Esme
French Book a table: 7:00 PM 7:15 PM 7:30 PM MoreAbout Esme
Customers' Favorites
Caesar Salad with Grated Cheese
Pan Seared Fish with Vegetables
Pistachio Cake
Esme Reviews
27 ratings
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Fabulous front to back. Worth the hype. It’s clear everyone cares about delivering excellence.
Believe the hype! The food is excellent, the service is unparalleled. It really does feel like your favorite bistro in Paris, where the technique is polished without being overdone and the dining environment is genuinely warm (not just to garner media accolades). Wine list is impressive and the pours do not disappoint. We dined later on a Thurs eve and had absolutely no issues with the sound/noise levels.
A great new addition to Divisadero from chef Susan Dunn, Esme brings precise yet airy French cooking by way of California to the old Ragazza space. The steak frites is immediately one of the best in the city, and service is calmly intense to keep the dining room and patio buzzing. This already feels like a neighborhood fixture and I'm excited to come back as it fully settles in.
Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 5 - 9PM |
| Wednesday | 5 - 9PM |
| Thursday | 5 - 9PM |
| Friday | 5 - 9PM |
| Saturday | 5 - 9PM |
| Sunday | 5 - 9PM |
Esme offers a warm, intimate and elegant setting that feels like a new hotspot in Paris. The bread and cultured butter are a highlight, often described as to die for. The menu features a haloumi starter, a chicken au jus, fish, pastas and steak frites. Many guests praise the halloumi and the chicken as unforgettable, with the chicken tasting like thanksgiving on a plate. The fish is cooked to perfection and the pea and squash pasta is divine. The mascarpone Strawberry bar and the apricot tart are must‑try desserts. The beer & wine selection, including a great cider, is well curated, and the wine pairing is often noted as perfect.
Service is friendly and attentive, with staff giving great recs and live updates on table readiness. The décor is moody lighting and chill, and the vibe is lively, yet the space can be loud and small. Cod is sometimes too salty, and the steak frites, while good, are the least standout. Some guests note the food can be slightly lukewarm, and the menu is small, so diners may see the same dish repeatedly. Despite these minor issues, Esme is considered one of the best meals in San Francisco, and many return for the memorable bread, butter, halloumi and desserts.