Frances
American · San Francisco, CA
About
The smell of bacon beignets wafts through this tiny backstreet spot. Frances brings French-inspired Cali cuisine to the Castro, serving a menu that changes nightly with seasonal ingredients. It's a foodie favorite, always packed. The wine comes from a tap, priced at $1 per ounce. Reservations are essential, but 3-4 counter seats are available for walk-ins if you come right when they open or late. Every table shares small plates and main courses. Don't skip dessert.
Features
- ✓Bacon beignets are a constant on the menu
- ✓Wine from a tap at $1 per ounce
- ✓Counter seats for walk-ins without a reservation
Cuisine
What people say
Rated from 1,639 reviews. 17 community ratings. View this venue on Yelp
From the community
“Fine dining in the Castro”
The neighborhood isn't known for great dining, but Frances changed that. The food is excellent, desserts are a must, and the wine choices are smart. It has a small, local feel. Reservations are still tough, but if you come right when they open or later, you might snag one of the few counter seats.
A visitor · Over a year ago
“The Castro's best restaurant”
After 15 years in San Francisco and many mediocre meals at trendy spots chasing the gay dollar (like that place named after a holy city), I can say we finally have a top-notch restaurant that will please for years. Frances is simply fantastic. It embodies everything a neighborhood restaurant should be: intimate, cozy, fairly priced, and DELICIOUS. It encourages sharing a variety of nibbles, small plates, and main courses, and the food is so good you want more. We loved the small plates, which highlight seasonal ingredients (the menu changes often, but constant favorites include the amazing bacon beignets). Frances also embraces the new trend of wine from a tap, offering quality comparable to pricier bottles for just $1 an ounce. The only issue is that the secret is out, so book well in advance.
A guest · Over a year ago
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation? +
Yes, reservations are highly recommended and hard to get. Plan ahead. A few counter seats are available for walk-ins.
What type of cuisine does Frances serve? +
French-inspired California cuisine with a menu that changes nightly, focusing on seasonal ingredients.
Does Frances have vegetarian options? +
The menu changes nightly, but seasonal vegetables are often featured. Call ahead for specific dietary needs.
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