Tsar Nicoulai Caviar Cafe

Love this little Caviar nook in the Ferry Building! The staff is knowledgeable and friendly, and their wine pairings are impeccable.

What a great stop & experience we had! Did not plan on stopping by but their menu definitely caught our eye. Their farm-grown caviar was deliciously smooth & sweet. Bar tenders were knowledgeable and patient explaining the history & differences in caviar tastes as well as offering great selections on their menu. We were surprised to be filled with just their board and roll dishes! Pleasant experience!

Great Experience!! Visiting the San Francisco area and a friend introduced me to this lovely Tsar Nicoulai Cafe! Everything was exceptional!! I don't think I've ever had cavier, it was delicious...A wonderful treat!! We had an excellent server, Alex, he was great. He was pleasant and very informative, and answered all our questions. He recommended Classic Caviar and us informed the Classic had a nice buttery flavor and it certainly did. I highly recommend this to anyone visiting San Francisco!!

Champagne and caviar! What’s not to love? Located in the beautiful and busy ferry building . Great place to people watch or catch up with long time friends while indulging in a wonderful flight for the taste buds. Knowledgeable , friendly and attentive service.

Oh my goodness! The level of hospitality of the staff was amazing 🤩. They really love what they do, and they turn every visit into an experience. I had never tried caviar before coming here,( but I love some bubbles), and they made it very approachable and fun to explore new flavors.

A perfect spot to spoil yourself with some caviar. We shared “The Local” caviar flight. It was perfect and actually quite filling. The caviar is fresh, salty and the best texture. Enjoyed a lovely brut rose as well.

Highlights: Basque cheesecake w caviar was delightfully buttery. Fresh & surprisingly strong strawberry mimosa. Cute plating for potato tarte. I’m not a caviar fan, but this place changed my mind. All smooth, light, and very complimentary to the dishes they were served with. And to an earlier comment, we were very casually dressed (it’s the ferry building…), and were still given great attention and service. We just had to say “hi” to someone behind the counter.

I had passed by this place many time in the Ferry Building, but finally stopped in when family was in town. I believe it’s the retail outlet for a local Bay Area producer of caviar. Spot features food and snacks designed to highlight their caviar. Enjoyable food, though the atmosphere depends on how busy the Ferry Building is as seating is right in the main passage way (which can get crowded during farmers market days).

Came here during a treat myself day-I've had this spot bookmarked for quite some time, so this was a perfect excuse to check it out. There are 6 high chair seats at the bar, and several tables that can be configured for groups of 4-6. Depending on the day, the ambiance is loud-you're in the middle of the Ferry Building, so weekends are popping. I came on a Saturday between lunch and happy hour crowds, and was able to sit at the bar almost immediately. There was a rotation of three employees working at the bar, all of whom were friendly and attentive, and very knowledgeable of the products. They have a small menu with shareable plates, caviar flights, traditional caviar service and desserts. You can also purchase Tsar Nicoulai caviar and roe by the jar or tin, and you can get bumps of their caviar for ~$13. They also have an extensive collection of sparkling wine, champagne, red and white wine, beer and a few bubble-based drinks. I had done some research and knew I wanted to try a couple of their caviar selections while I had the opportunity. I went with The Local caviar flight (Eco Certified; Select and Classic grades sustainably farmed in Wilton, CA) and a glass of Domaine Carneros Ultra Brut. I loved the accoutrements for their caviar service: classic blinis and housemade potato chips, crème fraîche, chives and egg. The Local is a great intro to Tsar Nicoulai's caviar and everything tastes incredibly fresh. I happened to sit next to someone that regularly stops in, and highly recommended The Traveler flight-adding that to my list for next time! I also snagged a jar of their Estate caviar to go; love that they pack up the caviar, small jars of the accoutrements, and a small set of blinis in a branded freezer back with ice packs, ensuring my treat made it home intact! I absolutely loved my experience at Tsar Nicoulai Caviar Cafe, and am already looking for my next excuse to come back! Instagram: @waitingtoeat

Loved this experience! We got the vanilla and rhubarb mimosa as well as the smoked salmon and sturgeon plate with a side of caviar. Everything was excellent. My husband and I shared the plate and were full at the end. Everything was presented beautifully and it all paired so well together. The ambiance was very beautiful and romantic too!

I really want to give tsar nicoulai 5 stars. The service is great, unpretentiously informative and attentive, and the caviar is delicious. There's only 2 things that make me hesitate even a tiny bit- is it's hard to have an intimate conversation with someone while sat in the open in a mall, and they don't have a full bar which means no ice cold vodka to go with my caviar. I usually order a glass of sparkling wine instead of my usual extra shaken vodka martini, and it's good but just not the same. On the positive side, Tsar Nicoulai's osetra and golden osetra (if you're feeling extra!) are heavenly! Buttery and smooth and never "fishy" or briney like cheaper tins. I still think they're great, but if they could please apply for a liquor license I will update to 5 stars!

Love this spot for some cheeky champagne and caviar. Good place to hang and enjoy some people watching as well. Do the deed, try all the caviar, these guys are sustainably farmed and utmost care is given to these tasty sturgeon Service was professional and super knowledgeable

We came to Tsar Nicoulai with hopes of buying some caviar, but left with excellent information on how to pick the best-tasting caviar and what to look out for. The person at the register was generous enough to let us try out a few varieties before we made our final purchase. We came hoping for golden osetra caviar, which we previously enjoyed in many fine-dining restaurants. However, he recommended we try out a cheaper variety that had more consistently good batches (The Reserve). It was exactly what we hoped for - slightly salty and almost buttery flavor and texture. The tin came with all the accouterments you need to enjoy it - chives, eggs, creme fraiche, and blini! I highly recommend going to the counter and purchasing caviar here - whether you are new or a seasoned aficionado. You will probably learn something new and get some great caviar to boot! The only thing missing is some potato chips and a non-metal spoon (both of which we got at a nearby shop)

We had an hour before taking the ferry so we thought we would stop by for a glass of wine after a big dim sum lunch. We were absolutely full! But the owner let us sample some caviar which made us want to order something to go with the wine. We got a fish roe sampler which was absolutely amazing!!! Even though I was already full, I still kept going for more! It's definitely a fun place to have some wine and caviar!

Came to Tsar Nicoulai again for national caviar day! All the flights were 30% off and takeaway caviar was 50% off! Insane deals I almost wanted to gatekeep. As always, Moises was incredibly kind and sweet! Tim was also very knowledgeable and helped answer all of our questions about caviar. We ordered the traveler flight and a bottle of Prosecco to enjoy the national holiday. The traveler flight was delicious and came adorned with blini, crème fraise, eggs and chives. We did order their seasonal crème puff dessert but would probably not order again as we found it messy to eat- the cream spilled out and it's hard to take one bite with the caviar. The cornbread madelines we had last time were much better! Overall, tsar nicoulai is one of my favorite places to go for a celebration and to enjoy a treat!

Love love this caviar cafe in the ferry building. Everything was delicious and the staff was friendly and helpful. The dessert was so unique and interesting. I can't wait to go back! Highly recommended if you are a caviar lover!

Stopped by this place for my birthday after reading the reviews. Definitely worth stopping by for a bump and a glass of wine. The Baerii was my new favorite and the dessert was amazing. Will definitely be back

This place had me at Caviar Flight :) Located in the Ferry Building where we took respite on a Saturday farmers market. Very small space, not great for large groups or group size over 4. The hubs and I had the Traveler Flight for $129 which included: Baerii and Osetra caviar sustainably farmed in Greece. It was presented on ice with homemade blini & accoutrements. Of course we ordered Champagne to further enhance this experience. I loved that we were able to try caviar from Greece. Typically, we only have local caviar available. Loved the presentation and the entire experience. Will be back again.

Super cute spot in the Ferry Building that is easy to miss. It's lovely to be able to sit and watch folks pass by, as we drink champagne and go through a flight of caviar. The staff is amazing, they are super friendly, attentive, and happy to answer any questions about the caviar, where it comes from, and what its like working in their industry. They have a number of champagnes on the menu, and we usually start with a Domaine Carneros Brut, as its a solid starter. We always pick at least one flight. There are 3 to choose from. I generally prefer the Eco (which is Califorina local) or the Travelers one, which is from different parts of the world. Both a reasonably priced, and come with all the accoutrements, and they will happily refill the (those little pancakes are so cute) The have a number of lunch menu items as well. Tough I haven't had a chance to try many of them, the deviled eggs were a standout for our group.

5 Stars - A Luxurious Experience! From the moment | walked into Tsar Caviar, I knew I was in for something special. I had the vanilla mimosa, and it was absolutely divine-perfectly balanced with a subtle sweetness and elegance that set the tone for the evening. Tim was behind the bar and truly elevated the experience. He was not only incredibly friendly but also impressively knowledgeable about the menu and the caviar selections. His recommendations were spot-on, and his warm, professional demeanor made me feel right at home. This place is a gem. If you're looking for refined flavors, top-tier service, and a memorable atmosphere, Tsar Caviar delivers on every level. I'll definitely be back! 05/17/2025 -1100

Excellent place! Everything was delish and the service was top notch. Our lovely waiter told us so much information and was very knowledgeable and fun. The location inside the ferry building is great for people and dog watching too!

Great Experience!! While on a recent visit to San Francisco, a friend introduced me to Tsar Nicoulai Cafe! I found everything at Tsar Nicoulai to be exceptional from the food to the service. Our server, Alex, provided great service and gave us a few recommendations. We had a few questions and he was pleasant and answered them. He recommended The Local which included a choice of two caviars. We took his recommendation and we both enjoyed it. It's pricey, however, very much worth spending and treating yourself.

I'm so glad we stumbled upon this place while walking around the Ferry building. We came close to closing and were afraid we wouldn't get the chance to try this place but the gentleman took us in. The service was excellent we had an amazing caviar experience. We went for the local caviar flight. Let me tell you the caviar was delicious we really enjoyed it very much. I love it with the blinis and all the toppings. It is a kid friendly spot. The customer service was top notch.

It's rare to see a restaurant and bar that serves caviar at a public market. We just had to stop by and give it a try! The champagne prices were very good so we got a bottle of Bollinger. For caviar we chose the middle price ranged tasting and a smoked fish plate. Everything was so fresh and tasty with all the good fixings! It was very relaxing to have some caviar and sip on champagne. The service was great as well. It's a fantastic place for caviar or have some to go and enjoy it at home!

We went here on Caviar Day and everything was half off, so we wanted to try their best and ordered The Tsar Caviar Flight. Perfect portions for 2 people. My favorite caviar of the two caviars (Reserve and Imperial Osetra) was the Reserve because it was more salty and had more taste. Both were amazing though. Service was great, especially if you're seated at the bar. They are very friendly and always check-in. Seats are super limited since it's right in the Ferry Building.

This is my new favorite spot in the Ferry Building! Champagne and deviled eggs are an incredible duo to begin with. Add a generous dollop of caviar and you have a celebration in your mouth. What a fabulous way to treat yourself. The three egg halves are a perfect amount with the champagne. The service was incredible. The person who was working the day we came was personable and patient. He took time to answer our questions about the different types of caviar. I can't wait to go back. I highly recommend people watching with a glass of champagne and caviar!

We cannot recommend Tsar Caviar enough!! If you are brand new to caviar or a season pro this place is amazing!We had such a great experience sitting at the bar for Sunday brunch. The service was unmatched, everything was explained in detail and. I detail went unnoticed. We ordered two types of caviar on the chef's recommendation and both were delicious! Since it was New Year's Eve they were busy with to go orders, but the ambiance was never compromised. 10/10 would highly recommend and we will definitely be back!

The Ferry Building turns 125 years old . I wanted to celebrate with Mimosas at Tsar. I had the Peach mimosa and the Mulberry mimosa. The caviar was delicious and the smoked sturgeon pate was yummy. Great service.

I finally made it here. The cavair we got was amazing!! Came with all the side toppings. Cremè fresh,chives, chopped egg,salted chips,and blini. Everything was great. The service was amazing too. They also gave our cat Frankie a little cavair. But apparently he has cheap taste and didn't like it. So they gave h some smoked salmon and he ate that up. I will most definitely be back to try some more cavair.

I recalled wanted to love this place, but the staff was so rude and aloof it was difficult to even want to stay. We ordered the eggs on eggs, the brioche tea sandwich, and the chips with smoked sturgeon dip, along with a couple glasses of rose. The pros: nice wine menu with price points to match any budget while still meeting good quality standards. The eggs on eggs were really good, perfectly cooked egg with a rich yolk and caviar topping. The smoked sturgeon chips and dip were pretty tasty with the smokiness. The cons: again the staff was aloof and really acted like they didn't care to have any customers. The sign said wait to be seated, but after standing there for a couple minutes we just asked if we could sit at the bar. They never once acknowledged us while we were waiting. After ordering food, the waitress tried to take the menus even though I hadn't ordered a beverage yet. I had to tell her to wait until my friend returned to make our beverage selection. When it comes to touristy places, staff don't really have to behave as if they want to retain customers, because there will always be an influx of new faces.

Our 9 year old has been very curious about how caviar tastes. We haven't had them in a while so why not try this place. We parked our coffees and cupcakes and decided to have this for breakfast!!!!! We were so happy with our choice! My daughter loved it. I was both happy and worried at the same time cause she is showing appreciation for this but her taste is getting more complex I think we need a larger budget for our food trips from now on. We had the gourmet infused roe that had four diff flavors our fave was the truffle and wasabi. It came with a generous plate of chips crackers and lil pancakes. My daughter had the cone. It was deliciously delicate Our pate was really good too. Most of all our all around man! Who treated us so well during this visit Tim!!! He deserves 10 stars! I will be back! He gave us a lemon pot the creme like he knew it was my birthday!

Covid days omicron They're back!! It's been over 10 years since having Tsar Nicoulai Caviar. And they are back in the ferry building since October 2021 with new owners. Some of the menu has changed but still exciting! I got a flight of the infused caviar and the chips with pate. All delicious but my fave of the caviar was the smoked salmon. Next fave in order of likability was the wasabi, truffle and then saffron. I got a to go for my order so everything was packed with an ice pack which included house made blinis and packed blinis, crème fraische, super finely chopped chives and onions and egg bits. And crackers were included. Def a treat to have for the palate. If you choose to eat at the cafe tables or bar then proof of vaccination is a must.

How has Tsar Nicoulai been here a year and I am only trying them now? Hopped across the bay specifically to eat here and it was such a fun experience. The wine list is fun and goes very well with the fish and caviar. Since we wanted a little of everything we shared the House Smoked Fish Platter with the caviar add on. The sturgeon, salmon, pickled veggies, and bread were all excellent. The cold smoked salmon absolutely ruined me for anything you would get at a supermarket; it was delicate and smoky but not over the top salty. My husband loved the side of romesco so much and it went so well with the bread and sturgeon. The caviar was heavenly, I will never leave the Ferry Building without stopping by here first. Excellent eat in or take it to go. I am already ready to go back and try more!

The Caviar Cafe was one of our main reasons for visiting the Ferry Building during our weekend trip. Located in a prime spot to people watch which can't be beat. We ordered the Local Caviar Flight as well as the Smoker Salmon Dip with Roe. Both were delicious and paired well with the brut champagne ordered. Pricing was good in comparison to other caviar experiences around SF/CA. Service took a little to warm up, but as more people arrived, it got better.

I have enjoyed caviar before in small bites, in appetizers at cocktail parties and in meals at restaurants, but I wanted to experience it as a main course to see if I truly enjoyed it. Turns out I love it. Ordered the Classic 0.5 oz with accoutrements and it was awesome. I had a lot of questions and today's server (forgot to ask his name, a young man who was very friendly & helpful) was happy to answer questions & let me sample some others. I was actually full afterwards despite the small size I ordered but was hungry by the late afternoon so in the future maybe will go for a 1 oz size. Fun experience!

Looking for a place to sit down and have an amazing caviar experience... then put your bags down and come here. Had a wonderful time with my girl eating and drinking and people watching. TNCC was by far the best part of our trip to The Embarcadero Building. I have placed TNCC on my SFO Platinum List folks of must tries.

We were having a holiday party in SF and wanted to bring something special. Spotted this store as we walked through the ferry building. Not knowing much about caviar the staff was super helpful and didn't try to up sell me. They recommended one of the cheaper caviars. Let me tell you it was really good. Will be bringing the bag they gave us back to get a discount on the next purchase.

OMG YESSSSSSSS! The young man, working behind the counter, knew absolutely everything there was to know about caviar. It was one of my favorite caviar experiences I've ever had. Definitely do the caviar trio and absolutely get the s'mores caviar parfait.. I have never found a place where all they serve is caviar and champagne. This is my Little piece of Heaven. It's located inside the ferry building..

We had a lovely experience here and welcome back the caviar cafe to Ferry Building after 10 years! The staff is hospitable here, come early on the weekend as there are limited seating. We had a bottle of the piper champagne ($55) which is aggressively priced - what a steal for going out to not pay $100 for the same champagne! Had the devil eggs that are made to order with generous caviar. We will come back for the caviar tasting next time.

Yessss! Love this place! The service is incredible and I asked to pack the smoked fish charcuterie to go and he made it lovely. Showed me how beautiful he placed it before we took it to go. Loved each of the fish and the tomato paste was delicious. The pickled green and wax beans were outstanding! Really a wonderful experience and I would try more items soon!

Awesome first time caviar experience! Service was so wonderful, food and bubbles were exquisite, the ferry bldg energy was vibrant, couldn't ask for anything more. It sure was a memorable experience!! I'd obviously love to come back :))

Saturday at 3pm and wanted a quick caviar fix. Service, food, and presentation were all wonderfully done. Ordered the eggs on eggs and was not disappointed at all. They were delicious! Definitely coming back for more items.

The service here was amazing and when we ran out of crackers and chips they gave us more for free

Love this spot. Been here twice for the very tasty caviar and superb service. Prices are actually super reasonable and food is super fresh and delicious.

Highly recommend The Real Tsar Nicoulai in the SF Ferry Building! I treated my self champagne & caviar. Tim's & Joanna's customer service was excellent. Check this place out for a day with your self or with family/friends.

5 star review! We thoroughly enjoyed our late afternoon lunch here. We shared deviled eggs with the upgraded caviar, the smoked fish charcuterie & sparking wine. It was lovely and the two gentlemen serving us were friendly and very attentive. Can't wait to go back!

This was a beautiful, fun little stop along our adventure in the ferry building. The food was delicious and we tried a variety of things. It was our first time trying most of these items. The cocktails were delicious and we shared a bottle of champagne. The service was fast.

Wherever I go, I go to where my money stretches. And there's no place out of my city was more unique than the caviar café in the Ferry Building. Another place close to work before my safe return home. Tsar Nicoulai Caviar was one place that won't disappoint. Good thing I grabbed an empty seat so I could enjoy myself with a pair of high-end caviar owners. While a moody gentleman was forward and knowledgeable, the other was preparing on an open kitchen. They're both friendly every time you come to them. What should I try? Of course, roe flights! More like air travel to fish egg territories. (Just a joke). Gourmet Infused Roe would be my late afternoon snack. Glad it didn't take long for me to savor 4 mini jars of whitefish and trout roes, line up with 2 different flavored blinis and crackers. With them were 3 mini trays of flavors (cilantro, red onions, and crême fraiche with trout roes on top). First, I started off with saffron whitefish roe, and they're, for a lack of a better name, salty. Second, was the wasabi whitefish roe. Thought it's mustard-spicy, just saltier than saffron. Third was the truffle version, and it's salty and mushroom-y. Perhaps it's perfect enough to pair with chopped red onions, which is bitter, and a buckwheat blini for a better experience. Last, but not least, was the gold pearl trout roe. This type of roe was once used as ikura in a gunken roll form in every sushi bars. They popped easily when I closed my mouth. I'm glad the customer service in Tsar Nicoulai wasn't so bad after all. The owner accepted cash followed up with a smile on my face. It's worth coming to the caviar café once I had my money ready. Btw, this type of experience reminded me of Vivace, known as the no-kill caviar. Very sustainable, they're truly earthy and melt in your mouth. Only time will tell if Tsar Nicoulai shall have one, unless you head to Sausalito to make reservations.

I'm visiting from out of town and my friend recommended going to a caviar tasting! First, the building is super cute and has so many little local shops with food, books, wine, etc. Inside the ferry building was this caviar cafe. It has a little bar seating so we sat there. I did the caviar flight and my friend had the smoked salmon spread. This was plenty of food for us. I asked the server questions about the caviar and he was nice enough to explain the cultivation of caviar! My favorite was the Select Caviar. It wasn't as briney, which I do not like I found out. I wanted to take some to go but I have to travel for longer than the to go bag would keep it good for sadly. There is no restroom at the cafe but there are public restrooms that are near the different entrances to the ferry building. I thought this whole experience was cute. I loved the caviar and the story telling. I would go back again!

I have been meaning to write a review for some time but since I have been ordering caviar online to be delivered at home I have not been to the cafe in awhile. My husband and I wanted to have caviar as a light meal. We had the local caviar with acoutrements which was lovely with champagne. Moses made sure that we had enough of the acoutrements to eat with the caviar. We ended up buying caviar to have at home. It was a great experience and I recommended it for those wanting something different.

Great place to grab a drink and the caviar is just as good. The staff is super friendly and welcoming. Great selection of bubbles and chardonnay's. They have reds as well but we didn't order any. The caviar is tasty and well served. Great place to enjoy people watching and have great conversations. Will totally recommend it to anyone.

A really fun experience in the ferry building with quite reasonably priced caviar plates. I took my son on a "date" around town and he seemed pretty happy with the eggs on eggs plate. My husband is super jealous now; it looks like we need to find a time for an real adult date soon!

Amazing ! Highly recommend splurging on "The Traveler " which is $139 BUT... has 1 ounce each Osetra and Baerii. Top notch taste especially with the two types of Blinis - buckwheat and regular pancake blini pancakes. Comes with accoutrements of crème fraiche, hard boiled eggs, chives and also potato chips and crackers. Such a pampering delicious treat. Moses our server was very attentive, friendly and knowledgeable in their products.

Great customer service, and a nice selection of domestic fresh caviar! I've been a customer for years. had a hiccup on a couple of orders but management reached out and handled it. Much appreciated!

Great place for champagne and caviar! Recommend the Traveller flight and Domain Carneros Brut!

This is truly Champagne wishes and caviar dreams kind of day. What's not to love about having a perfect pre-lunch snack of champagne and caviar but it doesn't stop there. We are the things that we missed on the menu I will definitely give a try next time like the pate caviar con which looked absolutely delicious. Not only was the server very good at helping us negotiate the menu which is a little complex at the service went beyond that as far as making the dish a work of art. Five star all the way

My wife and I did a caviar tasting service on a Friday afternoon at the sit up bar. Not too busy and Server was attentive and gave us an intro and walked us through the different variety and tasting options. Sit-up bar backs right up to the ferry building interior so not too stuffy or intimidating. Expensive but good experience and learned a few things.