Working Girls Cafe

We made a last minute reservation and had a perfect lunch. I started with a glass of champagne and my 19 year old and I shared the escargots, beet napoleon, and the Niçoise salad. All were perfect and delicious. I paired the salad with a glass of Sancerre. We finished with the seasonal buche de Noel which was light and delicious. Le Central is our go to French restaurant when we are near Union Square.

French food at its best - in the heart of San Francisco Even though it was early on Friday evening the restaurant was bustling with customers when we arrived. We were ushered into a lovely table and given some time to peruse the menu. My partner began with Soupe à l’oignon with French onions, croutons, gruyere and herbs. The gooey cheese was lovely and there were lots, it was pleasantly salty with lots of onion flavour. My partner was very happy. I went for L’escargot bourguignon – snails in garlic butter topped with shavings of toasted cheese. The garlic richness of the butter was perfect for the meaty chewiness of the snails. I used plenty of bread to mop out the butter after I'd eaten the snails. For mains my partner had pan-roasted halibut with maitake mushrooms, roasted summer squashes, Japanese eggplant and saffron. The fish was perfectly cooked for Drew, the mushrooms were crisp and tasty and the sauce was delightful. I had been waiting the six years since our last visit for the Le Central cassoulet a rich well cooked cassoulet with white bean stew with duck confit, Toulouse sausage, lamb and pork. The beans picking up the rich meat sauce and each element of meat tasting very distinctive, rich and generous - a warming welcome back to San Francisco, excellent.

+3

Service was great aside from one waiter. Plenty of time for cocktails then appetizers then mains. Food was delicious, classic French.

My husband and I finally got a chance to try this restaurant after the pandemic and we were so glad we did! They just reopened and you can definitely tell that the owners took the time to renovate to create an ambiance to make the guest(s) feel welcome. We got to try many of their dishes including their onion soup, crab cakes, truffle fries, cassoulet, beef bourguignon, and vanilla creme brulee! We were not disappointed and got to sit at the famous Willie Brown spot and enjoyed the beautiful downtown view. Would definitely recommend and come back! Thank you, Paul! He definitely made us feel welcome and was very down to earth! I wish we took more pictures of the food!

We were hungry on a slow Tuesday night and after being turned away from another French place that closed early, Maria welcomed us in and took impeccable care of us! Salads were tasty, the frites were salty perfection, cassoulet was soul warming but the stand out was the beef Bourgogne!

We arrived late and they only had a few tables left eating but they graciously seated us. our waitress Maria was amazing. so kind and welcoming because we felt bad for arriving so late. Luckily the food was perfect and fresh. Highlights were the escargot, onion soup, cassoulet, and bourguignon. highly recommend for a classic french meal.

Loved this place. Very authentic French food, warm cozy atmosphere, nice bar area. Plan to return again soon!

+5

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Authentic French comfort, beautifully done Le Central was incredible from start to finish. The French onion soup was rich and perfectly cheesy, and the cassoulet was hearty and full of depth — classic comfort food, elevated. I ended with the chocolate mousse, which was light, silky, and absolutely delicious. The cozy, Parisian atmosphere and attentive service made the whole evening feel special. If you’re looking for authentic French cuisine in a warm setting, this place is a must.

Great atmosphere, friendly staff. $46 for a stew with duck and sausage - overpriced? I don't know, maybe it's an SF thing. I'm only visiting. But it was delicious and definitely a pleasant and stylish place to dine in if you like French cuisine.

A lovely French restaurant with a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. The dishes were tasty and well prepared, and we were served fresh bread with butter, which was a nice touch. Service was good throughout the meal, making the overall experience very enjoyable. Desserts are a must try. Better to uber to the restaurant, parking is tricky

Dinner at Le Central. Traditional slow French meal (almost 2 hours). Pictured are… Appetizer: smoked salmon petit tartine (7 out of 10). Wine: Stephane Magnien Pinot (I rate it 8 of 10, paired great with our food). Pan-roasted atlantic salmon, pommes purée, braised fennel, citrus beurre blanc. Easy 8 out of 10. Duck confit with risotto and broccolini. 10 out of 10! Creme Brulee and chocolate mousse were good enough for 7 out of 10. Didn't knock our socks off like some other desserts in town, but sometimes you just don't want to waddle to another busy restaurant just for a sweet finisher. My dining companion is a former food magazine editor who has spent years eating throughout France. In her opinion tonight‘s dinner was equal to anything she’s had in all of Europe. This place will go into my regular rotation for every San Francisco trip.

Yesterday, I had lunch with my 97-year-old mother at Le Central. She's been going there for decades, and I hadn't been for years. The quality of food, the excellent wine list, and the professional service made for a wonderful experience. We both had fish dishes...superb. The coffee and chocolate mousse were delicious, too. As someone who decamped to the Sierra foothills 20 years ago and have traveled extensively in Europe since then, I must admit that I'd forgotten the extraordinary restaurants in San Francisco. Thank you Le Central for reminding me how wonderful San Francisco and it's best restaurants are!

Lovely restaurant! You must get the French onion soup. Best I’ve ever had. Wonderful ambiance and service. They let me call ahead to put my name in but they also take reservations.

Cozy French dining off a busy thoroughfare with relaxed vibes and amazing staff. Every time I visit, I’m meeting a new “regular” at the bar, and one thing we all agree is that you can’t go wrong with ANY dish. I’m partial to the onion soup (a no brainer), but the asparagus soup is also delish. Entrees are all cooked to perfection. To get a good sampling, happy hour would be a great option to work your way through the variety of apps - again, you can’t go wrong with any selection! The vibe is great for any occasion - friends, a date, business lunch, and even solo. Definitely worth a visit!

Le Central is a great French eatery which is casual and chic at the same time, with delectable food.   We began with a Parisian sidecar cocktail which had cognac,  cointreau and lemon among other ingredients;  delicious yet the alcohol will creep on you.   We tried the croquettes which had ham,  cheese, potatoes and generally yummy.  The pate de campagne was excellent served with cornichons and dijon.  The chevre chaud salad was superb with the creamiest goat cheese ever and wonderfully dressed greens.  For dessert,  we had the profiteroles which was amazing,  though the pastry didn't taste fresh.  And we also had the creme brûlée which was minimally sweet and delicious.  We had a great experience and dinner, thank you.

My buddy who is a lifelong San Franciscan took me here as one of his favorite spots. I had the burger and added caramelized onions and blue cheese, it was amazing!!!! We sat at the bar and had friendly, attentive service. Really excited to get back to have the same burger and enjoy a glass or two or red wine with it.

One of our favorite places in SF for happy hour AND dinner. LC is currently celebrating 50 yrs and is having a great fixed price menu and half price on their very popular and excellent cassoulet. Their tiramusu was divine. Alfonso was our server on 2 occasions last week, very attentive. Love this little bistro.

Located in a tiny street. This is the go to restaurant if we are in this neighborhood. The food is always good and not overly crowded. So many great dishes here that can satisfy diverse taste. Extremely pleasant wait staff. Truly enjoyable dining experience. Low key, relax and yummy.

First time visiting, and we were very satisfied . Our waiter was great and the food was amazing. The Cassoulet was outstanding, and the duck was juicy with crispy skin. The Ratatouille was savory and delicious. Great place 👌 we will be back!

It was so good to be back to France! The flavors, the taste, the atmosphere, the way their dishes were prepared was just a perfect souvenir from France. My wife and I enjoyed the moment. The cassoulet was amazing. The real taste of this so famous traditional dish. I highly recommend the place. What to say about our host: Olivier A French nice and funny gentleman. I’ll go back there anytime to be able to visit all the menu. Merci et bon appétit à tous!

Amazing food, amazing service! We visited during Restaurant Week April 2023 and had their 3 course meal with french onion soup, cassoulet, and the lemon tart and creme brulee. Plus had their Monday wine special (half off bottles). Some of the best French food I've eaten! Definitely would go back.

I absolutely love this classic eatery from the white linen, professional staff, seating, cuisine, and wine service... to their respect for the origins and history that lend it a timeless elegance. Kudos Le Central 👍

Iconic San Francisco establishment. Scott our sever is the best of the best. Romantic ambiance. Best beef bourguignon. Delicious escargot. French onion soup beyond compare.

Jordana Lobo

A lovely French restaurant with a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. The dishes were tasty and well prepared, and we were served fresh bread with butter, which was a nice touch. Service was good throughout the meal, making the overall experience very enjoyable. Desserts are a must try. Better to uber to the restaurant, parking is tricky

Kreative Cid

Dinner at Le Central. Traditional slow French meal (almost 2 hours). Pictured are… Appetizer: smoked salmon petit tartine (7 out of 10). Wine: Stephane Magnien Pinot (I rate it 8 of 10, paired great with our food). Pan-roasted atlantic salmon, pommes purée, braised fennel, citrus beurre blanc. Easy 8 out of 10. Duck confit with risotto and broccolini. 10 out of 10! Creme Brulee and chocolate mousse were good enough for 7 out of 10. Didn't knock our socks off like some other desserts in town, but sometimes you just don't want to waddle to another busy restaurant just for a sweet finisher. My dining companion is a former food magazine editor who has spent years eating throughout France. In her opinion tonight‘s dinner was equal to anything she’s had in all of Europe. This place will go into my regular rotation for every San Francisco trip.

Alicia Mier

Cozy French dining off a busy thoroughfare with relaxed vibes and amazing staff. Every time I visit, I’m meeting a new “regular” at the bar, and one thing we all agree is that you can’t go wrong with ANY dish. I’m partial to the onion soup (a no brainer), but the asparagus soup is also delish. Entrees are all cooked to perfection. To get a good sampling, happy hour would be a great option to work your way through the variety of apps - again, you can’t go wrong with any selection! The vibe is great for any occasion - friends, a date, business lunch, and even solo. Definitely worth a visit!

Carolyn Nickell

Lovely restaurant! You must get the French onion soup. Best I’ve ever had. Wonderful ambiance and service. They let me call ahead to put my name in but they also take reservations.

Rod T.

Yesterday, I had lunch with my 97-year-old mother at Le Central. She's been going there for decades, and I hadn't been for years. The quality of food, the excellent wine list, and the professional service made for a wonderful experience. We both had fish dishes...superb. The coffee and chocolate mousse were delicious, too. As someone who decamped to the Sierra foothills 20 years ago and have traveled extensively in Europe since then, I must admit that I'd forgotten the extraordinary restaurants in San Francisco. Thank you Le Central for reminding me how wonderful San Francisco and it's best restaurants are!

Luc Sam

Le Central is a great French eatery which is casual and chic at the same time, with delectable food.   We began with a Parisian sidecar cocktail which had cognac,  cointreau and lemon among other ingredients;  delicious yet the alcohol will creep on you.   We tried the croquettes which had ham,  cheese, potatoes and generally yummy.  The pate de campagne was excellent served with cornichons and dijon.  The chevre chaud salad was superb with the creamiest goat cheese ever and wonderfully dressed greens.  For dessert,  we had the profiteroles which was amazing,  though the pastry didn't taste fresh.  And we also had the creme brûlée which was minimally sweet and delicious.  We had a great experience and dinner, thank you.

Ryan Carlson

My buddy who is a lifelong San Franciscan took me here as one of his favorite spots. I had the burger and added caramelized onions and blue cheese, it was amazing!!!! We sat at the bar and had friendly, attentive service. Really excited to get back to have the same burger and enjoy a glass or two or red wine with it.

Sandy Scheetz

One of our favorite places in SF for happy hour AND dinner. LC is currently celebrating 50 yrs and is having a great fixed price menu and half price on their very popular and excellent cassoulet. Their tiramusu was divine. Alfonso was our server on 2 occasions last week, very attentive. Love this little bistro.

The Foodie Architect

Located in a tiny street. This is the go to restaurant if we are in this neighborhood. The food is always good and not overly crowded. So many great dishes here that can satisfy diverse taste. Extremely pleasant wait staff. Truly enjoyable dining experience. Low key, relax and yummy.

Roman Valles

First time visiting, and we were very satisfied . Our waiter was great and the food was amazing. The Cassoulet was outstanding, and the duck was juicy with crispy skin. The Ratatouille was savory and delicious. Great place 👌 we will be back!

arnaud alcaraz

It was so good to be back to France! The flavors, the taste, the atmosphere, the way their dishes were prepared was just a perfect souvenir from France. My wife and I enjoyed the moment. The cassoulet was amazing. The real taste of this so famous traditional dish. I highly recommend the place. What to say about our host: Olivier A French nice and funny gentleman. I’ll go back there anytime to be able to visit all the menu. Merci et bon appétit à tous!

Grace Berte

Amazing food, amazing service! We visited during Restaurant Week April 2023 and had their 3 course meal with french onion soup, cassoulet, and the lemon tart and creme brulee. Plus had their Monday wine special (half off bottles). Some of the best French food I've eaten! Definitely would go back.

Craig Stuart Adams

I absolutely love this classic eatery from the white linen, professional staff, seating, cuisine, and wine service... to their respect for the origins and history that lend it a timeless elegance. Kudos Le Central 👍

michelle pender

Iconic San Francisco establishment. Scott our sever is the best of the best. Romantic ambiance. Best beef bourguignon. Delicious escargot. French onion soup beyond compare.

Christopher Mundle

Amazing service that I don’t receive very often. The moment I need anything the amazing waiter already had it ready for us. Everything we had was delicious. Le Central’s atmosphere is great for any occasion. Definitely a must when visiting SF.

Terri Hanson Mead

We made a last minute reservation and had a perfect lunch. I started with a glass of champagne and my 19 year old and I shared the escargots, beet napoleon, and the Niçoise salad. All were perfect and delicious. I paired the salad with a glass of Sancerre. We finished with the seasonal buche de Noel which was light and delicious. Le Central is our go to French restaurant when we are near Union Square.

Had dinner before a show at SF Playhouse and it was the PERFECT spot. The service was phenomenal - warm, welcoming and attentive. Food and drinks were fantastic, especially for “girl dinner” - truffle fries, salmon cake, French onion soup + kir royale and French 75s. Happy hour is bar seating only. Absolutely coming back.

Went for Christmas Eve family brunch. The food is excellent- I enjoyed the Beef Bourguignon which was tender & delicious. Others had the Salmon & the Le Central burger. The food is excellent, atmosphere feels like a neighborhood bistro & service impeccable. Would highly recommend.

I’m never compelled to share a review, but Le Central was perfect. I stopped in and had a solo dinner at the bar, and everything was wonderful. I feel like I stepped back in time to when cozy, friendly, and delicious restaurants were all filled with regulars and didn’t need a gimmick.

Susan LaDuke

Went for Christmas Eve family brunch. The food is excellent- I enjoyed the Beef Bourguignon which was tender & delicious. Others had the Salmon & the Le Central burger. The food is excellent, atmosphere feels like a neighborhood bistro & service impeccable. Would highly recommend.

Chanda Lockhart

Had dinner before a show at SF Playhouse and it was the PERFECT spot. The service was phenomenal - warm, welcoming and attentive. Food and drinks were fantastic, especially for “girl dinner” - truffle fries, salmon cake, French onion soup + kir royale and French 75s. Happy hour is bar seating only. Absolutely coming back.

Very nice inside. More of a local place. Food is good. Music is good. Older people eat at this place. Perfect for me. I'm a old sole in a somewhat young body lol. I recommend this place.

We had an early dinner at a charming French restaurant in San Francisco before heading to see Hamilton, and it was a cozy, intimate experience. With a 5 PM reservation, we were the only diners, which made for a serene atmosphere but felt slightly awkward as the attentive waitstaff checked in a little too frequently. The starters were perfectly portioned—bite-sized, which I personally loved as it left plenty of room for the main courses and dessert. While the vegetarian options were quite limited, every dish and drink we ordered was delicious and thoughtfully prepared. We ended the meal with a cappuccino made with Illy coffee, which was a delightful touch, though they only offered 2% milk for it. The service was pleasant and attentive throughout, striking a nice balance between friendliness and professionalism. Overall, a great spot for a pre-theater dinner if you’re looking for a quiet, cozy meal with classic French flavors.

I enjoy my visits to Le Central for classic French Bistro dishes. The setting is a bit old and worn around the edges but thats OK. Hard to beat the steak frites and the location is handy when shopping near Union Square. They make an excellent Negroni.

Beautiful restaurant, with a classic atmosphere. Service was good, but the food wasn't good enough to justify the price and small portions, I would come back for the atmosphere, though

Small french restaurant within easy walking distance from several hotels. We stopped in our first night in SF. The group had the crab and oysters for appetizers. Entries were great and paired well with our wine.

TLDR: classic French restaurant that has a decent happy hour and decent though pricey food (non happy hour) My favorite bite was the croquette. The small salad is very very small, and I did enjoy the deviled egg. The main we got to share was the cassoulet and the portion was huge and shareable. Tons of protein with beans and a few different types of meat.

We visited this place for a brunch with friends. When we arrived around 11:30, it was pretty empty, but it got busy later on. We enjoyed the food – everything was great; my favorite was onion soup and beef bourguignon. Our waiter was wonderful and fun.

Sayana

We visited this place for a brunch with friends. When we arrived around 11:30, it was pretty empty, but it got busy later on. We enjoyed the food – everything was great; my favorite was onion soup and beef bourguignon. Our waiter was wonderful and fun.

Good staff service. Limited entree but the food is good. Nice ambience.

Really liked the onion soup - full of cheese on top and a rich taste - salty but sweet. Crème brûlée is also a highlight, very crispy on the top and not too sweet. The main was okay. The restaurant itself is a little old, their sofa has cracks on the surface making sitting there a little uncomfortable. The server was also not very available - we sat for ~20mins before the server came to our table to get our order, and they had to separate drink and food order due to restaurant being too busy despite we were ready to order both. Then he got our bill wrong and charged 1 extra item..

Karen Zheng

Really liked the onion soup - full of cheese on top and a rich taste - salty but sweet. Crème brûlée is also a highlight, very crispy on the top and not too sweet. The main was okay. The restaurant itself is a little old, their sofa has cracks on the surface making sitting there a little uncomfortable. The server was also not very available - we sat for ~20mins before the server came to our table to get our order, and they had to separate drink and food order due to restaurant being too busy despite we were ready to order both. Then he got our bill wrong and charged 1 extra item..

We arrived for our reservation and, for unknown reasons, placed right next to the only other people dining in the bar area. The lobster bisque had 2 chunks of lobster meat that required a knife in order to eat it. This was my first experience with a beef bourguignon with no mushrooms, no sauce, and undercooked onions and carrots. The beef was tender. My husband’s cassoulet was not a standout. The service was hit and miss. If there was a wine list, it was kept a secret. The lukewarm coffee at the end of the meal was an appropriate ending to a mediocre dining experience. Maybe Le Central was having an off night, but we will not be driving an hour in to the city and spending hundreds of dollars to find out.

Food was mediocre to say the least. Every dish was just nothing. Beef tar-tar - dry, tasteless, not seasoned and a quail egg. Whole egg, not egg yolk. Escargot - not seasoned, tasteless. Beef Bourgogne - chewy!! Huge pieces of meat that stick between your teeth. Also tasteless. Upsetting experience.

Aweful door service, lady standing there wont spela to me. Said table was free and it wasnt, i was left wandering around the resurant. Wont tell me how long or how here to wait.

NO KIDS ALLOWED!!!!!! Review: I had a terrible experience at this restaurant. My family and I came in hoping for a nice meal, but it turned into a disappointing outing. Right from the start, the host was unfriendly and acted like we were inconveniencing them by simply being there. Things only got worse when we sat down. Our waitress, a lady with glasses, was downright rude. She made it obvious she was annoyed by my 1 year old daughter, who were just being a normal kid. She asked to lower the volume of our ipad which was super low and said it was because people go to the restaurant to have a nice dinner, insinuating my daughter was something unpleasant in the restaurant. Her attitude was unprofessional, and it felt like she was singling us out because of the noise level. As for the food? It was mediocre at best—not worth the price or the unpleasant service. Overall, this place left a bad taste in our mouths, figuratively and literally. Families with kids should avoid this place at all costs!

Hello David, It’s disappointing to see your unpleasant response to my feedback, especially since it seems based entirely on assumptions and the account of your waitress. This behavior reflects poorly on the team working at your restaurant. As a “father of two,” I would expect a more understanding and respectful approach from you, not one that dismisses valid concerns. To clarify, my complaint stemmed from being approached at my table and asked to lower the volume as soon I sit in my table. Your waitress’s explanation that “people come here to have a nice dinner” feels like an excuse rather than a justification for poor treatment. I can only hope you never find yourself in a situation where someone disrespects your family or makes degrading remarks, such as comparing a child to a monkey. I paid my bill in full, tipped Carlos for his service, and have every right to share my experience without being discredited by you. I sincerely hope the bad reviews and feedback you’re receiving prompt a change in how you and your staff treat customers. Respect and professionalism go a long way in ensuring a restaurant is not just visited, but valued.