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Ratings and reviews

4
Restaurantji Rating
(508 review)
5
4
3
2
1

Chestnut Diner Photos

Hours

Monday 7:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday 7:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Wednesday 7:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Thursday 7:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Friday 7:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Saturday 7:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Sunday 7:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Chestnut Diner Reviews

Ichor B.
Ichor B.
Restaurantji Rating

Overpriced - $20 for basic toast and eggs. Coffee not great. Good service. Hard to find parking. In SF, that's a good deal.

Mac M.
Mac M.
Restaurantji Rating

Small but FULL of character. No-nonsense service with quick and curt efficiency. Menu states lunch all day but couldn't get a salad cuz they don't have chicken that early? Still, I loved the feel of this place. They say "no frills" and they mean it! Only sweeteners are sugar and sweet n low. But the coffees were nice and black!

Lex B.
Lex B.
Restaurantji Rating

A classic breakfast, no notes. Service was friendly and quick. Food was delicious and looked good, definitely recommend

Michael M.
Michael M.
Restaurantji Rating

An authentic local diner, not some trendy "take" on what a diner is imagined to be. Hearty omelette decent coffee and swift service. Tiny so you might have to wait on a busy day, but do yourself a favour and experience a real diner before they are all gone.

Adam B.
Adam B.
Restaurantji Rating

The food at Chestnut Diner was excellent! I'll start off with that. The prices are also very very reasonable, especially for SF. Personally, I got the omelet with bay shrimp, crab mushrooms and green peppers (without the mushrooms tho) along with a hash brown (which I got because a lot of the reviews I read said the hash brown was really good, which it was!) whole wheat toast and a blueberry pancake on the side. Again, all the food was delish! My gripe with the place and why I'm not giving it 5-stars is because the waitress was grumpy, unenthusiastic and miserable being there. It couldn't have been more obvious. She lazily handed us our menus and lazily took them back as well, not even taking one of our person's menus. We asked her for 3 waters which we barely could hear her response to it. Also, I asked for more coffee, and again, I could barely hear her response. Also, when we were ready to pay, we had to wait like 10 minutes just for her to realize we were all set to pay. It wasn't busy in there either... so when we got her attention to pay, she mumbled under her breath, again, could barely hear her, say "ok". -- like fine, "we won't pay, LOL! Sorry we have to pay for our food ma'am " Overall, as a heads up, the food was really good, and the vibes and ambiance was like really good, but be warned... the waitress is probably not going to be friendly to you

Johnny B.
Johnny B.
Restaurantji Rating

A no frills, reliable american style diner in the city. Something tough to find in this part of SF. Dont expect gourmet fare but do expect friendly and quick service, crispy hashbrowns, well cooked eggs and decent pricing. A great hangover or easy breakfast spot. Have not tried lunch but easily would. I recommend.

Ed T.
Ed T.
Restaurantji Rating

Small diner, simple menu and definitely hit the spot for breakfast. It was a nice surprise close to our stay at "LA CASA INN."

Ed U.
Ed U.
Restaurantji Rating

Like Art's in the Sunset, Eddie's on Diviz, and Jim's in the Mission, this is a true diner in the way diners should be. "Adam & Eve on a raft, wreck 'em!" "Burn one, take it through the garden, and pin a rose on it." You don't expect an old-school diner like this near the Marina, but I'm of the mind that every neighborhood needs its own greasy spoon. Jamie W. and I were taking the Van Ness BRT, and it struck me that this would be a good place to grab a fast breakfast. It was bustling, but there was an empty booth in which we slid with assurance. We were enjoying the side show of two upwardly mobile couples waiting in their spandex cycling gear for their takeout order of breakfast sandwiches because God forbid, they should actually eat here. We had no such problem because we were lured by the extensive omelet selection here. Jamie ordered his usual Denver Omelette, this one $11.95 with ham, peppers, sautéed onions, and cheese (photo: https://bit.ly/3y8Weu8). It came with a big side of country potatoes browned on the grill and sourdough toast. So did my order, the $11.95 Dieter's Delight with mushrooms, tomato, zucchini, spinach, green onions, and jack cheese (photo: https://bit.ly/3OHQ77q). Honestly both our omelettes were interchangeable as they had the unmistakable square-cut fold-over look that only true diners offer. But it didn't matter because the food hit the spot, and the industrious women who work tirelessly here impressed us. Certainly not the entitled cyclists. FOOD - 4 stars...the omelettes were what we wanted AMBIANCE - 4 stars...comfy vibe in a mid-century setting SERVICE - 5 stars...adroit, tireless and always aiming to please TOTAL - 4 stars...let's hear it for the local greasy spoons RELATED - Exploring the Marina? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2HyFdzC

David N.
David N.
Restaurantji Rating

BART and Muni delays made me late. F it! I've seen this spot many times and been wanting try it. Here I am! An OG diner with counter and booths. It is a Tuesday at 10:00am and I'm the only customer. A lovely couple run the store. Mama in the front of the house and papa on the flat top. Deliciously simple sausage and eggs. Yes, buttered toast. $12 +tip.

Matt G.
Matt G.
Restaurantji Rating

Classic diner. You can't go wrong with this. Portion sizes are good. I didn't leave feeling hungry or feeling overly full. I did a classic breakfast - 3 eggs bacon and hash browns. I recommend the hash browns over home fries. Chocolate chip pancakes were perfect. No wait and I was there at 11 on a Sunday. It is small so I could see there being a line at times. Service is fast. Overall, good go to classic diner!

Chestnut Diner

Looking for a cozy spot in San Francisco to enjoy a hearty American breakfast? Chestnut Diner at 1312 Chestnut St offers classic comfort food in a nostalgic 50's setting.

Step into a Slice of Americana

Nestled in the Marina District, Chestnut Diner welcomes patrons with its vintage charm—complete with Formica countertops, retro booths, and a low-top bar adorned with chrome stools. The ambiance transports you back in time, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that's perfect for a leisurely meal.

Open daily from 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM, the diner is a popular spot for both locals and tourists seeking a satisfying start to their day.

A Menu That Hits the Spot

Chestnut Diner's menu is a celebration of classic American breakfast fare. From fluffy omelets and crispy hash browns to golden pancakes and savory bacon, there's something to satisfy every craving.

Vegetarian options are also available, ensuring that all guests can find a dish to enjoy. The portions are generous, and the prices are reasonable, making it a go-to destination for a fulfilling meal.

What Diners Are Saying

Patrons often praise Chestnut Diner for its delicious food and nostalgic atmosphere. One reviewer noted, "The food was delightful!! Waitress was quick and efficient but we never felt rushed. This place is a gem!!"

Another shared, "Super cool little diner. A real 50's feel with small booths surrounding a low-top bar with vintage stools."

While some reviews mention occasional service hiccups, the overall consensus highlights the diner's commitment to quality food and a welcoming environment.

Plan Your Visit

Located at 1312 Chestnut St, San Francisco, CA 94123, Chestnut Diner is easily accessible and offers a nostalgic dining experience that's hard to find in the city. Whether you're a local or just passing through, it's a spot worth checking out for a taste of classic American breakfast.

Location & Contact

1312 Chestnut St San Francisco, CA 94123 United States
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