I could not say enough good things about Cole Valley Tavern. The food is great, the drinks are unique, and the waitstaff are always friendly and upbeat. I live in the Inner Sunset, where there is no lack of good food, but CVT has become my go-to on a night out. I'm writing today because I had an especially memorable experience with the new server, Ian. Ian was such a joy throughout the entire meal - my friend and I really enjoyed talking with him, and he knew the menu well despite being new to the restaurant (having worked in the restaurant industry myself, I was impressed). Ian was a wonderful positive, upbeat addition to our experience. I hope to have him as a server again. read more

Food: 3 stars overall; 4 stars for the specials are always great and the happy hour is a good value and quite tasty. Service: 1 star unless you are lucky enough to get one of the Latino servers who are always pleasant, have good suggestions and remember your order. If you are unlucky enough to get the server who is only pleasant to her friends when they come for special cocktails , and with everyone else is rude and disrespectful then you'll see what I'm talking about. read more

One of my favorite restaurants in the area. Parking can be difficult, but it's easy to reach by public transit. There is both indoor and outdoor seating. Service is always great, helpful and friendly. I enjoyed everything that I've tried, both food and drink. Coffee is solid. They have some interesting (in a good way) nonalcoholic cocktails. Highly recommend the grapefruit serrano, the serrano provides a nice spicy kick. The fish tacos are great. Perfectly crispy and flaky fish pairs perfectly with the creamy aioli. The chili crunch is a nice touch and something unique. The fish and chips is also solid, which isn't surprising since their fish tacos are great. The tater tots are perfectly fried. The burger always is perfectly cooked, and I love the combination of toppings. Overall, great place for a meal or a drink out with friends in the evening. read more

Cole Valley Tavern - Grapefruit serrano - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

While we were in Cole Valley, we wanted to grab some food for lunch without having to wait a while so we ended up popping by this restaurant. It mainly serves American fare inside, with a good amount of space during the day. It's nice and bright inside, with a cozy atmosphere. For our dishes we decided to get fish and chips along with a burger and fries. Even though I initially didn't expect much since we chose this place on a whim, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food! The burger was juicy, while the fries were made really well. The fish and chips were great too, with a nice crispiness to the fish. Overall, if you want a quick lunch around the area then this place is a pretty solid choice! read more

Cole Valley Tavern - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

I stopped by Cole Valley Tavern for dinner one night while I was in the area, and it was surprisingly cute and charming! There were a lot more families with kids than I expected, but it makes sense for the area. My husband and I split a cocktail that came in a cute bear mug (I think it was called the dancing bear). It was sweeter than I wanted, but that's definitely on me, since it's an inherently sweet sounding drink that's literally served with gummy bears. We started with the chicken yakitori, which was also sweeter and saucier than I expected for yakitori. Not sure what I was expecting but it was definitely a little odd. I was between the fish tacos and the fish and chips for my entree, and decided to go with the tacos. The fish was really well fried albeit a bit bland, but the chili crunch and garlic lemon aioli helped a lot. They were also a little too loaded with the pickled daikon and veggies, which I'm not totally sold went with the fish My husband also got the burger which was not bad, although we both thought the bun was pretty average (kind of dense and made the whole burger too bread-y). We also didn't realize the garlic fries would be more like the chips in fish and chips, although I guess they don't make more than one kind of fry. We did both love the soft serve however! It was a really nice way to end the meal. Overall the service was good and the atmosphere was cute, but the dishes were a little hit or miss and weren't always what we were expecting. read more

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I love Cole Valley Tavern! My husband and I recently moved to the city and have been trying out hidden gem restaurants in different neighborhoods. Since we both work at UCSF we decided to walk over after work and we made it just in time for happy hour! The restaurant is so cute and quaint. They have outdoor seating, tables in the main bar area, and a pretty big back room. We were greeted right away and the service was excellent throughout - our server consistently checked on us and kept our waters filled. Customer service was a 10/10. We ordered the buffalo wings which were really good. We also got the miso Caesar salad with salmon... it was okay but a bit on the heavier side for my liking. It was probably because of the sieved eggs.. I'll probably skip it next time. We also had the chowder, which was delicious! At the end we both ordered a soft-serve ice cream cone which came in the cutest Cole Valley Tavern cup..it was the perfect cherry on top! So good! read more

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This is a local spot for us. We often stop in for cocktails, beer, or wine. Usually with a snack. We sometimes get dinner too. They used to use beef tallow in their fryer. My wife and I don't eat beef. So for us this made anything fried off the menu. But I am very happy to share that they have stopped using beef tallow, and now we come much more often. The fries and tots are great! The service is fast and friendly. It's a very comfortable environment. They clearly put a lot of effort into making the restaurant very clean and somewhat upscale without being too fancy. You do feel like you're taking yourself for a treat when dining here. It's not fast food. The quality in the food and the presentation is clear. Their cocktails are always fun and unusual. They have one that is served with gummy bears, which is one of my favorites. They have a great happy hour too. Definitely worth stopping by and checking out if you're in Cole Valley. read more

Cole Valley Tavern - Happy hour menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

i got a soft serve from their take out counter on one of the cole valley street fairs. total came out to about $6 for a mini vanilla cone with rainbow sprinkles. imo a bit pricey for what it is but the ice cream was pretty creamy and with the fresh sprinkles a good small treat service was really friendly and fast moving. ambiance was nice with two large benches outside to sit. overall, i would recommend if you wanted a quick sweet treat near the area! read more

Cole Valley Tavern - ice cream cone - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

We love Cole Valley Tavern!! Great food, super menu offers something for everyone, fun vibe, delish and healthy choices plus excellent cocktails and mocktails. What more can you want?? And we are so lucky to live very nearby. Thanks for your super restaurant. Cheers to management and staff. Well done! read more

The perfect neighborhood restaurant. Great cocktails, consistently delicious pub-ish food, and a warm neighborhood-ly vibe. And don't forget the soft serve read more

I am a fannnnn. Came here for drinks, but after seeing other ppl around us getting their yummy orders, we ended up getting a whole frickin' dinner with the hand cut garlic fries, fish chowder, and the smash burger. Everything was delicious. The bread the chowder came with was phenomenal though; I have no idea what they put in that, but I could eat that everyday. Fries and tots were also fire, really crispy and perfectly seasoned. Soup was delicious, buttery lemony, and the smash burger was solid. Ambiance is casual and energetic. Good welcoming lighting and seats. The service was friendly, but a little slow. Definitely had to flag them down a few times. Once they got there though, they were great. I'd definitely come back again to try out other dishes and drinks! read more

Cole Valley Tavern - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

One of the most flavorful and satisfying fish and chips I have ever tried! The crispy batter, the dips, the way the potatoes are cut all make for a great take on the pub classic. It tasted really fresh, I only wish it came with more! We started with the wings which were also good. I enjoyed the way the carrots and celery were cut. They tasted almost pickled (?). Service was relatively fast and everything came out as expected for a busy Friday night service. They also have a great Happy Hour to check out with snacks and drinks. I also enjoyed that you can get a root beer float here, how fun. The espresso martini they make here is also quite nice. The ambiance is also pretty elevated for a neighborhood bar. I have been a few times and will continue to return. read more

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Our first time at Cole Valley anything and I cannot wait to come back! We *only* had the fish tacos but they absolutely just changed my life. (I'll put the description under the photo I post). I had a lemon drop and my husband had a sparkling lemonade. The location is fantastic, on the corner in a fun corner of SF, and while we sat outside (*DOG FRIENDLY*), the interior was so fun, bright and clean. Tall bar and high tops when you enter. We had 3 separate people come deliver things to us, and while it may feel disorganized, the staff communicated so well with each other it was excellent service. We can't wait to come back! We will find an excuse if needs be. read more

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This local restaurant does a bustling business and still manages to serve customers with a smile. Our party of three got there before six and were pleased to see the availability of happy hour appetizer and drink specials. That seems a bit of a rarity in the City these days. We tried the hot dog with grilled onions, tater tots, and wings. All only $5 each. And craft beers were only $7 dollars each. Then the sandwich I had for my main came out about as perfect as you could expect for a fried fish sandwich with cheese. Comfort food joy! We will be going back to Cole Valley Tavern again read more

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Cole Valley Tavern and especially their happy hour menu. Great service, super nice staff and a nice mix of items on the HH menu. The Hummus is off the charts, must have IMO. Tater Tots the best I have ever had. Good chicken wings too, just wish there were more to an order. Not a fan of the slivered celery though, odd. Reasonable prices, hence I keep returning again and again. Go early before the noise and baby train shows up around 5:30, plenty of seating earlier. Main menu items also look FAB. read more

Best pizookie I've ever had in my life I'm not kidding. Great drinks, good wings, but the pizookie literally changed my life read more

Cole Valley Tavern - Pazookie - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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It's a nice restaurant. Maybe just the timing when we were there, but we found staff a little flustered and absent. The food came out fast and it was good. I had the pozole and really enjoyed it. It's a little pricey but the quality is high so it makes sense. read more

I have been to Cole Valley tavern quite a few times with friends and family, but my boyfriend and I just moved to the neighborhood so we have been coming a lot more. On this night it was a Wednesday evening and we were able to be seated quickly. They offer quite a few fun non alcoholic beverage options. I love this! We ordered the Blueberry Mint Lemonade and Ginger bear which came in a fun cup. I ordered the Rigatoni and my boyfriend got the Smash Burger. We have had quite a few smash burgers in the city and this one is at the top of our list. In past visits I have ordered the Salmon tacos and the Caesar salmon salad! You can't go wrong, they are all delicious! If you can save room I hear the soft serve ice cream is really good. I have not had the chance to try it yet. As a dog mom, I like to point out their patio is dog friendly, but they are not dog friendly inside. The service has always been amazing when we've gone and on this specific night we got to meet the owner which was awesome! Cole Valley Tavern is a true gem to have in the neighborhood! read more

Cole Valley Tavern - The Smash Burger - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This place is very nice, great atmosphere, friendly and the food rocks! I had the fish and chips, my daughter had the chowder and we shared the garlic fries. Spices cider was a nice nightcap. read more

Cole Valley Tavern - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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We stopped into this cute local bar for cocktails and food. The tots and the chicken skewers are a must. They have a great happy hour menu and are always friendly. read more

We visited Cole valley tavern to meet with local friends in SF. It boasts indoor and outdoor seating, that is comfortable for a bar atmosphere and families/kids alike (we had two toddlers in our group). I didn't try the food, but cocktails were exceptional and the servers were incredibly attentive and kind with checking on us despite having a huge group with small squirmy kiddos. Happy hour was a pretty calm time, but there was a bit of a dinner rush around 6pm. Those who had food in our group were pleased. Definitely a good spot to catch up with friends and converse with fabulous people watching! read more

Cole Valley Tavern - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Yummy dinner and friendly service! Beautiful interior and nice ambiance. Great smash burger read more

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Delicious smashburger, delicious cocktails. The vibe inside is really cool, it's very small town bar feeling. Recommend for a casual hang with family or friends. Kid friendly in that they have high chairs available read more

Cole Valley Tavern - Smash Burger - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Food is always solid here and they have great service! If you can, try a couple different items off the menu and split amongst your group! The tater tots are unbelievable, super crunchy and a must order! I love their grapefruit Serrano drink and adding tequila to it. They also have a fantastic espresso martini. Make sure to save room for their soft serve for dessert! read more

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Great service and an even better breakfast sandwich if you come for brunch. Love the eggs, cheese, and kimchi sauce. They also have nice drinks for brunch! Nice bar, good place for date night, girls' night out, or for families. Smash burger and dinner items are also good--there's something for everyone. read more

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I ordered the Butternut Rigatoni to go. It was good but the pasta was hard by the time I brought it home. I also ordered the yakitori chicken skewers and was not happy with them. My siblings also thought the same read more

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My husband and were originally heading to Beit Rima for dinner, but saw Cole Valley Tavern, and had been wanting to try it for a while! So we said why not change our plans!!! I'm so glad we did. We came here on a Sunday evening, and were seated right away, as it was pretty empty at this time. There are lots of cozy booths available, and hopefully you'll get the chance to sit in one too! They also have a fun bar seating area, if you have a smaller party. They have high chairs available, which was fantastic, as my little one enjoyed dining here too. My husband, daughter and I shared the Smoked Garlic Hummus for an appetizer, which was decent. We mostly got it for my daughter so she could eat something soft. I did like the hummus though, good flavor, with raw veggies that made me feel somewhat less guilty. I got their Smash Burger for my entree, which was a HUGE win. It was just something I was craving for that moment in time - greasy, satisfying, delicious. you can ask for 1 or 2 patties, I'm glad I opted for the 1 patty, as I think 2 patties might have tipped the ratio just a little too much. The other highlight of the dish was the FRENCH FRIES!!! They were big, handcut fries - my absolute favorite, which are hard to come by these days. My husband got the fish and chips, which he found equally satisfying. Drinks were great too - loved my Superbloom Martini! I also really LOVED the local art they have displayed here on their walls, which they switch out every now and then. I loved the San Francisco/Sunset District themed art that was displayed here in late April. When I asked the waitress about the artist, she didn't know who was displayed on the wall, but she was helpful in that she texted her manager, who got back to her, and told us that John Musgrove was the artist! Fantastic - loved the art so much, i ended up buying his art later on. I can't wait to return to try more items, or even just revisit their good burger and cocktails, and see the new local art! read more

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Short review: Service is still A1, menu has rotated to introduce new items, good beers on tap, place was busy but clean/organized. Beef Tataki has dethroned scampi fries as the MVP. Long Review: Came back on a Saturday night solo since I was in the area and I'm glad I did. They changed the menu for what I am assuming is for seasonal flavors? Either way I tried some of their new items and was impressed. The Beef Tataki: must-have. It is very rare slices of steak with a peppery sauce beneath, topped with garlic chips. It was top-notch, and as a heads up, it doesn't taste as raw as the photos make it look. Also had the smoked garlic hummus... the combination of the hummus with the flat bread was and shoutout to the seemingly scratch made flat bread. Pineapple wings are worth noting too. They were a good size and still crispy even with the pineapple glaze sauce. And of course I ordered the scampi fries, which were exactly how I remembered them from last time. The last thing I had was the new skewers they added - both the pork belly & pineapple and the chicken & scallion. They were charred very well and tasty, although I did prefer the pork belly one to the chicken. PS - quick shout to the Ghost Town Hazy IPA they had on tap, that was a top-tier hazy. It was a busy Saturday night in there and the staff handled it well. read more

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Cole Valley Tavern Located at the corner of Cole and Carl Street, Cole Valley Tavern offers a unique vibe with its black-and-white checkered floors and modern yet classic bar--perfect for a great meal with good company and service. Smashburger A must-try, especially with the extra patty . The kimchi Thousand Island sauce takes it to another level, making it unforgettable. Fish and Chips Perfectly fried with a hint of curry spice, paired with tangy tartar sauce for a savory twist. Garlic Fries Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and packed with garlic flavor. A delicious side upgrade. Clam Chowder A brothy, seafood-packed chowder served with crispy-yet-soft sesame bread --perfect for dipping and utterly addictive. Drinks Top-notch cocktails and specials that never disappoint. Soft-Serve Dessert A sweet, creamy ending to a fantastic meal. Cole Valley Tavern does it all--highly recommended! read more

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This location has all the boxes checked in regards to what I look for in a restaurant. They have great drinks, great food, attentive staff and fantastic ambience. The fish and chips were nice and crunchy on the outside and the fish was moist on the inside. While they have a pretty solid beer selection, I think their cocktails are where they shine. I got the aioli Mezcal Fog, a Smokey riff on a margarita. It's perfect if you like Smokey adult beverages. As well their burgers are fantastic. I cannot recommend this place enough! read more

Great love the fresh cut fries but place a bit cold in winter. The staff is fine and I would recommend for burger and fresh cut fries which is hard to find. read more

What happened CVT?!?!?!? Did you change chefs? We used to come here almost weekly. Decided to give this one more try but it was the same disappointing "new"? menu that's such a far cry from the menu a year ago. Salads were flavorless (we used to rave that they made the best Caesar salad we'd ever had in the area). Salmon was overcooked. Shrimp was just okay. And the drinks sound similar, some are close to what they were, but come on, changing the gummy bears for the Dancing Bear cocktail (which is now a little bland). Thankfully the Grapefruit Serrano n.a. cocktail is still good but not the same. If anyone knows where the old kitchen went.... Please dm me. Menu is not even a shadow of what it was. Vibe is also completely off. Loud 80s pop mix, pushy staff suggesting a new drink when your current is half full? No thank you. Such a shame. Big loss for the old neighborhood. read more

My daughter brought me here just for the $3.50 soft serve ice cream that comes in vanilla, chocolate or swirl of both flavors. It was a delightful dessert! From the outside, this place looks like an old Irish tavern, but the inside has an inviting diner feel with table booths and a bar. Service seemed friendly. Gone in just for the restroom. Will return for some real grub! read more

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CVT continues to improve. Cocktails are interesting but not fussy or kooky, menu is rock solid, they're really focused on getting their main items dialed in, and the service is buttoned-up but always friendly. read more

Outdoor and indoor seating options. Just got drinks but food looked pretty good. Non alcoholic options available. Service was a bit slow outside but was nice to be in the sun. Full bar. read more

Cole Valley Tavern - Drinks - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

I find the menu very limiting. I very much miss the variety of its predecessor's menu. And most of all, I am really disappointed in the trendy smash burger. If you really feel you have to succumb to trends, at least consider both a regular, juicy burger - and the hockey puck you now serve. This used to be great meet up place when it was Kezars that had something for everyone in a unique setting. Now, it just feels like a place for families who with an emphasis on desserts to please kids and cocktails for grown ups. It's not a full restaurant that serves Cole Valley well. Please consider expanding your menu and offering more. read more

At some point, I'll find myself in the tavern itself. I pass by it all the time when I'm riding by on the N train heading west toward Ocean Beach. After all, the menu features inviting comfort food like smoked meat loaf and pozole. I think for a casual neighborhood intruder like me, the addition of the takeout window was a wise and welcome idea. That's because I'm usually around between meals when I'm walking through Cole Valley. I took advantage and enjoyed the $4.50 cup of Straus Organic Soft Serve on the bench next to the window. Twist, of course, and a refreshing treat after scaling Twin Peaks (photo: https://bit.ly/3nNsxxa). And I can have the soft serve with my pozole the next time I come here. SOFT SERVE - 4 stars...smooth and refreshing snack AMBIANCE - 4 stars...gee, I can really just talk about the bench SERVICE - 4 stars...very friendly to outsiders TOTAL - 4 stars...ready for the pozole now RELATED - Exploring the Sunset? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2EI8eIJ read more

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Was there Sunday afternoon for a late lunch. Food is always amazing (the hummus and that pita are the best things you'll ever put in your mouth). Ian was our server and he was an absolute delight. He was so fun, friendly and knowlegable. I also noticed how the other tables reacted to him and they all seemed to have loved him as much as we did. I'll always go back to Cole Valley Tavern. You guys hire great people and serve up the best food! Thanks Ian! read more

I like Cole Valley..I must tell you that somebody met at a group meetup in 2003 and said they will try to meet at Cole Valley(crepes)..I wanted to go back to Cole Valley and I was younger then. It's quiet...you can go to cafe or eat at restaurant..this place has a take-out window with hot dogs and soft serve..fun! Homey! read more

Cole Valley Tavern - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Amazing food, ambiance, and service. Gabriel our server was so friendly and attentive. Definitely coming back!