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    Bar Esper

    4.7 (21 reviews)
    Closed • 7:00 am - 10:00 AM, 4:00 pm - 11:00 PM

    Bar Esper Photos

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    Recommended Reviews - Bar Esper

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    Duck & Chorizo Rice
    Melanie N.

    We had the dumplings, the croquettes, and the duck & chorizo rice. The duck & chorizo rice was my favorite dish, but we enjoyed everything we ordered. They were all delicious and well balanced dishes. We'd definitely go back next time we're in the area.

    Crab Udon Bowl    So Good
    Gerry F.

    Nestled inside the historic Hotel Spero is Bar Esper. We walked through the hotel's incredible lobby and into a really cool, vibey restaurant with amazing drinks and top-notch food. The whole experience felt unique from start to finish, and every dish brought a lot of flavor and creativity to the table. Definitely one of those spots that stands out in San Francisco if you're looking for a great atmosphere, craft cocktails, and a memorable dining experience. Looking forward to going back and trying more of this really unique and flavorful menu.

    Fisherman's stew!!!
    Ru P.

    Are you kidding me?! Bar Esper (Former Jaspers) is back, baby! This place is a new secret gem downtown. Between the cocktails and food, this is incredible!! Can't wait to come back for the burger!!

    portuguese sausage shrimp dumplings

    japanese peruvian fusion! the restaurant is quiet, and servers were nice. overall i'm a fan of the fusion flavors (lots of tomato and bell pepper and umami sauces) with asian dishes. but overall i'd say the rice was a bit too salty and overall the dishes had a bit too much strong sauce. the duck was cooked really really well and the dumplings were well balanced. price is also a bit expensive.

    Menu
    Alan L.

    I believe this place is about two months old ( one of the servers told us) Made a reservation one Resy the same day and they had availability. I checked the ratings and it looked like a good spot. Place is modern and very clean love that. We were sat in a small lounge/ booth area, but we asked to be moved. Reason being is the table is next to a door that connects to another building. I believe the hotel. So there's a lot of foot traffic and makes it a bit unpleasant. Our server was great and so was the rest of the staff. Great service. We had dumplings, green beans, duck & rice and for dessert pastel de nata. Food was delicious, except the dessert. It felt packaged, and a bit dry. The duck was good but I do have to say the roasted top part of the duck was super salty. First time ever having duck, so I am not sure if that is how duck is supposed to taste. Rice was excellent. Drinks, now I'm not an expert connoisseur, but I have had plenty of cocktails in my life to appreciate a good drink. Drinks were not so great. They tasted more like hard liquor, rather than a mixed drink. This experience made me give it this rating. We definitely plan on coming back and trying the ribs and the burger! Bar Esper has a lot of potential and since they are just starting up I'm sure they will improve significantly

    Breakfast

    Bar Esper looks like a dinner/bar, but what it also quietly presents is a fun breakfast cafe. Hours are 7-10 but hopefully, as this place gets more established, it will expand its breakfast hours to 12. Cappuccinos were very good, on a par with Verve, black dot, that kind of coffee. We had the oatmeal and the sando. Forget about boring oatmeal; this dish has caramelized bananas on top. My spouse loved the egg/sausage sando with roasted onion. Ambience is superb with good up-to-date music that soothes rather than kicks you into high gear. Felt really relaxed here.

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    20 days ago

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    7 days ago

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    8 hours ago

    if you try nothing else, the Portuguese Watermelon Salad is amazing!! Great food, atmosphere and service

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    23 days ago

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    4 months ago

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    5 months ago

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    20 days ago

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    2 months ago

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    4 months ago

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    4 months ago

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    4 months ago

    So happy to have this restaurant back in the neighborhood. Great drinks and food, love the staff!

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    2 months ago

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    4 months ago

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    3 months ago

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    4 months ago

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    4 months ago

    What a spot - a new gem, highly recommend! Loved the dumplings and the steak steadwich, everyone should come!

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    Ask the Community - Bar Esper

    Wayfare Tavern - Burger.

    Wayfare Tavern

    3.9(4.8k reviews)
    0.8 mi•Financial District
    •$$$

    I had visited place once ~12 years ago. Glad I came back! I am really impressed with this place and…read morewe'll be back. We were greeted immediately and shown to the table I had requested (I requested a booth). At many restaurants, reinstated like the are ignored so this was really nice. I also was impressed that they didn't pull the "everyone must be present before you're seated" bs that I really dislike. They seated us and our 4th joined us soon after we ordered drinks. Props! It was a nice big booth with plenty of room for our party of 4. Low lighting and classy dining room. Food was delicious. We chose the lamb. Also lots of inventive cocktails. I chose The Bentley. We also got dessert: lemon curd donuts and a peach trifle.

    Had an extremely mediocre meal last night at Wayfare Tavern. We showed up a few minutes early and…read morewere asked to wait in the bar. Found a bar table 2-top and sat down. We were given menus. Then we waited 15 minutes and were never approached for a drink. Oh well,,, hostess came and founds up and took us to our table. Said table was VERY small and shoved into a very small corner in back of a smallish but VERY loud room. Server took at least 10 minutes to greet our table and take a drink order. Drinks were fine but nothing to write home about. Ordered deviled eggs for an appetizer. Smoked paprika flavor was overwhelming and we left 4 of the six eggs uneaten. Dinner guest ordered Flat iron steak and fries. Said it was ok "Like a steak at Chili's". He left half his steak and didn't want a box to take the leftover. Also ordered the Mac-n-cheese side and said it was bland and had a mushy texture. I ordered the Black Cod. It was under seasoned and bland. Server was fine and I mean that in the most average and forgettable way. While I understand the restaurant was busy and they can't help noise levels or where we were sat (someone has to sit in that table, right?), I'm most disappointed in the things they could have controlled. Timely, friendly service and well seasoned quality food should be the cornerstones of any good restaurants and Wayfare Tavern displayed neither last night. One other rule I need to remember to live by. ALWAYS check yelp reviews vs. OpenTable. OT consistently has EXTREMELY high reviews that don't always "add up". Wayfare Tavern, for example is a 4.7 stars in over 8,300 reviews, while it only receives 3.9 stars in Yelp with over 4,000 people reviewing it on this platform. Just my opinion but for context I eat out for work 3-4x a weeks all over the country and Wayfare did not come close to a 4.7 star or even a 3.9 star experience.

    Photos
    Wayfare Tavern - Wayfare Tavern Deviled Eggs

    Wayfare Tavern Deviled Eggs

    Wayfare Tavern - Organic Fried Chicken

    Organic Fried Chicken

    Wayfare Tavern

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    Marlowe - Crispy Brussels Sprout Chips

    Marlowe

    4.0(3k reviews)
    1.0 mi•Mission Bay
    •$$$

    Wow this place was so amazing! Not only were the servers so friendly, kind, and accommodating but…read morethe food was also incredible. I loved the decor all around the restaurant with adorable cow art and a very clean feel. The servers and hosts were coming over to chat with us and just made us feel so welcome and special. From the second you walk in until the second you leave you are in good hands. It's also right across from the train so it's super easy to get there! I don't normally like horseradish, but the burger came with the perfect amount of horseradish where it tasted very fresh and added a good burst of flavor without being overwhelming! The fries were delicious and crispy. 10 out of 10 food, service, and environment. I would give them more stars if I could.

    If you happen to stumble upon Marlowe like we did I'm confident that you will leave as full and…read moresatisfied as we did. A charming little bistro inspired by the Marlowe cows, I'm assuming, managed to stun us with several memorable dishes. The warm deviled eggs were an excellent start. Savory yet delicate enough to not weigh us down right at the beginning of our meal. The horseradish aioli wasn't for me, but I can see its appeal for a certain audience. You give me a Calabrian chili sauce and it's guaranteed to make me happy and this shrimp with sweet corn was no exception. Again, light but a punchy flavor that was enjoyable. I could go on and on about the different dishes we tried but the real standout of the night was the pork tenderloin with chorizo and peaches. The sweetness from the peaches somehow managed to enhance the flavor of the chorizo. This dish gives you a bold, savory and sweet bite all together but still won't have you feeling super heavy. The portion size is perfect. Im hoping to return soon for another exquisite meal.

    Photos
    Marlowe - Clean and inviting bar

    Clean and inviting bar

    Marlowe - Marlowe Burger with side of fries

    Marlowe Burger with side of fries

    Marlowe - Brunch cocktails

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    Brunch cocktails

    Original Joe's - Entrance to Original Joe's North Beach

    Original Joe's

    4.1(2.7k reviews)
    1.0 mi•North Beach/Telegraph Hill
    •$$$

    There is something undeniably magical about a bustling Sunday afternoon in the city, especially…read morewhen you step through the doors of Little Original Joe's on Chestnut Street. From the moment we walked in, the entire space hummed with that rich, classic energy--a vibrant dance between the busy bar upfront, the lively dining room, and the open kitchen working in seamless harmony. Being seated right in the center booth gave us a front-row seat to the whole grand show, an absolute perfect vantage point to take in the warm, nostalgic atmosphere (complete with framed vintage photographs that instantly transport you back in time). Even with the Sunday rush in full swing, the hospitality was nothing short of effortless. Carlos at the host desk welcomed us with such a genuine, warm smile that any wait felt practically non-existent. There's a rare, old-school kind of care in how he handles guests--attentive, gracious, and completely unflappable despite a packed house. It's no wonder this was my fourth visit here; people like Carlos are what transform a great meal into a cherished ritual. When someone takes the extra moment to make sure you're looked after--even offering a direct connection to their Walnut Creek location for future tight reservations--you know you're in special hands. And then, of course, came the table full of pure culinary delight: Caviar + Chicken Tower ($60): The absolute showstopper of the afternoon. Crispy, golden-fried chicken paired with cool, delicate dollops of crème fraîche and rich caviar, resting atop a mountain of parmesan-dusted fries. It was indulgent, playful, and completely unforgettable. The Pizza Salad ($22) & Marry Me Farfalle ($33): Everything you want from a classic Italian-American lunch--vibrant flavors, incredible richness, and comforting soul. Drinks & Libations: Perfectly crafted from start to finish. The Watermelon Hugo Spritz ($17) was refreshing and bright, while Elena's Espresso Martini ($17) provided that smooth, decadent kick. The N.A. Citrus Spritz ($14) and a warm Cappuccino ($5) rounded out the table beautifully. Mini Bombolini ($15): A heavenly finish. Warm, pillowy Italian fried doughnuts tossed generously in sugar--the ultimate sweet high note to end a perfect Sunday feast. It was, start to finish, a deeply satisfying experience--the kind of afternoon where great food, wonderful energy, and true hospitality meet. A absolute favorite spot that never fails to impress!

    It was decent but I felt a little overhyped…read more We had reservations which you need here, it gets slammed. Espresso martinis were delicious. We ordered the calamari which was decent, truffle fries, and prawn cocktail. Prawns were not cleaned properly. Everything was good but not mind blowing. Id come again to try an entree but I feel there's better places to go.

    Photos
    Original Joe's - Joe's Famous Hamburger Sandwich accompanied by French Fries and a Manhattan

    Joe's Famous Hamburger Sandwich accompanied by French Fries and a Manhattan

    Original Joe's - Eggplant Parmigiana

    Eggplant Parmigiana

    Original Joe's - Chicken Piccata

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    Chicken Piccata

    Tommy's Joynt - Slim 5 oz. Meat Portion Dinner Plate (mashed potatoes w/gravy & green beans + 3oz additional turkey + side Turkey Stuffing w/Gravy

    Tommy's Joynt

    3.8(3.3k reviews)
    0.6 mi•Fillmore, Western Addition
    •$$

    Stopped by after a doctor's appointment. It's right across the street from the new CPMC hospital…read more Where else in this city can you get a plate of meat and potatoes for less than $15! Truly, I marvel at their economy. The brisket was a bit dry. Maybe because I requested au jus instead of gravy? The baked potato was not super hot. The baked beans were delicious, no complaints. The portion is incredible. I would come here again and I'd like to try the round of beef. I love that you step up to the counter and just order whatever looks good to you. Service was very fast and friendly.

    Killing some time before dinner, stopped in for Happy hour at this supposedly legendary place…read more From ths outside, it didnt look like much, in fact it had Dive written all over it. I was pleasantly suprised walking in, as I was greeted with a Warm, cozy rusticly decorated place full of charm . Immediately through the door to the right was a hof-brau manned by a gentleman ready to serve up whatever culinary delight you wanted to try. The place was peppered with tables, occupied by what appeared to be a heavy presence of regulars. Took a spot at the bar, and ordered a beer and a shot while my sister got a manhatten. Prices for happy hour were well within reason and the pour for the bourbon was quite generous. The barkeep was gregarious and engaging . I want to go back for sure and try the hof-brau. It gave me a similar vibe like the old sams in sacramento.

    Photos
    Tommy's Joynt - The seating area

    The seating area

    Tommy's Joynt
    Tommy's Joynt - The bar side! Something for everyone!

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    The bar side! Something for everyone!

    Bar Esper - portuguese - Updated October 2026

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