buddy
Wine bar · Mission ·
Innovative wine bar with creative snacks & vintage-chic vibe
Innovative wine bar with creative snacks & vintage-chic vibe
"When I think of squid dishes in San Francisco now, I think of the stuffed squid at this pop-up: a meaty, enormous trio that riffs on Lebanese kousa by stuffing the bodies with duck fried rice. Cutting through one feels like slicing a sausage; microgreens and oily dates add textural contrast alongside pepitas, while a smoked Aleppo labneh circling the plate creamifies every bite. Maz Naba’s finesse—honed at Rich Table, Coi, and Moongate Lounge—shows across the menu, but nowhere more than here; these punchy cephalopods feel like a hat trick announcing his victory." - Paolo Bicchieri
"Cozy, chill, and beautifully designed, this casual wine bar is an ideal place for a date over a refreshing wine cocktail. Buddy also has a full rotating food menu that’s both fancy and funky. We’re talking walnut levain bread with pumpkin miso butter and apricot mustarda, golden beets with pickled grapes , and a hearty mortadella sandwich that will probably inspire you to sink into the comfy banquette and linger until closing time." - ricky rodriguez, julia chen 1, lani conway
"There are as many wine bars with small plates in SF as amateur rock climbers, and they all tend to blend together. But Buddy’s natural wines and frequently changing small plates sets it apart. They’re the headliners at this laid-back Mission spot. Hearty mortadella sandwiches, gougėres topped with shiny trout roe, and thick ciabatta with green garlic vadouvan butter will inspire you to sink into a comfy banquette and linger until closing time." - julia chen 1, patrick wong, lani conway, ricky rodriguez
"There are more natural wine bars in SF than there are crocheted tote bags at the Ferry Building farmers market. But the pét-nat you should plan one of your precious few nights around is Buddy in the Mission. The minimalist space with a long curved bar works equally as well for a wine-fueled launchpad before dinner nearby as it does for dinner itself. The rotating seasonal dishes are fantastic—especially the trumpet mushrooms with truffle honey and feta, which could convert even the staunchest of fungi haters." - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez
"Casual bars specializing in natural wine are popping up all over town these days. One to pay attention to is Buddy in the Mission. Cozy, chill, and beautifully designed, it’s an ideal place to drop in for a refreshing wine cocktail. Buddy also has a full food menu that’s both fancy and funky. We’re talking whole baby turnips with a flavorful smoked oyster ranch, tuna confit with a soft egg and a side of saltine crackers, and a hearty mortadella sandwich that will probably inspire you to sink into the comfy banquette and linger until closing time." - julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez, lani conway