Best Historic Restaurants in Russian Hill

Price

$$
$$$
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Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchJapanese

Regions

East BayMarinSan Francisco

Neighborhoods

BerkeleyChinatownCivic Center / Hayes Valley / Van NessDowntown / Union SquareFinancial District / EmbarcaderoFisherman's Wharf

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

46 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of Historic John's Grill restaurant

1. Historic John's Grill

4.7

Exceptional(7548)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 74 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.

2. Nisei

4.8

Exceptional(94)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Japanese • Russian Hill

Booked 4 times today

Nisei presents a contemporary approach to Japanese American cuisine by combining deep Japanese flavors, refined cooking technique, and Northern California's finest ingredients. The restaurant is a personal reflection of Chef David Yoshimura's unique experience as a Michelin starred chef and second generation Japanese American, or Nisei. Nisei can accommodate most severe allergies with advance notice, however due to the nature of the tasting menu format, we can not meet all dietary restrictions or aversions. In order to maintain the spirit of our cuisine, the following items can not be removed: Salt, sugar, soy sauce, and egg cooked into items.All Experience prices below reflect a 20% Service Fee and 8.63% SF Sales Tax applied to the base price of each experience. This Service Fee goes towards paying our employees a livable wage as well as providing health insurance.

3. Abrazo

4.8

Exceptional(539)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Spanish • Russian Hill

Booked 8 times today

Welcome to Abrazo! We are a neighborhood restaurant nestled in the historic and beautiful Russian Hill neighborhood. Chef/Owner Michael Pawliks menu features contemporary Spanish-Californian inspired cuisine, sourcing only the freshest and most traditional ingredients. Abrazo features a lofty 18ft ceiling, a cozy bar, and a private dining room that seats 16. The wine list features the best of Spain's legendary wine regions alongside Napa Valley classics. We hope to see you soon!

A photo of Original Joe's - San Francisco restaurant

4. Original Joe's - San Francisco

4.7

Exceptional(4354)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • North Beach

Booked 95 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. The Post Room

4.3

Awesome(206)

$$$$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 The Garden Court - Luxury Collection restaurant

6. The Garden Court - Luxury Collection

4.1

Excellent(2508)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • SOMA

Booked 21 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

7. The Rotunda at Neiman Marcus - San Francisco

4.7

Exceptional(6256)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 85 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.

8. Starlite

4.5

Awesome(216)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Cocktail Bar • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 38 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.

9. Greens Restaurant

4.6

Exceptional(11234)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Vegetarian / Vegan • Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio

Booked 112 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.

10. Spruce

4.7

Exceptional(5503)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Presidio Heights

Booked 27 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!

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

A
Amanda
Atlanta •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
This was our first time at John’s, we had a party of 9. We were immediately shown to our table and the service was immediate. Our waitress was on-point but also there when you needed without being asked. We all were impressed with the history and gorgeous presentation of the whole experience. Food was terrific. Not only will we return, I will recommend to friends.
More info
Historic John's GrillPrice: Expensive• American• Downtown / Union Square
•
4.7
S
SarahVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •13 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Bill was so expensive but food was pretty good an dessert was amazing
More info
Original Joe's - San FranciscoPrice: Moderate• Italian• North Beach
•
4.7
H
hans
New York City •3 reviews
4.0
Dined 6 days ago
Food and Service was excellent. We will come back again
More info
NiseiPrice: Very Expensive• Japanese• Russian Hill
•
4.8
H
Howard
San Francisco Bay Area •9 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
Superb neighborhood bistro with excellent service and good value
More info
AbrazoPrice: Expensive• Spanish• Russian Hill
•
4.8
Z
zevVIP
Los Angeles •15 reviews
5.0
Dined on Apr 10, 2025
I had a great experience from the fixed menu restaurant wee My girlfriend enjoyed the caviar and octopus and I myself. The cheese plate and main course steak dinner. The portion of the steak was a bit, it's small butt. Overall, a really good food experience will definitely come again Also, the ahi tuna ceviche, the cocktail drink.My girlfriend also said your drinks are superb
More info
The Post RoomPrice: Expensive• Californian• Downtown / Union Square
•
4.3