A Quiet Oasis on the Edge of Yerba Buena Gardens
What is it about Mathilde French Bistro that keeps you coming back for more? Perhaps it’s their classic take on French onion soup. A wine list that makes you feel like you’ve been transported to Bordeaux. The Parisian-style hospitality. Or, quite possibly, the irresistible charm of dining ‘en plein air’ on Mathilde’s back patio.
Surrounded by a garden of lush greenery, the covered terrace is bathed in a golden light from candles flickering in the recessed walls. A breathtaking scene that looks like it belongs in a fairytale. Cozy and intimate, it’s the kind of place you would bring a special date or celebrate a significant occasion.
Servers flit between the tables, presenting bottles of wine and bringing out steaming platters of fresh food – duck confit, coq au vin, filet mignon, and pommes frites. A truly authentic reiteration of French cuisine, without any of the fusion.

Every once in a while, a dessert will pass through the doorway, causing guests to stop and stare. Apple tartes drizzled in caramel sauce and topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Decadent fruit and cheese boards. And – a dessert that comes highly recommended by owner Lina Yew herself – a towering bowl of mousse au chocolat.
Perhaps what really keeps you coming back is that Mathilde French Bistro provides a quiet reprieve from the city. A cozy place where you can unwind, relax and indulge on sumptuous food. A true hidden gem located on the edge of the Yerba Buena Gardens neighborhood.