Best Historic Restaurants in SOMA

42 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Historic John's Grill restaurant

1. Historic John's Grill

4.7

Exceptional(7435)

Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 82 times today

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.

A photo of The Garden Court - Luxury Collection restaurant

2. The Garden Court - Luxury Collection

3.9

Excellent(2470)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • SOMA

Booked 13 times today

Featuring innovative intercontinental cuisine, the famed Garden Court offers a superb dining experience in a glorious setting. This historic landmark serves Breakfast daily, 2 Course Prix Fixe Lunch Monday-Thursday and an enchanting Afternoon Tea on Friday and Saturday. The Garden Court features a stained glass dome, Italian marble columns, Austrian crystal chandeliers and is noted on San Francisco’s Historic Register as Landmark #18. Our Executive Chef invites you to try our signature crab salad lightly dressed in our own Green Goddess Dressing, a true Palace original created in 1923.

3. The Post Room

4.1

Excellent(183)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 21 times today

In the heart of San Francisco’s Union Square, a new Mediterranean-inspired bar and lounge called The Post Room is nestled inside the historic Beacon Grand and overlooking the hotel’s grand lobby, the vibrant social venue will serve breakfast through supper every day, with brunch served on weekends and complemented by a dazzling live music program.

4. Starlite

4.4

Awesome(170)

Price: Expensive

• Cocktail Bar • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 34 times today

Starlite is a historic San Francisco cocktail bar with nearly a century of vibrant stories. Renowned for hosting lively parties and attracting iconic figures like Alan Ginsberg, Starlite invites guests to the Beacon Grand’s 21st-floor, featuring refreshed interiors by San Francisco designer Alice Crumeyrolle. The atmosphere is set with rich velvet fabrics and a jewel-tone palette inspired by the Art Deco Era, paying homage to the city’s icons. Crafted by Scott Baird of Trick Dog fame, the cocktails are both playful and meticulously made. Michelin-award-winning chef Johnny Spero curates a menu that celebrates San Francisco’s culinary artistry, drawing inspiration from international fare. Enhancing the experience are nightly, all-vinyl DJ sets by music director Nina Tarr.

A photo of Original Joe's - San Francisco restaurant

5. Original Joe's - San Francisco

4.7

Exceptional(4236)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • North Beach

Booked 161 times today

Original Joe’s is the quintessential, classic San Francisco dining experience. A fabric of the City for over 80 years, it is located in the heart of the historic and majestic North Beach, a mecca for natives, tourists, and culinary aficionados alike.Original Joe’s is the oldest of all existing Joe’s restaurants in the country and is the innovator of what is now nationally known as the “Joe’s Concept”. With its signature red leather booths, legendary smooth cocktails, and renowned Italian American menu, Joe’s has come to signify its own Northern Californian category of food and symbolizes classic Italian American comfort food at its finest.

A photo of Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar - Fairmont San Francisco restaurant

6. Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar - Fairmont San Francisco

3.9

Excellent(2015)

Price: Expensive

• Asian • Nob Hill

Booked 17 times today

A visit to San Francisco is not complete without experiencing Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar. The Tonga Room offers exceptional Polynesian Cuisine in a tropical setting that includes thunder and rainstorms. It is the perfect escape after a busy day of meetings or shopping along Union Square. Be sure to try the Mai Tai, voted the City's best by Conde Nast Traveler.Dinner is seated on a first-come first-served basis for all parties under 10. Hurricane Bar guests are welcomed on a first-come first-served basis.The Island Groove performs a live set starting at 7:00 pm. A $15 per person cover charge applies to all guests seated in the restaurant or bar during the entertainment, regardless of the time they arrive.If you would like to make a reservation for 10 or more people to the Tonga Room, please give us a call at 415-772-5000 or email us at tongaroom@fairmont.com.

7. Boulevard

4.7

Exceptional(9107)

Price: Very Expensive

• Californian • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 73 times today

Chefs Nancy Oakes, Chef Dana Younkin and our entire team, look forward to welcoming you to a refreshed and reimagined Boulevard! The dining room features a 3 course prix fixe menu with a multitude of choices. For the more spontaneous sorts; our bar, lounge and chef's counter is available on a walk-in basis and limited reservations. An a la carte menu is offered in these areas. For private events and larger groups, please check our our website.

8. Top of the Mark

4.2

Awesome(859)

Price: Expensive

• Tapas / Small Plates • Nob Hill

Booked 27 times today

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Top of the Mark will not be open for cocktails on Dec. 24, 25, 31, and Jan. 1, 2025 due to our Holidays at the Mark events taking place on those days. Thank you for your understanding.Number 1 in California and San Francisco, and 2nd in the nation on USAToday's 10 Best Hotel Bars.Nestled on the 19th floor of the historic InterContinental Mark Hopkins, Top of the Mark's breathtaking panoramic views of San Francisco's skyline and iconic landmarks, including the majestic Golden Gate Bridge, the enigmatic Alcatraz, Union Square, and more, will leave you spellbound. Sip on our signature cocktails as you soak in the atmosphere of timeless sophistication. Our appetizer and dessert selection will tantalize your taste buds, with options that complement our cocktails perfectly. What's more, we offer live entertainment each Saturday evening, where you can let the music move you on the dance floor.

A photo of The Empress by Boon restaurant

9. The Empress by Boon

4.5

Awesome(1385)

Price: Very Expensive

• Chinese • Chinatown

Booked 20 times today

Empress by Boon is San Francisco’s newest, must-visit epicurean destination, offering a seasonal menu in modern Cantonese gastronomy. Michelin-starred Chef Ho Chee Boon applies traditional techniques to fresh, local ingredients to produce distinctive contemporary dishes infused with Cantonese flavors. The spacious restaurant occupies the former location of Chinatown’s celebrated Empress of China with striking city views. Reimagined by Chef Boon and team, the Empress was brought back to its former glory by embracing modern design elements while incorporating restored original features, creating a welcoming atmosphere that pays homage to the history of the beloved location.

10. Spruce

4.8

Exceptional(5423)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Presidio Heights

Booked 66 times today

Open for lunch (two courses/$65), brunch (three courses/$98), and dinner (three courses/$125), Spruce offers seasonal prix-fixe menus crafted by Chef Mark Sullivan. Each menu offers a wide range of options, as well as luxurious additions (examples: caviar, truffles) for supplemental prices. Our cuisines is complemented by an extensive wine list which holds "Wine Spectator" magazine's highest honor, a Grand Award. The bar/lounge is available for walk-ins on a first-come, first-serve basis. We look forward to welcoming you to Spruce soon!

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

D
DianeVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •23 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
I love it here! Food is always good. Staff is super friendly and accommodating whenever possible.
More info
Historic John's GrillPrice: Expensive• American• Downtown / Union Square
•
4.7
A
Andreea
Denver / Colorado •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Outstanding experience. The view at night is the best time to go. Drinks that I highly recommend are the Strawberry Grasshopper, Espresso Martini, Dirty 90’s Martini
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StarlitePrice: Expensive• Cocktail Bar• Financial District / Embarcadero
•
4.4
M
Michelle
San Francisco Bay Area •6 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Perfect dinner - delicious pasta, fish and burger meals thoroughly enjoyed by our party of 3. The service by our waiter Dickie was professional, delightful, attentive with fun humor too. His back up crew was efficient in serving as well as clearing. We had a most enjoyable evening at this great old time San Francisco restaurant and we look forward to returning hopefully soon.
More info
Original Joe's - San FranciscoPrice: Moderate• Italian• North Beach
•
4.7
W
Warren
San Francisco Bay Area •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
Very good food, drinks, and service! It’s much better than two years ago! Will come back again!
More info
The Garden Court - Luxury CollectionPrice: Expensive• Californian• SOMA
•
3.9
S
SarahVIP
London •1 review
5.0
Dined on 25 Dec 2024
Our Christmas Day Brunch experience was fantastic. I have some food allergies so I had emailed The Post Room Team in advance and received a prompt, reassuring reply from the chef, Jose, who had clearly given my questions thoughtful and thorough consideration. On the day, I received personal service from Jose who was committed to avoiding issues with cross-contamination. All the food we ate was delicious and the dining room team could not have been more welcoming or accommodating. We were so well looked after, it was a faultless festive experience. We only went out for our Christmas meal this year because I had recent hand surgery and can’t cook much. However, our experience at The Post Room was so delightful, I am considering doing it again next year. Thank you to Jose and the whole team.
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The Post RoomPrice: Expensive• Californian• Downtown / Union Square
•
4.1

Best Historic Restaurants in SOMA

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42 restaurants available nearby

1. Historic John's Grill

2. The Garden Court - Luxury Collection

3. The Post Room

4. Starlite

5. Original Joe's - San Francisco

6. Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar - Fairmont San Francisco

7. Boulevard

8. Top of the Mark

9. The Empress by Boon

10. Spruce

See what locals rave about

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