Belden Place

A very good place for a variety of foods

It’s a nice little hole in the wall, but the food was not as great as I thought it would have been. The experience was nice when it came to great service. The food itself didn’t live up to the expectations. My experience might change on my next visit hopefully.

#76
What an enchanting surprise nestled on the cusp of the Financial District and China Town. My friend Tony first introduced me to this strange, yet fantastically wonderful spot a few years ago. Tony invited me for dinner and I said I wanted Italian or French. For some odd reason, he parked on the street in China Town and we began walking down hill, in China Town… does not sound like any kind of Mediterranean/​European to me ;(
Tony walked me into an alleyway, and at first I thought he might either be trying to kill me, or maybe casting me for an episode of «Pranked.» As I looked into the alleyway, I realized it was a magical spot replete with delicious restaurants.
Tonight, I wanted to do something different with a new friend, so I suggested Belden Place. I tried to describe it, but my words were remiss. There is really no way to illustrate this place in the proper manner.
Such a charming way to spend an evening in the city, yet not really in the city. You feel as if you are whisked away to another place, somewhere in the Mediterranean possibly, where store owners still really care about the people who eat their food. Each spot we passed the hostess greeted us in the alley sharing about the cuisine for the evening, the special delicacies, the drinks, etc.
We decided to start our journey with a drink in the first spot, an appetizer in the second place, a meal in the third store, dessert in the fourth and an after dinner drink in the fifth. This seemed like a perfect evening.
Stephani Smiles for Belden Place ;)

Did you even know there was a French Quarter in San Francisco? I didn’t, but I did happen to find it, it’s known as Belden Place or Belden Alley, it is an alley way that is cut off from traffic, you can only access it on foot,
It’s a little alley way lined with restaurants and it truly makes you feel as if you stepped out of the city for a minute.
You can find French restaurants, Italian restaurants and much more, and all do make you feel as if you are dining in a European café.
If you are looking for something different in the city, go check out Belden Place.

Pretty good food and drinks. Last time I was there, they’d run out of about half the items I tried to order, and as we ate and drank the service became a bit lackadaisical.

San Francisco alfresco dining at its best, even in the Arctic summer fog. Belden Place is a cool brick alley in the heart of the Financial District very nconventinoal. Only foot traffic, it’s a little bit of Little Italy/​Paris just off Pine Street. Restaurants on the alley have outdoor tables, big umbrellas, great Happy and lunch hour specials and great family meals.
A handful of cafes line Belden Place and offer a variety of cuisines at moderate prices. Café Tiramisu, 28 Belden Place (tel. 415÷421−7044), is a stylish Italian hot spot serving addictive risottos and gnocchi. Plouf, 40 Belden Place (tel. 415÷986−6491), specializes in big bowls of mussels slathered in your choice of seven sauces, as well as fresh seafood. B44, 44 Belden Place (tel. 415÷986−6287), serves up a side order of Spain alongside its revered paella and other seriously zesty Spanish dishes. There’s Café Bastille, 22 Belden Place (tel. 415÷986−5673), a classic French bistro with a boho basement that serves excellent crepes, mussels, and French onion soup; it offers live jazz on Fridays.
Nghttime Euro-​speakeasy vibe — Cigars drinks aperitifs and nibbling on frites.

A little bit of Europe, in a little alley way of San Francisco. Belden Place may not seem remarkable upon first glance, but come night fall there is a certain energy that exists here unlike anywhere else in the city. A world away from SOMA, the quiet yet infectious ambiance of several restaurants being clustered into a small area makes this a fun destination that is literally just off the beaten path.
At one point in time, Belden was more of a mini French quarter serving as a hub to the then French immigrants just making their way out west. As time went on, the one block stretch has became the home of several Catalan and Italian establishments; making this not only a noteworthy date spot, but an area to take aim at solid Euro fare.
Currently the restaurants serving Belden are:
B44:
Belden Taverna:
Brindisi Cucina di Mare:
Café Bastille:
Café Tiramisu:
Plouf:
Sauce:
Be a tourist or be a diner or be both. Intimate company a bonus.

Great variety of food options. The spanish restaurant and the seafood next by it are do good. Prices are ok. We always order several dishes and share.

An unassuming street of San Francisco which can be easily overlooked by pedestrians. Belden Place is one of these streets where once you discover, you will want to come back for more!
At first, it may look a bit sketchy, but once we turned the corner to the actual alley way, we were blown out of our mind! The alley is colorful and bursting with various eateries and all of them have outdoor seating.
It’s one of our favorite streets to visit and here is a list of the restaurants:
* Sauce– Candied bacon Brussel sprouts… super!
* Brindisi– Best ravioli ever!
* Taverna– Juicy and tender Kurobota pork chop!
* B44– mouth watering Paella!
* Café Tiramisu-​Tiramisu, of course, nice and moist!
* Plouf– oyster and mussels heaven!
* Sam’s Grill-​old school with a flare!
* Café Bastille– Blue cheese burger… oh man!

I’ve never even heard about Belden Place until I was going to one of the restaurants for dinner one night. My boyfriend and I walked there and we thought it looked kinda of sketchy, but once we turned the corner to the actual alley way, I was blown out of my mind. It was so beautiful! I forgot I was in an alley way in San Francisco and felt like I was on vacation somewhere else. All the restaurants have outdoor seating and the hanging lights make it feel so romantic and very date night appropriate. I’m definitely coming back here to try to the other restaurants.

Whenever I walk this alleyway, I walk towards a close getaway. Take yourself away from the Financial District, and step into a side neighborhood of San Francisco. Walk five steps before getting a cheery greeting by a host saying «hello, would you like to come eat at this restaurant. Take a look at this menu…» Beautiful European restaurants fancy up this secret alley. An alley, we as locals, cherish much.
Tea lights, broths of mussels, tourists in the know, outside seating, beautiful inside décor, friendly staff, lush wines… and be reminded why you fell in love with San Francisco

Did I fall asleep? Maybe I had a few too many pre-​dinner beverages or I fell down the rabbit hole. Either way, the meandering walk from Powell (guided by geologists who don’t need directions) to Belden Alley was worth it.
I’m afraid that when I try, I won’t be able to find this hidden alley again. I’ve convinced myself its like the Room or Requirements and may only appear when I am in the right frame of mind, which would be supper in an enchanting European alley.
I remember not knowing what to expect, but was told to be patient, keep up, and be ready for something awesome! We walked down quiet and deserted streets, until reaching a little gate. That little gate separated me from Europe, literally the aromas, covered patio seating, twinkly lights, narrow alley, hum of chatter, a cobble stone street, and hosts pushing their menus and fighting over potential patrons accurately embodied evenings in Europe.
My friends enjoyed the attention and I dreamily followed them into an Italian themed restaurant and patio, where we dined on fine wine and pasta.

This is an alley in the FiDi with Italian, French and Spanish restaurants. It feels very touristy to me with ushers trying to lure you into their restaurant. All the restaurants in my experience are pretty average and nothing to rave about. I give the edge to Claude Lane.

Belden Place is a breath of fresh alternative air to the touristy crowd of downtown San Francisco. It’s situated between Pine and Bush Street, but kind of hard to find. Make sure you arm yourself with a Unilocal app so you can google map the place. The alley has a row of European style restaurants and cafes and it’s totally well worth investigating.

Not as good as I remembered. My second time here and the service, food quality and overall experience was just meh. Nice place if you don’t mind being crowded, have to wait to be acknowledged by your waiter and have mediocre food.
If you want a look at me tourist place, this is a good choice. Oh, I almost forgot. For some reason, people from out of town come here with their children. My wife and I voted not again for us.

Jazzy and very classy. Definitely a date spot if you want to WIN.
Love the Italian inspired alley and Vueve Clicquot parasols. Service and food at the Belden Tavern was wonderful. My date and I wish to return here again. ;)
Here’s a review on the Belden Taverna:
I had the best salad at the Belden Taverna called the Steak Salad that I hope the chef doesn’t take off this menu until I come back. The salad, which is a Gorgonzola salad (my fav) base, with pomegranate/​blue/​butter romaine/​walnuts/​medium rare steak and dressing on the side. The topping was perfect – as many restaurants overwhelm salads with too much going on or they’re just ridiculously undelightful especially for herbivores.
My date ordered the 3 course lunch which you can pick and choose an appetizer, meal and a dessert. He said he really liked the Burger and clam chowder. He had to take the dessert to-​go but it was a mango… so TBD on the review.

Need a quaint date spot in SF with an European appeal? Belden Place is the location! A charming little alley tucked away in the Financial District, it may be slightly difficult to locate, but once you’re there, you’re automatically charmed by the atmosphere.
Spanish, French, Irish, and Italian restaurants line the alley with adorable al fresco patios for outdoor candlelit dining. Not convinced? See it to believe it. Despite its tourist-​like appeal, it is very off the beaten path, hence devoid of much of the tourist population.
P. S. Be ready to cough up the bucks for the ambiance.

Very cute alleyway with fancy-​ish restaurants. I wish it opened on the weekends though, when I actually have time to have a nice sit-​down meal.

I like this place…
I like it better when it’s not overcrowded and I can get a seat outside to pretend I’m in Europe somewhere.
Mussels at Plouf still own me.
The end.

Super busy little alley-​way.
A collection of cool little restaurants.
Jammed-​pack during lunch time.
Whenever I’m around the area,
I make a point to «squish» my way around.
Kinda noisy, but in a good way.