Sheba Piano Lounge
Located in the heart of San Francisco's Fillmore district, Sheba Piano Lounge offers a unique dining experience that combines Ethiopian cuisine with live jazz music. As a food reviewer of Restaurant World, I had the pleasure of immersing myself in the cozy and inviting vibes of this establishment.
Upon entering Sheba Piano Lounge, I was greeted with a warm ambiance and impeccable service. The menu boasts a wide array of vegan and vegetarian options, making it a great choice for those with dietary restrictions. One standout dish that caught my attention was the gomen, a traditional Ethiopian dish featuring hearty greens cooked to perfection.
Another highlight was the atakilt kilikil, a flavorful combination of cabbage and carrots seasoned with turmeric. The tibs, which are sautéed meats ranging from chicken to lamb, were also a crowd favorite. The depth of flavors in each dish truly showcased the authenticity and love put into the cuisine at Sheba Piano Lounge.
In addition to the delectable food offerings, the live music performances on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights added to the overall dining experience. The lounge's cocktail selection, featuring unique creations such as the Selassie and Bikila, perfectly complemented the rich flavors of the Ethiopian cuisine.
Overall, Sheba Piano Lounge is a hidden gem in San Francisco, offering a blend of delicious food, live entertainment, and a welcoming atmosphere. Whether you're looking for a romantic dinner spot or a place to enjoy a night out with friends, Sheba Piano Lounge is a must-visit destination for food and music enthusiasts alike.
Sheba Piano Lounge Menu
Location
Address: 1419 Fillmore St San Francisco, CA 94115
Phone: (415) 440-7414
Business info
- Takes ReservationsYes
- Offers TakeoutYes
- DeliveryNo
- Vegan OptionsYes
- Many Vegetarian OptionsYes
- Wheelchair accessibleYes
- Accepts Credit CardsYes
- Accepts Android PayNo
- Accepts Apple PayNo
- Outdoor SeatingYes
- Romantic, ClassyYes
- Moderate NoiseYes
- Casual DressYes
- Offers CateringYes
- Good for GroupsYes
- Good for DinnerYes
- Garage Parking, Street ParkingYes
- Waiter ServiceYes
- Free Wi-FiYes
- Live MusicYes
- Best nights on Wednesday, Friday, SaturdayYes
- Happy Hour SpecialsYes
- Full BarYes
- Smoking Outside OnlyYes
- TVYes
- Black-ownedYes
- Women-ownedYes
- Heated Outdoor SeatingYes
- Covered Outdoor SeatingYes
- Open to AllYes
- Not Good For KidsNo
- Not Good For DancingNo
- Drive-ThruNo
- Dogs Not AllowedNo
- Bike ParkingYes
- Provides reusable tablewareYes
Last Reviews
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Author: Lauren P.
This is a delayed review from a dining experience I had in April, but an absolutely five star dinner that has to be shared! We were in town for a work conference so it was a small group of my coworkers and I. Super glad my boss took the executive decision to set us up here because everything was so fantastic and the service was impeccable. The vibe here is also so cozy and inviting! We were served a TON of food, shared family-style of course. There was not one thing that I tried that I didn't like. Everything was fantastic. Standouts for me were the gomen and the atakilt kilikil, along with ALL of the tibs. The flavors in everything we tried were impeccable and the quality stood out. After dinner we go to experience a traditional coffee ceremony which was awesome. I want a candle made up of the smell from that roasted coffee for my house! And of course, the depth of flavor in the coffee was amazing. All in all this was a great way to spend a team dinner and I would love to come back the next time I'm in SF!
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Author: Meghna N.
Loved the live music and food. The vegetarian platter, and the mushroom samosa were yummy! These items are vegan, the rest you'll have to check. Absolutely loved the service too!
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Author: Rachel M.
My mother-in-law was craving Ethiopian food so we made a last minute visit to Sheba Piano Lounge. The restaurant was quite busy but they were able to seat our party of 7 with no wait, but I definitely would try to make a reservation if you have a larger party on a Friday or Saturday night. The ambiance is dark and moody, so if you have older people in your party that wouldn't enjoy that or have a hard time reading the menu just a note. Unfortunately, they didn't have gluten-free injera after some reviewers claimed they did. But the server was super helpful in immediately suggesting rice as an alternative for my mother-in-law. We ordered 2 veggie samplers and 3 entrees. It ended up being a good amount of food for 7 people but if you come hungry you could add a dish or two to make sure everyone gets a good portion. Ok and on to the food. It was *exceptional*. Sooooo much depth of flavor and delicious. Everything we had from the cabbage to the catfish was so flavorful and complex in flavor! An err of caution to those spice sensitive as everything had a bit of a kick. It wasn't unbearable but think of everything being a base mild/medium spice level. The big hits of the night were the catfish, chicken, lentils, and cabbage. The live music on a saturday nights as also delightful. Some soft rock and jazz played at just the right volume to still enjoy dinner and some chatter at the table. Would definitely visit again for the amazingly delicious food!
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Author: Michael T.
An Ethiopian restaurant and jazz lounge? Yes and it's a beautiful combo and an experience everyone really should have in their lifetime! Sheba has been delighting diners in the Fillmore for almost two decades, and this family run business has the food, hospitality, ambiance, and entertainment in spades! Sheba's Ethiopian cuisine is loaded with love and authentic flavor, and when you layer in their genuine regard for their guests, you have a fabulous dining experience that won't soon be forgotten. We sat in a warm, lowly lit u-shaped banquette facing a fireplace with a large table at the center. If it sounds like a living room, you'd be right, and it felt like we had been invited into the owner's home for dinner! We had many of the classics like crispy sambusas, atakilt kilkil (cabbage and carrots in turmeric), wat (lentils), and tibs (sauteed meats from chicken to lamb) all served with injera, the spongy flatbread that serves as your utensil. But the stars of the show had to be the simmered sea bass, an insanely complex dish with layers of flavor, and a braised green, similar to gomen in texture, but totally new to me! The cocktails were no slouch here either. They all sounded interesting and obviously had a lot of thought put into showcasing the Ethiopian flavors. I opted for the Selassie, a riff on I think a Godfather, made with Abyssinian spiced bitters and pernod for an extra anise kick, but the Bikila, which sounded like a wild combo on paper, turned out to be the surprising star of the show and best be described as a spicy Ethiopian margarita. This is a five star experience. Get in and get some for yourself. Bring friends, lots of them, because it's one that needs to be shared!