We met another couple for dinner - friends we hadn't seen in over 15 years. I like to try new restaurants, so I used YELP as a guide. Overall, Abrazo seemed to get great reviews, so we picked it. Here are my thoughts: Food was OK - Simple, but tasty. I had the chicken with "herb Gnocchi". The Gnocchi was simply nasty - I think it was made some some type of really raunchy cheese. I sometimes like "raunchy" cheese, but I was looking forward to "Herb" Gnocchi. My husband had the fish. It was a tiny portion on top of a plate of peas (in the pods), which pretty much overwhelmed the flavor. Because of the small portion, he was done in a flash, while the rest of us continued to eat. Our guests both had the pork chop, which was good size and they seemed to enjoy it. I had the Churros for dessert and they were OK but, as one reviewer said - a bit like "doughy doughnut holes". Our 1/2 of the bill was $135 for 2 entrees, 1 dessert and 1 glass of wine plus tip. We left full, but felt we really overpaid for what we got. The service was fairly good - the only complaint was that our waitress asked my husband if he wanted any wine. She had already served someone else in our party, but my husband wanted to look at the wine list...and she never came back until after our entrees arrives (and it wasn't busy at all). One plus was that it's a very quiet place but that may be because it wasn't that full...but we were there early, 6:00pm. We had reservations on a Sat night, but I don't think they would have been necessary. Despite this, and despite having 4 - 4 tops just sitting vacant all night, they insisted on squeezing a couple into a 2 top, right next to us...weird. Also, there's only street parking so, after this, if decide to go, you need to add some time drive around and around the block. With SO many restaurants in SF to choose from - I can't see any reason to come back. read more

Such an unsung hero of Hyde St. If you haven't been...GO!! Absolutely delicious food, charming ambience for date night or dinner with friends, and great service. Can't wait to visit again! read more

My boyfriend and I came here for our bday dinner celebration and Abrazo did not disappoint! Everything we had was incredible. At the end of the meal, I only wished that I could start from the beginning again. The service was fast and friendly too. Highly recommend and can't wait to come back. read more

Abrazo, a warm hug hidden on the streets of San Francisco: From the moment we walked in, we were greeted by friendly staff and a comforting atmosphere. The appetizers were like postcards from your favorite Spanish remembrances. The charred octopus, with crisp tentacles and a melting texture could transport anyone to the arms of a Spanish lover. The mussels in their paella opened to the heavens like clicking castanets celebrating a beautiful bride. The house-made dulce de leche ice cream with a rich, velvety texture, and an unforgettable marriage between precise sweetness and crackling hazelnuts, was the perfect ending to our dinner. Thank you so much. Chef Michael Pawlik's menu will get you nothing less than inspired. A gem in San Francisco. read more

The food is fantastic and the atmosphere is cozy, lively, and fun. Pork loin with pea tendrils (entree) was perfectly balanced - a perfectly cooked medium rare pork, juicy and surprisingly flavorful for loin, was balanced by a bold pan sauce, a touch of white bean purée, and the kick of fresh lemon and crisp perfectly cooked pea tendrils. Steak tartare was decadent but still balanced. Great wine by the glass options at very reasonable prices. Perfect spot for a date, or a party with friends. read more

Fairly good restaurant in a quiet corner in Russian Hill -- pretty easy to get a table on a Saturday night. The food is good (I really liked the chicken!), though it's a little expensive for what it is. The albondigas and the chicken were good. This place replaced Zarzuela once the owner left, but it's nice that there's another Spanish restaurant in its place now. read more

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Located on the corner in a cute neighborhood, Abrazo's huge windows overlook the beautiful landscape of the city. Inside, the atmosphere is intimate yet roomy, from gorgeous tile on the bar to the decor on the walls. We were seated originally in the back, a room previously used to cure meat, which was much cozier, but were able to move to the front room upon request. The staff was comprised of only a few people but they managed the room well- each one was friendly, happy, witty, and so kind. Michael, the owner, walked around speaking to guest tables and serving his food. The food was incredible. We started with a cocktail and glass of Portuguese white wine per a recommendation from Amanda, our lovely server. We ordered the croquetas which were crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. The harvest salad had fresh stone fruit and was refreshing. We had the sole which was perfectly cooked, with a sweet salsa on the side. The paella was amazing, with crispy rice and tasty mussels, octopus and plump shrimp. Paired with a bottle of the Gran Reserva Tempranillo from Spain, another recommendation from our server. We had the bunuelos for dessert- they're a must- little donuts served with a scoop of ice cream. Yum. This place was like it's name, a warm embrace. We left happy and full, and will definitely return when we're back in town! read more

The food and service was phenomenal. We made reservationsand it did not disappoint. It was a girls trip and we are foodies.

Open for take-out during coronavirus craziness! We ordered two price fixe plus bottle of wine and it was a nice break from having to cook. My son loved the potato frittata appetizer My daughter loved the rice and pork chops I loved the fresh pasta with lamb And we all loved the salted caramel cheesecake We have enough food for lunch too as we hardly touched the red pepper bisque read more

A refreshing new joint in one if Russian Hill's most charming neighborhoods. Abrazo....at Union and Hyde. I had an incredibly delicious dinner in what used to be a traditional Spanish tapas restaurant, has been masterfully transformed with an updated menu of sophisticated yet hardy dishes with subtle and surprisingly unique flavor twists! I started with a scallop ceviche amuse bush ... which was spectacular! Grilled and caramelized octopus tentacles tossed with beautifully seasoned roasted potatoes! I also enjoyed the Chicken and beef croquets with a subtle truffle aioli. Onward to the five-hour roasted, melt in your mouth, lamb shanks....then a side of seafood paella...more please ! Bravo to Abrazo! I will be back soon for your encore performance.... read more

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Wow, this place is awesome! The food, wine, service, ambiance, and location were exactly what we were looking for for a fun night out with friends. To start, we had the Croquetas, Gulf Prawns, and Meatballs, accompanied with a bottle of Tempranillo. For dinner we shared the Seafood Paella and Arctic Char and ordered another bottle of Tempranillo. In short, the food is phenomenal, the service is timely and personal, the location is fun and romantic, and the wine delightfully well suited for the meal. If you like Spanish food, look no further! The croquettes arrived first and confirmed our suspicions that we were in for a great meal. They were crispy on the outside, bursting with flavor on the inside, and so good we ordered another round. The prawns were big, juicy, and grilled to perfection in a sauce that was so good we mopped up every last drop with our bread. The meatballs were packed with flavor and the smoked paprika tomato sauce was just right amount of spicy. If you like Paella you have got to come here - it is SO GOOD. I can't overstate how excited I am to have finally found a restaurant that makes Paella like the paella I fell in love with when I lived in Spain. The chef nailed the bomba rice with saffron base and the symmetrical mix of seafood looked almost as good as it tasted. Each bite was better than the next and I was very excited to get the chance to have some more prawns! Most importantly, the socarrat, which is the crusty bit at the bottom, was sensational - caramelized, but not burnt. In my book, this extra attention to detail is the best indicator of well cooked paella, and it did not disappoint! Next, the Arctic Char was perfect - crispy on the outside, moist and juicy on the inside. It sat atop a medley delicious roasted vegetables and had a delicious cream sauce. The portions were large for each dish and, consequently, we thought we were nearly full when it came out. However, after we inhaled the whole plate, we considered ordering another round because it was so good! As for the service, our waiter was friendly, prompt, and knew both the dinner and wine menu well. He recommended the wine we had and it paired with the meal wonderfully. Additionally, our glasses and plates were never empty and he was always there when we needed anything at all. What is more, the chef came out and talked with us for several minutes to make sure we enjoyed everything! Hew was so down to earth and happy to have us there that we left not only very satisfied and full, but with a feeling of being welcomed and appreciated. Finally, the location is perfect for a nice night out in San Francisco. Hyde Street, framed by its tunnel of trees and iconized by the cable car that runs through it, makes it such a uniquely romantic and San Franciscan spot. It's a perfect spot to impress a date or friends in town with something memorable and different. Coming back with friends this week! read more

Fantastic addition to the Spanish dining options in town, and a great replacement for Zarzuela, with some welcome updates to the decor and menu. The charred octopus is a revelation, tender and so flavorful, and the seafood paella is perfect (I could happily eat the rice from the bottom of the dish on its own for a meal). Lovely, friendly service as well. My only complaint is the wine list, which is overpriced and limited. A few inexpensive Spanish table wine options would be welcome. read more

This is a truly fantastic dining experience. My wife and I used to come to Zarzuela, which occupied this space for 24 years. It was a San Francisco classic and always a good meal with attentive staff. Abrazo pays homage to the restaurant while kicking it up a notch and with both a more modern menu and decor. The last time I was there with three others and we tried the: Gulf Prawns, Charred Octopus, Meatballs, Croquetas, Arctic Char, and Seafood Paella. All of which were delicious. I can't recommend this place enough and very much look forward to my next visit! read more

Get the solnia wine, it was reasonably priced and absolutely delightful. For apps, I recommend the octopus and the cheese platter. Also loved the paella read more

Abrazo - Farewell Carina! - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

I wanted to like this place but I was disappointed and won't return. Portions were small and the plates were overpriced. The food was OK. The ambiance was also "meh" - Zarzuela had the same problem and they just put lipstick on a pig. It's a shame because it's a great intersection and a renovation (or just a skilled interior decorator) could really liven up the place. read more

Delicious dinner, food was also beautiful and creative. The chef / owner came out to check on us multiple times throughout the evening. They change the menu every week so it's a perfect regular neighborhood spot. Also $18 1976 port! Can't go wrong! read more

Abrazo - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

What a cute little neighborhood gem on Hyde Street! My husband and I came here for dinner a few weeks ago. The ambiance is small and intimate, although the restaurant extends pretty far back, which you would never know unless you needed to use the restroom or were seated back there. They also have a small cute little bar at the front, which was busy the entire time we were there. My husband and I ordered a couple of tapas to share. We started off with the salmon, which admittedly was a little bit fishier than I generally like my salmon to be. It was a very pretty place, but if you don't like fishy fish, I wouldn't recommend. Then we had the octopus which was delicious, followed by the croquettes and the meatballs. Overall, I would definitely order the metaballs and the octopus again, but would probably pass on the salmon and the croquettes (although my husband loved them). We didn't have any dessert because we wanted to have some ice cream from across the street instead, but overall I would come back here! read more

This is a gem of a restaurant in Russian Hill. The service was lovely and the food was amazing! I got the grouper which was the best fish I have ever had! My husband got the NY Strip and he loved it! We started with housemade smoked salmon and an artichoke salad both were outstanding flavor! Can't wait to eat there again! Also don't miss the housemade ice cream! read more

Wow, Anthony Bourdain eat your heart out! I really don't do reviews on restaurants but I had to give one for this place. The food is just outstanding and I work in the industry so that's saying something. For my fiance and I this is our new spot. We also think the prices are quite reasonable for what you get. I give everything here five stars with the food, the service and the ambiance. Last night we just went for tapas. We just tried a variety of small plates. Everything was so good. My favorite was the steak tartar but also the croquettes, the papas bravas, the carrots, the salmon, everything was just fantastic. read more

We had a great time. Nice ambiance, very personable & knowledgeable server and the food was delicious. We will definitely be back

As a local to Russian hill I was sad to hear zarzuela was closing . After going to Abrazo I can say I'm so happy it took its place and hope it grows to also become a frequent choice for those who dine on Hyde street. We got the octopus , croquets, Paella and the fish dish . All where fantastic . Also do yourself a service and TRY THE ICE CREAM ! You'll be glad you choose it over Swenson's across the street trust me . The service was excellent and the refreshed decor is nice . read more

Abrazo - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

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My 2nd review. We have been here 2 days in a row for lunch and dinner. Still really good. Tried the persimmon salad, cured meats and cheeses and reordered the fabulous seared Octopus.Last night was the last outdoor dining for a while as many know. So we wanted to help our local small businesses and we NEED to eat ha ha. Amanda the server was great, friendly and professional. It was very cold out and Stevan grew anxious towards the end, she was busy but was so attentive and understanding. Thank you to Mike as well. Hopefully see you soon in 2021. Best wishes. read more

A few years after the sad demise of the great Zarzuela, I finally reluctantly visited its replacement. The best thing the new regime has done is leave the cool interior largely intact, plus take reservations and install a bar. The drinks were great. On to the food: the oysters and croquetas were excellent, and the "house bread" was very good, even though God knows what is Spanish about it. I was so excited to have the charred octopus. One of the ingredients listed is micro celery. What was micro were the pieces of octopus. The few we found buried among the potatoes were very tasty. The patatas bravas were not very distinguishable from the charred octopus dish. The prawns were okay. The roasted carrots were not memorable. We may have had something else. All the tapas were indeed "small plates". The final blow was the "seafood" paella, which had chorizo, the dominant ingredient, and in fact quite flavorful. Others mentioned included "prawns", but no need for the "s", because there was just one preciously placed on top in the middle; perhaps the other seafood listed was technically there, but it was dark inside. Maybe "micro" clams, mussels, etc. The paella was overcooked with lots of rice stuck to the small, one person-sized authentic pan. $42. All of this was served without complementary bread. Complementary bread is not profitable, but you could of course purchase more of the "house bread". Hang out in Spain for a while, and while you won't find chorizo in your seafood paella, you will find lots of prawns, etc.. The only reason you won't get bread with your meal is if they have run out. The one other Spanish restaurant I have seen this act at is Bellota. Abrazo has all the earmarks of being owned by the same "restaurant group". $285 for 3 people with a few drinks and tip, about $100 overpriced. The place was packed and lively on a Friday night. Sad. read more

We had a great time at Abrazo! We did our team building event there and had a family style lunch which was fantastic. Everyone raved about the food. The wines were spot on. Service was also excellent. Mike was very accommodating and hospitable. Definitely going back to try brunch! read more

Abrazo - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

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What an amazing neighborhood gem addition to Russian Hill! We checked out the newly opened Abrazo this weekend and enjoyed every bite! Lots of delicious small plates and full entree course options. It was hard to choose but we had the Gambas and Octopus to start which were both amazing! For entrees, I had the pork tenderloin which was cooked to perfection. My husband had the chicken which I tried as well. Next time I'm getting that! Love the fun wine menu with new varietals to try. The rose from Portugal is a winner! read more

Abrazo - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Love coming here for dinner normally with my husband as the food is amazing, the decor is charming, and the location is my favorite but wanted to write a review to just compliment how kind the chef is! I called him at 10 am on Thanksgiving morning (not expecting anyone to even answer) and asked if it was possible to get a last minute order of the their special thanksgiving prixe fixe takeout menu and he was so sweet and made it happen immediately. I am aware of how ridiculous of an ask that is and he was so accommodating and saved our thanksgiving and it made me love this place even more. Great food, and the best chef! read more

This place is an absolute gem. Chef Michael and his team throw down the hospitality in style and food is just amazing! Everything is prepared with a skillful hand and a sophisticated palette on point. Chef executes balanced, unique and original flavor parings that will keep you coming back for more. The've got a solid wine list and a full bar if your in the mood for Manhattan or specialty cocktail. It's places like this that make you wish you lived on Russian Hill. I'd be there 3 nights a week! read more

GO GO GO! I went to Abrazo for dinner this past Friday and I am salivating just remembering the delicious food, while writing this review. The menu is diverse without being too long and overwhelming. They definitely have something for everyone. The appetizers are tapas style and the entrées are big portions that will leave you super satisfied. The restaurant wasn't busy on a Friday evening, which was odd because it's affordable for SF and the amazing presentation and taste they serve. They have a nice selection of wines and cocktails. For the appetizer, we had the croquetas which are made of chicken and serano ham. They serve you 4 of them; they are moist on the inside and crispy on the outside. Very delicious! For my entrée, I had the seafood paella which was one of the best paellas I've ever had. It's a big portion that you could potentially share with one other person if you weren't super hungry. But I ate it all myself. The rice on the bottom / side of the pan is crispy without being burnt (which is usually my pet peeve with paellas). The seafood they serve you is a generous amount. My friends had arctic char and the lamb shank which looked and tasted amazing as well. The fish had a beautiful crispy skin. The shank fell off the bone and was super delicious (the waiter told us they cook it slow and long, which was very obvious). I'd order it the next time we go. For dessert, we shared the pear sorbet and the ricotta churros. The sorbet was divine - super subtle and refreshing pear flavor. The churros were yummy too and super delicate because of the cheese in the batter. We are definitely coming here again. We paid ~$60 a person and it was worth every penny. Thank you, Abrazo! read more

Abrazo - Arctic char - yummy crispy skin and veggies - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

Walked in for dinner on a Saturday night. We didn't have reservations so we had to wait 15 minutes for a table. They do have a small bar with four stools you can wait at. The atmosphere is great for a date night especially with how many tapas-style options they have to share. My boyfriend and I decided to get the meatballs to split. They were very flavorful, my favorite part was the yogurt dip on top. I got the chicken entree and there was so many different flavors I can't even explain it. The crispy rice was my favorite part. The tomatoes and the olives were a great addition to the dish which gave it more of the Spanish flavor. The chicken itself was seasoned well and I think they gave you 1/3 or 1/2 of a chicken. I am not a huge fan of chewy/rubbery type of chicken (maybe it was chicken thigh?) but I did like the breast part. My boyfriend got the lamb and it was bland in my opinion. The presentation was great but the lamb itself lacked flavor. The meat fell right off of the bone. It was served with some kind of dumpling which was decent. Enjoyed it once but probably wouldn't come again. read more

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The lamb chops and steak were delicious. It was easy to get a reservation for an early Friday night dinner. Within close walking distance to some cool winery spots as well. I would pass on the charcuterie bread appetizer, it was super basic. read more

My husband and I were in the city to celebrate our one year wedding anniversary and that night he searched on yelp and found a place to eat that he thought looked good that served seafood Spanish style dishes. I made a reservation for 630 pm and walked to the restaurant since it was less than a mile from our hotel. The restaurant is quaint with nice ambient romantic vibe inside. We were seated right away at the back end corner and was given complimentary champagne for celebrating our anniversary which was truly a delight. Our server Amanda was wonderful and attentive for she had asked if we wanted to order another drink or a mocktail, she must've seen my baby belly bump coming in that she knew I couldn't drink the champagne. We ordered many dishes that seemed like for 4 people not 2. The dishes were all absolutely delicious and were very tasty. I loved the charred octopus had good flavors, soft shell crab and sauce was on point , I wanted more than one croquetas but we still had a lot more food coming. The roasted chicken was flavorful with its crispy skin and tender meat. My husband loved his paella. The butter lettuce was good but there was a taste there I couldn't figure out and I think it needed a little more salt maybe even just a pinch. At the end we shared the Amazing ricotta banuelos. I probably could have just ordered a plate for myself. Next time when we come back I would like to try the other dishes such as the steak tartare, arctic char and possibly more desserts such as the Panna cotta. I would definitely come back and recommend others to dine at this restaurant! . read more

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Abrazo has a special place in my heart. They are so kind. I love the menu because you can share and try a couple things without being too full. I honestly will go just to have the fig toast. It is the reason I go back! Highly recommend for a date night/ smaller party. read more

Everything about our meal was, quite simply, perfect. The cute neighborhood, the ambiance, our server, the owner, and, of course most importantly, the food. This was easily one of the top 5 meals of my life and I walked out of the restaurant eager to return again soon. The flavors are still with me hours later and I know this is one of those meals I'll remember as special for a long time. Our server Amanda clearly was passionate about food and any time we asked for a recommendation to choose between options she gave very accurate, helpful, and passionately opinionated advice. I got the sense she would never steer you towards a meal she herself didn't believe in because she just cared about good food too much. The owner, Michael greeted us with champagne when we arrived (it was our anniversary) and checked in with us warmly at the meals end. We got the charred octopus as a starter which was a great set up for the meal, I wasn't even that hungry when we started but the flavors awoken my appetite. For the mains we had the steak and chicken. Both were truly exceptional. We always avoid chicken when eating out as we usually find it pretty boring but this chicken was not to be missed. I also usually skip dessert but everything about the meal was so good I didn't want the food to end, and I'm so glad we didn't miss out. It was the perfect end to a perfect meal with a lemon ricotta donut hole with homemade vanilla ice cream with olive oil and rosemary. The flavors all complimented each other perfectly. Thank you and congratulations to the owner and staff, you have created a truly special place. We will be back soon. read more

We weren't sure what to expect from this brunch. We were pleasantly surprised! Service was fantastic and friendly. The chorizo brunch dish was perfect!!! Homemade chorizo was seasoned so well and the potatoes were thee best pairing with the fried eggs on top. Those potatoes were crisp and seasoned, oh yum! The eggs Benedict didn't disappoint either! Lovely morning! read more

Abrazo - Brunch at Abrazo - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

It's three days later and I'm still daydreaming about the oysters. A great neighborhood spot that we keep going back to thanks to the seasonal menus. I have sometimes stopped in just for the vanilla ice cream with rosemary olive oil and sea salt. You won't be sorry. read more

We had the Octopus starter and the Artic Char entree last night along with a couple glasses of Tempranillo. The food was fantastic. Our waitress was very attentive and knowledgeable. Michael, the owner, came by our table for a chat. This was (only) our second visit to Abrazo. We were big fans of Zarzuela during their entire run. Abrazo definitely carries on the tradition of excellent food and service at a reasonable price! We will be back very soon to try other dishes. read more

I loved this place. It has become my Happy Hour "go-to". I enjoy the tapas and the wines. The octopus appetizer is delicious. I am surprised that those two people from Hawaii had such a bad experience?? Looks like they were there together... Abrazo is a welcome addition to the neighborhood. Can't wait to go back.. read more

One of my new favorite restaurants in the city. My friend just moved down the street and we came across this gem. The service was equally as spectacular as the food. We dined on a Friday night and came back Sunday night - that is how much we loved it. read more

Went to Abrazo last night for dinner with friends- loved it! The food was great, the wine went with it perfectly, the staff and the owner were welcoming, helpful and fun. I plan to go back often! read more

This is my favorite restaurant in San Francisco. The chicken is a must. It was the best chicken dish I have ever had. The cheeseboard was also fantastic. Don't miss the octopus. read more