Absinthe
Hayes Valley, San Francisco
Restaurant in San Francisco, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Absinthe is the San Francisco pick when the evening calls for a polished Hayes Valley room and a wine-led meal rather than a tasting-menu splurge. Its 2026 Star Wine List recognition makes it especially useful for diners choosing around the bottle, while nearby peers cover more casual, faster, or more structured occasions.
About Absinthe
Absinthe is a San Francisco pick with a schedule, smart casual dress code, Star Wine List recognition in 2026. The most grounded reason to keep it on a short list is simple: it is a San Francisco venue with Wednesday-to-Sunday hours and a wine-related accolade. Specifics on chef, cuisine, signature dish, price point, or tasting-menu format are not available. If you are comparing options, consider Absinthe alongside Nightbird, Chez Maman West, Doppio Zero San Francisco, Nojo Ramen Tavern, or The Happy Crane, depending on the kind of plan you want.
A San Francisco venue with hours and wine recognition
Absinthe is closed Monday and Tuesday, open Wednesday through Friday from 11:30 AM to 10 PM, open Saturday from 11 AM to 10 PM, open Sunday from 11 AM to 9 PM. Dress is smart casual. For a broader city scan before choosing, Our full San Francisco restaurants guide is the useful companion, especially if the plan may shift during a wider visit.
Cuisine, menu structure, price, seating style, chef, or signature dishes are not specified. Absinthe is a San Francisco dining option with dependable hours and Star Wine List recognition. Use the schedule to decide whether it fits your day, avoid assuming a particular service format beyond its stated information.
Who should book, who should cross-shop instead
Book Absinthe if the hours, smart casual dress code, wine recognition fit the occasion. Cross-shop The Happy Crane, Doppio Zero San Francisco, Chez Maman West, Nojo Ramen Tavern, or Nightbird if you want to compare it with other San Francisco dining options before committing.
The practical call: use Absinthe when its schedule and smart casual dress code fit your plan, confirm any menu, price, seating, or reservation specifics directly before you go. Visitors building a wider San Francisco plan should pair restaurant research with Our full San Francisco hotels guide, Our full San Francisco bars guide, Our full San Francisco wineries guide, Our full San Francisco experiences guide.
Planning details
- Location
- 398 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- absinthe.com
- Phone
- (415) 551-1590
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Absinthe settles into the neighborhood without fanfare. The room reads as inhabited rather than staged, favoring quiet confidence over spectacle. The kitchen leans on Northern California sourcing, and the wine list is curated to reward attention, which gives the place an understated, wine-minded personality. After two decades on Hayes Street it feels like an anchor—reassuring, warm and welcoming—rather than a showpiece. Service and pacing aim for comfortable refinement, so the overall impression is cozy and intimate while remaining relaxed and unfussy.
Best For
Absinthe is best known as an evening destination: it supports everything from a pre-performance glass to a full, sit-down dinner that justifies the trip. The room’s wine-friendly focus makes it a natural pick for date night and business meals where conversation and bottles take center stage. It also suits special occasions that don’t require theatrical formality—guests come for dependable French bistro classics and a patient, wine-forward evening rather than a timed tasting-menu experience.
Ordering Tips
Arrive early if you want a single glass before a show, or book a table for a deliberate dinner—Absinthe is presented as more flexible than the city’s multi-week tasting menus, but dinner seating still rewards planning. Lean on staff for wine guidance: the list is described as one that rewards attention, so ask for glass pours or bottle recommendations to match classics like French Onion Soup, Steak Frites, Petrale Sole Meunière, Coq au Vin or the signature Absinthe Hamburger.
Venue details
Ambiance
Dim lighting with white tablecloths, redish wall decor, mirrors, and French posters creating a romantic, glamorous atmosphere evocative of Paris.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Small
Signature Dishes
- Absinthe Hamburger
- Petrale Sole Meunière
- French Onion Soup
- Steak Frites
- Coq au Vin
Planning details
Location
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- The Happy Crane, Notable alternative
- Nightbird, New American, Californian, $$$$
- Doppio Zero San Francisco, Notable alternative
- Nojo Ramen Tavern, Notable alternative
- Chez Maman West, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
How Absinthe compares in San Francisco
Absinthe is the choice for a wine-led Hayes Valley meal with easier booking pressure than a high-commitment tasting-menu night. Nightbird is the stronger splurge if the priority is New American or Californian cooking in a more structured $$$$ format, while Absinthe fits diners who want flexibility, a serious wine cue from its 2026 Star Wine List recognition, a room suited to conversation.
For value and lower commitment, Nojo Ramen Tavern and Chez Maman West are better cross-shops when the plan is casual, quick, or group-friendly without a polished dining-room agenda. Doppio Zero San Francisco is the more relaxed alternative when the table wants an Italian-leaning meal and less ceremony.
The Happy Crane belongs in the comparison set for diners staying within San Francisco but wanting a different mood. Choose Absinthe when the wine list and Hayes Valley location shape the evening; choose Nightbird when the occasion justifies a higher spend and a more defined culinary format.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Absinthe guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Absinthe
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Absinthe | San Francisco | ; | Star Wine Lists 20262026 San Francisco Martini Trail | ; |
| The Happy Crane | San Francisco | 2026 Robb Report The 10 Best New Restaurants in America · #42026 San Francisco Chronicle Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants · #612026 Conde Nast Traveler Hot List Restaurants2026 James Beard Award Semifinalists2026 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence2025 Eater Best New Restaurants in America2025 San Francisco Chronicle Best New Bay Area Restaurants | ; | ; |
| Nightbird | San Francisco | New American, Californian | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended2026 James Beard Award Semifinalists2026 Michelin Plate2025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #4222025 Michelin Plate2024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #2652024 Michelin Plate2023 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Highly Recommended | $$$$ |
| Doppio Zero San Francisco | San Francisco | No published awards | ; | ; |
| Nojo Ramen Tavern | San Francisco | No published awards | ; | ; |
| Chez Maman West | San Francisco | No published awards | ; | ; |
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How Absinthe San Francisco compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How far ahead should I book Absinthe?
What should I wear to Absinthe?
The dress code is smart casual, so choose polished but relaxed clothing suitable for a San Francisco meal.
Is Absinthe good for solo dining?
Solo-dining setup, counter seating, or bar seating are not specified. If you are visiting alone, check directly with Absinthe for the best current seating option.
What are alternatives to Absinthe in San Francisco?
Other San Francisco options to compare include Chez Maman West, Nightbird, The Happy Crane, Doppio Zero San Francisco, Nojo Ramen Tavern.
Is Absinthe good for a special occasion?
It can be considered for an occasion if the smart casual dress code, San Francisco setting, Star Wine List recognition match what you want. Confirm menu, price, reservation details directly before planning around it.
What time is best at Absinthe?
Hours are Wednesday through Friday from 11:30 AM to 10 PM, Saturday from 11 AM to 10 PM, Sunday from 11 AM to 9 PM. Choose based on the time that fits your schedule.
Can I eat at the bar at Absinthe?
Bar dining is not specified. Contact Absinthe directly to confirm current seating formats.
