Le Central

4.7

2165 Reviews

$31 to $50

French

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 12, 2025

7:00 p.m.

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Booked 27 times today

Charming
Neighbourhood gem
Good for special occasions

Opened in 1974, Le Central has been serving traditional French cuisine for five decades, boasting the honor of being San Francisco’s most historic French bistro. Located on the edge of the Financial District, Union Square, and Chinatown in a rare one story brick building adorned with its iconic pink neon sign and crowned by a vintage “Tabac” sign. Step into this charming restaurant and be transported to a Parisian brasserie. With exposed brick walls, original imported brass bar, stained glass features, and cozy banquettes topped with brass railings. The atmosphere invites you to unwind and enjoy delicious French fare and exceptional wines and cocktails in an upscale, yet casual environment. Enjoy French classics like steak-frites, escargot, onion soup, and our world famous Cassoulet. Le Central’s cuisine is comforting yet sumptuous. Le Central is the downtown stop for locals and visitors looking for a taste of “La Belle Vie”!!!

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
French
Hours of Operation
Lunch Mon–Sat 11:30 am–2:30 pm Happy Hour Mon–Sat 4:30 pm–6:00 pm Dinner Mon–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(415) 391-2233
Website
http://www.lecentralbistro.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Private party facilities
Le Central is available for private events, please visit our website for inqueries. https://www.lecentralbistro.com

Location
453 Bush St., San Francisco, CA 94108
Neighbourhood
Downtown / Union Square
Cross Street
Grant and Kearny
Parking details
Sutter-Stockton Garage
Public transit
Powell or Montgomery stations
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

What 2,165 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.7Service
4.6Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

San Francisco
French

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Le Central offers a classic French bistro experience with "excellent food" and "wonderful ambiance." Guests rave about the "amazing service" and standout dishes like cassoulet and beef bourguignon. While some feel prices are high, the overall atmosphere and attentive staff make it a "favorite spot" for locals and visitors alike.

2,165 Reviews

OT
OpenTable Diner
Atlanta1 review
4.0
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
The ledge on the wall that juts out into the seating space is my only beef. It was uncomfortable. Otherwise, great.
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S
Scot VIP
Toronto23 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was very good.. staff very friendly….good food, great ambiance, nostalgic… cassoulet was better than I remembered. Beet salad was lovely!
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S
Stewart VIP
Las Vegas53 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Outstanding traditional French cuisine -salad Nicoise was terrific. Loved the wine pairings
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L
Lindsay
San Francisco15 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 4, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
New ownership has really turned this great French bistro around. The menu is packed with favorites as well as some new and interesting dishes. Each of our diners gave five stars to the food. The service was outstanding - attentive without being overly famiiar. The venue is charming and as close to France as you can get without getting on a plane. We plan to go back often and try more of the wonderful menu choices
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W
William VIP
San Francisco83 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 4, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Came here in 1983 when I moved here. Amazing meal. 42 years later, and the new owners have brought the old girl back. Excellent cocktails, wines, and the service and food were superlative. Absolutely one of the best meals we’ve enjoyed recently. Enjoy!
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M
Mary VIP
San Francisco42 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 1, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Everything was so delicious and our server was nicely attentive.
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K
Kathryn
San Francisco15 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 27, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The goat cheese salad with beets was excellent. A great dressing. Followed by mussels in an excellent lemony broth. The tarte citron for dessert was good also. Our waiter was so nice and accommodating. Would definitely go back..they also offer a great happy hour.
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J
Judi VIP
San Francisco99 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 25, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Enjoyed in a perfect lunch with a dear friend at a quiet booth in the back so easy for us to catch up. My hangar steak and frites was amazing and the meat cooked just to my liking: medium rare with emphasis on the rare side. Friend indulged on their famous roasted chicken and we both devoured their frites and the delicious baguette of warm bread with melting butter (tempted to order another loaf!). Wonderful luncheon spot that made us feel we were in Paris without jet lag! And kudos to the warm waitstaff! On the way out we saw the big beautiful burger a diner had just ordered and WOW WOW WOW that's what we're going to indulge in next visit.
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R
Reynold VIP
San Francisco13 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 23, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Party of 9 for a reunion dinner. Table placement, service was great for the group. Able to catch up over the evening. Variety on the menu for everyone!
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J
Janet VIP
San Francisco43 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 22, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
It is great to be back at Le Central and find it so fun and delicious...as always! They kindly sat our foursome at a window table and the service was fun and impeccable. We enjoyed it all- Complete with french phrases for us to recall and use our language skills
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FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Le Central using the Order Online button.

Le Central is rated 4.7 stars by 2165 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 12, 2025

7:00 p.m.

Select a time

Booked 27 times today

Order delivery or takeout

453 Bush St., San Francisco, CA 94108

Additional information

Cross Street
Grant and Kearny
Neighbourhood
Downtown / Union Square
Hours of Operation
Lunch Mon–Sat 11:30 am–2:30 pm Happy Hour Mon–Sat 4:30 pm–6:00 pm Dinner Mon–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
French
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
Sutter-Stockton Garage
Public transit
Powell or Montgomery stations
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.lecentralbistro.com/
Phone number
(415) 391-2233
Private party facilities
Le Central is available for private events, please visit our website for inqueries. https://www.lecentralbistro.com

Le Central

Make a reservation

Select a time

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Popular dishes

Steak Frites

Le Central Cassoulet

Onion Soup Gratinée

Menu

What 2,165 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Le Central offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Le Central restaurant rated?

Is Le Central currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Select a time

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information