Sheba Jazz Lounge

Overview: dark and cosy speakeasy with a full bar and good sound system. Perfect for an intimate gathering. Meal/Time: Dinner Sunday 541 PM/ Party of 3 Seated: 541 PM Ordered:548 PM First ordered item arrived: 604 Decor/Atmosphere: Really comfortable seatings. The atmosphere feels warm. Staff is friendly. The only downside is the lighting is a bit on the dim side... hard to read the menu. Parking is a bit hard. Took us a bit of time. The neighborhood is bit on the rough side. Service/ Front of the House: Felt welcome and greeted as we walked in. Service/Serving Staff: wait staff is friendly and personable. She gave us a big smile when she came up to the table, she came back a couple of times refilling water and making sure we had enough Injera. Per the receipt her name is Yewibensh. Food: if you order from the "Out of Africa" menu, it's more of a family style so large shareable portions. You get a plate of Injera, like a spongy flat bread that you tear into small pieces to pickup the food. No real flavor to add or to interfere with the entree. Beg Alecha ($28) Tender pieces of lamb braised slowly in green pepper, with yellow onions, Ethiopian herb sauce, ginger, rosemary, turmeric and jalapeno pepper. A little bit spicy. The sauce is just pure awesome... If I had a bowl of white rice that sauce is going right on top of it. Really goes well with the slight gaminess of lamb. Vegetarian Sampler ($29) sample of the 4 vegetarian entrees on the menu. GOMEN - Fresh collard greens & spinach w/ green onions, garlic, oregano, ginger & tomatoes. Really good, my actual favorite item. I just love collard greens. The greens were tender, it will go well with the lamb. KIK ALICHA - Yellow split peas cooked & flavored w/ turmeric, onion & Ethiopian herbs. Not really a big pea fan, but I could not tell it was peas. But not as bland and the English mushy peas. MESIR WAT - Lentils cooked w/ chopped onions, garlic, olive & mild Berbere sauce. Really good flavor, could not taste any olives for those that might be adverse to olives. ATAKILT KILIKIL - Fresh cabbage, carrots, green peppers & onions sautéed w/ garlic, ginger, turmeric and tomatoes. This was actually the most boring item I had tonight. The cabbage was the star and all the other veggies played supporting roles. Yasa Tibs ($28) Sautéed catfish marinated in white wine and cooked with garlic, onions, bell peppers, scallions and tomatoes. Large chunks of catfish, juicy and tender. Seasoning hid that "catfish" flavor, it could have been any other type of firm white fish. Excellent dish. Tibs Wat ($28) Sautéed prime beef simmered in Berbere sauce, a touch of Nit’ir Kibe (Ethiopian purified butter) & cardamom. The beef is really shredded. This makes it easy to pickup with the Injera. Really flavorful, not a bit spicy at all. Value: At about $28 a plate, the value for the quality of the food is good. For those who want to venture into Ethiopian cuisine, this is a good entry point. Restroom: single Men's Room at the back of the dining area, to the right of the bar Clean, well stocked and very roomy. Will I come back?: Yes I would come back... I would like to try the sea bass on the "regular" menu.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Sheba Jazz Lounge and I must say, it was a fantastic experience overall. The Ethiopian-style food they serve is absolutely delicious, with rich flavors and an authentic touch that is hard to find elsewhere. Every dish we tried was a culinary delight. The service was impeccable. The staff was attentive, friendly, and made sure we were well taken care of throughout our visit. It's clear they prioritize customer satisfaction. The atmosphere at Sheba Jazz Lounge is another highlight. The cozy, inviting ambiance is perfect for a night out. The décor is stylish and enhances the overall dining experience. One of the main reasons we chose Sheba Jazz Lounge was for the live music. On the night we were there, the place was alive with the sound of a live band. While I was hoping for some eclectic jazz, we ended up with a somewhat mediocre blues band instead. This was a bit of a letdown, as I was expecting the vibrant, diverse sounds of jazz that the lounge is known for. Despite this minor disappointment, our evening at Sheba Jazz Lounge was still very enjoyable. The excellent food, superb service, and great atmosphere more than made up for the musical mismatch. I highly recommend Sheba Jazz Lounge to anyone looking for a unique dining experience with great Ethiopian cuisine and a lively ambiance. I look forward to visiting again, hopefully catching a jazz performance next time.

Great jazz music and the Ethiopian vegetarian platter was perfect. Cocktails were pretty solid too - I got tunjit! Lentil sambusa and penne pasta were ordinary.

Ordered some slider burgers and chicken wings. We had a large group, so I was able to try a little bit of everything from the appetizer menu. I was impressed by everything. It was the most delicious food I've had in a while. Freindly staff and musicians. They had a wide variety of whisky to choose from. The mixed drinks with lemon were a hit with my group.

Avoid Sheba Jazz Lounge at All Costs – A Birthday Disaster I rarely write reviews, but after my experience at Sheba Jazz Lounge, I feel obligated to warn others. We dined there on October 5th to celebrate a birthday, and what should have been a joyful evening turned into a health nightmare. The birthday girl, who ordered the vegetarian platter sampler (no meat), ended up with severe food poisoning. For over 48 hours, she suffered from relentless vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. This wasn’t a matter of spice tolerance—she's accustomed to spicy food. According to her doctors, the likely cause was either cross-contamination or a failure to adhere to proper food safety standards. I immediately contacted the restaurant to inform them of the incident. For nearly a week, I called daily, only to be ignored. When I finally got through to someone, they assured me a manager would call back—but no one ever did. Their utter lack of accountability and professionalism is appalling. I ultimately reported Sheba Jazz Lounge to the health department, and that investigation is still ongoing. I held off on writing this review in the hopes that the restaurant would take responsibility or at least acknowledge the issue. Unfortunately, they’ve proven that they don’t value their customers' health or concerns. This incident happened on a hot day, which makes proper food storage and handling even more critical. The fact that such negligence could occur—and then be completely dismissed—should be a red flag for anyone considering dining here. I would strongly advise against visiting Sheba Jazz Lounge. No meal is worth risking your health, and their dismissive attitude toward such a serious matter is unforgivable.

My absolute favorite in SF. Cocktails are superb and the food is divine. If you are 2-3 people, get the sampler of veggies and meat. Live music fits in perfectly and complements the experience. Highly recommend!

We chose Sheba Jazz randomly looking for good food with live music. The experience exceeded any expectations. The jazz band was fantastic, the pianist, saxophone, percussion, beautiful passionate music. The food experience was equally fantastic. I recommend the African menu, it was flavorful and delicious. Catfish was one of the best dishes I ever had. Very nice service too.

Loved the live music and food 💕 absolutely loved the vegetarian platter, and the mushroom samosa. These items are vegan, the rest you’ll have to check.

Overview: dark and cosy speakeasy with a full bar and good sound system.  Perfect for an intimate gathering. Meal/Time: Dinner Sunday 541 PM/ Party of 3 Seated: 541 PM Ordered:548 PM First ordered item arrived: 604 Decor/Atmosphere:  Really comfortable seatings.  The atmosphere feels warm. Staff is friendly.  The only downside is the lighting is a bit on the dim side... hard to read the menu.   Parking is a bit hard.  Took us a bit of time.   The neighborhood is bit on the rough side. Service/ Front of the House:  Felt welcome and greeted as we walked in.   Service/Serving Staff: wait staff is friendly and personable.  She gave us a big smile when she came up to the table, she came back a couple of times refilling water and making sure we had enough Injera.   Per the receipt her name is Yewibensh. Food:  if you order from the "Out of Africa" menu, it's more of a family style so large shareable portions.  You get a plate of Injera, like a spongy flat bread that you tear into small pieces to pickup  the food.  No real flavor to add or to interfere with the entree. Beg Alecha ($28) Tender pieces of lamb braised slowly in green pepper, with yellow onions, Ethiopian herb sauce, ginger, rosemary, turmeric and jalapeno pepper. A little bit spicy.  The sauce is just pure awesome...  If I had a bowl of white rice that sauce is going right on top of it.  Really goes well with the slight gaminess of lamb.    Vegetarian Sampler ($29) sample of the 4 vegetarian entrees on the menu. GOMEN - Fresh collard greens & spinach w/ green onions, garlic, oregano, ginger & tomatoes.  Really good, my actual favorite item.  I just love collard greens.  The greens were tender, it will go well with the lamb. KIK ALICHA - Yellow split peas cooked & flavored w/ turmeric, onion & Ethiopian herbs.  Not really a big pea fan, but I could not tell it was peas.  But not as bland and the English mushy peas. MESIR WAT - Lentils cooked w/ chopped onions, garlic, olive & mild Berbere sauce.  Really good flavor, could not taste any olives for those that might be adverse to olives. ATAKILT KILIKIL - Fresh cabbage, carrots, green peppers & onions sautéed w/ garlic, ginger, turmeric and tomatoes.  This was actually the most boring item I had tonight.  The cabbage was the star and all the other veggies played supporting roles.   Yasa Tibs ($28) Sautéed catfish marinated in white wine and cooked with garlic, onions, bell peppers, scallions and tomatoes.  Large chunks of catfish, juicy and tender.  Seasoning hid that "catfish" flavor, it could have been any other type of firm white fish.  Excellent dish.  Tibs Wat ($28) Sautéed prime beef simmered in Berbere sauce, a touch of Nit'ir Kibe (Ethiopian purified butter) & cardamom.  The beef is really shredded.  This makes it easy to pickup with the Injera.  Really flavorful, not a bit spicy at all. Value:  At about $28 a plate, the value for the quality of the food is good.  For those who want to venture into Ethiopian cuisine, this is a good entry point. Restroom: single Men's Room at the back of the dining area, to the right of the bar  Clean, well stocked and very roomy. Will I come back?:  Yes I would come back... I would like to try the sea bass on the "regular" menu.

Walked into a jazz ensemble! Killing time and found this place. The food looks good! But since we had dinner already we opted for a cheese platter and tiramisu with our drinks this evening. Good to know that there is a live jazz band that plays here every Sunday. Lots of people and the host was very nice. I'm glad we came!

A wonderful location to host a happy hour! My alumni group rented out a portion of the lounge for an appreciation happy hour and it was spectacular. Netsanet and her sister are absolutely amazing humans who have really given SF a taste of Ethiopian food and culture. Our menu items were small bites with an Ethiopian flair, including meatballs, sambusa, misir, kik, and a charcuterie spread. I cant wait to come back to enjoy some jazz and a full meal.

This is a delayed review from a dining experience I had in April, but an absolutely five star dinner that has to be shared! We were in town for a work conference so it was a small group of my coworkers and I. Super glad my boss took the executive decision to set us up here because everything was so fantastic and the service was impeccable. The vibe here is also so cozy and inviting! We were served a TON of food, shared family-style of course. There was not one thing that I tried that I didn't like. Everything was fantastic. Standouts for me were the gomen and the atakilt kilikil, along with ALL of the tibs. The flavors in everything we tried were impeccable and the quality stood out. After dinner we go to experience a traditional coffee ceremony which was awesome. I want a candle made up of the smell from that roasted coffee for my house! And of course, the depth of flavor in the coffee was amazing. All in all this was a great way to spend a team dinner and I would love to come back the next time I'm in SF!

An Ethiopian restaurant and jazz lounge? Yes and it's a beautiful combo and an experience everyone really should have in their lifetime! Sheba has been delighting diners in the Fillmore for almost two decades, and this family run business has the food, hospitality, ambiance, and entertainment in spades! Sheba's Ethiopian cuisine is loaded with love and authentic flavor, and when you layer in their genuine regard for their guests, you have a fabulous dining experience that won't soon be forgotten. We sat in a warm, lowly lit u-shaped banquette facing a fireplace with a large table at the center. If it sounds like a living room, you'd be right, and it felt like we had been invited into the owner's home for dinner! We had many of the classics like crispy sambusas, atakilt kilkil (cabbage and carrots in turmeric), wat (lentils), and tibs (sauteed meats from chicken to lamb) all served with injera, the spongy flatbread that serves as your utensil. But the stars of the show had to be the simmered sea bass, an insanely complex dish with layers of flavor, and a braised green, similar to gomen in texture, but totally new to me! The cocktails were no slouch here either. They all sounded interesting and obviously had a lot of thought put into showcasing the Ethiopian flavors. I opted for the Selassie, a riff on I think a Godfather, made with Abyssinian spiced bitters and pernod for an extra anise kick, but the Bikila, which sounded like a wild combo on paper, turned out to be the surprising star of the show and best be described as a spicy Ethiopian margarita. This is a five star experience. Get in and get some for yourself. Bring friends, lots of them, because it's one that needs to be shared!

Organized a dinner here for my team. We ended up sitting by the fireplace (nine of us) in a community-loungy style atmosphere and really enjoyed the entire experience. We had enough space where it felt private, but also learned so much about this family run business and they even demo'd an Ethiopian coffee ceremony for us at the end. If you're looking for a unique experience for your teams, Netu will work with you to create something memorable and truly special. We feasted on fish, tibs, collard greens, lentils, salads, and rounded it off with a delicious dessert. The dishes were all very flavorful and delightful and the service was great. I didn't personally drink any of the cocktails, but it seemed like most people liked them. The live music was also a really nice touch that wasn't too overbearing. If you want a great little jazz-y evening with Ethiopian food, look no further than Sheba's Piano Lounge!

Woah. Sheba Piano Lounge is THE spot for stellar, authentic Ethiopian cuisine. I'm still trying to wrap my head around this meal, it was absolutely incredible! I feel like I'm always explaining to people that Ethiopian food is some of the most flavorful cuisine you'll ever have. When my manager suggested Sheba for a team dinner, I was immediately sold. Ethiopian food and jazz? LFG!!! We had a group of nine of us who sat by the fireplace in a U-shaped booth. Now I wasn't expecting the cocktails to be great at a place like this, but trust me they were! I stuck with their version of a sazerac and it was the perfect sipper by the fire. They have more adventures offerings too! Onto the food. THE FOOD. My god. What a delight. We were treated to an assortment of appetizers, entrées, sides, and even dessert. We started with three variations of sambussas and these were without a doubt the best Ethiopian sambussas I've ever had. They were so crispy and loaded with filling. They were accompanied with a spicy and herbacious sauce. 5 stars alone just for these! Then the staples came out and never ended. Multiple types of tibs, gomen, misir wat, kik alicha, atakilt kilikil, and all the fluffy injera your mind can imagine. I was in heaven. One dish I never had before was their rendition of sea bass and oh my god, this was exceptional. I almost didn't want to share it with my coworkers because it was so flavorful. We ended with a traditional coffee ceremony and the aroma alone was intoxicating. The coffee was exactly what I needed after a big meal. Owned by two sisters with a great story and incredible passion, Sheba Piano Lounge was a memorable meal in SF. I would LOVE to come back here next time I'm in town!

Loved the live music and food. The vegetarian platter, and the mushroom samosa were yummy! These items are vegan, the rest you'll have to check. Absolutely loved the service too!

My mother-in-law was craving Ethiopian food so we made a last minute visit to Sheba Piano Lounge. The restaurant was quite busy but they were able to seat our party of 7 with no wait, but I definitely would try to make a reservation if you have a larger party on a Friday or Saturday night. The ambiance is dark and moody, so if you have older people in your party that wouldn't enjoy that or have a hard time reading the menu just a note. Unfortunately, they didn't have gluten-free injera after some reviewers claimed they did. But the server was super helpful in immediately suggesting rice as an alternative for my mother-in-law. We ordered 2 veggie samplers and 3 entrees. It ended up being a good amount of food for 7 people but if you come hungry you could add a dish or two to make sure everyone gets a good portion. Ok and on to the food. It was *exceptional*. Sooooo much depth of flavor and delicious. Everything we had from the cabbage to the catfish was so flavorful and complex in flavor! An err of caution to those spice sensitive as everything had a bit of a kick. It wasn't unbearable but think of everything being a base mild/medium spice level. The big hits of the night were the catfish, chicken, lentils, and cabbage. The live music on a saturday nights as also delightful. Some soft rock and jazz played at just the right volume to still enjoy dinner and some chatter at the table. Would definitely visit again for the amazingly delicious food!

Sheba is a very good restaurant and piano lounge. The staff are very attentive and friendly, the food is delicious! My only complaint/wish is that they had a more sampler options. A meat sampler and meat/vegetable combo would be great. It's common at other Ethiopian around the Bay and they are always popular with diners. Other than that Sheba is a fun and lively restaurant that I recommend.

Been here twice and the food is amazing. I am a vegetarian so I have only tried their vegetarian options and loved it. The place has very nice vibe with lovely music. Its one of the best Ethiopian food I have had. Definitely recommended

My wife and I came here for a date night and it did not disappoint. The food was amazing . They offered a Sheba Sampler for $55 that wasn't on the menu. It had Doro tibs, tibs wat, and beg alecha (chicken, beef, lamb). It also came with chickpeas, lentils, collard greens, and some greens. OMG the food was so good. It was filled with flavorful spice (not in the hot way). My wife and I both really liked the beef and flavorful chicken. The "bread" injera was really good. It soaks up the sauce a little and has a slightly sour taste that complements the food really well. Make sure you eat the injera they put the food on top of! That's the best part that's soaked up all the most flavor. Service was good. We were checked on frequently and they let us pick our own seats. But when the music was playing it was hard to hear the waiters. We tried calling in advance to make a reservation but it was really hard to communicate over the phone with all the noise. They could definitely benefit from an online reservation system or Open table/Resy. We could still talk to each other but had to be much louder. We got two cocktails, Sheba and Bikila. I liked the Bikila a lot. The Sheba was a bit strong for my taste but my wife liked it.

Avoid Sheba Jazz Lounge at All Costs - A Birthday Disaster I rarely write reviews, but after my experience at Sheba Jazz Lounge, I feel obligated to warn others. We dined there on October 5th to celebrate a birthday, and what should have been a joyful evening turned into a health nightmare. The birthday girl, who ordered the vegetarian platter (no meat), ended up with severe food poisoning. For over 48 hours, she suffered from relentless vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. This wasn't a matter of spice tolerance--she's accustomed to spicy food. According to her doctors, the likely cause was either cross-contamination or a failure to adhere to proper food safety standards. I immediately contacted the restaurant to inform them of the incident. For nearly a week, I called daily, only to be ignored. When I finally got through to someone, they assured me a manager would call back--but no one ever did. Their utter lack of accountability and professionalism is appalling. I ultimately reported Sheba Jazz Lounge to the health department, and that investigation is still ongoing. I held off on writing this review in the hopes that the restaurant would take responsibility or at least acknowledge the issue. Unfortunately, they've proven that they don't value their customers' health or concerns. This incident happened on a hot day, which makes proper food storage and handling even more critical. The fact that such negligence could occur--and then be completely dismissed--should be a red flag for anyone considering dining here. I would strongly advise against visiting Sheba Jazz Lounge. No meal is worth risking your health, and their dismissive attitude toward such a serious matter is unforgivable.

I absolutely love this places. I used to come here all the time when I lived int the area. I am so thrilled to see that they are still there. Live music at night. Food is fantastic. The staff are as sweet and attentive as can be. They are absolutely lovely. I plan to make it a point to start coming back more often. This trip I only wanted a snack so ordered the meatballs and a martini which totally hit the spot. This place is truly special.

Incredible! Delicious Ethiopian food, great cocktails, and amazing live music! I can't believe it took me so long to come here, it's now one of my favorite restaurants in SF. You NEED to come here!

Sheba had great vibes and good drinks! The place felt a bit crowded, like there were too many people and things for the space available. As a result the music is too loud in most of the area and it's hard to hear people. Didn't get a chance to try the food as I felt claustrophobic but it looked amazing!

I thoroughly enjoyed the Sheba Piano Lounge both the ambiance as well as the food and drinks! We both got the Sheba punch which was really tasty. For appetizers we got the meatballs (without the blue cheese), sirloin sambussa, and sweet potato fries. The fries were really nice and crispy. We also ordered the baklava for dessert which was delicious. It was a chocolate baklava. They also have live Jazz band playing. This is a really cute date spot. It was my first time trying Ethiopian food and I would definitely come back. Highly recommend!

Incredible Ethiopian food. Super tasty tons of flavor. The veggie dishes were actually my favorite out of the platter. I highly recommend the combo platter. Really cute inside live jazz band which was awesome. Very friendly owner. That works there. Awesome service. Really good for a small group of people or a date

Down to earth, warm and cozy, a cute neighborhood jazz restaurant that serves good food.

On the hunt for good Ethiopian food in the City and came across Sheba "Jazz" Lounge. Walked in and and immediately was welcomed by the delicious smell of food and incense, live jazz music, and smiling locals. Although I didn't find my Ethiopian favorites - fava beans and mushrooms tibs - on the menu, I was still happy to see classic red lentil, yellow lentil, collard greens, and potato/cabbage. I also ordered the mushroom sambussa but didn't get to try it (I think they forgot it, oops!). The red and yellow lentils were good, but not amazing and the injera soft, but not sour. Although this wouldn't be my top pick in the City - it would be a honorable choice for good food, casual ambience, and friendly people. This isn't the place to expect fast, stellar service but rather a chill time.

Sheba Piano Lounge was an amazing experience. If you want an intimate setting for a late dinner with good music and even better food, this is the spot. I came here on a Saturday night to meet some friends, and our server immediately set up a table for us right by the band and was extremely attentive right off the bat. We all ordered a drink, they have unique cocktails that are super fresh and aromatic. We were struggling to orderfood, unsure of portion sizes etc. so we let our server take the reigns and we split 2 entrees and an order of lentil sambusas, and it was the perfect amount for the 3 of us. The food was sooo spiced and flavorful. The doro tibs were my favorite, pieces of meat stewed in a dark and slightly spicy sauce. The meat was so tender and flavorful. All the food was great, and it's the perfect place to just stay and hang around. The jazz trio that was playing was amazing, so we stayed for another round of drinks, and it got a little more lively as the night progressed. Awesome place, I will definitely be coming back!

If you're a fan of jazz music and want to try out some authentic Ethiopian food, then this is the perfect place for you! Immediately when I entered this place I saw the jazz band playing up front, with a trumpet, drums, piano, and bass. I was meeting a friend here at around 7 pm on a Sunday, and it wasn't crowded so we were able to find a table pretty easily. You can get a pretty good view of the band (which has been performing here since 2009) at certain tables, and fortunately it doesn't get too loud. For the food, we decided to get the Mushroom Sambussa for an appetizer, the Yasa Tibs and the Kitfo. The Sambussa is a pastry that's filled with mushrooms, green onion, garlic, and ginger with a crispy exterior along with a dipping sauce they bring. It was my first time having it, and I enjoyed the crispy texture along with the unique Ethiopian flavors it had! The Yasa Tibs is sauteed catfish, while the Kitfo is Ethiopian steak tartar. While I enjoyed the steak tartar and the combination of spices they used was good, I really liked the flavors of the sauteed catfish! While it's not overly spicy, it does have a bit of a kick so it's good to keep that in mind if you're sensitive to spice. These both are served with Injera, which is a spongy flatbread that goes well with the meats that are served. Overall, this place is a hidden Jazz gem and I'm surprised I haven't been here before! I usually don't have Ethiopian food, so this was a unique experience in more ways than one for me and I definitely want to come back to try this place out again.

Sheba Piano Lounge is a little jazz bar/Ethiopian restauraunt that you can NOT miss if you are into either of those things. We originally just wanted to find somewhere to see some live music, but we're lucky enough to stumble upon Sheba one day after doing touristy things around the city. It was pretty quiet when we showed up around 6, but quickly filled up before the music started. The atmosphere was great, not too loud before the band began, mood lighting and candles along with the delicious smell of spices wafting from the kitchen. The music itself was great, it was a small band who had a ton of fun with it, playing a variety of music with jazz, funk, and rock undertones. For an appetizer we had the mushroom sambussa to start which was to die for. Even if the rest was lacking, I would be back for these, and the rest was certainly NOT lacking. From there we had two mains: Beg Alecha (stewed lamb with onion, rosemary, turmeric and chilies), and Kitfo (Ethiopian steak tartar with an amazing and unique blend of spices). I'm not typically a raw beef kind of guy, I like my steaks done medium. But let me tell you, this Kitfo was mind blowing between the fresh and hot wrap, the sauces and toppings, and the spices in the mix, I wouldn't have realized I was eating tartar if I didn't already know. Between the two of us we also sampled nearly half their cocktail menu and I don't remember much of the particulars, but I can tell you there wasn't a single miss on there. Highly recommend checking it out. It's not particularly cheap but worth every penny, especially with the live music. Will be back the next time I'm in SF for sure

Beautiful music and delicious Ethiopian food. Such a comforting vibe, definitely a must.

We stumbled upon Sheba after a karaoke session across the street. Our group of 12 was quickly accommodated even though we didn't have a reservation. This became a great place to grab a group dinner. We shared a ton of food together -- veggie platter, beef rolls, mushroom rolls, and an assortment of entrees. My favorite meat dishes were the catfish and the beef tartare! The catfish was so tender and they gave us big pieces of meat. The beef tartare was very unique -- instead of diced pieces of meat, it was all minced and mixed with spices. I also really enjoyed the yellow lentils and thought it was nicely flavored. The best part was the injera! So soft, fresh, and the tangy flavor balanced well with our spicy food. The service here was very helpful! They accommodated our large group with ease and gave some good suggestions on what dishes to order. Most of the food was brought out pretty quickly. The live music here is also fun. It does get a bit loud so this may not be the best place for intimate conversations. I'll have to come back the next time I'm in the area.

Wow, love this place and wish I discovered it sooner! Came here with a friend around 8pm on a Thursday night, the vibes were immaculate - intimate, not crowded but still lively, and we were seated super close to the talented artists. They have live music every day, the schedule is on their website - definitely will be back, perfect for a date night or small group. Also the food was delicious!! - we ordered the vegetarian sampler and one of the a la carte options, the sampler alone was definitely enough food for two people. Spicy and flavorful and great variety :)

It's been at least five years since I've had Ethiopian food so it's never on my radar of cravings, but luckily a friend suggested going here for dinner! We shared a vegetarian platter which was more than enough for both of us - honestly I have no idea what each of the individual dishes were but they were all so satisfying and full of flavor. Injera bread is also always just such a fun vehicle for food - spongy and adding just the right amount of tang to brighten up the heavier ingredients. No jazz the night we went, but there was a singer playing guitar, which was just as lovely.

Sunday February 22' we had reservations for dinner 8pm, when we arrived there the place Packed and we waited for host to acknowledge 4 of us by the door and there 2 people before us that waited to greet around 10 minutes, so my friend chased someone on the floor and asked why nobody seats us and she showsn her reservation, she said you don't have reservations. I think is fair enough if she said they can't accommodate us! But Telling us we don't have reservations so rude!

The Ethiopian food was nice! Home cooked style. They also have jazz piano most nights. Very clean and moody inside. Good place for a quiet conversation and a drink.

The food was spectacular, the server even came by to help us learn how to eat as well as bring us a sample of something else we loved. There was live music which really set the ambiance. The music the played between sets fit as well. I recommend stopping by, the workers were very attentive and kind and the food was to die for. Thank you to the business for having us, we'll most definitely visit again. Sorry for the pictures we took them after we had started

Sheba indeed satisfied my Ethiopian food interest and cravings! I went to Sheba to try out Ethiopian for the first time and all I can say is it did not disappoint at all. The selection of foods were very good and can also be turned into "family style" where all the foods will be on one plate. Server does teach you how to eat the foods and everything will indeed be eaten by hand. It was a great experience in regards to food. The overall feel is fairly busy I'd say. There wasn't really much chair space if you sit in the opposite of the booth side of the seating but did not ruin the experience. It was indeed busy when going to Sheba. It was kind of confusing at times because I did notice pockets of people just standing and drinking but I believe it's possibly because there is a bar as well. On entrance I would notice people just walking in to just grab drinks and hang while others waited to be seated. All in all great experience and great music and great food!

The Ethiopian food is better than the entertainment. I just wish the timing of the food was better.. I think they were short of help. I would go again because the food was that good.

This is the worst Ethiopian food in the Bay Area. The meat sambusa was dripping with grease and the veggie combo consisted of small ice cream scoops of old tasting veggie dishes - nothing tasted vibrant or fresh. The veggie alicha is the worst I've ever had - just oil, cabbage and peppers. The veggie sampler could really use shiro to uplevel it and justify the $28 price tag. But I give this two stars because the ambiance is really great, the music is cool, the bar is neat, and the staff is nice and helpful. I really wish they'd simplify their menu, get a great chef, and focus on serving delicious Ethiopian food like Tadu or Moya or some of the spots in Oakland.

Super cute place for Ethiopian food + jazz! We came at 6:30 on Thursday and it was practically empty... because the music starts at 7:30! We ordered the Sheba platter (not on the menu) for $55 which included 3 meats (beef, chicken, and lamb) and the vegetarian sampler, which we thought was a great deal as it was very filling for two people. Service was great too so would definitely recommend.

It's a real joy to eat at this restaurant. The food is outstanding. Listening to live, popular (not classical) piano music is so a pleasure. The atmosphere ranges from sultry to cozy to concert seating, depending which part of the restaurant you sit in. Lovely and sweet staff.

My wife and I love Ethiopian food and Sheba has great Yelp reviews and we totally agree. The food was delicious! My wife enjoyed the vegetarian sampler and I had the Tibs Wat. Both were served with injera, a type of flatbread used to pick up the main course (in lieu of using a fork. (Although the restaurant does provide a fork with the table setting.) We wish we got the name of the server helping us as she was wonderful! She took care of us, was very attentive and shared excellent service. The ambiance was cozy and cool. We got there at 6:30PM and didn't get an opportunity to experience the live music. We understand music starts at 7:30PM. We will definitely be back (next time we will arrive later to enjoy the live music).

Ambiance 5/5 - live jazz music from 7pm is unique Service 4/5 - attentive service but a bit hard to communicate Food 4/5 - tasty but very small portions I came with a party of 5 at 6pm and the place was empty, but by the time we left around 7pm the restaurant was quite full. This place is popular and has a great ambiance. I came primarily for the Ethiopian food and while very tasty found the small portions offputting. One entree ($30) was didn't leave me starving but I could have eaten more. Still recommend the place for the vibes :)

The Sheba Piano Lounge is a lovely place to spend a relaxing Friday evening unwinding from a hectic workweek. (Full disclosure; I'm retired). I found the environment cozy and the owner/hostess friendly and attentive, but not intrusive. My companion, a musician, was eager to hear the evening's live music entertainment - a quartet playing drums, guitars,and harmonicas. Aftrer discussing our taste preferences, the owner removed our menus and suggested we let her order our meals. We were not disappointed. Our meals were excellent. I look forward to returning again, bring new companions to enjoy this little gem in Ssn Francisco's Fillmore District.

Great location, plenty of street parking in a nice neighborhood. Was visiting my cousin who recommends this place, very chill family vibe, great food, live music, and a great place to grab drinks! We came here on a Thursday night and it was pretty busy/poppin. Live music and I think staff was short but they still gave us a lot of attention. We got about 2 drinks each, had some seasoned fries, and some appetizers. All really good, dim lighting and good vibes. They check IDs and vaccination status. I started off with Sheba which was a tequila based drink with lots of flavor, my brother and cousin got the Addis Ababa then they got the honey wine which they really enjoyed. I think I got the Bikila as my second drink which has mezcal and honey wine. We enjoyed all our drinks, they have bar space and lounge space to hang out. Would recommend if you're in the area and this historic part of the city!

the tiramisu has a rich chocolate decadence with a light fluffy cake and sweet cream. it's topped with crumbles of chocolate and a delicate drizzle of chocolate. The service is quick and has a homey feel. The live band ads to the ambience of a nice relaxing jazz lounge and accompanies the food perfectly.

I highly! Highly! Recommend you all check out this spot! Two of my friends, their dog, and I went here for a late dinner. We were amazingly surprised that there was live music playing inside. We didn't sit inside obviously bc of the dog. They have outdoor seating and heaters! Thank goodness for heaters. There were only 2 round outdoor tables but it was just outside. They provided a little bowl of water for the pup which was nice. The owner of this spot is this elegant, kind woman. The inside not only had live jazz music playing, but the right mood lighting for it as well. What we got - the large plate pictured - was not on the menu at least I couldn't find it. I know other Ethiopian restaurants do this type eating together meal so I knew this place would have it. Pretty much it's a mixture of meat and veggies. It was great for me a pescatarian and my friends who eat meat. We essentially go the section of the menu subtitled "Out of Africa." It had the veggie sampler and the spicy/savory dishes. You can ask for more injera - the bread you use to pick up the food. You eat with your hands! So make sure to wash them and/or sanitize before eating! We got the Sirloin Sambussa. My friends said it was delicious! So flavorful. I mean everything was so yummy. Come here! You will not regret it!

Ethiopian food and jazz are not necessarily things I have strongly correlated in my mind, and it only kinda works at Sheba Piano Lounge. The space feels awkwardly constructed, with the entrance being where the music plays and the space doesn't particular lend itself to a great jazz viewing or enjoying experience. The food likewise is unremarkable, a side note to the jazz, and acceptable but somewhat lacking compared to other Ethiopian food I've had. This place is acceptable but definitely nothing worth going out of your way to go to.

It's just such a pleasure when you walk into a real family owned business here in SF. You can tell this place is an important piece of the fabric of the SF community. The owners great you with real warmth, the food is great, the drinks too but most of all: live music, 5 nights a week, with friendly musicians that turn into storytellers. This is unique.

This is hands down my TOP, favorite place in SF. Without a fail, Sheba piano lounge has never disappointed me. I discovered this place with my boyfriend a year ago through an SF book and this was our second time here. Through our initial visit, we asked what was the most popular thing or what we should start off with and they recommended this meat sampler with lamb chicken veggies and so much more. It was so good that we got the same exact thing this year, followed by a cocktail and tiramisu for dessert. I cannot describe to you the flavors that hit once you start indulging. My words simply cannot do the food justice, you just have to try the place out and see for yourself. Don't even get me started with hospitality. As if the food wasn't already good enough to satisfy your soul, the hospitality is up there along with the food. Everyone is so friendly and accommodating. They check up on you so often and make sure you're enjoying not only the food, but your time there. The live jazz music just tops everything off. They played ballads, I believe one of their originals, fly me to the moon, and so much more. REMEMBER TO BRING CASH SO YOU CAN TIP THE BAND. I never carry cash with me and I wish I could've tipped the band. Overall, this is a must try. Sheba piano lounge never runs short and they're always there to satisfy your taste with their unique Ethiopian flavors, your ears with lively jazz music, and last but not least your heart with their hospitality. Will 100% be back again next year!!!

love the ambiance, the food is always consistently good, however i am not a huge fan of the injera, its different from most that i've had, the color and density are different... seems a bit thinner.

Lovely food, loveliest people, lovely ambiance! Highly recommend for a night out with friends or a romantic dinner.

We have been eating their food for 25 years, across three different locations, we love it that much. The ambience at Sheba is also great, with small jazz combos playing in the evening. Great place for a date, celebration, or just chill night out.

Friendly staff and guests and the band clearly enjoying themselves made for a special night. The flaky mushroom sambussa was substantial with a spicy (chutney?) that was delicious. Amazing hand crafted cocktails. The candied fruit with the baklava hit the spot.

Came here on a Saturday night with a reservation but it wasn't busy at 6 pm. Be warned, live music doesn't start until 8 ish! So we waited there until it started but the people who did eventually play were great. We got the vegetarian sampler which seemed to be super popular among a lot of people who went, and the doro wat and one of the sambusas which I super recommend! We got the sirloin one. Overall, the food was super tasty snd fresh, almost too much food for two people so great portion sizes. We also got the fudge cake which was tasty. The service and ambiance here is great and the waiter was super kind. Would come again, though later.