Bourbon Steak
Tenderloin, San Francisco
Restaurant in San Francisco, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Business Casual
Why go
Bourbon Steak is worth booking when you want a polished Union Square steakhouse dinner with a clear occasion attached: business meal, early dinner, or celebration. It is less useful for casual value-seekers; Bartlett Hall or King of Thai Noodle House will suit that brief better.
About Bourbon Steak
Bourbon Steak is a San Francisco steakhouse / fine dining restaurant for diners who want a more formal dinner plan rather than a casual drop-in meal. It has evening hours, a business casual dress code, falls into the steakhouse fine dining category. That makes it best framed as a planned dinner in San Francisco, not as a quick bite or a lunch option.
A San Francisco steakhouse for occasions that need structure
Bourbon Steak fits diners looking for a steakhouse / fine dining setting with a business casual dress code. It is a more intentional dinner choice, especially when the group wants a clearer plan around timing and attire.
For a repeat visit, the safest expectation is to stay within the steakhouse / fine dining frame. The restaurant is a San Francisco steakhouse with evening service.
Go early for the cleanest version of the night
The restaurant opens at 4 PM every day. Hours are 4–9 PM from Sunday through Thursday, 4–10 PM on Friday and Saturday. Those hours make Bourbon Steak an evening choice, with later closing times at the end of the week.
Solo diners may consider it if they are comfortable choosing a fine dining steakhouse for dinner. If you are comparing other options, King of Thai Noodle House, ABSteak by Chef Akira Back, Anzu, Bartlett Hall, Cafe Rito are other venues to consider depending on the kind of evening you want.
Who should choose it, who should look elsewhere
Choose Bourbon Steak when the priority is a steakhouse / fine dining dinner in San Francisco and a business casual setting fits the occasion. Skip it if you specifically need lunch, as hours begin at 4 PM.
The decision is simple: choose this for a planned steakhouse dinner in San Francisco, not for an all-day dining option. Readers comparing more broadly can use our full San Francisco restaurants guide for nearby alternatives.
Located inside
HotelThe Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union SquareFull hotel guidePlanning details
- Location
- 335 Powell St, San Francisco, CA 94102
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- bourbonsteak.com/location/san-francisco
- Phone
- (415) 770-0291
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Bourbon Steak leans into the classic American chophouse grammar while operating with clear culinary ambitions. The room favors warm light, dark wood and leather, and an interior that absorbs sound rather than amplifying it — all cues that produce an intimate, inward-facing dining experience. A visible bar program sets an initial tone of confident, bourbon-leaning hospitality before guests sit, while the kitchen’s focus on heat, smoke and char keeps the sensory experience direct and elemental. The result is a polished, traditional steakhouse mood that feels welcoming rather than theatrical.
Best For
This is a place for people who want a steakhouse that aims high without turning into a tasting-menu theater. It suits business dinners, special occasions and date nights: the room’s controlled acoustics and warm finishes favor focused conversation, while the kitchen’s emphasis on well-sourced beef and a resolutely steak-forward menu delivers a memorable main course. Located in Union Square, Bourbon Steak provides a reliably elevated option when you want classic chophouse flavors — think rich steaks and shareable sides — in a city that otherwise prizes more experimental formats.
Ordering Tips
Treat the meal like a steakhouse outing: prioritize the beef and the elements that show off the kitchen’s heat-and-char approach. The signature Wagyu steaks are a clear anchor, and the duck fat fries are called out as a notable side — both are safe bets. Because the bar program is prominent, consider starting with a bourbon-forward cocktail at the bar to set the tone before dining. The house is positioned against tasting-menu trends, so leaning into the a la carte steak selections rather than seeking a fixed tasting format maps best to the restaurant’s strengths.
Venue details
Ambiance
Dark, clubby space with Art Deco grandeur, lofty ceilings, dramatic mirrors, and an elevated lounge atmosphere featuring live music.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Business Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Formal
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- Wagyu steaks
- duck fat fries
Planning details
Location
335 Powell St, San Francisco, CA 94102 · Directions
Also consider
Also Consider
- Cafe Rito, Notable alternative
- Bartlett Hall, Notable alternative
- Anzu, Notable alternative
- ABSteak by Chef Akira Back, Notable alternative
- King of Thai Noodle House, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
How Bourbon Steak compares in San Francisco
Bourbon Steak is the more formal choice in this set, especially for diners who want a steakhouse fine-dining frame near Union Square. ABSteak by Chef Akira Back is the closest alternative for a meat-led dinner, but it reads more contemporary, while Bourbon Steak is the safer pick for a classic business or occasion meal.
For value and flexibility, Bartlett Hall and Cafe Rito are easier choices when the meal does not need fine-dining formality. King of Thai Noodle House is the practical fallback for a faster, lower-commitment dinner in San Francisco.
Anzu sits closer to the hotel-restaurant lane, so cross-shop it if location and a polished room matter more than steakhouse specificity. Book Bourbon Steak when the brief is steak, structure, a central downtown setting; choose the peers when price, speed, or a looser atmosphere matters more.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Bourbon Steak guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Bourbon Steak
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bourbon Steak | San Francisco | Steakhouse / fine dining | No published awards |
| Cafe Rito | San Francisco | ; | No published awards |
| Bartlett Hall | San Francisco | ; | No published awards |
| Anzu | San Francisco | ; | No published awards |
| ABSteak by Chef Akira Back | San Francisco | ; | No published awards |
| King of Thai Noodle House | San Francisco | ; | No published awards |
How Bourbon Steak San Francisco compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I order at Bourbon Steak?
Bourbon Steak is a steakhouse / fine dining restaurant in San Francisco, so it works best as a steakhouse dinner. If you are comparing other venues, Cafe Rito or King of Thai Noodle House works for a different kind of meal.
Is Bourbon Steak good for solo dining?
It can work for solo dining if you are comfortable choosing a fine dining steakhouse for dinner. Bourbon Steak is open 4–9 PM Monday through Thursday and Sunday, 4–10 PM Friday and Saturday. Bartlett Hall is another venue to compare if you want a different setting.
How far ahead should I plan for Bourbon Steak?
Bourbon Steak is open 4–9 PM Monday through Thursday and Sunday, 4–10 PM Friday and Saturday. Anzu is another venue you may want to compare while planning.
What are alternatives to Bourbon Steak in San Francisco?
Other venues to compare include Bartlett Hall, Cafe Rito, ABSteak by Chef Akira Back, King of Thai Noodle House, Anzu. Bourbon Steak is the steakhouse / fine dining option in this set.
Is lunch or dinner better at Bourbon Steak?
Dinner is the only option. Bourbon Steak opens at 4 PM daily and closes at 9 PM Sunday through Thursday and 10 PM on Friday and Saturday. Lunch service is not available.
Is Bourbon Steak good for a special occasion?
Yes, it can fit a special occasion if you want a steakhouse / fine dining dinner in San Francisco. The dress code is business casual, hours are evening-only.
Can I eat at the bar at Bourbon Steak?
Bar dining is not mentioned. Bourbon Steak is a steakhouse / fine dining restaurant in San Francisco with business casual dress and evening hours from 4 PM.
