Best Dining Bars in Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness

We recently celebrated my parents’ 46th wedding anniversary at Gary Danko, and once again, it reminded us why this restaurant holds such a special place in our hearts. We’ve been coming here for years to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions. While the food is consistently outstanding, the biggest reason we keep coming back is the incredible people, especially Michael, the head bartender, and Sharon, the Maître D'. Michael and Sharon are truly exceptional. Their warmth, professionalism, and genuine hospitality make every visit feel personal and memorable. They don't just provide excellent service. They make you feel like you're returning to see old friends. The entire staff shares that same welcoming attitude, and it's something we really appreciate. What sets Gary Danko apart is that, despite being an elegant fine dining restaurant, it never feels stuffy or pretentious. Some upscale restaurants make you feel as though you should be honored just to dine there. Gary Danko is the complete opposite. The staff genuinely seems happy to have you, and making sure you have a wonderful experience is clearly their priority. Of course, the food is fantastic! The lobster risotto is an absolute must, the filet of beef is consistently excellent, and the relatively new Warm Louisiana Butter Cake is an incredible addition to the dessert menu. We also love the flexibility of the menu, allowing everyone to tailor their meal to their preferences. There are plenty of restaurants that serve excellent food, but far fewer that make you feel truly valued as a guest. Gary Danko manages to do both, and that's why we keep coming back. A heartfelt thank you to Michael, Sharon, and the entire team for making my parents' 46th anniversary so special and for continuing to make every visit memorable. We look forward to many more celebrations with you!

Lovely place and will make it a destination the next time I'm in San Francisco!

Outstanding as always. Classic Hong Kong cuisine.

Great hole in the wall. Food was spectacular no complains on that. Siting area could be better but other than that the service and food were wonderful would highly recommend if you’re craving Korean food.

Chef Yoli is wonderful. Loved the fresh from the oven cookies with dessert. My kids inhaled their burgers. The casual atmosphere was perfect after a long day.