Best Historic Restaurants in San Francisco Bay Area

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchJapanese

Regions

East BayMarinPeninsulaSan Francisco

Neighborhoods

BerkeleyChinatownDowntown / Union SquareFinancial District / EmbarcaderoFisherman's WharfMarina / Cow Hollow / Presidio

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

46 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Historic John's Grill restaurant

1. Historic John's Grill

4.7

Exceptional(7511)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 55 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 The Garden Court - Luxury Collection restaurant

2. The Garden Court - Luxury Collection

3.9

Excellent(2489)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • SOMA

Booked 29 times today

Featuring innovative intercontinental cuisine, the famed Garden Court offers a superb dining experience in a glorious setting. This historic landmark serves Breakfast daily, 2 Course Prix Fixe Lunch Monday-Thursday and an enchanting Afternoon Tea on Friday and Saturday. The Garden Court features a stained glass dome, Italian marble columns, Austrian crystal chandeliers and is noted on San Francisco’s Historic Register as Landmark #18. Our Executive Chef invites you to try our signature crab salad lightly dressed in our own Green Goddess Dressing, a true Palace original created in 1923.

A photo of The Rotunda at Neiman Marcus - San Francisco restaurant

3. The Rotunda at Neiman Marcus - San Francisco

4.7

Exceptional(6227)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 84 times today

The Rotunda serves afternoon tea seven days a week beginning at 1:30 p.m. A tea experience reservation is necessary to enjoy our daily tea service. Any dietary restrictions must be noted at least 24 hours in advance of your reservation.Please use link below to reserve your tea experience.https://www.opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=889&restref=889&experienceId=35326Let THE ROTUNDA® host your next Baby or Bridal Shower. We pride ourselves on creating the perfect menu and ambience for your event in our chic and inviting atmosphere. Pamper the glowing bride- or mother-to-be in your life with the shower of her dreams or a lavish luncheon.*February 22, the outside elevator is under construction. Enter through any of the outside NM entrances, take any elevator to the 4th floor.

A photo of The Vault Steakhouse restaurant

4. The Vault Steakhouse

4.3

Awesome(280)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 17 times today

Located in the original bank vault of the historic 555 California St building on the Concourse Level, The Vault Steakhouse offers indoor dining, a lounge and bar with an extensive cocktail, whiskey and wine program for a special occasion, business function, and date night - all in one place. Enjoy classics steakhouse cuts, creative and fun sides, tableside touches and more.Chefs Ryan Cerizo & Jason Halverson have collaborated to take all of the things we love about Steakhouse dining and elevate it with simple, delicious, modern day touches. Onsite parking is available for $5 in our 24 hour secured garage.

5. Le Central

4.7

Exceptional(2165)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• French • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 19 times today

Opened in 1974, Le Central has been serving traditional French cuisine for five decades, boasting the honor of being San Francisco’s most historic French bistro. Located on the edge of the Financial District, Union Square, and Chinatown in a rare one story brick building adorned with its iconic pink neon sign and crowned by a vintage “Tabac” sign. Step into this charming restaurant and be transported to a Parisian brasserie. With exposed brick walls, original imported brass bar, stained glass features, and cozy banquettes topped with brass railings. The atmosphere invites you to unwind and enjoy delicious French fare and exceptional wines and cocktails in an upscale, yet casual environment. Enjoy French classics like steak-frites, escargot, onion soup, and our world famous Cassoulet. Le Central’s cuisine is comforting yet sumptuous. Le Central is the downtown stop for locals and visitors looking for a taste of “La Belle Vie”!!!

6. Toy Soldier

4.3

Awesome(142)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 4 times today

CALIFORNIA & COMFORT CUISINE ON BELDEN PLACE Whether you're looking to have a quick lunch, conduct a business meeting, host a banquet or go on a first date, Toy Soldier is sure to deliver. We offer a casual & lively atmosphere sprawled across our main dining room, full bar, romantic upstairs lounge & outdoor dining area. We're serving up fun, military-inspired specialty cocktails and a wine program emphasizing Northern California. All libations have a focus on small producers and growers - our regional rotations will explore all the best California has to offer. Most importantly, we're offering up our pride & joy, our home-made beer - Toy Soldier IPA, brewed on-site in our brewery downstairs below the bar.

7. The Post Room

4.0

Excellent(199)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 23 times today

In the heart of San Francisco’s Union Square, a new Mediterranean-inspired bar and lounge called The Post Room is nestled inside the historic Beacon Grand and overlooking the hotel’s grand lobby, the vibrant social venue will serve breakfast through supper every day, with brunch served on weekends and complemented by a dazzling live music program.

A photo of Original Joe's - San Francisco restaurant

8. Original Joe's - San Francisco

4.7

Exceptional(4301)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • North Beach

Booked 129 times today

Original Joe’s is the quintessential, classic San Francisco dining experience. A fabric of the City for over 80 years, it is located in the heart of the historic and majestic North Beach, a mecca for natives, tourists, and culinary aficionados alike.Original Joe’s is the oldest of all existing Joe’s restaurants in the country and is the innovator of what is now nationally known as the “Joe’s Concept”. With its signature red leather booths, legendary smooth cocktails, and renowned Italian American menu, Joe’s has come to signify its own Northern Californian category of food and symbolizes classic Italian American comfort food at its finest.

9. Starlite

4.4

Awesome(204)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Cocktail Bar • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 44 times today

Starlite is a historic San Francisco cocktail bar with nearly a century of vibrant stories. Renowned for hosting lively parties and attracting iconic figures like Alan Ginsberg, Starlite invites guests to the Beacon Grand’s 21st-floor, featuring refreshed interiors by San Francisco designer Alice Crumeyrolle. The atmosphere is set with rich velvet fabrics and a jewel-tone palette inspired by the Art Deco Era, paying homage to the city’s icons. Crafted by Scott Baird of Trick Dog fame, the cocktails are both playful and meticulously made. Michelin-award-winning chef Johnny Spero curates a menu that celebrates San Francisco’s culinary artistry, drawing inspiration from international fare. Enhancing the experience are nightly, all-vinyl DJ sets by music director Nina Tarr.

10. Boulevard

4.8

Exceptional(9151)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Californian • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 64 times today

Chefs Nancy Oakes, Chef Dana Younkin and our entire team, look forward to welcoming you to a refreshed and reimagined Boulevard! The dining room features a 3 course prix fixe menu with a multitude of choices. For the more spontaneous sorts; our bar, lounge and chef's counter is available on a walk-in basis and limited reservations. An a la carte menu is offered in these areas. For private events and larger groups, please check our our website.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

G
Gordon
London •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Love this restaurant and everything was great this visit.
More info
Historic John's GrillPrice: Expensive• American• Downtown / Union Square
•
4.7
OT
OpenTable Diner
Atlanta •1 review
4.0
Dined 3 days ago
The ledge on the wall that juts out into the seating space is my only beef. It was uncomfortable. Otherwise, great.
More info
Le CentralPrice: Expensive• French• Downtown / Union Square
•
4.7
S
SusanVIP
Greater Boston •57 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
The garden court setting is elegant and just stunning. The continental breakfast is fantastic with a generous array of choices.
More info
The Garden Court - Luxury CollectionPrice: Expensive• Californian• SOMA
•
3.9
L
lisaVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •6 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Great food (burger, tuna tartare, and truffle fries) and wonderful ambiance. Love this place!!
More info
The Rotunda at Neiman Marcus - San FranciscoPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Downtown / Union Square
•
4.7
R
RaymondVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •21 reviews
4.0
Dined 6 days ago
We actually ate at the Garden and went to Steakhouse for drinks. Eric was excellent at the Garden. Burger was delicious, drinks were good at Garden but just so so At the Steakhouse, olives were too mushy and salty, popcorn was burnt.
More info
The Vault SteakhousePrice: Very Expensive• Steakhouse• Financial District / Embarcadero
•
4.3