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Grilled Jumbo Prawns - Prelude at the Opera House - Lower Level, San Francisco, CA

Prelude at the Opera House - Lower Level

4.2 (636)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 13 times today

About this restaurant

  • Healthy
  • Charming
  • Vegetarian-friendly
A night at the opera or ballet is an elegant event, deserving of a remarkable culinary experience. Our gorgeous setting offers an ideal environment for pre-performance or intermission dining at the War Memorial & Performing Arts Center.
We are located on the lower level of the War Memorial Opera House. Our menu is offered in buffet and à la carte format, keeping performance start time at the forefront for all visitors.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Continental, Californian
  • Hours of operation
    Tue–Sat 5:30 pm–7:00 pm Sun 12:00 pm–2:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Alfonso Mis
  • Catering
    Host your next event at the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center, and Global Gourmet Catering will create an unforgettable experience for you and your guests. Perfect for weddings, galas, corporate parties and pre- and post-performance events, this is San Francisco's premier choice for events of all sizes.
  • Neighborhood
    Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
  • Cross street
    Franklin St. & Grove Street.
  • Parking details
    Parking is available in several lots in the surrounding area. Please call lots for current hours and rates. Performing Arts Garage, *Patrons dining in the Opera House may enter through the North Carriage entrance of the Opera House (adjacent to the War Memorial courtyard) up to two hours prior to curtain.
  • Public transit
    For transit directions, visit 511.org or call 511.Entering the Opera with a restaurant reservation? Please enter at the north side of the building at the carriage entrance.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 636 people are saying

Prelude at the Opera House - Lower Level 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

4.2
4.2 based on recent ratings
  • 4.1Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.3Ambience
  • 3.6Value

NoiseModerate

1,924 Reviews
  1. Michelle VIP

    San Francisco Bay Area72 reviews

    3.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Prelude at the Opera House is a very convenient place to eat and/or get a cocktail before attending an opera performance. Located in the lower level of the opera house, it offers good cocktails, wines and a choice of buffet or a la carte menus. The night we ate here the buffet was themed as a Parisian bistro to match the opera (La Boheme). The food and cocktails were good and the servers were attentive and friendly. We sat at a table, but there is also bar seating. All in all it was a pleasant dinner and we would eat here again before attending a performance.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Francis VIP

    Los Angeles10 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on June 8, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Everything is overpriced. EVERYTHING. I have no issues with spending money on food. But $65 for the buffet and $25 for a shot of whiskey is not merited here

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  3. fritha VIP

    San Francisco Bay Area1 review

    3.0

    Dined on June 4, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    Too slow in seating and service. Should know by now with limited items and time due to performance how to serve quickly and let patrons enjoy their diner without worrying it will ever arrive.

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  4. california

    San Francisco Bay Area1 review

    1.0

    Dined on June 4, 2025

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 4
    We arrived early at the Prelude restaurant and ordered from the menu. But cancelled and changed to the buffet since the food was very late in arriving. But we got charged for the buffet plus the food we had cancelled and never ate. Hopefully by sending a private note, they will correct the extra charge. We'll see.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Zareh VIP

    San Francisco Bay Area3 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on June 4, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was cold and staff was very stingy with offering steak. He placed one slice of steak and I had to pressure him for a 2nd slice. Kind of ridiculous when spending close to $70 per person on a buffet!

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  6. sharyn

    San Francisco Bay Area5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 4, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always a good experience to dine here prior to a ballet performance.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Robin

    San Francisco Bay Area1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 1, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely pre-ballet gourmet buffet. Feels European with California cuisine.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Theresa

    San Francisco Bay Area1 review

    4.0

    Dined on April 16, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    VERY Nice selection on the buffet and all offerings were tasty! Convenient location and very attentive staff. Very nice overall experience. A bit pricey.

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  9. Ana

    San Francisco Bay Area1 review

    3.0

    Dined on April 11, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    My husband and I had a dinner night there before a ballet show. We were expecting a nice experience. The food was so so and way over priced. We chose a la carte. Apparently, they don’t serve warm food. The serving staff need to put a little more effort in serving. I wouldn’t eat there again.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Jessamyn

    Greater Boston1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 9, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had such a special experience before tbe ballet, highly recommend

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Prelude at the Opera House - Lower Level is rated 4.2 stars by 636 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. Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 13 times today
Google Map for Prelude at the Opera House - Lower Level

301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Franklin St. & Grove Street.
  • Neighborhood
    Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
  • Hours of operation
    Tue–Sat 5:30 pm–7:00 pm Sun 12:00 pm–2:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Continental, Californian
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Parking is available in several lots in the surrounding area. Please call lots for current hours and rates. Performing Arts Garage, *Patrons dining in the Opera House may enter through the North Carriage entrance of the Opera House (adjacent to the War Memorial courtyard) up to two hours prior to curtain.
  • Public transit
    For transit directions, visit 511.org or call 511.Entering the Opera with a restaurant reservation? Please enter at the north side of the building at the carriage entrance.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Alfonso Mis
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
  • Catering
    Host your next event at the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center, and Global Gourmet Catering will create an unforgettable experience for you and your guests. Perfect for weddings, galas, corporate parties and pre- and post-performance events, this is San Francisco's premier choice for events of all sizes.
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