Buddy

“Buddy Bar is one of those spots I've become a big fan of. Nestled in the Mission, it's quickly become one of our favorite dining stops whenever we're in the neighborhood. It strikes that rare balance: a casual but well-appointed atmosphere, staff who are not just knowledgeable but clearly enthusiastic about what they do, and food and drinks that are inventive without ever tipping into pretension. We've now been a few of times, and each visit has been a reminder of why Buddy stands out. The menu changes quite a bit between visits, which makes going back genuinely exciting. Some staples remain--anchoring the experience--but the new additions have always been fantastic, each one crafted with real thought and flair. Both times, we've insisted on what has become our go-to move: letting the staff guide us through dealer's choice. It's the best way to experience Buddy, because you don't just get food--you get the perspective and excitement of the team who know it best. Every dish they suggested was a hit. On one visit, that lineup included Za'atar Pommes Dauphine (crispy potato puffs with labneh and pickles), Yogurt Dumplings with herbs and spiced oil, and Lentils en Papillote served with mushrooms and bright pickled accents. Another night, we had their crisp Fried Chicken, a delicate Kafta Wrap tucked into phyllo with herbs and pickled onion, and the show-stopping Habibi Tiramisu, layered with cold brew, cardamom, orange blossom, pistachio, and topped with a cloud of kataifi. Each dish felt inventive yet grounded--familiar flavors given new dimension, plated with care but never overproduced. And while we usually lean toward interesting wine pairings (Buddy has a great list of natural leaning wines), at our visits we embraced the cocktail program. True to form, we left it to the staff, asking for dealer's choice all the way through. Every single cocktail was spot-on--balanced, creative, and well matched to the food--even if we don't actually know what they were called. That sense of trust, and the payoff it brings, is part of what makes Buddy special. In the end, Buddy Bar manages to cover the spectrum. It's a fantastic casual stop when you want inventive dishes or a well-made drink. But it also shines as a spot for a date night or a dinner with friends, where the energy of the room, the thought behind the food, and the warmth of the staff come together in just the right way. For us, it's become one of those Mission places we can't help but keep coming back to.”

“atmosphere and service was fabulous. intimate, cosy and dark, perfect for a date or an relaxing evening with friends. however... food needs work. yellowtail crudo just did not work with the coconut milk and pomegranate. charred cabbage was hard, bitter and the sauce was too sour.”

“Mixed experience at Buddy during lunch. The concept seems creative but execution needs work. Food: Corn fritters were disappointing - mushy texture, bitter taste, didn't pair well with toppings. Yellowfin crudo was okay but nothing special, a bit sweet. Trumpet mushrooms had potential but the sauce was too sweet and overpowering. Fried chicken wings were the worst dish - impossibly thick, hard batter ruined otherwise decent chicken. Drinks: Limited to 18% ABV and lower, but bartender made a solid old fashioned-style drink with good effort. Service: Automatic 20% service charge added to bill. Overall: Restaurant tries hard to be innovative with nice presentation but flavors don't come together. Food quality doesn't justify the automatic gratuity. Would not return.”

“Came on a busy night, got seated pretty quickly, which was nice. Server and service was BLAH. I asked a specific (and pretty basic) question about the wine and received a very non-specific and dismissive answer. Not very welcoming or friendly at all. So much so that I will never come back. You only get one chance to make a good first impression on a new customer and they failed big time.”

“We were excited to have a glass of wine at Buddy. The staff seemed annoyed with us for not having a reso but managed to fit us in which was great. Unfortunately the feeling of them being annoyed with us continued. One of the wines we ordered was the chilled Red. When delivered my partner said “can you tell me more about this wine? It says it’s a blend what’s in it?” The server rudely said “it’s a chilled red”. Not great. I absolutely would not have tipped 20% but it was already included.”