Best Pre-Theater Restaurants in The Castro

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

San Francisco

Neighborhoods

Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van NessDowntown / Union SquareFinancial District / EmbarcaderoMission DistrictSOMATenderloin

Top Rated

CharmingGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for fine winesGreat for happy hour

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

22 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

1. The Parthenon

4.5

Awesome(140)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mediterranean • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 16 times today

Welcome to The Parthenon, your gateway to the authentic flavors of Greece nestled in the heart of San Francisco. As a Mediterranean Wine Bar and Mezes, we offer a rich tapestry of Greek culinary delights that will transport your taste buds to the sun-kissed Greek islands.Our menu is a celebration of traditional Greek cuisine, with a contemporary twist.Pair your meal with a selection from our Mediterranean Wine Bar, and don't forget to save room for our delectable sides, including Greek Fries and Garlic Fries.

2. The Cavalier

4.7

Exceptional(1812)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 9 times today

The Cavalier is a London-inspired brasserie, located adjacent to Hotel Zetta in San Francisco's SoMA neighborhood. The upscale British influenced restaurant is brought to you by Executive Chef Jennifer Puccio, managing partner James Nicholas, and award winning San Francisco designer, Ken Fulk. The 135-seat restaurant is divided into four unique, intimate spaces: the Blue Bar, Main Dining Room, Wine Stables, and Rail Car. The interior is designed with deep leather banquettes, polished brass, zinc and white marble, lending a posh and sultry feel.

A photo of Nakama Sushi - San Francisco restaurant

3. Nakama Sushi - San Francisco

4.8

Exceptional(392)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Sushi • Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness

Booked 13 times today

Nakama means friends/buddies and Nakama Sushi is the result of 2 friends coming together to bring to San Francisans an affordable omakase style menu featuring the highest quality fresh fish. Nakama Sushi also offer an excellent A la carte which is great for the pre-performance. In a city full of expensive dining options, Nakama is proud to offer you an excellent value. Nakama Sushi offer fine selections of beer, wine and sake. Bring your friends, family to Nakama Sushi for a memorable meal.

4. Rise Over Run

4.2

Awesome(236)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 14 times today

Gaze out over sweeping views of the San Francisco skyline at Rise Over Run, the lush outdoor rooftop and indoor solarium. Share a South East Asian inspired cocktail — by local legend Danny Louie — or snack on vibrant dishes, incorporating locally-sourced ingredients.Walk-ins are welcomed and encouraged! Reservations are nice, too.For private event and large group inquiries please email us at SFOTL_events@hilton.com

A photo of Hayes Street Grill restaurant

5. Hayes Street Grill

4.6

Exceptional(4436)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness

Booked 23 times today

Hayes Street Grill is a neo-traditional fish house in San Francisco's Civic Center district, across the street from the Performing Arts Center, opposite Davies Symphony Hall and a block from both the Opera House and City Hall. We use an international mix of recipes, unified with a theme of fish and seafood. Above every other consideration, we want the freshness and pristine quality of the fish, produce, and naturally-raised meats to speak for themselves.The Hayes Street Grill's walls are covered with autographed photos of the artists who consider the restaurant their club. Though we've remodeled since our opening 33 years ago, the original brass coat hooks along the walls remain, as does our founding philosophy of cooking only the food we would serve at home to our families, albeit dressed up a little, with a religious dedication to wholesomeness.

6. Corzetti

4.6

Exceptional(434)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 20 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.

7. 54 Mint

4.6

Exceptional(3489)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • SOMA

Booked 22 times today

54 Mint is a hidden gem in the heart of downtown San Francisco across from the old US Mint Building. We offer authentic Roman cuisine prepared only with fresh and seasonal ingredients. Our pastas, bread and desserts are made fresh in house on a daily basis. Our bar offers an extended variety of Italian wines, craft cocktails and high-end imported and local spirits.

8. Montesacro SOMA

4.7

Exceptional(2316)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Pizzeria • SOMA

Booked 18 times today

Montesacro is the first “Pinseria Romana” in the United States. The interior resembles old Roman “Fraschette”, offering a wide selection of artisanal cheeses and cured meats, cold dishes from Roman tradition and a modern take on pinsa, a low fat, low calorie and easy to digest flat bread made with a blend of rice, soy and wheat flour imported directly from Rome, all GMO free. Our wine list represents mostly old world regions. We carry wines that are made from grape varietals native to their respective areas. We feature smaller producers of less known wines with a focus on organic, biodynamic and natural agriculture.We look forward to hosting your next gathering with friends or private group dinner!To host a private group dinner at MONTESACRO SoMa, please contact our manager Beatrice Fontana (415) 795-3040 or send an inquiry via http://montesacro.com/events-soma

9. The Harlequin

4.4

Awesome(122)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • SOMA

Booked 9 times today

1920's revival cocktail bar, restaurant and lounge offers an elevated cocktail program paired with a decadent New American cuisine featuring pizza's, pastas, steaks, and burgers. Happy Hour daily from 4pm to 6pm featuring $2 oysters and discounted beer and cocktails. Located in the center of San Francisco's Yerba Buena district, steps from Moscone Center and Union Square, The Harlequin is great for groups and private / corporate events. Private dining is also available in our Aviary.

10. Sushi Sato

4.0

Excellent(191)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Japanese • Tenderloin

Booked 5 times today

Japanese Restaurant with Full Drink Bar, offering cocktails from award-winning bartenders, a wide selection of wines, sakes from house sommelier. Enjoy sashimi, sushi, exclusive sushi tastings, or immerse yourself with 7-course chef's tasting as well as a variety of a la carte dishes. +At our party-ready whiskey bar seatings, you can order the full menu from a la carte to tastings, and enjoy the award-winning bartender in action, right in front of you.++From our custom made table side, you can have the full bar beverages as well as the food menus. ++ We offer Elevated Tastings that are offered both at Table and Sushi Bar Side +++ We are the First to Create and Execute the Signature Okonomi Tasting

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

C
CharlesVIP
Hawaii •150 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
We have been here may times and the food as always was very good. Tom our server was excellent.
More info
Hayes Street GrillPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
•
4.6
K
Kayley
San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Food was great and the team was quick to accomodate some additional guests which was very helpful
More info
The ParthenonPrice: Moderate• Mediterranean• Downtown / Union Square
•
4.5
K
KateVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •16 reviews
4.0
Dined on Jun 29, 2025
Love this location and the food and drinks were great! The chicken and biscuits were fabulous, though best shared as it's a lot of food. We also loved the burger, moist and very tasty. Unfortunately, the service was slow, and they seemed shorthanded. We had a show to attend and were cutting it close though we were there for 1.5 hrs. Hopefully this was an off night as it was way too long to wait for drinks.
More info
Rise Over RunPrice: Expensive• Mediterranean• Downtown / Union Square
•
4.2
C
Carl
Greater Boston •5 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jun 29, 2025
Really nice restaurant with good food. A short walk from the end of the cable car; good drinks.
More info
The CavalierPrice: Expensive• Californian• Financial District / Embarcadero
•
4.7
A
AnnieVIP
New York City •7 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jun 26, 2025
Awesome spot for sushi and sushi-adjacent appetizers! The service is unparalleled. Their special sushi rolls and miso black cod are delicious
More info
Nakama Sushi - San FranciscoPrice: Moderate• Sushi• Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
•
4.8

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