Per Diem - Transit Center

We hosted our company lounge brand experience here at Per Diem and had an amazing outcome. The staff was attentive, professional, and genuinely invested in making the event a success, the planning process was smooth, and the food and drinks received so many compliments from our guests. The space and ambiance were perfect to execute our brand experience that transitioned effortlessly into an elegant dinner and lively happy hour with music. Everything came together seamlessly, and our guests truly enjoyed it. We highly recommend it for corporate events.

We celebrated our 10 year anniversary here and had the most perfect meal! Our server Dante was amazing and helped make the experience exceptional! Food was delicious, drinks were just right, and the atmosphere was sophisticated and welcoming. We even got to hear our favorite jazz tunes on the speakers. Definitely coming back!

Great spot for a business lunch. The Mushroom Pasta and Brussel Sprouts (surprise) are great. Food is presented in a fancy fashion. We sat outside and it was a little cold, but this place does have blankets.

I was a little surprised by the service. I had a waitress, waiter and hostess help me this evening. I can only think that because I was by myself the first two did not want to wait on me. They moved on to bigger tables. I felt very unimportant. The food was good, the atmosphere was nice. The service was very disrespectful. The hostess was nice though.

Enjoyed a lovely dinner here. Service is wonderful, the ambiance was exactly what I wanted, and the food was amazing! I asked for my cocktail to be made without vermouth and was notified the cocktails are made by the batch, so they created a new cocktail for me and it was amazing - my partners batch cocktail was not good, so I would make sure your cocktail is freshly made. Otherwise a perfect evening out!

Horrible experience twice. I won’t be back. I ordered to go salmon and risotto. Medium well. I went home and found the salmon was over cooked and hard as brick. I call the restaurant and speak the manager Benjamin who promises to make it right and replace the meal. I call a week later and ask to speak to him and he remembers me. He said yep. He will replace it. I get home and all he replaced was the salmon! Are you kidding me? My entire meal was ruined. Why would you replace with just salmon? This is very bad service and I and my team come here often. No longer will we based upon this experience and I will share with others and tell them to avoid

Had an excellent dinner here last night. I ordered the wild mushroom pasta and hubby ordered the gnocchi ragú. Both dishes were delicious. The pasta was so good. The egg on top was cooked perfectly and the richness of the yolk really added to the flavor profile. I tried hubby's gnocchi and the lamb Ragu was so good! The cocktails were good too. I chose to order the Manhattan project to create my own Manhattan. The service was slightly off, but it did not negatively impact our dining experience. I like the ambiance of the restaurant as well. We'll be back.

10/10 experience the owner is a saint and the braised short rib is the best food I have had in San Francisco please visit here if you are ever in the city you will not regret it!

I came back again for the First Thursday block party, and once again Ben and his team absolutely took care of us. From the second I walked in, the energy was electric. The music, the laughter, the glow of the lights reflecting off the bar it all set the tone for another incredible night at one of my favorite downtown spots. I kicked things off with a margarita rimmed with Tajín (perfection, by the way) and followed it up with a crisp vodka soda both balanced, refreshing, and served with genuine care. The bartenders here are in their own league smooth, quick, and always keeping an eye out to make sure everyone's glass stays full and the vibe stays high. The bar area looked amazing as always, warm lighting, gold fixtures, and a crowd that was nothing but good energy. People were chatting, dancing, and just enjoying the moment. It's rare to find a spot that can keep the same magic every single time you visit, but Per Diem nails it. Ben deserves all the credit for leading a team that knows how to make people feel welcome. Whether it's your first visit or your fifth, you'll be treated like a regular. The space is clean, the drinks are stellar, and the atmosphere? Unmatched. Huge shoutout to Ben and his crew for another amazing night, can't wait for the next First Thursday!

Food: I got their seafood linguini. It was good but not very flavorful despite all the seafood. It was also on the saltier side. 3.5/5. Service: Seated quickly, ordered within 5 mins. The food took about 30-40 minutes to arrive. We got a salad and the linguini. Since the restaurant had opened for about an hour, it was busy but not full. 3/5. Location: Per Diem is a nice restaurant at the first floor of the transit center. It's a little difficult to find, but like most upscale SF restaurants in FiDi it has dim lighting and a bar.

Refreshing drinks, short ribs were tender and flavorful, the pasta was a nice accessory but not overly heavy. Would definitely order it again. Good spot for a team dinner if you're in the financial district / downtown. Spacious and modern interior.

Always have an amazing meal here! The short rib pasta is phenomenal with the homemade pasta and tender short rib, a must order. I would recommend any of their seasonal menu items, so fresh and the flavors are perfectly balanced! All the staff is so friendly and helpful, can't recommend this place enough!

This place is under the SalesForce park/transit. I've been here before, so it was definitely good enough to come back! I went during lunch on a Monday. If you go in the evenings, it may be more packed. I made reservation for lunch, but there was plenty of seating. The place seats quite a lot of people and the service was great. BURRATA: love this appetizer! It's so good! I could eat 2 orders of this! CHOP SALAD: Salad was good. No complaints. WILD MUSHROOM PASTA: my friend ordered this. She loved it and was surprised it was topped with an egg, which made her day. I would recommend this place. What's great is that you can walk it off at the Salesforce park just an escalator/elevator away!

Came here for a team lunch and it was okay. The plate was bigger than my dish (got the pasta). Nothing really stood out to me about this place but I love how they were able to sit a big party and the appetizers were much better than the entrees.

Such a fun time checking out this spot on first Thursdays! They bring in a DJ and the place gets very lively starting around 7/8pm. Stopped by earlier around 5:30pm for drinks and some bites. The food was amazing- the tuna tartare and the short rib bites are must trys! I love Lambrusco and was so thrilled to discover they had a nice dry bottle! The coloring was a little bit lighter than I am use to but I definitely recommend! Paired really nicely with their charcuterie board. Service was very attentive and helpful! Will definitely be going back!

Great spot and ambiance with a delicious menu to pair. Went here with a party of 6, everyone ordered something different and loved it. Great spot if you're staying in the Soma area!

I attended a private party at Per Diem recently, so let's run down the basics. *** Service- *** Top Notch. Attentive bar and wait staff. They went out of their way to find substitutes for folks with dietary issues. Perfectly on point. *** Bathrooms *** Clean and elegant. *** Interior Decor*** Very nice, cozy, and welcoming. Lots of warm wood tones and some leather. *** Get This Mocktail *** They have this thing called The Refresher. I drank two of them. Refreshing indeed! and I was ever so grateful because Dry January can be just an awful load of FOMO when everyone else is enjoying the booze. *** Food *** Caesar Salad- Kinda dull. I thought it needed more pepper, anchovies, and parmesan. Not bad, but not really a standout compared to other restaurants. Meatball Starter- Bland. Just lacking flavor. Brussel Sprouts- Nice flavor and zesty. Salmon with Ratatouille- Perfect. Cooked perfectly and absolutely delicious. Big hit! Flourless Chocolate Cake - Good. A nice treat for our gluten-free folks. *** Price *** A bit high in my opinion, but I recognize that rent in that area is probably no joke, so forgiven.

Headed there for a girls dinner on a thursday night. Service was ok, ambiance was nice (we say outdoors) though music got a tad loud. Food was good, we got a couple appetizers to share, a drink each and a main. The ahu tuna tartar was solid, crab arancini was decent, truffle fries we delicious. I got the mushroom pasta and they were able to swap out the sheep cheese for me, which was great. I got a dirty martini which was shaken well with the right amount of olive juice. Parking was ok given we ate 6:30. Many loading zones became available. If u r there first thurs of the month, there is a flea/night market thing on 2nd and Howard. Avoid going that direction or u may need to route around to 3rd and right on W to come back. Pricing is traditional downtown price, so came to $80/person. Pretty pricey but u fortunately a norm in SF. Sigh.

Food wise, this is not the place to impress your date. The food is very mediocre, expensive but nothing special about it. This place has a good ambiance and if you are a Manhattan drinker, then this could be your place. We ordered Ahi Tuna Tartare for the appetizer, Pan Seared Salmon and Pork Chop for the main dishes, all of them are very ordinary, nothing special about them. The Pork Chop was dry, I couldn't finish it because of how dry it was. Our server was new, as she mentioned. Overall, I'm not impressed. There are plenty of options to choose in SF and I'm not coming back. Meh !

Food is good, i had their vegetarian sadwich is so good, my friend had a chicken sandwich which he said very good too. So both of us are satusfied with our experience.. the Service is very good, they let me seat while waiting for my friend which is nice touch.. ambiance is very cool and relaxing vibe. I dan see this bar to be popular for happy hours. Very cozy feel on it.

Excellent place with good food and good service. Our waiter helped us decide on what to get and ensured our waters were topped off. Nice ambiance and great location as well. Clean bathroom and fitting decor. Will come back!

Came here around 5pm on a Wednesday for a quick drink with some coworkers. Location is pretty convenient since it's below the Salesforce transit center. There wasn't any bar seating available when we arrived so we asked if they had any space in the lounge since we were only grabbing a drink and would be done quick. I ordered a Passive Nature, 2 people ordered Espresso Martinis and 1 of us doesn't drink so enjoyed their water. Our drinks came out quickly and the server came to refill waters frequently! Vibe here was pretty quaint. The crowd here is definitely mainly fidi workers. Would come again for a quick drink in the area!

Pierdiem has officially stolen our hearts -- and our appetites. My fiancé and I absolutely love this place. We've dined here multiple times and keep coming back- which tells you just how much we vibe with the energy here. The food? Incredible. Their burger is one of the best I've ever had -- juicy, flavorful, and unforgettable. And the flatbread? A total standout. It's familiar comfort food with a gourmet twist that keeps you coming back. The staff is phenomenal -- friendly, attentive, and genuinely passionate about what they do. You can feel the love in both the service and the kitchen. And let's not forget the wine list -- they carry my favorite Pinot Noir, which is just the cherry on top. Pierdiem is one of those rare spots that hits all the marks: food, ambiance, service, and soul. Highly recommend it whether you're local or just passing through.

Love Per Diem. Have come here a few times for lunch with colleagues and it never disappoints. The service is excellent, eloquent atmosphere, and the food is exceptional. Their menu has plenty of delectable items to choose from, but my favorite item so far is the Steak Frites. It was cooked perfectly (medium-rare) and their fries are delicious. Perfect combination of steak and potatoes, my favorite! You have plenty of places to choose from in SoMa, but I highly recommend checking out Per Diem!

Great looking spot and cool vibes in the bar area and the library room. Only tried the burger, which was average. Hope to come back and try more of the food.

Came here for a team lunch around the holidays. From the outside the location isn't anything special, but once you walk inside, you're transported into a swanky bar/lounge setting. I think all of us were pretty surprised at just how nice the interior was. We ordered a pretty good variety of items between everyone, and the reviews were mostly good. It seemed that for the most part the entrees were the winners. We started with the beef carpaccio and crab arancini. The carpaccio was fine but could've used a bit more flavor and the arancini was good but tasted kinda like a tater tot. We also ended up ordering a side of the truffle fries, these were perfectly crispy and super flavorful. I tried the kale salad with chicken added and the mushroom pasta. The salad was a little bland, but the chicken livened it up. The chicken was cooked pretty perfectly - slightly crispy on the outside, but tender on the inside. The mushroom pasta was really good, though I wished that it had just a little less truffle. It had plenty of mushrooms that already offered a great umami, so the added truffle was a little much. Coworkers who ordered the sandwiches liked them. Those that ordered salads and weren't sharing another entree with someone else ended up leaving hungry. The slada on it's own wouldn't have been enough, so I'm happy I was able to share it and another item. Service was okay, not bad, but not super attentive. We had empty water glasses for a lot of our meal, we offered to keep the carafe and just pour it ourselves, but they were insistent on pouring it for us. For sure would've preferred to have our own. Overall, not a place I'd come out of my way for, but definitely somewhere I'd want to come back for another team lunch!

Ordered Steak Frites for lunch. Not too busy, but certainly not empty. The food looked really good but the flavor didn't really match. The fries and rapini were fine, but the steak didn't really have any seasoning. Definitely could have been improved with some flaky finishing salt or even just a bit more salt in the chimichurri. The location is very nice and it does seem like a good place for a drink.

Easy to make a reservation. Classic new American spot. Have been coming here often for team lunches and meet ups, everyone is able to find something on the menu that they like. They're open for dinner as well and the outdoor seating looks nice.

Delicious food! This is a great place to spend your per diem ;) especially great for happy hour with coworkers or to catch up with friends. decently large space and convenient location in the city! I do feel like the drinks could be better but i've also only tried a couple things on the menu. The food is solid and lots of selection (i just can't really remember what i tried, so maybe it wasn't memorable). Going to dock a star for unmemorable food & not so great drinks. Maybe the main draw of this place is the ambiance and the location? hmm

All the food tastes good and the staff is very nice and has the best recommendations. Only one thing we don't like is the butter cake is very small with the price, it was little bit of disappointing but still tasty

Decided to do an impromptu date night since my partner and I were both in the city. We had reservations for Wednesday 6:45PM but it wasn't necessary. There wasn't too many people in the restaurant, so you can get by with just walking in. I do like that the menu is small and simple. It makes deciding what to eat a lot easier with minimal choices. However it doesn't encourage me to come back because there are only few items I want to try and I tried most of them. They do have specials that change not listed on the menu. Wild Mushroom Pasta: this was SO delicious. The sauce was creamy and cheesy. I don't think the egg did too much for the pasta. Maybe the runny egg yolk added to the creaminess, but I could live without the egg white. The mushrooms were plentiful and have good flavor. I love bucatini noodles too bc the sauce gets in all the noodles nooks and crannies. I probably could've have finished the entire dish but I had to save room for dessert. Burger: I'm not the best reviewer of burgers as most burgers taste the same. This burger is no different just a simple burger. Had it cooked medium rare and it was very wet/juicy. The fries were good but a little soggy. I wish it had a smidge more time in the fryer with some salt. Strawberry Tiramisu: this reminded me of a strawberry tres leches cake. The cake was very moist and wet. The cake was delicious and had good strawberry flavor. Definitely wish it was a bigger portion since I split it with my bf. Parking: since this location is located in the transit center parking might be hard to find. I recommend taking public transit and walking there from bart/muni. Street parking in this area is limited and hard to come by.

Per diem is my go-to post work wind down spot! The best nibbles with cocktails or amazing glass of wine. Max at the bar is the best!

What a great place. The food is amazing. The staff so friendly and fun. Ben and his team do a wonderful job to create a great dining experience. I already can't wait to go back to try the rest of the menu.

Nice atmosphere, great location even better drinks and unique food options. It's a great place to grab a bite or belly up if you are near Moscone.

This is my first trip to this location of Per Diem. Per Diem in the transit building in San Francisco offers a charming and inviting ambiance. The restaurant has a cozy and warm atmosphere, with stylish decor and comfortable seating. The combination of dim lighting and soft background music creates a relaxed and intimate setting for a memorable dining experience. The red blend paired perfectly with the rich lamb bolognese gnocchi, creating a delightful combination of flavors. The service at the bar was awesome. Damien was super attentive. My friends wanted to sit on the patio, so when we moved, the new server was not as attentive. My amazing lunch mates paired with the food was worth the trip.

Came to Per Diem for a work lunch, and was pleasantly Surprised. We ordered a bunch of stuff. For starters we got the beef carpaccio and the crab arancini. The beef carpaccio had little to no flavor and would probably skip next time around. The crab arancini was really tasty, came with topped with a good sauce, could definitely crush an order of an order of these myself. For my main meal, I got the ahi salad. I think portion size wise, it's ok for a normal appetite, but for me it required ordering truffle fries to feel fuller. The salad itself was pretty basic, not much of a flavorful dressing and like 6 small pieces of ahi. I think if it had a more flavorful dressing and more greens, it could elevate it. Walking in, the aesthetics of this place is really nice and well decorated. For a business lunch it's a solid spot with an affordable (by SF standards) menu. Plenty of indoor, bar, and outdoor seating. Bonus points since they take reservations. Overall, solid spot if you work in the area and need a place for a team lunch. Service was alright, and they do add a 20% automatic gratuity for parties up to 8 and 22% for parties of 9 or more.

Per Diem was a surprising find at the Transit Center. Working a few blocks from here has made this a great spot for after work drinks/small bites with a smaller group (2-4 people) It's also been a convenient lunch location for when colleagues from other offices are in town or for smaller client lunches. So far their soups and salads have not disappointed, nor have their old fashioneds. Service is always friendly and efficient too. Weekday lunch was a little busier and after work was less crowded. Pros: Convenient cozy spot for lunch, drinks, and small bites. Cons: NA

This place has consistently great food and a really welcoming staff. I usually get the burger, which is always cooked perfectly, but they also have excellent soups--the seasoning is spot on. Last time, I had the lobster bisque, and it was absolutely delicious. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with comfortable seating that makes it a great spot to grab a meal and unwind. It has a laid-back yet polished feel--casual enough for a regular visit but nice enough for a dinner out. Prices are very reasonable for the quality of food you get. One thing worth noting is that they have a private backroom that can host small events--probably up to 20 people--so it's a great option for corporate gatherings or group dinners. Definitely a place worth checking out if you're looking for good food, good service, and a comfortable place to enjoy a meal!

my wife and I went there for a getaway dinner from the kids. The staff was fantastic and knew that it was a date night, which is rare for us as busy as we are. They made us feel very special and the food was amazing. I've already been here a few times, but quickly becoming one of our favorites.

Service, food, drinks and overall experience was nothing short of spectacular. I came in on a fluke while visiting from out of town. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a wonderful dining experience!

Bro, if this is not the smallest portions ever, I don't know what is! You barely can do family style here and the price for one dish is like over $30! Is it because they think they'd get a lot of foot traffic being part of the transit center? IDK, but paying that price for small portions that won't even get you full is hard to justify. We ordered to share multiple things, the steak, pizza, and burrata toast amongst three people. Everyone literally had one bite of every dish. The steak was probably the most memorable since it was cooked perfectly to medium rare. But everything else was not memorable. Don't waste your money here only to leave hungry. There are plenty of cheaper options with much larger portions that you can share or not.

We had an absolute satisfying happy hour at Per Diem on a Friday evening. We are immediately greeted and led to the bar. The bartender paid attention to our drinks and food order (which were delicious and tasty!) and the energy in room was fun and filled with happy chatter! We will be back!

Delicious food ambiance but most of all the service. Miss Naomi made us feel right at home. She started in on our drinks we then started chatting and realized she wasn't our server but in management. Literally was like ok and you can feel her warmth and love through out the restaurant. Thank you Per Diem! Highly recommend.

I was honestly pleasantly surprised by the food here. We came here for a work lunch. Did not have a reservation and was able to get seated right away. They have a pretty extensive drink menu with some really cool drinks. Fewer options for entrees. I ordered the tri-tip sandwich with a side salad and it was incredible. The bread was golden brown but not burnt, and the ratio of melted cheese, fresh horseradish, mustard sauce, bread, and tri-tip was absolutely on point. It was such a flavor bomb. Also quite a decent portion of food.

Came here for lunch during restaurant week. It was easy to walk in and get a table on a Friday at 11:30. The space is fairly intimate. Mostly 2 tops, 4 tops and a bar that seats about 12 people? I got the chopped salad with smoked salmon and egg which was very fresh. We also started with the burrata, based on the yelp reviews & it was tasty -- it's an innovative take with almonds & honey rather than the usual balsamic & tomato/basil -- we thought it was yummy and worked. Overall, lovely lunch and I would come back!

Try their steak salad with beats, you won't regret and the meatballs appetizer from lunch menu is probably the only meatballs I ever enjoyed eating

Swung by for lunch with a colleague and was crazing something fresh one especially after the rainy weather this past week. The Cobb salad did the job, with delicate smoked salmon and fresh avocado. The eggs were perfectly prepared and the everything toppings pulled everything together. The burrata toast was incredible. The local honey added just the right touch of sweetness to the creamy burrata, and the toasted almonds made for a nice textural contrast. Also enjoyed a surprisingly good cup of coffee after the meal. Will be adding this location to my lunch rotation!

Went in the other day. Lots of staff changes, but that's the nature of the business. The roasted chicken is as good as it has ever been! The ambiance hasn't really changed, and the new faces seem as friendly as ever! For anyone who is reading the few recent negative reviews, don't believe the negativity. Sucks when someone you like leaves a place, but there are still going to be a lot of great people who will take over and do a good job!

Five Stars! Kelley is hands-down one of the best bartenders I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. From the moment I walked into Perdiem Transit Center, she made me feel welcome with her warm smile, quick service, and easy conversation. Her drink recommendations were spot-on--she clearly knows her craft and takes pride in what she does. Whether you're just passing through or a regular, Kelley treats everyone like a familiar face. If you're at Perdiem and looking for great service with a personal touch, find Kelley. She's the heartbeat of the bar! Side note: Naomi is the best GM in the Soma area.

Came here for lunch. Had resy and all but service was kinda slow. The only decent dish was Brussels sprouts. The portions are small and the taste was meh. We all left hangry

This is our go to spot when downtown. Vibe is super cool, cocktails are on point and the food is always great! Last time we sat at the bar since we didn't have reservations and Peter was super helpful!

Julio is the host with the most! I arrived with a reservation for a team holiday lunch, only to be informed by my coworkers that they wanted to add to the head count after we'd already been seated. Julio didn't miss a beat. He accommodated the last-minute changes and made us feel welcome. The food was absolutely delicious and the menu easily fit everyone's dietary restrictions. Plus Julio's positivity and communication turned what could have been a stressful situation into a good experience for everyone. We'll definitely be back!

Five stars and then some to Kelly and Augustina. Delightful bartenders who perfectly married professionalism and knowledge with a sense of fun and lightness. They showcased the perfect level of attentiveness and service, and for that we were thankful!

I love going to per diem! The food is always consistent. The drinks are always flowing and the people are always happy and Vibing. Service is always top notch and I appreciate it more and more each time we go there. They also have a monthly party for downtown first Thursdays with excellent music and a great crowd. Definitely check it out if you've not been there yet.

It was such a lovely spot to come after work with a few coworkers. We dropped in without a reservation and we're able to get a table on the outside patio. I got a little cool on the waiter was able to turn the heaters on for us and we had a great time. We had some fancy drinks and many of the, happy hour items. Everything was super tasty and we had a good time.

This was a nice spot for after work drinks - it was fairly busy and we managed to snag a table inside without a reservation. The bar looks quite nice on the inside and I can see they are going for a fancier vibe. I didn't try any of the food and only had 2 drinks. I would like to try the food next time and may increase this rating to 4 stars! Pressure drop (bar hill tomcat gin, amaro meletti, dry vermouth, spiced pear, angostura): relatively strong and not too sweet. I think it balanced out quite well but I couldn't taste much of the spiced pear) Tradewind (crop cucumber vodka, lemon, Earl grey, mint): very easy to drink and pretty! Service was friendly and efficient but it was quite busy so was sometimes hard to get the wait staff's attention.

Decent spot for dinner with good food. There was only one waitress for a small number of tables but she was great in accommodating our requests and asks. For two people, we started with the fig and cheese flatbread which was delicious. I wanted a lighter main and went with the kale salad while my partner got the pasta. We were still a bit hungry so got the fries- asked for regular fries without the truffle oil and they were able to do it! We skipped dessert but got two drinks each. The cal-Salida with mezcal was amazing! I think decent spot but more catered toward business crowd. It had nice high end decor. Think it was a bit expensive and portions a little smaller than expected but overall had good experience