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Historic John's Grill, San Francisco, CA

Historic John's Grill

4.7
4.7
7386 Reviews
$31 to $50
American

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 31 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Neighborhood gem
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.

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Private dining

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Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    American, Steak, Seafood
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Daily 11:45 am–3:30 pm Dinner Daily 3:30 pm–9:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (415) 986-0069
  • Website
    http://johnsgrill.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Mauricio Sibrian
  • Private party facilities
    Historic John's Grill is a landmark restaurant established in 1908 offers private dining rooms for 20 - 300 guests. Classic San Francisco atmosphere offering local seafood and fine cuts of steaks and chops. Chosen as top 10 by Esquire and featured in Gourmet.
  • Location
    63 Ellis Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown / Union Square
  • Cross street
    Powell Street
  • Parking details
    There is a parking garage directly across the street, Ellis - O'Farrell Garage.https://www.sfmta.com/garages-lots/ellis-ofarrell-garageParking near John's Grill:https://www.parkinsf.com/sanfrancisco/parking-near/John%27s+Grill
  • Public transit
    BART / MUNI at Powell Street Station
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Experiences

  • New Year's

    $95.00 per person

    Dec 31, 2024 - Jan 1, 2025
    Celebrate The New Year in style with a special Pre-Fix Menu at John's Grill! For just $95 per person, enjoy a delicious three-course meal featuring: Lobster Bisque – rich and creamy, a holiday favorite Filet Mignon & Maine Lobster Tail – perfectly cooked to your liking Bread Pudding – a warm, indulgent treat to finish your meal Don't miss out on this exclusive festive offering. Come celebrate with us at John's Grill and make this season unforgettable! We will also be offering complimentary designer party favors for New Year's Eve ✨🍽️

  • Christmas

    $95.00 per person

    Dec 24, 2024 - Dec 25, 2024
    Celebrate the holiday season with a special Pre-Fix Menu at John's Grill! For just $95 per person, enjoy a delicious three-course meal featuring: Lobster Bisque – rich and creamy, a holiday favorite Filet Mignon & Maine Lobster Tail – perfectly cooked to your liking Bread Pudding – a warm, indulgent treat to finish your meal Don't miss out on this exclusive festive offering. Come celebrate with us at John's Grill and make this season unforgettable! ✨🍽️

Menu

Appetizers

  • Escargots$11.95

    Garlic cream

    • Jumbo Prawn Cocktail$17.95

      Soup & Salads

      • New England Clam Chowder$8.95

        • Lobster Bisque$9.95

          • Lunch Salad$6.95

            Seasonal greens, with vinaigrette dressing

            • With Bleu Cheese Dressing$7.95

          • Caesar a la John's$14.95

            • Bay Shrimp Louie$17.95

              • Roquefort Salad$17.95

                bay shrimp, avocado

                • Roasted Beet Salad$15.95

                  Candied walnuts, feta cheese, lemon aioli topped with micro greens

                  • Jack LaLanne's Favorite Salad$29.95

                    Seasonal greens, crab, shrimp, avocado, mushrooms, tomato tossed in our famous creamy bleu cheese vinaigrette dressing

                    Seafood & Shellfish

                    All the below entrees served with seasonal vegetables

                    • Grilled Pacific Snapper$17.95

                      Sauce Piquante (spiced tomato sauce)

                      • Jumbo Prawns Dijonnaise$19.95

                        Sautéed with mushrooms, wine, garlic and Dijon cream

                        • Broiled Salmon$22.95

                          Served with Hollandaise Sauce and mashed potatoes

                          • Petrale Amandine$18.95

                            Sliced almonds, Lemon butter sauce

                            • Fried Jumbo Prawns$19.95

                              • Fried Sea Scallops$28.95

                                • Fried Oysters$16.95

                                  • Fried Combination Seafood$25.95

                                    Coated with herbed breadcrumbs and accompanied by tartar sauce

                                    John's Featured Steaks

                                    Served with seasonal vegetables & baked Idaho potato. All of our steaks are sourced from Black Angus Midwest Corn-fed beef, the finest available. They are naturally aged in order to ensure maximum flavor and tenderness. Each steak is hand selected and hand cut in California to meet our exact specification. Add 3 Fried Jumbo Prawns to any steak $12, Add 4 Oz Maine Lobster Tail to any steak $19.95, Side Peppercorn or Bearnaise Sauce $3

                                    • New York Steak$31.95

                                      • Ribeye Steak$36.95

                                        • Filet Mignon$38.95

                                          • Surf and Turf$43.95

                                            New York Steak & 3 Fried Jumbo Prawns

                                            Sam Spade's Lamb Chops

                                            • Sam Spade's Lamb Chops$35.95

                                              Served with baked potato and sliced tomatoes [Sam Spade went to John's Grill, asked the waiter to hurry his order of chops, baked potato, sliced tomatoes...and was smoking a cigarette with his coffee when... The Maltese Falcon]

                                              Sandwiches & Pasta

                                              • Broiled 1/2 Lb. Deluxe Burger$19.95

                                                • Broiled New York Steak Sandwich$24.95

                                                  All Accompanied by French Fries

                                                  • Tortellone$15.95

                                                    Filled with sundried tomato, romano, parmigiano and ricotta cheese in a basil cream sauce topped with shredded Grana Padano cheese

                                                    • Maine Lobster Ravioli$18.95

                                                      Herbed tomato cream

                                                      • Chicken Linguine Alfredo$18.95

                                                        • Fisherman's Pasta$25.95

                                                          Linguine, jumbo prawns, salmon, snapper, mushrooms in basil cream

                                                          On the Side

                                                          • Baked Idaho Potato$5.95

                                                            • French Fries$6.95

                                                              • Sautéed Mushrooms$7.95

                                                                • Fresh Creamed Spinach$7.95

                                                                  • Caramelized Onions$7.95

                                                                    Chef's Weekly Special

                                                                    • Fish & Chips$17.95

                                                                      Anchor Steam beer batter, wild caught Pollock with caper tartar sauce

                                                                      • Crispy Chicken Sandwich on Brioche$17.95

                                                                        Roasted garlic-sundried tomato aioli

                                                                        • Heirloom Tomato & Burrata Cheese$16.95

                                                                          Aged balsamic, extra virgin olive oil and basil

                                                                          • Medallions of Beef$32.95

                                                                            Medallions of Filet mignon, béarnaise sauce served with Parmesan mashed potato and seasonal vegetables

                                                                            Last updated: June 18, 2023

                                                                            What 7,386 people are saying

                                                                            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
                                                                            • 4.6Food
                                                                            • 4.7Service
                                                                            • 4.6Ambience
                                                                            • 4.4Value

                                                                            Noise • Moderate

                                                                            Loved For

                                                                            • San Francisco

                                                                              American

                                                                            Review summary

                                                                            AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                                                            Historic John's Grill is a San Francisco treasure, celebrated for its "wonderful food" and "excellent service." With its "old world charm" and "classic SF vibes," the restaurant offers a memorable dining experience. Guests appreciate the "live jazz" and "energetic atmosphere." It's a "must-visit" for both locals and visitors.

                                                                            7,386 Reviews

                                                                            1. joycelyn

                                                                              VIP

                                                                              San Francisco

                                                                              24 reviews

                                                                              4.0

                                                                              24 reviews

                                                                              Dined 1 day ago

                                                                              1. Overall 4
                                                                              2. Food 4
                                                                              3. Service 3
                                                                              4. Ambience 3
                                                                              Food is good as always. Service was a bit slow. But still ok

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                                                                            2. Roberto

                                                                              San Francisco

                                                                              1 review

                                                                              5.0

                                                                              1 review

                                                                              Dined 1 day ago

                                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                                              2. Food 5
                                                                              3. Service 5
                                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                                              Had a very good dinner. Great filet mignon, great mashed potatoes, great vegetables. Great Drinks. Great service.

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                                                                            3. Alyson

                                                                              VIP

                                                                              San Francisco

                                                                              2 reviews

                                                                              5.0

                                                                              2 reviews

                                                                              Dined 1 day ago

                                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                                              2. Food 5
                                                                              3. Service 5
                                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                                              Perfect spot for the holidays! Full of holiday cheer and great food and service. An SF institution!

                                                                              Is this helpful?

                                                                            4. Anne

                                                                              San Francisco

                                                                              4 reviews

                                                                              5.0

                                                                              4 reviews

                                                                              Dined 1 day ago

                                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                                              2. Food 5
                                                                              3. Service 5
                                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                                              Enjoyed every minute. Food was terrific! Just as expected and that’s why it was our choice for Christmas Eve.

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                                                                            5. Tim

                                                                              Chicago

                                                                              5 reviews

                                                                              4.0

                                                                              5 reviews

                                                                              Dined 1 day ago

                                                                              1. Overall 4
                                                                              2. Food 5
                                                                              3. Service 4
                                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                                              For a busy holiday, service was great. There was an additional charge for that, as well as a minimum charge per person, which we would have reflected in the bill, but had to do some extra math to come to the same conclusion. Food was exceptional as always and the ambiance is unbeatable by any place else in the city.

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                                                                            6. Rita

                                                                              San Francisco

                                                                              7 reviews

                                                                              5.0

                                                                              7 reviews

                                                                              Dined 2 days ago

                                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                                              2. Food 5
                                                                              3. Service 5
                                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                                              Always the BEST! The food is unbelievably delicious, and the people serving are courteous, knowledgeable, and attentive - There is no better place to eat in San Francisco, especially at Christmastime. We'll be back again and again. Thank you so much for this wonderful family experience!

                                                                              Is this helpful?

                                                                            7. Alex

                                                                              San Francisco

                                                                              1 review

                                                                              5.0

                                                                              1 review

                                                                              Dined 2 days ago

                                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                                              2. Food 5
                                                                              3. Service 5
                                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                                              One of our favorite dinning experiences. Anyone who values great food and fantastic service should come out to John’s Grill.

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                                                                            8. JoAnn

                                                                              VIP

                                                                              San Francisco

                                                                              119 reviews

                                                                              3.0

                                                                              119 reviews

                                                                              Dined 2 days ago

                                                                              1. Overall 3
                                                                              2. Food 4
                                                                              3. Service 3
                                                                              4. Ambience 4
                                                                              We were able to change the time of our reservation and come earlier. We sat upstairs which was great but our food took way too long. Two other tables that were sat after us were served first. Almost like they list our order. They offered us a free drink which was nice but we would have preferred to have our food on time.

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                                                                            9. OpenTable Diner

                                                                              VIP

                                                                              San Francisco

                                                                              4 reviews

                                                                              3.0

                                                                              4 reviews

                                                                              Dined 2 days ago

                                                                              1. Overall 3
                                                                              2. Food 2
                                                                              3. Service 5
                                                                              4. Ambience 4
                                                                              The food was not up to par for the price. Filet mignon was chewy and flavorless even at medium rare. Cocktails were delicious and the sides ok.

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                                                                            10. Lisa

                                                                              VIP

                                                                              San Francisco

                                                                              60 reviews

                                                                              5.0

                                                                              60 reviews

                                                                              Dined 3 days ago

                                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                                              2. Food 5
                                                                              3. Service 5
                                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                                              Lunch after a matinee is one of our Holiday traditions- this year it was just perfect. The restaurant was packed with diners waiting for tables lined up at the bar, so thank goodness we had a reservation (on a Monday at 3:00PM- who knew?). Once past that minor inconvenience, everything was absolutely wonderful. We shared the Tortelloni appetizer and even though I am an accomplished Italian home cook, it was the best we have ever had. Then we shared the Jack LaLane salad - partly because we grew up with him on TV and the nostalgia was undeniable- and it was perfect. It had a respectable amount of seafood and avocado and was very large. My husband said his Manhatten was excellent. We left vowing to come back soon and often.

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                                                                            FAQs

                                                                            Historic John's Grill offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (415) 986-0069.

                                                                            Historic John's Grill is rated 4.7 stars by 7386 OpenTable diners.

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

                                                                            Make a reservation

                                                                            2 people
                                                                            7:00 PM
                                                                            Booked 31 times today
                                                                            Experiences are available.

                                                                            Order delivery or takeout

                                                                            Google Map for Historic John's Grill

                                                                            63 Ellis Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

                                                                            Dining areas

                                                                            Additional information

                                                                            • Cross street
                                                                              Powell Street
                                                                            • Neighborhood
                                                                              Downtown / Union Square
                                                                            • Hours of operation
                                                                              Lunch Daily 11:45 am–3:30 pm Dinner Daily 3:30 pm–9:30 pm
                                                                            • Price
                                                                              $31 to $50
                                                                            • Cuisines
                                                                              American, Steak, Seafood
                                                                            • Dining style
                                                                              Casual Elegant
                                                                            • Dress code
                                                                              Casual Dress
                                                                            • Parking details
                                                                              There is a parking garage directly across the street, Ellis - O'Farrell Garage.https://www.sfmta.com/garages-lots/ellis-ofarrell-garageParking near John's Grill:https://www.parkinsf.com/sanfrancisco/parking-near/John%27s+Grill
                                                                            • Public transit
                                                                              BART / MUNI at Powell Street Station
                                                                            • Payment options
                                                                              AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                                                                            • Executive chef
                                                                              Mauricio Sibrian
                                                                            • Additional
                                                                              Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
                                                                            • Website
                                                                              http://johnsgrill.com/
                                                                            • Phone number
                                                                              (415) 986-0069
                                                                            • Private party facilities
                                                                              Historic John's Grill is a landmark restaurant established in 1908 offers private dining rooms for 20 - 300 guests. Classic San Francisco atmosphere offering local seafood and fine cuts of steaks and chops. Chosen as top 10 by Esquire and featured in Gourmet.

                                                                            Featured in

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