Pet peeve: people who write reviews based on a comparison to somewhere else. If you're going to write a review, you write it for what it is, not if it stacks up to somewhere else you know. That aside, I like Belden Place. It's this quaint little location where you don't have to travel too far to get a little variety from Italian to Seafood to French; like Miquel says, 'if one is feeling less than creative'. The atmosphere is neatly tucked away in the financial district, it's an alley way with "Joie de vivre" in mind (thank you wiki). I highly recommend sitting outside to enjoy the sunshine or the night sky under the umbrellas and space heaters. I always believe that half of eating is the ambiance of where you're eating, and I don't think you'll find much better than Belden Place. It's only 3/5 stars because I haven't had the opportunity to try the other restaurants there, when I do, it should go up. For now, it's a great change of venue with reasonable prices if you're looking for something different. read more

"Sauce" saved our evening with probably the best burgers in SF! Have no idea what to get for dinner? Swing over to sauce! read more

Belden is one of my favorite places in the city. Tucked away in a little side alley amongst streets dominated by banks, stores and chain restaurants, Belden Alley is a charming change of pace. Quaint, European to a tee, Belden is both a fun alley filled with great restaurants as well as one of the most romantic spots in the city. Anytime is a great time here--whether you prefer to lounge about on a sunny day, sipping a cocktail, French Tuesdays or hot summer nights...Belden is a fun, adorable little escape from the mundane day to day of the city. Always a favorite place to escape, Belden has become one of my favorite places to take out of towners or come with old friends. read more

This is an alley in the FiDi with Italian, French and Spanish restaurants. It feels very touristy to me with ushers trying to lure you into their restaurant. All the restaurants in my experience are pretty average and nothing to rave about. I give the edge to Claude Lane. read more

Need a quaint date spot in SF with an European appeal? Belden Place is the location! A charming little alley tucked away in the Financial District, it may be slightly difficult to locate, but once you're there, you're automatically charmed by the atmosphere. Spanish, French, Irish, and Italian restaurants line the alley with adorable al fresco patios for outdoor candlelit dining. Not convinced? See it to believe it. Despite its tourist-like appeal, it is very off the beaten path, hence devoid of much of the tourist population. P.S. Be ready to cough up the bucks for the ambiance. read more

Yes, it's expensive. And I'm sure there is better food in the city if you know what you want. But it is simply to walk through the alley on a warm summer evening (we have those once a year) and browse the menus. Wonderful environment, cute restaurants, and over all I've always been happy with my food. No, I don't remember where I ate -- it's about the experience! And, I like being accosted by the hostesses! read more

I like this place... I like it better when it's not overcrowded and I can get a seat outside to pretend I'm in Europe somewhere. Mussels at Plouf still own me. The end. read more

This totally reminds me of Europe. Several restaurants all lined up in a row with plenty of outdoor seating makes for a very romantic meal. You have your choice of Spanish, French, Mediterranean, Seafood, etc... to choose from. I'm not a huge fan of eating downtown but this place is a hidden little gem. This is the perfect place to bring a date. On this night I went to B44 (Spanish) and it was very good. Got the peppers stuffed with dungenness crab along with the seafood paella along with a bottle of nice Spanish wine. Excellent. read more

I will have to try the other restaurants at Belden, because I was thoroughly disappointed with this place. Despite the lovely atmosphere, the service was sub-par and the food was average at best. First of all, the maitre d' sat us down at a table, and then asked us to move to a "better" table. This was only to make room for a party of 8 that ended up sitting next to my girlfriend and I. Here are the other two things that were worth mentioning: "Salted" Oysters: We finally get our waiter's attention, and order drinks and an appetizer: oysters. This sounded like a good idea as a start to a nice evening. To give you an idea of the taste, imagine that an entire bag of salt had been poured all over a small, cold oyster. Honestly that's what it tasted like, with a fishy aftertaste. Needless to say, we sent them back, and prayed we would get sick later. Cockroach on my Lap: I am not making this up. After some decent main courses, we were discussing our plans for afterwards. I look down on my napkin on my lap, and see a small, winged roach crawling around. This was absolutely disgusting, and I was ready to leave. We got our bill, and did not mention the roach. However, the oysters were still on the bill, so I sent the waiter back. Oysters, Roaches and Below Average everything... NOT recommended. read more

Very cute alleyway with fancy-ish restaurants. I wish it opened on the weekends though, when I actually have time to have a nice sit-down meal. read more

Must haves at Belden Place 1. Friends and/or lovers 2. Wine 3. Pasta 4. Sit outside - even when its chilly. There are heat lamps. Don't forget to people watch. read more

Love the location. The alley is very charming, and I appreciate the ease of parking on the weekends. I've been to Plouf and enjoyed the mussels tremendously - I'll have to go back and try the rest of the restaurants now. I have to say though, that the restaurants that have their hostesses assaulting people with their menus as the door are a turn-off for me. read more

This place feels like europe smack inbetween chinatown and the FiDi. A nice little choice of restaurants and bars with outdoor seating. It even comes with the nice array of euro-trash! Good times! Great place to go anytime: business lunch, dinner with friends, first date place, during the world cup, during bastille day, during st. patricks day and i could go on... read more

If you are here on business travel and your significant other visits you in the Financial District, this is a wonderful respite from the concrete of the rest of the downtown area and definitely has a magical European bistro feel. Walk down the alley and lovely staff members from each of the restaurants will attempt to woo you with specials and descriptions of Happy Hour. I've not found a great deal of consistency or variation between quality of any of the restaurants, so eat where the menu looks best and the prices are fair. Lovely date also for folks who live in the city but would enjoy seeing it in a new way. read more

Belden Place is a very, very convenient "venue". This little euro-alley always comes handy when we are just to lazy to be creative in terms of selecting a place to go; especially I only work a couple of blocks away. My favorite place there is Cafe Bastille. It's a french cafe with no attitude and serves good casual food. I always make sure I order their onion soup. Hmm.. best onion soup ever! read more

Charmant. Romantique. Atmospherique. C'est Paris, avec les memes prix eleves mais sans mauvaise attitude.

This alley is SO CUTE! It's like an urban oasis; a vibrant heart of color amidst the stale gray sea of the financial district. I always thought the space looked cute over the weekends when I'd walk by during an off-hour and it would be near empty... but recently, I walked through BP after lunch hour and it was thrilling! Full of [good] smells and dapper professionals enjoying their extended lunch meetings! Now... if only my checking account could handle a few more visits! read more

San Francisco's Gourmet Getto with sun, fun and urban bliss all shared in this simple, short alley adjoining the financial district. Anchored at the Bush Street end of the alley by Sam's Grill, one of the oldest and best seafood restaurants west of Chicago and going strong since 1862, with assorted gallic, Italian, fast food and various other mediterannean find food purveyors packing the space for three hours surrounding lunchtime every day, and into the night with bright lights and beautiful music filling the air scented with romance and chance. This is the closest to Europe most armchair gourmands ever get, and its mighty close and great fun. read more

Ya know, I like this place. I know it's over-priced sometimes, but it feels like Europe, and I can appreciate that. I actually have tried all of the restaurants on this street I think at one time or another. They are all 3 Yelp Star places. No stand outs. But I think here, you're paying for the ambiance and not the taste of the food. read more

I've never even heard about Belden Place until I was going to one of the restaurants for dinner one night. My boyfriend and I walked there and we thought it looked kinda of sketchy, but once we turned the corner to the actual alley way, I was blown out of my mind. It was so beautiful! I forgot I was in an alley way in San Francisco and felt like I was on vacation somewhere else. All the restaurants have outdoor seating and the hanging lights make it feel so romantic and very date night appropriate. I'm definitely coming back here to try to the other restaurants. read more

cool but meh, there are better places to eat and see in the city. It really doesn't feel like Europe either, we'll expect for the rude hostesses and marina douche bags. read more

Walking down the deserted streets of the Financial District in the evening, this place was a surprising alleyway find. The outdoor seating gives a very European feel and being sandwiched between tall buildings, the wind disappears making it quite pleasant to be eating outside. Take a stroll down the whole 'way and let your eyes sample all the menus before deciding. There are about five restaurants fitted into the small space and most of them are on par with each other. It can get pricey, but you get nominal food and service as well as a fine dining experience. read more

Adorable alley love....what a hidden gem.

This little alley of European restaurants is so charming and adorable that I can't bring myself to take off a star for perpetual crowdedness during peak lunch hours and steamy-sweatiness when it's hot outside. read more

Belden Lane... my favorite location to dine in all of San Francisco. Five stars just for the ambiance! Although I love the al fresco element, my secret indulgence is when I slip into Cafe Bastille on a rainy afternoon, order a plate of coq au vin and a glass of wine, exhale and just let the world pass me by for a time. That's it, that's Belden Lane. read more

Great outdoor concept. More than a few restaurants to choose from. You get the feeling your on a small street in Europe with this outdoor dining venue. Great for clients and visiting friends and choices to suit everyone. I have been a fan for over seven years and this review is way overdue. read more

If you're looking for a little bit of Europe in San Francisco, this is the place to go. All of the cafes along this alley have outdoor seating that reminds you of Paris or Barcelona. They have a few cool drinking spots and a French and Spanish restaurant (Plouf and B44) that are great for a sunny lunch or a night out. read more

I like to bring out-of-towners here to remind them that they can't get this kind of dining experience in any other U.S city. Not as impressive now that I have been to Italy/France where it seems every other alleyway is set up like Belden Place. Great place to bring dates. I have only been to the Spanish restaurant where I had a good meal @ a reasonable price. Ambience ***** Food **** Value *** read more

Belden lane is cute and somewhat European looking/feeling but you're quickly reminded by the people that flock here in droves you're still in the US....and it really is a turn off to have those bastards trying to rope you in to eating at their establishments There is some pretty good food tucked away back here though and it is worth seeing at least once or twice. Not a destination for me but if I'm working in the area I would stop by and see if it wasn't too busy and half a meal. Just can't deal with the crowds... read more

Absolutely charming! Feels like a piece of Europe, right in the heart of SF. I've tried three restaurants in less than three months - I'm addicted. The Italian/French accents are a charming touch. Cozy seating within earshot of neighboring tables, beware! read more

reminds me of Fishermans Wharf, nothing charming about having 5 different restaurants bombard you with requests to view the menu, if I want to look at the menu, then i'll stop. My girlfriend loves it here, maybe i'll try it again, but this time i couldn't wait to get through there so people would leave me alone. read more

Ok so the hostesses are a little pushy here but I would face them any day of the week just to dine in this charming alley. I know what your thinking...AN ALLEY??? Yes...an alley with some of the best food in the city!! Go see for yourself!! read more

restaurants are OK but check out little italy in NYC, especially in the summer. It much nicer then belden place! read more

B44 owner was a jerk. Never will return. After ordering an appetizer that the waiter messed up since he said it would be 20 minutes until dinner, we cancelled the appetizers and the owner Jordin accused us of harassing his staff for his mistake. Avoid this place! read more

This has to be the best little place for great food and hospitality in any town I know - really good food with a sophisticated urban atmosphere and a place to go for an important meal or date, or planned party if you like postmodern intimacy. Also remember the venues here are partly outside, and in good weather this is a nice idea save for when there is lots of auto traffic and exhaust. Otherwise an excellent place of interest and for a meal or other event. Really nice! read more

Love Belden Place. Especially B44 which has good tapas and Spanish wine. Voda is an excellent place to start the night. It reminds me more of Spain that it does France, but same difference :) I give it 4 starts instead of 5 b/c the hostesses outside are a little annoying trying to get you into their restaurant. read more

Bring someone you want to impress (out of towner, parents, hot date). B44 is the best of the bunch.

Is it true this place is called European Alleyway? I have heard that from a friend and believe every word he said. From the outside tables, small lights stringed above your head, waitresses soliciting your service from the doorway, and a selection of food that seems to be worth a Eurrail Pass. Seriously, get a taste of some great European food here, in a nice, authentic atmosphere. -Matt read more

This place is amazing if you are wanting to feel like you are someplace else other than San Francisco. I love it, but don't go here looking for any cheap deals. read more

I love this place on a warm day. Its like no other experience in SF. Cruise by and pick what restaurant you want with all kinds of hosts trying to intice you to their restaurant. My favorite is definitely B44. I miss Spanish food so much since my trip to Barcelona and this is def my favorite so far. Sitting outside eating amazing food and drinking wine in this cute alley. Life aint so hard! read more