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Welcome to Per Diem Transit Center. - Per Diem - Transit Center, San Francisco, CA

Per Diem - Transit Center

4.7 (125)
$30 and under
Californian
45 Minna St, San Francisco, CA 94103

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A photo of Per Diem - Transit Center restaurant

Per Diem - Transit Center

4.7
$30 and under
Californian
SOMA

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 8 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Good for business meals
  • Good for groups
  • Charming
The newest addition of Per Diem in San Francisco is now open at the Salesforce TransBay Terminal!

Per Diem brings the unique style and ambiance of San Francisco to an upscale venue in the heart of the City. The internationally acclaimed Michelin Guide lists the original Per Diem as part of an elite group of Bay Area restaurants that received a Recommend rating. We are inspired by the vibrant, fresh produce of Northern California. Per Diem’s offerings of rich flavors and 20th century décor will entice patrons looking for social meeting quarters or a savored dining experience.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Gastro Pub, Italian
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Fri 11:30 am–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress Code
    Business Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Noe Briseno
  • Catering
    Let us cater your next office party or in-office meeting. Visit us at: https://www.ezcater.com/catering/per-diem-3?c=per-diem-3
  • Private party facilities
    Per Diem Transit Center is the highlight of SOMA, bringing the style and ambiance of San Francisco to a unique upscale venue in the heart of The City. Whether you are looking for a small intimate gathering or a full restaurant buyout, Per Diem is the ideal venue to host your private event.
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Area
    SOMA
  • Cross Street
    Between 1st and 2nd St on Minna st. 41 Minna is your best address to use.
  • Parking Details
    Public Lot
  • Additional
    Dog Friendly, Gluten-free Options, Vegan

Experiences

  • Happy Hour at Per Diem Transit Center!!

    1 - 10 people

    Multiple dates available
    Happy Hour downtown is back. Come join us at Per Diem weeknight from 3pm to 5pm. Please note that all Happy Hour reservations are satin the main dining area and have an out-time of 5pm to accommodate our dinner reservations. Thank you for understanding and we will see you soon!!!
    Happy Hour at Per Diem Transit Center!! photo

Concierge
AI Beta

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Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Per Diem - Transit Center.

4.7

4.7
(125)
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Diners' Choice Awards

  • San Francisco

    Californian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Per Diem - Transit Center offers a "great lunch in a nice atmosphere" with "fast and friendly service." Ideal for business lunches, it features a "delicious" menu with highlights like burrata and honey almonds. Though some service inconsistencies were noted, the staff often receives praise for being "very friendly" and "accommodating."
125 Reviews
  1. Danielle

    San Francisco7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 22 July 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great lunch in a nice atmosphere. Fast and friendly service. Centrally located. The food was tasty - you must order the burrata with honey and almonds. Delicious! I highly recommend this spot for a business lunch. It's quite easy to hold a conversation and hear each other.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Martha Gold

    San Francisco30 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on 4 June 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    Got there during happy hour, but booked a non happy hour table, as we did not want to have to leave by 5pm as stated on the website. They offered us the happy hour menu in addition to their regular. The drinks were a couple dollars less. The food seemed to be the same price on both menus...maybe a couple items were a couple dollars less. The place was very busy. The service was a little slow, but once we ordered the food came out quickly and was very good. I had the chicken caesar which was a very nice portion and my husband had a ravioli. Our drinks were strong but both a little too spicy hot for my liking, but otherwise well made. I would come back for a quick bite before doing something else, but wouldn't make this a special occasion place.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Dylan

    San Diego4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 3 June 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Friendly staff. Quiet atmosphere. Great spot for a casual business meeting.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Sandeep Gold

    San Francisco3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 26 May 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Very friendly staff and good food. Location under the transit centre isn’t the greatest.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Humphrey

    San Francisco4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 20 May 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The is a great place to go for drinks and food afterwork with your colleagues.

    Is this helpful?

  6. JacobS

    Toronto2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 19 May 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great place to eat. Great service. Brought 12 people and the staff were accommodating, quick, and it was a great experience.

    Is this helpful?

  7. BERNADETTE Gold

    San Francisco15 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 12 May 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Good lunch menu! Perfect place to take clients, variety of options. Service was slow and server didn’t seem very engaging but overall, very good. I’d be back!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Angela Gold

    San Francisco2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 1 May 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always a terrific meal at PD. The ambience is excellent?

    Is this helpful?

  9. Allie

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 1 May 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Cute restaurant for happy hour or dinner downtown.

    Is this helpful?

  10. liz

    San Francisco3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 30 April 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    A group of 8, almost all of us had a salad with with salmon or steak - delicious! Everyone finished every bite. The special of fish & chips looked great, as did the ahi tuna poke and the warm salmon dish. It's a very pretty place with excellent service, fun N/A drinks (work lunch, otherwise the cocktails looked amazing.) It was hard to decide what to order, so I'll be back!

    Is this helpful?

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Gastro Pub, Italian
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Fri 11:30 am–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress Code
    Business Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Noe Briseno
  • Catering
    Let us cater your next office party or in-office meeting. Visit us at: https://www.ezcater.com/catering/per-diem-3?c=per-diem-3
  • Private party facilities
    Per Diem Transit Center is the highlight of SOMA, bringing the style and ambiance of San Francisco to a unique upscale venue in the heart of The City. Whether you are looking for a small intimate gathering or a full restaurant buyout, Per Diem is the ideal venue to host your private event.
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Area
    SOMA
  • Cross Street
    Between 1st and 2nd St on Minna st. 41 Minna is your best address to use.
  • Parking Details
    Public Lot
  • Additional
    Dog Friendly, Gluten-free Options, Vegan

FAQs

Portions are generally satisfying, guests report generous, well-portioned entrees (notably the roasted chicken and chicken dishes), hearty sandwiches, and shareable small plates. Several guests mentioned large, generous servings (chicken, steak wrap, tomahawk special) while others recommend sharing appetizers like burrata or arancini if you want variety. If you’re unsure, ask your server for guidance on portion sizes when ordering.

Yes, staff and management are frequently noted as accommodating and flexible (seating requests, special occasions). Guests praised helpful hosts and managers who arranged good seats and extras like comped gelato. For specific needs (allergies, large parties, or seating preferences), call ahead so the team can prepare.

For a quieter experience, aim for weekday lunch or early afternoon, several guests recommend a 1:00 pm seating for peaceful dining. Evenings and happy hour are lively and often busy (a popular after-work spot), so expect more noise and crowds then. If you want the calm Library feel, reserve that section or come midweek when it's less crowded.

Per Diem - Transit Center lists weekday hours: Monday–Friday, 11:30 am–9:00 pm. If you’re planning a visit outside typical weekday hours (special events or holidays), call ahead to confirm as hours can vary.

Per Diem offers distinct seating areas: a main dining room, a lively bar area, and a separate Library section that guests describe as quieter and ideal for more intimate meals. Guests have also enjoyed outdoor seating near the transit center. The restaurant does not advertise private dining rooms for parties, but the Library functions as a semi-private space when available.

Busiest: evenings, happy hour, after-work crowd and event nights (guests report packed dinners and busy holiday periods). Quietest: weekday lunch and early afternoon (guests specifically recommend around 1:00 pm). The Library tends to be the calmest spot when it’s available.

Per Diem blends a lively, after-work scene with pockets of calm. Guests describe a beautifully designed, spacious, and clean space with great lighting. The Library offers a quieter, peaceful vibe while the bar and happy hour are busier and more energetic. Overall it’s an upscale-casual spot with warm service and a neighborhood feel, great for dates, team dinners, and post-work drinks.

Family-friendly: yes, guests often bring families, celebrate birthdays, or visit with teens, and many group/team dinners have gone well. Seating-wise, the Library provides a quieter, more private area for families who want a calm meal. Accessibility: specific accessibility details (ramps, wheelchair seating) aren't provided in the available information, so call ahead to confirm any accessibility needs before your visit.

Yes, Per Diem is a popular choice for date night. Guests frequently praise the beautiful, calm atmosphere and say the Library section offers a quieter, more intimate setting. The menu leans Californian with shareable plates and standout dishes (mushroom pasta, pork chop, short rib) and strong cocktails, making it easy to build a special meal. For a quieter evening ask for Library seating and consider a reservation, especially on busy nights or events.

Generally yes, families and celebrations with children and teens are common, and guests have enjoyed birthdays and family lunches here. There’s no mention of a dedicated kids’ menu, so for young children consider earlier seating or the Library for a quieter meal, and call ahead to ask about menu flexibility.

A formal waiting-list policy isn't specified in the provided information. Guests report the restaurant can get busy (especially happy hour and evenings), so reservations are recommended. If you’re flexible, arriving early or calling ahead on peak nights can help, contact the restaurant directly to ask about waitlist options.

Midweek (Tuesday–Thursday) lunch or early afternoon tends to be the most relaxed option, guests often recommend 1:00 pm for a quieter experience. Evenings, Fridays and event days are more lively and better for after-work drinks or a bustling dinner vibe. Check hours and consider a reservation for peak nights.

Yes, guests mention sitting outside and enjoying a spot just far enough from the convention center to feel removed from noise while still being close to the area. Outdoor seating is available and is a popular choice for lunch and happy hour when weather permits.

Yes, this is noted as the newest Per Diem location at the Salesforce TransBay Terminal, indicating there are other Per Diem restaurants (the original Per Diem is referenced in the Michelin Guide). It’s part of a small local group rather than a large chain.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Francisco Bay Area
  4. San Francisco
  5. SOMA

Make a booking

A photo of Per Diem - Transit Center restaurant

Per Diem - Transit Center

4.7
$30 and under
Californian
SOMA

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 8 times today
Experiences are available.
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