Cole Valley Tavern

Short review: Service is still A1, menu has rotated to introduce new items, good beers on tap, place was busy but clean/organized. Beef Tataki has dethroned scampi fries as the MVP.

Long Review:

Came back on a Saturday night solo since I was in the area and I'm glad I did. They changed the menu for what I am assuming is for seasonal flavors? Either way I tried some of their new items and was impressed.

The Beef Tataki: must-have. It is very rare slices of steak with a peppery sauce beneath, topped with garlic chips. It was top-notch, and as a heads up, it doesn't taste as raw as the photos make it look.

Also had the smoked garlic hummus... the combination of the hummus with the flat bread was and shoutout to the seemingly scratch made flat bread. Pineapple wings are worth noting too. They were a good size and still crispy even with the pineapple glaze sauce. And of course I ordered the scampi fries, which were exactly how I remembered them from last time. The last thing I had was the new skewers they added - both the pork belly & pineapple and the chicken & scallion. They were charred very well and tasty, although I did prefer the pork belly one to the chicken.

PS - quick shout to the Ghost Town Hazy IPA they had on tap, that was a top-tier hazy. It was a busy Saturday night in there and the staff handled it well.

What happened CVT?!?!?!?

Did you change chefs?

We used to come here almost weekly. Decided to give this one more try but it was the same disappointing "new"? menu that's such a far cry from the menu a year ago.

Salads were flavorless (we used to rave that they made the best Caesar salad we'd ever had in the area). Salmon was overcooked. Shrimp was just okay.

And the drinks sound similar, some are close to what they were, but come on, changing the gummy bears for the Dancing Bear cocktail (which is now a little bland). Thankfully the Grapefruit Serrano n.a. cocktail is still good but not the same.

If anyone knows where the old kitchen went.... Please dm me. Menu is not even a shadow of what it was.

Vibe is also completely off. Loud 80s pop mix, pushy staff suggesting a new drink when your current is half full? No thank you.

Such a shame. Big loss for the old neighborhood.

My husband and were originally heading to Beit Rima for dinner, but saw Cole Valley Tavern, and had been wanting to try it for a while! So we said why not change our plans!!! I'm so glad we did. We came here on a Sunday evening, and were seated right away, as it was pretty empty at this time. There are lots of cozy booths available, and hopefully you'll get the chance to sit in one too! They also have a fun bar seating area, if you have a smaller party. They have high chairs available, which was fantastic, as my little one enjoyed dining here too.

My husband, daughter and I shared the Smoked Garlic Hummus for an appetizer, which was decent. We mostly got it for my daughter so she could eat something soft. I did like the hummus though, good flavor, with raw veggies that made me feel somewhat less guilty.

I got their Smash Burger for my entree, which was a HUGE win. It was just something I was craving for that moment in time - greasy, satisfying, delicious. you can ask for 1 or 2 patties, I'm glad I opted for the 1 patty, as I think 2 patties might have tipped the ratio just a little too much. The other highlight of the dish was the FRENCH FRIES!!! They were big, handcut fries - my absolute favorite, which are hard to come by these days. My husband got the fish and chips, which he found equally satisfying. Drinks were great too - loved my Superbloom Martini!

I also really LOVED the local art they have displayed here on their walls, which they switch out every now and then. I loved the San Francisco/Sunset District themed art that was displayed here in late April. When I asked the waitress about the artist, she didn't know who was displayed on the wall, but she was helpful in that she texted her manager, who got back to her, and told us that John Musgrove was the artist! Fantastic - loved the art so much, i ended up buying his art later on.

I can't wait to return to try more items, or even just revisit their good burger and cocktails, and see the new local art!

I've come here several times, mostly for drinks but occasionally for dinner as well.
Service is great, drinks are well made and fair priced.
But the food is just ok.
Menu is not as varied nor is the quality of food as good as the previous establishment at this location (Kezar Restaurant).
I ordered an Impossible burger that had to be the greasiest veg burger I've had, in addition to being salty.
Previously had the Fish and Chips which were just ok.
I'll stick with just drinks from now on.

We dined here on Sunday, the 12th. The food was so healthy, fresh and delicious. The drinks were strong, inventive and tasty! The staff was friendly, prompt, responsive, etc. I can't remember our server's name but she was awesome! Thanks for your hospitality! Can't wait to return!

I like Cole Valley..I must tell you that somebody met at a group meetup in 2003 and said they will try to meet at Cole Valley(crepes)..I wanted to go back to Cole Valley and I was younger then. It's quiet...you can go to cafe or eat at restaurant..this place has a take-out window with hot dogs and soft serve..fun! Homey!

Great service and an even better breakfast sandwich if you come for brunch. Love the eggs, cheese, and kimchi sauce. They also have nice drinks for brunch!

Nice bar, good place for date night, girls' night out, or for families. Smash burger and dinner items are also good--there's something for everyone.

I had a delightful dinner on a Friday night at this casual diner with a bar in the middle, where they were playing the Warriors game. Fortunately, there was no wait, and we were seated promptly. The coconut mussels were outstanding, earning a solid 5/5 with a flavorful blend of coconut and lime in the sauce. We couldn't stop dipping our burger and tatter tots in the sauce. Another highlight was the miso salmon salad, featuring perfectly cooked salmon atop a Caesar salad with thick shaved Parmesan cheese, also deserving of a 5/5.

The smoked chowder provided an interesting twist with a rating of 4/5, particularly enjoyable on a cold day. However, the Dancing Bear cocktail, while okay, was somewhat ordinary- reminiscent of a standard Moscow Mule, with the uniqueness mainly in the cup.

I would recommend skipping the soft serve, Philly hot dog, and smash burger. The service was attentive, consistently clearing our table despite its smaller size. Be prepare to pay for sf mandated, county, state and special tax on your bill. Overall, it's a notable spot worth checking out if you're ever in the area.

We were in the area and looking for a place to grab a drink and walked in here with two dogs. The location is great and right in the middle of a lot, and was packed with locals from the neighborhood. They were slammed and short-staffed but were still very good about checking-in.

We had a few glasses of wine that was enjoyed by all and for food the tots were very tasty. I also had the pineapple skewers which were pretty great too!

My daughter brought me here just for the $3.50 soft serve ice cream that comes in vanilla, chocolate or swirl of both flavors. It was a delightful dessert!

From the outside, this place looks like an old Irish tavern, but the inside has an inviting diner feel with table booths and a bar.

Service seemed friendly.

Gone in just for the restroom. Will return for some real grub!