True Laurel
Cocktail bar · Mission
753 Alabama St, San Francisco, CA 94110
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Highlights
Innovative cocktails & refined bar bites from Lazy Bear team
Innovative cocktails & refined bar bites from Lazy Bear team
"Some things are better when they play a supporting role. You don’t really want to listen to an entire playlist of drum solos, Will & Grace wouldn’t have worked with just Jack, and you’d be pretty weirded out if you were served jam by itself at a diner. But that same jam on a biscuit saves breakfast and “In The Air Tonight” is a classic because of the drums. The same goes for True Laurel, a cocktail bar in the Mission that also serves good small plates. If this was the only place you went on a given night, you’d feel like something was missing, but when it’s just one stop out of many, it can help to take it over the top. photo credit: Mary Lagier True Laurel is around the corner from some great restaurants, like Farmhouse Kitchen and Flour + Water, so coming here before or after dinner for drinks is easy. The space itself is pretty ideal for that reason, too. It’s not that big, so even if it’s crowded, you can order a cocktail or ask about the drink list without having to yell and use hand signals, but it’s also not so small that you’ll overhear the people behind you talking about vintage lamps or getting into beekeeping. The drink menu at True Laurel isn’t something you’ll want to ignore, like you would the seatbelt demonstration when you’re on a plane. You’ll see unique ingredients like sage buds and pine tips making up the kind of cocktails that you’ll want to drink slowly and pay attention to, instead of kicking back quickly in the name of having something to do with your hands. They serve food here too, but we wouldn’t recommend going to True Laurel for a full meal. There are things like bar nuts and oysters if you need a snack, or larger dishes, like a patty melt, in case you’re still hungry after having dinner elsewhere. But the real reason you come here is to get a good drink in a cool space with someone you like. And just like Phil Collins’ drum solos, a stop at True Laurel will help make your night a little more noteworthy. RESERVE A TABLE WITH RESERVE A TABLE Food Rundown Cocktails These are why you’re here. The cocktail list changes from time to time depending on which ingredients are in season, but whatever you get, it’ll be one of the better cocktails you’ve had in a while. Charred Octopus Tostada The best of the smaller items. The octopus is cold, but cooked well, and the sweet pepper romesco goes great with it. Be careful if you’re splitting this with someone, as breaking the tortilla in two could cause some shrapnel to fly. Cacio E Pepe Chicharrones A cool idea in concept, but these are really just pork skins dusted with grated cheese and pepper. The parts don’t really come together and as much as we love chicharrones, we’d pass on these. Grilled Summer Squash This comes with sungold tomatoes, blossom ranch, and bottarga crumbs. If you’re super into crudites, get this. Dry-Aged Pork Roast The best thing on the menu. The country ham and scallop XO sauce is dangerously good and if you want something more substantial, this is the move. Broiled Oysters Good, but small. A true bar bite, but we guarantee you’ll want more than just this. TL Patty Melt A really good patty melt. No further comment. Crispy Hen Of The Woods Mushrooms This is basically a play on chips and dip, but the mushrooms are kind of greasy and the fancy onion dip won’t blow you away." - Will Kamensky
"For excellent cocktails and snacky plates that can be finished relatively quickly (you know, in case the person you're with starts spouting conspiracy theories), suggest meeting up at True Laurel. The Mission bar incorporates things like redwood tips into their rotating menu of delicious drinks, and has a small food menu of light bites like candied nuts, a great patty melt, and a meyer lemon curd tartlet." - ricky rodriguez, julia chen 1, lani conway
"If you dream of visiting the Gropius House and actively search Instagram for pictures of Marcel Breuer slate floors, you'll love True Laurel. Even if you didn’t understand any of the words we just strung together, you'll still enjoy yourself here. This cocktail bar in the Mission (from the people behind Lazy Bear) is beautifully designed to a mid-century modern T, and brings equal creative genius to its drinks, which tend to involve specialty ingredients like fermented honey and roasted quince. The space is small, and we highly recommend trying to get bar seats so you can watch the bartenders at work. Getting a patty melt to soak up the booze isn’t a bad idea, either." - lani conway, julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez
"Another standout restaurant from the two-Michelin-starred Lazy Bear team, this Mission eatery specializes in refined, seasonal bites. You’ll find Tomales Bay oysters, house-made chicken liver mousse, and their signature patty melt on the dinner menu, but where they truly shine is their cocktail program, which landed them a spot on the Top 50 Bars of North America. Don’t miss the Mai O Mai, a milk-washed twist on the traditional mai tai featuring Zacapa Rum No. 23, pistachio orgeat, Curaçao, lime, and a coffee-rum float, perfect for a little tropical escapism on the restaurant’s patio." - Vox Creative
"Prince range: $$ Patty melts with bar nuts at a traditional bar may sound unremarkable. Dry-aged beef patty melts on pan de miele, the bread coated in beef fat, with candied, lemon-zested nuts and carajillos of cold brew, Licor 43, scotch, and a dash of salt might perk ears up. That’d be because True Laurel was listed in the 2024 North America’s 50 Best Bars. Upon arrival, it’s immediate and clear this is where the cool, cutting-edge diners and drinkers in San Francisco congregate. Don’t be surprised that this bar is packed. That goes for brunch, too. Reservations in advance are smart, or rolling the dice on a random weeknight. Best for: A first date you have a good feeling about or having a Haruki Murakami-esque solo dining experience at the bar." - Paolo Bicchieri
