Had relatively high hopes given all the marketing I saw. The place is OK but definitely falls short given the price. The choice is very limited. Dishes we tried are nice and interesting interpretations of Russian flavors but nothing particularly impressive. The appetizers are also remarkably small and seem significantly overpriced. Beer choice is limited and some of the choices do not quite fit the level of the restaurant. The one cocktail I tried wasn't great. Finally, a relatively unusual issue: the place positions itself as upscale yet plays some of the cheesiest Russian pop you can find (of the type you'd probably hear in a roadside eatery in Russia). The staff (most of which isn't Russian speaking) wasn't able to help with it. So overall not recommended, especially if you understand Russian.

Friendly staff, nice ambience, good food. Princess Anastasia is a delicious cocktail; very balanced and not too sweet. Caviar service is great but little pricey as expected. Khachapuri is super tasty if you like having a filling appetizer. Large plate options are limited. I recommend ordering multiple small plates instead. Stroganoff is the vegetarian option where the meat is substituted with mushrooms. Unfortunately, the dessert selection is limited. Overall, very nice and elegant place.

Overall we had a good meal. We had the 5 course meal. Every course was yummy. We went on a double date with our Russian friends and it was a lot of fun! So no regrets. I’d rate the food alone a 4/5. (5 being blew my mind good). The two downsides are I don’t think it quite got there for me in terms of value and also service was just okay. The five course meal is $125 prepaid. The restaurant also pushes transaction fee on the booking platform Tock to the customer (again not a big deal in $ but pet peeve of mine for a high end establishment to do this). Then once you are there, there is a 24% surcharge (which includes gratuity and other benefits for staff like 401 match) and taxes on top. All in it was $175-180 per person without drinks. The restaurant also asks for additional optional gratuity which may confuse customers to put in another 20% on top. Of the 4 of us, I was about 80-90% full as a small person who eats the least of everyone I know. My partner ate an entire burrito after on 24th lol. My girlfriend ate beforehand and was decently full, and her boyfriend was about 50% full. Regarding service, we had servers who had to get stuff from behind us so we had to get up. We also had utensils placed properly only for the people closest to the server. Those that are inside were just given a change of utensils. While a small thing and not a big deal at all, but given the restaurant is going for a particular high end segment of the market, it is not quite there. I remember before Benu got their Michelin stars, we thought it was amazing for the value even though it was a lot more expensive than this. Unfortunately I didn’t quite feel that here. It is not the absolute $ that I am commenting on but what you get for it. Hopefully this gives you a good sense of the restaurant!

Birch & Rye in San Francisco is an unequivocal 5-star establishment that has mastered the art of delivering a memorable dining experience. From the moment you step through the door, the warm and inviting ambiance envelops you, creating the perfect backdrop for an exceptional meal. The culinary offerings at Birch & Rye are nothing short of extraordinary. The menu is a testament to their commitment to high-quality, locally sourced ingredients prepared with skill and creativity. Each dish is a symphony of flavors and textures that showcase the chef's expertise and passion for their craft. Whether it's the meticulously crafted appetizers or the indulgent main courses, every plate tells a story of culinary excellence. The attentive and knowledgeable staff adds to the overall charm of the restaurant. Their genuine enthusiasm and willingness to cater to individual preferences elevate the dining experience to new heights. Birch & Rye's bar program is equally impressive, boasting a carefully curated selection of craft cocktails that are both visually appealing and deliciously satisfying. In summary, Birch & Rye is a culinary gem that excels in every aspect. The combination of outstanding cuisine, impeccable service, and inviting ambiance make it a must-visit destination for anyone seeking an unforgettable dining adventure in San Francisco.

We were really excited for this place given what we heard. We prepaid for the caviar tasting experience and there were definitely hearty portions of caviar. The bread starters were absolutely amazing. Unfortunately, we had some experiences that really undermined the restaurant. The utensils were always incorrectly assembled and were reorganized many times before every dish. We brought a wine and paid corkage, but no one ever poured it for us, that was up to us. They kept answering our questions about the drink menu and then never actually took our drink order. The worst part was one server made fun of us in front of us for asking about how to eat the desert. Lastly, they charge a 24% gratuity and then tax on top of the gratuity. None of these things alone would be a deal breaker, but together they make the experience less than ideal.

This place is fantastic. A trip into Russian gastronomy. Every plate has an unique story behind it. Warning: do not take the wine pairing. I found it was way too expensive for the two ounces of wine they serve. Also, the patio was steaming hot. Try to be seated inside. They had to play yo-yo with the heaters as some like us found it too hot but others wanted it that way.

I absolutely loved my dinner at Birch and Rye. Everything from the creativity of the dishes to the delicious combination of flavours were unforgettable. I tried the vegan menu and expecting a lesser flavourful course of dishes I was blown away by the mouthwatering flavours. I also tried the wine pairing with my meal which was chosen with a lot of thought. I loved the modern Russian music, the tasteful decor, professionalism of the staff, the warmth and knowledge of the executive chef and also the support this venue offers for Ukraine. A very special evening. Highly recommend it.

Birch & Rye is a unique experience and a true delight. The service was wonderful; the tasting menu was lovely and perfectly sized. But what we valued most of all was the distinctive menu - it's a special food/beverage experience. I am picky about cocktails and the two different cocktails we tried were two of the best I've ever had; really interesting flavor infusions delivered in a fabulously light, not-too-sweet cocktail. I would only drink cocktails at Birch & Rye if I lived in SF. They were wonderfully paired with the vegan caviar and the smoked sturgeon. I would recommend coming for the cocktails and staying for the uniquely presented Russian cuisine!

Exquisite. Wonderfully conceived and crafted 5 course tasting menu. From the moment the food enters the area of your table you begin to take in the aroma. Careful presentation makes each tasting even more appealing. The flavors were well balanced an delightful. Each of the tastings were mindfully planned to complement the previous tasting. Service from the staff was spot on without intruding. Dessert was lovely, unique and not too sweet. There was plenty of food for a normal appetite. I won't hesitate to recommend to someone who appreciates fine dining and vegan options. Thank you to our gracious hostess.

Hello. My name is Mariia. I was in your place yesterday. I had dinner with my boyfriend over there. It was the worst experience ever. We waited 2 HOURS for our food. And there was a crazy guy who was taking pictures of me. Please check your security cameras. He was literally taking pictures of me. He is dangerous for society! And when I complained to manager he did nothing to that guy. It’s a violation of my privacy. Please do something with this situation.

We had the 5 course winter tasting menu. In our opinion it was expensive, but well worth the experience. We found everything on the tasting menu really delicious and very well balanced. Our highlights were the ricotta & crab dumplings, the rye donuts, and the marzipan pear (the sea buckthorn sorbet was particularly fantastic). My SIL spent the entire drive back trying to think of home-cook friendly recipes inspired by these dishes. The staff was super friendly and helpful. In my reservation I had asked whether they had alcohol-free options they would recommend. They took it a step further and crafted a whole mocktail pairing to go with their menu! It was very obvious to us how much everyone there cared about us having a great gastronomic experience. We will definitely come back here when dining budget allows.

Editing my first review because Birch and Rye team deserves it! Hands down one if the best tasting menus I had. Specifically came for the Caviar service but we couldn't resist the tasting menu. Service and staff was executed perfect. Everyone was so warm and welcoming. Knowledge about wines, food and stories. Ehind each single dish made our experience even more savory. Will come back again with more friends.

We walked in by chance and luckily they had a cancellation and were able to give us a table (recommend making reservations in advance). The service was amazing, explaining carefully all the different homemade infused vodkas, which ones would pair better with food. They have a chef's menu, but we decided to choose a la cart and make our own adventure. The quality of the food was top notch, as was the presentation and the explanations. Very interesting cuisine, Russian modern dishes, caviar, duck liver mouse, beef cheeks, beets leaves and rye bread. Perfect place for a celebration or an anniversary.

I took my daughter to this Russian restaurant. I am Russian and I didn’t know what to expect from modern Russian food but it was very delicious and I loved the chefs tasting menu and different infusions. Black currant and sea buckthorn was my favorite. It’s not easy to find good rye bread and smetana and this place has both! Will definitely go again.

Really enjoyed the execution of the modern Russian food. Vodka infusions are very interesting and highly recommended! Attentive and friendly service, thank you!

Hands down one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had! Each unique dish was woven with meaning and the wine was unlike anything I have ever tasted. I dined with a friend who has dietary restrictions and they served her a vegan tasting menu that blew her away. If you’re considering a visit, make a reservation now!

We loved both food and service at Birch and Rye. The ambiance was magical. Would absolutely come back. Favorite was sturgeon spread with Kaluga caviar and rye bread!!! Yum!!!

We did the valentine's day dinner here. The ambience was ok - it is a small place and the seats were quite close. The food was generally good but some of the dishes were a miss. We expected a lot more for the price we paid ($500 per person). We might come back another time to see if it's any different.

I review a lot of restaurants. 3 words for this one - authentic, delicious, invigorating. San Francisco restaurants have been a conundrum lately. Of course we all absolutely love the diversity of cuisines in the Bay Area but generally the quality has varied, and every year it's become more challenging to find places that I can truly call authentic. Birch & Rye is one of a kind. It's the perfect combination of fairly priced, easily accessible, and frankly just a fun scene. If you're looking for a great night out, Birch & Rye should be on your Top 3 List. P.S. I'm not fancy but you NEED to try the caviar.