Excellent Spanish/asian fusion food and thoughtful drinks menu.
Katherine Gerov
Brought some family visiting town here and had one of the best dinner experiences! We didn't have a reservation but they welcomed us and seated us with minimal wait. Our servers were all extremely friendly and helpful, and we had the best dishes with reasonable price. Would highly recommend!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stavros Macrakis
What a great restaurant! Creative small dishes based on anchovies, oysters, and other seafood. Even one of their desserts includes candied anchovies (not to everyone's taste, I'm sure).
The dishes are great to share, but if you're alone, they'll make half portions so you can try a larger variety.
Wine list is short, but well-chosen. Their specialty is Rieslings, and they make it easy to try them by offering half-glasses as well as glasses and bottles.
Service is friendly and efficient. If you're seated at the counter, you have a view of the kitchen.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chett Garcia
Our absolutely favorite restaurant in SF these days. The trout dip with chips and the anchovies with tomatoe vinaigrette are amazing. The menu changes regularly and the staff and environment are so fun. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Danny K (DSKO)
I had wanted to check out The Anchovy Bar for months, so the opportunity finally came yesterday when I dropped off some family at SFO. I had to wait for about 30 minutes outside where I was lucky to find some parking right out front. The area around Fillmore has gotten quite a bit nicer from when I was growing up, but waiting inside my car that long was not the most comfortable situation.
Eventually they opened up and I was seated at the bar. The first thing I ordered was the Local Anchovy Toast. It was a bit smaller than I expected but it is loaded with plump cured anchovies bursting with the flavor of olive oil, salt and tomatoes atop a dense but crunchy slice of rustic bread.
People were filing in every minute and it was looking much busier about 20 minutes after opening. Waitresses were friendly but once it started to fill up, it was harder to get their attention.
I also ordered fried anchovies which came with a really fantastic tartar sauce that had some delicious diced light pickles. The anchovies were perfectly breaded and fried.
For my final dish, I ordered the Trout Tartare. It was plated cutely with sliced radish and orange swirls. It tasted a bit like an elevated poke. I didn’t have much time to try other dishes and wanted to try to get to Bar Crenn before it filled up. Really glad I had a chance to finally try out the epic anchovies. Will definitely be coming back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Local Anchovy Toast
Nicolas Bergerault
Amazing food, the best I have had in SF. Bit too noisy inside and prices are quite high for little serves. But the food is definitely great. It is worth it !
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jenny Cang
We had an absolutely incredible dinner at the Anchovy Bar. Every single dish was unique and delicious (this is coming from someone who’s not even a big fan of anchovies!). My personal favorites were the anchovy toast, sweet water oysters, peanut sambal appetizer (blanking on the actual name), and petrale sole fillet.
Our server Jesse was wonderfully attentive and thoughtful; he gave us great recommendations on what to order.
Oh also, we came on a pretty chilly night and were seated outside so I was initially worried that it’d be cold. But they have these really neat personalized heat lamps (I think it’s called Focal?) that kept us warm and cozy throughout the entire meal. I haven’t seen these individualized heating systems before but they work way more effectively than the traditional heat lamps that tend to overheat the people who sit closest to them.
Will definitely come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Famille Cristofari
What a great experience at the anchovy bar! The dishes are very creative, with balanced flavors, great wines, honestly this is almost a gastronomic experience. This is pricey, but worth it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Becky Pearson
Well, I didn’t even get in the front door at 5:15 today, Sunday. . Stupidly I called ahead & the guy who answered phone said nothing at the bar til 7:30. And I’m a single, and it’s my birthday. Said I don’t know what to tell u, I have people waiting. No apology no nothing. Def the snarky complacency I want to avoid. Said I shd have made a rez for the bar. Don’t recall the website saying I cd reserve the bar. Been wanting to try for a while. But guess I’ll have to pass.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Julia Rose Sutherland
Every bite was insanely good, the beef tartare was the best I’ve ever had! Honestly, this place is amazing, highlight of San Francisco!
Awesome. Food was absolutely brilliant; even the simple things like anchovies on toast were profound. Wine list was weird (in a good way). Staff were on top of things. Please get a liquor license so I can have gin in my negroni... Also, consider an olfactory dress code -- e.g. seating the folks who insist on drenching themselves in cologne at the tables outside.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anderson Angkeyile (Flying Sailor)
Anchovy Bar is a charming restaurant with a niche concept that feels refreshingly different. The anchovy toast is a definite must-try—surprisingly fresh and not fishy at all. While the bread was a bit thick for my taste, the sesame crust added great texture and paired well with the anchovies. Beautiful presentation, too.
The broiled oysters with roasted garlic–balsamic butter were also solid—rich, flavorful, and satisfying.
Unfortunately, the rest of the meal didn’t quite live up to those highlights. The biggest letdown was the Cantabrian anchovies. At first, they forgot the anchovies entirely. When we asked about it, they brought out small, sad-looking brown slices that resembled canned sardines more than premium anchovies. For a place called Anchovy Bar, we were hoping for something a bit more… memorable.
In the end, it seems like the anchovy toast might be the best thing they make—and honestly, it’s worth a visit just for that or only for that.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Bowen Dwelle
Most people don’t go anchovy—which leaves more for the rest of us! Next time I’ll just order all anchovies, anchovies three ways, or however many they’ll do ‘em. Anchovy toast 👍🏻 Scallop crudo 👍🏻 Clams in tomato broth — good but the clams are those teeny tiny ones, I’d prefer them larger Chocolate something cake 👍🏻 Fresh red wines 👍🏻
Jennifer Welsh
Wow this is a fabulous restaurant. Not overly friendly, but efficient service. Cozy, buzzing vibe. Really interesting wines. And every dish was an absolute flavor bomb. We shared six dishes between two people, and it was the perfect amount of food. Only regret is not having room for dessert. They looked wonderful. Only downside I'd say is the wine pours by the glass are pretty small. I'd order a bottle of wine next time vs glasses. Yum yum, will return!
G S
Perhaps some of the best forkfuls and spoonfuls of deliciousness anywhere in the Bay Area are being served up effortlessly in this tiny unassuming lil joint. I can’t recommend this highly enough- but over the next week or so,.. I’ll be deliberately making a point to tell as many folks that will listen to run not walk to this SF gem! Amazing innovative yet simple and pure, this place deserves and has duly earned all the love it gets ! Can’t wait to get back ! Wonderful beverage program also ! Wow ! Thanks AB !
Excellent Spanish/asian fusion food and thoughtful drinks menu.
Brought some family visiting town here and had one of the best dinner experiences! We didn't have a reservation but they welcomed us and seated us with minimal wait. Our servers were all extremely friendly and helpful, and we had the best dishes with reasonable price. Would highly recommend!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
What a great restaurant! Creative small dishes based on anchovies, oysters, and other seafood. Even one of their desserts includes candied anchovies (not to everyone's taste, I'm sure).
The dishes are great to share, but if you're alone, they'll make half portions so you can try a larger variety.
Wine list is short, but well-chosen. Their specialty is Rieslings, and they make it easy to try them by offering half-glasses as well as glasses and bottles.
Service is friendly and efficient. If you're seated at the counter, you have a view of the kitchen.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our absolutely favorite restaurant in SF these days. The trout dip with chips and the anchovies with tomatoe vinaigrette are amazing. The menu changes regularly and the staff and environment are so fun. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had wanted to check out The Anchovy Bar for months, so the opportunity finally came yesterday when I dropped off some family at SFO. I had to wait for about 30 minutes outside where I was lucky to find some parking right out front. The area around Fillmore has gotten quite a bit nicer from when I was growing up, but waiting inside my car that long was not the most comfortable situation.
Eventually they opened up and I was seated at the bar. The first thing I ordered was the Local Anchovy Toast. It was a bit smaller than I expected but it is loaded with plump cured anchovies bursting with the flavor of olive oil, salt and tomatoes atop a dense but crunchy slice of rustic bread.
People were filing in every minute and it was looking much busier about 20 minutes after opening. Waitresses were friendly but once it started to fill up, it was harder to get their attention.
I also ordered fried anchovies which came with a really fantastic tartar sauce that had some delicious diced light pickles. The anchovies were perfectly breaded and fried.
For my final dish, I ordered the Trout Tartare. It was plated cutely with sliced radish and orange swirls. It tasted a bit like an elevated poke. I didn’t have much time to try other dishes and wanted to try to get to Bar Crenn before it filled up. Really glad I had a chance to finally try out the epic anchovies. Will definitely be coming back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Local Anchovy Toast
Amazing food, the best I have had in SF. Bit too noisy inside and prices are quite high for little serves. But the food is definitely great. It is worth it !
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had an absolutely incredible dinner at the Anchovy Bar. Every single dish was unique and delicious (this is coming from someone who’s not even a big fan of anchovies!). My personal favorites were the anchovy toast, sweet water oysters, peanut sambal appetizer (blanking on the actual name), and petrale sole fillet.
Our server Jesse was wonderfully attentive and thoughtful; he gave us great recommendations on what to order.
Oh also, we came on a pretty chilly night and were seated outside so I was initially worried that it’d be cold. But they have these really neat personalized heat lamps (I think it’s called Focal?) that kept us warm and cozy throughout the entire meal. I haven’t seen these individualized heating systems before but they work way more effectively than the traditional heat lamps that tend to overheat the people who sit closest to them.
Will definitely come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
What a great experience at the anchovy bar! The dishes are very creative, with balanced flavors, great wines, honestly this is almost a gastronomic experience. This is pricey, but worth it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Well, I didn’t even get in the front door at 5:15 today, Sunday. . Stupidly I called ahead & the guy who answered phone said nothing at the bar til 7:30. And I’m a single, and it’s my birthday. Said I don’t know what to tell u, I have people waiting. No apology no nothing. Def the snarky complacency I want to avoid. Said I shd have made a rez for the bar. Don’t recall the website saying I cd reserve the bar. Been wanting to try for a while. But guess I’ll have to pass.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Every bite was insanely good, the beef tartare was the best I’ve ever had! Honestly, this place is amazing, highlight of San Francisco!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Awesome. Food was absolutely brilliant; even the simple things like anchovies on toast were profound. Wine list was weird (in a good way). Staff were on top of things. Please get a liquor license so I can have gin in my negroni... Also, consider an olfactory dress code -- e.g. seating the folks who insist on drenching themselves in cologne at the tables outside.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anchovy Bar is a charming restaurant with a niche concept that feels refreshingly different. The anchovy toast is a definite must-try—surprisingly fresh and not fishy at all. While the bread was a bit thick for my taste, the sesame crust added great texture and paired well with the anchovies. Beautiful presentation, too.
The broiled oysters with roasted garlic–balsamic butter were also solid—rich, flavorful, and satisfying.
Unfortunately, the rest of the meal didn’t quite live up to those highlights. The biggest letdown was the Cantabrian anchovies. At first, they forgot the anchovies entirely. When we asked about it, they brought out small, sad-looking brown slices that resembled canned sardines more than premium anchovies. For a place called Anchovy Bar, we were hoping for something a bit more… memorable.
In the end, it seems like the anchovy toast might be the best thing they make—and honestly, it’s worth a visit just for that or only for that.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Most people don’t go anchovy—which leaves more for the rest of us! Next time I’ll just order all anchovies, anchovies three ways, or however many they’ll do ‘em. Anchovy toast 👍🏻
Scallop crudo 👍🏻
Clams in tomato broth — good but the clams are those teeny tiny ones, I’d prefer them larger
Chocolate something cake 👍🏻
Fresh red wines 👍🏻
Wow this is a fabulous restaurant. Not overly friendly, but efficient service. Cozy, buzzing vibe. Really interesting wines. And every dish was an absolute flavor bomb. We shared six dishes between two people, and it was the perfect amount of food. Only regret is not having room for dessert. They looked wonderful. Only downside I'd say is the wine pours by the glass are pretty small. I'd order a bottle of wine next time vs glasses. Yum yum, will return!
Perhaps some of the best forkfuls and spoonfuls of deliciousness anywhere in the Bay Area are being served up effortlessly in this tiny unassuming lil joint. I can’t recommend this highly enough- but over the next week or so,.. I’ll be deliberately making a point to tell as many folks that will listen to run not walk to this SF gem! Amazing innovative yet simple and pure, this place deserves and has duly earned all the love it gets ! Can’t wait to get back ! Wonderful beverage program also ! Wow ! Thanks AB !
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