Leopold's
Russian Hill, San Francisco
Restaurant in San Francisco, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Price
$50–100per person
Dress
Casual
Why go
Leopold's is a practical Russian Hill dinner choice when you want an easy Polk Street plan rather than a high-budget destination meal. It is better for casual dates and small groups than for diners chasing awards, tasting menus, or a named chef format.
About Leopold's
For a San Francisco dinner, Leopold's is a practical pick when the goal is a casual evening meal. Leopold's is in San Francisco, the dress code is casual, and service is available Wednesday through Sunday evenings.
The main reason to choose it is simplicity. The decision is not about chasing awards, chef pedigree, or a specific menu format; it is about whether the evening schedule and casual setting fit the plan. If you are comparing other named options, Nisei is one restaurant to consider. If the priority is an easy San Francisco dinner, Leopold's can make sense as a direct option.
Choose it for an easy San Francisco dinner, not a destination hook
First-timers should treat Leopold's as a casual dinner choice rather than building the night around claims about format, signature dishes, or accolades. For broader planning, Our full San Francisco restaurants guide is the better starting point if you are comparing across the city.
Timing matters most. Leopold's is closed Monday and Tuesday, then open Wednesday and Thursday from 5:30–9 PM, Friday and Saturday from 5:30–10 PM, and Sunday from 5:30–8:30 PM. For other named options, Blue Barn Polk is worth comparing. Hummus Mediterranean Kitchen, Sabor Gaúcho Prime Brazilian Steakhouse, and Street are also possible cross-shops depending on the kind of outing you are planning.
Who should choose it, and who should cross-shop
Consider this for a casual San Francisco meal where the listed evening schedule fits. Cross-shop if the night needs a different setup: Nisei, Sabor Gaúcho Prime Brazilian Steakhouse, Street, Blue Barn Polk, or Hummus Mediterranean Kitchen may be useful points of comparison before committing. For adjacent trip planning, use Our full San Francisco hotels guide, Our full San Francisco bars guide, Our full San Francisco wineries guide, and Our full San Francisco experiences guide.
Planning details
- Location
- 2400 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
- Website
- gasthausleopolds.com
- Phone
- (415) 874-9829
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Leopold's reads like a true neighborhood restaurant: unpretentious, rooted and quietly confident. Set on the corner of Polk and Union, the room carries a grounded presence that feels embedded in Russian Hill rather than transplanted for trend. The service and pacing aim for comfort—the place encourages repeat visits—while the kitchen keeps its standards high. Overall the dining room is charming and relaxed, a spot where regulars and passersby converge for reliably good cooking without the theatrics of a tasting-menu destination.
Best For
This is a restaurant built for locals and nearby residents who prioritize proximity and consistently good food over destination spectacle. It suits weeknight dinners, casual neighborhood gatherings and families who make routine stops rather than one-off splurges. The menu sits between careful cooking and everyday ease, so diners looking for solid, thoughtfully executed plates—rather than a tasting-menu performance—find it especially rewarding. Its walkable Polk Street location makes it convenient for solo diners and small groups coming from surrounding blocks.
Ordering Tips
Lean into the house specialties when you visit: the Wiener Schnitzel and Tafelspitz highlight the kitchen's focus on classic, well-executed dishes, and the Apfelstrudel provides a familiar, satisfying finish. Portions and preparations feel designed for sharing or a focused single entrée, reflecting the neighborhood ethos—serious about the plate but approachable. Expect a menu that privileges reliable technique over culinary showmanship; order a classic protein and a simple dessert to get a clear sense of the restaurant's strengths.
Venue details
Ambiance
Warm, inviting, and energetic with a classic gasthaus feel.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Medium
- Kitchen
- Traditional
- Menu Format
- A la carte
- Wine Program
- Curated
- Drinks Focus
- Beer program
- Dietary
- Vegetarian friendly, Gluten-free options
Signature Dishes
- Wiener Schnitzel
- Tafelspitz
- Apfelstrudel
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 2400 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Nisei, Japanese, $$$$
- Hummus Mediterranean Kitchen, Notable alternative
- Street, Notable alternative
- Blue Barn Polk, Notable alternative
- Sabor Gaúcho Prime Brazilian Steakhouse, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
How Leopold's compares in San Francisco
Choose Leopold's when location and ease matter more than a defined splurge format. Nisei is the stronger choice for a Japanese $$$$ dinner with a bigger occasion feel, but it asks for a higher-budget mindset. Leopold's is the more practical Polk Street option when the night should stay simple.
For casual value, Blue Barn Polk is the easier everyday pick, especially if the meal does not need full dinner pacing. Hummus Mediterranean Kitchen and Street are better cross-shops when cuisine direction matters more than neighborhood convenience.
For groups that want a more obvious centerpiece, Sabor Gaúcho Prime Brazilian Steakhouse is the clearer call. Leopold's fits smaller, easier dinners; Sabor Gaúcho fits diners who want a more format-driven group meal.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Leopold's guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Leopold's
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Price | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leopold's | San Francisco | , | , | No published awards |
| Nisei | San Francisco | Japanese | $$$$ | Star Wine Lists 20262026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended2026 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence2026 Michelin 1 Star2025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #3182025 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence2025 The Best Chef One Knife2025 Michelin 1 Star2024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #328 |
| Hummus Mediterranean Kitchen | San Francisco | , | , | No published awards |
| Street | San Francisco | , | , | No published awards |
| Blue Barn Polk | San Francisco | , | , | No published awards |
| Sabor Gaúcho Prime Brazilian Steakhouse | San Francisco | , | , | No published awards |
How Leopold's San Francisco compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What are alternatives to Leopold's?
If you are comparing named options, Nisei, Blue Barn Polk, Street, Hummus Mediterranean Kitchen, and Sabor Gaúcho Prime Brazilian Steakhouse may be useful cross-shops. Choose based on the current details that matter for your plan.
How far ahead should I plan for Leopold's?
The schedule does not specify how far ahead to plan. Use the listed schedule: Leopold's is closed Monday and Tuesday, open Wednesday and Thursday from 5:30–9 PM, Friday and Saturday from 5:30–10 PM, and Sunday from 5:30–8:30 PM.
Is Leopold's good for a special occasion?
It can fit a low-key special occasion where the goal is a casual San Francisco dinner. If you want to compare it with another named option before deciding, Nisei is one possible cross-shop.
What should a first-timer know about Leopold's?
Treat Leopold's as a casual San Francisco dinner option. It is closed Monday and Tuesday, with evening service Wednesday through Sunday, so timing matters.
What should I order at Leopold's?
Use the current menu rather than arriving with a fixed plan, as specific dishes or a confirmed menu format are not available. On a first visit, keep expectations centered on a practical San Francisco dinner.
