1 (846) • $$$

"Solid option for a dinner in Fidi! We got the 3 dips, short rib skewer, brussels sprouts, beef dumplings and tahdig with duck.- Favorites were the tahdig & dumplings- Least favorite were the brussels, which were doused in sauce- Enjoyed the low alcohol spritz and appreciate that they had no / low alcohol options- Lots of seating. Outdoor tables had heat lamps which were very warm"

15 Romolo

★★★★☆ 4 • $$

"15 Romolo Cocktail Bar is a hidden gem. Upon arriving, I was greeted by the exceptional bartender Gabriel, who not only mixed me a fantastic Pimm's cocktail, but also made me feel right at home. The bar boasts a relaxing atmosphere that was perfect for my pup Nero and Seneca to unwind after a long day of adventures.I must add that the bar is doggy friendly and the staff went above and beyond to make sure Nero and Seneca was comfortable and well-cared for.This bar is not to be missed for anyone looking for an unforgettable experience filled with delicious drinks and great conversation. I will definitely be returning and sharing my experience with others.Disclaimer: No dogs were harmed, given alcohol or any non-dog-friendly food during our visit. Only water and dog-approved food were provided to ensure the well-being and comfort of all furry guests."

STOA

★★★★☆ 4.3 (48)

"My girlfriends and I came here for an early dinner and drinks, and we had a great time! Food was amazing, every dish was delicious. Needless to say, we had no leftovers. We had the chips, popcorn, lemongrass pork, chicken and waffles (with persimmon slices!), salmon ceviche, lamb tacos (2x), Korean rice cakes. The drinks were great too! I recommend getting here early (when they open at 4pm is ideal!) if you want a table inside. But their dining area outside was nice too, there are heaters to keep you warm.Would love to come back and try other dishes!"

LaLe

★★★★☆ 4.2 (697) • $$

"10am Saturday. Determined to see Flower Piano in Golden Gate Park, I skipped breakfast in order to find a parking space near the Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park. Taking a day off from my perfect Avocado Toast quest I found LaLe, an easy walk. .Nice! They have a parklet, should it ever get warm enough. Inside, comforting dim lights, warm wood arched plank ceiling, like 1/2 a fancy giant wine barrel. Clever solution for a too high ceiling I'm guessing. Definitely a classy casual vibe, country-ish rock music, you can still have conversation. This is no laptop village, people are talking to each other! Wallpaper is enlarged French newspapers with giant tulips incorporated.Ordered a la carte 2 fried eggs, 4 strips bacon, muffin. Bummer the eggs not medium well as ordered, rather runny, more than made up for it with the homemade jam & muffin.By 10:30 folks were streaming in. MUNI N Judah on the corner.Destination worthy.Support Local!"

Noren Izakaya

★★★★☆ 4.1 (302) • $$$

"Delicious food, very friendly service. Would highly recommend.Their mushroom skewers are to die for. And the unagi/eel is incredible."

The Crumb

★★★★☆ 4.2 (24)

"So we went to dinner at the crumb on Saturday night around 7:00 p.m. . The restaurant was busy but not overcrowded and because the space was a little more intimate the ambiance of the restaurant was very cozy. I also enjoy the fact that there was art on the walls from local artists that you could purchase if you found something quite appealing. I want to give a huge huge huge shout out to our server Sarah who took care of us splendidly the entire night. Her and my friend bonded over them both being midwesterners and we all had a hoot together laughing and just chatting about different things. Sarah was very kind in giving a suggestions regarding what we potentially could eat and knew the menu quite well whenever we had a question about one of the items. For drinks we ended up getting the Pink Pony Club, the Bailando, and the Halo. All three of these drinks were made with either wine or beer and not going to lie I was a little hesitant as to what the taste would be and we were all floored. Every single drink had its own burst of flavor, it was very complex, but also light on the palate where it was extremely refreshing. Greatly recommend all of them.For dinner we started off with the Deviled eggs, a kale Caesar salad followed by the soba noodles, Peruvian chicken wings, and lastly the portabella sliders. The deviled eggs had a beautiful hint of truffle which really made the filling quite delicate but both at the same time. The Kale Caesar salad was very fresh, the dressing it had was not overly done, and the fresh parmesan was tasted throughout every bite. I really enjoyed the soba noodles because the sauce it had had the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. I call this out because both my husband and my best friend are not fans of spicy and they really enjoyed this dish. It was actually finished by all of us. The other dish we had were the Peruvian chicken wings that had an amazing taste on their own and did not require the dipping sauce that came with it. The sauce did enhance the flavor. The one call out for this dish, as it is more of a personal preference, is I would have liked the chicken wings just a little more crispy. We ended the night with these brownies that were a amazing blend of a chocolate torte and brownie combined. We got two orders the first one had the brownie melting in your mouth the second order was a little bit more decadent but still not overpowering with the chocolate. We gave a big thank you to the chef before she left and we are so looking forward to coming back and trying out the other dishes on the menu."

Yasijang

★★★★★ 4.7 (79)

"Yasijang does bar-style Korean food right! We came on Sunday ready to order Korean food, and it worked out perfectly because their sushi chef doesn't work Sundays. I really liked the dark interior and neon lights. My friend told me she'd been there several times already, and she had a bottle on the wall with her name on it to measure the bottle caps she had accumulated! Only one person was working front of house that night so service wasn't quick, but he was super friendly, and I was enjoying my time there. We got 3 dishes shared between 3 people:Pork fried rice daily special - The classic was done well!Dooboo kimchi daily special - Pretty straightforward concept with slices of tofu paired with marinated pork cooked with kimchi. Solid little dish I've never had beforeNagasaki Champon - I guess we didn't only get Korean food, but to me, this was the best! I happily polished off the eclectic ramen of seafood, noodles, and loads of veggies.I'll probably go back, since it's so easy to get to next to the 49 bus stop."

Moku Yakitori-Ya

★★★★☆ 4.3 (144) • $$

"Chef Richard was great, he knows how to grill yakitori well!!! Come here for the underground-surfer-yakitori-bar-vibe. I told them they need more surf boards hanging off the ceiling to complete the look! :) We ordered the beef tongue and it was really moist and flavorful. Smoky ambiance but the flavor is definitely in the air. My wife loved the pickled veggies including the ginger which happens to be baby ginger (that's why it's so damn flavorful)! They had sparking sake which we loved, nice and smooth.We'll definitely be back!"

Zenpo Sushi

★★★★☆ 4.4 (77)

"Sushi spot before a show at the SF Symphony. It was packed and only had to wait a little bit. Service was quick and friendly and they even had tvs with basketball on. Price is about standard for sushi in SF. Quality was so-so. It is really impressive that there is a robot that will deliver the plates to you moving on its own! Salad and seaweed salad were highlights for me and good portions. Ambiance is small sushi shop!"

Nomu Skewers

★★★★☆ 4.3 (134) • $$$

"Stopped by for happy hour. They were experimenting with their cocktails so we got to try both of them. The grapefruit cocktail was delicious and refreshing! Outdoor seating had a nice view of a little garden next door."

Coqueta

★★★★☆ 4 • $$$

"Came out for lunch and enjoyed just about everything. I missed out on photos of the menu and the first 4 dishes or so but overall dishes were great my favorite were the Paella de tinta black paella. The seafood was cooked perfectly and the rice had wonderful flavoring which was both rich and tasty.The drinks were great! even the non-alcholic ones. Atmostphere was a bit crowded, but it is a small restaurant so I understand the need to fit as many people in as possible. However, with the price you're paying I do wish we had a little more breathing room. All in all, I would definetly come back."

Bota Tapas & Paella Bar

★★★★☆ 4.1 (581) • $$$

"Fantastic experience at Bota Tapas & Paella Bar for my birthday celebration.We ordered Sangria, Pinot Noir & marinated olives mixed appetizer to start.Comfortable seating, clean, beautiful interior.Easy to make reservations online ahead of time.Entrees grilled Octopus & Lamb Chops. Perfectly grilled and presentation was very nice! The restaurant is in a hotel & I recommend Bota since it was so close to the Union Square.Attentive and friendly service.Looking forward to returning to Bota & trying the Squid Ink Paella!My birthday and the kind, talented kitchen staff made a small dessert to a enjoy chocolate, strawberries, shortbread dessert. It was so delightful. Made my celebration so memorable!Highly reccommed the grilled Octopus!Enjoy!"

Overproof

★★★★☆ 4.1 (16)

"Double Back is the second concept at Overproof. I am a fan of ABV (drinks and bar food) and wanted to try this new business within a business. I booked tickets for Double Back weeks in advance and met up with a girlfriend for dinner.The pairings are well-executed but it did clear up one thing for me - I'm much more interested in food than alcohol. I understand that instead of coming up with a food menu and then pairing each course with a beverage, the idea here is to make the drinks the center of attention and pair those with food.There was certainly enough food but I do wish that the food would've been a tad better. The pickles were not good; only the kimchi was barely acceptable. The "scotch egg" was average. The only course that really tasted great was the soft boiled egg in a dashi broth. The agedashi yam and beef "main course" were good but were not standouts.Whisky is not my alcohol of choice. I don't have a refined enough palate to enjoy its flavor; unfortunately for me, Double Back is all about whisky.What I'm trying to say is that Overproof does it right but I'm not the right audience for it."

State Bird Provisions

★★★★☆ 4.2 • $$$$

"We have been wanting to try this restaurant for so long and finally glad we made it happen! I really love the concept and dim sum style where they walk around and offer different dishes. It's super unique and all the dishes were delicious! Lots of veggie options which was great for us! The staff were all super friendly and helpful while we decided what to try. Will definitely be coming back another time!"

Etcetera Wine Bar

★★★★☆ 4.1 (480) • $$

"This wine bar has great quality wines and really excellent service. Service is always kind and helpful.. My only complaint is that seats at the indoor tables are really low and for tall people and it can be difficult getting out of the booths. It's are however still a 5 star review for the quality of wine, food and service."

6 Tables

★★★★★ 4.5 (79)

"Chicken Karaage & Hojicha Mochi Waffles- The crispy, golden-brown chicken karaage is delightfully tender on the inside, with a savory umami flavor that's perfectly complemented by a hint of garlic and ginger. Paired with the hojicha mochi waffles, the hojicha syrup enhanced the subtle roasted tea flavor and added a touch of sweetness and complemented the savory chicken. Honestly, I wish they sold the hojicha syrup itself!Salmon Chazuke w/ Dashi Green Tea- The salmon chazuke with dashi green tea delivers a wonderfully warm and savory experience. The salmon was well cooked and the dashi green tea broth infuses the rice and balances the richness of the salmon! I would highly recommend this if you're looking for a comforting dish! Check out my ig: @deez_noms for more food reviews!"

Evil Eye

★★★★☆ 4 (215) • $$

"Overall good vibes even on a Monday night! We got the hot toddy and liquid sunshine with the shroom Tartine.. followed by kali mojo and padrino which were decent for a second round"

Okoze Sushi

★★★★☆ 4.1 (718) • $$$

"For me, Okoze is the most exceptionally well balanced sushi restaurant in SF. No hype, just great sushi, good atmosphere, and fair prices. This is one of a handful of sushi restaurants I've visited where I feel the food is equal to what I experienced in Japan. The nigiri is consistent and never disappoints. Highly recommended."

Waystone

★★★★★ 4.9 (56)

"Really quaint neighborhood spot. We came on a Sunday afternoon of a holiday weekend and there was free live jazz music! We ordered two different white wines, which were just ok. But what was surprisingly good were the fries. The bartender (owner?) was really friendly and welcoming. Would definitely recommend for a relaxing happy hour."

Suspiro

★★★★☆ 4 (401) • $$$

"Delicious ceviche and drinks. Service was slow but we were in no hurry and it all worked out . Beautiful Ambiance with a modern touch for all Spanish food lovers. Must try in Santana row."

Top of the Mark

★★★★☆ 3.5 • $$$

"Top of the Mark has been a gathering place for military families for nearly 100 years. They maintain a tradition of the "squadron bottle." Any military member, current or retired, can select a free shot from any of the squadron bottles and note it in the bar's log book. If you drink a bottle's last shot, you buy the next one. The log books go back generations. Many people bring bottles to donate, with notes of remembrance taped to them. It's lovely.My buddy and I, both veterans, were made to feel like very special guests. While no one pressured us to order (I'm certain we could have sat, enjoyed our shots, and left.), we enjoyed a very nice charcuterie board and my buddy had an additional cocktail. This was a wonderful experience. I'll be sure to bring fellow veterans here on future trips to SF."

Vesta

★★★★★ 4.5 • $$

"Came here during the week with coworkers for a weekday celebration. I've heard great things about this place and I recommend this place too. We had reservations but upon greeting us they offered inside or the back patio. What a great patio - you get the outdoors with an indoor cozy feel. We ordered the beet salad, roasted cauliflower, zucchini appetizer, and the mushroom pizza. Everything was delicious, and I'm planning on coming back to try other items especially the pizza. The pizza crust was thin the way I like it with a nice chewy soft crust. My next try will be a red sauce pizza. Service was spot on and staff very friendly, professional and attentive."

Corner Table

★★★★☆ 4.4 (139) • $$

"AMAZING - this place is truly a gem! There is actually a Sushi restaurant next door and they share a patio, so you can easily order from either, which was ideal for our picky group. We sat outside - who knew the middle of February would have a blast of warm sunshine.Food - 1/2 our group ordered from Corner Table, the other half ordered from the Sushi place. Loco Moco - 10/10 - my brother may as well have licked his plate! he said it was delicious and very flavorful.Kids Burger 10/10 - my nephew loved it, it was a nice size and cooked well - fresh bun.Grilled Cheese 8/10 - my son enjoyed it, but wished he would have ordered his cousin's burger instead, next time he will!Avocado Toast 10/10 - HUGE portion, lots of great Avocado and a nice big salad, my SIL said it was really tasty.It was awesome, we had such a lovely time and the friendliness of everyone there truly made this a 5 out of 5 experience! We are already figuring out our next brunch date as a family!"

Mykonos Meze

★★★★★ 4.5 (819) • $$

"Overall, it was a fantastic experience. The restaurant staff welcomed our large party warmly and even allowed us to order drinks before everyone had arrived. During the appetizer phase, we were treated to a delicious variety of both hot and cold appetizers. The pacing was spot-on, allowing us to sample everything without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.For the entrée, I had the Branzino with a side of pilaf rice, and it was absolutely amazing, the fish was cooked to perfection. For dessert, I ordered the baklava ice cream. While I wasn't a huge fan of it (the ratio of baklava to ice cream felt a bit off), it was still a sweet and enjoyable way to end the meal.Definitely a great restaurant, and I'll be sure to visit again when I'm in the area!"

The Beer Hall

★★★★★ 4.5 (11)

"A warm but clean venue that serves beer but also really good food.Walking in the staff is already giving a warm-welcome to invite us to sit.The staff is actually excited to give recommendations to what their favorites are and honestly I barely looked at the menu because I'm already sold.First dish was the Rosti and Roe. 4 bite-sized portions that are beautifully serve. The texture is great but the flavor is a bit underwhelming. The creme fraiche overpowers most of the bite. It's not bad, but a little lacking in flavor. A touch more of salt would be great on the potato cakes. I think you can skip this one.Second dish was the Pretzel & Welsh Rabbit Sauce. A warm fresh pretzel with a sauce I never tried. I think if you never had it, it's worth a try! Leaves you wanting more and makes you feel more like in the bar vibe setting at a much nicer scale.Third dish was the Fried chicken sandwich. I can't really speak on this too much because I was splitting it and it became kind of a mush. I think I lost a lot of texture doing so but flavor wise was great! Truffle fries add-on came out great too, good crisp.Last dish we got was the pate with crostini chips. Very nice to get at a beer hall and really fun to eat. They come with a combination of toppings so it was fun to try different things I think this is worth getting once to try. I wish there were more crostini chips because we ended up with too much pate.All said, I think if you come here for food, you'll have a good time! I can't speak much on the beer since I don't really drink alcohol (stomach doesn't do well) :).Comfort feed with really fun and great service."