Lovely people, lovely food, great fine dining experience. Had stomach calming tea on hand for me when I started to get too full near the end. Perfect evening.
Niloufar Mazhari
I like the service (drinks were a little slow however) and the private dining room was beautiful. The food was good. A little too salty for my taste. All of the dishes were over salted, but more importantly, I'm just not a huge fan of tasting menus. I understand that's my issue and not the restaurant's, but I find it impossible to appreciate anything I eat when it's tiny little bites. finally, when you are dictating the menu, please make sure you have at least one salad dish because that's what most people enjoy with a meal. Not in a hurry to go back.
Michele Freschi
consistently great. I've eaten here several times and every time the food is excellent as is the service. I can't recommend this place enough, worth the money!
Helen M.
Hubby and I I celebrated our wedding anniversary here and had a great time. The serving staff were so friendly, they took the time to chat and answer our (many!) questions. The food was stunning, presented with such care and attention. Menu is technically 5 courses but in between there are lots of surprises and treats that use the remaining parts of the main dishes. Love the thoughtfulness around waste. They had some wonderful zero proof cocktails which were delicious. Menu featured a lot of seafood which is not typically our preference hence the 4/5 but the quality and everything else was perfection.
Catherine Ruggles
Still one of the most underrated Fine dining experiences and all of San Francisco. Chef really knows her stuff and her dedication to her craft shows in every course- be it one of the reflection courses that are smaller and meant as a bit of rest or the more substantial traditional courses. Their wine list is phenomenal and the care that their staff puts into service is evident at every turn.
Ted Parr
This is an excellent fine dining experience. Everything was terrific. I would only say, at this price point, you're really buying an experience, and I felt like the restaurant needed a little something more to set it apart. But no complaints at all.
Robert Fornesi
How does this place not have two Michelin stars???
We’ve dined in several Michelin starred restaurants and I have to say Nightbird is as good or better than all of them.
The atmosphere is adult, yet casual. The wait staff is the most attentive, polite and helpful I’ve ever experienced.
But what about the food? Stunning does not do it justice. Each course is meticulously crafted with the finest ingredients and breathtaking to the eye.
A big test for me is “does it need anything”? Salt, garlic, spice etc. The answer is a resounding NO. Every dish is perfect in its own way.
This hidden gem has been in our rotation for some years, but I honestly lost track after covid.
The wife and I went for her birthday a few weeks ago and I was blown away that Nightbird is better than I remembered.
Treat yourself, go there!!!! And, hey Michelin people - get over here!!
Daniel Dulitz
Tasting menu and cocktails are both amazing and their service is thoughtful, as if we were the only people in the restaurant.
Wheelchair accessibility: Level entrance, wide aisles, and large enough toilet room.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nicholas
This place is a hidden gem! Doesn’t get as much attention as other fine dining in SF, but I’ve had wonderful experiences both times I’ve been. The “echo” dishes (I forget what they’re called) were some of the most unique plates I’ve ever had that really delivered on the promise of echoing the prior courses.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Jenny Kallista
WOW. Just wow... what a fabulous experience from placing the reservations, eating course after delicious course, to walking out the door with full bellies, gifts in hand, ready for a good night's sleep.
This sweet spot awaits behind a beautifully carved wooden door, ready to enchant with carefully attentive service, a lovely serene atmosphere, with stunningly created and presented dishes served on utterly unique ceramics. Each course of this thoughtfully curated and well-executed menu delights as the service staff sets the table every time and narrates the details intended for you.
Definitely go for the wine pairing, as you'll enjoy special samplings from all over the world that you may be hard-pressed to find elsewhere... and they really do complement each item on the menu beautifully. The drinkware is perfectly balanced and some especially gorgeous pieces may accompany some of the sippables too (thinking of the Japanese gorgeous green faceted and cut crystal tiny cups used for the final digestif).
Every detail is very thought out. Flavors and components were melodic, texturally harmonic, and deeply satisfying. The elements of fun and joyful composition were considered and included with each of the dozen+ dishes.
Additional nice touches included little pop-up hot towels that expanded when poured over with tarragon-anise-infused hot water, leaving the delicate scent on your hands for a few extra whiffs.
I often judge a restaurant by their restroom, and this place meets the marks: super clean, black tiles, individually rolled cotton towels to dry your hands after washing with very high-quality soap. A nicely scented candle burns and a large lush bouquet of fresh flowers enhance your visit to this little space.
This was an exceptional experience - a lovely night (we spent 3 hours) of unforgettable deliciousness and hospitality that seems rare anymore. This level of professionalism is a gift and a true joy, and I confidently, highly recommend this gem of a place.
Dietary restrictions: Once reservations are made, the staff contacts you ahead of time to ensure your experience is optimized by asking for any allergies, preferences, etc.
An incredible experience in the private room! The ambiance was cool, the menu phenomenal, and the service from Lila impeccable. Thank you, Nightbird—I’ll definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Matthew
My wife and I enjoy fine dining as a way to celebrate special occasions, and we had not yet found a way to celebrate our tenth anniversary. Nightbird came through in every way, with absolutely delicious and inventive food, fantastic cocktails, and perfectly paired wine. The staff were incredibly welcoming, warm and knowledgeable. We look forward to visiting again.
I made a reservation here on the spur of the moment for our anniversary, justifying the expense by thinking we usually take a trip, which we didn't this year. What a fantastic experience it was! The food was glorious, the presentation and ambiance were perfect—tasty morsels served in lovely dishes by the warm and gracious staff who work together like a well oiled machine, or rather like a quiet dance company, discretely delivering gifts of food to the few tables in the room. The sample menu on the website is an accurate example of the number of things that come to your table, and while each dish is small, each bite was amazing and it added up to the perfect amount of food for both me and my husband, who are not shy eaters. Our main server, Jordan, was more like a lovely and down to earth concierge and gave us outstanding recommendations for the few glasses of wine we had, some not on the list. The whole experience was like a delightful trip to another land where you are given wonderful food in a comfortable atmosphere and feel well taken care of by lovely people, so considering all of that, it was definitely worth it.
Fabrizio Cucci
They cannot accommodate vegan.
raejetsetter
We love Nightbird. The ambiance is lovely, but the food is the star of the show. Chef Kim is phenomenal and serves up her dishes in the most creative and delightful ways. As true foodies who have eaten at fine food restaurants in Paris, Shanghai and other places around the world, the flavors here are truly divine and we enjoyed every morsel. The staff is also always on point. We celebrated our anniversary here and it was the perfect place for us to celebrate our love for one another and eat incredibly well. Thank you!!
Lovely people, lovely food, great fine dining experience. Had stomach calming tea on hand for me when I started to get too full near the end. Perfect evening.
I like the service (drinks were a little slow however) and the private dining room was beautiful. The food was good. A little too salty for my taste. All of the dishes were over salted, but more importantly, I'm just not a huge fan of tasting menus. I understand that's my issue and not the restaurant's, but I find it impossible to appreciate anything I eat when it's tiny little bites. finally, when you are dictating the menu, please make sure you have at least one salad dish because that's what most people enjoy with a meal. Not in a hurry to go back.
consistently great. I've eaten here several times and every time the food is excellent as is the service. I can't recommend this place enough, worth the money!
Hubby and I I celebrated our wedding anniversary here and had a great time. The serving staff were so friendly, they took the time to chat and answer our (many!) questions. The food was stunning, presented with such care and attention. Menu is technically 5 courses but in between there are lots of surprises and treats that use the remaining parts of the main dishes. Love the thoughtfulness around waste. They had some wonderful zero proof cocktails which were delicious. Menu featured a lot of seafood which is not typically our preference hence the 4/5 but the quality and everything else was perfection.
Still one of the most underrated Fine dining experiences and all of San Francisco. Chef really knows her stuff and her dedication to her craft shows in every course- be it one of the reflection courses that are smaller and meant as a bit of rest or the more substantial traditional courses. Their wine list is phenomenal and the care that their staff puts into service is evident at every turn.
This is an excellent fine dining experience. Everything was terrific. I would only say, at this price point, you're really buying an experience, and I felt like the restaurant needed a little something more to set it apart. But no complaints at all.
How does this place not have two Michelin stars???
We’ve dined in several Michelin starred restaurants and I have to say Nightbird is as good or better than all of them.
The atmosphere is adult, yet casual. The wait staff is the most attentive, polite and helpful I’ve ever experienced.
But what about the food? Stunning does not do it justice. Each course is meticulously crafted with the finest ingredients and breathtaking to the eye.
A big test for me is “does it need anything”? Salt, garlic, spice etc. The answer is a resounding NO. Every dish is perfect in its own way.
This hidden gem has been in our rotation for some years, but I honestly lost track after covid.
The wife and I went for her birthday a few weeks ago and I was blown away that Nightbird is better than I remembered.
Treat yourself, go there!!!!
And, hey Michelin people - get over here!!
Tasting menu and cocktails are both amazing and their service is thoughtful, as if we were the only people in the restaurant.
Wheelchair accessibility: Level entrance, wide aisles, and large enough toilet room.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is a hidden gem! Doesn’t get as much attention as other fine dining in SF, but I’ve had wonderful experiences both times I’ve been. The “echo” dishes (I forget what they’re called) were some of the most unique plates I’ve ever had that really delivered on the promise of echoing the prior courses.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
WOW. Just wow... what a fabulous experience from placing the reservations, eating course after delicious course, to walking out the door with full bellies, gifts in hand, ready for a good night's sleep.
This sweet spot awaits behind a beautifully carved wooden door, ready to enchant with carefully attentive service, a lovely serene atmosphere, with stunningly created and presented dishes served on utterly unique ceramics. Each course of this thoughtfully curated and well-executed menu delights as the service staff sets the table every time and narrates the details intended for you.
Definitely go for the wine pairing, as you'll enjoy special samplings from all over the world that you may be hard-pressed to find elsewhere... and they really do complement each item on the menu beautifully. The drinkware is perfectly balanced and some especially gorgeous pieces may accompany some of the sippables too (thinking of the Japanese gorgeous green faceted and cut crystal tiny cups used for the final digestif).
Every detail is very thought out. Flavors and components were melodic, texturally harmonic, and deeply satisfying. The elements of fun and joyful composition were considered and included with each of the dozen+ dishes.
Additional nice touches included little pop-up hot towels that expanded when poured over with tarragon-anise-infused hot water, leaving the delicate scent on your hands for a few extra whiffs.
I often judge a restaurant by their restroom, and this place meets the marks: super clean, black tiles, individually rolled cotton towels to dry your hands after washing with very high-quality soap. A nicely scented candle burns and a large lush bouquet of fresh flowers enhance your visit to this little space.
This was an exceptional experience - a lovely night (we spent 3 hours) of unforgettable deliciousness and hospitality that seems rare anymore. This level of professionalism is a gift and a true joy, and I confidently, highly recommend this gem of a place.
Dietary restrictions: Once reservations are made, the staff contacts you ahead of time to ensure your experience is optimized by asking for any allergies, preferences, etc.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
An incredible experience in the private room! The ambiance was cool, the menu phenomenal, and the service from Lila impeccable. Thank you, Nightbird—I’ll definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My wife and I enjoy fine dining as a way to celebrate special occasions, and we had not yet found a way to celebrate our tenth anniversary. Nightbird came through in every way, with absolutely delicious and inventive food, fantastic cocktails, and perfectly paired wine. The staff were incredibly welcoming, warm and knowledgeable. We look forward to visiting again.
I made a reservation here on the spur of the moment for our anniversary, justifying the expense by thinking we usually take a trip, which we didn't this year. What a fantastic experience it was! The food was glorious, the presentation and ambiance were perfect—tasty morsels served in lovely dishes by the warm and gracious staff who work together like a well oiled machine, or rather like a quiet dance company, discretely delivering gifts of food to the few tables in the room. The sample menu on the website is an accurate example of the number of things that come to your table, and while each dish is small, each bite was amazing and it added up to the perfect amount of food for both me and my husband, who are not shy eaters. Our main server, Jordan, was more like a lovely and down to earth concierge and gave us outstanding recommendations for the few glasses of wine we had, some not on the list. The whole experience was like a delightful trip to another land where you are given wonderful food in a comfortable atmosphere and feel well taken care of by lovely people, so considering all of that, it was definitely worth it.
They cannot accommodate vegan.
We love Nightbird. The ambiance is lovely, but the food is the star of the show. Chef Kim is phenomenal and serves up her dishes in the most creative and delightful ways. As true foodies who have eaten at fine food restaurants in Paris, Shanghai and other places around the world, the flavors here are truly divine and we enjoyed every morsel. The staff is also always on point. We celebrated our anniversary here and it was the perfect place for us to celebrate our love for one another and eat incredibly well. Thank you!!
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