Great local diner! Best breakfast in town and super friendly staff! Second time here for breakfast and waitress asked if I wanted my same order from yesterday! Also ate lunch our first day in town. Everyone loved their choices. read more

Cafeteria food. Not that that's a bad thing. Perhaps my biggest gripe here is the bleak decor and the limited seating options - if you came with more than 4 prepare to be diced up at the bar or wedge into tiny booths. Smaller parties will find this a plush as they're ensured cush seating. The menu is limited to breakfast or burgers before 3pm, not sure about dinner. I had The Elvis which came a little overcooked with a side of what tasted like OReida's baked oven fries - a favorite of mine. When a friend suggested we eat here again I'd forgotten I'd even come here in the first place. It's more of a hangover meal than a lunch, I think. Our waitress was a hoot, though. A few notches down from stellar, as is with most places with the monicker 'diner'. It's aaaaaaaaight. Fun fact: The bathroom isn't actually out of service. The server explained that it's just a sign to keep out non-patrons from slipping in. read more

It was New Years day, I was alone and pretty hungover....however, I had reached the point where I needed to eat and everyone else was still clinging to their beds as if they were about to be swirled away to Oz. (I guess I didn't drink enough!) I stumbled into this cozy little place. And by cozy I mean small...but a great place to sip your morning coffee and read the paper before catching the 47. Anyway this little hole in the wall is perfect for a quick and simple breakfast. There's nothing unique or special about it - it just serves it's purpose to provide fuel for your day. I ordered the most basic breakfast of eggs, toast and sausage and everything was cooked fine. My orange juice tasted fresh and flavorful - not from concentrate. Everything was 'ok' - just priced a little high, but what can you do...it's the Marina. Anyway, like I said - basic and to the point. No frills, not fancy in the least. But you won't starve and it tastes fine. read more

Wonderful go-diner! Really kind staff and excellent food. They even remembered my order :)

Just went there for the first time and waa pleasantly surprised! Deliciously made omlette and the country potatoes are crispy and creamy at the same time garnished with green onion and sautee onion. Love it! Coffee was great too. Staff was friendly and the food served timely. If you like a good neighborhood place with solid food without the crazy price tag and any shenanigans, this is the place for you. read more

Chestnut Diner - Chestnut Special omlette (crab, shrimp, veggies), home fries, two slices of toasts (not pictured) for ~$8. Great deal and so delicious! - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

Breakfast is average. Hashbrowns kinda suck. But no whipped cream on pancakes is completely unacceptable! Their patty melt was really good and the fries tasted fine. They didn't seem over salted to me. Service is okay. read more

Came in on Wednesday November 13th, 2013 around 9:30 AM to a restaurant with 3 other patrons in it --- and found a seat. I ordered the #15 --- "The San Francisco's Favorite" for $8.45 with Bay Shrimp, Green Onions, Sauteed Mushrooms, Garlic and Cheese along with Rye Bread Toast and Country Potatoes. After the item arrived --- I noticed a slice of cheese similar to kraft at the bottom of the plate along with a small size of country potatoes. I found the entree to be average --- but not worth the price point. After finishing --- I waited about 15 minutes for the check. Remember there were only about 3 other patrons in the place --- as the waitress forgot one of the couples orders in front of me was to go as they sat in a booth and waited so she had to wrap it up. For the price point --- I prefer New Village on Polk or Toast on Polk if your willing to spend an extra buck or so. read more

This place was recommended by the guy at our hotel. Small diner, good service and the food was good as well. Prices were even better. It's a mom and pop shop not a chain restaurant which was a plus and parking wasn't bad to find either. read more

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Great spot! Very clean and spaced out for Covid. Service was very fast and food was delicious! Priced well also.

Cute little diner across from our stay in Van Ness Inn. It was a Tuesday, mellow environment. Prices are reasonable and excellent customer service. read more

Was excited to try this spot cause all the positive reviews unfortunately when we got here we had to seat ourselves after standing in the door not sure what to do and no one coming to great us after sitting down we noticed a bunch of children coming in and sitting at the counter they kept coming in one after another after another and they were being served but we were being ignored. After about 10 mins My friend got up and had to ask for some menus from a lady cooking we got the menus and still more and more kids keep coming. Made our decisions about what we wanted and had to find the worker again she took our order but didn't ask what we wanted to drink or anything as if we were a inconvenience. We're waiting on our food meanwhile the lady and her two kids in the Booth behind me are trying to get the attention of the lady so she can check out she's getting more and more frustrated she finally just says ok I'm leaving once she stands to go the lady finally takes notice and comes running to collect the money. More kids they are filling the restaurant it's stuffy and hot no ventilation. Still waiting my friends decide to go get a drink i get ahold of the lady and order a coffee. 30 mins in and finally get a drink the restaurant is empty we can breath but still waiting on our food. Got our food it was delicious good portions and everything was hot. Found out that the kids were on lunch and they get discounts so that's why they were here in attack mode. In all we'd come back just not during school lunch time read more

Finally got around to trying this spot. Definitely the best prices for food in the neighborhood. Diner style food, tastes really good. Best breakfast I've had in a while. read more

Delicious breakfast served with a smile! Piping hot coffee served in large cups. Yum!

Decent, but not great. I had the pancakes and bacon. Both tasted about average. I've had better tasting and larger portions for the same price at other places. I might come back if I'm working in the area, but I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here. read more

Friendly staff. Great omlettes and awesome French toast. read more

Chestnut Diner - Inside - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Diner food can be great food. I travel a lot and usually rely on diners for quick reliable food and service, especially when I'm not in town long enough to scope out the new "hot" place - whatever that might be. I especially like to patronize the neighborhood diners. Last year, I stopped into The Chestnut Diner and was satisfied with my French toast and eggs. Nothing special, but totally fine. I stopped in again recently. it was beyond inedible - funny smell, undercooked, just all around scary. Even my coke was off. And all of it so expensive! Sad to say: never again. read more

Great service and our breakfast was tasty. The place is small just like a topical downtown diner. read more

Chestnut Diner - Nice cups for your morning coffee - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I wanted to love this place but the service made it so hard. If only they had a few more people working it might not be as bad because the ones who are working are hustling. The food is cheap and classic diner quality. It took a really long time to get the check and most of our patio left and went outside as a hint that we were in a hurry. If the service was faster this would get more stars. read more

I got a burger and it was a bit plain, fries were hard and dry. It was a simple burger but friendly and fast service. read more

Chestnut Diner - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

OK, I don't want to over-sell this but I like this place. It's probably the tiny-est diner in San Francisco. If you blink you'll miss it. I like that it's conveniently located near the bus line on Van Ness. Good standard breakfast food. The interior looks like an Edward Hopper painting. If Hopper were alive today and he was walking by, he'd do a double-take and then would have to come back and paint it. That's for sure. read more

Very friendly service. Open 7am every day. Had lunch here yesterday and came back for breakfast today. Portions appropriate for the price. Tasty, basic cafe food. For lunch we had a bacon cheese burger, gyro, fries. Hubby wasn't impressed with the cheese-steak sandwich, though - Not much meat on it. Breakfast was French toast, eggs, bacon, ham, homestyle potatoes, toast, etc. French toast was fluffy & everything was yummy. Hubby especially liked the potatoes fried with onions. Piece of ham was quite small though. Will likely return for breakfast tomorrow. read more

I love this little place. Friendly people and simple reasonable breakfast. Just had the Venetian omelette. Super tasty.

Chestnut diner is a very small place to be at for lunch. I got a cheeseburger for $3.75. The whole process of the cheeseburger was disappointing. Why? The cheeseburger is small and very dry. The burger meat inside is very dry and not attractive. The cheese is not melted and you just have to constantly drink water to satisfy yourself with the burger. I got here 10 minutes before the high schoolers and the wait time was around 15 minutes even though they got her late. Overall, this place is okay but if I have any other place to go, I would go somewhere else. read more

The food here is great and the owner and staff are very friendly. The prices are half what you'll pay a few blocks down in the trendy part of Chestnut Street. read more

Great food. Quick service, friendly staff! Fresh omelettes and hash browns! Definitely a must for New Yorkers looking for a quality breakfast! read more

Great homemade quality food with a smile! Visiting San Fran with hubbs and 3 teen boys. Ate at Chestnut diner 2 days in a row for breakfast - one son said best pancakes ever. Kids begged us to go back second day. The french toast is delicious - can taste egginess and appreciated the sprinkle if cinnamon with powdered sugar. Coffee nice and strong - both days we were given a to go cup. Hash browns crispy and homestyle potatoes had chopped scallions along with onions. Fresh eggs, toast and yummy bacon. Five of is ate so much food for $68. Plus the place is quintessential diner with swivel stools and booths along the wall. Worth it ! read more

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Loved the coffee the most! The hash browns were awesome and the Mediterranean omelet was very tasty also! Mama the chef is a very pleasant happy busy chef who did a fantastic job in a busy kitchen by herself. Her daughter the waitress (we didn't get her name ) is very friendly and hospitable . We are going again this morning during our short stay in San Francisco! read more

This was a very nice traditional cafe style restaurant. In love with the food. The staff are nice. The coffee was great. Cute, tiny, you feel like your in a home kitchen. read more

Chestnut Diner - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

I love chestnut diner!!!! So good and so affordable and the food is always ready quickly. It's our go-to in the mornings!

The coffee was wonderful!! Service was friendly and prompt. The food was delicious!! The Mediterranean omelette had gyro meat in it!!

We are so happy that we moved in the same building as this diner. We love the simple, old-school, relaxed vibe of this place. Reminds me of an Edward Hopper painting. We come here exclusively for breakfast, mostly on weekends and are always greeted with warm and friendly smiles. The diner has 2-3 people total working the entire place but they really hustle, especially during the morning rush. Prices are great: $4 oatmeal(!), $5 pancakes(!) but my go-to is the 2 eggs combo, easy over with hash browns (crunch yes), bacon, toast (which comes pre-buttered...great touch) for $10. No complaints. read more

I got exactly what I wanted. Omelette, sourdough toast, coffee, and best of all no pretentious judgmental people who'd happily pay twice the price to be seen somewhere trendy. This is the place for good diner food. And yes, the hash browns are in fact awesome. read more

Decent food...without the high price you pay at the tourist traps. This place isn't the most appealing to look at...think old diner that needs a scrubbing. But it was clean enough...no wait and the food was decent. read more

Crabby mood. Which called for the Chestnut Diner omelette with shrimp, crab meat and green onions. Mushrooms and cheese standard too. Wheat toast and roasted potatoes on the side. Impressive amount of seafood and flavor. Wish the charge for egg whites wasn't $2.75 which brought the bill to $16 with tip. Too much for four stars. Lunch was also a strong three thanks to a fresh and tasty grilled chicken burger topped with green chilis. Appreciated the sub of more excellent roasted potatoes instead of fries. Another bit on the high side bill ($12 with tip) holds back another star. Prices might have left my wallet crabby but the quality and friendly service still earn them a recommendation no matter what your mood. read more

First time in SF, first Breakfast and Chestnut impressed me with omelette menu. I think I ordered San Francisco's favorite (it was with shrimps). One star minus because coffee was quite sour but the omelette was delicious! read more

Great place to go have breakfast lunch brunch diner thankful for they're great service & love put into the food !

Solid diner food. The food is cheap and pretty darn good. I had two eggs over-easy with hash browns and sausage. I was pleasantly surprised by how good the hash browns were. Excellent customer service -- the lady that served me went out of her way to make sure I had everything I needed, and she even gave me a final coffee refill in a to-go cup. The only small downside is that the interior was old and a bit worn down. But then again this is about what you can expect from a classic-themed diner. And of course all kitchenware were perfectly clean. read more

My friends and I came for a small vacation to San Francisco for the first time this week. We were not familiar with the local restaurants at all. We found this diner a block away from our hotel. We decided to give it a try and holy shit!!! All I need to say is we were back for more the following morning! Great job Chestnut Diner! read more

I guess I am getting more and more appreciative of a place that is not a 'scene' Here there are no fedoras in sight - just an honest, solid breakfast at a great price. The coffee is standard Peerless - not great but good enough. I just love the simplicity of the place where you can leave behind this increasingly frantic city. read more

This place is a nice little family run diner. They offer a decent breakfast at a decent price. Everyone who works here is super friendly. My boyfriend jokes they are going to turn my usual (one pancake and a side of hashbrowns) into the Sofie Special. :-) read more