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Historic John's Grill, San Francisco, CA

Historic John's Grill

4.7
4.7
7372 Reviews
$31 to $50
American

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 110 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Neighbourhood gem
John's Grill has been a San Francisco tradition since 1908. This historic restaurant is one of the city's oldest and most famous and is a favorite of celebrities who enjoy great steaks, expertly prepared fresh seafood with excellent service and a one of a kind atmosphere. John's Grill was a setting in author Dashiell Hammett, The Maltese Falcon.

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Private dining

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Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    American, Steak, Seafood
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Daily 11:45 am–3:30 pm Dinner Daily 3:30 pm–9:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (415) 986-0069
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Mauricio Sibrian
  • Private party facilities
    Historic John's Grill is a landmark restaurant established in 1908 offers private dining rooms for 20 - 300 guests. Classic San Francisco atmosphere offering local seafood and fine cuts of steaks and chops. Chosen as top 10 by Esquire and featured in Gourmet.
  • Area
    Downtown / Union Square
  • Cross Street
    Powell Street
  • Parking details
    There is a parking garage directly across the street, Ellis - O'Farrell Garage.https://www.sfmta.com/garages-lots/ellis-ofarrell-garageParking near John's Grill:https://www.parkinsf.com/sanfrancisco/parking-near/John%27s+Grill
  • Public transit
    BART / MUNI at Powell Street Station
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Christmas

    USD 95.00 per person

    24 Dec 2024 - 25 Dec 2024
    Celebrate the holiday season with a special Pre-Fix Menu at John's Grill! For just $95 per person, enjoy a delicious three-course meal featuring: Lobster Bisque – rich and creamy, a holiday favorite Filet Mignon & Maine Lobster Tail – perfectly cooked to your liking Bread Pudding – a warm, indulgent treat to finish your meal Don't miss out on this exclusive festive offering. Come celebrate with us at John's Grill and make this season unforgettable! ✨🍽️
  • New Year's

    USD 95.00 per person

    31 Dec 2024 - 1 Jan 2025
    Celebrate The New Year in style with a special Pre-Fix Menu at John's Grill! For just $95 per person, enjoy a delicious three-course meal featuring: Lobster Bisque – rich and creamy, a holiday favorite Filet Mignon & Maine Lobster Tail – perfectly cooked to your liking Bread Pudding – a warm, indulgent treat to finish your meal Don't miss out on this exclusive festive offering. Come celebrate with us at John's Grill and make this season unforgettable! We will also be offering complimentary designer party favors for New Year's Eve ✨🍽️

What 7,372 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • San Francisco

    American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Historic John's Grill is a San Francisco treasure, celebrated for its "wonderful food" and "excellent service." With its "old world charm" and "classic SF vibes," the restaurant offers a memorable dining experience. Guests appreciate the "live jazz" and "energetic atmosphere." It's a "must-visit" for both locals and visitors.

7,372 Reviews
  1. Carolyn

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Great food. Noisy but still nice. Make a reservation! People were waiting an hour without them.

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  2. Jonathan

    VIP

    San Francisco

    35 reviews

    5.0

    35 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food. Great service lots of fun.waiter was wonderful.

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  3. Anna

    Sacramento

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We have dined at John’s for many years, slowed down during Covid window…A friend and I went to a play and had lunch. Great good and experience always. Highly recommend!

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  4. Cristina

    VIP

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Great place to go before a play. Please was packed but the service was quick and they got us out on time. Super festive decor and very quintessential SF grill.

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  5. james

    San Francisco

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always a go to before the theatre. We told our waiter we had theatre tickets and he took care of us taking our orders and getting our food to us promptly. Food was plentiful and delicious.

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  6. Beth

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    There is a reason John’s Grill has been in business for 115 years. Highly recommend: great cocktails, Petrale sole almandine was remarkable, our server was attentive and accommodating. It was my guest’s first time here and I have not been here since pre-Covid times. We both agreed we will be back soon!

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  7. Regina

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Love the vibe with the holiday flare. The service was great and the food amazing. A tradition for us as well as many of the other patrons. Love this place!

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  8. Nichole

    VIP

    San Francisco

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What a wonderful night at John’s Grill!!! Good and drinks were great, but the service from all the staff was made it such a memorable night! Happy Holidays!

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  9. Michael

    VIP

    San Francisco

    12 reviews

    2.0

    12 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 2
    Used to go there all the time. They seem to have added more and smaller tables which seems good for business, but it’s like having dinner inside the stock exchange. Also, the menu has dropped some of their signature dishes. The only staple is the Jack LaLane salad. Wife ordered the Sole. It was gray and flavorless. We won’t be back.

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  10. Joyce

    VIP

    San Francisco

    41 reviews

    5.0

    41 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always fabulous!! Never disappointed. Every time I come it is always lovely. I made reservations for dinner before going to ACT and it worked out perfectly.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Historic John's Grill offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (415) 986-0069.

Historic John's Grill is rated 4.7 stars by 7372 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 110 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Historic John's Grill

63 Ellis Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Powell Street
  • Area
    Downtown / Union Square
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Daily 11:45 am–3:30 pm Dinner Daily 3:30 pm–9:30 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    American, Steak, Seafood
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    There is a parking garage directly across the street, Ellis - O'Farrell Garage.https://www.sfmta.com/garages-lots/ellis-ofarrell-garageParking near John's Grill:https://www.parkinsf.com/sanfrancisco/parking-near/John%27s+Grill
  • Public transit
    BART / MUNI at Powell Street Station
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Mauricio Sibrian
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (415) 986-0069
  • Private party facilities
    Historic John's Grill is a landmark restaurant established in 1908 offers private dining rooms for 20 - 300 guests. Classic San Francisco atmosphere offering local seafood and fine cuts of steaks and chops. Chosen as top 10 by Esquire and featured in Gourmet.
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