San Francisco has a rightful place in the history books—from faces and historic places to shaky ground and iconic sounds, from the rowdy sailors of the Barbary Coast to the peaceful voices of the counterculture movement.
But when you think of the city’s history, you don’t often think of restaurants—maybe you should. After all, revolutionaries gotta eat, too.
Wood paneling lining the walls, crisp white linen tablecloths, formally clad waitstaff, and monogrammed plates bearing perfectly placed steak and seafood: sitting down for a meal at historic spots like Sam’s Grill is an experience best described as you know it when you feel it. Sam’s, along with local legend Tadich Grill, stands among the oldest restaurants in the country—and there are more than a few places in the city where enjoying a meal feels similarly like stepping into the past.
From downtown to the Outer Mission and North Beach to Chinatown, there is no time like the present to check out these historic San Francisco restaurants.
The curtain-lined booths at Sam's(Courtesy of Sam's Restaurant)
Sam’s Grill
Sam’s epitomizes classic San Francisco with its rows of curtained booths and bustling, wood-paneled dining room. The neon sign beckons you inside at the corner of Belden Alley and Bush Street. Sam’s is the third oldest restaurant in the city and the fifth oldest in the country (check out their full history here), opening shortly after the California Gold Rush in 1867. While no one is coming to Northern California to pan for gold anymore, they are still coming for turn-of-the-20th-century dishes at Sam’s like stuffed petrale sole “Marguery,” clams casino, rex sole, and sand dabs. Don’t let the formally clad waitstaff fool you—they are as friendly as they come. // 374 Bush St. (FiDi), samsgrill-sf.com
Tadich
The oldest continually run restaurant in California and the third oldest in the entire country, wood-paneled and warm Tadich continues to serve up steak and seafood favorites that have helped it to earn its status. Tadich’s story began in 1849 when three Croatian immigrants set up a tent on what was then called Long Wharf with a sign that said “Coffee Stand,” where they served fresh fish roasted over charcoal (check out their full history here). Present-day Tadich is at the heart of the Financial District, but you can still get fresh fish—and a cup of coffee. // 240 California St. (FiDi), tadichgrillsf.com
Fior di Italia in North Beach(Courtesy of @fior_sf)
Fior di Italia
“The Flower of Italy” has been serving San Francisco since 1886 (check out their full history here). It was opened by Italian immigrants who came for gold but instead found their fortune in hospitality, feeding fortune-seekers and the rough-and-tumble crowd that frequented the neighborhood during the heyday of the Barbary Coast. Fior di Italia has had a few homes in North Beach over the years, from Broadway to Union Street to its current spot in the San Remo Hotel where the restaurant still serves up Northern Italian fare. // 2237 Mason St. (North Beach), fior.com
Old Clam House
Although the original 1861 bar area gives Old Clam House a good claim to the oldest restaurant in San Francisco, it’s more widely considered the second oldest in the city. The institution has nonetheless been serving up fresh seafood, sizzling skillets, and sandwiches for more than 150 years in the same location in Bayview-Hunters Point. // 299 Bayshore Blvd. (Bayview-Hunters Point), theoldclamhouse.com
John's Grill back in the day(Courtesy of @_be_roll_ and @johnsgrillsf)
John’s Grill
This historic steakhouse opened in 1908 (check out the full history here) and has been a pillar of the city ever since. One of the first restaurants to open after the earthquake, John’s Grill reflected downtown’s resurgence and emerging scene. With its proximity to Union Square, the restaurant became a gathering place and was known as a spot “where important conversations happened.” From perfectly cooked steaks and seafood to the famous Jack LaLanne salad, and live music nightly, nothing says old-school San Francisco like John’s Grill. // 63 Ellis St. (Union Square), johnsgrill.com
Schroeder’s
Since 1893, this Bavarian beer hall has been serving the downtown crowd—at least the men among them, women weren’t added to the mix until the 1970s. The original structure was destroyed in the 1906 earthquake but Schroeder’s, whose founder played a vital role in the reconstruction of the downtown area, has been at home on Front Street ever since. It is the perfect place for a boot of beer, schnitzel, sausage, or even a little spaetzle. // 240 Front St. (FiDi), schroederssf.com
St. Francis Fountain on 24th Street in the Outer Mission(Courtesy of @calle24_sf)
St. Francis Fountain
Nothing says American nostalgia quite like an ice cream fountain diner, and that is exactly what the Saint Francis Fountain has been since 1918. While it’s evolved a bit and no longer makes its own candies or ice cream (calm down—they use other local ice cream powerhouse Mitchell’s), St. Francis Fountain is still a classic that will soothe your soul over comfort food, sandwiches, and scoops. // 2801 24th St. (Outer Mission), instagram.com/stfrancisfountainsf
Hang Ah Tea Room
While its 1920 opening date is considerably later than the rest of the list, the Hang Ah Tea Room holds the title of the first dim sum parlor in the United States. Hard to find and also hard to beat, those who end up here typically have sought it out instead of stumbled upon it—and for good reason. Nestled in a Chinatown alley, this dim sum is as delicious as it is authentic. // 1 Pagoda Pl. (Chinatown), hangahdimsumsf.com
Tosca Cafe in North Beach(Courtesy of @toscacafesf)
Tosca Cafe
Tosca opened in 1919 and has since become synonymous with North Beach itself. Famous for its boozy prohibition-era cappuccino, slick bar, and hearty meatballs, Tosca has a vibe that’ll have you wishing its walls could talk. // 242 Columbus Ave. (North Beach), toscacafe-sf.com
Old Ship Saloon
While it now looks like your standard run-of-the-mill bar and restaurant (albeit with a touch of rustic charm), the Old Ship Saloon isn’t just named after a ship; it started as one. The lore says that the Arkansas was a Gold Rush–era vessel that ran aground in 1849. By 1851, its hull was home to the “Old Ship Ale House,” a popular spot for the rough-and-rowdy crowd of the times. As the city grew, the ship was buried and the ale house moved into the structure built on top of it, which survived the earthquake and remains its current home. The Old Ship is still a great place for a classic cocktail, a burger, a salad, or both in the form of the burger wedge salad. // 298 Pacific Ave. (Jackson Square), oldshipsaloonsf.com
