Best Comfort Food Restaurants in Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness

I had a wonderful lunch today at Original Joe's. My server Sedat was outstanding and had great suggestions for menu items. I strongly recommend the Pineapple Punch (n/a), Joe's House Made Ravioli, and the Butter Cake. This was the best meal of the trip!

We enjoyed unique SF views while enjoying delicious small plates. The sweet potato quesadilla was amazing and the service friendly and exceptional. A very very short walk to Civic Center Bart and Orpheum Theater.

Good and authentic Cantonese dim sum (coming from a Chinese customer), beautiful location and great service, highly recommend it.

Nopa is a really special place. It does everything SO well. I will start with the food. Their menu stays interesting over time with new dishes regularly introduced with the seasons and what’s seasonally available. The ingredient quality and preparation are really next level and I don’t think there is a single thing on the menu that anyone would not enjoy. The flavor of every dish is always surprising in a wonderful way with interesting combinations and textures. And plating is, of course, just beautiful. And my god, don’t just order one dish per person; share! You will be wowed. Their mainstay burger should not be missed either. If you’re into mixed drinks or wine, again, Nopa is standout. And even if you don’t drink, there are mocktails that I’m confident you’ll enjoy. Next let’s talk about the staff. Nopa has such a special and wonderful culture. Their entire staff is very well versed in the ingredients and preparation of their food. They’re also extremely kind and accommodating. There seems to be a genuine enthusiasm and shared belief that they make great food, and I would agree. They have opinions and can definitely suggest wine and beverage pairings to what you order. They know where ingredients were sourced from. And their attention to detail is also remarkable. I made a note on our reservation that we’d love a table instead of the high table if one came available and true to form, they came through. Someone took time to read the comment I had left! If you have a chance to dine here, take it. Even if you don’t have a reservation, there is a high table and bar area that may be able to accommodate a drop in. It’s a lovely atmosphere and always a joy to be a patron here. Thank you Nopa staff for the unique place you’ve created here.

Made reservations for a group of 8 for dinner before the symphony. Our overall experience was fabulous! From start to finish the food and cocktails were scrumptious. If you order the lava cake expect a wait and it's worth it!