Nova Bar & Restaurant

Message from Nova Bar & Restaurant

A cozy bar near the Giants' ballpark serving infused vodkas and comfort food with a twist.
  • Homestyle American cuisine
  • Happy Hour Mon-Fri
  • Sunday Brunch

Nova is a spirited bar and restaurant often referred to as the local version of "cheers" by many of its loyal customers. With a full bar and diverse wine list, we specialize in fresh house-infused vodkas. Favorites include jalepeno (for a kickin' bloody mary), vanilla bean and ginger. Our cuisine style is New American-comfort food with an emphasis on shared plates and original signature staples such as lobster quesadilla and baked mac 'n' cheese. Our space is well suited to host private parties, birthdays, company events, etc of up to 100 people...and as a rule we do not charge rental fees. Happy Hour: 3-6pm M-F - $3 drafts, $4 wells & $5 wines Sunday Brunch: 10am-4pm, with hi-def screens and all major sports packages, $4 mimosas, $2 Miller Lites & an eggs benedict bar. We're conveniently located on 2nd Street, across from South Park, 3 blocks from AT&T Park.

Editorial and merchant content by Citysearch

Marker Nova Bar & Restaurant

(415) 543-2282

555 Second St San Francisco, CA 94107
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Editorial Description by Citysearch
Though it's near the ballpark and gets some spilloff from Giants games, Nova's bread and butter are the South Beach and South Park area locals they welcome with heaping portions, free-flowing drinks and an informal atmosphere with staff and patrons on a first-name basis. Spacious and comfy velvet booths for the hungry (lobster and wild mushroom quesadillas; seared ahi tuna w/ wasabi mashed potatoes; pulled pork sandwiches) become hangout spots during non-mealtime hours for the strictly thirsty, who have twenty-two infused vodkas to choose from (try the jalapeno in a bloody mary). It may not the the best place to watch the game--the owner doesn't want his neighborhood regulars pushed out by screaming baseball fans--but it is a friendly, local-oriented place to eat and to party; think of it as the Cheers of SoMa.

22 Reviews of Nova Bar & Restaurant in San Francisco

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Good lunch and cocktail spot in SOMA  4 Star Rating - Very good

By Erica O.

Like most lunch options in SOMA, Nova is a little pricey and trendy. Sporting a dark decor and high booths, Nova definitely has a late night feel.

The lunch menu is pretty solid with a standard selection of salads, sandwiches and pizzas. Today, I had the steak salad, which was very good. The steak was cooked properly and the portion was generous.

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Latest reviews by Citysearch: (read all 21 reviews on Citysearch)

Best mac 'n cheese in SF 4 Star Rating - Very good

By BDuffy58

Nova understands its position in the SF food chain.....equal parts local bar and restaurant, the friendly staff serve up drinks & food with a welcoming smile. As a City dweller eating out 6 nights a week, I have Nova in my rotation when comfort food is in order. Their mac 'n cheese is the best in the League.....interesting choice of rotelli pasta with multiple cheeses and choice of ham and/or broccoli to boot. Outstanding! Equally good is the spinach salad and of course, their popular burger and fries combo. Tap beer choices are solid if not comprehensive and numerous wines by the glass are generously poured for extremely fair prices.

Pros: mac 'n cheese, spinach salad, burger 'n fries, friendly staff (Cheers-like)
Cons: can be a tight fit when packed
Posted 09/15/08

Great food- best steak salad EVER! 5 Star Rating - World class

By SueUe

Nova may not look it from the outside, as it presents iself as a slighlty divey, homey, comfortable after-work (and anytime before or in between) bar, but the food is really good- my favorite is the huge steak salad. Lean, freshly grilled pieces of steak on top of baby greens, with some fresh salsa...yumm! You can share this among two people, it's really a good amount of foof for $12. Also, don't miss out on the macaroni and cheeses (off the hook) and grilled asapargus, topped with parmesan cheeses and roasted tomatoes.

Posted 09/15/08

Happy hour with great food 5 Star Rating - World class

By edeasy2

Great food! The lobster quesadilla is excellent. Great happy hour crowd. Hot waitresses to boot!!!!

Posted 06/25/08

Quality Ambiance, Food & Service 4 Star Rating - Very good

By mark

I just returned from lunch at one of my favorite SOMA lunch spots. As usual, the food & service were strong and the atmosphere full of happiness. We split the Mac & Cheese and as usual it was outstanding. In addtion, we ordered salads- the Wedge & the Chopped Cobb. The Wedge was tasty and generous. The Chopped Cobb was huge and looked great. We made a reservation so were seated promptly as Nova can get busy at lunch time on a Friday. I suggest making one.

Posted 11/15/07

best Sunday brunch 5 Star Rating - World class

By larrybaker

In from Phila. Found Nova thru City Search. Food delicious - order everything and share. Must order Lobster & mushroom Quesadilla, Crab Cakes, Chicken PotPie. All salads great. Don't miss Sunday Brunch. Fritatta's excellent. My personal favorite Apple Cinnamon French Toast -to die for. Bartenders & waiters/waitresses friendly and colorful. Forgot the calamari - excellent. Quaint restaurant - a real treat.

Posted 07/30/07