I LOVE their Sunday Chicken Dinner. I'm not normally a chicken fan, but the roast chicken is outstanding and it comes with terrific fries (twice-cooked, I think, and well seasoned) and garlic aioli, plus a light salad. Had it 4 times so far; hope to get some of the other yummy-looking items. Also great wine recommendations. I would never have thought of a red wine with roast chicken, but their GSM is absolutely perfect. Waitstaff is very friendly, without being intrusive. They generally even serve you the first portion, full of the beautifully herbed jus that comes with it. read more

Cute interior and we managed to catch their happy hour! The Duck Reuben was very good and paired well with the accompanying leafy green salad (pre-Cyclospora). We all agreed the food was great but not all our entrees came out at the same time. I was still waiting for my dish 15-20 minutes after my friends had been served. I suspect they forgot to put my order in or it got lost when communicating to the kitchen staff. Our server comp'ed us with some drinks which was nice. Also, I'm all for supporting live musicians but please set some ground rules. The guitarist playing that evening kept hitting on us and even interrupted our conversation at one point and it made us feel very uncomfortable. read more

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It was quiet and cozy on a weeknight, barring the muni train outside (very convenient!) We came as a group and shared a nice assortment of apps which were all tasty - my faves were the cheese and charcuterie, mussels, and escargot. It was pretty rustic, no frills. Friend and I shared the duck and steak frites. Loved the duck! But the steak was quite tough and hard to get thru. We didn't finish it. Our desserts were also letdowns. The lemon or key lime tart which I normally love didn't hit - neither the custard nor crust. The gascon sundae was more interesting with Armagnac plum and hazelnuts over vanilla ice cream, but wish there was more of the topping. It was huge - definitely to share. Also couldn't finish either dessert. read more

Aquitaine - Steak Frites - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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We had a great experience coming here for happy hour and dinner! The restaurant has a classic, welcoming neighborhood feel and is filled with local customers, giving it a very comfortable and lively atmosphere. They have a decent selection of food and drinks at very reasonable prices. While the happy hour options are relatively small--the mussels were okay, but the polenta fries were delicious--the dinner entrees were outstanding. Both the duck and the steak frites were awesome; the steak was juicy and flavorful, and the fig sauce paired perfectly with the duck. Service was top-notch, highly attentive, and the food came out incredibly fast. read more

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This is a great traditional bistro. It survived the move from downtown Market Street. Food is still good and almost reasonably priced. Very nice ambiance, especially near the windows where you can watch the JChurch. They have a fairly decent sized regular menu and a lot of specials. We had the grilled fig salad which was delicious and the crab stuffed mushrooms. The duck with cherries was very nice, and came with greens. The steak frites, of course, came with fries and I understand was excellent. The server was extremely knowledgeable and good at suggesting dishes and wine. Had a nice Lillet strawberry spritz and some really good Bordeaux. An ice cream sundae for dessert and expressos finished it off. If you live in town, the J-Church probably the best way to go; otherwise, we were able to find street parking less than a half block away. Very nice place for a date. read more

Aquitaine - Interior view of one of the rooms - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Came here for a small group dinner. It's cute inside and a bit weathered. Service and staff were friendly. Food was a bit slow to order but think it was a miscommunication on the group. Food was so so. The steak texture was chewy and flavor was off and didn't taste fresh or good. The duck was tender and had good flavor and sauce. Fries were a bit soggy and wish they'd been crisp. Portions were quite large and plates looked lovely. For apps the mussels, bacon flatbread, and Mac n duck were favs. The beet salad and grilled romaine salad were also tasty. Tried a glass of wine but also didn't love it sadly. Glad I could check this place out tho. read more

Aquitaine - Duck - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Thank you for restoring our faith in the San Francisco food scene. The food was absolutely delicious and the service was just as delightful -- warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. We especially appreciated the visit from the chef, who came out to greet all the guests. That personal touch made the experience feel even more special. Looking forward to coming back! BB read more

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Somewhat disappointed in our dining experience. We booked a reservation after seeing it on inKind. The atmosphere was low-key, and the restaurant was surprisingly empty for a Friday night. There was only one server working, and the bar only serves wine and beer. The server seemed to want us to order drinks and was quite persistent about it; it might have been meant as a joke, but it came across a bit much. As for the food, we ordered the duck salad, mac n' duck, escargot, and mussels and fries. For the price point, the appetizers were decent, except for the mussels and fries at $30 which were way too expensive for what it was. The duck salad was drowning in dressing, so much that you could barely taste the duck. The entrees were the biggest letdown. Two of us got the duck magret, one got the shrimp, and another had the steak frites. For $30+ per plate, the portions were tiny: half a duck breast served over a spinach salad, four shrimp on the shrimp plate, and maybe eight small pieces of steak. Across the board, the protein felt like a side to the salad, rice, or fries rather than the main event. The flavors were good, but the portion sizes didn't come close to justifying the price. The creme brulee, on the other hand, was generously sized and tasted great. Overall, the service was just okay as it took over two hours to get through all the courses and the main dishes were a real disappointment given the cost. read more

I was browsing my old reviews and came across the one I wrote for Aquitaine in 2023 and it made me smile because since then, I have visited more times than I can count and would like to consider myself somewhat of a regular now :) The kindness of Leo, the server, is enough to bring someone back over and over again. He is always in a good mood and just has this wonderful, positive energy. The food remains excellent and the ambiance is one of the coziest and comfiest in the city. Aquitaine is the kind of place you could roll up to alone with a good book and just graze on delicious little bites and lovely glasses of wine and feel like you're in your own little perfect world. read more

Caught up with some friends in this cutie French bistro and wine bar! The interior is cozy and eclectic, with fun couch seating and more standard tables. Service was welcoming and attentive without being stuffy. We got a bottle of rose and ordered fries and brussels sprouts for the table to share. The rose was crisp and dry, not overly sweet which I appreciated. The food was surprisingly really good! The brussels were perfectly roasted and charred so the outside was crispy while the inside was soft. The pickled onions on top added a nice zing to the whole dish. The fries were also good, nicely seasoned and thickly cut, and came with a lemon aioli and ketchup. I would definitely come back to try more of the menu and enjoy more wines. read more

Aquitaine - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

I love the Sunday dinner but happy hour everyday is great. The food is really nice but it is a chill place for a date or regular meal read more

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We dined on weekend night - early, before 7pm. Interior vibe eclectic and vibrant. Perfect for small groups or couple dinner. I liked the front bar (happy hour specials available before 6!) and the larger dining area towards the back. Nice ambiance and good food if standard French fare. We enjoyed cassoulet, and a chicken prix fixe dinner for 2 (amazing value), and lamb sliders. All decent - sliders tho were a lot of bun and little lamb. The Dessert okay. I will definitely return because I liked the atmosphere and the options. The owner/chef working incredibly hard and seemed a little short staffed. Hopefully they will pull it together and keep it up because this is exactly the type of place you want in a city - fun, varied menu but with expertise, and a decent wine menu. read more

Aquitaine was AMAZING! We got the steak frites and duck mac and cheese- both were incredible. Good value. Great service. Cute ambiance. Got the recommendation from a local. Can't wait to come back!! read more

Sunday brunch for eight did not disappoint! We were served by a wonderfully kind gentleman who walked us through the specials and offered thoughtful recommendations. The duck pâté was outstanding--and I'm not usually a mustard fan, but the one served alongside it was incredible! The pastrami hash was absolutely awesome and the duck pastrami sandwich was slamming! We also loved the mac and cheese, scrambled eggs, and the bacon flatbread--all excellent. We will definitely be back! read more

Their happy hour menu offers a handful of options, we got the petit croque monsieur, crab stuffed mushrooms, mussels, and wings for $8 each. It was a good amount for 2 people! Service was great, friendly people and they brought out sidferent wines and beers to choose from, from the menu. The environment was welcoming and had nice quaint French decor - i especially enjoyed the couch seating and edges of wall that were lines with wine bottle corks. read more

Aquitaine - Happy hour mussels - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Great service! Staff was very friendly and made it a pleasant dinner. I had the cauliflower special and the french onion soup, both excellent. My friends had the duck salad, romaine salad, scallops and burger. Most things were good but they said the burger was average. Would recommend trying more of the french food here. Cozy ambiance, they even have couches! read more

Aquitaine - French onion soup (so good I ate most of it and then took the pic) - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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A friend planned their birthday brunch there and called ahead to make a reservation for the large party. However, 2 people were booked to work and the meal took over 2 hours. Some of our party was already leaving before others had even been served. The strangest part? The woman that joined an hour late got her food before others folks who arrived first. The flavor of the food itself was good. But whatever timing issue was going on meant that no one got eggs the way they wanted and many folks food was cold too. If you're a small party going when it's not busy, it's probably a lovely experience. Large party for brunch tho? DO NOT RECOMMEND read more

Love this place! The ambiance is warm and relaxed, and the food is absolutely delicious. It strikes the perfect balance between a cozy café, a thoughtfully curated wine bar, and a charming French bistro. The staff is welcoming and knowledgeable, and it's clear that the wine selection is chosen with care and attention. Everything feels intentional without being pretentious. This has quickly become one of my favorite spots and will definitely be my go-to from now on. read more

A friend and I stopped in for an impromptu Sunday night dinner and it turned out to be one of those meals you think about all week...or all month. The space inside is cozy, rustic, and something like a cross between a Parisian patio terrace and a friend's dining room. Our waiter was so courteous and friendly, happy to talk about wines and food with us - and the chef even stopped by during dinner to ask how we were enjoying it. And wow, we sure did enjoy it. To begin with, the wine list here is nuts - there's 20+ year old Y'quem in the case in the dining room, and on by the glass noteworthy pours like a 2014 California Cab Franc and a 2020 St Emilion that were both absolutely delightful and frankly a bargain. But the food, oh my stars, the food. We had a feeling this place would do beef carpaccio right and were not disappointed - it was fantastic, fresh, delicious. But our main entrees were just flavor as art. My friend's steak was cooked to a perfect rare (at her request) but still had a great seared crust and the fries were those perfectly crispy on the outside skinny bistro fries that are so good when done right. I got the cassoulet off the specials menu and...wow. Such a beautiful, warm, savory marriage of flavors. Beans that were tender, yet firm, and a mix of meat on the bone and sausage that had all stewed perfectly into a rich broth. By far one of the best single dishes I have ever eaten. It transported me around the world to a grandma's kitchen somewhere in rural France. And the folks here were very nice about us dining in a bit past closing time - we hardly noticed the time flying by. I cannot wait to return again, and again. read more

Aquitaine - Cassoulet! - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Good Coq au Vin, Ok croque, very very disappointing cassoulet, semi FROZEN pate, with microscopic cornichon slices. The fact that the server didn't seem terribly bothered by ice crystals in the pate was the most disturbing, but for me the lowest point was the cassoulet, which should be a deep, rich hearty, meal, and came across as a light bean soup that had some duck dissolved in it. It may or may not have once been confit, but weirdly the duck had dissolved, whereas the beans were on the under-done side... and there was almost no sign of tomato. read more

Cute french spot not too far from Market @ Church. Came here for dinner during the week; made reservations but didn't need them - place was empty. Overall had a good experience. The menu was a bit "light" and lacked options, but everything we ordered was well prepared and delicious. I had the duck reuben, which was good - but I'd say average when compared to prior reubens I've had. My partner had the mussels marmandes which were actually really good and above average to mussels we've ordered at other french restaurants. We ordered both the pommes frites and polenta fries; I'd recommend just order the pommes frites (i.e. french fries) which are plentiful and also about average. Service was good, and ambiance was nice. I'd recommend to try the place out if you're in the neighborhood and in the mood for french food. read more

Great spot to grab a glass of wine and nosh on delicious bites. We went for happy hour and had the fries, deviled eggs, charcuterie/ cheese plate and all were very good. Love Leo the bartender / waiter! Happy to have this spot in our neighborhood. read more

Aquitaine - Pommes Frites - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Lovely early dinner at Aquitaine on a Friday night (1/10/25). Shared the deviled eggs, cauliflower beignets, and grilled romaine w/ boquerones. Dude had the steak frites, and I had the mussels as my main dish. Deviled eggs were good - and I love that we each got a whole egg (4 halves to an order), the cauliflower was on special and had a light aioli and orange wedges, the grilled romaine was everything I want in a Caesar type salad - the boquerones really made the dish. My mussels were flavorful and came with two pieces of thick toast for the broth, and my husband said the steak was exactly as he ordered it. Service was really friendly and helpful. We ended up ordering a bottle of the Bordeaux Blend, Bellevue Figeac, St. Emilion 2016 - nice and dry. Finished the meal with the sunday, the perfect size to share between 2 people. Overall, a nice date night, casual but with some schmancy bits. read more

I've been to Aquitaine three times over the past year, and it's quickly become my go-to spot for date night with my partner. Every visit has been a fantastic experience. Ambiance: Aquitaine has this cozy, welcoming vibe that's totally unpretentious. The comfy couches, high ceilings, and fun French-themed decor make it feel really inviting. It's usually pretty quiet, which is perfect for a relaxed, intimate meal. Service: The service here is amazing. The staff is super attentive but not in your face. Honestly, I've only experienced service this good at places that cost four times as much. The servers and host make you feel like a friend without being overbearing. They really know how to make you feel welcome. Food: The food at Aquitaine is incredible. We've tried a bunch of appetizers like the Brussels sprouts (a must-have), mussels, and caramelized eggplant. For mains, the cassoulet was delicious, the duck reuben was fantastic, and the scallops were tasty. The food is always carefully plated and looks great, but it's really all about the flavor. Standout Dishes: The bone marrow toasts and the charcuterie board are absolute standouts. I'm still dreaming about them! They're just so well-prepared and delicious. Drinks: If you go, you have to try the La Rappiere cocktail. It's their take on an Aperol Spritz and it's awesome. The drink menu has a great selection, so there's something for everyone. Dessert: Dessert at Aquitaine is a treat. The crème brûlée is served at room temperature, which is perfect. It's such a pet peeve of mine when desserts come out cold from the fridge. The churros are also fantastic--fresh and not too sweet, just right to end the meal. Overall: Going to Aquitaine feels like finding a hidden gem in Paris that only locals know about. I highly recommend it for a fun date night or a night out with friends. It's great for catching up because it's quiet enough to have a conversation but lively enough that you don't feel like you have to whisper. Aquitaine has never let me down, and I can't wait to go back for more amazing meals. read more

Aquitaine - My date and the scallops - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

What a lovely find! Came here for lunch with my mom and my brother as this was walking distance from the hospital my dad was admitted to at the time. Such a cute space with open windows so felt very al fresco and under different circumstances, I would've tried some wine. Service was great and the chef came and checked in on us during our meal, which was very nice of them. Our server was a sweetheart and brought us extra bread (delicious) so not to waste the sauce from the escargot! My brother's burger was LOADED and he really enjoyed it! My mom had the duck sandwich and she loved the flavor and the crisp of the bread. If ever back in the area, would like to come try the wine and more of their dishes!! read more

Aquitaine - Gascon burger - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Aquitaine is an excellent neighborhood wine bar with solid menu of classics! The wine selection is excellent and a big draw - no matter your taste, they have bottles and glasses to fit the style. Team is very knowledgeable and helpful to navigate to something you'll love. The aperitifs are also great - the eponymous Aquitaine Royale is a great starter. Food is also solid - the duck dishes and the daily specials board are usually the standouts (the cassoulet and coq au vin are great when they have them!). Most recently went here for a friend's bday with a group of 10 and it seemed like that strained the kitchen a little bit, so I would keep your party smaller, but the team was extremely accommodating and did all they could to keep up with a bit of an unruly pod. They were also extremely gracious when we stayed much longer than we should have. Highly recommend and thank you Aquitaine! read more

Cozy romantic interiors and a great location in front of the J Church and 22 bus line stop at the corner of Church and Market. Location is just blocks from Safeway and Whole Foods, F line stop. Our waiter was delightful. Food won't be the reason I come back. It will be because I want a nice glass of wine with good people watching, cozying up on one of their couches. read more

Fantastic spot for a cute date or group meet up. It was pretty quiet for a Wednesday just a few tables inside. I loved that it wasn't too loud or dark so I could actually have a conversation with my date. We got a bottle of wine which was amazing! Our server was incredibly knowledgeable and didn't hesitate to provide suggestions and even samples! Amazing! He even came by multiple times to pour our wine for us... it was lovely. I would come back here, it's in a pretty convenient location and the appetizers were had were also very tasty. The crab mushrooms and watermelon salad were on point. read more

Amazing time. Great wine list, lovely food, wonderful service.... We'll be back for sure.

Here's why I like happy hour: Aquitaine offers 12 food items at $7 each, 4 beers at $6 each and 6 aperitifs and wines at $8 each. A cocktail and 2 foods make for a light and satisfying meal. Service is leisurely. The interior is such eye candy, lots of colors, with ample seating arrangements. It is located on Church Street right of Market, an easy destination. read more

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Absolute s*itshow on valentine's day. Made a reservation. There was a big wait for lots of people. Seated people were complaining they had no food for over an hour. A lot of tables with people had no food/drinks. Front of house was overwhelmed. Whoever is running/staffing this place has no idea what they are doing. I blame management/owners for clearly not understanding the business and understaffing on such a busy day. Ridiculous. read more

My New Go-to French Restaurant in SF Having completed my fifth visit to Aquitaine in 3 months, I feel obligated to share my overall experiences. Conveniently located on Church St. only half a block from Market St., the location is easy to reach by public transit. With plenty of windows along the length of the space, a long bar with plenty of seating, and a mix of tables, a few loveseats, and comfy lounge chairs, there are varied options to choose from. With an extensive wine list and the ability to purchase bottles to go, you should be able to find something new to try. The owner, Andrew, provides expert guidance if you are unsure what will pair best with your meal. He always brings 3 bottles to offer with superb descriptions to help you choose. There is a full bar, too. Now the food. The menu includes great classics and there is chalkboard with a variety of specials for the day. As a fan of cassoulet, Aquitaine does not disappoint. Delivered piping hot with 2 sausages, duck leg, pork belly, and tender beans - so good! Chicken Basquaise is a new favorite with piperade sauce containing a nice, sweet undertone to it. I enjoyed the scallops when my appetite wasn't too big. Appetizers of escargot served uniquely but top notch, smoke bacon flatbread that isn't too heavy as a shared starter, or shrimp-avocado toast - you cannot go wrong. The lemon tart or chocolate fondant are good choices for dessert, but I found the churros with chocolate dipping sauce a bit overcooked. Future visits will include the Sunday special of whole baked chicken for 2-3 looks delicious and seems to be enjoyed by neighboring diners. Also serving brunch Friday-Sunday with some unique options not found on the main dinner menu. Thank you, Andrew, for your hospitality and pleasant dining experience that we continue to introduce our friends to. read more

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Food is not very good. Service is friendly if a bit slow. Plus was churros for dessert!

Stopped in tonight for dinner, cute place, must be popular based on the reservations and how fast it filled up at 6:30-7:00. I had the steak wife had the scallops. Both were good. My steak & frites were cool- when served. The garlic sauce on the steak May be the problem, since it is not heated. But maybe serve the steak HOT, with the sauce on the side. Frites were also cool/old. Don't know why restaurants try to serve frites if they are not going to be HOT. But we will go back!! read more

Nice wine bar with some wonderful French food including cheese, and other happy hour items. You can also be seated at one of two couches if not dining. read more

Boy has the quality of the food at this place gone down. Way down. I ordered the steak via DoorDash, I opened the box find my steak, covered in what appeared to be Ore-ida frozen fries. They were tasteless. The steak was incredibly tough, and tasted burnt on the outside. likely the result of an uncleaned grill. I had hoped that the lemon tart I ordered for dessert would be the saving grace and was extremely disappointed to open it and find a heap of melted vanilla ice cream. Never in my life have I seen a lemon tart with ice cream, and what "genius" in the kitchen would send ice cream with a to go order? Next to a hot dish. They also included bread, that was completely burnt to a crisp. Completely inedible. I had wondered how this place stayed open, now I know, they cut corners in the worst way, by degrading the quality of their food. Sad. read more

Aquitaine - Rock hard burnt bread - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Stopped by Aquitaine after getting off the Muni J which stops right in front. The menu posted to the window looked amazingly appetizing for brunch, drinks etc AND it was pretty quiet inside so we gave it a shot. We ordered drinks which came out pretty fast and when the waiter returned with the drinks we ordered food. The drinks were flavorful and truly delicious! The couple sitting closest to the door were finishing up and then left after about 10 minutes, the table next to us were noshing on cheeses and then had their brunch delivered. There was a large group of girls in the back area (maybe 10 or so) and we noticed the waiter bringing plate after plate to their table. The plates seemed to come out of the kitchen pretty staggered but we didn't pay it much attention as we were enjoying our drinks. At some point, my stomach started growling and we noticed it had been An HOUR since we placed our order!! To be honest, it would have been DECENT for the waiter to let us know that there would be a significant wait and maybe we would have ordered something quick (like cheese) to nosh on until our food was prepared. BUT NO which I thought that was FUCKED UP AND RUDE! I flagged down the waiter and asked if our food would be much longer, because I was really hungry and if so then we'd like to order and appetizer. He was happy to place that order and then said that the food would be out in a few minutes, so we opted not to order the appetizer and wait. When our food FINALLY ARRIVED AFTER AN HOUR AND 10 MINUTES, the waiter didn't bother to offer any sort of apology for the delay. Which sadly I didn't expect since he didn't have to decency to tell us about the wait in the first place. Not sure if was just an off day, if they were short staffed or what but informing your customers of that would be helpful! As I stated, we could have ordered something to nosh on, but instead my stomach was empty, full of booze and I was starting to get a headache -OR- I don't know, maybe offer us something to nosh on to make up for the wait?!? Communication is key folks! It would have made this review a 5 star instead of a 3. read more

Duck confit, french onion soup, red wine. First time, around the corner from our evening show. The french onion soup was too light, the manager generously fixed it and took it off the bill. read more

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Excellent service. So much help in selecting wine. The happy hour choices are great but the dinner menu is even better. Muscles are perfectly cooked. Steak was fantastic- temperature was exactly as I ordered. It's not a huge place but has a bar, standard tables, high top tables, and comfy sofas. read more

I always visit when I am in town and I did again last night and as usual I left feeling extremely content with life and every decision that I have ever made! Excellent food (I loved the Duck Magret) and wine selection in a very relaxed space displaying some artifacts from their previous location. Thank you again Leo for your attentive service over the past 11 years (also Andrew who has been there for the same time). read more

Aquitaine - Duck Magret - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California