I felt pretty rad and transported to Spainjust walking in to this beautiful space... The hospitality was so genuine and fun here. I didn't understand the menu well, but my server was so sweet and helpful I guiding my friends and me with our orders. I can't wait to return and absorb some more "cool" from this spot. read more

Found a great little wine bar in the heart of the Mission, and I'm so glad my friends convinced me to go! The moment you walk in, your mood instantly lifts. The energy is vibrant without feeling overwhelming, and the noise level is just right. It's quiet enough to have a conversation and get lost in your own thoughts, but not so quiet that you feel awkward sitting in silence. Plus, the people watching was pretty entertaining, which definitely added to the experience. The three of us only tried two different wines. My friend ordered a glass of Masha, while my other friend and I both ordered the Los Chuchaquis. The verdict: Masha was really good. Good enough that a second glass was ordered! As for the Los Chuchaquis, I personally didn't love it. I found it a little too tannic and bitter for my taste. If you have a low tolerance for bitterness, this might not be the wine for you. That said, my friend, who ordered the same wine, absolutely loved it and thought it was delicious. So maybe I just ordered the wrong wine for my palate? ‍ Either way, the wine is only part of the experience. The energy here is fantastic, the bartender was welcoming and friendly, and the crowd was cheerful without being obnoxious, which I really appreciate. I'm not usually much of a night person, but I genuinely had a great time. It was one of those evenings that reminded me how nice it is to get out, enjoy good company, and simply soak in the atmosphere. I'm really glad I took my friends up on their offer to go out. Definitely a 5 star experience for the atmosphere, the energy, and the overall vibe. This seems to be such an interesting neighborhood. I'd love to come back and wander around, explore more, and discover what else this part of the city has to offer. read more

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I work around this bar and thought it was the cutest thing so finally got to come try for a friend's bday. It's super chill inside, we also got a charcuterie and cheese plate and everything was amazing! Had really great options of Spanish wine which I don't typically get to try that often and just great vibes all around. Workers were very nice too and gave me great recommendations. Will have to come back! read more

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Visited on a Thursday around 7pm with 3 other friends, wine bar was quite busy most seats and tables were taken both inside and outside. We were able to snag a seat at the bar after waiting a few minutes. Drinks: A nice selection of wines, vermouth cocktails and some beer and non alcoholic options availible. We ordered chilled bottles of sparkling red wine which was served in a bucket with ice which was a nice touch to keep it cool. Food: Tinned monkfish liver - nice and creamy, rich with mild flavor served with bread, crackers, potato chips and pickled peppers Tinned stuffed squid - very tasty, squid were cut into smaller pieces making it easy to pass around also served with the same bread, crackers, and potato chips Tortilla - a nice piece of egg and potato tortilla served warm on a slice of ciabatta, this was well seasoned and a generous portion size, was surprised it was served like an open faced sandwich made it a little bit difficult to cut up and share but tasty regardless Jamon con brie - similar to the tortilla served in a warm open faced sandwich, ham and brie were nice, a little greasy and salty Service was fine, walk up to the bar and place your order, they'll provide you with a number for food delivery to your seat. Water we grabbed a filled our glasses as needed. Plates were cleared relatively quickly when we were finished. Overall enjoyed El Chato, there happened to be some live music that evening which was fun but made for a pretty loud space. Food was solid nothing outstanding but a nice array of tin fish and tapas, liked the wine and vermouth options. A fun spot for girls night expect a crowd if you go earlier in the evening. read more

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Super cute wine bar that has parrons, which are a fun (and messy) way to enjoy wine. Tried a couple dishes and they were all so delicious. We loved the gambas, a jambon and cheese over toast, and a toast with tomatoes. The favorite was definitely the gambas, packed with so much flavor! The bar itself had good vibes and sometimes have live music read more

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Large selection of wines and ok prices. Service is way too slow, half an hour line wait for a few people even to get to the register, let alone ordering. Ambiance is lively, walk around with a glass of wine, chat with people. That's if you know the people ... otherwise sitting down to have some food/drinks is interrupted by the same people walking around in the tiny space in the between the tables. read more

Cute place with some fun vibes. Unfortunately, the lady bartender/waitress was rude to us for no reason. I guess some places just are too cool to be nice to customers, but will also have a minimum 20% tip option. read more

I've been here one time and I really enjoyed my experience. They have a good wine selection with some food but if you're looking for a big meal, I wouldn't say this is the spot to come to the space itself is very big and good for groups and I love that they have events at this wine bar read more

El Chato - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

The best wine bar in the mission. This spot always gives the best Spanish vibes. Great wine, tapas, and atmosphere. There is almost always live music, band, dj. We could not stop eating the anchovies and sardines! The wine is also great and several options to choose from. I recommend!! read more

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What a fun dinner spot! I love the ambiance inside and the service was pretty efficient. Shared a bunch of small plates with a friend and everything was so delicious! Great value and selection of wines, vermouths, and others. Everything tasted fresh and well seasoned! Would come back! read more

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One of the most authentic tapas places we've been to outside of Spain Their Jamón Ibérico and pan con tomate hits the spot every time. Pairs really well with a nice vermouth and soda. Definitely recommend read more

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(3.5 stars) Had a fun girls' night at El Chato ! Great spot for wine and catching up with friends. We ordered the crudo, pan con tomate with jamón, and tortilla. The pan con tomate with jamón was my favorite. I'd probably skip the rest. Everything was a bit bread-heavy (but that might've just been because of what we ordered). Service was friendly but a bit spotty. They forgot a few items and we had to follow up several times for drinks. Still, the ambiance more than made up for it. I'd go back, but probably just for drinks and a few light bites like the olives or Marcona almonds. read more

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Le Chato is one of those places you walk into and instantly feel like you've stumbled upon a hidden gem. I've been twice now, and both times I've gotten completely swept up in good conversation, delicious wine, and a vibe that's effortlessly cozy and welcoming. The tapas are lovely, thoughtful, flavorful, and perfect for sharing (or not, no judgment). It's the kind of place where time slips by over small plates and another glass. On my first visit, our bartender brought out a porrón, which I had never seen before, and it turned into an experience of its own. If you've never tried it, trust me: do it. It's fun, it's messy (in the best way), and it's a memory-maker. Le Chato feels like your neighborhood wine bar, even if it's not in your neighborhood. If I lived closer, I'd be here all the time. Until then, I'll just keep making excuses to come back. read more

Good and solid. Went on a first date here and they were pretty empty, but that can be great. They had a nice selection, but nothing of note. Fun decorations, solid bartenders. read more

Went to El Chato with a friend on a Wednesday night and had so much fun! It wasn't super crowded, so we had no trouble finding seats. The place was vibey and chill, and the staff were really friendly and accommodating. Lots of different wines to choose from, so we both asked for dry whites and let the staff surprise us-- we weren't disappointed! We also ordered the gazpacho, charcuterie board, and pan tumaca- we loved everything. Perfect location for a girl dinner and a yapping session. I'll definitely be coming back again. Can't wait to try more items on the menu next time! read more

Super cute place with a great wine selection! We got a platter of food that I unfortunately don't remember the exact name of but everything on it was delicious! There was live music when we went which was fantastic! The service was great and really quick! read more

El Chato - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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What a wonderful wine bar, and a great focus on sherry. Had a little sherry while in Barcelona, not a huge fan, but trying it again in a more relaxed environment was great! Would recommend adding it to some sparkling water if it's your first time just to get acclimated, but definitely try it raw sometime. Other wines are great, a well-curated collection, and the space is super cool. read more

Came here for some wine and bites. Ended up just doing a couple of glasses and a bite, but it is a very chill local spot in the mission district. Rafa is the owner and he was super nice and chill. A bite and 4 glasses of wine did get us to $70 before tip, so that did seem semi steep to me. But also I'm not a huge wine guy and maybe I just didn't know, so I'm not going to knock them for that. There was definitely other selection there that I'd be open to trying, pair that with Rafa's welcoming energy, how can I not come back? read more

I love this cute spot! I'm always trying something new there. Highly recommend asking for wine recommendations as they always have something unusual and yummy! Tons of tinned fish options as well as other tapas. They are very knowledgeable about gluten allergies and have gluten free bread and crackers. read more

The food, the service, and the ambience was everything you want when you're out enjoying yourself! We came on a Monday and enjoyed the pop up they had going on. The staff were friendly and we enjoyed chatting with them! read more

Tapas were amazing, we had goat cheese and jamón serrano board. The music and ambience felt as if we were in Spain. Definitely worth visiting read more

El Chato is a magical place, it's as if you're transported into a little piece of of Spain. Everything was amazing, the food, the drinks, the service and ambience. Erin is so knowledgeable about the wine she selects and pours. Every wine is has a story and is chosen with intent, and it shows. The wines are representative of the terroir and the families that make them. Rafa and the cooks, have curated a wonderful selection of bites that are so authentic! Each bite bursts with flavor and passion you can taste the quality of ingredients they use. I love this place and always tell people who love wine and tapas to check this place. Wonderful wine bar and one of the best in SF read more

Lovely wine bar with great wine selection! Ordered Nice to Meet You meat plater and a glass of wine with my partner.

El Chato is an incredibly fun wine bar in the Mission that transports you to Spain for the evening. The tapas are authentic (and incredibly delicious). The tortilla is one of my favorites. They also host a live DJ weekly and have other fun events that they announce on their Instagram and website. It's generally a more lively atmosphere here. Both indoor and outdoor seating are generally available. read more

3.5 overall - if I didn't account for the end bill being more than expected I would've given a solid 4 Ambiance - 5/5 the interior is extremely personable (I loved the ham lights) and the bathroom is an experience within itself. It definitely feels like a neighborhood hangout spot - saw dates going on, friend gatherings, solo sips, and meet ups. Dog friendly ! Service - 5/5 everyone was so nice and every customer looked like they were enjoying themselves ! It's a little different than a standard restaurant and more like a bar- you go up to the counter on the right to place your order for drinks and food. You bring to your table the order number and drinks. Water is self serve at the left of the bar. Food is brought to your table. Drinks - good selection of wines - would definitely recommend trying the ones from Spain! chatos (less than a cup) and glass. They also sell bottles. Food- taste - 4/5, value - 2/5. generally food was good for this being more of a wine bar but it was definitely pricier (our bill was 200$ and that was only with 2 glasses of wine and one cider which was around 35$ for all the drinks) The oxtail puff sandwich thing and gazpacho was our favorite ! And the jamon was really good - but for 40$ I expected way more meat. Definitely on the pricier side- but could be argued very standard for a wine bar in SF. Overall I would come back in the area to try some wines ! But I would recommend grabbing dinner elsewhere before coming here if you're hungry (which is fair since they market themselves as wine bar and not dinner spot). They definitely accomplished a fun and welcoming corner wine bar ! It was packed for a Friday compared to the places nearby. read more

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Finally tried this place after passing by it all the time! It's usually pretty packed, but we came on a Saturday night, and we were able to get (tight) seating for a large group. Super cool ambiance that felt both lively and relaxed. Great selection of wines but not overwhelmingly large. They offer a "chato" aka smaller pour so you're able sample more of their menu. Didn't try any of their tapas because we just came from dinner, but their food menu looks great. read more

El Chato - Ham lights - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Great wine choices and great ambiance. We also had the olives and pan con tomate, enjoyed it all at the outdoor seating on a nice sunny day!

My friend and I decided to stop by here during our wait to eat at another restaurant and I'm so glad we found this spot! We stopped by on a Friday evening and it was a homey, casual, and fairly lively atmosphere. You basically just go up to see the menu and order at the counter and they'll give you your drinks and bring you any food you ordered to your table. The wine list is pretty extensive here so definitely ask for recommendations if you're needing some guidance. We wanted the wines on tap so we got the Atxa Blanco and Rojo, and these were both delicious. Just the right amount of sweetness and fruitiness. My friend was saying that it reminded her of the wine she drank in Spain and had been trying to look for a place here that served wine on tap like this. We also wanted to get a small bite so we opted for the Pan Tumaca (Bread and Tomato). A very simple dish, but delicious nonetheless. read more

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This wine list is fantastic, the food is delicious, and the atmosphere is great. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable.

Stopped by this Spanish wine bar for a quick drink while we waited for our dinner reservation. They had a large selection of wine and several groups were drinking porron. The place is small, but people rotated in and out frequently so we were able to find a small table. Otherwise, standing is fine. The atmosphere was intimate and very lively. Ordering at the bar made it easy to keep everyone's cup full. The staff was also very attentive and nice. Overall, it was a fun experience. read more

El Chato - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Best wine bar in San Francisco. Rafa and Erin go above and beyond and their selection of wine is unbelievable. This place is a can't miss

The best neighborhood spot in the east Mission pouring all kinds of Spanish and other wines, vermouths, and serving some of the tastiest snacks around. Toasts with anchovies and tiny fish eggs, pan con tomat that's always a hitter, and tortilla espanola. Great vibes, excellent service that helped me choose what to drink, and live music or DJs all the time. Really one of my fav spots around. Great for parties too! read more

El Chato - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Can't say enough good things about this place. Awesome service, great wine selection to choose from. Delicious food options - get the jamón ibérico, cheese plate & pan con tomate. Such a good vibe overall, easy to walk in on a Saturday early evening with a large party. Would highly recommend for a birthday or celebration! read more

El Chato - Jamón ibérico - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

My Spanish partner is always a little hesitant to go to Spanish places in the city because of the massive price difference. Happy to say El Chato was great! Got a nice chilled bottle of red wine for $53 that was really good. The cheese board was delicious too with good cheese. The vibe and decor was awesome and wasn't too packed on a Friday night. We were impressed, so we'll come back to try some more food! My star rating: 5 - must go!!!  4 - liked it, give it a try! 3 - it was alright 2 - I probably won't go back  1 - turnaround and run read more

This is a great tapas spot pot that takes you to Spain, whether you've been there or not. Excellent wine list and Vermut with soda options for that Spanish flare. The tapas menu is small, but it's quality over quantity at this place. The canned mussels, sardines, etc. is rich with that olive oil brine; and perfect for eating with bread. Been to Europe before and this restaurant definitely gives that vibe to make you want to go back. The bill is a bit pricey, but you get what you pay for. Great for bringing a small group! read more

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What a fun place, I loved the atmosphere, the vibes and the drinks as well, Next time I will try the food as well, This a perfect place to stop by for a drink a quick bite meanwhile enjoying sherry, vermouth or wine Thank you el chato We r coming back for more read more

Love the vibe of this place! Casual yet elevated and a large selection of wine and sherry choices. I particularly enjoyed the sherry cocktail over ice. read more

I first came to this bar right after I got back from Spain. Big mistake and sticker shock. If they charged Spanish prices they would not be able to survive in S.F. The wine selection here is really good. The food is really hit or miss. First time I came here, the sardines were not Spain, but edible. Recently, I ordered the Rabo de Toro for $13. A little appetizer that was a disaster. The bread was hard as a rock. I should have sent it back. The staff is attentive when you ask for them, but they seem a bit spaced out. Forgetting to give forks twice. read more

happy hour is cute music was a little loud for a chill wine bar vibe i could barely hear my friends while we chatted cheeseboard plate is perfect for the price lots of yummy things to try read more

This is an awesome place. Great selection of wines and super knowledgeable staff. Some of them make their own wine even. This is a very authentic Spanish tapas wine bar. From the chips and crackers to the dope bathroom you feel like you have been transported to Espana. The plates are delicious and unlike anything else from other Spanish spots. Every time, I have been to the festive El Chato - guests are having a blast w the fun glass pitcher Porrón. Love the music, food, wine, amazing staff, decor, and and and!!! These things and more have brought me back several times. read more

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