JG
John's Grill
A San Francisco landmark serving classic steaks and seafood in a historic, lively atmosphere since 1908.
4(5 reviews)
restaurant
$$$
A San Francisco landmark serving classic steaks and seafood in a historic, lively atmosphere since 1908.
John's Grill is an iconic upscale steakhouse and seafood restaurant located in the heart of San Francisco, established in 1908. Known as a historical landmark, it offers a cozy, energetic ambiance with live music, vintage decor, and black-and-white photos of famous patrons. We specialize in perfectly cooked steaks, fresh seafood, and an extensive wine list, making it an ideal spot for dinners, events, and celebrations. Whether you're visiting for a classic meal or hosting a party, experience the charm and tradition that has made us a beloved destination for over a century.
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Enjoy premium cuts like filet mignon and strip steak, cooked to perfection with classic sides in a historic setting.
Fresh seafood dishes, including poke and other seasonal offerings, prepared with quality ingredients.
Craft cocktails, extensive wine list, and spirits served at the bar or tables, with live music on select nights.
Host private parties, corporate events, and celebrations in our cozy upstairs or lively downstairs dining areas.
Immerse in San Francisco history with vintage photos and decor, offering a glimpse into the restaurant's storied past.
Beautiful historic Steak house that has served and serving numerous famous people. Love the black and white photos displayed all over the restaurant. Food was excellent and a large list of wines worldwide.
Had our work holiday party at John’s Grill and it was a delight! Not only is the food good, the service was as charming as can be and the atmosphere was a perfect festive setting! What a great spot to celebrate at one of San Francisco’s landmarks! Props to John for saying hi! 😊👍🏼😋
Bar service was super slow. Around 7ish, you really have to stay on top of your order because it felt like they’d ignore you unless you make yourself heard. It also seemed wildly understaffed—there were only two bartenders handling what looked like at least 20+ tables downstairs, and that’s not even counting upstairs, so the delays kind of made sense (but still not great as a guest). I ordered an Old Fashioned and it honestly wasn’t good. It was packed with way too much ice, like overly full of ice cubes instead of the traditional single large cube. The build felt off too—simple syrup instead of the more classic muddled/crushed sugar cube, and it didn’t taste balanced. They used only Angostura aromatic bitters (no orange bitters), and there was no expressed orange peel—they literally just dropped in a slice of orange… lol. Our wait time was about 1 hour. That said, the ambiance was the best part of the whole experience. The place was packed, but in a way that felt cozy, lively, and inviting at the same time. It was loud and energetic, and I can see why people like it for the vibe. The food was bland, honestly like they forgot the salt. My filet mignon was cooked exactly how I asked—perfect medium rare—but the flavor just wasn’t there. No real seasoning, no char, just flat. Same with the other steaks we ordered: cooked right, but not tasteful and lacking flavor. The poke was the only thing that actually had flavor, and it stood out because everything else tasted so plain. For the price and the wait, I don’t think we’ll come back. The atmosphere was great, but it’s a shame the bar service and food didn’t match it.
I was about to eat alone in my hotel room while my group was at an event. I’m so glad I changed my mind. I had a seat at the bar and was so kindly welcomed by Alexis(I hope I spelled his name right.)It was Saturday night. He made a fabulous Old fashioned. I had the beet salad which was delicious, a perfect filet mignon, delicious red wine and he forced😀me to try the chocolate mousse. He was amazing to watch as he worked so hard. He needs a bonus. Always smiling. The atmosphere was perfect. Sometimes going alone is just what you need. Had some good conversations with folks next to me. Thank you! I shall return. I’m sure I burned the calories with all the walking.
During our visit to San Francisco we decided to head to John's Grill for dinner, and despite not having a reservation we were warmly welcomed by the hostess. She kindly offered us a lovely table in the upstairs dining area, which turned out to be a great spot as the downstairs area was already full and buzzing with activity. The added bonus of sitting upstairs was being able to enjoy live music from a talented chap playing during our meal, which added a really nice touch to the evening. Our server, Dana, greeted us with a smile and quickly took our drinks orders before giving us plenty of time to browse the menu and make our selections. Steak was naturally the focus for us, with the fillet and the strip being our choices for the evening. Whilst we waited for our mains, we were served some warm, fresh bread which was a lovely start and very much appreciated. After a reasonable wait our main courses arrived and both steaks were cooked well and very enjoyable. When offered the dessert menu we decided to pass, as nothing really caught our eye and to be fair, the mains were more than enough to leave us feeling full. Overall, we had a really lovely time at John's Grill. The atmosphere was lively yet relaxed, the service from Dana was great and the food was satisfying. It is definitely a place worth visiting when in San Francisco for a classic steakhouse experience.
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