Tyler Florence never does anything halfway. Ask him to grill a steak, and he will create a menagerie of smoke, temperature and finely cut beef that feels like a revelation each time. He’s the same way about setting. When we got together for an interview last year, Florence noted that every night in one of his restaurants is a show.
The City Salad with little gem lettuce, avocado, blueberries, quinoa, crispy chickpeas and tarragon vinaigrette.
This explains the new Wayfare Tavern, which recently reopened at the corner of SF’s Pine and Battery Streets after anchoring nearby Sacramento Street for 14 years. The move ushers in a new era while staying true to the warm, tavern-style hospitality that made it a regional favorite.
Florence says the new location allows him to expand his offerings while maintaining the intimate dining experience that makes the restaurant special.
To reimagine the interiors, Florence tapped acclaimed designer Jon de la Cruz (@delagrammar), whose work is synonymous with style-forward restaurants that still feel like home. His vision for the new Wayfare draws on San Francisco’s layered culinary past, infusing the two-story space with nods to the Barbary Coast while embracing modern comfort and polish.
Prime beef tartare
“The splendor of San Francisco’s rich culinary history served as our guiding inspiration for the look and feel of Wayfare Tavern,” says de la Cruz. Warm woods, exposed beams and brick walls retain the historic soul of downtown, while custom lighting fixtures and rich spice tones—deep greens, reds and warm neutrals—lend a sense of relaxed elegance. The rooms, bathed in natural light, balance classic tavern and urban retreat.
“We’re looking to the future while honoring our past.” –TYLER FLORENCE
The new space features a warm and sophisticated look from Bay Area interior designer Jon de la Cruz.
Florence sees the move not just as a relocation, but a recommitment. “We’re looking to the future while honoring our past,” he says. “Partnering with Jon de la Cruz and moving just a few blocks from our current spot is an amazing opportunity to keep investing in the city we love—revitalizing and celebrating it through food, design and warm hospitality.”
The revitalized menu showcases refined, soul-satisfying dishes. Standouts include the delicate prime beef tartare, the legendary Tavern Burger, a perfectly executed pork chop and those ethereal deviled eggs—truly whipped brilliance. It’s easy to see why the reopening sparked such excitement; in Florence’s kitchen, deliciousness takes on its most nurturing guise. 201 Pine St., wayfaretavern.com
