Fifty Vara

Restaurant · Outer Sunset

Fifty Vara

Restaurant · Outer Sunset

2

1735 Noriega St, San Francisco, CA 94122

Photos

Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null
Fifty Vara by null

Highlights

Great food, cocktails, brews and a lively atmosphere  

Placeholder
Placeholder

1735 Noriega St, San Francisco, CA 94122 Get directions

fiftyvarasf.com
@fiftyvarasf

$30–50 · Menu

Reserve

Information

Static Map

1735 Noriega St, San Francisco, CA 94122 Get directions

+1 415 571 8701
fiftyvarasf.com
@fiftyvarasf

$30–50 · Menu

Reserve

Features

payment credit card
Tap to pay
reservations
wifi

Last updated

Aug 7, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@eater

The Best New Cocktail Bars in the San Francisco Bay Area | Eater SF

"Neighborhood staple Sunset Reservoir has been reborn into bar and restaurant Fifty Vara as of late March, serving their own brews, shaking up cocktails, and dishing out bistro burgers and shareable appetizers. Take in a house-made black lager, or try one of the cocktails, such as the Manhattanesque which pairs amaro and vermouth with rye whiskey and a dash of chocolate bitters. California wines also figure into the drinks menu, if you prefer to unwind with a glass or bottle." - Dianne de Guzman

https://sf.eater.com/maps/best-new-cocktail-bars-san-francisco
View Postcard for Fifty Vara
@eater

The Best New Restaurants in San Francisco, July 2025 | Eater SF

"The former Sunset Reservoir building is now revived as Fifty Vara, which is part brewery, part restaurant. Diners can order one of the beers made onsite, such as the house lager, but the bar is also ready with higher-proof cocktails and no-proof drinks if that’s what you’re after. Food-wise, the menu has a sizable amount of small bites perfect for groups gathering for a meal, such as crab fritters and crudo, but heftier items include a pork chop and a burger that is decidedly tavern-style, and not of the smashed style." - Paolo Bicchieri

https://sf.eater.com/maps/best-new-restaurants-san-francisco
View Postcard for Fifty Vara

K C

Google
Cool spot with good vibes, great food/cocktails and awesome service. I think the portions could be a little heftier, but the quality of the food and flavors make up for that. It was a pretty dead Friday as it was July 4th weekend, but I can see this place being really busy on a non-holiday weekend. Plenty of parking. Bar area has TVs so we were able to watch our Giants game from our booth. Would go back again!

Ron Mandel

Google
We happened to swing by on the soft open, and were very pleased. We enjoyed the creative cocktails, and snacked on the Persian Cucumbers that had a nice Japanese flavoring and a little spice. The flatbread with sausage and asparagus was very flavorful. Service was attentive and both food and drinks came very fast. Even though they just opened, it was a very smooth experience. The atmosphere is both cozy and a bit more upscale than it used to feel in this space. We'll definitely be back!

Jessica Blake

Google
We had a wonderful experience! The small bites/tapas were so flavorful - we could have ordered more but were trying to save room for the main course, which was also delicious. The burgers were perfectly prepared. Lots of great options for next time! Wide selection of beers for all and there's in-house brewing equipment, too. The owner definitely knows what he's doing! Plus, the mocktails were flavorful and unique. So happy we got to try it early and can't wait to go back! It's an awesome spot for the community.

Chrissy Chu

Google
This is the third place in the city where I really enjoy the pork chop. It’s juicy and well-cooked, though I wish it had a bit more flavor. You should definitely try the burger. I loved the onion pickles and the juicy patty! The seating area is nice, chill, and relaxing. The only downside was the kid’s pasta. It came in a small half bowl, which felt a bit too little. But overall, the service was really good. Worth a visit!

Lisa Huang

Google
Really cute place for dinner! The appetizers were pretty average but the mains were really good. The pork chop was probably one of the best I’ve ever had. And the orecchiette was amazing as well.

Erin Rea

Google
Amazing new restaurant in the middle of the Sunset! This is the kind of place I want to come back to for all kinds of occasions - and a good excuse to try all the delicious cocktails and food! The Espresso Martini is probably the best I've ever had, the Dahlia Dell is a straight up banger, and the Pacific Crest is a fantastically complex non-alcoholic option. The salads are great, as are the flatbreads, and there are a surprising number of vegan/vegetarian options. My only gripe is that it's not in my neighborhood, but it's still only about 20 minutes from most spots in the city. Run, don't walk!

Nicole Jeffery

Google
New restaurant in the sunset neighborhood. Delicious cuisine! The staff was kind enough to allow us to order 2 of the pick-up sticks each just so we can sample the dishes. Will come back again!

David Murguia

Google
Everything that I hope an sf place is not. Simple burger, beer, and appetizer was $60+ Overpriced and overrated. You’d think that at that price the burger would be justified or phenomenal. It wasn’t. I’d be better served with a super duper burger. Similarly the beer felt like it was a backyard brew. Nothing close to what a west coast ipa. The kicker was the bartender left middle of our dinner without even letting us know. Meh service and quality of food was way overrated for the price. Feels like the kind of overpriced overrated spot I’d expect in Malibu or something. Save your time and money.
google avatar

shawn p.

Yelp
Tried to check this place out after opening up and replacing the sunset brewery. Was always disappointed with the latters service, food and beer. The first time here the wait was over an hour and I didn't wait. No fault of Fifty Vara for being busy. So finally after being smart and making a reservation for dinner. The wait staff were wonderful, the food was really lovely and the drinks great
google avatar

KC C.

Yelp
Cool spot with good vibes, great food/cocktails and awesome service. I think the portions could be a little heftier, but the quality of the food and flavors make up for that. It was a pretty dead Friday as it was July 4th weekend, but I can see this place being really busy on a non-holiday weekend. Plenty of parking. Bar area has TVs so we were able to watch our Giants game from our booth. Would go back again!
google avatar

Arjoyita R.

Yelp
Fifty vara is one of the new restaurants in the city and in our list for some time. Fifty Vara is one of those standard template restaurants with the same open seating vibe, dark green paint and a light, airy environment welcoming of people on a Friday night or a random day of the week. They have a good selection of beers, thanks to their microbrewery inherited from the Sunset reservoir brewery. Overall a pleasant experience and chill place to come for drinks or food.
google avatar

Richard H.

Yelp
First time since they changed ownership and menu with a different vibe from the previous ownership. Like its predecessor, mid week lunch crowd is minimal and understand weekend Brunch is similar. Stopped by on a Sunday afternoon with a friend and had a N/A Mexican IPA from Athletic and we shared the calamari. Calamari came out lukewarm warm and not what I'm used to at other places where it is hot. The dipping cocktail sauce was interesting as they add horseradish to it but for me, the taste profile was off and would have preferred the tarter and traditional cocktail sauces. Bartender service was fine glad the place was empty with the two of us being the only ones seated at the Bar. Will give this place another chance and try the chicken sandwich or their burger on my next visit.
google avatar

Maria M.

Yelp
Great addition to the neighborhood! I've eaten here for brunch and a couple times for dinner. The space itself is beautiful, high ceilings and plants giving a spacious and bright. This place was a former brewery so Fifty Vara offers 6 house made beers. Menu offering California cuisine with salads that are fresh and delicious. Corn Fritters, baked goat cheese and riblets was enjoyed by the group. The Rosemary Potato Flat bread surprisingly good. The Vara burger and flat iron steak were great! Enjoyed the experience at Fifty Vara. It's casual and trendy and such a welcome addition to the Sunset District! 5 stars!
google avatar

Victoria W.

Yelp
We tried 50 Vara for the first time on a Friday night and enjoyed our experience overall. The service was really great from both the hostess and our server, and the ambiance of the restaurant was chill and neighborhoody with great decor. We ordered the corn fritters, a pork fennel flat bread and a medium rare steak (they were able to easily sub fries for the crispy red potatoes that normally come with the steak). We enjoyed the corn fritters and the flatbread and would order both again, but wouldn't have the steak again as it was more medium to medium well in some spots than overall medium rare. We enjoyed our drinks as well - a refreshing grapefruit vodka cocktail, a Pinot noir for the meat and two half pints of the beer they brew on site. This is a really nice addition to the neighborhood and we'll definitely be back. We may have gotten lucky on parking but we had no issues parking on Noriega just a couple doors down from the restaurant.
google avatar

Andrew S.

Yelp
It's exciting to see new restaurants open up in SF again and my friend and I ventured out to the Sunset to try Fifty Vara. We shared the grilled asparagus, Kampachi crudo, savoy spinach salad, seared local black cod, grilled pork chop and spiced chocolate cake. The grilled asparagus was excellent - the toasted breadcrumbs and romesco were very tasty on top of really fresh asparagus. The kampanchi was really fresh but this isn't really what I was expecting for a "crudo". The savoy spinach salad was meh - I expected more from the dressing. The local black cod was the highlight of the meal - I absolutely loved that it came with so much greens - snap peas, favas and pea tendrils. The pork chop was cooked well but it was oddly sweet and I was missing a little bit of char. The spiced chocolate cake was good - it reminded me of a lava cake but with interesting spices and texture. On food, this was good but not great. Service was too attentive. I really don't need the server to always be in my face. The pacing of the meal was off too - they brought out all of the dishes in very rapid succession and it's hard to have that many dishes on a small table for two. The space is gorgeous with multi-level seating. They brew their own beers and you can see the brewing equipment on the side. With tax and tip, this was about $85 per person - very reasonable for the meal. Overall, this was not the best experience. Fifty Vara is probably a good neighborhood spot but I don't know that it's worth making the trip out to the Sunset for it.

Seikyee L.

Yelp
I would have given this place a 5 star had it not been the loud thumping base clubbing music. It actually takes away from the dining experience. Is it a sports bar, a club or a restaurant? I have been there three times so far, and tried many different dishes. All super yummy esp of you like crunch. The riblet is out of this world- moist juicy pork ribs seared to a nice crunch. Tomato flat bread refreshing and the trout dish, every bit was memorable. Love the lofty space and the greenery in it- feels like I'm in Nature with the best food. This would have been a 10/10 had it not been the choice of music. No music would be perfect too. We were so enthralled with the food by the time we remember to take a photo, it was like this
google avatar

Sherry L.

Yelp
New restaurant in the old Sunset Brewing Company space on Noriega. Kind of same vibe and food genre, but definitely better in all categories. They got rid of the big barrels and expanded the second floor seating with some fresh and planty decor. They kept the bar area but gave it a nice face lift; still has the big TVs playing whatever sports game. Menu got a great makeover with familiar food but a nice slightly upscale twist. Service and flatware is a little bit more professional. All in all, just a better experience but retains a bit of the warm neighborhood feel. Drinks are yummy, definitely recommend one of the cocktails. For food, the menu isn't large but there's something for everyone. I got the fish entree, which had amazing flavor but was slightly overcooked. Pasta was great, as was the salad. Spiced chocolate cake dessert is pretty good too. Nice place for happy hour, casual Friday date night, or catch up with friends.
google avatar

Tina M.

Yelp
Great Brunch, Stylish Space,Coming Back for Lunch We came hoping for the lunch menu but didn't realize it only starts at 2:30 PM, so we ended up trying the brunch menu and it didn't disappoint. The baked goat cheese with tomato sauce was great , beet salad was excellent bright, fresh, and well-balanced. The pork hash was flavorful and filling. The Crudo was fresh and well-seasoned. The crispy squid (calamari) was just okay, but the burger was juicy and satisfying. "The Sando" was also a hit at the table. We also tried their draft beer tasting set, which was a nice touch good variety and well-curated. The space is modern rustic with high ceilings and a warm, open feel. Service was attentive and friendly. Looking forward to coming back to try the lunch menu next time
google avatar

John S.

Yelp
We tried this place for Brunch on a lazy Spring Saturday. Fifty Vara retains the old Brew Pub concept from the old Sunset Reservoir Brewery. We tried the Burger, the Pork Hash, Flatbreads, the Donuts and the Beer. The cuisine is California American. The food was Ok but like most new restaurants, it is a work in progress. I would give it in 3.5 stars if that was an option. The Lager was excellent and they do offer half pints. Look forward to revisiting it in a few weeks to see how it progresses.
google avatar

Vanessa B.

Yelp
Loved how they kept a lot of the vibes of the old place but feels like they added light and greenery. Good it very good and service was wonderful at the bar.
google avatar

L W.

Yelp
We checked out our newest neighborhood addition and we love it. We must have been lucky because there was live music there tonight and it made the entire place so lively. We met up with friends for drinks and snacks. Love how the space has been updated. The appetizers were yummy - shout out for those Persian cucumbers - and the cocktails were solid. We hear there will be more live music in the future. A definite plus. Tonight's trio - Fake Melody - was terrific.
google avatar

Rob S.

Yelp
Great new local spot with American food done really well and House-Brewed Craft Beer If you're looking for a truly satisfying dining experience that captures the essence of a great local spot, this place should be at the top of your list. I dined alone so only got to try one entre but came back for brunch the next day. What stood out immediately was the quality of the food. I ordered the pork chop, and I can honestly say it was one of the freshest and most flavorful I've had in quite some time. Perfectly cooked and juicy with a fresher twist compared to the barbequed ones I am used to in TX. Equally impressive was the drink selection. Their in-house brewed craft beer lineup is something special--clearly made by people who know and love the art of brewing. I tried the black and hazy in a half pour which is a great option for exploring. The rest of the drink menu is just as strong, offering a variety of well-crafted cocktails. The espresso martini with a mint twist was great. All in all, this is exactly the kind of place every neighborhood hopes to have--delicious food, outstanding drinks, and a welcoming environment. Highly recommend supporting this local treasure. Parking is free and abundant.
google avatar

Vivian D.

Yelp
Was SO excited to see this slightly more upscale restaurant opening in the old sunset brewery location. Decided to stop by for happy hour to check it out. Decor was similar, with some elevated upgrades and new furniture. Menu was very small, with only a few flatbreads and light appetizers to choose from. Prices were only $1-$2 cheaper than the non-happy hour menu. The 2 flatbreads we ordered were not terrible, but not great. They were generous with the toppings, but were way too crispy and chewy. If this is an indication of their food execution, it does not make me want to return for their dinner menu. The prices were also high for what you are getting. Coming here actually made me miss the Sunset brewery food options which were actually delicious and a good value! What a huge letdown, will not be returning...

Zoe R.

Yelp
Great addition to the neighborhood. Brunch with friends was lovely. We like that we were not slammed in & didn't have long waiting lines. As more locals learn about 50vara we will lose the special ambiance. Until then, we love it. Espresso Martini & a Grateful Dead Cover band, totally hit the spot.
google avatar

E G.

Yelp
We came with dear friends! Atmosphere was lively without it being too loud! drinks were great especially the expresso martini, had a nice kick! dived in with: garlic shrimp! cooked very well, great flavor; calamari; very light and crispy not heavy at all: tomato salad with burrata well dressed. not a clump of burrata though more like a spread: goat cheese was delicious! melty and great grilled bread!!! sausage was good but nothing special, tomato flat bread was awesome! thin, crispy fabulous! chocolate spice cake was not heavy, nice and moist ...nice spice!!!! service was great! bravo!!!!
google avatar

Kayleen R.

Yelp
Beautiful renovation! The plants everywhere are beautiful and the new owner put a lot of thought into ventilation and practicality during the renovation. The menu is precise and beautifully prepared. Flavors are on point, simple but loud. Service is amazing and they servers are well trained on the menu and building history. I can't wait to come back. Hopefully this business thrives as it's a true gem!
google avatar

Carole L.

Yelp
I was sad to see Sunset Reservoir Brewery close. They had the absolute best burgers. But, I was so thrilled to see a new restaurant open in this spot! Went with some girlfriends and was immediately struck by how well they transformed the place. The plants and upholstered booths made the space warm, bright and inviting. The previous iteration only had wooden booths with no give and you would have a sore tush after your meal. But the booths are now nice and comfy. We ordered a selection of cocktails (although I didn't drink that night). The first thing that struck me was the reasonable price for the cocktails. My friends all enjoyed their drinks- espresso martini and moonrise mule- and said they were well executed and tasty. We ordered the calamari and cucumbers to start. Both were good. Cucumbers were fresh and had the perfect spice to them. For the entrees, we had the green beans, pasta, pork chop, halibut, and chicken breast. They were all good but my favorite was the halibut and pork chop. Both were so tender, flavorful and cooked to perfection. I'm always worried about pork being dry and this was so moist. Service was good even though the dishes took a little longer to come out. It was fairly crowded. We didn't mind since it gave us time to chat more. All in all, I love what they've done and excited that I have another place in the hood (honestly it feels like I stepped into another city) with an elevated but comfortable/casual dining experience. Yay!
google avatar

Jolene T.

Yelp
Excited to try the new spot in the beautiful space previously occupied by Sunset Reservoir Brew Co. Food was very good. We ordered the crab fritters, halibut, flatbread, burger. Fruit and pecan crisp for dessert. I also got the sangria cocktail. What stood out the most for me was the variety of greens accompanying the halibut dish - sugar peas, fava beans, asparagus, snow pea shoots, and topped with fresh dill. Such great flavors. Service was impeccable. The staff checked on us frequently. Very kid friendly and accommodating (we asked if they had milk because the flatbread was unexpectedly spicy for our kids, and they promptly brought us a cup of milk). The space was already beautiful to start with but they did a tasteful renovation before opening, and now also have gorgeous plants everywhere in the restaurant. My kids thought they were fake but they're indeed real. Next time I would make a reservation, especially Fri-Sun. We went on a Wednesday night 6pm and it was pretty packed. Luckily we got a bar table in the front. Welcome to the neighborhood!
google avatar

Rust C.

Yelp
Sangria during happy hour ! So good and such beautiful setting for a happy hour. Food was delicious, try the flat bread pizza.
google avatar

Frank R.

Yelp
New and vibrant ambiance, which is a nice change from the much older experiences in the surround neighborhood. Great feel and young crowd...again nice change. We sat on a high-top near the bar because the main floor was packed. Unfortunately, we had long waits between being seated, giving menus, drinks, and food. I would recommend telling staff to take drink orders almost immediately after being seated to keep customers engaged rather sitting idle. Waitress recommended the burgers and flatbread/pizzas... I got a burger, but was unimpressed. It was dry and severed without anything unique. My girlfriend got a salad with chichen...it was delicious.

Kippy C.

Yelp
This place has amazing food and drinks!! The grilled pork chop and iron steak are so delicious and juicy and the calamari is amazing crispy . They are my favourite dishes there. Definitely will be go there often Also you got to try the IPA
google avatar

Mimi T.

Yelp
Been here twice now and so far the experience has been mixed. The service is very friendly but the food was sloowww. Took about 30 minutes for the corn fritters app to arrive. The food was mixed as well. Breakdown of what we've had: Cod: Light but flavorful - full of beautiful peas and greens. Porkchop: It was okay..could have been paired with different sides than carrots and beets Burger - both times were just mediocre - the fries were almost cold Flat bread - Really good. Get that as a main or app to share with the table Chicken - Really salty - like they brined it for too long? I'll keep coming back since it is in the neighborhood, and will update the reviews.
google avatar

Anthony H.

Yelp
This is our third time here. We really wanted to like this place and gave this place a few chances to wow us. Ambiance is really nice, but the food, portions, and flavor is lacking. We were a party of 7 and one of our steaks were beyond well done when we asked for medium rare. The cod portion was so small, it wasn't even a fillet. It was so thin and flat. Flavor was also lacking. Burger patty was also too well done. Burger is lacking substance. Service is non existent tonight. Waiter was nowhere to be found. Took forever to order food. We had to ask different people on the floor to remind them of our drinks. Never had any water refill. Won't be coming back. Prices are higher end for small portions and poor service.
google avatar

Dee D.

Yelp
Service was excellent from the moment we walked in, I took my boyfriend here for his Birthday. The menu has excellent options, everything was great. A very memorable dinner.

Kay L.

Yelp
Delicious food and wonderful service. We ordered the trout, flat iron steak and tomato/burrata salad and all were delicious. Really good cocktails as well. Loved the cozy booths. Great addition to the neighborhood - we will be back for sure.

Jishing Y.

Yelp
Absolutely loved the staff and service here! We were looking for parking so arrived late to a 8:3@ reservation but the staff graciously sat us down right before the kitchen closed. Jonathan was excellent and super friendly. Crab fritters - quite yum and loved that they were crispy but not super heavy Blistered tomato flatbread - okay, it was a little too wet and liquid but flavor was good Orecchiette - super flavorful and loved the handmade pasta and sauce Crudo - nothing special but solid Overall, the interior was super nice as well and would recommend coming here
google avatar

Erin R.

Yelp
Amazing new restaurant in the middle of the Sunset! This is the kind of place I want to come back to for all kinds of occasions - and a good excuse to try all the delicious cocktails and food! The Espresso Martini is probably the best I've ever had, the Dahlia Dell is a straight up banger, and the Pacific Crest is a fantastically complex non-alcoholic option. The salads are great, as are the flatbreads, and there are a surprising number of vegan/vegetarian options. My only gripe is that it's not in my neighborhood, but it's still only about 20 minutes from most spots in the city. Run, don't walk!
google avatar

Sharon A.

Yelp
It was our first time here, and we came specifically for the collaboration with Chef Manny and his wife. We stopped by for happy hour and were impressed--the flatbread was light and crispy, the calamari was clean and so tender, and the crab cake with that lemon aioli sauce was ‍. Our favorite, hands down, was the halibut crudo. We also loved the Tiny Tini concept--cute touch. Definitely planning to come back for dinner!

Gary F.

Yelp
Great to see a pub/restaurant back on Noriega! They have three menus depending on the time of day! All three menus provide exciting options... like corn fritters, flat breads (pizza) and Persian cucumbers. Mo is a really great host and outstanding bar tender. Come and enjoy, let's keep fifty vara going strong
google avatar

Desmond D.

Yelp
Great new restaurant Bar with a great interior. We had 4 items off the menu so we could share and try as many as possible. We enjoyed the flavors and everything was fresh and delicious. Highly recommend you try it. Might be a good location to watch sports too as there is a huge screen upstairs and room for 70+
google avatar

Rebecca R.

Yelp
New upscale brewpub/restaurant in Outer Sunset, convenient parking. Modern, airy design. Good service, very attentive and friendly. Starters, flatbreads and salads were all delicious and fresh. Orchiette was the only disappointment, heavy handed with a rich salty pork ragu that overpowered the orchiette. Fifty Vara is a great place for groups large and small; and great for either dinner with friends or watching sports at the beautiful bar with a beer & tasty bites. Will definitely be back.

Fred G.

Yelp
A note: i don't write reviews often. I think it's 6-7 over the last 5 years. If I feel that I had some uniquely special experience I will go out of my way to say so. A uniquely bad experience or good. I am spending 15 minutes to write this because this time was super special. The review is real. It's long. And, every word of what I am about to say is true. I don't know anyone at Vara...but.... I will get to know them after last night's meal.... This was one of my most enjoyable experiences at a restaurant in a long time. When we walked in from a foggy and cool day on Noriega, it was eye-opening. Beautiful two level open space with gadzooks of hanging plants, nice seating arrangements for privacy and super high ceilings which not only make the space bigger and more airy but there is never a lot of noise - conversation or music that makes it difficult to talk. We were there on Friday night about 6:30. Medium amount of diners and about 30 seconds of waiting. We were immediately greeted by "host" Steve and Kai...her first day on the job. She had learned quickly, seated us and was so pleasant that all three of us remarked on it instantly. Then over the next 2 hours we were attended to as if we were Obama dropping in for a quick meal. I'm a customer service nut and we all know how slow or haughty service can cast an immediate shadow on a meal. Attentive, sincerely friendly, super knowledgable about the drinks, appetizers or meals - they were there to help. Someone mentioned the "over-attentiveness" of the waitstaff. To me, it was a bit startling how Alexis and two Jonathans were always there when we needed someone, but it was only because service at 99% of restaurants is not nearly like this. It was special and we all loved it. Alexis was great. Knew everything we threw at her, offered frank opinions of choices we made and was spirited and fun. We wanted her to join us. The other two Jonathans took over later and were a great addition. Oh yeah, food. We shared about 6 plates. Corn fritters 10/10, roasted squash 10/10, Trout tartare, same, Goat cheese. Flat bread,..excellent. My sis loved her Manhattan and Old Fashioned! They were all delicious. Can i highlight one appetizer??.. Well, the pot de creme dessert. A knockout. But they arrived at our plate quickly and they made sure the drinks arrived first. If I don't have someone take my drink order within 5 minutes, I GET GRUMPY. I was not grumpy here. And, for us sport fans who need to know the latest Giants score or how our Valkyries are doing, there are a number of TV's scattered thought out. (muted). BUT - this is not a sports bar hangout...but sometimes it's helpful to know if we kicked ass or not........ This is the beginning of a long term relationship. I Iive in Marin but fortunately my sis is only 5 blocks away. We will all continue the courtship and I hope you people do too. You walk out smiling and are still talking about it 30 minutes later as you try to figure what a Vara is (Portuguese- Spanish-Latino unit of measurement) and wouldn't it be great if other restaurants offered just half the service and great food. Thanks Alexis, Kai and Jonathan x 2. Memorable and we'll be back! Fred y mi comrades, Emily and Mary Ann (told you it would be long!)
google avatar

Cary W.

Yelp
Wow! What a fun spot with super food and elegant atmosphere in the heart of the Sunset. We had the chips and dip, the olives, the burger, the gem salad, and the fennel sausage flat bread. Every item was extraordinary. We even loved their mock tails. Thank you Fifty Vara for an Easter afternoon lunch to remember.

KS K.

Yelp
3 stars for an average of 2-star food and 4-star atmosphere. Ambiance is fantastic, and clever use of sound muting in such a large space. Cocktails are excellent. Wine selection is ok for the area, which is a wine desert compared to other neighborhoods. Food is honestly meh. I'd love to see heartier gluten-free options, maybe add a gluten-free bun to the burger as an option? Recommend replacing the chef, it's as if they are trying really hard but never hitting the mark. Terrific ingredients and presentation; I've tried the fish and chicken (the only non-red meat non-pork options) and both were over-cooked and the flavors never quite made it. Had high hopes for this neighborhood location to replace the brewery but am incredibly disappointed with the food. Nailed the reno tho.
google avatar

Cindy H.

Yelp
The food is good, but overpriced. The Paradesia non-alcoholic drink was $11 and tasted like elegant orange juice. Pork chop was cooked perfectly, soft in the middle. Burger was a bit dry. The pasta was kinda greasy.
google avatar

Lorrie S.

Yelp
I keep coming back here cause the space is beautiful and the service is outstanding. Very friendly and skilled. The menu has variety with special favs of the spinach salad, flatbreads, burger and pork chops. And I find parking so meet ups for happy hour are easy too. Nice work Vara!
google avatar

Na m.

Yelp
We visited weekend at Noon - sat in a booth and appreciated this high ceiling, expansive space with attractive interior. Food was excellent - we sampled breakfast "Sando", the burger, and the French toast. All well executed and delivered hot from the kitchen by amiable waiter. We will come back! Also, will consider this for private event or group gathering as the upstairs is generous- perfect for graduation or birthday party.
google avatar

D N.

Yelp
restaurant has a very nice modern ambiance. happy hour sangria was very good. place was full. we ordered 2 pork chop meals. one pork chop was cooked fine the other chop was 1/2 the size & was so over cooked, i could barely cut & eat. i was taken for my birthday so i didn't complain; maybe i should have. don't know if i'd go back. Service was very good but no one checked on us after delivering food to table.

Serena L.

Yelp
Food was fantastic and so was service. Genuinely warm and happy servers - so rare! We had the crudo, calamari, orecchiette and potato flatbread. Flawless execution. Wish portions were tad bigger but we have nothing negative to say about our experience. Definitely a great spot!
google avatar

Chris V.

Yelp
Absolutely wonderful experience! We popped in for drinks and appetizers before graduation. The staff were friendly, welcoming & attentive and the food and drinks were delicious! It's is also gorgeous inside!!!
google avatar

Morris R.

Yelp
Laid back and lively vibe. The food was great - slightly elevated comfort food. If I lived in the neighborhood I would give it five stars b/c it's such a great addition to the 'hood. But by general SF restaurant standards, it's four stars - really good meal and worth the trip to what feels like a remote spot. Oh and the prices were reasonable.
google avatar

Amy B.

Yelp
I really wanted to love this place because it's in my neighborhood and I liked coming here in its last iteration. But our experience was just not good. Our server was great--really friendly and good with the kids. But he was dismissed after taking our order. It seems like the manager started letting staff go randomly. (As a former restaurant manager, I get that they want to cut costs and reduce staff if it's not that busy, but let your servers complete their current tables!) My kid's children's meal was brought out in a reasonable amount of time, but then the rest of us waited and waited and waited. For at least 25 minutes. By the time the rest of us got our food, the one kid who got his food early was long finished and I had to try to deal with him while eating. On top of that, two of our orders were wrong. I was also disappointed with my burger--it was pretty small for the cost. My other kid was also really disappointed the restaurant doesn't have pickles for the burger. What kind of restaurant that serves burgers doesn't have pickles? However, my husband ordered the pork chop and enjoyed it. Overall, we might give it another chance just to see if this was an off night, but our experience wasn't great.

Danielle B.

Yelp
We had a great experience here tonight. Everyone, ages 5-80+, loved their meal. My mom and I are gluten free, so we appreciated all of the options (they warned us about cross contamination as it's a shared fryer). We will definitely return.
google avatar

Lary S.

Yelp
Everything about our first visit to Fifty Vara was enjoyable from the easy parking to the first impression of the well designed spacious decor. The menu is short but has a nice variety of choices and the service is efficient and friendly. We started with the crispy calamari with a delicious tomato based sauce. Then we shared the perfectly cooked halibut served over a variety of veggies including crunchy snow peas. The pub brewed lager is well balanced and went well with the meal. Our only complaint is that the music is a bit too loud and reverberates due to the high ceiling. Looking forward to returning.

Peter C.

Yelp
Sat at the bar area. Very nice and airy. Food was good. Service was good given they were just open.

Joseph K.

Yelp
So glad this spot opened up on Noriega. The drinks were really good and the food was solid. The restaurant has a lot of potential. Can't wait to come back and see how the menu evolves.

Al M.

Yelp
This place is new, so I'm going to come back and re-review this in a month or so. Hopefully they'll get the kinks out. Pros: - Wonderful atmosphere (if a tad noisy). Great high ceilings, art, plants, natural light. The vibe is energetic, inviting - the kind of place you want to meet your friends and hang out. - The beer is good (not great), and there's good variety and we need to support places making fresh beer onsite! And they pour half-pints so you can taste different ones. (They should offer tasting flights, just saying.) - The neighborhood really benefits from a place like this. It's not a dive bar, not precious and tiny, not a chain, and not esoteric or specifically ethnic. Those places are well represented already. - Price point is acceptable for a weekend night out, and matches the vibe of what they're offering. Cons: - Service. Saying the service was bad was an understatement. We were all but forgotten, which is crazy since were literally the first table next to the host stand so we were constantly in someone's view. Our server was covering way too many tables (most of whom were served first even though we were seated first), and the host and manager didn't even clue in to how long we had to wait for food. Nobody seemed to notice or apologize for the delay either. We ordered a burger, a flatbread, and a salad, and we had a 20 minute interval between the salad being cleared and the other food showing up. Not cool. It took another 10 minutes to get our check (after asking for it) and another 10 minutes to get someone to run our credit card. Seriously! 70 minutes to get in and out for a beer and three simple foods. - Value. You can't charge $20 for a burger that small. I don't care how fancy your grass-fed whatever beef is. That thing was tiny. And the bun was a few days old - please don't try to pass off that crap as fresh. Beyond that the food was "fine". The menu was reasonably short and had lots of crowd-pleasers. Nothing was excellent, nothing was awful. Fries were good :) Fix that service, fix that burger and this is a place we'll come back for. If not, I fear they'll suffer the fate of the last place that operated here.