The Chieftain Irish Pub & Restaurant

Got shepherd pie and friend got fish and chips. Both very satisfying , shepherd pie was flavorful, comforting, and not greasy. Really great portion size too, not too little and not too much. And the presentation is beautiful! Also the soft bread on the side had a unique taste and was really good. We were also immediately greeted, waitress was attentive, the environment is very friendly and casual.

Love this place in SF. Was there almost every day during my stay. Good selection of beers (a lot of local) and food. Atmosphere is very chilly and the staff is absolutely amazing 🤩 Can highly recommend this Irish Pub if you are nearby.

I’ve been going to the Chieftain for 12 years now and always have a great time! The food is great, you have to try the potato croquettes! My partner loves the bangers and mash, too. Great drinks, great service, homey vibes. Absolutely recommend.

Nice little Irish pub with beers that we didn’t see outside of Ireland. My mom was really happy to be able to have them and see some dishes she had during her time in Ireland on the menu as well. We were welcomed and helped the best way possible. The food was amazing I am still sad about my half pounder and the fact I couldn’t finish it 😆 Definitely a place to check out !!

The Chieftain Irish Pub & Restaurant: Authentic Irish pub atmosphere with traditional decor and friendly service. Known for classic Irish fare like shepherd’s pie, corned beef, and a solid range of beers and whiskeys. The place offers a cozy, welcoming vibe perfect for both casual dining and social gatherings. Live music and events add to the lively Irish experience. Overall, a great spot for an authentic taste of Ireland.

My favorite Irish pub downtown to get a black & blue (guiness & blue moon), the atmosphere is cozy but not cramped, with dark wood, brick walls, plenty of big screens for sports (they show everything from Premier League soccer and rugby to NFL and more), and sometimes live traditional Irish music. There's an impressive selection of whiskeys, and the bartenders craft some great cocktails, which is why I like taking my co-workers from across the pond here for happy hour after work.

07/2023 Ordered fish and chips and the Irish chicken burger. Very good comfort food on a long evening, hot and filling. The tartar sauce is a good addition and even a great pairing with fries. Service was fast, ambiance was great and calm. Located right at a street intersection so it is hard to miss. 09/2023 Ordered a Shepherd's Pie and an Irish Beef Stew. The Shepherd's Pie was delicious with a creamy consistency from the upper mash potatoes and a savory layer of lamb and vegetables. I did not add the free bread but should have done so. The gravy was a nice topper that added some sweetness to the potatoes. The Irish Beef Stew was a very hearty meal. The stew was the right amount of thick and had plenty of beef chunks along with assorted bite-sized vegetables. 07/2024 Added an order of Bangers and Mash and a drink of Pear Cider and a Ginger Agave Cider. The Bangers and Mash is a very filling high protein plate. The sausages are juicy and plenty for their size. The gravy either on the mashed potatoes or with the sausages adds a sweet and creamy element to the plate. And the beans certainly wrap up a hearty and strong meal to carry one's stomach for more than just one meal. The Pear Cider is a good go-to cider choice for something refreshing to wash down your meal. The Ginger Agave Cider is a different but also quite refreshing drink to have with a slightly stronger ginger note profile. Service was quick and courteous and our meal was enjoyed quite nicely. Do note that the kitchen closes at 10 PM so it's best to arrive at an appropriate time.

Great place to get drinks. I definitely recommend the popcorn chicken. Both my pal & I had such a blast bartender. Great guy. We’ll definitely be coming back soon 😁😁

Amazing find despite passing it so many times! Such history and ambiance. The staff is friendly and served me my beer and fish -n- chips with a smile! Both were superb, and quite possibly the best fish -n- chips I've had! Went on a Sunday and caught some authentic Irish entertainment as well. Love this "local" place.

Really solid Irish pub near Mascone. Super chill vibe inside, but all the patrons were enjoying their time. I sat at the bar and had one drink, one beer and the Shepard's Pie, which quite possible is the best I've ever had. Tons of ground lamb, nice layer of mashed potatoes, which were moist and not over cooked. Bartender was very nice, prices were reasonable (I guess, but jeez everything in SF is beyond expensive these days). I've walked by here so many times, but for some reason, always thought of it as a tourist place, maybe because of the proximity to Moscone, but now I'm mad at myself for discounting it. I love it and will be back for sure.

AMAZING spot!!! Not only does it have some of the best Irish beers and whiskies I've seen on tap (I don't know many other places that have Kilkenny's cream ale), but the food is absolutely phenomenal!!! You forget you're in a pub completely. I've been multiple times now, and every single time we haven't had one bad thing to eat. Servers are fast, friendly and knowledgeable and the vibe is very chill yet fun. Definitely one of the best places in SF to eat, drink and be merry

Added an order of Bangers and Mash and a drink of Pear Cider and a Ginger Agave Cider. The Bangers and Mash is a very filling high protein plate. The sausages are juicy and plenty for their size. The gravy either on the mashed potatoes or with the sausages adds a sweet and creamy element to the plate. And the beans certainly wrap up a hearty and strong meal to carry one's stomach for more than just one meal. The Pear Cider is a good go-to cider choice for something refreshing to wash down your meal. The Ginger Agave Cider is a different but also quite refreshing drink to have with a slightly stronger ginger note profile. Service was quick and courteous and our meal was enjoyed quite nicely. Do note that the kitchen closes at 10 PM so it's best to arrive at an appropriate time. Restaurant feels very authentic and the evening Scottish music sets the mood just right when they're here.

Stopped in here for an early dinner with my partner. It was full of people getting drinks but my focus here was strictly dinner needs. Ordered the chicken burger and my partner got bangers and mash. I was very pleased with the quantity/quality of the food in relation to the price. The chicken burger was big to my surprise. A grilled chicken breast, with lettuce, tomato, pickles and onion, in between a buttermilk bun. If I came here again I would definitely grab a drink to watch a sports game. This place has a big tavern vibe with multiple televisions for your sport needs.

Came here on a Friday evening after work with my coworkers. We first went to Tempest around the corner, however their service was horrible so we left and decided to dine in at Chieftain Irish Pub. Although the restaurant and bar was a bit busy, the server immediately acknowledged us and sat us down. Super friendly server. We ordered the Guinness, fried zucchini, French fries with curry sauce on the side, the fish and chips and two orders of the bangers and mash. The food came out quickly and everything tasted yummy. I would def come back for the bangers and mash if I'm around the corner, the sausage was juicy and went well with the beans and mash. The fish and chips was also good however a bit oily. Wish the oil was patted down a bit before serving on the plate. Thank you for the lovely service. It was refreshing after being treated poorly at tempest.

Landed here on a quiet Saturday afternoon. Service was cheerful and fast. Nothing fancy but if you want a good fish and chips, stop by.

Everytime I go to the Chieftain I'm expecting it to be a Native American inspired bar. Maybe it's the Tim McGraw line "the village Chieftain is my paw paw" Even if this was a Native American bar, it has so much more to offer than just snakes and sparklers (Joe Dirt) and is an absolute culture shock. I can't think of a single Irish bar I've ever been to that has better Birria tacos than the Mexican cultural corridor of the respective city it resides in. The Chieftain is a pleasant, no frills, watering hole that is a people watchers dream. You have the casual street man, the corporate exec sneaking out of a trade show, and the SF local all under one roof. Impressive draught list, and friendly bar service from CJ. Hell if you're nice to him, he may even let you bum a cigarette. That's what I call hospitality.

We were given a recommendation for this place. When we walked inside the first thing was the really bad smell of I am not gonna say. Then the waitress was really unfriendly asking us to move tables twice. The third time I just said we are leaving. She then said we could sit anywhere we wanted. We just left. Def will not be returning there.

I had a family/friends gathering at the Chieftain which was a big success and Mark, the owner made it easy to arrange. He worked with me on my needs for the gathering, set up his manager, Kelly and the staff to work with me. The timing was a happy hour gathering - Kelly and the staff were very attentive and the bar made great drinks. The food was yummy; perfect for this setting and everyone had a good time. I would not hesitate to have another event at The Chieftain.

Great Irish pub! The Chieftain has multiple TVs so it would be perfect for a game night. The staff is super friendly and they give good suggestions. Our waitress was very sweet and was always checking on us to make sure that we had everything we need. We had a 5-star experience here! They have a really good food menu and a large selection of beers. We decided to go with Irish nachos and it tasted great! I got the blackberry cider and I recommend it to everyone. It tastes very interesting but in a good way. I would love to come back! Everyone should give this place a try, I bet you'll like it.

This is a cool restaurant if you're looking for some good Irish food and a large beer selection in a casual yet inviting setting for watching sports or just getting your grub on before a night out. Lots of character to create the perfect ambience for various occasions. The service was okay. The girl helping us was very direct from the moment we walked in, whether letting us know we had to find a smaller table (because there was just two of us), or answering our questions about food, drinks, or where to find the restroom, she was helpful for sure, but not exactly the friendliest (I think her name was Kim). But it was fine, we came to eat, and she got our food and drinks to us eventually (yes, the wait was somewhat long)... and it was worth the wait. The fish and chips are some of the best I've had, and I'm pretty picky about fish and chips. So juicy and flaky, with a slightly crisp exterior, just the right amount of breading, and such good flavor! Wow, I'd come back for this, for sure. I thought the corned beef panini was really good too, seasoned well, great spice, and crispy off the grill (though a tad overcooked as the bread was a bit tough). I also liked the Pink Princess Margarita, slightly tart with the perfect hint of sweetness, but a bit of an overkill with the salt. I wiped some off the rim, but so much had fallen inside the cocktail that it became a little too salty to drink toward the end. Our experience wasn't perfect, but overall I like this place. I'd say it's pretty good value for what you get.

Macallan & Guiness! What else!? Food was good. Drinks were on.. service was great! Greater and bartender were on point.

Everything is great about this place! Rich is the man, very friendly guy. The food is amazing and I love how they have specials and soup of the day. The place is nice and always clean. I always tell people about this place.

everyone is so nice here! I heard about this place from a girl I met that says she loves steak dinner. So, one day I was biking past and stopped to get the steak dinner. They were so kind to let us park our bikes near the bathroom because we didn't want to risk parking them outside. The moment we sat down, a man gave us his mashed potato ball apps because he couldn't finish all 5 of them. We happily accepted! and then came the nicest waiter and had my steak. I ordered it medium rare, and it was slightly undercooked, but that's okay. Garlic spinach and mashed potatoes as sides, and this was perfection and only $29 or something for it. Honestly, I was on a 15-mile bike ride prior, and not sure if that had an impact, but I devoured the entire plate. I can't wait to try the other dishes. They also had a band play in the corner, sitting down. I couldn't see because of the column in the middle of the dining room but could tell they were enjoying themselves and jamming, and that's all that mattered.

classic buffalo wings. we got ranch, blue cheese and barbecue sauce on the side and service was nice to accommodate that.

Super expensive glass of Cabernet for $14. I asked and he said that was the only one they had!! In a bar in San Francisco? And there in NO live music on Friday or Saturday as the web site says. The bartender said it's on Sunday. Too bad we took a Lyft here for the music and got nothing. Now we have to go somewhere else.

I have been going to the Chiefton for years! Great food and drinks but today I finally had the ClamWin Chowder and it did not disappoint! It was Creamy the red potatoes were cooked through, the base was not thick as snot like the places on fisherman's warf, the clams were not rubbery and super chewy. Everything about it was great. That has to be my favorite bowl of ClamWin Chowder to this day. fridays will be my Clam Chowder days at the Chiefton.

I enjoy this pub. I have been coming to this place for years. Everything on the menu is good. I especially like their Grilled Irish Breakfast place. I am the type of person that likes to eat breakfast during dinner time. Their fish and chips are amazing. Customer service is good. I am glad that this place survived the pandemic and came back. (though I had my doubts it would make it.). They have a large menu for food and drinks. I would definitely come back to this place again.

Great Irish Pub. Kilkenny on tap which is a rarity to say the least. Solid pub fare on the menu that are all staples at an Irish pub. Worth a drop in

Amazing customer service! We're out of towners and had just the best experience here. One of the best burgers we have ever had.....ever!!! We will be back sooner than later!!

I am happy to know this Irish Pub is still happening and open. Growing up in the avenues of SF, there's a plethora of Irish bars, so it was easy to get my Irish coffee fix on. One Yelper wrote about how dangerous it was to walk this area many moons ago, well nothing has changed really. Natives and locals know how SOMA has always been sketchy, even before there was AMC, Metreon, and Bloomingdale's. Nowadays, it's smash & grabs that make national news. Our beautiful city has become the wild wild west. I still love Chieftain, fond memories around 2000's, good times when I was a spring chicken. It has a great lively atmosphere, with any Irish Pub, friendly staff and patrons. Shout out to the bartender for accommodating us when he was almost closing. Little did he know I like to talk to out-of-towners visiting our fair city, and the Chef. It was fun to kick it with them at the bar. We were staying at Intercontinental after the Warriors game for our son's 18th bday. If you're not catching the live action at Chase Center, this place is perfect for watching sports. Although the kitchen had closed at that hour, I highly recommend the fish & chips...can't go wrong with fish & chips at an Irish Pub - oh my COD. Try their happy hour btw. Thanks for the hospitality, keep up the great work. If you survived a pandemic, you can survive anything! 'Til we meet again ~ cheers & see you on Yelp (SYOY)! #supportfamilyownedbiz

My friend and I loved this place so much, we came back 2 more times. I have multiple food allergies, and it is usually a challenge to find places that I can eat a decent meal at. I always loved going to Pubs, and this place over exceeded my expectations. The staff was very friendly. Our first night there, our server kept on checking with the kitchen to make sure that I was able to eat the food. My first time there, I had a cheeseburger and fries. The burger was perfectly cooked and delicious. My friends who were with me also enjoyed their meals. My second time there, I had Irish Nachos with avocado on it. It was so good! Then, my third time back, I got a bacon cheeseburger and fries. Again, this was cooked perfectly. The drinks were nice and cold. My friends and I really enjoyed the ambiance of the place. Service was great whether you sat at a table or sat at the bar. If you are in San Francisco, definitely check this place out!

Love this fucking place. Please don't be pretentious. Period. I got exactly what i asked for and didn't feel the need to feel "special". Drinks were on par with the food and the food is fucking great.

We came here for a sports game and it was a good time. We ordered the fish and chips and shepherd's pie and it's pretty similar to what you get in Australia/New Zealand, which was great as we missed the food back home. Would come back again for more pub grub!

After a long day of walking, sweating, aching and sweating some more, the thing we needed most was a pint. I mean, food! The thing we needed most was a decent meal...with a pint. Or two. Thank goodness the Chieftain was within easy walking distance from our hotel, because our poor old bones were aching something fierce that night. After confirming our vaccination status, our waitress Marie told us to pick a table, then dropped off a couple of menus. First order of business were those pints (Guinness ($9) for him, Kilkenny ($9) for me). For dinner, I went rogue and ordered a Caesar salad ($11) and a side of their Brussels sprouts ($10), while my husband ordered the Full English Breakfast ($21). They weren't too busy that night. There were a couple people at the bar, and a couple groups spread out at tables within the dining room. We were huddled on one of the high tables, nursing our beers, when the first plates started to appear. I hope the picture of the Caesar salad doesn't freak anyone out. I didn't realize when I took it that the anchovies were so prominent, and it definitely made my husband twitch when he first saw it. Still, the salad was fresh and filling, and I did so love the bite of saltiness provided by the anchovies. Though, by the time I got around to cutting into the third one, the fishiness of it all did start to overwhelm. The Brussels were both crispy and perfectly cooked. They were served in a soy-based marinade, so they were very much on the salty side. I'm glad my husband was willing to share that side with me, as I was fairly well past my sodium intake for the day. We ordered another round of beers (another Kilkenny for me - I'm never going to say no to Kilkenny on tap, and that's a fact - and a Smithwick's ($8) for my husband) while we were polishing off our plates. My husband gave a thumb's up to the full English breakfast, though he was a little sad that the black pudding serving was so puny. Still, it was enough to fill him up and stuck to his ribs, which was what he needed. We don't usually visit a restaurant more than once during a trip - preferring to explore a city through their dining options as much as possible - but we very nearly went back for another round of food and beer before moving on to our next city. I'm kind of sad we didn't, honestly.

Our second time here and the food and service was as good as our first time! Our favs are the fish & chips and bangers and mash. Looking forward to next time when I'll leave room for dessert.

My friend and I chose to come here for dinner after a long day of work for her. It was such a great time. There was an Irish band playing in the corner and the food was delicious. I got the vegan burger and it was incredible. She got bangers and mash and said it was also amazing. The servers were very nice and I appreciated how they tended to us even at a busy hour. The bathroom was also nice and clean! Definitely will be coming back next time I'm in the area.

The pub has a good Irish Pub ambiance, great service and my food - fish n chips - was excellent. They have a good selection of draft beers and cocktails. What more do you need in a pub!

Popped into The Chieftain for a snack and pint before heading out of the city and it was just the respite needed after wandering on foot all day! It's a cute space, intimate without feeling crammed--important in the current Covid situation. It was pretty busy for pre-dinnertime on a Saturday, and there was only one server taking care of the joint and she did such a great job! Seriously, management, give that lady a raise; the futbol fans screaming in her ears warrants it on its own. I wish I had had time for a full dinner and I'll definitely be back next time I'm in the area. This round, my partner and I ordered the Fried Jalapeño & Cheese Potato Croquettes and the Quesabirra Tacos. YUM. The croquettes were so light and the crunch on the exterior was a true delight! It's been a few days now and I can't stop thinking about them. And the quesabirra tacos?? Oh man. I wanted a pail of the beef jus to sip on for the ride home. All in all? I really delightful time! 10/10 will try again!!

What an amazing place. Pre pandemic it was my go to place near work for after hours fun, music , perfect pub food. After pandemic I could not wait for it to return, and that it did. My favorite is the Irish grill (Irish breakfast) whether it's there or to go, this is a must try. All the staff are wonderful, kind, patient, and the best games are always on view. Don't forget a side of HP sauce!

Excellent steak and ambiance, and the portions were pretty nice as well. Would definitely come back again!!!

They have a number of excellent Irish beers on tap, including my favorite Kilkenny. Their menu also features menu Irish pub favorites. In addition to these, I have had their clam chowder (lots of clams) and their roasted Brussels sprouts. Both were excellent. I have had the lamb chili which was very good too. I'll have to give their steak sandwich a try on one of my visits. It has migrated from their special board on weekends to their main menu. I recommend this restaurant.

Nice local bar in SOMA. Try every beer they mix their Guinness with. Food is pretty good too, albeit a bit heavy. Good for the games.

A true locals local place with decent fish n chips and fresh Guinness on tap. It's small but exactly what you want in a Irish pub where the owner hangs out with you and the bartenders are friendly and attentive.

The Chieftan will always have a special place in my and my friends' hearts. Frequenting this bar for its mixed beer specials and bar food, we loved to come here for a casual evening out or to watch sports games. The service is extremely friendly, and I highly recommend gathering with your friends here at least once after a work day in the city!

My friends and I loved this place -- a homey pub near us with solid beer, fries, and ambiance. However we left feeling bummed today (3/16/2023 6-7:30pm) because the waitress treated us poorly. When we ordered our first round of drinks and food, very straightforward order of "4 beers and some fries", she kept asking us if we wanted more and urged one of our friend to change his beer order to an SF local. It was odd but we said we are good and she left. She brought over our food and drinks, and kept coming back multiple times asking if we needed more drinks and food while clearly we were still working on our drinks. We just wanted to enjoy our time there but felt interrupted. When she came around the 4th time (within the same hour) wanting to give us the check (it feels like she wanted us out asap the whole time, however the bar wasn't so busy?), we said not yet since we might be thinking of a second round. She was annoyed and said that she was really busy today, and every time she came to provide service we were "mumbling" so she couldn't hear a thing (which is not true, we have been clear about the 4 beers and fries from the start), and she said that I was rude to her by saying "we are good". When she cleared our plates, she snapped them together loudly with abrupt movements which was full of attitudes. We didn't feel welcome at all. Maybe she was having a bad day, but sure enough she soured our supposed to be happy, happy hour.

Great service and pretty decent food. Popped in to wait out the rain and lucked out with the brunch menu. Ordered French toast and it didn't disappoint! Generous amount, delicious strawberry and banana tossed on top of fluffy toast. Paired it with a Bloody Mary that was tasty as well.

Bar/Restaurant: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Food/Drink: 5/5 This place is nice and quite peaceful for Irish fare (food and drink). Bartenders were nice especially Dylan! He was a cool guy and provided some tips on where NOT to go for viewing the New Years Eve fireworks. The nachos with chicken were amazing and super filling. My buddy and I could barely finish it all! Drink options were vast and I was able to have my fair share of good brews. We visited this place a couple times and were able to try different things. The Irish Coffee and other Irish brews were notable and worth a second pour! This is a great place to start your evening drinking activities. Or a great place to end a long night!

store man has not respect customers food test always bad it's was not good make your good service

Cold beer, good grub, and fantastic wait staff. It was a pleasant surprise to find it.

Super chill ambiance and great vibe! Only had a few drinks and Brussel sprouts but they were great!

Best shepherds pie I've had - great lamb. A rare spot to find guiness's cousin beer Kilkenny as well and some whisky that you don't often see. Cheers

Great atmosphere. Friendly service and convenient location from the hotel. I had the bangers and mash and they we good not great. Black and Tan was delicious and well put together. Didn't realize they had a happy hour until after I ordered. It's in the back of the drink menu. Would probably come back to try something else. Really like the place just to hang out and have a drink and watch what's on.

Well worth a visit!! Typical Irish pub character such as a homey atmosphere with lots of dark wood, old signs and green decor. Excellent food and drink but also fantastic service from our waitress! My order was a burger ($18) with a Kilkenny ($9).

Really good food last time I was there I had the chef salad and it was delicious. The service is always being friendly and efficient. The ambiance is good all the time.

Ahhh.. well. This review is well overdue. I've been coming to The Chieftain on and off for half a dozen years now. Sunday Entertainment: They have a traditional Irish music session (seisiún) every Sunday that starts around 6:30pm. This is what makes the place for me.. and it's probably the only reason I continue to go back. As you enter, if you look straight to the right corner, you'll see a group of musicians gathered. I love listening to them! Service: It's fairly mediocre. It takes a long time to order food. It takes a long time to order another drink. You have to ask for soda/water refills. The servers are usually MIA. You have to flag someone down when you want your cheque. It's just good. Food: They try. But it's... not great. The Irish breakfast is overpriced for what it is. The salads aren't that special. The burgers aren't... great. Just nothing is fantastic. Come here for a drink, but not for the food. I do love Irish specialties, but this isn't their strong point. This place probably stays in business due to the neighboring hotels / Salesforce / all the conferences that take place... 2019: 45/100

The place looks a bit shady from the outside but the inside is nice and rustic! Made me feel like I'm in a Irish pub! The lamb in the lamb burger was cooked very well! Pros: aesthetic is nice, meat cooked well Cons: fries were not salted :( and seemed a little soggy

This pub/restaurant is always crowded no matter what time you go! Ofcourse there's a reason and that's because this is the best ever Irish pub you'll visit in the city! My friend took me here on a weekday afternoon and I was baffled to see the crowd. As soon as I entered, I couldn't help but get soaked in the beautiful ambience. We ordered drinks along with lunch. I opted for Buffalo chicken wrap. It came with some fresh greens salad and a tangy sweet dressing alongside. I absolutely loved it and it was delicious! Overall, great service and great food.