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Historic John's Grill, San Francisco, CA

Historic John's Grill

4.7
4.7
7503 Reviews
$31 to $50
American

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2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 69 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Neighborhood 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.
Private dining

Private dining

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Dining areas

Additional information

  • Phone number
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    American, Steak, Seafood
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Daily 11:45 am–3:30 pm Dinner Daily 3:30 pm–9:00 pm
  • 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
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Mauricio Sibrian

What 7,503 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
  • 4.6Service
  • 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 staple offering "wonderful steaks, wonderful people" in a lively, historic setting. Guests rave about the "amazing jazz band" and "perfectly cooked" dishes like halibut and filet mignon. The ambiance is "old school" with a "touch of historic atmosphere," making it a must-visit for both locals and tourists.

7,503 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner

    Austin

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    We had reservations at 8:45 pm. The restaurant closed at 9:30 pm. As soon as were sat, our server asked if we knew what we wanted to eat (at the same time as taking our drink order). When I said we would need a minute as we have never been here before, he immediately stated that the kitchen closes soon. We felt so rushed, not only to order our food but to eat and leave. I felt uncomfortable the whole time and didn't think ordering dessert was even an option because of how rushed we felt.

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  2. Epikurios

    Berlin

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 2
    Food was good for the price. We had the three course menue. The filet mignion was excellent. The wine is mediocre. What’s most annoying is the noise level on the first floor. Very loud, and made even worse by the jazz combo. If you go, avoid the first floor. Service was OK, though slow and they made a mistake with the bill.

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  3. PaulaP

    Los Angeles

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent service, food and live jazz music. We enjoyed the evening.

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  4. Janet

    San Francisco

    11 reviews

    3.0

    11 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Service was great. Everything was quick and smooth. The atmosphere was definitely old San Francisco, which was a plus, except for the noise level which made it hard to carry on a conversation. My partner and I both felt the dishes we ordered were very average in terms of how they tasted, although the servings were large.

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  5. MelanieD

    VIP

    San Francisco

    13 reviews

    3.0

    13 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    I had eaten here in the past and had a great experience. Tonight it was good. The waiter was very kind splitting our food as requested. The portions are large so when it was split it was just right

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  6. janetB

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This is our go to for date night in the city . Never disappoints us. Oh yeah .. get the ribeye steak .. really good !!

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  7. Michael

    VIP

    San Francisco

    589 reviews

    4.0

    589 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    We enjoyed Sunday lunch here last weekend. I love the classic San Francisco, old school ambiance of John’s Grill. The food still delivers. I started with an excellent lobster bisque, as part of the prix fix meal. Then I had the filet Mignon and lobster tail with a baked potato and vegetables. The filet was delicious, perfectly cooked medium rare. I finished with a scrumptious chocolate mousse torte. My wife enjoyed the Petrale Sole Amandine and her mother loved the Fisherman’s Pasta. Excellent, authentic S.F. Sourdough bread service. Quality selection of wines by the glass. Professional waitstaff.

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  8. gene

    San Francisco

    14 reviews

    4.0

    14 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    I love old fashioned restaurants! Nothing inventive here, just good old school food!

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  9. Emily

    Orange County

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    John’s Grill has been a beloved part of my family’s tradition for decades. Dining here isn’t just about the food—it’s about continuing a legacy that has been passed down for decades. From the moment we walk through the doors, we’re greeted with the same warmth and hospitality that has made John’s Grill such a timeless gem. The classic ambiance, rich history, and impeccable service make every visit feel special. The food, as always, is outstanding. The steaks are perfectly cooked, the seafood is fresh and flavorful, and the menu remains a testament to tradition and quality. For my family, John’s Grill is more than just a restaurant—it’s a place where stories are shared, laughter is had, and traditions continue. We look forward to many more visits in the years to come!

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  10. Aleta

    VIP

    San Francisco

    23 reviews

    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Perfect drinks and dinner. Cool sounds. Great crowd. Our kind of place.

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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 7503 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 69 times today
Google Map for Historic John's Grill

63 Ellis Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Phone number
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    American, Steak, Seafood
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Daily 11:45 am–3:30 pm Dinner Daily 3:30 pm–9:00 pm
  • 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
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Mauricio Sibrian
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
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