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Best Pre-Theater Restaurants in Downtown / Union Square

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21 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Historic John's Grill restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(7297)
Price: Expensive
• American • Downtown / Union Square
Booked 42 times today
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.
A photo of Corzetti restaurant
4.5
Awesome(332)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Downtown / Union Square
Booked 39 times today
Step off the bustling streets of Union Square and into a glamorous, coastal Italian getaway. Corzetti is a Ligurian restaurant and bar that evokes summers spent on the Italian Riviera where life moves at a slower pace, and seaside restaurants serve up menus influenced by the day’s catch and peak-season produce from the region.Chef Tali Missirlian's focus on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and handmade pasta reflects our commitment to sustainability and quality. You'll find fresh seafood-forward dishes on our menu including pizza, pasta and more, which pair perfectly with creative cocktails from our bar and an extensive list of Italian wines. Come in for lunch, happy hour, or a quick dinner before a show. Host birthday parties and get togethers in our private dining room. From our cozy and intimate atmosphere to our knowledgeable and attentive service, Corzetti invites you to savor the essence of Liguria's relaxed seaside culture in the heart of the city.
A photo of bota tapas and paella bar restaurant
4.4
Awesome(935)
Price: Expensive
• Tapas / Small Plates • Downtown / Union Square
Booked 12 times today
Bota is an authentic Spanish style tapas and paella bar located in the heart of Union Square in San Francisco. A place to go to share food, savor rustic flavors and enjoy Spanish wine in a casual, yet chic, environment. Inspired by the concept behind our name “BOTA”, a vessel to share wine with the people around you.
A photo of Bouche restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(1906)
Price: Expensive
• French • Downtown / Union Square
Booked 18 times today
Bouche is a California-French restaurant with an oft-changing seasonal menu created by the renowned Parisian Chef Jeremy Blaringhem. The beer and wine list is centered on small producers from both California and France. Our Kitchen Is Exclusively Offering seasonal Menu.A brunch service a la carte is offered Sat & Sun 11am-2.30pm in our outdoors heated parklet area only.Items on the menus are subject to change with seasonOur goal is to share our passion for food and wine in our romantic & sexy "hole in the wall" restaurant. Come and fall in love with our recipes and style of cooking served by our wonderful team wearing a big smile. Be Brave enough to order our signature dish "The adventurous". A blind dish created to challenge your palet and boundaries.Nothing Fancy... Simply expect real food, real ingredients , real people , real laughs ... a love experience.As a small family business we really appreciate your support.Bon appétit
A photo of Ula Restaurant & Tapas Bar restaurant
4.1
Excellent(762)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Financial District / Embarcadero
Booked 21 times today
Ula is a beautiful European Mediterranean restaurant and tapas bar in San Francisco. Sip your martini or quality wine with a seafood-centric menu that has a focus on raw, roasted, and grilled fish and various roasted and grilled meats, pasta, gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan selections. The restaurant is maximalist art deco with fixtures that depict jellyfish, oysters, and grand maritime vessels. Just a hop from Union Square, the delightfully vintage dining room begs to be paired with a nostalgic trolley ride and a stroll through the heart of the city. Dining is available inside only (and you wouldn’t want it any other way). We look forward to serving you. From the Mediterranean with Love. All welcome.
A photo of Cable 55 restaurant
3.9
Excellent(22)
Price: Moderate
• Unspecified • Downtown / Union Square
Booked 1 time today
In the heart of San Francisco’s popular neighborhood at Market and Fifth, the contemporary Cable 55 restaurant is found in the sleek Parc 55 San Francisco - a Hilton Hotel, offering tourists and residents a stylish venue and delicious change of pace from rich American classics by infusing them with a light, local flair. As a Surfrider Foundation Ocean Friendly Restaurant, Cable 55 is dedicated to sustainably serving you.
A photo of Zingari Ristorante + Jazz Bar restaurant
4.3
Awesome(2670)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Downtown / Union Square
Booked 9 times today
Since 1995, Zingari has been recognized as the exquisite hidden gem in San Francisco Union Square. Zingari is the perfect place for you to restore and feel at home with your guests. Sip your Spritz or Negroni while you dine on Pappardelle and Ossobuco. Indulge in proper cicchetti or Italian tapas, fresh house-made pastas, and an interesting selection of raw, roasted or grilled meats and fish. The aperitivo bar and wine shop fun Italian classic cocktails and fantastic Italian wines. Private dining is an adventure and available in all of our elegant and modern dining rooms. Dining with live music is an experience available exclusively in the Artist Room. Gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan selections are available. Zingari has been recognized as one of the best restaurants for private dining in San Francisco, best restaurants with vegetarian selection in San Francisco, and best coffee wine lounges in San Francisco. From Italy with love. All welcome.
A photo of Tratto - San Francisco restaurant
4.3
Awesome(822)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Downtown / Union Square
Booked 12 times today
Re-Opening June 2, 2021A spirited, bar-driven restaurant serving rustic Italian fare with modern sensibilities. Tratto means the stroke of a pen or a mark in Italian, nodding to both the neighborhood’s artistic history and the name of The Marker, the boutique hotel next door. Tratto’s flavorful menu of simple, delicious and shareable dishes coupled with casual, communal-style dining creates a neighborhood bar experience inspired by the Italian tradition of “aperitivo,” or happy hour.Guests can enjoy playful twists on classic Italian cocktails, boozy Italian sodas, and beer and wine from California and Italy, including a jug of house wine from the taps.Choose from a wide selection of traditional small-plate antipasti, house-made pastas and pizzas, entrees served family-style, seasonal side dishes, and classic Italian desserts including ice creams, gelatos and sorbets.
A photo of Cesario's restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(1487)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Downtown / Union Square
Booked 11 times today
Since 1991 Cesario’s has been serving fine Northern Italian and comfort food. We have an extensive global wine list. We are located close to the theater district and Union Square.
A photo of Bartlett Hall restaurant
4.0
Excellent(516)
Price: Expensive
• American • Downtown / Union Square
Booked 3 times today
Bartlett Hall, located in the heart of San Francisco’s Union Square neighborhood, is a modern saloon and eatery that fuses the city’s historic elements with today’s conveniences. With award winning beers made in house, Bartlett offers a special program that pairs beer and food delightfully. A menu of California-inspired American fare, including a variety of burgers, small plates and entrees, are served daily. Bartlett Hall is located at 242 O’Farrell Street www.bartletthallsf.com, or call 415-433-4332. Our Food Menu is available 3:00 PM-9:00 PM, Monday-Wednesday, and 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM Thursday-Sunday. Happy Hour Menu: 3:00-5:00 Monday-Friday.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Warren
    San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Great pre theater meal. Very prompt service and the food was excellent.
    More info
    BouchePrice: Expensive• French• Downtown / Union Square
    4.7
  • Maureen
    San Francisco Bay Area •3 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    So happy to find this restaurant. It’s great place to dine especially if you’ll be attending a show at the SF Playhouse. The decorations are superb along w the food and service!
    More info
    Ula Restaurant & Tapas BarPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Financial District / Embarcadero
    4.1
  • Mark
    San Francisco Bay Area •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    John’s Grill is one of my most favorite restaurants in SF. The staff are efficient and friendly. The ambiance is great, and I enjoy taking first-timers to this gem. The food is great, and my favorite is Jack LaLanne seafood salad with a glass of Chardonnay. Steaks and pasta dishes are great too! Make a toast or two to Hammett, Bogart, Astor, Greenstreet etc. Save a bit of time to check out The Maltese Falcon and other film noir items upstairs. Enjoy the day!
    More info
    Historic John's GrillPrice: Expensive• American• Downtown / Union Square
    4.7
  • Barryvip
    San Francisco Bay Area •10 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    This is my 5th time at this restaurant. Obviously I like it as I continue to come back. Excellent food and great service. Amazing tapas and paella...worth the 20 minute wait, so have a few tapas first. Everything I've tried is fantastic. Located across from the Curran Theatre, so convenient when seeing something at A.C.T.
    More info
    bota tapas and paella barPrice: Expensive• Tapas / Small Plates• Downtown / Union Square
    4.4
  • Barbaravip
    San Francisco Bay Area •61 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 7 days ago
    Three of us dined here before our show at the Curran, just one block away. Started with the large sized Cesar to share. I had 2 appetizers- I eat pasta and pizza at home. So the Kampachi crudo was great as were the meatballs. Plenty of food and a chance to try more things. One friend had the chicken leg confit over polenta and she loved it. The other had the spaghetti with clams and loved hers. A very good meal, excellent service and lively atmosphere. We will definitely be back.
    More info
    CorzettiPrice: Expensive• Italian• Downtown / Union Square
    4.5
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