Best Restaurants for Quiet Conversation in Cole Valley

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSeafoodFrenchIndianChinese

Regions

MarinPeninsulaSan Francisco

Neighborhoods

ChinatownCivic Center / Hayes Valley / Van NessDowntown / Union SquareFinancial District / EmbarcaderoGlen ParkMarina / Cow Hollow / Presidio

Top Rated

Good for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsHealthyHot spotInnovative

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

12 restaurants available nearby

1. Mr. Digby's

4.6

Exceptional(484)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Noe Valley

Booked 11 times today

Mr. Digbys Bar and Restaurant is the new neighborhood spot in Noe Valley, SF! Join us for elevated American comfort food and classic cocktails in a comfortable, polished setting. We offer dog-friendly sidewalk and parklet seating, bar seating and standard seating. Chronicle rated "Best Food of the Week" 2021.

2. China Live

4.6

Exceptional(3306)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Chinese • Chinatown

Booked 81 times today

China Live, Eater's "Restaurant of the Year," features fresh, seasonal Chinese cuisine cooked from specialized stations that merge traditional Chinese and Western culinary equipment. Our main dining area, with views of our exhibition kitchens, plays centerpiece, appointed with chairs and tables all handcrafted in China from reclaimed Chinese elm. We also offer outside dining.

A photo of Mr. Tipple’s Jazz Club restaurant

3. Mr. Tipple’s Jazz Club

4.9

Exceptional(905)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Cocktail Bar • Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness

Booked 31 times today

***Best Jazz Club in the City, by San Francisco Magazine***Mr. Tipple’s is a craft cocktail bar featuring live jazz.-Reservations have a 90min time limit from reservation time. There is a $20/guest min for table serviceMr. Tipple’s heralds back to a 1950s NYC basement. Cozy. Dark. Boozy. The intimate setting features local jazz artists up close and personal. It’s a joint where you come as you are, hear great music, tap your toes, and sip a properly chilled cocktail.-My name is Mr. Tipple. Just a simple and laughable bloke hailing from London. I run a recording studio. My friends joke that you’ll oft find me spinning cocktails, not reeling tape. After a few too many, I usually just sit back and enjoy the music, having forgotten to hit record. Regardless, the band is always jiving, the whiskey is always cold, and we’re having a smashing good time.

4. Level III

3.7

Very Good(398)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 3 times today

Experience social food and modern cocktails at a new level - Level Three. An exciting and sophisticated dining experience inside the JW Marriott San Francisco. This chic restaurant and lounge features a menu of delicious sharable plates crafted from the freshest, local, seasonal ingredients complemented with an extraordinary cocktail menu custom-created by an acclaimed local mixologist. Situated on the third floor lobby level of the hotel highlighted by a 16 story atrium, you can dine on extravagant plates like Dungeness Crab Cake Benedict, Croque Madame, Avocado Toast, "The Burger", Artisinal Grilled Cheese, Filet Mignon, and our Daily Catch!

A photo of Amber India - San Francisco restaurant

5. Amber India - San Francisco

4.5

Awesome(2895)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Indian • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 30 times today

At Amber India in downtown San Francisco, we blend the rich traditions of North Indian cuisine with a modern dining experience. Our menu features favorites like butter chicken, aromatic biryanis, and tandoori specialties, all crafted with authentic spices and techniques. Whether you prefer vegetarian dishes or hearty meats, there's something for everyone.Our three-story restaurant, with vaulted ceilings and a lively LED light show behind the bar, offers a sophisticated yet inviting atmosphere. We can host up to 140 guests, with a private dining room for gatherings of up to 25. Located near Union Square, Amber India is ideal for a casual meal or special celebration.For over 20 years, we’ve been a beloved part of the Bay Area dining scene, known for our flavorful food, excellent service, and warm hospitality. Join us for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch to experience what makes Amber India a local favorite.

6. Le Central

4.7

Exceptional(2165)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• French • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 21 times today

Opened in 1974, Le Central has been serving traditional French cuisine for five decades, boasting the honor of being San Francisco’s most historic French bistro. Located on the edge of the Financial District, Union Square, and Chinatown in a rare one story brick building adorned with its iconic pink neon sign and crowned by a vintage “Tabac” sign. Step into this charming restaurant and be transported to a Parisian brasserie. With exposed brick walls, original imported brass bar, stained glass features, and cozy banquettes topped with brass railings. The atmosphere invites you to unwind and enjoy delicious French fare and exceptional wines and cocktails in an upscale, yet casual environment. Enjoy French classics like steak-frites, escargot, onion soup, and our world famous Cassoulet. Le Central’s cuisine is comforting yet sumptuous. Le Central is the downtown stop for locals and visitors looking for a taste of “La Belle Vie”!!!

7. Bobo's

4.7

Exceptional(3133)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Steak • Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio

Booked 13 times today

"Bobo's" is a stylish destination for the most exquisite steak and crab in the City. With antiqued red walls, colored glass light fixtures, and tablecloths, the restaurant is like a plush Venetian jewel box. Executive Chef-Owner Andrea Froncillo has created a delectable menu that showcases his signature steak and seafood creations. The steak is USDA-certified prime beef, dry-aged for four to six weeks - longer than anywhere else on the West Coast! Our award-winning bone-in filet was the 1st on the West Coast. The crab is Dungeness, harvested from the Pacific Ocean, and roasted in a savory garlic-butter sauce that is positively addicting.

A photo of Colombini Italian Cafe & Bistro - Nob Hill Hotel restaurant

8. Colombini Italian Cafe & Bistro - Nob Hill Hotel

4.2

Awesome(258)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Nob Hill

Featuring Fresh Seafood, Pizza & our signature Risotto dishes. All in a romantic Tuscan setting.Our wines are expressly selected for the best of Italy, Spain, France and California"s Napa Valley and served with a perfect pairing of cheese and fruit plates.

9. Manzoni

4.5

Awesome(501)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Glen Park

Booked 2 times today

You don’t have to fly to Italy for authentic Italian cuisine, just spend an evening at Manzoni Restaurant in Glen Park. The food is delicious. The Tuscan decor is warm and inviting. The wine list is comprised of a wide variety of Italian wines and the owner is always on hand to make sure you have everything you need for an enjoyable evening.

A photo of Eclipse Kitchen and Bar restaurant

10. Eclipse Kitchen and Bar

3.7

Very Good(279)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Financial District / Embarcadero

Indulge in classic San Francisco cuisine or celebrate the day’s end with one of our signature cocktails or sample a hand-selected flight of California wines at Eclipse Kitchen & Bar. Take in the grandeur of our lobby's architecture as you start your day with breakfast or wind down at the bar with a mouthwatering appetizer. Eclipse’s lively ambience is ideal for business meetings or personal celebrations. Full bar seating includes plush couches, modern pub tables and tufted benches for private conversations.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

LP
LPShaw888
San Francisco Bay Area •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
The endive Cesar salad and the chicken pot pie were excellent. As always, our cocktails were fabulous. We had a garden gimlet which is with cucumber & mint as well as a shiso sour that actually is served with the shiso leaf! During the busy dinner hours 6-8pm just note that it's quite energetic and loud inside. They do offer n outside dining though.
More info
Mr. Digby'sPrice: Expensive• American• Noe Valley
•
4.6
B
BobVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •34 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Lunch at China Live was pretty chill compared to evening dining,
More info
China LivePrice: Moderate• Chinese• Chinatown
•
4.6
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Diego •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Loved the cozy atmosphere and the music, service, food and drinks were wonderful. We enjoyed our evening—thank you!
More info
Mr. Tipple’s Jazz ClubPrice: Moderate• Cocktail Bar• Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
•
4.9
E
Elizabeth
San Francisco Bay Area •13 reviews
5.0
Dined on Mar 5, 2025
Delicious as always—I meet a fried for dinner at Amber every month and it is consistently delicious and the service always attentive.
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Amber India - San FranciscoPrice: Expensive• Indian• Downtown / Union Square
•
4.5
A
Anne
New York City •2 reviews
5.0
Dined on Nov 10, 2024
A great location to meet friends for breakfast! We had a small, more private area as a party of 8. We were able to enjoy each other's company and spend time with each other before traveling home. Food was excellent, service was outstanding.
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Level IIIPrice: Expensive• Californian• Downtown / Union Square
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3.7