It’s always fun to dine somewhere with history. John’s Grill opened in 1908 in San Francisco. This restaurant has been visited by presidents, politicians, and celebrities. It continues to draw guests who are famous, as well as people who want a good meal and maybe a celebrity sighting!
It’s not one of the oldest restaurants in San Francisco, but it has an interesting history and a lot of notable guests. Learn more about John’s Grill:
The restaurant is located just a few blocks from Union Square. There are several dining rooms at the restaurant. One of the rooms, “The Maltese Falcon” room, was named in honor of author Dashiell Hammett whose 1930s detective novel of the same name was set at this historical landmark.
There are pictures on the wall of celebrities from the past century, as well as many notable politicians. Politicians who have dined at John’s Grill include: Hilary Clinton, Al Gore, Ronald Reagan, Nancy Pelosi, Barbara Boxer, Dianne Feinstein, and many others.
Celebrity guests include: Renee Zellweger, Matt Damon, Johnny Depp, Lauren Bacall, Keanu Reeves, Robin Williams– just to name a few.
Other notable figures have dined at John’s Grill, too, including: George Lucas, Steve Jobs, Luciano Pavaroti, Joe Montana, Julie Child, and Lillian Hellman. You never know who you might see when you’re at John’s Grill!
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Guests have a wide range of menu options– from steaks to fresh seafood to hearty salads. There is even a salad named for famous fitness guru Jack LaLanne.
Specialties include fresh oysters, steaks, and seafood. As you might expect with any fine dining restaurant in San Francisco– the home of sourdough bread, John’s Grill also serves delicious sourdough bread to enjoy while waiting for your meal.
This is not dingy vintage, but fine dining vintage. With dark paneled walls and well-kept period furniture, this is the kind of restaurant that looks like it could have been on the Titanic.
John’s Grill was the first restaurant to open in downtown San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake. It quickly gained popularity and was known as a place for city leaders and prominent figures to meet and dine.
Throughout the decades John’s Grill has always attracted movers-and-shakers as well as people curious about the restaurant.
If you’re coming into San Francisco from out-of-town, there is a parking garage across the street on Ellis and O’Farrell. Don’t want to deal with city traffic and expensive parking garages? We don’t blame you. Park at a BART station and take the train into the city.
John’s Grill is open daily for lunch from 11:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and for dinner from 3:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
This is more than just a place to grab a bite to eat. John’s Grill is part of San Francisco history. Make a special trip to dine at this historical restaurant in the heart of the city.
Have you been to John’s Grill?
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