FAQ
Reservations
How do I book a reservation with Maria Isabel?
Reservations are available through OpenTable or our website. We release reservations at 7:00AM 30 days in advance on a rolling basis, and OpenTable reflects our most current availability. If you are not seeing availability, we are likely fully committed for that evening.
For reservation changes or late arrivals, please send us a text message at (415) 275-0075.
Do you accept walk-ins?
Yes. We are happy to welcome walk-in guests whenever space allows. Availability can vary throughout the evening, and if we are unable to seat you right away, we are happy to add you to our in-person waitlist.
Do you accept reservations for the counter?
Yes. Three of our five counter seats are available to reserve through OpenTable, while two are kept available for walk-in guests each evening on a first come, first served basis.
Located along the edge of the dining room, the counter faces the kitchen and is separated by opaque glass panes, creating a more intimate, tucked-away experience while still feeling connected to the energy of the restaurant.
Do you have a bar?
We offer a very limited standing bar area for guests enjoying beverages before or after dinner. Space is available on a first come, first served basis and is reserved for beverage service only.
How do I join the waitlist?
We recommend setting a Notify Me alert through OpenTable for future reservation availability. If a reservation becomes available, OpenTable will notify you directly.
We also keep a limited in-person waitlist for walk-in guests each evening, depending on availability.
Do you require a credit card to make a reservation?
Yes. A credit card is required to secure all reservations.
What is your cancellation policy?
Reservations may be modified or canceled through OpenTable up to 48 hours in advance. Cancellations made within 48 hours and no-shows will incur a charge of $48 per guest.
What happens if I am running late?
We are happy to offer a 10-minute grace period for late arrivals. Beyond that time, we may not be able to guarantee your table due to the reservations that follow.
We ask that parties arrive together whenever possible so we can begin your dining experience on time.
If you are running late, please send us a text message at (415) 275-0075.
How long do I have my table?
To help us provide the best experience for all of our guests throughout the evening, we kindly ask that reservations observe the following dining times:
Party of 1-2 gue: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Parties of 3-4 guests: 2 hours and 15 minutes
Parties of 5-6 guests: 2 hours and 30 minutes
What should I know before arriving?
We encourage guests to allow extra time for parking and travel, as parking in the neighborhood can be limited, particularly during busy dining hours.
Can I request a specific table or dining room?
We are happy to note seating preferences and will always do our best to accommodate them. Because we are a small restaurant and seating varies each evening, specific tables and dining rooms cannot be guaranteed.
Can I bring my child or infant?
Due to the intimate size of our dining room and limited space, we are unable to accommodate strollers, high chairs, booster seats, or children's menus.
For guests dining with young children, we recommend our sister restaurant Dalida, which is better suited for families.
Dining Experience
What is included in the chef's menu?
We offer a $90 per person chef-curated tasting menu celebrating contemporary Mexican Pacific Coast flavors, pristine California seafood, and our house-ground moles, all guided by the best ingredients of the season.
We also offer pescatarian and vegetarian tasting menus for $100 per person with advance notice. These menus require additional preparation from our kitchen team and are offered in limited quantities each evening.
Menus change frequently with the seasons and may vary from evening to evening.
The tasting menu is designed to be enjoyed within the reservation times outlined above.
We require full table participation.
Can I order à la carte?
Yes. In addition to our tasting menus, we offer an à la carte menu.
If you selected the tasting menu when booking, we kindly ask that you let us know in advance if you would like to change your selection, as we prepare a limited number of tasting menu experiences each evening.
If your plans change, please let us know ahead of time and we will do our best to accommodate.
Do you offer vegetarian, vegan, or pescatarian options?
Yes. We are happy to offer vegetarian and pescatarian tasting menus for $100 per person with advance notice.
Because we have a small kitchen and these menus require additional preparation, we ask that guests include any dietary preferences when booking so our team can plan accordingly.
We are currently unable to offer a vegan tasting menu.
Our menus change regularly with the seasons, and available accommodations may vary throughout the year.
Menus For Parties of 5 or More
What menu options are available for parties of 5 or more?
For parties of 5 or more guests, we offer two menu experiences designed to allow the table to dine together with a thoughtful pace and a generous sense of sharing.
We ask that the full table select one menu for the evening. Because we work from a small kitchen and each menu is prepared and paced differently, this allows our kitchen and service team to stay in sync and provide a smoother, more attentive experience for everyone at the table.
Hybrid Family-Style Menu — $125 per person
Our most generous and flexible option for larger tables.
The evening begins with the first two courses of our Chef's Tasting Menu, individually plated for each guest, before transitioning into a broader selection of platos principales and desserts served family style for the table.
Guests may also add an individual Caviar Guacamole Buñuelo as a supplement.
This menu combines the more composed beginning of our tasting experience with the warmth of sharing dishes across the table. It also gives us the most flexibility when accommodating several dietary restrictions or preferences within a group.
Chef's Tasting Menu — $90 per person
Our fully coursed and individually plated experience, featuring a progression of dishes selected by our chefs to showcase the season, Mexican Pacific Coast flavors, California ingredients, and our house-ground moles.
Guests may also add our Caviar Guacamole Buñuelo and Sweet Corn Tamalito with Santa Barbara sea urchin as supplements.
Why does the full table need to choose one menu?
We understand that choosing one menu for the table can feel a little more structured than a typical reservation.
Maria Isabel is an intimate restaurant with a small kitchen, and these menus require different preparation and pacing. Having the table enjoy one menu together allows our kitchen and service team to stay in sync, properly pace each course, and provide the level of care and attention we want every guest to receive.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions for larger parties?
Yes. We are happy to make dietary adjustments whenever possible with advance notice.
For groups with several different dietary restrictions or preferences, the Hybrid Family-Style Menu offers the most flexibility.
Some allergies or dietary restrictions may not be possible to accommodate within every menu, so we encourage guests to share any dietary needs with us before their visit.
Are supplements and beverage pairings included?
Supplements and beverage pairings are available separately and are not included in the menu priceIs gratuity included for larger parties?
A 20% automatic gratuity is added to parties of 6 or more guests.
I have an allergy or dietary restriction. Can I dine at Maria Isabel?
We kindly ask that allergies and dietary restrictions be shared before your visit so that our kitchen and service team can best guide your experience.
We will always do our best to accommodate wherever possible. At this time, however, we are unable to accommodate allium or nightshade allergies within our tasting menu, as these ingredients are foundational to many of our preparations.
Is the food spicy?
Some dishes contain chiles, salsas, and may have a moderate level of spice. Our menu is designed to showcase balance and flavor rather than heat alone.
If you are sensitive to spice, please let your server know and we will be happy to guide you through the menu.
Is the menu traditional Mexican food?
Maria Isabel is rooted in the culinary traditions of Mexico, particularly the country's Pacific Coast, while drawing inspiration from Northern California's seasons and ingredients.
Many of our ingredients, techniques, and recipes are inspired by the regions and traditions that shaped our chefs' upbringing.
While some dishes may feel familiar, others are interpretations of regional Mexican traditions viewed through a contemporary lens.
What is the corkage policy?
Corkage is $40 for the first 750mL bottle. A second bottle is $60. Magnum bottles (1500mL) are $100.
Do you have a dress code?
While we do not have a formal dress code, we encourage guests to dress for an evening out and in a way that feels appropriate for the experience.
Groups & Private Events
How do I book a large group, private dining event, or full restaurant buyout?
Parties of 5–6 guests may reserve through our standard reservation channels and will select from the larger-party menu options outlined above.
For parties of 8 or more guests, private dining, or full restaurant buyouts, please complete our inquiry form:
https://www.mariaisabelsf.com/private-events/
Parties of 8 or more guests are coordinated through our events team and are not available to book through OpenTable.
As a small restaurant, larger gatherings require additional planning and coordination. Our team will review your inquiry and be in touch with available options.
Planning Your Visit
Where is Maria Isabel located?
We are located at 500 Presidio Avenue in San Francisco's Presidio Heights neighborhood.
What are your operating hours?
We are open Tuesday through Saturday for dinner from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Is there parking available?
Street parking is available throughout the neighborhood, though it can be limited, particularly during peak dining hours. We recommend allowing extra time for parking and travel or considering a rideshare service.
Do you have outdoor seating?
We currently offer indoor dining only.
Is Maria Isabel wheelchair accessible?
Yes. We are wheelchair accessible and offer ADA seating.
Holidays
What are your holiday hours?
We are closed on Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1.
Holiday hours may occasionally vary, so we recommend checking our website or OpenTable for the most current availability.
Takeout & Catering
Do you offer takeout?
While we do not currently offer a standard takeout menu, custom pickup catering may be available for special occasions with advance notice. Please contact our team to discuss availability.
Careers
I want to work at Maria Isabel. How do I apply?
Current openings are listed on Culinary Agents. If you do not see the position you are seeking, please send your resume and cover letter to mariaisabel@mariaisabelsf.com.