Nathan CY

This is my fourth visit to this restaurant, which I consider one of the best Cantonese restaurants in the U.S. The flavors and atmosphere always bring back memories of home. At this point, I come here not only for the food itself, but also for the sense of nostalgia it gives me. I truly appreciate that they’ve maintained such quality, making it possible to enjoy an authentic taste even far from home.

+6

Luisa Davis

We had a 9-hour layover and decided to explore San Francisco with my family. What a great decision! We found this amazing restaurant, and everything we tried was delicious. The duck and bao buns were a true delight: flavorful and cooked to perfection. It was the perfect way to pass the time and turn a long wait into an unforgettable memory. I highly recommend this place for a fantastic family meal!

+3

Mario Dos Campollo

A magnificent meal at the R&G Lounge. This is one of Chinatowns best restaurants. Everything was was terrific so I’m not going to waste any time. The sea bass and the chicken surprisingly stood out the most. This restaurant is a good spot for special occasions and is perfect for bigger groups. The staff is attentive and quick. Overall a great dining experience I would recommend. Dos thumbs up 👍👍

+6

Seated upstairs in a larger space with multiple tables my company's visit to R & G Lounge was filled with joy and satisfaction as we experienced a complete meal experience from the exceptional cockta…

I absolutely love this place! The food is great, service is fast and it has a family style atmosphere. My fav dish is the ribs but everything I have tried is amazing!

I absolutely love this place! The food is great, service is fast and it has a family style atmosphere. My fav dish is the ribs but everything I have tried is amazing!

I absolutely love this place! The food is great, service is fast and it has a family style atmosphere. My fav dish is the ribs but everything I have tried is amazing!

Still my favorite Chinese banquet place in the San Francisco Bay Area for the over the past 30 years. We ordered the banquet B which has all of our favorite dishes and substituted the greens & mu…

I absolutely love this place! The food is great, service is fast and it has a family style atmosphere. My fav dish is the ribs but everything I have tried is amazing!

Very good food, clean tables and friendly and attentive staff. I loved the food quality and presentation. I will definitely go back on my next trip to San Francisco.

Very good food, clean tables and friendly and attentive staff. I loved the food quality and presentation. I will definitely go back on my next trip to San Francisco.

I love this place! The prices are so decent, and the menu is massive. service is fast and efficient, and the food is always spot on. I like their duck,m, but the fried green beans are my absolute f…

I love this place! The prices are so decent, and the menu is massive. Service is fast and efficient, and the food is always spot on. I like their duck,m, but the fried green beans are my absolute f…

Classic fine dining restaurant with infamous R&G special beef and salt n pepper spare ribs. We waited here for 40 minutes for two people on a sunday evening without a reservation. It's a clean rest…

Classic fine dining restaurant with infamous R&G special beef and salt n pepper spare ribs. We waited here for 40 minutes for two people on a sunday evening without a reservation. It's a clean rest…

Made a reservation and had only a few minutes wait to be seated with our party of 6. Food here is always delicious. We had the special beef, Peking duck, Chilean seabass, garlic noodles, and of cou…

Made a reservation and had only a few minutes wait to be seated with our party of 6. Food here is always delicious. We had the special beef, Peking duck, Chilean seabass, garlic noodles, and of cou…

I first came here on a business trip with colleagues. The service is outstanding and you must have the salt and pepper crab. The ambiance was great. We visited on a weeknight, it was busy however t…

Came here on a recommendation and had the best Chinese food I've had in a while. Really enjoyed the special beef, garlic honey chicken, and special fried rice. clean, busy, and great service-will b…

My husband and I returned to R and G Lounge today and had a delightful and delicious meal experience. Our server, Jade, was very attentive as were several of the other staff. We will be back! …

The restaurant was a great find. Authentic food, friendly staff, great service and the food was delicious. The bartender was friendly and made some wonderful recommendations!

We were walking to another restaurant and passed by R&G. We figured with a lot of people waiting, it must be good. Only a 15 minute wait and bartender gave us huge wine pours. With only two of us…

We were walking to another restaurant and passed by R&G. We figured with a lot of people waiting, it must be good. Only a 15 minute wait and bartender gave us huge wine pours. With only two of us, …

My wife and I arrived around 2:15pm. After a suggestion from our tour guide. Upstairs we were greeted right away, and asked to go downstairs to the dining room. There we were greeted right away …

The calamari and the fried rice were amazing. The bartender. Louie, was seriously one of the most outstanding I have ever seen. He engaged every customer and he obviously loves his job. You rarely …

Every person we encountered on our trip recommended this place and they were spot on! The staff was courteous and attentive. The atmosphere was cozy and laid back with several large parties enjoyin…

The Chinatown restaurant is very famous locally, so I decided to try their fish and rice dish. To start, their service was surprisingly excellent, and served hot tea right after I seated, and was very attentive in suggesting their menu and accommodating requests. The fish I tried was very good and juicy, with sweet and savory notes. The prices are above average (~$70) comparing to most restaurants in the area. I believe it’s worth trying for locals and visitors.

narae kim

After coming back from the Chinese restaurant, I realized that I didn’t even feel the need to drink water—that’s my personal standard for perfectly seasoned food. In my opinion, the seasoning was spot on. The jellyfish was excellent as a side dish—it had a delightfully crunchy texture and was really satisfying to chew.

+6

Joy

It had been about 17 years since I last ate at R&G lounge, because I was kind of boycotting due to receiving poor service so so long ago. With so many other restaurants to try, I was never interested in coming back until a friend told us that he loves R&G lounge so much that he eats here almost once a month, and convinced us all to have dinner there, after we were turned away from 4 Kings. R&G has been around all this time, and lots of people seem to love it, and of course I can forgive poor service nearly 2 decades ago. Has R&G always been so big? They put us in large table tucked away from the commotion. They have multiple floors and even have options for private dining. I can see why large parties plan events here so they can eat the usual Chinese banquet dishes. $65 Salt & Pepper Dungeness Crab - whole crab battered, deep fried, sprinkled w/ salt & pepper seasoning: great! fresh & succulent fresh crab meat piled high with crispy garlic $50 Chilean Seabass (small) - marinated and baked in a glaze: okay! nice and tender, but due to personal preference I don't love glazed fish that much. Our other friends loved it though. $24 Roast Squab - whole squab roasted, crispy skin, w/ seasoning salt on the side good! crispy skin indeed and quite juicy. Are we calling MSG = seasoning salt now? It does look quite like MSG, which I have nothing against. To me it's just another form of sodium. The tough thing about squab is it is not always easy to split up. Who gets the leg, the best part? $26 Steamed Clams & Eggs - steamed with beaten eggs: good! steamed to a silky consistency $20 Eggplant w/ Garlic Sauce - eggplant, black fungus, bamboo shoots & scallions sauteed in hot garlic sauce: good! silky, spicy and flavorful $8 for 4 bowls of steamed rice, which we shared among 6 people, because we're too cheap to get one bowl of rice per person, but we never finish our rice anyway. 3% SF Mandate is annoying, but nothing new I guess I am due to let go of the past and admit that R&G has some pretty good dishes. In fact, service this time around was pretty good. Who could remember that nearly 20 years ago, they took nearly an hour to return our credit card, so we can just conclude payment and leave, as if they were holding us hostage? Oops, I guess I do still remember. We're moving on!

+1

Nancy

We had a lovely family dinner here today. We did not have an advance reservation and the earliest slot on the Yelp app was eight thirty in the evening, which was too late for us. When we called, they encouraged us to try walking in. We picked up a number and waited in the queue. The wait was surprisingly quick. In about half an hour we were seated at six. For a busy night, that felt very reasonable. As usual, we ordered far more food than we could finish. Salt and Pepper Crab This tasted exactly the way we remembered. The seasoning was bold without being too salty and the crust had that perfect light crunch. They offer disposable gloves if you want them, otherwise you get wet napkins to clean up after. Five out of five. Peking Duck I am not sure if this counts as true Peking duck. There were many small bones and I kept worrying one would chip a tooth. It took away from the enjoyment. Three out of five. Prawns with Honey Walnuts A simple dish, but nicely done. I liked that it was not drenched in mayonnaise, which helped the prawns stay flavorful and not overly heavy. Five out of five. Honey Spare Ribs This was prepared well with a pleasant balance of sweet and savory. Tender and easy to eat. Four out of five. Baked Chilean Sea Bass At fifty two dollars, I expected something special. This used to be one of their signature dishes, so the letdown was noticeable. I would not order it again. Two out of five. Red Bean Soup This was a complimentary dessert. My sister thought it needed more sweetness, but I found it mild and comforting. Four out of five. Service our plates midway through the meal, which was a thoughtful touch. Before seating us, they asked if we could finish by 7:39pm. We felt confident we could, so we agreed. Around 7:10pm, they began giving gentle reminders that our time was almost up. It was handled politely, though the timing was noticeable. 4/5 Overall A solid 4/5 for the evening. Despite a few misses, the highlights and the service for the most part made it an enjoyable dinner.

+2

Nicole Lee

went here with my parents after hearing great things about their crab. r&g has apparently been the place to go since my grandparents lived in the city! we got the salt & pepper crab, half a duck, and fried rice. the crab has great flavor, but it felt a little too deep fried for my liking. i've had this dish before where it was fried and saucy, but this was mostly just fried batter. the duck was great! no complaints there, and the portions were good. i wish they gave more buns though! the fried rice would be a pass for me next time :/ it wasn't anything special and lacked flavor in my opinion. overall, r&g food quality was good. however, id expect that given the price. it was solid, but not spectacular.

Jacquelyn Pruet

R&G Lounge has been a Chinatown staple for years, and there’s a reason it’s Michelin recommended time and again. While the menu offers plenty of variety, my advice is to stick with the seafood. It is their true specialty. I grew up on the East Coast and am used to seeing seafood restaurants with live tanks up front. At R&G, the tanks are tucked away in back, but you’ll catch glimpses of them as servers move between rooms. The restaurant itself spans three levels: street level, upstairs, and a basement where we were seated. The staff runs things like clockwork. The hostess had an earpiece and radio, keeping everything flowing smoothly. Service is brisk but attentive. You’re never left waiting, yet you don’t feel rushed. We ordered the Peking duck and the seafood wraps. The wraps were completely new to me and turned out to be excellent. Sitting next to a local couple celebrating their 13th anniversary made the experience even more memorable. The wife told me she loves R&G because it reminds her of her mother’s home cooking, while her husband said the seafood wraps tasted like something his grandmother would make. I cannot think of higher praise than that. Their lobster dish looked phenomenal, and I could not resist snapping a photo. This was my third visit to R&G, and every time the service has been consistently solid, but the seafood always steals the show. When I am in San Francisco, this is my favorite spot in Chinatown.

+8

Hi I Am

I recommend coming here if you are in a large group like 10-11 people. But I would also not recommend the banquet menu. You get 9 items plus dessert for $708 under menu B. However our group of 11 ordered 13 dishes plus dessert plus alcohol and our sub total was only $583 and that included not just 1 but 2 crabs and a whole Peking duck. This ended up being a better deal doing a la cart and we had just enough food for everyone to share family style. We ordered: 2 x salted egg yolk crab Whole Peking duck 2 x Steamed clam and egg 1 yang chow fried rice 1 special fried rice Combination seafood garlic noodle Honey spare ribs Salted egg yolk pumpkin Garlic stir fry pea shoots Scallops w/beef steak Prawn with honey walnuts Service was good despite they were very busy. It took 30 minutes for the first dish to come out. While we waited we asked for peanuts. I saw on the menu they charge $5, but didn’t see it on the bill. Other restaurants give peanuts without having to ask. The peanuts were plain, unroasted and unsalted. Most of the dishes were great. However, the special fried rice fell short. There was nothing special about it. It tasted like plain egg fried rice. Some of the clams were chewy while others were tender. Prawn with honey walnuts needed a touch of acidity in the coating.

+11

R&G Lounge has earned its recognition as an SF institution. On a Friday night, all three floors of the dining room were packed - even the large banquet tables. I went with a large group (there were 1…

R&G Lounge has earned its recognition as an SF institution. On a Friday night, all three floors of the dining room were packed - even the large banquet tables. I went with a large group (there were…

R&G Lounge has earned its recognition as an SF institution. On a Friday night, all three floors of the dining room were packed - even the large banquet tables. I went with a large group (there were…

We had a lovely family dinner here today. We did not have an advance reservation and the earliest slot on the Yelp app was 8:30pm, which was too late for us. When we called, they suggested us to tr…

The service was fast and efficient with dishes coming out that were delicious. prices are pretty high but similar to higher end Chinese restaurants. I've been told this is one of the decent and bes…

We made a mistake and decided to have Christmas dinner at R&G without reservations. It was 1.5 hr wait for a party of 4. Thankfully we snagged bar seats for 2 and then we ended up waiting like 45…

Got the Dungeness crab scallion and ginger style. Crab was very good. Of course crabs not cheap so two pound crab will run almost 70 dollars. Also got the Peking duck. It was good but I would say n…

We walked here from the hotel, so no idea of their parking. We were able to be seated quickly (about 30 min wait) with no reservations. The restaurant was clean and beautifully decorated. We were s…

Becoming average in a city where competition for quality Chinese food is fierce. Unfortunately becoming run-of-the-mill offering greasy food, mediocre duck and flavors overpowered by sauces.

Becoming average in a city where competition for quality chinese food is fierce. Unfortunately becoming run-of-the-mill offering greasy food, mediocre duck and flavors overpowered by sauces.

R & G Lounge — A Beloved Classic That Never Disappoints R & G Lounge holds a special place in my heart. My family and I have been dining here for many years, and every visit feels as wonderful as th…

Clearly a popular spot for locals so definitely worth booking a table if you want to eat here. food was lovely and worth the recommendation.

The food is pretty good, but it's extremely loud. Also, the service can be perfunctory. I might add that there was a piece of string in one of my dishes.

We arrived for dinner at 4:50 pm on a Thursday. By 5:30 pm, the entire restauant was full. The food was yummy. We shared: the diced honey garlic chicken; the beer chow fun; and prawns with scram…

Went here for lunch today. Solid food and solid service. Had the salt and pepper Dungeness crab, marinated half chicken and the triple mushroom vegetable. Very good overall. Good prices for a major…

overpriced and rude too minimal service. The food was not great my honey soy orange chicken was dry, my partners cashew nut chicken, ‘S sauce wasn’t great. We had to ask for our order to be taken,…

Based on the raving reviews we decided to have dinner at R&G Lounge. Despite our reservation we had to wait for over 20 minutes to be seated. Our table was located in the corner of the smelly cella…

Oliver Pe

December 2025 Chinese restaurant mainly serving Cantonese style cuisine in banquet style menu as well as notable cocktail 🍸 items. A fairly formal restaurant with a wide range and standard menu based of the common ingredients and components. They are generally known for their seafood dishes which are cooked well and consistently. Some dishes follow trends while others are traditional. Cocktail drinks were well crafted and on the strong side. Sampling the lauriat or banquet style, the food order came through not quite following the menu. Highlights are the crab, special beef, and scallops dishes while the duck was standard. The shrimp 🍤 version is not the crunchy type. Serving sizes are a bit inconsistent with some dishes generous, generally ample, and some like the fish were a bit on the smallish side. One issue they had was....as prescribed in the banquet menu, dessert was supposed to be included but when the meal was finally over the waiter said that it was not included 🤔🤔🤔🤔 Pricing in general was standard but also showed a number of inconsistencies: menu states Tsing Tao size is L but the standard bottle is the downsized one. CORRECTION: Tsing Tao is now standard sized layer vs traditional Large bottle served before. 🫡🫡🫡 The final bill also has an automatic 20% service charge added. No issue with the SC if only service was standard to industry. Service in general was not consistent and would need better attention to proper etiquette and rules. The place is of three dining areas. The ground is where the reception, bar, and a small area for small tables up to 3 or 4. The lower floor is for larger groups and with 2 private rooms. This section is pretty crowded and is typically loud and full much like a busy Chinese restaurant. All in all, a good and relatively standard and a bit more well kept restaurant within the busy Chinatown district of SFO. Reservations are recommended.

+40

Jhane Galang

We walked into the restaurant on a Saturday night and only waited about 30 minutes — not bad at all! We had no idea this place was such a hidden gem in SF. We ordered the fried rice, crab, and sticky ribs. The food was absolutely amazing! I opted for the ginger and scallion preparation for the crab instead of their usual salt and pepper style — and I’m so glad I did. It was incredibly flavorful and just packed with goodness. The sticky ribs were also a highlight — so tender! They were a bit on the sweet side for my personal taste, but still delicious. And the fried rice? I would recommend it to anyone. It’s seriously addicting! Now, the only downside to our experience was the service — specifically, our assigned server. Unfortunately, he seemed completely uninterested in helping us. He took our order and never came back to check in. We were missing our rice, and all the food had already been served. Turns out it wasn’t even ordered in the first place. Thankfully, another server — an older gentleman — noticed and stepped in. He was amazing. He took care of everything: brought us the rice, refilled our water, gave us a clean plate for the crab, and made sure we had what we needed, all while managing three large tables nearby. Honestly, he did everything our original server should have been doing. What frustrated me most was when the check came (which we had to ask the other server for), and suddenly our original server reappeared — just in time for the tip. It was disappointing because he did nothing to contribute to our dining experience. I didn’t want to make a scene since it was a busy night, so we just paid and left, but management should really take a closer look at how tables are being assigned. The other server absolutely deserved the tip — and the recognition. Overall, the food was fantastic, and I’d definitely come back — but I hope we get the right server next time.

+2

Booked ahead as expected it to be busy and it was. Ordered cup of chicken and sweetcorn soup, and the special seafood noodles. Both very tasty. Unfortunately my partners dish not so much. She…

Booked ahead as expected it to be busy and it was. Ordered cup of chicken and sweetcorn soup, and the special seafood noodles. Both very tasty. Unfortunately my partners dish not so much. She order…

There are so many restaurants in chinatown it is so difficult to know which one to go to! The atmosphere here was great - it was absolutely manic! We gave our name and waited about 20 minutes for a…

There are so many restaurants in chinatown it is so difficult to know which one to go to! The atmosphere here was great - it was absolutely manic! We gave our name and waited about 20 minutes for a…

Clearly popular with many diners, but not this one. Tea was served as soon as I sat down. Ordered a beer to start and this arrived very quickly. Ordered Hot and Sour Soup, followed by Combinati…

We came for the duck and then ordered some veggies and honey walnut shrimp. Everything seemed to be pretty standard, including the duck. I don't think it was as impressive as I would have wante…

City Mom In The Burbs

R&G Lounge gets two stars from me because the Peking duck experience was really disappointing. For the price and the restaurant’s reputation, the way the dish came out felt careless. What went wrong • The Peking duck arrived at the table with several pieces already missing, so it looked like a half-finished platter instead of a whole, impressive dish. • The duck was not deboned, which made it hard to eat and took away from the enjoyment, especially since Peking duck is usually served in neat, easy-to-wrap slices. Also, the duck arrived at our table as shown in the photo. There seems pieces were missing, I asked our server and was told that this is the way the duck is served. I have never been served a duck in such a way. • Given how well-known this place is for special dishes and banquet-style meals, the quality and presentation of the duck fell far below expectations. Why it’s two stars, not one • The restaurant is a long-standing Chinatown spot with a big menu and a busy, lively dining room, so it clearly can do better than what we were served. • Service and other dishes may be fine for some guests, but the mishandled Peking duck turned what should have been a highlight into a letdown, and that’s hard to overlook.

+1

I travel a lot for work (almost weekly) and rarely write reviews. The food was so bad (Salt pepper crab and special beef) that we paid our $227 check and left to eat elsewhere. There was no spice an…