With Yelp at my helm, I sailed by the Golden Gate bridge, full steam into Picky-dom, ecstatic for being in San Francisco after so many years absence. I admit, I feel like anything less than a 4 star average rating these days should be ignored. At least until I have exhausted all that 4-5 stars has to offer. San Francisco Yelpers made it easy to choose what should go in my mouth next. It is so easy to be picky in SF. Leopold's review count had reached 678 and had a nearly 5-star rating. That, and an enthusiastic personal recommendation from one of my own trusted family members, meant I'd better get my bippie down there early in the evening. What was I thinking? A Saturday night. In one of the foodie capitals of the world. It was Octoberfest for this Austrian restaurant, and Fleet Week for the city. Add to that many a Giant's fan already ensconced and lubricated, watching a big Giant's game at the many bars that line Polk St. nearby. Parking? Nearly impossible. We happily parked about 4 blocks away in small Walgreen parking lot for $15. Leopold's lack of sports TV did not hurt it's popularity that night. The wild and crazy patrons here had already ramped it up quite a few notches, celebrating with amazingly hefty glass boots of Bavarian beer. They were feeling no pain. And having way too much fun. It could have meant a long, long wait. But luck was with us, we waited a mere 15 minutes. The din inside was unimaginable. Tough when trying to order. I thought I had ordered a sampler platter, but what was brought looked nothing like described. My waiter apologized profusely, and instantly made that situation right. Snap, snap, and out came my chosen dish, a beautiful, homemade brat, two thick slices of smoked pork, two pork ribs, and some of the best sauerkraut and potatoes I had ever sunk my teeth into, with a daub of spicy yellow mustard as a final touch. My dish was great, with the exception of the ribs, too lean and dry although the flavor was excellent. The rest was wonderful. The tender beef goulash came in a deep rich paprika based gravy, the little nuggets of spaetzle were incredible. I really thought I didn't like those doughy little lumps.....until I tasted their tender, buttery rendition. This dish was a good recommendation from our waiter. And Mr. B was happy. The dessert was just ok. Maybe flourless chocolate cake is not a Bavarian thing? Deep, dark chocolate but kind of dry. Not on my recommendation list. Overall, great atmosphere...Asian men in lederhosen and feathered alpine hats, those huge steins of beer delivered by muscle bound misses in Heidi-like costumes, a very friendly and authentically Austrian owner, and a very attentive unflappable server, all right in step. But even though I couldn't wait to leave to see if I still had the ability to hear....this was a price I was willing to pay for great Austrian food! read more

Delicious and elegant food served in a unpretentious setting. The polka adds to the charm and the friendly service keeps you coming back to enjoy hearty portions of Austrian delicacies. Don't skip the pretzel that pairs beautifully with a large beer. The duck crepinettes are also delicious. No duds! read more

The Food God must be guiding us because this is the 2nd delicious meal in a row...dare we tempt fate and try for the 3rd? Will it be a charm or ? Have not been to Germany or Europe but from what I have heard and seen, this place feels like what you may find. I love how it feels homey, making you feel welcome...and how can you not? The host saw us on our way in and opened the door for us and gave us a big smile! We were taken to a table along the wall near the bar. Our waiter was helpful, friendly and attentive. With the background music, I feel like putting my arm around someone's shouldler,sing and swing my stein left and right! What we had: small Bitburger - $4 - it's petite, a little teaser large Kostritzer $7 - dark, a bit sweet small franziskaner hef - $4 - a little sweet bottle Augustiner Edelstoff -$8 pig trotters - $9.75 - imagine super tender pulled pork with some gelatin shaped into a patty and deep fried to a nice golden crisp - every bite was goodness, the frisee salad was a nice compliment duck crepinettes - $9.50 - 2 small duck sausages w/ shaved prosciutto over mashed potato - light and so flavorful, a biteful with the mashed potato and gravy...*drool* choucroute garnie platter - $18.25 - 2 slices of smoked loin, very tender and a nice smoked flavor, ribs with meat that just falls off the bone, bratwurst, potato and cabbage - my goodness, it is a platter! Linzer torte - $5.75 - like raspberry jam w/ cinnamon creame fraiche - yum! Refined comfort food...love it! read more

4.5 stars rounded up for the amazing friendly service and fun atmosphere. It felt like I had just taken a trip to Austria with the clothes and decorations. My group came for dinner early on a Friday night and were seated at the long table in the middle. The place quickly filled up soon after. We got the spätzle ($6) side dish to start. It was really good I highly recommend! We also ordered the short ribs with mashed potatoes and cabbage ($24). The ribs were super tender and fell apart when you cut them. The mashed potatoes were really creamy. The serving size is large I was only able to finish half of it which makes the price more reasonable. My friend ordered the trout dish wrapped in pancetta ($24). It was fresh and flavorful. Overall definitely recommend this place to get some really good food and drinks with friends. It's pretty loud inside so probably not the best place if you're trying to catch up. read more

Leopold's - Beef short ribs ($24) - German Near Me - San Francisco, California

Lots of food and lots of beer--a great place for my first German food experience. I recommend coming with a group so you can try a variety of dishes and share a Das Boot. Or drink one to yourself, no one's judging ;) We tried the -salumi platter: a variety of salami, ham-like meat, sausage, pate, liver mousse, and pickled veggies served with mustard spread or berry spread and bread. -crispy pig trotters: 2 crispy crab cake-like patties of pork served over greens -wiener schnitzel: which did not resemble a sausage in anyway (I was completely misled by Wienerschnitzel fast food!) and was more like tonkatsu -choucroute garni platter: a sampling of pork ribs, bratwurst, and pork loin on a bed of sauerkraut and chunky potatoes -braised beef ribs: tender, fall off the bone ribs with mashed potatoes and red cabbage All the dishes were delicious and everyone was fighting for the last morsels. The only drawback about the food is that all the vegetables seem to be pickled, so it can get boring after awhile. This is definetly a meal that will have you kicking up your feet and succumbing to food coma , so don't go if you're trying to squeeze into a tiny clubbing dress after. read more

Leopold's is a winner. Location: right on Polk and Union and near the 45/41 MUNI. People: lots of young people and quite a scene. Bar: in addition to tables for dinner you can go grab a beer. Beer selection: great selection of German and Euro beers in larger sizes. Service: servers wear German garb and are friendly. This place really had everything. The food was very tasty which surprised me. I thought it was going to be a yuppy spot with high prices and mediocre food but the food was excellent. I tried braised short ribs and some sort of sausage that was phenomenal. Again, this place is legit. Sorry Supenkutchen I really liked your restaurant but Leopold's is closer to my house. read more

Leopold serves Bavarian styled food. Bavaria is a state in Germany bordering Austria, Switzerland, and Czech Republic. Walking into Leopold's gasthaus (German tavern), you definitely feel like there's going to be a party. The place is packed and everyone seems to be having a good time. The menu was an interesting mix of sausages, traditional Bavarian dishes, and some offal like pig trotters. Definitely try: ~House-made Sausage with sauerkraut & potatoes ~Vegetable Strudel -herbed aioli & springs greens sald ~Wiener Schnitzel- breaded & fried pork loin with potato-cucumber salad and lingonberry sauce ~Grilled Duck Crepinettes -crepinettes with duck, and serves it wrapped in white cabbage and placed on a mound of mashed potatoes and duck prosciutto, delicious with lots of flavor ~ Paprika Beef Goulash has to be just about one of the best things I've ever eaten ~Braised Pork Cheek - had a mound of potato gnocchi, fennel sausage, mustard greens, cherry tomatoes and corn..the pork cheek was tender and richly flavored with the deep, intense flavor of red wine ~Don't forget the Apple Strudel with vanilla ice cream for dessert The portions are huge and they serve a good selection of beer. Just wonderful ambience and the staff was really nice. One special mention is that they make their sauerkraut on site, so it tasted really fresh. I absolutely love the decor of the restaurant and the cute outfits the staff wears. I little taste of Germany, Austria and eastern Europe right here in San Francisco. Left completely satisfied with a huge smile. Will definitely go back and recommend this place to all. All the dishes looked excellent and the atmosphere is authentic. The restaurant has a great atmosphere but it's very noisy. It's a great place to go with friends but I don't think it's suitable for a quiet romantic dinner. The staff was attentive and accommodating. 4 stars! read more

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Best Austrian food hands down! Have to say that it even beats a lot of the food that you would find in Vienna, Austria!!! I loved this place! The decorations make you feel like you are at a pub in Austria. The location is back in a quiet neighborhood and gives an authentic feel to it. They have amazing food and a very wide selection of German beers and Wines. They have great sizes for their beer selection including the German 1L, 2L and a 5L Das Boot!!!! Be warned with that one, you definitely will feel it. This place is a must try! read more

Leopold's - German Near Me - San Francisco, California

Der Unternehmer, Herr Klaus, ist immer glücklich und freundlich. Leider habe ich das Essen nicht probieren aber Leopold's hat viel gutes Bier und meine Freunden haben mich gesagt, dass das Essen sehr gut schmeckt. Viel Spaß, gutes Bier...ich kann dieses Unternehmen empfehlen! The owner, Herr Klaus, is always happy and friendly. Unfortunately, I haven't had the chance to try the food, but they have a good selection of beer, and my friends have told me that the food is pretty good too. Fun, good beer....I totally recommend this place. read more

3.5 Stars *Good food *Great Beers (Coming from someone who isn't fond of beer) *Good Service *Loud actually very loud!!! But very fun atmosphere. *Doesn't take reservations so expect a wait Recommendation: House Brat, Beef Shortribs & Mashed Potatoes! The Mashed Potatoes definitely deserves a standing ovation, I believe it had gruyere on it and it was divine, perhaps the best I've had! read more

Everyone here is very friendly. From the host & hostess to the bartender, to our waiter, they made us feel like we were right at home. We placed our name down for a table for two around 7:30pm on a Thursday. They estimated a wait of 30 minutes, so we grabbed drinks at the bar. After about 15 minutes, we were seated. We moved our beer and cider to the table & studied the menu. We ordered the chicken dumpling soup, cured salmon, and salumi platter. The soup was simple, and was an absolutely great beginning. No wonder it was on 7x7's list of 100 things to eat before you die! The salmon was delish, and was served with a potato pancake and slaw. Last was our salumi platter that came in a huge pig-shaped chopping board. There were eleven varieties of meats plus some veggies, bread and beer mustard. I loved everything on this platter! It doesn't seem like a lot, but it can really fill you up. Leopold's took me back to my trip to Germany years back! read more

Walking around the city will definitely open your eyes to marvelous things. Leopold's just so happen to be an oasis after a long walk up and down hills this past weekend. Unfortunately they were 2 minutes shy of closing when we walked in, so we were determined to return later that night. Thankfully, our friends put our names in early, so the wait was about an hour. So worth the wait. What to order: Hoegaarden -- 0.3 liters for $4. Not bad if you want to sample different beers. 0.5 liters for $6.5 Watercress salad - amazing blend of crisp apple, slices of mild cheese (asiago?), with watercress amd fennel. Lick-the-plate good! White and Black chocolate mousse cake -- caramel drippings on the bottom and cream all make this an amazing (albeit rich) ending to a wonderful meal) The service is fantastic. They are always bursting at the seams with customers, but always seem to get orders right and in a timely fashion. I LOVE the German outfits, music, decore and overall feel that you're not in SF anymore, Toto. read more

Leopold's - White and Dark Chocolate Mousse Cake - German Near Me - San Francisco, California

Upon entering this cozy little restaurant, the owner immediately hugged me and asked if I wanted a picture with him. This move was surprisingly un-creepy, because he had noticed my friend Fei L. and I were busy snapping pictures of everything with our DSLRs ;) Plus, he is just super nice and like your friendly uncle who wants you to eat well and have a good time! Not only was the customer service superb, the food was great too. We wanted to try the wiener schnitzel and the short ribs, but somehow ended up with the lamb shank instead of the short ribs. This might've had something to do with my ordering: "The lamb shank- no wait, the short ribs." Still, I was a little sad when I found out later that night that we accidentally got the wrong dish. The wiener schnitzel was good but I've never been a huge fan of it. The lingonberry sauce was addicting though- Fei L. couldn't get enough of it! The lamb shank was perfectly braised, moist and fall-apart fork-tender. I'm also a fan of the fried onions on top. Overall, a cute German place- definitely my favorite German placei n the city in the city. read more

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Step into a Gasthaus transplant, a total personification of Southern Germany, in kitschy costumes and decor, rivaling the drinking scene in Student Prince. The only thing missing is the tuba band playing the chicken dance. Appetizers and main dishes are taken to the next level, distinctly not the boiled ham, peeled potatoes, & sausages of old school Schlatteplatte, the smoky ham was stellar. Yumm0 salume board, the German mustards beyond perfect. -and, lighter-than-Heaven buttery golden pork Schnitzel levitating over the plate, off-the-bone short rib (the closest thing to Sauerbraten) on Guyere potatoes, the warm gentle Sauerkraut & sexy sweet & sour red cabbage. Superb variety of German beers, MAD table thumping each time a boot left the bar. -Spaten kine helped my sore throat yelling all through dinner. - and dessert, the Linzer Torte surpassed that of Munich. There WILL be a next time, uncharted Spaetzle, goulash, soup, (mountain?) trout, the roast chicken, pappardelle, and Schitzel as an appetizer! It was strategic to get there right when they first open for dinner. The wait was at 3 hours when we left at 8:30, barely having coffee refills & 5th table thumping. (The soccer team had arrived, 14 sausage-jammed into the booth adjacent to ours. =no ballroom). and Danke, perky JANA! auf wiederzehn, until we meet again, the Three EssenMeisters Photos by Robert read more

Leopold's - buttery Schnitzel - German Near Me - San Francisco, California

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TWO THINGS: CHOUCROUTE GARNI PLATTER + BEER I've heard soooo many great things about this place, finally I came here with my family who are German(who spent a good number of years in Germany). I ordered the 2L Hef as my starter, get some beer in my belly before the feast! It was heaven! Surprisingly I finished it without any help, and I want more! well maybe next time since it was a week day. GET the Choucroute garni platter - Pork ribs, smoke pork loin & house-made bratwurst with sauerkraut! It is everything you need to eat here! I'm usually not a pork lover but this has definitely exceeded my expectation. Everything was juicy and flavorful and it's definitely plenty for a girl like me with big appetite. Good luck with parking - oh boy! better luck parking in the garage near walgreens on Polk. They don't take reservations so my suggestion is to come here early, get in a Liter or two before the meal! :) yes I am a beer lover. try hef if you are blue moon lover like me! My family said this is the closest to what you get in Germany. 5 star! GUTEN APPETIT! xoxo read more

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When I traveled to Europe I was in Germany, France, Austria and Switzerland. For a fun time the brew houses in Austria were the best, and that's what Leopold's reminds me of. They do the Austrian style brewhouse right with a great menu fantastic service and friendly owners. On weekends Leopold will greet you at the door and Issac is behind the bar. Of course the beer is good and while they stay traditional to the craft, it's not done in a snobbery way. And they rotate in new beers from time to time so you can get some variety. Wienerschnitzel, braised beef, pork loin, sauerkraut, potatoes,yes you'll find all that here, but also some great salads and even a vegetable strudel. Mixing up the the beef, potatoes and sauerkraut in one bite read more

Leopold's - German Near Me - San Francisco, California

What a great time!! The food was hands down the best this far in our trip. We shared the wiener schnitzel, you have to add the eggs to the dish, wow!! So good. It had lingonberry sauce, a cucumber salad and some potatoes. So delicious. We shared done curry fries... Why would you want them plain now!?! The atmosphere was uplifting and fun, we really enjoyed ourselves. read more

Oh Leopold's, How I love thee! My first time here happened by accident- it was a Thursday night and had a friend visiting from Seattle for his birthday. We planned on Bobo's for a nice steak dinner and drinks, but the wait (with a reservation) was taking far too long. I used my handy-dandy monocle, and saw Leopold's not too far off. I was parked closer to that side anyway, so we trekked back to the car. We were expecting a wait (as other reviewers mentioned), but had our eyes on Das Boot to tide us over until we got seated. Much to our surprise and delight, we were seated within 5 minutes! HOORAY!!!! The restaurant is well- decorated, and it feels so inviting and energetic. None of the tables looked annoyed, irritated, angry or sad. Everyone had a smile on their face and genuinely looked like they were having a fabulous time. WIN! This kind of atmosphere and a boot of Franziskaner already makes this place wiener in my book! Even if the food was meh, I still would have had a wonderful time! We ordered the flatbread (arugula, SPECK!, caramelized onions, gruyere), chicken soup, and the salumi platter. The least impressive was the chicken soup, but it was still pretty tasty. For dinner we had the braised short ribs, the parpadelle, and the roasted chicken breast. Everything was FANTASTIC!!! The short ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender, but still hearty. The chicken was moist and flavorful, and was accompanied with herbed dumplings that are absolutely to die for! I CRAVE the herbed dumplings on a weekly basis. The red cabbage here is nothing like I've ever had before, and is also the best I've ever had. The parpadelle was flavor-packed and hearty. For dessert we ordered the apple strudel and it was the perfect way to end the meal. Service, atmosphere, menu, and execution are all fantastic! If I could give more stars, I really would. My meals here at Leopolds are hands down the best meals and the most memorable in San Francisco. Additional tips: they will take your name and phone number when you arrive. Once your table is almost ready, you'll get a text message, so you can go across the street to grab a drink or drop someone off beforehand to reserve a table while you look for parking. The sausage here is amazing and full of flavor. The sauerkraut is probably the best I've ever had. If you can't decide on what to have for dinner, get the Choucroute platter and you will get a taste of everything. There are communal tables, which is a great way to meet friends. Just be ready to share a table if you have a small party. read more

The ambiance, music and food is delicious. I got this yummy crispin cider beer. The customer service is superb. I'll add photos of what I ordered but the pork tenderloins is a must to try. read more

Leopold's - German Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I tried coming here on a Friday night at about 6:00PM and the wait was about 1 hour. This place is very popular so plan ahead. Parking can also be extremely difficult so take that into consideration as well. I came for a Das Boot. I was extremely disappointed when I could hardly finish half of my 2 liter drink. This is probably because I already had drank a lot while waiting for a table to open up for my 4-people party. Oh well, wasted money and beer. While the food was amazing, the price not so much. Unless the food was overnighted to me from Germany, warm and fresh, the Wiener Schnitzel for ~$17 wasn't really worth it. If you really wanted to try the food here, maybe just come for lunch when it's cheaper. Retrospectively, I should just eaten somewhere else and came here for the Das Boot afterwards since I probably wouldn't have had to wait. I liked how the servers at Leopold's are dressed in German outfits and how they ring the bell when someone orders a Das Boot. Since I failed my mission of finishing the Das Boot at Leopold's, I am on another mission to finish one at a different restaurant. Schroeder's German Restaurant in the Financial District will be my next stop for excessive amounts of imported German beer on tap. read more

Leopolds is a time capsule. That's what it is. You can come during January, April, July, whatever. But when you step through the doors, Welcome to Oktober! The decor here was off the heeeezy. The waitresses were dressed in German attire and the menu was full of names of beer that I can't pronounce. (except Pilsner, I know that) All in all, the vibe was excellent. Food was heavy with meat and sausages and potatoes. I can't give a honest sober review on the quality, but I can tell you that it went great with the beer. Two appetizers and an entree was enough to down my good friend and I, so ask about the portions before you order! One big downer for Leopolds is the price. For what it is, 60 dollars per person is kind of higher than the Empire State. Even if I did want to go back, I think I'll be scared off by the bill. But if you're a Bougie from an affluent community, Leopolds can bring you to Oktoberfest year round! read more

Leopold's - I think this is duck - German Near Me - San Francisco, California

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A little piece of Germany in the center of SF. Warm, inviting ambiance. Authentic, rustic décor. Friendly German waitresses who can readily recommend a good brew. Excellent beer selection. Drafts available in whatever size you'd like - from a "puny" .3L Stein, to the 2L "boot", to an inebriating 5L stein. Not a huge menu, but what they do, they do extremely well... so well that my friends and I couldn't resist coming here two nights in a row. Happily, there was no line on Monday or Tuesday night. Favorites: 1. Crispy pig trotters - They don't look like much, but don't be fooled. They make you salivate when you smell them, then again as you're eating them. Like crab cakes made out of pork, these were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Next time I'm not sharing my order. 2. Carni plate - A pork lover's dream. There's nothing bad that can be said about it. Even the sauerkraut and potatoes were delicious. Order this dish. Otherwise, you will regret it when someone else does. 3. Kasespatzle - You had me at gruyere. 4. Wiener Schnitzel - Crispy, golden perfection. 5. Apfelstrudel - Flakey filo dough, not-too-sweet filling. I spent a week in Germany hunting for strudel like this. Served with a huge scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. The only thing I wouldn't order again is the crispy flat bread, which was neither crispy nor flat enough. Looking forward to working my way through the rest of the menu! read more

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I really enjoyed my meal here. I had the following items and everything was great... Grilled Flatbread - a nice and tasty portion of bread topped with a nice serving of rich and perfectly-salted cheese. It arrived warm and delicious, the prefect appetizer. Beef Goulash - A nice, hearty plate filled with savory and well-seasoned beef. The meat was tender and arrived in a stew with a thick, flavorful sauce. The Spatzel was good as was the small salad that arrived with it...overall, it was a good portion of food and really did fill you up. Apfelstrudel - a nice buttery pastry, filled with perfectly-cooked apples that had some nice warm spices (cinnamon, nutmeg) to boost the flavor. The ice cream on top was also great. If you are looking for a great experience and something unique, then this is a great choice. They do not take reservations so be prepared to arrive early or expect a long wait, especially since this is not an enormous restaurant. The service was very good and friendly. It's also a bonus to have such a good-looking crowd! read more

Have you heard of Bikram yoga? It's a 90-minute pose routine done in a heated room. The very first time I tried it, I went in pretty much expecting to fall unconscious. People's descriptions had spurred me to think it would be way crazy whereas it turned out to be totally doable. It was the same with the steins and boot glasses. My group of 10 was led to think that the biggest size of 5 liters / 1.3 gallons would be, among other things, too heavy, too backwashy, too slow, and possibly too much for those drinking. Ninja bitte.* We ended up getting a 3-liter boot, 2-liter boot, and a few individual half-liters. It all disappeared quite ahead of the end of the food & conversation. Everyone seemed to be clean backwash-wise, and there were no wait issues. When full, the 3-liter wasn't heavy. All signs indicated that we would've had permission to land on a 5-liter. Next time, we're doing it (and more). *Google translate says that's German for "ninja please". read more

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I love the service and food here! The waitstaff and owner couldn't be more friendly people. There wasn't a wait on the early-bird Tuesday night dinner as we dug into the Duck Crepinettes (DELISH), weinerschnitzel, short ribs, and a liter of Germany's finest brew. The schnizel was crispy and perfectly cooked while my braised short rib melted into the pool of mashed potatoes and cabbage. The beer selection is on the smaller side in terms of what is on tap, but they have quite a number of bottled beers that will tickle your fancy. Its no Schmidt's but I am adding it to my German rotation. A fantastic meal! read more

Upon arrival, a super perky blonde German lady bounced up to greet and seat us. A giant truck was just outside making the most godawful noises pumping raw sewage, but somehow she was unfazed. Points! Awesomely decorated with little framed pictures on a yellow paint job. Lots of beheaded horned animals and a cheery German soundtrack in the background. We started off ordering beers. A tad pricier than I like to pay for a pint, since they all run about $8 or 9 (some are $6.50), but they are German imports, so what the hey. My affligem ale was not so memorable, but it went well with my food. Will get a double set o' boots next time since they ring a bell for the server as they heft it over. One table somehow set their menu on fire right after the bell rang, which caused some confusion and then applause. I got the pork cheek, which was a braised nugget o' pig on top of the tastiest little pellets of gnocchi, fennel sausage, corn, baby tomatoes, and mustard greens. The pork cheek itself was fine, but I could eat the gnocchi here all day long. Also tried forkfuls of the short rib, which had really tasty braised red cabbage next to a cheesy mashed potato. My slice of the wiener schnitzel was surprisingly light and the lingonberry sauce...mm. I'd probably try the salumi platter next time since it seems like such a fun pile of bread, mustard, pickles, and meats. read more

This place is perfect for when you're super hungry, in the mood for a hearty meal, and you dont want to f*ck around with shitty beer. I really enjoyed the atmosphere - the waiters dress in Austrian outfits and the whole place has got a very cozy and warm vibe going on that makes you want to stay for hours. read more

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Everything was delicious and fresh! Servers were very hospitable and lovely! They're awesome! Chef/kitchen staff rocked! Starters : Crispy Pig Trotter's --- very tasty! Watercress Fennel and Arugula Salad --- celery / apple / Asiago cheese & almonds make a lovely combination. Entrees : Wiener Schnitzel : my mouthful was Awesome! / Braised Beef Short Rib : my snippet - it was very flavorful! / Pan Fried Trout : only had a bite of it but it was fantastic as well! I had the Braised Lamb Shank all to myself - thankfully! : FALL off the bone delicious and will go back again for this dish! My big kid had the Chicken Soup with semolina herb dumplings - she doesn't like too many spices on ANYthing - but managed to finish ALL of her dinner. So when we go back - this is what she will be having again! =) Hooray! The baby had some of the chicken broth and he seemed to like it, but what do babies know?! The table shared Apfelstrudel - super awesome and fresh! We got there around 10 to 6 and managed to get seated straight away. We are early diners, so that helps and with kids, that also helps. Party of 4 with 2 kids, not bad seating arrangements. They sat us on the corner to make sure we had plenty of room for the sprogs. Cute and petite yet spacious! Weird! Love it! read more

Third German place in SF I've been to in 6 months. I'm on a roll here... Beers - good. love das boot. Food - pretty tasty - some things I liked better here, some things I liked better at the other two places Why 2 stars? Sketchy waitressing. Our rather large group paid by cash except for one guy who paid by card (large group = gratuity included). When the one guy got his card back, he noticed he'd been charged $20 more than expected. Waitress said we'd given her $20 less in cash. Despite everyone having already put in $43 each and having double counted our cash before handing it to her, we had no way of proving it so had to pony up the extra $20. Given the option between Suppenkuche, Schmidt's, and Shady Leopold's, I'll pass on coming back here. read more

Want to take a quick trip to Austria without breaking the bank? Leopold's in SF holds the ambiance of a festive and charming Austrian atmosphere that really makes you feel like you're there, or dining near Disneyland's Matterhorn. The food selection was plenty but not overbearing and the servers were dressed in the appropriate attire! Everything we tried was delicious and yes, had to take some home based on it's hefty portions! Going on my list of BEST SF for sure. Quick Tip: It's hard to resist the urge to reenact that scene in Inglorious Bastards and order "drei Gläser" read more

In a nutshell: Food: 4 stars P/C (bang for the buck): 4 stars Service: 4 stars Lately, I've been on a journey to find more German restaurants that could play threatening (?) rivals to the all-too-well-known Suppenkuche. In South Bay, there is Teske's and Naschtmarkt, but in the city, I have yet to find a compelling alternative until a couple days ago. Leopold's (I really couldn't tell from the name that this was German) is a small restaurant located conveniently at the corner of Polk and Union street - in the hustle and bustle of the Russian Hill neighborhood. It attracts all kinds of crowd - people looking for a couple beers, families looking for brunch, tourists who want to take a break after strolling down/up Union street, which leads to the exact problem - it's always full! The restaurant is quite small to begin with - about 15 tables and a handful of bar seatings. I know that this doesn't quite resolve the availability issue - but I love restaurants that are persistent about keeping it real and compact. If you show up early (i.e. 11:30am for lunch or 5pm for dinner), you should be good to go. The brunch/lunch menu is offered from 11:30~2pm which features a condensed array of soups, salads, apetizers, and a few signature dishes like the Wienerschnitzel. The beers on tab are abundant and on par with those at Suppenkuche. The service is extremely efficient and friendly. No pretentious servers/bartenders that have the high attitude about being an authentic German restaurant (sorry - I am not saying that Suppenkuche does!!!), they are just nice and inviting. My friend and I had a thing of asparagus soup, beat/burrata salad, and Wienerschnitzel - all executed simply and well, and tasted great, no frills, just done well. I am determined to come back here for dinner, order myself a big-a$$ boot full of Franziskaner and pamper myself and friends with more delicious German fares. As I said, this is a clear (if not better) alternative to other German restaurants in the area. Just get there early and snatch those bar stools, kick back, and enjoy the drinks/food. read more

Leopold's - Girl beer v man beer - German Near Me - San Francisco, California

After Canteen, I have to say this is my official second favorite brunch spot in SF. Being the local that I am, we ate breakfast at 2pm. Something that always happens to me when ordering off a German menu is I sound like a tool with pronunciation, but I never point, even if I already know other languages, I will try my best and pronounce it in style. We were 3, and with a terrible Kater (hangover). Being fans of their amazing chicken, we asked if we could order it, but they told us it was brunch. So we ordered: House made curry spiced French Fries with lemon aioli Crisp flatbread with caramelized onions, gruyere, arugula, ham, and egg Paprika Goulash with Nurnberger sausage, fried egg, and caraway potatoes Grilled Nurnberger sausage with sauerkraut and roasted potatoes Apfelstrudel They were all fantastic and trust me, you won't regret it! My favorite was the fries, goulash, and the apfelstrudel. Germany is the cheapest place in Europe to buy beer, but also the most difficult in which to make a choice, and that happens to me here, I want everything! The bill came out to be $20. Jana is awesome, every time she would pass by she would smile at us and engaged in our brunch experience. Thats it, I am divorcing my two roommates and never cooking breakfast again, instead ill walk 203ft. Totally amazing. read more

Leopold's - Goulash - German Near Me - San Francisco, California

Delicious food, calmly festive ambiance, and attentive staff. The Fennel-roasted Pork Tenderloin was some of the most well-prepared pork I've eaten. It was tender with a balanced taste. I also recommend the Braised Beef Shirt Rib. The spätzle we ordered was a bit dry and room temperature, but overall we were impressed with the food! There was also a solid selection of beer on tap. read more

Leopold's - Fennel-roasted Pork Tenderloin (front), side of spätzle (middle), and Braised Beef Shirt Rib (far). - German Near Me - San Francisco, California

Great German eats and beer.... * this place does not take reservations Knowing this, we decided to come here around 5:30 on a friday night. Luckily, the place was not full yet and we managed to snag a booth for the 5 of us. But come 7pmish, this place was bumpin and there were random people standing next to our table since we were kind of by the bar. They don't have a huge menu of food per se, but enough to choose from for authentic German eats. Even my German friend who met us up there said it was authentic. We loved everything we ordered, great flavor and the portions were good. * array of German beer on tap * my favorite fambroise on tap * big boots of beer * crispy pig trotters * house made sausage * weeeener schnitzel * house special- paprika beef goulash with spatzel * apfelstrudel read more

I had never been to a German/Austrian restaurant before. I was visiting from the LA area and my friend who lives near this restaurant said, "This place is different. You don't have something like this where you live." He was right. At least, there's nothing like this place anywhere near my house. We came in on a Sunday night. It was pretty empty inside. There was literally one or two other occupied tables so at first I had my doubts. But when we sat down and our waitress came over dressed in what I assume is typical German garb, I thought it was pretty cool. Plus the decor inside was unique and German Austrian as well. The waitress was very helpful in recommending dishes, since neither I nor my wife had any idea what to order. She said the Weiner schnitzel is a pretty typical German dish so I went with that. My wife got the short ribs. I really enjoyed the schnitzel. It was awesome. The ribs were just ok, a bit dry. We ordered an amazing seasonal amber ale but since my friend picked it, I don't know what it was called. The waitress came back multiple times to check on us. She definitely gave us good service, probably because it looked like she didn't have any other tables, but it was good nonetheless. This place looks like a lot of fun when its crowded but we had a great time when it was empty too. Next time, I must try the das boot. I don't know how much beer it is but its huge. And I'm gonna 'spin it!' near the bottom (for all of you who have seen Beerfest). I vaguely recall the prices being a little higher than I was expecting. I believe the entrees were in the $20-30 range but since my friend picked up the tab this time, I can't be totally sure. But next time I'm in SF, I totally down to come back. read more

Hands down for LEOPOLDS!!!! I love the whole experience this place has to offer. I live in Bernal Heights and I never, NEVER go to the Russian Hill area... what for? well dude, for Leopolds, right at the corner of Polk and Union. I've been there for brunch and dinner and I really cannot complain about a thing. Service is Excellent, WOW. The owner is always at the door, greeting every client that walks in or leaves. LOVE IT! Best selection of German Beer and drinks, the food is well cooked and authentic. Kasespatzle, Wiener Schnitzel, the goulash, nuremberg sausage, omg to die for. They don't take reservations and by 5.30 is normally already packed. They have a bar all the way in the back of the restaurant to make your wait less painful. They feature bombastic beer boots OMG, get ready for a crazy beer night. read more

Wow das ist gut!!! Do I like beer? Check! Do I like delicious comfort food? Sure! This place is a great little spot in SF that serves a variety of european beers (from Bitburger to Spaten to Stiegl) and in a larger variety of glass sizes (from a tiny little .3L glass to the 5L swimming pool....er stein). I started my meal out with the Crispy Pig Trotters (a crabcake sized puck of pork, I'm told from the front legs of the piggie, that's fried up to savory perfection served with frisee, fingerling potatoes, poached egg and pickled shallots). A great combo of salty fatty deliciousness cut with some nice starch and acid. Awesome! They serve two cakes of this which should be good enough for two but I think they're best hoarded by ONE! (and I almost didn't try this because I thought "trotters = chitterlings"....glad i was wrong!) I highly recommend the Wiener Schnitzel as well...a tasty classic of flattened pork cutlet, nicely breaded and fried with a warm potato-escarole salad and lingonberry sauce. An orgy of starchiness, salt, meat, sour and sweet with the surprising effect of being tasty and hearty without being heavy (seems like a theme at Leopolds...comfort food that won't make you pass out after eating it). Also, love the loud crowded ambiance of this joint! Fun and cool place to hang out after a rough day and enjoy a few gallons of "deutsche bier"! Oh, I guess the pretty waitresses in traditional outfits are a bonus too!! Bitburger....so good Erik Lencher/Magneto would kill over it! read more

Leopold's - Wiener Schnitzel!! Bombad swine =) - German Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Finally came here to try the chicken dumpling soup which was listed on 7x7 as one of the top 100 things to eat before you die. hmm not a bad dish but don't understand why it made the list. The soup was ok and I can see myself drinking this when I'm sick. But I wouldn't hike here from the marina for this. On the bright side, this place was happening! Like most places off polk st the bars up and down this street are jam packed! There was a super long wait list to eat at Leopold's and the bar was located all the way in the back and very limited standing space. Definitely, a lot of drunk happy people. Super casual restaurant. Great place for beer! Make sure you get Da Boot! read more

Leopold's - Chicken soup - German Near Me - San Francisco, California

Love the ambience, the food, and the beer selection. What more can you say? Some of the staff are from Austria. The quality of the food is great. The staff is really friendly. The owner is such a friendly and welcoming person. The ambience feels like one of the Gasthaus that you run into in a small town in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland. I don't know when they'll reopen, but when they do I'll make sure to come back often. I will say if you can take a ride share here do it. The parking in this neighborhood is tough. You may end up walking several blocks uphill/downhill. Since there are several tourist attractions nearby, I have seen some broken car windows so take caution. read more

Haven't even ordered dinner yet but I already love this place. Great atmosphere and staff. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to finish this Stiegl.... Ok dinner was awesome! Just get in here already. And try to come before 6:30 as that when it seems like it starts to get packed. (This was on a Tuesday night....can't imagine a Friday here.) read more

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