Historic John's Grill

4.7

7350 Reviews

$31 to $50

American

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 17, 2024

9:00 PM

Booked 113 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

Book your next event with us

View details

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

100 San Francisco Bay Area Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Experiences

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! ✨🍽️
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 ✨🍽️

Popular dishes

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

What 7,350 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
4.6Service
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.

7,350 Reviews

J
Julie
VIP
San Francisco
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
So so fun!! Love this restaurant at Christmas time!
Is this helpful?
PC
PhillipC
VIP
Chicago
46 reviews
5.0
46 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Steak was great ! Felt like Christmas . Live music . Good wine . Just tight seating . But will return .
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K
Kelly
Los Angeles
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Favorite restaurant to visit during the holidays. Food is amazing, drinks are exceptional and service is always friendly and fast.
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L
Laura
VIP
San Francisco
13 reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 5
Classic San Francisco! Some traditions should never die.
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J
Judi
VIP
San Francisco
97 reviews
5.0
97 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
It's our 2nd "Union Square Holiday Soiree" and we keep coming back and will be back in December 2025! 2 of us had the burger - WOW quality meat. 2 had Petrole almandine and nothing left on their plates, 1 indulged in what she deemed the best Fish and Chips ever! And 1 devoured her Jack LaLane salad loaded with goodies, No room for desert. We love your sourdough as we're locals and know "real sourdough" and yours delivers! Great wait staff all hustling and bustling on a super busy Sunday and all with abundant smiles. Thanks so much to Owner! See you soon
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M
Michelle
VIP
San Francisco
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
John’s Grill is the best. The holidays it’s a tradition for our family. The wait staff is always amazing although , we did have a really loud guest next to us it didn’t dam in our spirits. Can’t wait till next year.🎄🍾🥂
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C
Carolina
VIP
San Francisco
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
We had a reservation, yet had to wait over 1/2 hour to get a table. Told we could wait in the bar area , however small bar area with no seats available and no place to stand. One bartender overwhelmed taking all the drink orders, took 20 minutes to order a cocktail. Once seated food and service was very good
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M
Mariah
Orange County
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
absolutely love John’s grill! My boyfriend proposed to me here and the owner. John made it such an incredible experience and took good care of us! I would come back here 1 million times because the food was also amazing and the live jazz music was beautiful. I have no other words than 11/10. Amazing, best restaurant ever!
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A
Aleta
VIP
San Francisco
23 reviews
5.0
23 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great way to get in the holiday spirit. Drinks and food all what one expects at an old school steak house plus a warm festive atmosphere. Get the prawn cocktail! Don't skip dessert!
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t
thomas
VIP
San Francisco
158 reviews
4.0
158 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Historic John's Grill is a fun place to eat. We particularly like dining on the second floor which houses the Dashell Hammit's Maltese Falcon collection of memorabilia. This night was an exceptionally busy night for dining, but the friendly staff was very accommodating and punctual with taking our orders and serving in a non-rushed manner. The Roquefort Shrimp Salad was very delicious with lots of little shrimp. We split the Sam Spade's Lamb Chops (5 nice sized ribs) which came with broccolini and baked potato. Definitely worth a visit, but highly recommend a reservation for this very popular place.
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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 7350 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 17, 2024

9:00 PM

Booked 113 times today

Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

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

100 San Francisco Bay Area Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Historic John's Grill

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Dining areas

Additional information

100 San Francisco Bay Area Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Christmas

New Year's

Ribeye Steak

Filet Mignon

New York Steak

Appetizers

Escargots$11.95

Jumbo Prawn Cocktail$17.95

Soup & Salads

New England Clam Chowder$8.95

Lobster Bisque$9.95

Lunch Salad$6.95

Caesar a la John's$14.95

Bay Shrimp Louie$17.95

Roquefort Salad$17.95

Roasted Beet Salad$15.95

Jack LaLanne's Favorite Salad$29.95

Seafood & Shellfish

Grilled Pacific Snapper$17.95

Jumbo Prawns Dijonnaise$19.95

Broiled Salmon$22.95

Petrale Amandine$18.95

Fried Jumbo Prawns$19.95

Fried Sea Scallops$28.95

Fried Oysters$16.95

Fried Combination Seafood$25.95

John's Featured Steaks

New York Steak$31.95

Ribeye Steak$36.95

Filet Mignon$38.95

Surf and Turf$43.95

Sam Spade's Lamb Chops

Sam Spade's Lamb Chops$35.95

Sandwiches & Pasta

Broiled 1/2 Lb. Deluxe Burger$19.95

Broiled New York Steak Sandwich$24.95

Tortellone$15.95

Maine Lobster Ravioli$18.95

Chicken Linguine Alfredo$18.95

Fisherman's Pasta$25.95

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

Crispy Chicken Sandwich on Brioche$17.95

Heirloom Tomato & Burrata Cheese$16.95

Medallions of Beef$32.95

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Historic John's Grill offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Historic John's Grill restaurant rated?

Is Historic John's Grill currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Featured in

100 San Francisco Bay Area Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day