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    Howells

    4.3 (74 reviews)
    Closed 3:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)

    Howells Photos

    Business Info

    HOWELLS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Good for groups
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Howells

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    Nate on the case pouring Monticello!
    Wendy C.

    Let's Go! Fabulous wine bar! Nate poured our wine and made sure we were take care of. Kiani is the master of hosting us and keeps us coming back!!

    inside
    Michelle Z.

    Nice wine bar to sit and chat in for a while. The dessert wine was fantastic and just the right amount of sweet! I forgot the name of it but wish I took a picture before I left. There's a ton of seating inside (two floors) and it wasn't too busy but still very lively on a Thursday night. We stopped here because another bar down the street was way too packed. They have comfy sofa chairs that were fun to sit in. It looked like there was a backyard area too! The decor inside is classy and dim. Ambiance was great.

    Saturday, June 17th, 2023 - Glasses of wine / bubbly
    Elena N.

    Date: Saturday, June 17th, 2023 Time: around 1:30pm Party of: 3 I can't recall how we ended up at Howells. My group had just finished up a boozy bottomless brunch and wanted to keep the day going. We walked in and easily grabbed three seats at the end of the bar. We were here for a good 4+ hours. Not sure exactly what we drank the entire time, but I know we all started with different glasses of bubbly. Or maybe one of the glasses was a white wine instead of a sparkling. Some time closer to dinner, one of my friends got hungry, so he ordered the Pigs in a Blanket. He seemed to enjoy them. I recall the bartender being super sweet and friendly. Never made us feel rushed, like he wanted to turn the seats over or anything. Great spot to grab some drinks and snacks. We had a fun time here! REVIEW #3522

    Downstairs seating
    Audrey L.

    Such a cool ambiance. Great music, too! This is a perfect place to grab a glass of wine on a first date. There's ample seating at the bar downstairs, and some seating upstairs. About $11 per glass. We had a glass of Sauvignon Blanc & Malbec. The service was prompt. Would go here again!

    Arancini
    Pam M.

    Fun wine bar with a screen so you can catch the game if you'd like. There's an upstairs seating area too. Dog friendly if you have a well behaved pooch. Super friendly & helpful staff. Pretty good wine selection & Keahi will make a good recommendation if you need. Alfredo, the chef in the kitchen prepares some tasty small bites & their warmed chocolate chip cookie is divine. We shared the arancini & charcuterie with our little group which was the perfect complement to our wine. Love this cozy neighborhood spot!

    Doreen C.

    Came on a Friday night after dinner and the place was already pretty crowded or poppin. I ordered the rose which was really refreshing and tasted like strawberries! The overall vibe was also really nice and chill and the owner (I think?) or bartender was super nice and has really good service. Would definitely come back again! Nice neighborhood wine bar with chill vibes

    Marie A.

    My recent visit to Howell's left me utterly shaken and deeply disturbed. As a woman of color, I was appalled by the blatant racism and lack of safety I encountered at this establishment. Upon entering the bar, I was immediately met with stares and unwelcoming glances from the predominantly white crowd. Ignoring the discomfort, I proceeded to the only ONE restroom they have with 2 of my girl friends where we were confronted by a white woman who continued to bang on the door as soon as we got in and physically assaulted us once we opened the door to see what was going on by immediately pulling on our hair as soon as we walked out simply because she couldn't wait her turn. It's very common for women to use the restroom at a bar at the same time especially if it's only one restroom available, but rest assured we did not take that long. It was a terrifying experience to be attacked in such a manner, and what was even more horrifying was the response of the bartenders. Instead of intervening to protect the victims, the bartenders chose to side with the aggressor, who happened to be a regular at the bar. Raphael and the other bartender (bald dude) said to leave because we were "causing a scene", but never once confronted the aggressor as she remained at the bar continuing to being served. They not only excused her violent behavior but also chased away those who tried to defend themselves and others. It was clear that being a regular customer meant more to them than ensuring the safety and well-being of all patrons. Feeling completely vulnerable and unsafe, I attempted to call the police for assistance. However, I quickly realized that the staff would not have our back in this situation. As an Asian woman, I felt completely isolated and helpless in a space surrounded by all white individuals who failed to recognize my right to safety and dignity. This experience at Howell's in the Marina in San Francisco was nothing short of horrendous. The combination of racism, violence, discrimination, and lack of support from the staff made it clear that this is not a place where anyone, especially women of color, should feel safe or welcome. I urge others to reconsider patronizing this establishment until they address these deeply ingrained issues and prioritize the safety and well-being of all patrons, regardless of race or background. WILL NOT BE RETURNING HERE EVER!!

    Delicious impossible burger slider. Juicy and flavorful!
    Patrick L.

    Visited this great local spot with coworkers recently. Howells has a warm and inviting ambiance. They have a robust menu of drinks and snacks. The staff here is very friendly and attentive. Really like the impossible burger sliders here, very juicy and flavorful. Would definitely come back again when I'm in the neighborhood!

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    19 days ago

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    2 years ago

    Nate and team are simply the best. Howells is a great neighborhood spot with a low-key excellent wine list that rotates.

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    7 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Great spot, Friendly staff, great wines that are pretty reasonably priced. Solid snack menu.

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    Bar Crenn

    Bar Crenn

    4.1
    (180 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$$$

    If Paris had a secret bar hidden inside San Francisco, this would be it. Bar Crenn feels like a…read morecandlelit salon - intimate, old-world, and effortlessly elegant. And the service matches that energy perfectly: polished, warm, and present without hovering. And don't skip the cocktails. They're a core part of the experience. Their version of an Espresso Martini was my favorite of the night... and I'm not even a coffee drinker. Foodwise, everything was paced beautifully. We started with their playful "smoke break," a crunchy seaweed cigar stuffed with sweet Dungeness crab and caviar. The agnolotti was filled with ricotta and goat cheese, layered with Burgundy truffle and mushroom, and tied together with an aromatic onion porcini consommé. Warm malted pretzel bread came next with a silky Mornay sauce topped with caviar and mustard for dipping. The brandade of salted cod with light, airy whipped potatoes disappeared in a few spoonfuls, and the dry-aged kampachi mosaic, paired with truffle purée and finished with uni béarnaise and more truffle, was one of those bites you pause for. The highlight was the two-part course: matsutake chawanmushi with crab dashi and browned butter, paired with unbelievably tender abalone finished with a sauce made from its own liver. Closing: Bar Crenn isn't about big portions or spectacle. It's about intention, atmosphere, and a rare level of refinement that still feels welcoming. If you're looking for a special night that feels transportive from the moment you sit down, this is absolutely worth the reservation. 5 stars.

    My friend made reservations for my birthday on a Monday at Bar Crenn for 7pm, we arrived and were…read moregreeted by the host who sat us at the bar. Space is beautiful, low lights, wood paneling, velvet seats, a very relaxing but elegant design. Drinks: Mizuwari - good, this is prebatched and carbonated upon service, nice light fruity flavors with a light sparkling effervescence, whisky definitely more in the background, didn't pick up much floral in this one either but enjoyed it Arlequin - good, nice creamy foamy texture from the egg white, nice acidity, with subtle berry notes, and a whisper of scotch in the finish, a very unique take on a whisky sour Baxter - boozy and on the sweeter side, with a strong cognac flavor in the finish, fruity upfront, a slow sipper Food: Nori Rolls: great, loved the fresh Dungeness crab within the crispy nori shell almost like a wafer texture with just a little bit of rice to hold it together, grab was sweet with a subtle saltiness, chives added a burst of light delicate onion flavor, came with two small pieces per order Scallop Tacos: good, thin slices of raw scallops topped with mildly spiced xo sauce, on a very crispy chip like textured shell, the citrus added a burst of freshness, good but was expecting more of a traditional taco with a tortilla, this was a canape sized bite Pretzel Bread with Mornay sauce - pretzel i believe was a buckwheat base so a bit more dense than i was expecting, nice salty crust, mornay sauce was very tart and acidic with a thin runny texture, mustard forward as well, had higher hopes for this wouldn't recommend if you are expecting a classic pretzel Lobster Roll - served in a brioche bun that was a bit dense and lacked the airiness I was expecting, lobster was also a tad tough and chewy, loaded with bearnaise which was creamy and rich with a subtle saltiness but overpowered by the hot sauce served ontop Paris Breast: highlight of the night, really light airy choux with a slight crisp exterior filled with a delicious lightly sweetened vanilla cream, passionfruit orange and guava in the curd and filling was also excellent and made for an exciting end to the meal. Service was solid fairly attentive, plates and serviceware and water refilled and refreshed throughout. Food was well paced. Drinks took a little time to order but understandable given there were only two bartenders for the evening. Overall Bar Crenn was a little disappointing, other than dessert nothing was particularly note worthy. Cocktails were good but not outstanding, small bites were pretty hit or miss with small portion sizes. Glad i got to try this spot but not likely to return.

    Photos
    The vibes are immaculate
    The vibes are immaculate
    Truffle Egg and Pickled Pepper Toast
    Truffle Egg and Pickled Pepper Toast
    Cocktail

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    Cocktail
    The Patio

    The Patio

    4.6
    (232 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    This place is absolutely excellent! My friends and I were looking for a spot to grab drinks and…read moredecided to check it out, and we were so glad we did. From the moment we walked in, the staff was incredibly welcoming and friendly, which immediately set a great tone for the evening. The service was excellent -- attentive without being overbearing -- and we never felt rushed. We ordered margaritas, which were really well made and delicious. The atmosphere is relaxed and fun, making it a perfect spot to enjoy a drink or a light bite with friends. Overall, it's definitely a place I'll be coming back to. Great drinks, friendly service, and a welcoming vibe make it a must-visit!

    The restaurant has a puzzling ambiance. Plush couches adorn the interior, with the sparse titular…read more"patio" at the back. On the patio, the heat didn't reach every seat leaving parts of the table chilly. Unfortunately, the food seemed to follow the standard set by the furnshings, and was equally mediocre. The short rib was a touch overcooked, though the mashed potatoes it sat upon were lovely. The mac and cheese had a delicious blend of cheeses, but the pasta was too ordinary. The fried chicken that sat upon it was also plain. Service was the bright spot. Our server was warm, gracious, and patient with our large group. For a big dinner group where seating and service matter most, the restaurant has its advantages. But overall I wouldn't give it a recommendation.

    Photos
    The Patio
    Meatball
    Meatball
    Pasta Primavera

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    Pasta Primavera
    California Wine Merchant

    California Wine Merchant

    3.5
    (344 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Arrived an hour before they closed. Nice ambiance. Nice place to have a nightcap or start out…read morebefore your journey out. Great selection of wine, but reds in particular. California reds, but not the overpriced name vineyards, just a great picks of what's good. They also have a wine club that has been around for a lot longer than most bars. You can have wines shipped to your door and meet up with other like minded wine enthusiasts.

    Greg The owner is super nice and super friendly! He walked us through the history of how he built…read morethe bar 52 years ago and was one of the first people to really start getting in on the California wine trend. He met a lot of the famous California wine vineyards that now can go for $500 a bottle 30 years ago or 50 years ago when there were just getting started and only for $5 a bottle. He is super friendly and accommodated us even for a last minute Monday wine tasting a few minutes after the original 8:00 and said he was just excited to have us come see the space and also talked through about how hard it is even make the wine shelves which he made all by himself selecting the redwood lumber and cutting everything there while a junior in college! Greg got into wine through taking a wine class at school way back and got excited by how a lot of the fathers at his school were both into wine and classical music and really shared his passion with us -- talking about not only a wine but also the farm to table movement and how Chez Panissse helped to innovate there! Additionally, the other folks at the bar were lovely talking about how they got into wine and their journeys and favorite wines! Definitely would suggest Monday wine tasting nights !!! Also you can read about the pup mascots over the years such as Murphy Lucky and Arfie!

    Photos
    California Wine Merchant
    Cheers!
    Cheers!
    California Wine Merchant

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    Cultivar - San Francisco

    Cultivar - San Francisco

    4.2
    (313 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$

    I had brunch here today & it was great. They offer bottomless mimosas & I opted for that (they…read moreoffer orange, pineapple & cranberry juice & I tried all 3). My friend chose cocktails but I forgot which one. We shared the burrata, which was presented with sliced apples & blood orange & regular orange sections with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar & served with toasted baguette slices. It was delicious! I had the mushroom eggs Benedict with a side of bacon with potatoes & it was also delicious! The spinach & variety of mushrooms made it a healthy choice to offset the crispy bacon (4 generous slices too). Service is friendly & helpful. They have a back patio which is uncovered & front parklet for outdoor dining but we opted to sit inside because it was chilly today. The main dining room is sleek & modern with a wall of wine bottles as decor but it also served.

    Cultivar has a great happy hour and it goes until 6pm, which is a nice bonus. We got a Sauvignon…read moreBlanc and a Cabernet Sauvignon for $10 each, and both were solid. For food, we each got the Urge sliders and the ahi wonton tacos ($8 each). Everything was good! The wonton tacos came with a spicy red sauce that caught me off guard. I usually expect more of a chipotle sauce vibe, but it was still tasty. The service was great and we were checked in on multiple times. We sat in the patio area. Cute with a fireplace.

    Photos
    Cultivar Club Party
    Cultivar Club Party
    Ahi tuna tartare
    Ahi tuna tartare
    Grilled cheese

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    Grilled cheese
    Terzo

    Terzo

    4.2
    (736 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$$

    Visiting from Los Angeles, this restaurant wasn't far from the hotel and we decided to give it a…read moretry. Upon entering, the hostess was immediately attentive and warm and seated us at the bar as we had no reservation for dinner on a Saturday night. The bar is spacious and more than comfortable to have a meal at. Our waiter was just as attentive and was friendly and just had the best vibe! We ordered beets with labne as an appetizer, and it came out quickly and was a delicious start to our meal. We ordered and shared the steak and chicken and both did not disappoint! Both dishes were absolutely delicious! Steak was tender and flavorful, potatoes were amazing and the chicken was just as good, with a creamy sauce over the rice that was almost like a deconstructed rosemary chicken soup. Brilliant! We were only in town for the weekend, but would definitely come back on our next trip. 5 stars for incredible service and amazing meals!

    Our waiter, Rafa, was fantastic! Super helpful with recommendations and made sure we ordered just…read morethe right amount of food. Everything we tried was fresh and delicious, especially the hummus and pita, the chicken, and the torchio pasta, which were standouts for everyone at the table. The menu changes daily which keeps things exciting, and you can really tell how fresh everything is. The ambiance and lighting inside are beautiful and perfect for a date night or a special celebration. Highly recommend ordering family-style so you can try a bit of everything. We'll definitely be back!

    Photos
    Vibe
    Vibe
    Moroccan  Chicken
    Moroccan Chicken
    Pasta

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    Pasta
    Waystone

    Waystone

    4.8
    (93 reviews)
    1.7 mi

    Lovely little wine bar for a night out! Super busy and loud but a great ambiance. Small indoor and…read moresmall outdoor seating. The wine was pretty good, and the tapas were amazing! I loved the poke. It's a bit sweeter but a great taste. Also a cute dog roaming around. Definitely will be back!

    We believe in second chances. And by we I mean me, my friends, and Tom…read more We showed up last night and immediately the atmosphere was different. Every single table was full and bustling. The people were laughing, the drinks were flowing. It smelled really good, which we would later find out was from the food especially that Mac and cheese. We started off with different wines, some that Tom recommended based on what we told him we didn't like or did like. He apologized for our previous experience and was genuinely a nice guy. Honestly it's very admirable for a business owner to take feedback to heart and want to incorporate it. Plus he's a really cool guy when you get to know him. The staff was busy running around but still made time to come check on us. Our final verdict is we came on a bad day. This time we got the actual Waystone experience. We finally got to try the chicken bites with a creamy aioli, fries with yogurt sauce, and the star of the show was the Mac and cheese. Tik tok did live up to the hype and we will have to come back for one of their jazz nights. Be warned this place gets busy! But it's worth it.

    Photos
    Ribs and Mac and cheese
    Ribs and Mac and cheese
    Fries
    Fries
    Bar area

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    Bar area
    Montesacro Marina

    Montesacro Marina

    4.1
    (129 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    Came here on a weekday night after a workout class, and this was one of the few Italian places in…read morethe neighborhood that didn't have a wait. I've heard a lot of good things about the Montesacro in SoMa (specifically the pizza), but was in the mood for pasta. My friend got a seafood bucatini (special for the night) and I got a gnocchi that had tender meat in it. The pastas were good and chewy but not super standout. The arancini though was fantastic, one of the best I've had -- perfectly crispy outside and creamy inside. The ambiance is moody and chic inside and would be good for a date night, or there's a big table for groups too.

    We came here for a girl's night out after snagging a last minute reservation for 7 on a Saturday…read morenight at 6pm. Immaculate ambiance, lighting and music were both top notch. Plating of each dish was gorgeous. A few of us ordered the polpo and tartare di manzo to start. I can't emphasize how fresh each ingredient was! Wine list was extensive and service was fine. My friend and I split the lasagna asparagi e funghi and the maranella pinsa for our mains. Both were tasty, but could've used a little more salt. Generous portion for the pinsa, but the lasagna was definitely on the smaller side. I found myself searching for a bit more dimension in the dishes, which were certainly not bad, but nothing I would personally rave about. The menu wasn't super unique and ultimately, while the food was good, it didn't stand out to me amongst the hundreds of other Italian spots in San Francisco.

    Photos
    Montesacro Marina
    Montesacro Marina
    Food menu. Housemade pastas and entrees are exclusive to this SF location.

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    Food menu. Housemade pastas and entrees are exclusive to this SF location.

    Howells - wine_bars - Updated July 2026

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