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San Francisco

Birdsong is a two-Michelin-starred restaurant in San Francisco's SoMa district, offering a tasting menu that emphasizes heritage cuisine with a focus on whole-ingredient preparations and local, seasonal produce. The dining experience is enhanced by an open kitchen concept and live-fire cooking techniques. While many guests commend the restaurant for its ambiance and culinary creativity, some have expressed concerns about the pricing and occasional inconsistencies in dish execution.

North America

United States

Nestled in the vibrant SoMa district of San Francisco, Birdsong is a culinary gem that invites you to embark on a sensory journey through its innovative omakase-style dining experience. With a nature-inspired forest theme, the restaurant artfully blends Japanese, French, and Asian-European cuisines, creating a unique atmosphere that feels both upscale and intimate. As you step inside, the warm wooden accents and soft lighting transport you to a serene woodland, making it the perfect backdrop for a memorable meal.

At Birdsong, the culinary experience is nothing short of extraordinary. The tasting menu, which ranges from $265 for a two-hour experience to $325 for three hours, showcases a series of meticulously crafted dishes that highlight the natural flavors of seasonal ingredients. One standout dish is the Caviar Walnut Pancake, a delightful creation that pairs the richness of caviar with a fluffy walnut pancake, delivering a burst of umami with every bite. Another must-try is the Sea Urchin Cream Puff, where fresh uni is enveloped in a delicate cream puff, offering a refreshing twist that elevates the traditional pairing of sea urchin and rice.

Halibut Sashimi: Dressed with a house-made seaweed-infused sauce and seasoned with bone vinegar, this dish is a light and refreshing start.

Aged Grilled Quail: Tender and juicy, this dish is infused with a rich smoky flavor that lingers on the palate.

Pine Nut Risotto: Topped with coconut shavings, this fragrant dish is both comforting and memorable.

Lemon Shaved Ice: A light, tangy palate cleanser that refreshes after a rich meal.

Located at 1085 Mission St, Birdsong is perfectly situated to explore the vibrant SoMa neighborhood. Just a short walk away, you can discover the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) or take a leisurely stroll through Yerba Buena Gardens. The bustling atmosphere of the area is complemented by a variety of art galleries, shops, and bars, making it an ideal spot for a pre-dinner drink or post-meal dessert.

Birdsong is not just about the food; it’s about the entire dining experience. Guests can enjoy the chef’s table experience, where they sit next to the kitchen and witness the artistry of the chefs firsthand. This immersive experience adds a personal touch, allowing diners to engage with the culinary team and learn about the inspiration behind each dish. The restaurant’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its sourcing of ingredients, emphasizing local and seasonal produce.

What is Birdsong known for? Birdsong is renowned for its innovative omakase-style dining experience that fuses Japanese, French, and Asian-European cuisines.

Why visit Birdsong? The unique atmosphere, creative dishes, and the opportunity to engage with chefs make Birdsong a must-visit for food enthusiasts.

What's nearby? Birdsong is conveniently located near SFMOMA and Yerba Buena Gardens, perfect for a day of art and relaxation.

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply seeking a unique dining experience, Birdsong promises to delight your senses and create lasting memories. Reserve your table today and immerse yourself in a culinary adventure that celebrates the beauty of nature and the art of fine dining.

Cozy, upscale stop with a chef's tasting menu highlights Pacific Northwest & wood-fire cooking.

https://www.google.com/local/review/rap/report?postId=ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURfdy1ITW1nRRAB&d=17924085&t=1

places/ChIJTwtvfIOAhYARHMEe0c2Xi4s/reviews/ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURfdy1ITW1nRRAB

Fantastic experience dining next to the head chef with the “chef’s table experience”. Food is great - very natural flavor emphasizing the ingredients’ characteristics vs using too much or too strong sauce flavor.
Some of the dishes are very innovative, such as the BBQ carrot ( using football-sized carrots specially sourced) and the deserts.
We had the 2025 winter special menu and I would say most of the dishes on the menu gave us some level of surprise and joy.
Also, thank you for the birthday cake. First time I enjoyed a cake that I assembled myself. Love it~
Service is great - one little thing is the music is a bit too loud and we sometimes find it hard to hear the staff talking…

https://www.google.com/local/review/rap/report?postId=ChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURfOE8tcVZBEAE&d=17924085&t=1

places/ChIJTwtvfIOAhYARHMEe0c2Xi4s/reviews/ChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURfOE8tcVZBEAE

With its nature-inspired forest theme, Birdsong delivers an omakase-style fusion of Japanese, French, and other Asian-European cuisines. Every dish showcased thoughtful preparation and fresh, meticulously crafted ingredients.

🅿️ Parking: Parking is tricky! Street parking is limited, so I recommend parking in a nearby lot and Ubering to the restaurant.

🔖 Price: Two menu options – $265 (2-hour experience) or $325 (3-hour experience).

January 2025 Tasting Menu Highlights
🌟 Appetizers:

Halibut Sashimi: A light starter featuring sashimi dressed with a house-made seaweed-infused sauce and seasoned with bone vinegar.
Daikon and Salmon Roe: Smoky and creamy, this dish paired buttery smoked root sauce with daikon and salmon roe. The balance of acidity and richness was next level.
Grilled Red Abalone with Lettuce: Red abalone foam mixed with fresh lettuce and abalone slices created a delightful combination of oceanic and forest flavors.
Pine Nut Risotto: Topped with coconut shavings, this dish was fragrant and comforting, leaving a lasting impression.
Crab with Smoked Fish and Seasonal Veggies: Presented in a unique smoky vessel, the crab paired with butter and pickled pearl onions was bursting with freshness.
Caviar Walnut Pancake: The signature dish and the highlight of the night! This walnut pancake, topped with caviar, was a bite of pure happiness. It's an absolute must-try!
Sea Urchin Cream Puff: My second favorite! The uni was incredibly fresh, and pairing it with a cream puff added a unique twist that’s better than the usual rice pairing.
🌟 Mains:

Aged Grilled Quail: Perfectly tender and juicy, with a rich smoky flavor. This is another classic from their menu.
Roasted Carrot with Blackberry and Bone Marrow Sauce: Unfortunately, this one didn’t work for me. Despite the elaborate preparation, the carrot didn’t shine, and using bone marrow as a sauce felt like a waste of its potential.
Aged Steak: By this point, I was already getting full, but the steak was melt-in-your-mouth tender with just the right amount of aging. I wish I had more room to fully enjoy it earlier in the meal!
🌟 Desserts:

Lemon Shaved Ice: Light, tangy, and refreshing, this was the perfect palate cleanser after a rich meal.
Matcha and Mandarin: Matcha powder sprinkled over mandarin slices offered a curious but enjoyable contrast of flavors.
Candied Fruits with Chocolate: By this point, I was too full to properly appreciate it!
🌟 Wine Pairing:

We went with a 2004 Château Léoville Barton. Compared to a typical bold California red, this one was softer and very drinkable—a great choice for this tasting menu.

Final Thoughts
Birdsong delivers an incredible dining experience with unique flavors and creativity.

https://www.google.com/local/review/rap/report?postId=ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNuazVTdmp3RRAB&d=17924085&t=1

places/ChIJTwtvfIOAhYARHMEe0c2Xi4s/reviews/ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNuazVTdmp3RRAB

Celebrated my birthday here back in March and had a great time!!! The service was excellent and if you’re dining alone they’ll seat you at the bar where you can see the staff in the kitchen which I really enjoyed. Standouts for me were the lacquered quail and sea urchin cream puff.

Staff also went above and beyond for me—the strap of one of my heels very unfortunately broke on my way home from the bathroom at the end of the meal, so I was served tape as the final course 🫶🏻🫶🏻 Thank you, Birdsong!

https://www.google.com/local/review/rap/report?postId=ChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNuc0oyekR3EAE&d=17924085&t=1

places/ChIJTwtvfIOAhYARHMEe0c2Xi4s/reviews/ChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNuc0oyekR3EAE

Was at Birdsong for a private event. We went through a seven course meal, paired with wines and drinks. The great thing was that although I was not having alcohol that day, they found good non-alcoholic options to pair with drinks. I’ve often found that food at very upscale places is less tasteful and more pretentious.
This was not the case at Birdsong. The food was really delicious, and as you can see the plating and the service were excellent. We got to tour the kitchen in the end for desserts, which was definitely the highlight of the day.
Highly recommended

https://www.google.com/local/review/rap/report?postId=ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUMzcmU3ODZBRRAB&d=17924085&t=1

places/ChIJTwtvfIOAhYARHMEe0c2Xi4s/reviews/ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUMzcmU3ODZBRRAB

Expensive food and interesting ambience describes my Friday night tasting.

There were multiple parties that cycled through that came prepared with influencer gear. Throughout the night we counted 3 mini tripods and 2 external lighting devices from influencers dining at the chefs table. Shameless and did not add to our experience in any way.

The food was decent but we found two dishes inedible. One of our quail breasts had a bone embedded in it, and we had to unceremoniously spit the mouthful out. Second the property’s wild boar dish was underwhelming. The boar’s skin was part of the dish and was super dry and hard to chew and swallow. We had to spit this out too.

There were some amazing bites though. The uni bomb was incredible as was the quail broth and fish. The staff was friendly, attentive, and welcoming.

Experience Chef's Tasting at Birdsong, SoMa SF

Birdsong, located at 1085 Mission St in San Francisco's SoMa district, is a two-Michelin-starred restaurant known for its heritage cuisine and live-fire cooking techniques.

Experience our heritage cuisine through thoughtfully composed tasting menus that champion Bay Area producers and whole-ingredient preparations.

Discovery Menu

Journey Menu

Tasting Menus

Birdsong Menu Overview - A Culinary Journey in SoMa, San Francisco.

At Birdsong, located at 1085 Mission St, San Francisco, CA, this upscale eatery transcends the ordinary dining experience with its innovative **tasting menus** that beautifully fuse Japanese, French, and other Asian-European cuisines. With a nature-inspired ambiance that echoes the vibrant flavors of the Bay Area, it's a delightful destination for food enthusiasts and adventurous eaters alike.

The starters at Birdsong are a celebration of local ingredients and masterful techniques. Here are some highlights from the menu:

Halibut Sashimi - served with a house-made seaweed-infused sauce and bone vinegar.

Daikon and Salmon Roe - a unique combination of smoky, creamy flavors.

Grilled Red Abalone with Lettuce - featuring a delightful mix of oceanic and forest flavors.

Caviar Walnut Pancake - the must-try signature dish, a bite of pure happiness.

Birdsong’s main courses continue the tradition of creative culinary artistry with dishes designed to impress.

Aged Grilled Quail - tender and juicy, delivering on rich smoky flavors.

Aged Steak - melt-in-your-mouth tenderness with the perfect amount of aging.

To conclude your meal, the dessert offerings at Birdsong are both refreshing and intriguing, perfect for those with a sweet tooth.

Lemon Shaved Ice - a light, tangy palate cleanser.

Matcha and Mandarin - an enjoyable contrast of flavors.

To complement your dining experience, Birdsong offers a curated selection of wines and cocktails that pair beautifully with each course.

Curated wine pairings available for both tasting menus.

Craft cocktails featuring seasonal ingredients.

Birdsong also features seasonal specials, showcasing unique culinary creations that highlight ingredients at their peak.

Whether you're indulging in a multi-course tasting menu or enjoying a carefully crafted cocktail, Birdsong is a must-visit destination in San Francisco for an unforgettable dining experience.

Savor innovative dishes at Birdsong in SoMa, SF. Experience a culinary journey where flavor meets artistry. Book your table today!

Birdsong: Unique SoMa Dining in San Francisco

San Francisco County

Birdsong

A streamlined tasting menu ideal for early weeknight dinners and pre-theatre dining, typically a 2.5-hour experience.

A fully immersive tasting menu designed for guests interested in fully experiencing our cuisine and service, typically a 3.5-hour experience.

California

Experience innovative heritage cuisine at Birdsong in San Francisco's SoMa district. Savor tasting menus and enjoy a unique dining atmosphere today!

Birdsong: Michelin 2-Star Restaurant in San Francisco, SoMa

Discover Birdsong in San Francisco's SoMa, offering expertly crafted tasting menus with a focus on local ingredients and live-fire cooking techniques. Book now!

Explore Birdsong San Francisco's Heritage Cuisine & Tasting Menus

Learn about Birdsong, a renowned San Francisco restaurant celebrated for its heritage cuisine, innovative dishes, and exceptional culinary experience since 2018.

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