Gambit Lounge

4.6

16 Reviews

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Make a booking

2 people

26 Mar 2025

19:00

Booked 1 time today

Neighbourhood gem
Great for creative cocktails
Great for happy hour

Located in the heart of the bustling San Francisco Hayes Valley neighborhood, Gambit is a place of understated elegance and subtle sophistication where a meticulously crafted cocktail meets a glass of fine wine, and both are complemented by satisfying and heartwarming foods inspired by the cuisines of Central and Eastern Europe. Our menu is designed for a family style, sharable dining experience based on locally sourced ingredients. We offer a creative cocktail list as well as broad and eclectic selection of wines.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Contemporary American, European, Cocktail Bar
Hours of Operation
Dinner Mon 17:00–22:00 Wed, Thu 17:00–23:00 Fri, Sat 16:00–00:30 Sun 16:00–21:00
Phone number
(415) 846-4562
Website
http://www.gambitlounge.com/
Dress code
Casual Dress

Location
581 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102-4213
Area
Western Addition
Cross Street
Laguna Street
Parking details
Street Parking
Public transit
MUNI: 21 Hayes (Hayes & Laguna)BART: Civic Center
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Happy Hour, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room

Charcuterie PlateUS$24.00
Prosciutto San Daniele, Spanish Chorizo, Smoked Country Ham, Manchego, Brie
House Cured SalmonUS$16.00
Horseradish Cream Cheese, Capers, Red Onion, Dark Rye Bread
Crab DipUS$22.00
Crispy Onions, Cheese, Griddled Sourdough
MeatballsUS$19.00
House Ground Pork and Beef, Tomato Sauce, Parmesan
Pierogi Dumplings (4)US$18.00
Beef Short Rib - Porcini Mushrooms, Bordelaise Sauce; Cheddar Garlic - Bacon, Sage Butter; Spicy Pork - Chili Vinegar
Baked FocacciaUS$16.00
Mushroom: Mozzarella, Tomato Sauce; Braised Beef: Housemade Pesto: Mozzarella, Kalamata Olive
White Kielbasa SausageUS$22.00
Sauerkraut, Potato Salad, Cwikla
Smoked Hunter's SausageUS$22.00
chimichurri potatoes, caramelized onions
Seared GnocchiUS$18.00
Blue Cheese Cream Sauce, Fresh Dill
Roasted Chicken with PestoUS$24.00
Cannelini Beans, Braised Kale, Fennel
Cheesy Roasted PotatoesUS$14.00
Gouda, Red Chimichurri, Creamy Dressing
Josey's Warm Bread ServiceUS$10.00
Wonder Bread Levain, Mushroom Butter, Pickles
Tres Leches Bread PuddingUS$12.00
Dark Chocolate, Vanilla Cream Sauce

What 16 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on all time ratings

4.4Food
4.8Service
4.6Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Gambit Lounge offers a "homely vibe" with "great classic bistro" service and exceptional cocktails. Highlights include "uniquely savory" dishes like Beef Pierogi Dumplings and a vibrant small plates menu. The "beautifully designed space" and "attentive service" make it a perfect spot for pre-show dining in a bustling atmosphere.

16 Reviews

M
Matt
San Francisco2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 15 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great classic bistro, service was friendly, vibe was homely, and food was good.
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T
Tina VIP
San Francisco153 reviews
5.0
Dined on 9 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
It was a birthday celebration. Cesar was stupendous. The food and wine great. A bit noisy but worth it
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N
Nbultema VIP
San Francisco34 reviews
4.0
Dined on 22 January 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Great service. They even made sure I had a heater near me! Really unique menu - quinoa dish was our favorite!
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N
Nina
San Francisco7 reviews
5.0
Dined on 20 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicious food and drink! Will definitely make this a regular spot.
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M
Michael
Tahoe3 reviews
5.0
Dined on 20 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Old world ambiance meets current SF vibe. We shared six small plates between four people and couldn't finish them all. Each was a vibrant taste experience. Especially notable were the Beef Pierogi Dumplings which were uniquely savory. For a light meal, before the theater, the Cheesy Roasted Potatoes and Roasted Beet Salad would satisfy two. Edward, the owner, served one hit after the other, knowing how to serve encore after encore of deliciousness.
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L
Lisa VIP
San Francisco10 reviews
5.0
Dined on 27 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
We loved finding Gabit in Hayes Valley. Outstanding dumplings, very shareable plates and our vegetarian daughter was able to order something delicious. Great bar and cocktails! Fun spot to dine on the bustling Hayes St. We will be back.
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j
jon VIP
San Francisco84 reviews
4.0
Dined on 27 October 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
chicken on avocado salad lacked moisture & sufficient seasoning other dishes good as were the drinks good pre-show bite love jr
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M
Marguerite
Orange County1 review
3.0
Dined on 8 October 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
Loved the sausages and the front booth! Our service was pretty bad though. They forgot a dish and when we asked about it they never followed up. We also booked a reservation on a weekday. It wasn’t busy at all but they sat us at a table where a private party was being held so we needed to move tables. Overall still a good place but was a little disappointed with the service.
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T
Tony VIP
San Francisco28 reviews
5.0
Dined on 4 August 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Gambit is a gem with exceptional cocktails, attentive service and a beautifully designed space. The evolving food menu keeps things fresh, and wondering what's next. Whether you're after a great drink or a fresh meal, Gambit consistently delivers. Highly recommended!
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FG
FoodieGal VIP
San Francisco117 reviews
4.0
Dined on 4 June 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Great cocktails, great service, and was the perfect pre-show bite for us. Will definitely be returning.
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FAQs

Gambit Lounge is rated 4.6 stars by 16 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

26 Mar 2025

19:00

Booked 1 time today

581 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102-4213

Additional information

Cross Street
Laguna Street
Area
Western Addition
Hours of Operation
Dinner Mon 17:00–22:00 Wed, Thu 17:00–23:00 Fri, Sat 16:00–00:30 Sun 16:00–21:00
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Contemporary American, European, Cocktail Bar
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street Parking
Public transit
MUNI: 21 Hayes (Hayes & Laguna)BART: Civic Center
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Happy Hour, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room

Website
http://www.gambitlounge.com/
Phone number
(415) 846-4562

Gambit Lounge

Make a booking

Additional information

Menu

Dinner Menu

Charcuterie PlateUS$24.00

House Cured SalmonUS$16.00

Crab DipUS$22.00

MeatballsUS$19.00

Pierogi Dumplings (4)US$18.00

Baked FocacciaUS$16.00

White Kielbasa SausageUS$22.00

Smoked Hunter's SausageUS$22.00

Seared GnocchiUS$18.00

Roasted Chicken with PestoUS$24.00

Cheesy Roasted PotatoesUS$14.00

Josey's Warm Bread ServiceUS$10.00

Tres Leches Bread PuddingUS$12.00

What 16 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

How is Gambit Lounge restaurant rated?

Is Gambit Lounge currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Additional information