Johnny Foley’s: A Dynamic Irish Pub Experience in San Francisco

My wife and I visited here on a recent trip to San Francisco from Buffalo, NY. This is truly an Irish pub with a great pub atmosphere. We had Smithwick's Irish Red Ale with broccoli and cheddar soup, Irish potato skins and a serving of prawns. The food was delicious and well worth it. The service was very friendly and the atmosphere was very comfortable. We recommend this and look forward to coming here again.

After a long flight, we decided to call by Johnny Foley’s Irish Bar for a quick drink and bar snack as it was close to our hotel. We were warmly welcomed on arrival by the hostess, who quickly showed us to a high table with tall chairs, which was perfect for a casual stop. Shortly after sitting down, our server arrived to take our drinks order and was friendly and efficient. Our drinks came out quickly, and we decided to keep it simple with a portion of garlic fries, even though the menu had plenty of great choices that looked tempting. It didn’t take long for the fries to arrive, and they were exactly what we expected, a really generous portion that was easily big enough to share and more like British chips rather than French fries, just how we like them. The bar itself had a good atmosphere, with good music playing and plenty of TVs showing different sports. Overall, it was a lovely first stop in San Francisco, and we would definitely consider returning for a proper meal next time.

The clam chowder is amazing!! Unfortunately the reuben sandwich was not that great. It was comparable to an ok grocery store deli sandwich. The service was great- highly suggest sitting at the bar. The atmosphere has a warm, laid back feel.

Kendall was our waitress, and she was a riot, she was awesome. She was happy she was go lucky. She was just like us. Just what we were looking for the food was hot flavorful, and it was our first sourdough bowl of San Francisco. So we were hungry right by the hotel. We ate and ate and had a good time.

The wings were a good texture, the space was cozy and bustling like a classic in, and the wait staff were fantastic! I definitely enjoyed my experience.

We had dinner here and it was a good time. Their beer battered fish and chips were delicious! Plus their Guinness was served really cold and their cocktails were strong! The staff were friendly and serviced was fast. Love the low light and quiet ambience. The tables got filled as soon as we got seated but it was not noisy at all. There’s still some level of privacy and intimacy.

Popped into Johnny Foley’s for a nightcap and dessert and had such a great time! We tried the Irish Soda Bread & Butter Pudding with Caramel & Bailey’s Custard Sauce—it was absolutely delicious. Rich, comforting, and just the right amount of sweetness. The atmosphere is cozy and perfect for a relaxed night out. Definitely want to come back to try more of their Irish dishes like shepherd’s pie and the classic fish and chips with mushy peas. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a great spot for a traditional Irish food and drinks

Johnny Foley’s was one of those places I walked into expecting a fun Irish bar and ended up being completely floored by the whole experience. The vibe is exactly what you want, lively, welcoming, and the kind of spot where you immediately know you’re going to have a good time. But the food is what shocked me. The fish and chips were genuinely out of this world, perfectly crispy and not greasy, and the potato skins were dangerously good. We also had the Irish burger and the Reuben, and both were way better than they had any right to be for a bar. Then, just when you think it can’t get better, the live music kicks in, and their cover band was one of the best I’ve ever heard. If you’re in San Francisco and want a great night out where the food actually delivers, this place is a no-brainer.