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Prelude, San Francisco, CA

Prelude

4.7 (121)
$50 and over
Californian
333 Battery St, San Francisco, CA 94111-3234

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 7 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Innovative
  • Romantic
Prelude, a part of Omakase Restaurant Group, offers a modern take on Southern cooking, blending cherished family recipes with Bay Area ingredients and contemporary techniques.

Executive Chef Celtin Hendrickson-Jones—inspired by his Alabama roots and shaped by time at Niku Steakhouse and Commis—reinterprets the nostalgic flavors of his childhood with an elegant touch.

The cocktail program balances modern mixology with playful, Southern-inspired twists, while the wine list highlights both emerging and established producers, highlighting the best-of-class in each category.

With warm, engaging service that keeps things fun and approachable, and a dining room appointed with plush velvet, Prelude invites guests to enjoy high-end dining without the pretense.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Southern
  • Hours of operation
    Tue–Thu 5:30 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:30 pm–9:30 pm Bar Tue–Sat 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Celtin Hendrickson-Jones
  • Neighborhood
    Financial District / Embarcadero
  • Cross street
    The conner of Clay and Battery on the ground floor of The Jay Hotel
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Private Room, Wine

Experiences

  • Happy Hour

    Multiple dates available
    Celebrate the end of the workday with a refreshing cocktail's and light bite's.
  • Tasting Menu

    $165.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    Join Chef Celtin for an unforgettable experience that evokes the warmth of Sunday suppers through an ever-evolving menu, celebrating seasonal produce and nostalgic dishes. Please note that due to our culinary process, we are unable to accommodate vegan options.
  • Tasting Menu + Wine Pairing

    $283.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    "Join Chef Celtin for an unforgettable experience that evokes the warmth of Sunday suppers through an ever-evolving menu, celebrating seasonal produce and nostalgic dishes. Each course is thoughtfully paired with exquisite wines, enhancing the flavors and creating the perfect balance between food and drink Please note that due to our culinary process, we are unable to accommodate vegan options.

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What 121 people are saying

Prelude reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

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
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • San Francisco

    Innovative

  • San Francisco

    Great for fine wines

  • San Francisco

    Romantic

  • San Francisco

    Californian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Prelude offers an exceptional dining experience with "outstanding service" and a menu that blends Southern influences with California flair. The atmosphere is "sleek, polished, and intimate," making it perfect for special occasions. Chef Celtin's creative dishes and the "thoughtfully crafted cocktails" make Prelude a top dining destination in San Francisco.
121 Reviews
  1. Charity

    San Francisco Bay Area1 review

    2.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    I was so excited to try an upscale Southern fare restaurant, but the dishes were deeply disappointing. I don't mind splurging on an expensive meal when every bite blows my mind, but the food at Prelude was "mid" at best. The service was incredible, and the place is lovely. It's a shame that the food doesn't meet the same standard.

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  2. paul VIP

    San Francisco Bay Area42 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    overall a 5 star experience - the staff are WONDERFUL - space is chic and comfy - the cocktails are inventive and the food is EXCEPTIONAL

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  3. Rosa

    San Francisco Bay Area1 review

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    My friends and I had a phenomenal experience at Prelude. The service was nothing short of outstanding, the drinks were perfectly crafted, and every dish we had was amazing. We cannot wait to come back to try their tasting menu and everything else they have to offer. This was the best dining experience I’ve ever had and a memorable one at that. Everything about Prelude is Michelin Star worthy. It is high-end dining at its peak.

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  4. Gregory VIP

    Tahoe / Reno Area3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on July 6, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Very different food for Bay Area, a touch of the South Pecans, bacon…but exceptional food… great chef and team… excellent and knowledgeable wait staff overall a 5!😀

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  5. Scott

    New York City3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on July 6, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Prelude is a very special restaurant! The space is sleek, polished and intimate and chef Celtin has put together a truly delicious and creative menu.

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  6. Jeremy VIP

    Denver / Colorado52 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on July 4, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Loved everything about our experience at Prelude, from the friendly greeting to the delicious cocktails to the gorgeous and creative food. We met the kitchen team and interacted with whole FOH crew and enjoyed every touch point. So much attention to detail, whether it was the ingredients, the South meets California intentions, or even the serving vessels. Highly recommend!

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  7. Richard

    Orange County6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 29, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Could not have had a better dining experience! The room is, in a low-key way, exceptionally attractive and greatly enhanced by sophisticated lighting. Every staff member with whom we interacted was both friendly and professional. The food was exceptional - the menu you might view online greatly undersells the complexity and creativity of their offerings. For example, my “Red Snapper” was not, as you might expect, a broiled, grilled, or sautéed filet … rather, it was a fillet wrapped around a shrimp mousse, tightly wrapped into a torchone, poached, then sliced into rounds, and plated on a subtle sauce. And do not pass on The Side (there is but one), I.e., the grits. They defy any expectations you may have of the dish, I promise you! All-in-all, a wonderful meal.

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  8. Xuexi

    San Francisco Bay Area4 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on June 15, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    This is a drinks and apps place. Vibes are exquisite. Food is not non-dairy friendly so watch out for that. Paid $50 for three bites of pork. Solid 3

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  9. paul VIP

    San Francisco Bay Area43 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    the food - the staff- the space are all AMAZING! one of our new fave spots!

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  10. Lauren VIP

    Houston4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 8, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Outstanding service. All the dishes were executed at a very high level

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FAQs

Prelude is rated 4.7 stars by 121 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Francisco Bay Area
  4. San Francisco
  5. Financial District / Embarcadero

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 7 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Prelude

333 Battery St, San Francisco, CA 94111-3234

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    The conner of Clay and Battery on the ground floor of The Jay Hotel
  • Neighborhood
    Financial District / Embarcadero
  • Hours of operation
    Tue–Thu 5:30 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:30 pm–9:30 pm Bar Tue–Sat 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Southern
  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Celtin Hendrickson-Jones
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Private Room, Wine
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