Best Casual Restaurants in Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness

Our party of four was seated in a window niche with a view of the sidewalk- perfect! Our party had two terrific specialty cocktails- a Red Swan and an Unwinding Salve, both delicious 😋. For entrees we had Parisian gnocchi in a cream sauce, mushroom tagliatelle, and the Absinthe burger with truffle cheese and fries- all were delicious. The best dessert was the Pot de Crème, a dense chocolate pudding with a dense whipped cream topping! Yummy. Our waiter was engaging and helpful in making choices. Overall, we had a fun, enjoyable, and satisfying dining experience before a concert at SFJAZZ around the corner. We’ll be returning to this French restaurant again!

Came in after a broadway play for appetizers and drinks. Empanadas are Amazing! Brussel sprouts delicious and the gluten free buns very tasty. Great Cocktails and I really enjoyed the vibrant decor. Only suggestion is to have more basic choices on the kids menu for those damn picky eaters

Each course was perfectly placed and presented. A very special meal and dining experience overall. The team were attentive to our timeframe and made sure we made it to our show on time. Truly excellent Michelin style service. Top notch.

My wife and I recently took my sister and her husband, who were visiting from Charlotte, to State Bird Provisions, and it was nothing short of amazing. The food was absolutely exceptional—each dish was a perfect blend of creativity and flavor. My sister and her husband couldn’t stop raving about how unique the food was, especially the bold use of spices. It was a hit with all of us! The ambiance was also fantastic. The space has a warm and inviting vibe that strikes the perfect balance between trendy and comfortable, making it a great spot for both special occasions and casual nights out. What truly elevated our experience, though, was our waiter. He was excellent—extremely friendly, attentive, and impressively knowledgeable about the menu. He had such a genuine enthusiasm for the food and shared thoughtful recommendations, which we greatly appreciated. At one point, we mentioned we’d heard Ryan Gosling had dined here, and he surprised us by saying he’d actually been Ryan’s waiter! He even told us about the time Ryan came in with Eva Mendes and their two kids. Such a cool story to hear directly from someone who was part of it! State Bird Provisions delivered on every level: amazing food, great atmosphere, and top-notch service. My sister and her husband loved it as much as we did. We’ll definitely be back and can’t recommend it highly enough!

It was a little chilly and a tad noisy. Food was delish. Service was the best! We'll be back.