This is my "secret" go-to restaurant to bring local friends and out of-town visitors for wonderfully, enjoyable dinners. The ambiance and staff are warm and inviting, and every item served is plated with care and absolutely delicious. read more

C'est magnifique! Authentic French cuisine with the cozy vibe of a bistro in France. Food is simply amazing, and some of the best I've tried ever. Have been here twice now and have left extremely satisfied. Over the past visits I've tried: Goat Cheese Salad: 4/5 very fresh and tasty, the walnut vinaigrette pairs so well with the balsamic. On the bitter side but I liked it Tiger Prawn Ravioli - 5/5, super unique and melt in your mouth. The sauce has an umami flavor and the dish is one of the best bites I've tried Steak (Filet) - 5/5, one of the best steaks I've tried. The seasoning is spot on and is very rich and flavorful Crispy Chick Breast - 10/5, my personal favorite dish. The chicken is seasoned to perfection, and the sauce lives up to the French rule that a perfect sauce is just as, if not more, important to the success of the dish. Love the mashed potatoes as well, my plate was wiped clean Desserts: 5/5 Apple Tart and chocolate cake - très bien The restaurant is tiny but it's part of the ambiance and reminiscent of a classic French bistro. Service is great, very friendly and attentive. Parking can be challenging as it's in a neighborhood and spots are usually limited, so plan in advance. Highly recommended. read more

See all

Came to L'Ardoise for dinner and was hoping to try the duck confit, but unfortunately they said they've been out of it for a while. That was a little disappointing, but everything we ordered ended up being good. We had the lamb chops, hanger steak with fries, pork tenderloin special, and prawn ravioli. The fries were super crispy, which I loved. The pork tenderloin was the special that night and ended up being my favorite dish. The prawn ravioli was also really good and surprisingly generous in size. It could easily work as an entrée rather than just an appetizer. The only thing I'd skip is the bread and butter. They charge for it, and it was very mid and definitely not worth paying extra for. Service was fine. The interior is cozy and charming, with tables packed pretty close together, which actually gives it that real Parisian café feel. Overall, a really enjoyable dinner. I'd come back, especially if the duck confit makes its return! read more

See all

We came with a party of four so we were able to try a lot of different dishes. The restaurant was packed and had a nice late night dinner atmosphere for small or bigger groups. My personal favorite standout dishes were the duck confit and seabass. Everything was tasty, but those two specifically stood out for their rich flavor and everything went well together. The crispy potatoes on the side are delicious. Great spot for a date night or casual, but delicious dinner in Duboce Triange. read more

See all

Probably 4.5 stars! Very strong, flavorful, traditional French cuisine in a warm, cozy, environment. Someone in our party booked this and I remembered coming here a couple of years ago and wondered why I hadn't come back yet. Lovely neighborhood bistro that's charming atmosphere with a classic feel and attentive service. We enjoyed the variety of tasty French dishes available daily and a few specials. We started with an order of crispy pommes frites and their special crab puff pastry. Both were nice starters. Then we followed that with Bijou Goat Cheese salad. They also had a nice wine list and we selected a good Napa cabernet sauvignon. For entrees, I had the Chilean sea bass that was breaded nicely and cooked perfectly tender over a bed of mashed potatoes and greens. The others in my party had the rack of lamb, duck confit and special entree of pan seared dayboat scallops and risotto. All dishes were solid but probably the best were the rack of lamb and seabass. For dessert, we shared the creme rules and chocolate fondant cake and I had a decaf latte, too. Both desserts were nice and rich but creme brulee was especially smooth and creamy. We were all full to the max! We left happy and I was glad we came back here for an early Mother's Day dinner! read more

See all

Cute little French restaurant. The dishes we ordered were delicious and authentic. Romantic spot to enjoy date night. Enjoyed the escargots and the lamb dish the most! read more

See all

5 stars. No debate. Duck confit was exactly what you want -- crispy skin, tender inside, rich but balanced. Potatoes were actually seasoned (rare win), and the little salad on the side cut through the fat perfectly. Bread + butter? Problem. I ate too much before the main even started. Atmosphere is classic French bistro -- warm, dim, a little tight, but that's the point. Feels real, not staged. Pricey, yeah, but you get what you pay for. This place knows what it's doing. Would 100% come back. read more

L’Ardoise Bistro - French Near Me - San Francisco, California

3.5 stars Service was lovely and attentive. Ambiance is cozy and romantic. Overall the food was just ok but for the price point I was expecting a bit more. The escargot was not my favorite. I think I prefer it in its shell. My filet was cooked perfectly though so that was a plus. read more

L’Ardoise Bistro - Brussel Sprout Salad with Goat Cheese and Escargot en Gueusaille - French Near Me - San Francisco, California

I wanted a special place to celebrate my son's 18th birthday - and he couldn't decide until the last minute. L'Ardoise somehow accommodated us at prime time on Saturday night. It was very kind. I'd come to L'Ardoise on occasion when my son was smaller and sent visitors and a newly married neighbor who now come on special date nights. The quality is still excellent and not so expensive it'll break the bank. In fact, L'Ardoise has done a phenomenal job keeping prices reasonable with a minor accommodation of charging for bread and butter ($4) that I had no problem with. The menu is fairly compact with nightly specials. My son had the prawn ravioli that's always on the menu and delicious ($14). I had the shaved fennel and Brussels sprouts salad with goat cheese and drizzled balsamic ($13), savory and the perfect start. Off the regular menu, I ordered the savory Hanger steak in a red wine reduction with frites. The meat was so juicy and tender, incredible flavors ($32). My son had the nightly special, sliced duck Magret ($42) in another phenomenal sauce with thick slices of rare duck, delicious. The saucier at L'Ardoise continues to impress. We had a view of the kitchen and despite the dining room being absolutely packed, the chefs were so calm. They have a very good wine list with a relatively small selection of wines by the glass but both glasses of red were fantastic ($16 and $17 a glass, reasonable). My only suggestion is the decor is looking like it needs a refresh. The dark/sultry ambiance is cozy and romantic but it feels a bit dated. Dark colors, yes, but maybe let the lighting do more work and let the walls "talk" less? The bar chairs are also so uncomfortable with nowhere to put your feet and a purse hook set so awkwardly far back that in the low lit room, I needed help finding it. They ask you observe the timing for turning tables which does allow for an indulgent, relaxing meal but not a reservation with no end in sight. Another turn means you're not paying $20 more per entree. While we had birthday cake waiting at home, L'Ardoise has traditional and tempting desserts like Tarte Tatin and Île Flottante. I'm not surprised the owner worked at Fringale, Gérald Hirigoyen's Basque restaurant that lit the San Francisco dining scene in the mid-90s and introduced SoMa as a dining destination. I won't wait so long to return. L'Ardoise is a little gem. read more

See all

This place has been on my list for years and I was finally able to check it off when celebrating an anniversary. I reserved on open table for a Thursday and the staff was graciously able to accommodate shifting the reservation to a little later in the evening despite a full house. The space totally transports you to Paris - incredibly intimate and full of personality. Our server was very lively and made sure we had a great night. We shared the special appetizer of the night, a lobster pot pie, which was an excellent start. I had the duck confit which was unreal - perfectly juicy with crispy skin. My partner had the filet which he really enjoyed as well. We shared the vanilla crème brûlée for dessert and both agreed that it was one of the best we've had. The top was perfectly caramelized and not charred at all, while the inside was creamy and decadent but not cloyingly sweet. The candle on top to mark our celebration was a sweet touch. I would absolutely come back to L'Ardoise for any future special celebration! read more

See all

best steak I've had in the city. juicy, flavorful, cooked well. (perfect amount of fat/ meat/ saltiness). (rib eye on seasonal menu). escargot was... fine haha sauce was good but mushroom combo wasn't it for me personally. tiger prawn, okay, nothing special, but got the job done! cute, quaint spot read more

See all

Absolutely loved it!! The food was incredible, it was so cozy inside and we will definitely be back! read more

See all

Amazing food, ambiance, and service. It felt like being transported back to France. Hosts are knowledgeable and friendly. Perfect for a romantic dinner read more

Parking was difficult, we parked at a nearby garage and Ubered over to save us the hassle. We had a reservation at 9 PM, the restaurant is cozy with it's dark, romanting lighting, but we were a little too close to our neighbors for our liking. Our waiter was amazing, great recommendations and sense of humor. We got the escargot as recommended by a few locals who frequent this restaurant. I would describe its taste like clam with the texture of abalone and mushrooms. Fantastic! Duck Confit was well-seasoned, the duck was fall off the bone. I didn't have to reach for my knife once. Rack of lamb was cooked to perfection, expertly seasoned, and the crispy potatoes in both dishes were delightful. Cannot recommend either of these dishes enough. Floating Island was okay, probably would not order it again just because it was a little too sweet for our liking. However, the texture was fantastic. The souffle was light, airy, and somehow also met in your mouth. Overall, an amazing date night or special occasion spot! read more

Came here to celebrate my sister and brother in law's wedding. Great wine to choose from, delicious French food, and the service was phenomenal. The staff accommodated 16 of us on a busy Thursday evening, and we were so grateful! Special memories were made here and I'm looking forward to coming back in the future! read more

L’Ardoise Bistro - French Near Me - San Francisco, California

Fantastic food! Better than what you can get in Paris. The only issues we had with this place was the curtain they use in the entrance (confusing) and hard to understand how to get in. Also, the service was at times a bit rude. If you're coming for the food this is the place to be. read more

See all

Wondereful "old school" French restaurant with great menu and wine selection, very good service and pleasant ambience. Highly recommend. read more

Hosted 3 other people for a dinner last night. All "First timers". After doing my research chose L'Ardoise hoping the reviews were accurate. This place is an absolute GEM. Friendly staff, amazing service, special ambiance because you can actually have a conversation..even though you are part of an appreciative and closely seated crowd of 30+ people. A definite unique experience this day and age. Lastly, the FOOD is absolutely beyond compare. All 4 of us had different appetizers, main courses and had room to share 2 deserts. Every one of them had amazing flavors, textures and were all memorable! (THE COFFEE IS SUPERB) I will come back..with other first time guests. Thank you L'Ardoise. read more

This place was absolutely amazing. The food was handled with love and care. You can taste the quality and the service was impeccable.! would highly recommend this place read more

I used to think this was a 4 1/2 - 5 star place but given our experience last night it's closer to a 3 1/2. The back of house was spot on, and the food was delicious, especially our usual favorites of the duck confit and steak frites. Those are our usual go to's, given we've probably been here a couple of dozen times in the last 10 years. However, this time something seemed off, the usual servers and madre'd seemed absent. The bread and water team are doing their best. Unlike the usual crew our waiter seemed distracted and not up to the task. This is truly unfortunate since the kitchen did a terrific job. read more

Exceptional French food. Tucked away on quiet corner is a bistro usually packed with customers. I always seem to order the duck, It's something you don't find on most menus therefore I'm drawn to it. The tables are tightly spaced. Conversations will filter freely from one table to another . There are many classic French favorites to choose from and wines to accompany them . Prices are fair for the level of expertise these gems are served up . I love this restaurant and have been going there for over 20 years and it is still a constant. read more

This is one of SF's best hidden gems. The service was very personable. That includes the server, food runner and busser. They all brought great energy to the experience. The value is excellent and the ambiance is very classic. I will be back! read more

Cozy atmosphere, with great food and service. We shared the escargot, which was good, and the shrimp ravioli (stellar), which the kitchen divided for us. The duck confit fell off the bone, and lamb chops perfectly cooked. For dessert we shared the floating island. read more

See all

What a cute little spot! The ambiance is perfect for date night with their lovely front patio. The waitstaff here are so kind and were constantly making sure my party got everything that we wanted. They were accommodating (we had a baby) and make sure we felt comfortable and warm. 5 star service in my books! Escargot- that delicate green sauce (garlicpesto I daresay?) brought out the richness of the escargot. The potato that surrounded the escargot beneath the sauce held the sauce well. The shrimp raviolis were a fan favorite and each bite was decadent and had each of us craving for more. Love this spot so much and can't wait to come back to try their other items read more

See all

My then boyfriend (now husband) took me here for Valentine's a year ago, and I kept on forgetting to post a review for them. Service is impeccable with friendly staff, and the food is so balanced and wonderful. We had a reservation so no wait when we arrived, and once we were seated we could just take in the other patrons as well as make comfortable conversation since the noise level wasn't echoing super loud. One of my favorite fancy places, will definitely come back again for other special occasions! read more

What a lovely neighborhood restaurant. They get 5 stars because they succeeded at being that. The staff are friendly and helpful and attentive. I liked the wine suggested. The ambiance is lovely. It did transport me right back to Paris and cute little spots--slightly cramped but comfy, mood lighting, warm surroundings, small bar. The food is good basic fare which is just what we wanted. I had coq au vin and my husband had Mary's chicken breast. Both were served with creamy mashed potatoes. For starter, I had the goat cheese salad which was good, nicely dressed, with strong goat cheese melted in a hunk in the middle. The tarte tatin was yummy with caramel. The only negative is that the mood lighting + my coq au vin caused some issues. I couldn't see well enough to tell what was meat and what was cartilage or fat on the chicken, so I had some unpleasant things in my mouth. I would return here if in the neighborhood for something else. read more

See all

The escargot was not escargot. It was mostly pastry with very little filling. We arrived without a reservation, and told we could be seated in one hour at a table. After saying, "let us think about it," so I wouldn't hold up the hostess, we returned to her in a few minutes, and the offer was downgraded to, "Yes, you can sit at the bar, come back in an hour. We will hold the seats." She said this sternly as if she did not trust us or like the looks of us. We sat at the bar, next to another couple of women, who started chatting with us. My friend and the other couple were laughing when the waitress/hostess suddenly angrily shooshed them with a hisssing "Sssshhhhhh!!!" holding her finger to her lips like a schoolteacher. The restaurant was not especially quiet or formal. Most of the customers had brought kids with them and they were all wearing glorified pajamas or camp attire typical of tech industry fashion. The food was ok, nothing special that anyone couldn't whip together at home, it was very over-priced for the small portions. Overall, the vibe from the very bizarrely unfriendly staff is that they are there to make money as quickly and effectively as possible. read more

This was one of the best dining experiences we enjoyed while in san Francisco this past week. The restaurant is lovely with nice inside tables. Service was excellent and prices pretty reasonable given the excellent quality of the food. we ordered the salad with the white anchovies, the rack of lamb and the steak frites. The lamb was perfectly cooked and expertly seasoned and the potatoes were out of this world good. The steak frites may have been even better than the lamb. We will definitely be back!!! read more

See all

We got some yummy food (Cheese) here last night. We definitely should have ordered one more entree or app. But I really enjoyed the flavors! It was heavy & rich in a great way. Would return & try desserts next time! 4.5/5- FOOD 4/5- SERVICE 4/5- AMBIANCE read more

See all

Definitely very popular filled with many happy people, so the tables feel tight in a small cozy restaurant. Kind service. Food is delicious, nice date spot for dinner On my way out, learned about their sister restaurant and would love to try that too! Street parking read more

This was my first time dining here with my wife and we had a great dinner before a night out at the local bookstore. I wasn't able previously to reserve an early table until this 5pm reservation was open, so I took it. We had the prawn ravioli and a seafood puff pastry special to start, and the duck confit and lamb chops for entrees, both cooked perfectly. For dessert we split the floating island and an Americano. We had 2 glasses of wine from bottles they opened just for the nightly specials. The service was great and it's a cozy French restaurant! read more

Quite an unassuming spot from the outside, L'Ardoise Bistro is a cozy gem for great French food! It's definitely on the pricier side, but the taste and vibes of the spot really impressed me as someone who doesn't normally gravitate towards French food. The place was packed for dinner service on a Saturday night, so I'd recommend making a reservation in advance. We ordered the seasonal specials of the heirloom tomato salad and ribeye, as well as the coq au vin. They graciously split two of the dishes for us after knowing we wanted to share! I really loved the steak and tomato salad. The steak was a perfect medium rare and the potatoes on the side were also delicious and crispy. It came out to about ~$65pp after splitting two entrees and an appetizer. Will totally be back :) read more

L’Ardoise Bistro - heirloom tomato salad - French Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

This is easily one of my top 3 go to restaurants in all of SF. Great atmosphere, amazing staff, wonderful food and great wine!

A retreat in the middle of bustle. Cozy. friendly. Delicious. Though a bit pricey (like every other food place), it's worth a splurge. read more

Cozy place and atmosphere. Located in the Castro / Duboce Area. Reservations are a must if one would like piece of mind seating. I came here today to celebrate a birthday. The birthday itself more than the dinner. The service here , I was served by a younger gentleman who politely went thru the menu , special appetizers Corn soup and a mushroom pastry, special entrees scallop rissottto , to even the non alcoholic beverages. The pastry flakey and the mushrooms whole if you like em that way. The corn soup was good. The beef filet was top notch. The duck confit was mids. The gravy sauce paired well and the duckleg didn't require a knife.The salad and the duck paired nicely. The skin was crispy. The potatoes tho crispier. The scallop risotto was bomb. The scallops tasted fresh as fresh and the lemon squeeze threw it above the bar. For dessert the floating island. read more

See all

Soft light. A quiet dining room. A plate of carefully prepared French food placed gently on the table. Simple ingredients, elegant technique, nothing unnecessary. Sometimes the most memorable meals are also the most understated. read more

Amazing food and atmosphere! It felt exactly like a bistro in Paris. We will definitely go there again!

TERRIBLE SERVICE : EXTREMELY SLOW AND RUDE, BLAMING THE GUESTS I rarely leave negative reviews, but unfortunately this experience requires one. A week before my birthday, I reserved a large dinner table at L'Ardoise. On the day of the reservation (2 pm) , I called to reconfirm and explained clearly that we would only have one hour for it. I asked to pre-order appetizers and drinks so everything would be ready at our reserved time (7:15 PM). About an hour before arrival (6:15 pm) , I called again to place the appetizer order and once more confirmed that it was for the 7:15 reservation and that we needed the food ready upon arrival. The restaurant accepted the advance order over the phone and did not request any deposit or prepayment, which normally indicates the order is confirmed and will be prepared. Everything was clearly discussed and agreed upon. When we arrived, nothing was ready. By 7:20, 7:30, and even 7:40 PM, not only were the pre-ordered appetizers not served, but we were not even provided with drinks. Pouring wine and taking drink orders for a reserved birthday table with advance notice should not take 40 minutes ?!? During this time the server repeatedly pressured us to order bottles instead of glasses and delayed taking our actual drink orders further. Because drinks were delayed and not served to everyone at the same time, we couldn't even make one simple birthday toast. Instead of acknowledging the delay and trying to fix the situation professionally, the staff began pressuring our table. I calmly explained (aside of the table to a oud drama) multiple times that we had called ahead and the delay was not caused by us. Then the manager approached our table and instead of apologizing started loudly asking why we were "not ordering main course" and "just sitting," saying this so loud in front of other guests and drawing attention to us. The tone and manner suggested to others that we were unwilling to order, even though we were waiting for the pre-ordered items. It was not our mistake. At 7:50 PM, after we finally managed to make one quick birthday toast and were cramming the appetizers just to make it to our next event at 8:15 PM (which the restaurant had been informed about in advance!), the OWNER CAME and started SHOUTING at the table. Some dishes were acceptable, others disappointing untasty but the main issue was not even the tasteless food! It was the service and the way our group was treated!! This disastrous unprofessional service completely ruined a once-a-year birthday celebration and based on how the situation was handled (one apology from the owner and one tiny dessert to a big group to sweeten our bitter experience would be just fine and normal at any other place of this level) - I'd avoid this rude business and spend money somewhere else ! read more

The fastest $180 I ever spent in 50 min. The food quality is solid, not bad, not amazing. The service was very attentive, but there is a fine balance between feeling, rushed, and being attended to. The space is small, and you are almost sitting on top of another person, so this isn't the right place for an intimate evening. Also, is it small, the space can be a bit loud. Admittedly, it was a Saturday night, but nonetheless, I'm glad that I tried it, but I wouldn't rush back. read more

We absolutely love this place! Authentic French neighborhood bistro! It's like stepping into a bistro in Paris! Great food and always consistently amazing. Love!! read more