Best Historic Restaurants in Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchJapanese

Regions

East BayMarinSan Francisco

Neighborhoods

BerkeleyDowntown / Union SquareFinancial District / EmbarcaderoFisherman's WharfMarina / Cow Hollow / PresidioNob Hill

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

Wheelchair access

39 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of Historic John's Grill restaurant

1. Historic John's Grill

4.7

Exceptional(7610)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 47 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

4.4

Awesome(2528)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • SOMA

Booked 12 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, Lunch Monday-Friday and an enchanting Afternoon Tea on 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.

3. The Post Room

4.5

Awesome(221)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 6 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

4. Original Joe's - San Francisco

4.7

Exceptional(4447)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • North Beach

Booked 109 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.

5. Spruce

4.8

Exceptional(5554)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Presidio Heights

Booked 60 times today

Open for lunch (two courses/$65), brunch (three courses/$98), and dinner (three courses/$125), Spruce offers seasonal prix-fixe menus crafted by Chef Mark Sullivan. Each menu offers a wide range of options, as well as luxurious additions (examples: caviar, truffles) for supplemental prices. Our cuisines is complemented by an extensive wine list which holds "Wine Spectator" magazine's highest honor, a Grand Award. The bar/lounge is available for walk-ins on a first-come, first-serve basis. We look forward to welcoming you to Spruce soon!

6. Starlite

4.8

Exceptional(252)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Cocktail Bar • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 36 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 La Mar Cocina Peruana San Francisco restaurant

7. La Mar Cocina Peruana San Francisco

4.8

Exceptional(8699)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Peruvian • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 194 times today

Inspired by the thousands of cebicherias found throughout Peru, La Mar Cebicheria Peruana, was created as an attempt to globalize and enshrine one of the best guarded treasures of Peruvian cuisine: cebiche, Peruvian seafood and the scenery created to enjoy them, the Peruvian style cebicheria.

8. Greens Restaurant

4.6

Exceptional(11297)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Vegetarian / Vegan • Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio

Booked 74 times today

Greens is open for indoor and outdoor dining, with take out available online or at our in-house kiosk. When reserving a table outdoors, we recommend bringing a jacket that is suitable for wind and chilly weather. Our heated dining pavilion is in front of the Greens building. Diners savor Greens imaginative vegetarian cuisine that features local and seasonal produce and the finest ingredients from our organic farm Green Gulch. Focusing on creative and nutritious meals balanced in flavor and textures, our menus are inspired by farmers, relationships and stories around the world. Located in Landmark Building A of the historic Fort Mason Center, Greens is home to some of the most dramatic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands that San Francisco has to offer.

A photo of The Palm Court at RH San Francisco restaurant

9. The Palm Court at RH San Francisco

4.8

Exceptional(1942)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• American • Potrero Hill / Dogpatch

Booked 88 times today

The Palm Court is located in RH San Francisco's Gallery at the Historic Bethlehem Steel Building. Recalling the distinctive glamour of San Francisco's Gilded Age, the stunning statement space is sheathed in Italian Calacatta gold marble and features a cascading center fountain, towering Medjool date palms and glimmering chandeliers. Adjacent to the restaurant, two luminous wine bars offer exceptional wines and Champagnes from around the world.For group dining inquiries, please email: sfhospitality@rh.com

10. Top of the Mark

4.7

Exceptional(916)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Tapas / Small Plates • Nob Hill

Booked 37 times today

*** NOTICE: Due to a private event, the Top of the Mark will have special hours of operation on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025: Doors open at 3:00 pm and close at 7:00 pm. Thank you for your understanding. ***========Number 1 in California and San Francisco, and 2nd in the nation on USAToday's 10 Best Hotel Bars.Nestled on the 19th floor of the historic InterContinental Mark Hopkins, Top of the Mark's breathtaking panoramic views of San Francisco's skyline and iconic landmarks, including the majestic Golden Gate Bridge, the enigmatic Alcatraz, Union Square, and more, will leave you spellbound. Sip on our signature cocktails as you soak in the atmosphere of timeless sophistication. Our appetizer and dessert selection will tantalize your taste buds, with options that complement our cocktails perfectly. What's more, we offer live entertainment each Saturday evening, where you can let the music move you on the dance floor ($15 cover pp applies).

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

J
Jaden
San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
This was the best meal I've had in my entire life. We got the prime rib and seared scallops. We did it family style and shared both entrees. The service was top notch too. Truly a fine dining experience.
More info
Original Joe's - San FranciscoPrice: Moderate• Italian• North Beach
•
4.7
K
KannanVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Love the place. Highly recommend it. Three of us dined there and we ordered different appetizers as well as the main course and all of them were very good. Lovely desserts too.
More info
SprucePrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Presidio Heights
•
4.8
F
Fatima
San Francisco Bay Area •3 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jul 9, 2025
Lunch at the Garden Court is always an exceptional experience. The Palace Hotel is so lovely and the staff is amazing. The food is always a cut above and even the most simple items are handles with expertise and great care. Always have a lovely time here, have come for almost two decades and will continue to!
More info
The Garden Court - Luxury CollectionPrice: Expensive• Californian• SOMA
•
4.4
T
Tim
San Francisco Bay Area •23 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jul 8, 2025
A rather simple business 60 minute lunch. Food was great as usual and our waitress, Dana, is totally professional, helpful and friendly as well.
More info
Historic John's GrillPrice: Expensive• American• Downtown / Union Square
•
4.7
W
WilliamVIP
Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities •6 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jun 29, 2025
Outstanding service. Extremely accommodating server made dinner a memorable event. The lobster ravioli was extraordinary.
More info
The Post RoomPrice: Expensive• Californian• Downtown / Union Square
•
4.5

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