We love going here for the Shad RoeAnd other fresh fishThis is a lovely place and it’s consistent and we really have enjoyed it throughout the yearsWe try to get there 2 to 3 timesParking is a challengeBut worth it !!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
MSYK MSN
After finishing some errands at City Hall, I decided to look into this restaurant because I wanted to have lunch in a slightly more casual setting nearby. I made a reservation in advance for Friday at 1pm.As the reputation suggests, the inside of the restaurant is not extravagant but traditional, and the food and service were okay. The service was not bad at all, in fact I didn't feel it was good at all. However, it was surprisingly empty for a Friday, so I think it was okay even without making a reservation. Or maybe the timing was just right that day?Everything I ordered was delicious, and if you want to have a proper meal with guests, this restaurant might have a nice atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: French Fries
Joe Blow
No attention to detail. Rushed service. Cod was riddled with little bones. Old school, but not in a good way
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
roostergirl
Love this old school grill. Classy, popular, excellent food and great service. It was packed on a Friday night before showtime but they had a table for us even though we arrived early. Will definitely be back.
KenS
A spectacular meal. We haven't eaten here for maybe decades and it's off the charts excellent. We were going to a show afterwards and it was conveniently located. Next time we will come back to explicitly dine at The Hayes Street Grill. Food: Excellent Service: Excellent Ambience: Excellent Hospitality: Better than Excellent
YelFer
What else has not been said? Patty has created one of the world's most accomplished restaurants by doing nothing more that just what they set out to do, perfectly every single time over several the several decades I have been dining here. Fish is the most mangled food on the planet, but Hayes Street nails it every time. Superb pomme fuites as well.
RonA
It is always a pleasure to have dinner at Hayes Street Grill. The thinly sliced mushrooms on the grilled calamari and bean salad was delicious. Half Moon Bay Petrole Sole was excellent. We also shared their sundae which is as good as Gherardelli Square's. Perfection!
LyndaC
So disappointed in the food ! Pricey too. My salad was not fresh, too wet, skimpy on the beets, nuts, etc. The Calamari appetizer was a joke- teeny tiny pieces of calamari and plenty of large beans to cover the loss. Husband's rice was bland, plate so uninviting. Never again.
MichaelT
The only issue was the lack of filet being available for a reservation at 5:15 PM and you just opened at 5 PM We found other things to eat but I would have enjoyed this beef option
mindmaven
Clam chowder was minimally flavored. Asparagus appetizer was fair. Petrale sole with potatoes was poorly flavored and some of the fish was hard to chew. A side of French fries was ok. Even with no wine, the bill was over $80/person tip included. Things have gotten somewhat worse since Covid.
Wonderful food and service at Hayes Street Grill. Staff are friendly, attentive, and efficient. It's a favorite for before an evening performance. Tonight we had excellent seafood: various fish, oysters, paella. Desserts were wonderful. Substantial wine list that doesn't overwhelm you with too many choices. Highly recommend.
SFOflyer
We have been enjoying Hayes St Grill since the 1980s when it was new and innovative. The restaurant has aged and so has the clientele. First of all, it would be nice to be warmly greeted on arrival and warmly thanked on departure. We stood for a full five minutes at the front waiting to attract the host's attention who was busy doing paperwork. The food was good but somewhat lackluster. While my swordfish was very fresh, the thin slice was overcooked along with the french fries. The usual perfect Caesar lacked the brightness of lemon and bite of garlic. We never were offered bread and water refills has to be requested. Also, the servers had to ask where to put the dishes we ordered. This restaurant has sadly evolved to catering to the frenetic (older) theatre crowd rushing to a performance. Sadly, we felt overlooked and under appreciated.
ChristinaS
We came here after an afternoon concert at Herbst Theater as part of a birthday celebration. The restaurant is within walking distance from Davies Symphony Hall and the War Memorial Opera House, so many of the other diners looked like they were headed to evening performances. Our drinks and food, mostly seafood dishes, were excellent, and service was courteous and very prompt. The staff is obviously familiar with getting the theater folk out the door before curtain time. One suggestion to the menu planners - all the desserts use milk and cream. It would be good to have at least one dessert that someone with lactose intolerance can enjoy.
Fatikas
We were met with the maitre'd who found us a round table on request. Service was fast and we were assured that we would meet our deadline to reach the theater. All courses were served beautifully and were warm and perfectly done. Our waiter was friendly and provided information on the history of this nearly historic restaurant. On questioning the bartender showed us how he mixed the drinks we ordered which were exceptional .
Marc Allard
If you want to enter a time portal into the 1980's and dine on a Princess Cruise ship, then come to Hayes Street Grill. This restaurant is a complete throwback to the past starting with the decor and ending with the handwritten bill. All that being said, the food wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. I had the grilled pork chop with mashed potatoes and carrots, and the pork chop was good. However there were literally only three things on my plate: a pork chop, mashed potatoes, and carrots...nothing else...no garnish, no sauce, nothing. My wife ordered the sole and it pretty unattractive to the eye but the taste was good. This was probably a great restaurant back in the day but the world has moved on and Hayes Street Grill has decided to stay in the past. I would recommend that you dine elsewhere.
We love going here for the Shad RoeAnd other fresh fishThis is a lovely place and it’s consistent and we really have enjoyed it throughout the yearsWe try to get there 2 to 3 timesParking is a challengeBut worth it !!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
After finishing some errands at City Hall, I decided to look into this restaurant because I wanted to have lunch in a slightly more casual setting nearby. I made a reservation in advance for Friday at 1pm.As the reputation suggests, the inside of the restaurant is not extravagant but traditional, and the food and service were okay. The service was not bad at all, in fact I didn't feel it was good at all. However, it was surprisingly empty for a Friday, so I think it was okay even without making a reservation. Or maybe the timing was just right that day?Everything I ordered was delicious, and if you want to have a proper meal with guests, this restaurant might have a nice atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: French Fries
No attention to detail. Rushed service. Cod was riddled with little bones. Old school, but not in a good way
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
Love this old school grill. Classy, popular, excellent food and great service. It was packed on a Friday night before showtime but they had a table for us even though we arrived early. Will definitely be back.
A spectacular meal. We haven't eaten here for maybe decades and it's off the charts excellent. We were going to a show afterwards and it was conveniently located. Next time we will come back to explicitly dine at The Hayes Street Grill. Food: Excellent Service: Excellent Ambience: Excellent Hospitality: Better than Excellent
What else has not been said? Patty has created one of the world's most accomplished restaurants by doing nothing more that just what they set out to do, perfectly every single time over several the several decades I have been dining here. Fish is the most mangled food on the planet, but Hayes Street nails it every time. Superb pomme fuites as well.
It is always a pleasure to have dinner at Hayes Street Grill. The thinly sliced mushrooms on the grilled calamari and bean salad was delicious. Half Moon Bay Petrole Sole was excellent. We also shared their sundae which is as good as Gherardelli Square's. Perfection!
So disappointed in the food ! Pricey too. My salad was not fresh, too wet, skimpy on the beets, nuts, etc. The Calamari appetizer was a joke- teeny tiny pieces of calamari and plenty of large beans to cover the loss. Husband's rice was bland, plate so uninviting. Never again.
The only issue was the lack of filet being available for a reservation at 5:15 PM and you just opened at 5 PM We found other things to eat but I would have enjoyed this beef option
Clam chowder was minimally flavored. Asparagus appetizer was fair. Petrale sole with potatoes was poorly flavored and some of the fish was hard to chew. A side of French fries was ok. Even with no wine, the bill was over $80/person tip included. Things have gotten somewhat worse since Covid.
Restaurantji Recommends
Wonderful food and service at Hayes Street Grill. Staff are friendly, attentive, and efficient. It's a favorite for before an evening performance. Tonight we had excellent seafood: various fish, oysters, paella. Desserts were wonderful. Substantial wine list that doesn't overwhelm you with too many choices. Highly recommend.
We have been enjoying Hayes St Grill since the 1980s when it was new and innovative. The restaurant has aged and so has the clientele. First of all, it would be nice to be warmly greeted on arrival and warmly thanked on departure. We stood for a full five minutes at the front waiting to attract the host's attention who was busy doing paperwork. The food was good but somewhat lackluster. While my swordfish was very fresh, the thin slice was overcooked along with the french fries. The usual perfect Caesar lacked the brightness of lemon and bite of garlic. We never were offered bread and water refills has to be requested. Also, the servers had to ask where to put the dishes we ordered. This restaurant has sadly evolved to catering to the frenetic (older) theatre crowd rushing to a performance. Sadly, we felt overlooked and under appreciated.
We came here after an afternoon concert at Herbst Theater as part of a birthday celebration. The restaurant is within walking distance from Davies Symphony Hall and the War Memorial Opera House, so many of the other diners looked like they were headed to evening performances. Our drinks and food, mostly seafood dishes, were excellent, and service was courteous and very prompt. The staff is obviously familiar with getting the theater folk out the door before curtain time. One suggestion to the menu planners - all the desserts use milk and cream. It would be good to have at least one dessert that someone with lactose intolerance can enjoy.
We were met with the maitre'd who found us a round table on request. Service was fast and we were assured that we would meet our deadline to reach the theater. All courses were served beautifully and were warm and perfectly done. Our waiter was friendly and provided information on the history of this nearly historic restaurant. On questioning the bartender showed us how he mixed the drinks we ordered which were exceptional .
If you want to enter a time portal into the 1980's and dine on a Princess Cruise ship, then come to Hayes Street Grill. This restaurant is a complete throwback to the past starting with the decor and ending with the handwritten bill. All that being said, the food wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. I had the grilled pork chop with mashed potatoes and carrots, and the pork chop was good. However there were literally only three things on my plate: a pork chop, mashed potatoes, and carrots...nothing else...no garnish, no sauce, nothing. My wife ordered the sole and it pretty unattractive to the eye but the taste was good. This was probably a great restaurant back in the day but the world has moved on and Hayes Street Grill has decided to stay in the past. I would recommend that you dine elsewhere.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 4