The Rotunda

Amazing service, delicious food, and the most stunning atmosphere. We ordered the caviar service & duck pappardelle, which surpassed our expectations. They took us 2 hours before our reservation, and our waiter was very attentive. It's not for a tight budget, but it's perfect for a fancy brunch :)

It is hard to think of a more festive place for enjoying the Christmas season or for bridal tea or catching up with a dear friend. Yes, it is pricey. Yes, the food is good but it isn't the main draw. This is all about the setting, the sights and the service.

This place is exquisite, cozy and elegant. We went for a brunch and they gave us a chicken broth that looks like a tea (I’m not fancy, ha!), and then a pastry with their very famous strawberry butter, which is really good. Everything is clean, from the tables to the ceiling and restrooms. All the staff is nice and courteous. They know the best position to take you a picture, so don’t hesitate to ask for help with this. The menu includes several appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and delightful desserts. I had a salad from the daily special and oh it was amazing. So don’t forget to look at that section. They also offer kids menu with crayons, which is always an important matter. By the end, they gave us a small milk chocolate. Thank you for that too. Overall, this is a place you must experience. Expect to spend at least $50 per person. It is advised to make a reservation if you plan to go on weekend. I will have to go back to try the tea afternoon 😉

Bay Walker

Cold brew coffee ice cream was outstanding! Service was very good to excellent with smartly, dressed and extremely well mannered staff. Lobster bisque and soup were terrific. The chicken salad was fine, but not fabulous and my friend’s salmon was delicious. Beautiful historic setting. Fun to see families dressed up for lunch. The cocktails looked fabulous from a distance.

Arthur Beckel

I was blown away by the experience here. The lobster club sandwich was delicious, but the lobster bisque was faultless and possibly the best I've ever had. And the persimmon pudding for dessert was one of the best restaurant desserts I've had in years. This will remain a memorable meal for some time, even as someone who's a lifelong patron and big fan generally of Neiman Marcus restaurants.

Graciela Cornell

I had an absolutely delicious high tea experience! For $79 plus dollars, it was worth every penny — from the beautifully presented treats to the elegant flavors in every bite. The views were stunning and made the whole afternoon feel extra special. On top of that, the service was truly top tier: attentive, warm, and professional. Highly recommend for anyone looking to indulge and enjoy a memorable high tea!

Michael BULLDOG Behles

The wife and I stopped in for some lobster bisque that did not upset! It was creamy, rich and steaming hot. Also came with a pop bread for dunking! They have a lot of other items on the menu but we chose to eat light.

Marissa Kane

High tea at the Rotunda is one of my favorites in San Francisco. They are the most inclusive to vegans and gluten intolerant folks. If you call, they'll suggest that you alert them to your affliction upon entering. Don't ruin it for the rest of us though. In my photos, there is a normal tower of treats next to a vegan one. The vegan one has the raw triangular treats on the top shelf. While the vegan things might not please a non-vegan, they pleased me; the Rotunda is one of the few to be inclusive to dietary restrictions. Rotunda chefs, we see and appreciate you. Thank you for the effort you expend for everyone and bring high tea to the masses.

John Jones

A delightful lunch with an even better view before an afternoon of shopping around downtown. It was easy to see why so many locals and visitors alike call this a must. My only critique is to provide a non-sweet/fruit butter option for the popover.

Zoe :3

We went here for the afternoon tea service, which was a lot of fun. They have a few options of tea to choose from. The teas are very floral and tasty. You might think that afternoon tea pastries would not be filling, well think wrong! I felt so extremely full after everything. We started off with some chicken broth and this fluffy pastry (which tasted really good, especially with their strawberry butter i believe). Then, we got the jardin bleu tea and the nuit a versailles. then came the tower. wow there was a lot of food on this tower. they all tasted pretty good. the croissant chicken sandwich was tasty. they also gave us chocolate at the end, which was nice. the service was pretty good. they were patient and helpful. the view was very pretty too. we weren't seated at the window but the ceiling and room was very pretty. we could kind of see the street below too. overall a good experience at the rotunda.

William Sie

So good we ate twice within 10 days. This been a staple since my college days and it still tastes great! Popover and chicken consommé is a must. Truffle fries are so addictive and any dish containing lobster is delicious. Lobster bisque and Lobster club sandwich are my favourites. Definitely book ahead especially during holiday season.

Vincent Chen

Came here in December last year and got lucky with a window seat view of Union Square with all the Holiday decorations. The afternoon tea service was amazing. Staff were friendly and very attentive. The food was fantastic with 2 pieces of each type to share and the tea was also high quality. We also ordered the oysters which were very fresh, would recommend trying them with your tea experience. I recommend making reservations in advance on OpenTable, especially during major Holidays. Overall, great time and experience here with the wife.

Kalena Mittelman

Hadn't been here in 15 years. It was fantastic. Such an elegant setting with great food and service.

Cory B

Amazing service, delicious food, and the most stunning atmosphere. We ordered the caviar service & duck pappardelle, which surpassed our expectations. They took us 2 hours before our reservation, and our waiter was very attentive. It's not for a tight budget, but it's perfect for a fancy brunch :)

Happy Lappy

When shopping at Union Square, a stop at the Rotunda is a must. Get a cookie and a few other treats to help you along the way. Went here shopping with family and needed a break. Selection of bourbon was small, but ok to get on by. Lots if cocktails to select from. The server was very friendly and service was great. Was busy evening full of shoppers. Four of us got in for snacks and drinks quickly. If going for dinner, a reservation is suggested. Worth the stop for a snack and some beverages.

GIGI GRIFFIN

It is hard to think of a more festive place for enjoying the Christmas season or for bridal tea or catching up with a dear friend. Yes, it is pricey. Yes, the food is good but it isn't the main draw. This is all about the setting, the sights and the service.

Kevin W

Most likely, you won’t expect a fancy and elegant restaurant in a high end shopping center can provide such high quality food. This is one of the remarkable tasty restaurants in downtown area, not only the dining area and decoration, but also the service and food are all beyond expectations, one of the must come and try on my list.

Ana González

This place is exquisite, cozy and elegant. We went for a brunch and they gave us a chicken broth that looks like a tea (I’m not fancy, ha!), and then a pastry with their very famous strawberry butter, which is really good. Everything is clean, from the tables to the ceiling and restrooms. All the staff is nice and courteous. They know the best position to take you a picture, so don’t hesitate to ask for help with this. The menu includes several appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and delightful desserts. I had a salad from the daily special and oh it was amazing. So don’t forget to look at that section. They also offer kids menu with crayons, which is always an important matter. By the end, they gave us a small milk chocolate. Thank you for that too. Overall, this is a place you must experience. Expect to spend at least $50 per person. It is advised to make a reservation if you plan to go on weekend. I will have to go back to try the tea afternoon 😉

You come here for the spectator rounded atrium room, and you stay for the truffle fries. These are the ground rules of the Rotunda at Neiman Marcus. Reservations are a MUST here, and it’s a bit tricky to get to (there’s a social side elevator to ride that takes you to the 4th floor). Staff is old-school while tablecloth, very accommodating but kinda stiff. I guess cold is classe at this restaurant. The food’s… pretty good, albeit steep for what you get. Truffle fries are the best part, and the lobster club and burger are alright (note that they’re the cheaper end of the menu). I’d bring someone here if they enjoy department shopping and have a mild palate.

i went to the Rotunda in Union Square after about 15 years of not going to the area. the food was very good. we have eaten at Neiman Marcus in other locations and this is our go-to place when we want a good meal. we just went to the Palo Alto Stanford Shopping center location and loved it I felt our server was a bit uptight like we were bothering him or something. other than that everything else was very good. maybe he was having a bad day would i eat there again absolutely. 2026-01-07 I went to the Rotunda again with my wife. Over-all the food was still very good. Only minor issue was that they did not de-vein the shrimp (it was filled with shrimp poop :(

The Rotunda is a must-visit if you’re looking for a beautiful and elegant lunch spot in SF! The space is absolutely stunning with its iconic glass dome ceiling and natural light pouring in—it feels both luxurious and relaxing. The food is consistently delicious, and the service is always warm and professional. It’s a great place to enjoy a classy afternoon, whether you’re celebrating something special or just want a lovely escape from the city bustle. Highly recommend making a reservation—especially on weekends or during the holiday season. That said, I’ve had luck a couple of times just walking in when they had a few open tables, so it’s always worth checking! Perfect for a stylish lunch, tea service, or just treating yourself.

Combat Fisher

i went to the Rotunda in Union Square after about 15 years of not going to the area. the food was very good. we have eaten at Neiman Marcus in other locations and this is our go-to place when we want a good meal. we just went to the Palo Alto Stanford Shopping center location and loved it I felt our server was a bit uptight like we were bothering him or something. other than that everything else was very good. maybe he was having a bad day would i eat there again absolutely. 2026-01-07 I went to the Rotunda again with my wife. Over-all the food was still very good. Only minor issue was that they did not de-vein the shrimp (it was filled with shrimp poop :(

Sayana

The Rotunda is a must-visit if you’re looking for a beautiful and elegant lunch spot in SF! The space is absolutely stunning with its iconic glass dome ceiling and natural light pouring in—it feels both luxurious and relaxing. The food is consistently delicious, and the service is always warm and professional. It’s a great place to enjoy a classy afternoon, whether you’re celebrating something special or just want a lovely escape from the city bustle. Highly recommend making a reservation—especially on weekends or during the holiday season. That said, I’ve had luck a couple of times just walking in when they had a few open tables, so it’s always worth checking! Perfect for a stylish lunch, tea service, or just treating yourself.

We were walk-ins, my friend and I. We were given scrumptious chicken broth in demi-tasse cups, as it was Christmas week. They gave us 2 each, we asked for another and it was no problem. The Host was a tall, handsome Caucasian gentleman, whom I believe was a Manager. He was great. Our Waiter was an older Mexican-American man. He was extremely hard working. He seemed to become somewhat defensive when I asked about his name. He never even gave me a chance to tell him I am also Latino. There was a strange lady sitting near us, she was middle-aged, and dining with a younger, beautiful woman. They both appeared to be Latina. At one point she stood up and began Video Taping me for a VERY looong time. Needless to say, it made me feel really uncomfortable. The food was excellent, truly world-class. So good! Service was mostly excellent. We got pop-overs with strawberry butter after lunch. Utterly creamy and somewhat sweet, made with fresh strawberries was the butter. The pop-over itself was pretty heavenly. After we got the bill, the two of us were gathering our cash, credit card, etc. The Waiter tried to grab the bill holder, and I had to tell him "No! We are not ready!" He proceeded to do this about 18-19 more times, in a span of approximately 7-15 minutes. It actually would have been comical if it weren't so shocking. In his defense we were there quite a while, and I think they were starting to have a rush. It never would have occurred to me to try this place, if my Best Pal hadn't suggested it. So, like Chez Panisse it was also a beyond bucket list item. I am super glad we did go, even though parts of it were a bit weird.

our waitress was kinda rude. she disliked necessarily said anything but whenever we asked something she made us feel like we are bothering her or being too needy. but hello we are in a nice restaurant and literally dropping $200 for few decent meals. I always wanted to try this place. it was a decent one time experience. but let me be honest if i am dropping $200 and another $35 for tips; i do expect great customer service. giving 3 stars for the vibes and sending us a little birthday ice-cream/card. otherwise this is a 2 star restaurant.

My daughter and I enjoy a good afternoon tea service. This one ain't it, for lack of a better term. Was it adequate? Yes. My tea was lovely. The food was okay. The desserts on the tray looked and tasted like prepackaged treats. There was no personality in any of it. We were seated at a small upper Rotunda table with a view of a column. I just expected more for $60-something per person with a mandatory gratuity. This was a special trip to the city for us celebrating a special occasion but in the end, it was mediocre at best with the popovers and strawberry butter being the highlight.

Sofia Bee

My daughter and I enjoy a good afternoon tea service. This one ain't it, for lack of a better term. Was it adequate? Yes. My tea was lovely. The food was okay. The desserts on the tray looked and tasted like prepackaged treats. There was no personality in any of it. We were seated at a small upper Rotunda table with a view of a column. I just expected more for $60-something per person with a mandatory gratuity. This was a special trip to the city for us celebrating a special occasion but in the end, it was mediocre at best with the popovers and strawberry butter being the highlight.

Many visits, first poor experience. Started with cocktails. I love a good bloody Mary, unfortunately their "gorgeous mary" wasn't good at all. Very unflavorful and bland. My wife's drink was good. Next was mushroom(less) soup, cool and so-so, too sweet. I ordered the fish sandwich which had a very good slaw condiment but the fish seemed chopped and formed and over breaded. Truffle fries must have been the end of the batch; cool with small pieces.

Jacqueline Gabert

First, we had a reservation for afternoon tea but there was a single line that did not give priority to those with a reservation unless you asserted your self. Second, we were seated. Water and broth were broth to the table without any explanation of what we were being served. I thought the broth must be a tea and it was so odd to take a sip and find it to he broth. The broth was delicious but it would have been nice to know what I was getting. Next, the waiter dropped off our tea without explanation and did not bring cream or offer honey. I had to wait nearly 10 minutes before anyone came to the table so I could request honey. The food was mediocre at best. Limited flavors in the sandwiches and the scones were flat and hard. Then we had to wait 45 minutes to get the check. Overall it was an inattentive, bland experience.

Gary

Many visits, first poor experience. Started with cocktails. I love a good bloody Mary, unfortunately their "gorgeous mary" wasn't good at all. Very unflavorful and bland. My wife's drink was good. Next was mushroom(less) soup, cool and so-so, too sweet. I ordered the fish sandwich which had a very good slaw condiment but the fish seemed chopped and formed and over breaded. Truffle fries must have been the end of the batch; cool with small pieces.