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Max's Opera Cafe, San Francisco, CA

Max's Opera Cafe

3.8
3.8
1355 Reviews
$30 and under
American
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for live music
  • Good for groups
Max�s Opera Caf� is a place where people can enjoy an upscale dining experience at reasonable prices. It has a diverse range of dishes, including Chinese chicken salad, a corned beef Reuben sandwich and rib eye steak. This is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to menu items on offer at Max�s Opera Caf�. Many patrons come to Max�s Opera Caf� for its extensive desert menu, many of which have won regional awards. To add a little substance to your evening, order a complete three-course meal that includes salad or soup. The options are seemingly endless and every member of your party is sure to find something that pleases them.

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Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Comfort Food
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch: Saturday - Sunday: 10:00am - 2:00pm; Lunch: Daily: 11:00am - 4:00pm; Dinner: Sunday - Thursday: 4:00pm - 10:00pm, Friday - Saturday: 4:00pm - 11:00pm
  • Phone number
    (415) 771-7300
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Carlos Salcedo
  • Catering
    We have on -premise catering services, perfect for office lunches, meetings and less formal parties. Max’s Delivery or To Go can bring our fantastic food to you. We will deliver within San Francisco, or you can pick up your order at a predetermined time, for a fantastic yet cost effective event. For an additional fee, Max's offers service staff for set-up and maintenance of your event. Please contact our Catering Department for more information.
  • Private party facilities
    Max's has a semi private dining area that can accommodate up to 48 people.
  • Private party contact
    Michael Adams: (415) 501-0222
  • Neighborhood
    Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
  • Cross street
    Golden Gate
  • Parking details
    Valet parking is located beneath the restaurant on Golden Gate Avenue. Street parking is also available.
  • Public transit
    BART - Civic Center Station.<br /><br />SF Muni - Lines 5 Fulton, 31 Balboa, <br />47&49 Van Ness
  • Entertainment
    Max’s at the Opera Cafe features live music seven nights a week. Servers not only provide guests with superior service but entertain them as well. Diners can expect an array of musical styling's ranging from Opera to musical theater. The "singing servers" are accompanied by a live pianist, who from time to time will perform for the crowd. The entertainment begins at 6:00 pm Monday- Thursday and 6:30pm Friday –Sunday.
  • Additional
    Bar Dining, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,355 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

3.8
3.8 based on all time ratings
  • 3.7Food
  • 3.8Service
  • 3.6Ambience
  • 2Value

NoiseModerate

1,355 Reviews
  1. lynneb

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 8, 2019

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything was perfect the food the service we had a wonderful time

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  2. Ellen

    San Francisco

    102 reviews

    4.0

    102 reviews

    Dined on October 5, 2019

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Two of us got the chicken pot pie, which was huge. We could have shared one. Everyone had food that was delish. No room for dessert, as the portions are big.

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  3. BenjaminS

    Puerto Vallarta

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 30, 2019

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    My children and grandchildren went to Max's for Rosh Hashanah dinner and everything was great. The brisket was some of the best I've had. Service was very good even though our waitress had a large station. We will be back.

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  4. Jane

    San Francisco

    125 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    125 reviews

    Dined on September 25, 2019

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Max's is our go-to eating establishment before an evening opera in San Francisco. We can park once and walk! The food is dependably excellent, the service efficient and friendly, and the prices reasonable for San Francisco. My favorite dish is either the shrimp or crab Louis. It has beautifully fresh greens and vegetables, and loads of fresh crab or shrimp. Actually, ALL their dinner salads are superb! Another delicious entree to try is their Paella -- wonderfully seasoned and chock full of a variety of fresh fish.

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  5. SueM

    Seattle

    87 reviews

    4.0

    87 reviews

    Dined on September 22, 2019

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    I continue to enjoy Max's Opera Cafe and plan to visit again when I return to SF in November. I always recommend Max's to friends asking where to go near the opera house and will continue to do so. My only wish, stated in my other very recent review, is to provide a few menu choices of some of their more popular dishes in a smaller size for those of us who cannot finish the very generous portions and don't wish to waste food by having to leave it behind instead of taking it along to the opera house (I would not do that).

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  6. LisaH

    Sacramento

    6 reviews

    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on September 22, 2019

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    The egg white omelette was tasty but a small portion of it was not cooked through. I ordered decaf tea and was served decaf coffee, then regular tea, and on the third try, decaf tea.

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  7. SueM

    Seattle

    87 reviews

    4.0

    87 reviews

    Dined on September 22, 2019

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    I would ask Max's to consider a "small plates" menu selection for the older customers who don't want a huge meal but love Max's food, like me. When I'm on my way to War Memorial for opera, I don't want to take along a "doggy bag" but hate leaving so much on my plate. Everything I have ever ordered there is delicious so it would be great to get some of these wonderful dishes in a smaller size. Thanks for considering.

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  8. SeanG

    San Francisco

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 21, 2019

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    We were seated at a nice table next to the piano player. It was a tad noisy but we enjoyed his playing along with our meal. Would recommend it to others in the area for the evening.

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  9. Frances

    San Francisco

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on September 19, 2019

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We like Max's Opera Cafe due to the safe Valet parking downstairs and the proximity to the War Memorial Opera House. They are very attentive to the patrons that are planning to get to the performances on time and are very accommodating to ADA clients as well. The menu has something for every taste, from child to senior, and there are also ways to order to not fill you up too much! It is always a special treat when there is someone playing the grand piano, as well!

    1 person found this helpful

  10. RedOrchid25

    Sacramento

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on September 19, 2019

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    My daughter, her two teenagers and I had a light dinner here shortly before going to the Orpheum Theater for a stage play. We parked right outside the entrance, were promptly seated and then had a great meal! There’s a very large variety of dishes for adults as well as picky teens and they are not stingy with the food! Service was outstanding, and with the live music playing, the ambiance was perfect. Looking forward to returning here!

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FAQs

Max's Opera Cafe does offer delivery in partnership with Chow Now, Postmates and Uber Eats. Max's Opera Cafe also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (415) 771-7300.

Max's Opera Cafe is rated 3.8 stars by 1355 OpenTable diners.

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

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.


Is this your restaurant?
Claim this listing

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Max's Opera Cafe

601 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Golden Gate
  • Neighborhood
    Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch: Saturday - Sunday: 10:00am - 2:00pm; Lunch: Daily: 11:00am - 4:00pm; Dinner: Sunday - Thursday: 4:00pm - 10:00pm, Friday - Saturday: 4:00pm - 11:00pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Comfort Food
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Valet parking is located beneath the restaurant on Golden Gate Avenue. Street parking is also available.
  • Public transit
    BART - Civic Center Station.SF Muni - Lines 5 Fulton, 31 Balboa, 47&49 Van Ness
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Carlos Salcedo
  • Entertainment
    Max’s at the Opera Cafe features live music seven nights a week. Servers not only provide guests with superior service but entertain them as well. Diners can expect an array of musical styling's ranging from Opera to musical theater. The "singing servers" are accompanied by a live pianist, who from time to time will perform for the crowd. The entertainment begins at 6:00 pm Monday- Thursday and 6:30pm Friday –Sunday.
  • Additional
    Bar Dining, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (415) 771-7300
  • Catering
    We have on -premise catering services, perfect for office lunches, meetings and less formal parties. Max’s Delivery or To Go can bring our fantastic food to you. We will deliver within San Francisco, or you can pick up your order at a predetermined time, for a fantastic yet cost effective event. For an additional fee, Max's offers service staff for set-up and maintenance of your event. Please contact our Catering Department for more information.
  • Private party facilities
    Max's has a semi private dining area that can accommodate up to 48 people.
  • Private party contact
    Michael Adams: (415) 501-0222
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