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The Empress by Boon, San Francisco, CA
Award-winning

The Empress by Boon

4.5
4.5
1355 Reviews
$50 and over
Chinese

Make a reservation

2 people
8:00 PM
Booked 20 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Good for special occasions
  • Fancy
  • Romantic
Empress by Boon is San Francisco’s newest, must-visit epicurean destination, offering a seasonal menu in modern Cantonese gastronomy. Michelin-starred Chef Ho Chee Boon applies traditional techniques to fresh, local ingredients to produce distinctive contemporary dishes infused with Cantonese flavors.

The spacious restaurant occupies the former location of Chinatown’s celebrated Empress of China with striking city views. Reimagined by Chef Boon and team, the Empress was brought back to its former glory by embracing modern design elements while incorporating restored original features, creating a welcoming atmosphere that pays homage to the history of the beloved location.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Chinese
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (415) 757-0728
  • Website
    http://theempresssf.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Ho Chee Boon
  • Location
    838 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94108-1738
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
  • Neighborhood
    Chinatown
  • Cross street
    Clay Street
  • Parking details
    Public Parking available at Portsmouth Square Plaza Garage. Entrance at 733 Kearny Street.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Private Room, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Experiences

  • Empress by Boon Prix Fixe Menu

    $118.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    We offer a prix fixe menu that showcases Chef Boon's focus on using only the freshest ingredients available, while offering unique taste combinations not seen in other Cantonese cooking. Our offerings change often to allow for a truly seasonal menu to be executed.

  • New Years Eve 2024

    $192.76 per person

    Dec 31, 2024 only
    Chef Boon is excited to create a celebratory menu to ring in the New Year! His international culinary expertise transforms any menu into a true epicurean experience. Chef Ho's traditional techniques combine fresh ingredients from local purveyors to produce dishes that are not only contemporary but have the essence of traditional Cantonese cuisine.

  • Simone & Boon Cocktail Reception

    $162.94 per person

    Prepaid

    Jan 22, 2025 only
    A more relaxed, conversational experience to check out the collaboration between Simone Caporale, the visionary behind SIPS Barcelona, named the #1 bar by World’s 50 Best, with Michelin-starred Chef Ho Chee Boon, this casual reception will be a one-of-a-kind cocktail and lite canape event from 6-8pm. Together, these two masters will craft a creative blend of impeccable flavors that promises to elevate the city’s culinary and mixology scene to new heights. For this special evening, Simone will craft 4 delectable cocktails for your enjoyment, while Chef Ho entices your palate with small bites from the kitchen. This will truly be a unique experience not seen before.

Menu

Prix Fixe Menu

  • Duck Soup

    goji berry, ginkgo seed, peach gum, mountain yam, fish maw

    • California Prawn

      crispy seaweed, wasabi mustard

      • Scallop and Caviar Roll

        egg white

        • Prawn and Pak Choi Dumplings

          XO sauce and crab roe

          • Wok Tossed Lobster

            lemongrass, sweet chili

            • California Uni and Steamed Housemade Tofu

              20yr Huadiao wine

              • Baked Alaskan Black Cod

                sha cha sauce

                • Stir Fried Matsutake Mushrooms

                  asparagus, chicken breast

                  • Scallion Noodles

                    shiitake mushrooms, cauliflower

                    Last updated: September 20, 2024

                    What 1,355 people are saying

                    Overall ratings and reviews

                    Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

                    4.5
                    4.5 based on recent ratings
                    • 4.5Food
                    • 4.6Service
                    • 4.5Ambience
                    • 4Value

                    Noise • Moderate

                    Loved For

                    • San Francisco Bay Area

                      Chinese

                    • San Francisco

                      Romantic

                    Review summary

                    AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                    The Empress by Boon offers a "stunning food" experience with exceptional service and breathtaking views of San Francisco. Diners rave about the "attentively crafted" dishes, especially the tasting menu, which is both inventive and satisfying. While the ambiance is lively and the decor beautiful, some diners find it a bit noisy. Overall, it's a "hidden gem" perfect for special occasions.

                    1,355 Reviews

                    1. V

                      San Francisco

                      1 review

                      1.0

                      1 review

                      Dined on November 15, 2024

                      1. Overall 1
                      2. Food 1
                      3. Service 1
                      4. Ambience 1
                      I’ve been to Empress by Boon many times, but this visit might be my last. We went as a party of five, and the food was incredibly salty—almost inedible. We didn’t feel well after eating. The service was okay, but there was a loud, screaming group next to us. We paid almost $1K for five people, and it was the worst Chinese food I’ve ever had.

                      Is this helpful?

                    2. OpenTable Diner

                      San Francisco

                      1 review

                      5.0

                      1 review

                      Dined on November 15, 2024

                      1. Overall 5
                      2. Food 5
                      3. Service 5
                      4. Ambience 5
                      A very different experience from the usual steak and seafood restaurants. The view and ambiance has a classy and fun feel. The food is very tasty and not overly rich. Highly recommended.

                      Is this helpful?

                    3. Tim

                      San Francisco

                      6 reviews

                      5.0

                      6 reviews

                      Dined on November 15, 2024

                      1. Overall 5
                      2. Food 5
                      3. Service 5
                      4. Ambience 5
                      My family and I were celebrating a special occasion, a family reunion of sorts. The atmosphere of the surprising restaurant was stunning. The delicious plates of food that came out one after the other were delicious. The cocktails were works of art! Have I mentioned a great view of Coit Tower.abd Telegraph Hill? All in all it was a very special night in a delightful environment It's super tasty food! highly recommend

                      Is this helpful?

                    4. OpenTable Diner

                      Tampa

                      2 reviews

                      5.0

                      2 reviews

                      Dined on November 14, 2024

                      1. Overall 5
                      2. Food 5
                      3. Service 5
                      4. Ambience 5
                      Party of three - family from out of town. We walked over from the hotel so no comment on parking. Wonderful service fabulous food. We ate early and it was reasonably quiet for most of the meal but then the restaurant filled in and got a bit louder but not any worse than any other place. Prix fixed meal - balance of flavors and textures artfully crafted - I would dine here again in a heart beat. A wonderful and innovative meal!

                      Is this helpful?

                    5. DJ

                      Chicago

                      55 reviews

                      vip
                      5.0

                      55 reviews

                      Dined on November 2, 2024

                      1. Overall 5
                      2. Food 5
                      3. Service 5
                      4. Ambience 5
                      Such a great experience in San Francisco! Intimate bar and 'tea room' for cocktails, and the views from the dining area are simply spectacular. Innovative cuisine and a beautiful wine pairing. The Sweet and Spicy Lobster and the Scallion noodles were standouts, but honestly everything was excellent!

                      Is this helpful?

                    6. Vinson

                      San Francisco

                      2 reviews

                      3.0

                      2 reviews

                      Dined on October 26, 2024

                      1. Overall 3
                      2. Food 3
                      3. Service 1
                      4. Ambience 1
                      Food: Above average for Chinese in Chinatown. Nothing really fancy. Peking duck doesn't come with bread. Lol Ambiance: place is very dark, but music is kinda loud, but it's supposed to be a high end restaurant. Service: they charge a 22% service fee, but service is pretty bad, servers aren't very professional, they clean out our utensils before all the food is done. Overall: Average Chinese restaurant posing as a high end place, keeps it dark and loud so you don't see their flaws. Has nice view of the city. But you could get that for free around the city hahaha.

                      Is this helpful?

                    7. OpenTable Diner

                      San Francisco

                      2 reviews

                      vip
                      5.0

                      2 reviews

                      Dined on October 26, 2024

                      1. Overall 5
                      2. Food 5
                      3. Service 5
                      4. Ambience 5
                      The pre fixe menu was delicious! Lovely service and views. Will definitely be back

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                    8. Brittany

                      San Francisco

                      8 reviews

                      vip
                      5.0

                      8 reviews

                      Dined on October 20, 2024

                      1. Overall 5
                      2. Food 5
                      3. Service 4
                      4. Ambience 5
                      The ambiance feels like you’re in Hong Kong and the food is also similar to their Michelin Star restaurants. Very innovative and delicious.

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                    9. Katie

                      San Francisco

                      5 reviews

                      5.0

                      5 reviews

                      Dined on October 20, 2024

                      1. Overall 5
                      2. Food 5
                      3. Service 5
                      4. Ambience 5
                      It was a delicious meal. Every course was wonderful.

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                    10. Joseph

                      San Francisco

                      1 review

                      5.0

                      1 review

                      Dined on October 12, 2024

                      1. Overall 5
                      2. Food 5
                      3. Service 5
                      4. Ambience 5
                      Amazing in every way! Highly recommend! Service was great, food was amazing!

                      Is this helpful?

                    FAQs

                    The Empress by Boon is rated 4.5 stars by 1355 OpenTable diners.

                    Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

                    Make a reservation

                    2 people
                    8:00 PM
                    Booked 20 times today
                    Experiences are available.
                    Google Map for The Empress by Boon

                    838 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94108-1738

                    Dining areas

                    Additional information

                    • Award-winning
                      1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
                    • Cross street
                      Clay Street
                    • Neighborhood
                      Chinatown
                    • Hours of operation
                      Dinner Mon–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
                    • Price
                      $50 and over
                    • Cuisines
                      Chinese
                    • Dining style
                      Fine Dining
                    • Dress code
                      Business Casual
                    • Parking details
                      Public Parking available at Portsmouth Square Plaza Garage. Entrance at 733 Kearny Street.
                    • Payment options
                      AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                    • Executive chef
                      Ho Chee Boon
                    • Additional
                      Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Private Room, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

                    Featured in

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