Bring your Gitanes, your best air of stylish insouciance and your motorcycle jacket to this rigorously authentic Gallic cafe.
Lunch, Dinner and Happy Hour
Live Jazz Thursday to Saturday
Outdoor Dining
Reminiscent of the narrow streets and alleyways of Paris, tiny Claude Lane is located between Union Square and the financial district. A longtime popular restaurant and bar, Cafe Claude has remained an unpretentious neighborhood meeting place nestled amongst the urban skyscraper. Whether you are shopping, looking for a quick bistro lunch, or seeking a discreet rendezvous, Cafe Claude is an ideal destination. Enjoy the lively atmosphere, weekend jazz, and hearty inexpensive food seated in a cozy banquette or outdoors under colorful umbrellas on charming Claude Lane.
Enjoy Live music with no cover every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm at Cafe Claude.
Happy Hour
Everyday 4pm-6pm
$5 Infused Cocktails
The Scene An L-shaped dining room with expansive ceilings and buttery yellow walls adorned with black-and-white prints of Paris and vintage movie posters give this boite a warm, authentic feel. That's no coincidence: Tables, chairs, mirrors and the zinc-topped bar were shipped directly from Le Barbizon, a French brasserie. Friendly waitstaff, sleekly dressed in black, almost all boast French accents but none of that infamous Parisian snootiness.
The Food Familiar bistro fare, such as rich French onion soup topped with fat croutons and gruyere cheese, share menu space with more fusion-friendly picks, like kobe steak tartare. The steak tartare is served with cornichons, capers, egg yolk, mustard, parsley, croutons and shallots, while the truffle mousse with chicken livers is accompanied by crepes marinated in sherry. The moelleux au chocolate, a velvety chocolate cake drizzled with crème anglaise, is pure decadence. Specialty martinis tempt, but the real treat is the international wine list with abundant by-the-glass picks.
Cafe Claude is a great alternative to all the "California cuisine" and italian fare in San Francisco. In this case a French bistro alternative with a great setting that transports you away from the SF scene. It helps that it's tucked away on Claude Lane (a little alley it shares with Gitane). Waitstaff speaks french, much of the interior decor - like the zinc bar - came from bistros in France. Really rich and tasty bistro food with solid wine list. You can order carafes of wine too which is nice. Live Jazz on Saturday nights. A great date spot. I'll definitely go back.
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This is by far my favorite restaurant in all of San Francisco. It is located in a little alley off of Sutter Street, hardly a location you'd go to in search of food but you must!
This is not over the top haute French food, rather excelletn bistro food. I have the same thing every time I go there, the onion soup and the quiche lorraine. It is unbelievable, melt in your mouth, arteries and waistline be damned good. I have been here on a business meal and as a solo diner, have seen families here. The staff is gracious and accomodating to all.
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This is a great place to come with group of friends or by yourself ! The food is delicious and worth the drive to the city.The staff is professional and friendly. The prices won't leave a hole in your pocket.
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Latest reviews by Citysearch:
(read all 38 reviews
on Citysearch)
this one just isn't cutting it for me.
By diamondsrforever
Built on reputation and no solid follow-up to keep it. Sadly, this restaurant has been so spoiled for the Loehmann's shoppers that they've forgotten what made them great.
The food has since turned to mediocre, and the passerbys gawking at you has become a huge nuisance. Oh not that I have anything against sidewalk cafes or eateries, they're tons of fun, but this one just isn't cutting it for me.
Posted 02/07/09
Below expectation. Do not try their onion soup.
By n4ally2
Finally got a chance to go and check out this place for lunch. Service was fine, but the food was below expectation.
What was good?
The Pate. The highlight of the meal.
What was bad?
The onion soup. It was like putting a large pitch of salt in your mouth. I had to send it back after the first bite.
Everything else(Salmon, Tuna sandwich, steak tartare and Ham sandwich) were below average or average.
We spent $150 for four people at lunch. I would suggest you take your money and go somewhere else.
Pros: Pate. That was the only highlight of the meal. Cons: No parking, bad food
Posted 01/28/09
Had way too much fun at the bar!
By Sean127181
If you're looking to go out for the night by yourself, then I'd definitely give this place a try. It's hidden and I really liked the ambience of the Parisian style setting. You have to sit at the bar if there is space. Bar is a bit small but I actually prefer it that way. Bartender David made great drinks and I really liked the friendly staff members. I forget the name of the blonde hostess, but I think she's very hot! Portion sizes were perfect. The pan-seared trout and the ahi tuna were perfectly done. The sauce wasn't over powering. Go and meet the frienly staff. Food is really tasty and it really was a gastronomical experience. It appears that this is my new favorite place. Will definitely go back for more. Oh, I forget! Nice weekend Jazz music too! It was very soothing.
Posted 09/13/08
Great service, ambiance and food!
By InnerPeaceDesigns
The food was delicious and the service was excellent. The first time I had the onion soup, ahi tuna, pomme frites, and chocolate mousse which were all delicious. Two days later, I went back for dinner again and what impressed me the most was that the server remembered my husband and I and had welcomed us back immediately upon seeing us again. She even remembered that I had ordered the ahi tuna and apologized that they had run out of the dish for the evening. I was IMPRESSED! I ordered the trout on her recommendation and it was equally as good the seared ahi tuna. I would definately come back again when I visit San Francisco. Great service, great food, and great ambiance!
Pros: Great prices for a delicious French menu. Service is impeccable.
Posted 07/06/08
Super
By Jeangui
Bon comme je suis Francais je m'exprime en francais. Mon patron en France a Rennes est un ancien serveur du Cafe Claude (Arnaud Coeff dans les annees 90) et m'a conseille d'aller faire un p'tit tour et je n'ai pas ete decu super ambience, des cocktails allechants et de tres bonnes salades. Bonne continuation a tous. Jeangui
