Best Historic Restaurants in North Beach

45 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Historic John's Grill restaurant

1. Historic John's Grill

4.7

Exceptional(7440)

Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 50 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 Original Joe's - San Francisco restaurant

2. Original Joe's - San Francisco

4.7

Exceptional(4239)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • North Beach

Booked 122 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.

3. Tosca Café

4.7

Exceptional(154)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • North Beach

Booked 20 times today

A legendary hangout in North Beach since it opened in 1919, and even more so from the 1980's onward when Jeanette Etheredge took over Tosca. Locals including Willie Brown, Lars Ulrich and Francis Ford Coppola were regular fixtures, Hunter S Thompson wrote his column for the SF Examiner in the corner booth, Bono, Lauren Hutton, and Mikhail Baryshnikov played pool in the back room, singing Opera and drinking Tosca House Cappuccinos. When Restaurateur Anna Weinberg and Interior Designer Ken Fulk heard Tosca Cafe was closing they joined forces to save it. As the new owners and passionate fans of the original establishment their goal was to return Tosca to its rightful place as a San Francisco institution. As Mikey Rapin wrote in Bon Appétit magazine: “It’s the kind of joint Beats got bounced, Bono belted opera, and a bullet hole memoralizes the night an A-LIST actor disagreed with a rockstar's choice of music"

4. Barbara Pinseria

4.5

Awesome(177)

Price: Moderate

• Pizzeria • North Beach

Booked 5 times today

Barbara is a lively Italian restaurant inspired by the rustic tradition of Roman pizzerie, opening in San Francisco’s historic Italian district of North Beach in September 2018 to serve as the neighborhood destination for casual dinning. We feature an energetic open kitchen, creating fresh takes on classics as well as original inventions showcasing seasonal and local ingredients, transporting taste of the eternal city to San Francisco. We offer craft cocktails, Italian and Californian wines, indoor and outdoor seating, and Barbara's fun, warm, style pairs well with the restaurant’s classic Italian comfort and friendly spirit.

A photo of House of Prime Rib restaurant

5. House of Prime Rib

4.9

Exceptional(15880)

Price: Very Expensive

• Steak • Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness

Booked 196 times today

62 years of loyal customers can't be wrong. We are grateful to all of our customers, employees, and critics (...though we may not always agree!). The only way to find out the truth is with a visit. Oft imitated, never duplicated. Thank you in advance.

6. The Post Room

4.1

Excellent(183)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 25 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 The Garden Court - Luxury Collection restaurant

7. The Garden Court - Luxury Collection

3.9

Excellent(2470)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • SOMA

Booked 17 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.

8. Starlite

4.4

Awesome(173)

Price: Expensive

• Cocktail Bar • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 48 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.

A photo of Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar - Fairmont San Francisco restaurant

9. Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar - Fairmont San Francisco

3.9

Excellent(2015)

Price: Expensive

• Asian • Nob Hill

Booked 14 times today

A visit to San Francisco is not complete without experiencing Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar. The Tonga Room offers exceptional Polynesian Cuisine in a tropical setting that includes thunder and rainstorms. It is the perfect escape after a busy day of meetings or shopping along Union Square. Be sure to try the Mai Tai, voted the City's best by Conde Nast Traveler.Dinner is seated on a first-come first-served basis for all parties under 10. Hurricane Bar guests are welcomed on a first-come first-served basis.The Island Groove performs a live set starting at 7:00 pm. A $15 per person cover charge applies to all guests seated in the restaurant or bar during the entertainment, regardless of the time they arrive.If you would like to make a reservation for 10 or more people to the Tonga Room, please give us a call at 415-772-5000 or email us at tongaroom@fairmont.com.

A photo of The Empress by Boon restaurant

10. The Empress by Boon

4.5

Awesome(1385)

Price: Very Expensive

• Chinese • Chinatown

Booked 17 times today

Empress by Boon is San Francisco’s newest, must-visit epicurean destination, offering a seasonal menu in modern Cantonese gastronomy. Michelin-starred Chef Ho Chee Boon applies traditional techniques to fresh, local ingredients to produce distinctive contemporary dishes infused with Cantonese flavors. The spacious restaurant occupies the former location of Chinatown’s celebrated Empress of China with striking city views. Reimagined by Chef Boon and team, the Empress was brought back to its former glory by embracing modern design elements while incorporating restored original features, creating a welcoming atmosphere that pays homage to the history of the beloved location.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

I
Irvin
San Francisco Bay Area •14 reviews
5.0
Dined today
It’s always a treat dining here. One of my friends have not been here for a couple of years and he says, the food was as good as the first time he ate there. Consistent all throughout. We had a last minute change the day prior from originally reservation for 5 but increased to 10 people and they were able to accommodate us.
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House of Prime RibPrice: Very Expensive• Steak• Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
•
4.9
C
CliftonVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •6 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
My favorite restaurant. Always the best steaks, first class service and the ambiance that makes you come back time and time again.
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Original Joe's - San FranciscoPrice: Moderate• Italian• North Beach
•
4.7
M
Mary BethVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •31 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
I always order the Jack La lane salad and I just love it It is the right combination of vegetables and protein I also like avocado and a large piece of avocado that they gave me was excellent My friend and I go to your restaurant about three times a year. We drive all the way from Pacifica to San Francisco to enjoy your food and service.
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Historic John's GrillPrice: Expensive• American• Downtown / Union Square
•
4.7
C
Caroline
Portland / Oregon •1 review
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
We had a large group for a friends birthday and the staff was on top of it with drinks and food coming out!
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Barbara PinseriaPrice: Moderate• Pizzeria• North Beach
•
4.5
R
rosaVIP
Seattle / Eastern Washington •3 reviews
5.0
Dined on Dec 29, 2024
Food was very tasty! Our waiter was fantastic! Did not ask every five minutes if 'everything was ok' and was attentive to our needs from a distance, simply wonderful not to be interrupted!! Thank you for the great evening!
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Tosca CaféPrice: Expensive• Italian• North Beach
•
4.7

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Best Historic Restaurants in North Beach

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45 restaurants available nearby

1. Historic John's Grill

2. Original Joe's - San Francisco

3. Tosca Café

4. Barbara Pinseria

5. House of Prime Rib

6. The Post Room

7. The Garden Court - Luxury Collection

8. Starlite

9. Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar - Fairmont San Francisco

10. The Empress by Boon

See what locals rave about

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