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First time here. We had a reservation for four but only two were able to join. We were set immediately in the front booth. The vibe was really cool and intimate. It was our server's third day and the restaurant was getting busy. I ordered the dip appetizer that came with guacamole and salsa, the guacamole was absolutely delicious and it had pomegranates which was just an added burst of flavor. The salsa was like water and that was really new to me I feel like it was more of a hot sauce that you put on food not dip a chip in because it didn't stay on the chip. I ordered the burger and chips and it was very unique with the roasted crushed tomatoes. The burger had good flavor and The house chips were good. For dessert the donut was recommended by our server but we did not like it at all. It had some type of feeling and was covered in pistachios and it just wasn't something we enjoyed. The other guest did not have the best experience with ordering his drink or the food that he received. Overall I would say based on the service and the food and drinks I would say 3 to 4 stars. But giving hrace for our server being new and the food having great flavor I will give four stars. I don't know that I would dine in again but if I do I would definitely get that guacamole again.
For my partner's birthday, he chose the Movida, a Persian and Mexican Fusion restaurant downtown in the heart of SF's SOMA neighborhood. I made a reservation on OpenTable and arrived early, as I expected more traffic around the area. The restaurant is beautiful, with rich striking colors and a warm vibe. The tables are sleek granite and the menu is short but sweet, meaning enough for all to enjoy something here. Since I was waiting, I ordered a still large water and a colorful cocktail called the Alebrije , including Tequila, Yellow Chartreuse, Carrot, Ginger, Cilantro, Lime, Habanero Bitters. Flavors were very good, probably one of the most balanced cocktails I've had recently. So it's my new favorite. My guy arrives and orders this drink, the Anar-ita - which shows up served in a BONG (surprise...surprise, there were laughs all around the table as the owner lit the smoke bubble. Definitely hilarious and a tasty unique cocktail to match. We ordered one prix fixer menu, sounds simple enough as a Persian Salad, Fish was flaky buttery halibut over rice and a dessert. This was wonderful on it's own, however we just needed to try more and ordered the Aguachiles, with Fresh Local Fish, Serrano, Tomatillo, Green Plum Broth, Persian Cucumbers, Avocado, Chives (beautifully plated). We also ordered the Jalapeño Beef and Lamb Koobideh tacos, which were very unique and tasty. The whole meal was a beautiful balance of flavors and fresh ingredients, the service was not only attentive but super friendly and gave my partner a free dessert for his birthday. We enjoyed spending time talking to the owner, she was incredibly hospitable, as well as the other servers and bartenders that helped us this day. Movida is perfect for celebrating special occasions, date nights or "treat yourself" dinners. Highly recommended,
The vibes are pretty good! We went on a weeknight and didn't have a reservation but got seated pretty quickly. Movida is a trendy bar with fun drinks and Peruvian / Mexican inspired food. We were impressed with our drinks and all the drinks were delicious. The food is pretty good too! The pasta and the ceviche are yum. The dessert was a bit weird though, I wouldn't get the earl grey flan again.
The ambiance is a cool modern vibe, service was good nothing too serious to report and we aren't hard to please , food was a lovely and fun fusion of Mexican and Persian classics. Our party felt welcomed by all staff we encountered, and there was great music playing for a Friday evening we all almost didn't want to leave! Thanks Movida! We only took one pic we were all having so much fun we forgot to snap more photos!
Movida has a cool vibe if you're looking for a lively dinner with a DJ. Definitely elevated overall, service and cocktails were both fantastic. For food out of what we ordered, the agua chile and bone marrow were more stand out. The agua chile was light and bright. The chile relleno was tasty and more substantial if you're looking for something more filling.
Very beautiful interior and a really nice modern style vibe to the place. The food was incredible, we ordered a couple dishes to share and definitely cleared everything on the plates. It is a Mexican Persian fusion restaurant and I really think they did an amazing job at capturing both styles of food into one dish. The service was good and the servers were friendly. We did enjoy the fancy drinks that we ordered but I would personally pass on the anarita but that's simply my own tastes.
This is an excellent spot for food & drinks if you're looking for a chill ambiance. We were there with a pretty big group and were able to have conversations with each other without having to yell. Upon entry, the restaurant staff had coat and bag check! The cocktails were pretty good, but quite strong. A couple of us ordered the Shishi because of the performative bubble, but warning: it contains black tea if you're sensitive to caffeine We were here with a big group and got to try various dishes and our favorites of the night were the saffron prawns and the pomegranate bbq chicken wings! We ended up ordering extra rounds of those because they were shareable. Also got the chips & dips with pomegranate salsa and roasted eggplant dip. Both were pretty good but pomegranate salsa is on the sweeter side. The habanero pasta has a good kick, not too spicy, and the noodles were cooked very al dente. I ended up taking one to-go and it reheated pretty well (after removing the avocado)
If I could give 6 stars I would. Absolute gem of a place. The decor and aesthetic alone was absolutely gorgeous! Even the bathrooms are pretty. We came in for brunch on a Sunday and opted for their prix fixe menu. When I tell you every dish shined it really isn't an exaggeration. The pairing of dishes is well thought out and the flavors just keep coming at you. It's definitely a lot of food but so so worth it to try it all. We had the pleasure of meeting Shima, the owner; she was so nice to chat with and gave us all kinds of background stories and insights to her vision and restaurant. It made our experience all the more enjoyable. The staff was friendly and very attentive to our table as well and honestly from start to finish we were kept happy and full lol I also recommend trying their drinks as they have an extraordinary variety and talented bartenders who concoct delicious drinks. We were celebrating my birthday and they treated not only me but my hubby to a free shot of our choice which was so nice and generous. All the effort and hospitality really made for a perfect dining experience. Thank you
This one of my favorite dinners of recent memory- the atmosphere was relaxed yet vibrant, the service was helpful and friendly, and the food was unique and delicious. I came here on a Friday evening and it was PACKED. I loved the Mexican Persian fusion- haven't seen that before and the flavors mixed beautifully. The cocktail menu was really neat. The prices are a bit steep, but every cocktail I had was unique and really good. Leon y Sol might've been my favorite, but that's because I love saffron. My friend and I just ordered a bunch of dishes to share. The birria short rib tostada was juicy and filling- a bit messy to cut up but worth it! The chile rellano with lamb inside was definitely a different combo from what I've ever seen, but I couldn't get enough of it. The skewers were not what I expected, but I loved it. It was fun making mini sandwiches. And the jalapeño beef and lamb paired well with the veggies and sauce. We loooved the chips and dip. We decided to try 3 of the dips (need to come back for the pico de gallo). The pomegranate salsa was so good as a sauce on other items and the roasted eggplant was so flavorful. And finally the tres leche dessert was moist and tasty. A great end of the meal! I will be back to try more of the menu!
Food and ambience was 10/10 Server was so accommodating and attentive Would come back again
Went here around when it first opened last year with a couple of friends -- the spot is quite trendy in decoration, and right in FiDi so great for folks looking for a nice dinner spot after work in the area. I was intrigued by the blend of cuisines, and we ordered a few dishes to share. I enjoyed the risotto with bone marrow (crazy pepper shaker involved!) and the octopus. We also got a pizza for the table and some wine. It was overall a bit on the expensive side but left us feeling satisfied. The food did take a while to get here. Would stop by again if I was in the area and looking for a nicer environment to dine
I absolutely LOVE this place!!! From the minute I walked in, the vibe, kind of sexy, mysterious, dark opulence. Love! We were so lucky to be taken care of by the sweetest young lady, don't have her name, she was French, she just made the whole experience an absolute pleasure. I had a Shishi, it was as delicious as it was a showstopper. The Azizam was also good. The food was excellent, those corn ribs were addictive. The skewers were presented in a way to make a little taco, cute & different. This is now my fave place in SF. And please let our server know how wonderful she is, I don't want to use the wrong name I should have written it down, she was really special!!! It was my birthday the night I dined there, she made it a great dining experience.
I had bookmarked Movida for my birthday dinner, since coming from Persian roots and loving Mexican food, the Persian/Mexican fusion sounded too interesting to pass up. We were a party of four, arrived early on a Saturday, and were promptly seated. A couple of us had cocktails which were excellent. I went with Persian tea -- the presentation was beautiful, but the tea itself wasn't quite my taste. I prefer it stronger, with that classic cardamom flavor Persians love. The appetizers were a hit. The chips and dip were unique and delicious, and the bone marrow with marmalade was amazing -- such a great combo. We probably tried every taco on the menu, and the koobideh taco was hands-down the favorite. The birria tadig, though, didn't quite hit the mark. The tadig wasn't like Persian tadig, and the garbanzo beans didn't really go well with the birria, although the birria itself was well prepared. I was a little disappointed that they had run out of the wafers for the Persian ice cream and didn't have faloudeh either -- until we were getting ready to leave, when they suddenly had it again! Overall, we had a great night. The food and flavors were wonderful, and the atmosphere was lovely. A little better pacing in serving the appetizers vs. entrees and planning with dessert would have made it perfect.
8 months ago
3 years ago
1 year ago
Such a great vibe! Amazing but strong cocktails l you've been warned! The food was really good too. Minus the burger patty which was salty for my taste buds. The fries were yum! The French toast sooooo yum! Live dj spinning music was a nice touch. Service was prompt! read more
8 months ago
ABSOLUTELY LOVED MY EXPERIENCE AND I WILL BE BACK. I want to start by saying that the restaurant itself is super elegant and perfect for a date night. It has a very modern chic feel to it and the decor is perfect if you're looking for a romantic date spot or dressed up night out with friends. We were seated at the bar and the staff was wonderful, giving loads of recommendations, very prompt with service, and proactive with checking in. We started with some chips and dip which was great - the chips were perfectly crispy, not too salty, and nicely complemented the dips. Then we had the Pomegranate Chicken Tostada and Short Rib Birria Tostada. Both were stellar with a deliciously crispy tostada base and flavorful meat and cheese toppings. The beef Birria especially melted in my mouth with flavors. I was also surprised by how tender the chicken was - usually chicken can be dry but they paired it very well with salsa and avocado. We ended the night with the Baklava (a recommendation from the staff) which was FANTASTIC. It was very flaky and the pistachio flavor came through nicely and wasn't overly sweet. All in all a great night and I HIGHLY recommend you stop by to try out their delicious food. read more
11 months ago
2 years ago
Our server was super attentive and personable. Music was a vibe and the ambiance/decor is modern and fun. This place is great for a night out with the gang or a romantic dinner for two. You'll enjoy it either way! Drinks 5/5 Food 5/5 Ambiance 5/5 Vibe 5/5 Service 5/5 The cute server 5/5 Will be back for sure! read more
2 years ago
Gorgeous place for drinks, love that they have a dj and happy hour. The owner is so sweet and the staff as well. Definitely add this to your rotation for girls night out or date nights. read more
2 years ago
9 months ago
I've come to Movida a few times, once even for my birthday, other times with friends, and previously I never had a bad experience. The food and drinks are delicious, the staff is friendly and helpful, and the space is beautiful. I've always loved the intentional addition of a DJ booth above, and the mix of Farsi/Spanish music. Before last night I'd give Movida 5 stars, so needless to say, I'm disappointed. My friends were coming into town and I recommended Movida for new year's eve. I went online to OpenTable and looked for availability, when that wasn't successful, I called. An Ai voice answered the phone (I would have MUCH rather talked to a real person) and accepted and scheduled my reservation for me. When the call was over, I was sent a link via text to input my information. I did, and the next day I got a confirmation. So to my absolute dismay, after my friends and I commuted to the city, excited to celebrate new year's eve, we arrive to a closed restaurant! I couldn't believe it, here we are, standing outside in the rain scrambling to figure out what to do last minute. There was no indication at all on OpenTable, Yelp, Apple/Google Maps, or their website that they would be closed. I shouldn't have been able to make a reservation in the first place. I think the incorporation of an Ai to answer the phone is a poor choice. This entire situation caused a lot of stress and was very upsetting. I hope to hear from Movida, thank you. read more
3 years ago
It's really hard to write this review as I had such high hopes for this place. I'm Mexican and super familiar with Persian culture. Maybe I'll come back in 6-12 months once they have their act together, IF the reviews reflect that. For now I'll state the facts of my experience, you guys can determine if you want to go there or not: Wait Time: Resy Reservation was at 945pm, got sat at the BAR almost 45 mins LATER. Not sure why they reserve bar seats, but they need to get rid of this shit ASAP. There is no such thing as a "High Top" table if you see this an option on Resy. This literally means you will be sitting at the BAR. Food: They ran out of most good food options by 10pm (all the skewers, filet mignon dishes). Whatever food I did get was first lost, and then finally delivered 45 mins later after my order was placed. They literally lost food, for one person (the two tacos). How the hell does that even happen? Why does it take so long to assemble two tacos? I got the chicken Tinga taco, the Safron chicken taco, and the Tadig Birria Tostada. Everything was served cold. Like not lukewarm, just flat out cold. Drinks: Bartender service was weird at first since the guys barely acknowledged everyone at the bar. They were too busy making the orders for people at tables. Finally a manager (female) came to take my order. It was only after that the bartender acknowledged me and made my drinks. This was the only thing I enjoyed. Everyone at the bar was waiting forever for their drinks and food. One group literally got told the kitchen closed in the middle of their service. They lied about the kitchen closing at 11pm. Things were running low by 10pm given my experience so make sure you order by 930 or call ahead lol. Overall: I thought it was weird when I first got there that people were taking forever to finish their food (hence my wait time of 45 mins for BAR seating). Well this is because everyone's food was taking forever to be delivered lol. They don't have enough staff on weekend evenings to enjoy the restaurant and the food. Even the bartender told me NOT to come back on weekends as their kitchen gets super backed up. Tell me you don't have your shit together without telling me you don't have it together lol. Advice for the Owners (if you care): Get rid of the bar seat reservations ASAP. That's crap and should be 1st come, first served. Let people reserve actual tables if you want to do that, but don't make them wait 30-45 mins on top of their reservation. That's ridiculous and saw this over and over that night. Plan your things out with the kitchen to have food to offer if it's on your menu for weekends. People remember experiences. Hire more staff for Friday/Saturday evenings. It doesn't look good that your front host is running drink and food orders back and forth while you have a line of people waiting to even be checked in. It seemed like the profile of owners knew what they were doing when they opened this restaurant, but my experience felt like it was amateurs running the place. Super disappointed. read more
3 years ago
I have been to Movida twice so far. I discovered this restaurant after a friend recommended it to me. The food was delicious with flavors you can't find anywhere else and the loungy ambiance with the dj set made the night special. I made a recent impromptu visit to get a cocktail while waiting for some friends to go out. I highly recommend this place. read more
1 year ago
A girlfriend and I went to Movida for girls night. We loved the decor and ambiance. The DJ was playing some good music. Our drinks were delicious. Food was great. Staff came by frequently to check on us. Can't wait to come back here for date night. read more
2 years ago
The vibe was welcoming and warm, making it a perfect spot to relax. The food was absolutely delicious, with each dish bursting with flavor. Highly recommend for anyone looking for great atmosphere and even better food. read more
2 years ago
Okay...it's incredibly hipster, the music is sort of loud and the odd little stools you sit on are a bit awkward...but the food is FANTASTIC. We really loved it. We started with the pomegranate adobo chicken taquitos which were truly amazing. I wanted to lick the plate..that sauce was incredible. We then followed that with saffron prawns, with the saffron rice, the side of potatoes and the short rib biria tostada. Everything was exceptional and delicious. A very creative menu. I'll be back for sure. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
3 years ago
The drinks are AWESOME! Such a great idea to fuse these two wonderful foods! A triumphant selection of both food and drinks!! My wife tried the Shishi. The rest of the group tried Noor and Cana De Rosa... all absolutely delicious! Also, great ambiance and music! Great place to chill and enjoy the company of your significant other and friends!! read more
2 years ago
Really cool spot. The bartender had an attitude when we had sat there for awhile and finally had to tell him I was ready for a drink (it was not a busy night), but he got a little nicer after awhile (I think he heard me tell my friend he was being a jerk) read more
2 years ago
5 months ago
2 years ago
One of my favorite spots in the city!! The food is incredible and the decor is soo pretty. I also love the music that they play. Super great for a date night or small group gathering! read more
2 years ago
My husband is Persian and my brother in law is Mexican so the combination means a lot to me. The food is amazing as are the drinks and the service. Fun music and loungey vibe. The drinks were inventive and there was one that was even theatrical. We had the chile relleno, birria tahdig tostada and the halibut ceviche and everything was delicious and beautifully presented as well as good portions (not tiny but not ginormous). We didn't try any of the share plates but liked ordering more mains and eating those family style. Going back soon! read more
3 years ago
Service was great. Food was decent and had a night club vibe. Cocktails were really good but pricey. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
2 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
Great spot for spontaneous drinks! Met coworker here and had great wine and good food. Had the shrimps, Persian greens, chicken skewers and was all really delicious. I'd say the shrimp was the best. The cocktails were on sweeter side but after I thought mine was too sweet bartender changed for another no questions asked! Appreciate the great service. Also met great people at the bar! read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
1 year ago
3 years ago
Great Sunday brunch spot! The food was delicious, waitstaff super nice, and the ambiance happening. Totally recommend it. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
What a vibe! The overall atmosphere, the friendly people, the music by a live DJ, make this spot a gem. I highly recommend it for a girls' night out or a perfect spot for a romantic date night. The drinks were also beautiful, and very aesthetically pleasing - chile rellenos is a must-try! read more
2 years ago
Movida was my first time trying Mexican- Persian fusion food and I think I'm a fan now! I ordered the birria tostada (was drawn by the bread tahdig, iykyk), and it was 10/10. Would definitely order again. They have a pretty well done cocktail menu as well, I went with the Shishi because I saw that it came with a bubble on top and I'm a sucker for aesthetics. It ended up being really good with the lychee and yuzu flavors really shining through. Vibe was great. Definitely very loungey, almost a speakeasy vibe with new furnishings. Not sure if this is every night but the night we went had a live DJ up near the ceiling which is pretty unique. Will definitely be returning. read more
More info about Movida
555 2nd St
San Francisco, CA 94107
South Beach
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(415) 212-6672
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http://movidalounge.com
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Ask the Community - Movida
Hello, I saw that the hours of business are 5pm-10pm but while making reservations I seen times as early as 11am. What are your hours of operations?
Great question. As of today, we open for brunch from 11a - 3p on Sundays.
I've seen on social media that they offer a bottomless cocktails option (ie bottomless brunch), but can't find any info about pricing on their menu. Does anyone know if they still offer that? Very unique to do bottomless craft cocktails!
Is this place good for kids or is it really an adult's night spot?
I've been here once for dinner and it was definitely more adults only, no kids. Very dim lights
Are there any halal options available?
Hi Mrs. Bean, Although we do not specifically source halal meats, a lot of our beef products come…
Do you have outdoor seating available?
Hi Blake -- no we do not have outdoor seating. We do have a booth that has operable windows to the outside though, so when the weather gets nicer that will be open giving it an indoor/outdoor feeling.
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