Hayes Street Grill Reviews

I make it a point to eat at the Hayes Street Grill whenever I'm in San Francisco. For a while, that meant at least once a year when I would play at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival. I have only tried one menu item here in the 5 times I've eaten here- the Paella. It's simply the best in the world- and I've had it all over the world. Nothing comes close to The Hayes Street Grill when it comes to this dish. I had some in Barcelona in 2005 and it was bland. Not so at the Hayes Street! I've been here with my sweetheart, bandmates, and associates. It always impresses me, as well as those who've joined me for a meal and a bottle of red.

My husband and I went here last Monday with my sister-in-law and her husband. It was pretty deserted for 7:30, but I guess there was no theater that night. I got the halibut that was ok- a little dry. My husband got the salmon that was a bit overdone. Service was ok- not overly friendly. I would not bother going here again.

Have always wanted to try this restaurant but never made it until last week when we went for an early dinner prior to a concert at the SF Jazz Center. The place was empty when we arrived but did fill up later on in the evening. Space is light and bright and simple, but some tables are very close together. Wait staff was pleasant, appropriately attentive and friendly and efficient. Started with Smoked Trout Toasts - 3 very small toasts with a small accompanying salad. Toasts were flavorful, but my sister-in-laws version is far superior. The lettuce and radishes that were part of the salad had seen their better days. My wife had two appetizers for her main - grilled asparagus with shaved parmesan, which she reported to be good. She also had the shrimp louie salad - again good, but neither was great. I had the Mexican Seafood Posole, which had very fresh seafood and fish in a green sauce with hominy. Flavors were good, but for a true posole, more sauce was needed. We split a flourless chocolate cake for dessert; it came with a glob of creme anglaise and another of whipped cream. Not a very attractive presentation, but the cake was good, but I've had far better. Our waiter recommended a couple of very good wines by the glass. Being so close to the opera house, symphony hall and jazz center, this is an option, but I know there are better options within Hayes Valley.

Hands down the best soft shell crab in the City (when it's available - typically during the summer months.) They used to call my father to let him know when they were in season, not I receive e-mails. (Technology) We've had soft shell crabs twice this season - they are perfectly cooked and delicious, but at $30 they are expensive and the last time we went we were served 2 very small crabs. Service was lacking. I never got to ask for bread (which I was told after the meal "we can only serve when asked - same as water." OK water used to be (maybe still is) controlled by local laws due to the drought - but I doubt bread falls into that category. And their bread is really good! When I questioned the "cover charge" on the bill - especially in view of no bread - i was told that's the SF health charge for employees. So not really a "cover charge." No one ever asked if we wanted more water either. I will probably return because soft shell crabs are hard to beat and hard to find in SF - but I do wish the service provided a bit more warmth and hospitality.

Not able to find an email address to write directly to HSG, sharing this experience on Trip Advisor. -- Salmon ordered to be cooked through...was served very uncooked and sent back. On a separate main course, rice was served only warm and sent back. Service was "dropped" (placed) on the table. (Conversation with a different staff member "explained" that the kitchen was short staffed.) Dessert had to be requested, since it was not offered. And after all this, there was no apology. Shame! (I'm a forty year customer; highly disappointed with this visit.

Hayes Street Grill has been around as long as I remember, and my recent dinner there was as good as my dinner was the last time I was there -- probably 20 years ago. We spit a refreshing little gem and fig salad that we both loved. My pork chop was juicy and tender, served with a flavorful and fruity chutney. I have had better creme brûlées, but it was still good. All in all, it was a very enjoyable evening. And the service was outstanding.

I remember going to Hayes Street Grill in the 80's with my parents before the Symphony or opera. 30+ years later, I decided to take my husband there for dinner before a concert. We had reservations at 6:45 on a Thursday evening-enough time to eat before the 8pm curtain call. There were certainly lots of other people with the same idea. There was not an available table for us at 6:45, so we waited 10-15 minutes before a table opened up for us. The food is good, service is excellent, but all in all it was overpriced and over crowded. I probably won't need to visit again.

European ambience , lovely food, reasonable rates. Had some excellent soup, salad , salmon and bass fish as well as simple ice cream

We took a chance and revisited Hayes St. Grill, hoping that our experience would be more satisfactory than our last. Nope! These folks are greedy. We started with bread..unbelievable! There were 4 slices which aggregated 1 inch of bread! I asked the waiter if the bread was rationed: he said "yeah".....he was probably the least pleasant waiter of all time. The fried oysters were good, if not tiny, and the same with the scallops. French fries (never got the ketchup we requested), which used to be ample, now fit into a small ceramic dish. Wow! They must have saves 10 cents there! We spent $116 there last night and needed a snack after we left.... To add insult to injury, they added a "cover" charge..I guess to disguise the phony health fee. If restaurants need to collect that fee, include it in the meal costs...do they also add electricity and rent??? Well, not yet.....

very , very good dinner , before going to the symphony just 2 blocks,from there , service old fashion , kind gently and pro , the sole was perfect and the apple pie excelent , size of dishes how they must be , and ambiance really nice.

Portions are vs small, prices are high, room is noisy and the room temperature is either too hot or too cold. The food , what little there is of it, is. Good. Service is good if you get the right server.. Otherwise it is perfunctory. ... And I love to pay the phony SF tax.

Birthday/Valentine dinner with my girlfriend. This place is something I did not expect. The ambiance looks like it needs some renovating and the food is way overpriced for what it serves. Although, the appetizer was very delicious, the whole entree was not worth the money. $29 dollars for unseasoned grilled salmon with a side of end-piece of french fries. YES, the french fries they served us was mainly little pieces that you will find at the bottom of the bag. The salmon comes with a selection of sauce and I chose the "tartar" sauce that they had, wasn't that great. Anyways, my girlfriend ordered fried oysters with coleslaw and again the small bowl of french fries that was about $30. There coleslaw and fries took most of the plate, the oysters were so little, it had space to fit between the two sides. Only reason why I'm rating 2 star is because the server was a very nice lady and gave us recommendation on the food. Although it was a terrible dinner, my girlfriend and I still manage to have a good time for laughing at how ridiculous this place is and how much the prices are for the food that they serve. If I wanted to spend $100 worth of dinner, I would've taken her to a much better restaurant on this.

I have had dinner here several times in 2022, after the Sunday Opera. The menu and beverage selection is not huge, but the quality is really good. Also, given the location, the pricing seems very reasonable. The staff has been great and has been gracious and patient with an elderly family member with physical limitations who I accompany. I live in a rural area far from San Francisco. The memory of wonderful evenings in The City has been tarnished by the current reality, but the Hayes Street Grill represents the best of what a visitor to The City expects.

The food was good, not spectacular. It was more along the line of comfort food with simple preparation. The one exception was my main dish, the soft shell crabs. They were cooked perfect and presented very nicely. The wine butter sauce was delightful. Overall, we felt it was a little pricey for what we got and we will probably try a different restaurant next time.

This is the best seafood restaurant in San Francisco. Not the place if you are looking for a very trendy restaurant, with tiny portions and appetizers and entrees that look like they are gift wrapped art objects from a Paris boutique. This restaurant serves real food, mostly fish, very well prepared, with simple classic sauces. Great service by knowledgeable wait staff. They will ask you how well done you want your fish cooked, and it comes just that way. I had halibut, my partner had flounder, and others had sea bass. All were excellent. Other fish on the menu included Black cod, Dungeness crab, scallops, Petrale sole, and pan fried oysters. Salads were also excellent. The warm goat cheese and green salad wsmperfection. Desserts offered included a Meyer lemon chiffon mousse, creme brulee, and strawberries and rhubarb with pound cake and whipped cream. Everyone raved about the deserts. The restaurant is popularfor dinner before the nearby symphony, ballet, and opera, and is often crowded during the early evening. Less crowded during luncheon.

Wonderful fish! I eat fish but not seafood and HSG is perfect for me. The grilled halibut is delicious. Nothing fancy -- and not cheap -- but delicious. Grilled asparagus, yum! Our server seemed like he had been there too long (both in the sense of too many years and also maybe too many hours that day); he was abrupt, inattentive and somewhat unfriendly. So service not up to the price level but otherwise no complaints.

I was really disappointed and would never return. I caution you. First, the pros: 1.Service: we told the server we had tickets at the symphony and thus needed to proceed promptly. She was very prompt, very attentive. 2. Wine by the glass. They do not have much of a selection, but the fume blanc I chose was really nice. Although when I asked the waitress about it, she said, "well, I can't say it's minerally; and I can't say it's lemony" I was pushed for time and just took a chance on ordering it. I wish I could think of any more pros, but not a one! Cons: MY FISH WAS RAW INSIDE I ordered the sea bass. I took a few bites of the corners and realized it was quite cold. I was on the fence about sending it back because we were pushed for time. However, as I got more towards the center of the piece it was actually pink. I even gave them the benefit of the doubt thinking maybe this was a different type of bass that you eat pink inside. I took a bite--raw, raw, raw, like sushi. I politely asked the server to reheat it as it was cold. She took one look at it, could see the pink and said she was sorry, that it looked raw! 2. once the fish returned it was, as I had tasted with my few bites before, bland. Literally no flavor. There was no salt shaker on the table or I would have dumped salt on it. The sauce, lemon butter, which I normally love, was also bland. So basically it was truly tasteless. I want to emphasize, I am not a picky diner. I rarely write bad reviews and you can see this from looking at my reviews. 3. portion. The portion was tiny. I was so hungry when I left. I am used to small portions in fine dining establishments, but this was REALLY small. 4. French fries. While my fish was being recooked I was counting on those fries! They were the most tasteless fries I have ever had, anywhere in the world. I would say the meal tasted like something if my daughter when she was 15 tried to cook dinner for us. Uncooked, bland, just a bad home cook style of food. Cost: 2 people 1 main each (both fish for $28 - $30 each) 1 glass of wine each ($12-$16) Total for the two of us: $97 plus $18 tip =$115 For $115 I left starving and had to stop at Marina Safeway to pick up something to cook at home that night.

Great location for attending the symphony or theater. The staff really concentrated on getting the orders out in time for everyone to be on time for the performance. While the food was good the presentation lacked any imagination and was seemingly plopped on the plate. The salad, swordfish, and squash was tasteful, and when capped off with a nice desert, it made for a good meal. The wine selection was also a nice complement to the meal. With all of the patrons in the large room headed for the symphony it lended to a fun setting and the beginning of a delightful evening.

San Diego Sea Bass (whatever that is) was great. They also tried to tell me they had "Steelhead Salmon". (Steelhead are a sea-run twin of rainbow trout). Two celebrities sat at the table next to us, so you definitely get the theater/opera crowd. Be forewarned that this is a very comfortable and homey ambiance, not at all like the antiseptic modern restaurants that are also found about the city. I gave them a 4-star for one reason only. The bread was good. It was San Francisco. The bread should have been great.

So... We went as an adult family of 6 and each had different entrees. The ambiance was OK, but just that. The presentation was NOT impressive and the food was, well just an average presentation. No flair, nothing wow-ish. I did not choose this place, our 30's kids did and frankly they are just happy to get free and out to dinner. Not a place I could recommend or desire to return to. NOT bad, just, ho-hum.

Although we were not in a rush like the pre-theater crowd, the service was curt and quicker than we wished for. The food was delicious, especially the sole. However the scallops, though tasty, left me with a mouth full of crunchy shells. Our server on October 26th seemed to brush it aside. I never heard back, nor were we offered anything in return for my mouth full of broken shells. Will not return again.

Very classic grill specializing in seafood. Bottom line OK on all fronts, but lacking both character and creativity. Given the SF pricing, there are numerous restaurants that deliver more in the immediate Hayes Valley vicinity.

Reserved a table for dinner before attending the ballet. Waiter asked about time limits and dinner was paced accordingly. A fresh and diverse mixed green salad and mushroom celery soup with slices of fresh mushroom were excellent starters. Grilled salmon and black cod entrees were perfectly prepared. Chewy and crusty sour dough bread served with dinner was some of the best we sampled in San Francisco. Room became a bit noisy as it filled. Clientele was more mature and most seemed to know one or more members of the wait staff indicating they are regulars.

We had booked an early seating prior to the opera so we were in first seating. I ordered the Alaskan Halibut with butter sauce and my friend ordered the soft shell crab special. He had never tried them before. My fish arrived barely lukewarm and the thicker part of the fish was raw. Even the butter sauce on the side was refrigerator cold. I asked my friend how the crab was and he said different. He gave me a taste and I was surprised to find it crunchy. Both crabs had a crunchy shell which was indigestible. We were limited on time so did not send back the food. We did order the Apricot Cherry crisp which was delicious. We had not seen our waiter for some time and the busboy actually took our order for desert. I probably wouldn't have written a review but the table next to us had a bad experience as well. There were 4 people, only 3 received their dinners and two had to send their cold fish back. Only one had time for dinner and he said his fish was cold as well but would eat it. I would not return.

Classic restaurant near the jazz, opera and symphony. Great fish dishes and service that does not wear thin.

Years ago I'd come here on occasion before a show and I was never disappointed. I now work in the area and can go more often. It's still a very good option for either lunch or dinner. I always enjoy the specials but also have an affinity for the Chinese chicken salad, most excellent with a little bite to it and with flavors of peanut butter and soy sauce. It's a little pricey at $18 but then again; it's Hayes Valley! Service is attentive and friendly. Nice espresso and excellent banana pie pudding. Highly recommended!

We arrived with little time to grab a bite before a nearby performance. The host had us seated quickly and our waiter arrived at our table already knowing we were short on time. We were served promptly without a sense of rushing on the part of our server. And, oh, the seafood appetizers were unique and delicious - calamari with butter beans and artichoke hearts; smoked salmon with watercress. Pricey, but worth it!

Location is close to the opera, symphony and city hall. Parking at the opera cente is close and reasonably price for events. The food is good and moderately priced for the city. Service was very good. The menu is not large but the items onthemenue were well prepared and tasty. The wine selections were limited but the ones they had were very good. The staff was attentive to getting you to the event at the opera or symphony and not letting the service hold you up.

We had a wonderful dinner here. The wait-staff was very attentive. Although the restaurant was busy, we only had a 10 minute wait for a table. The menu was varied with many choices.

Great location to the Symphony hall and good cocktails. Food was so so. My husband got the pork chop which was tasty and a nice portion size along with the sardines appetizer which was fresh. I got the cucumber salad with a nice spicy zest to it followed by the seafood stew. The stew had a nice flavor, but 3 small shrimp and a handful of mussels and clams did not warrant the price point nor provide a filling dinner. When the portions are not adequate, our family rates dinners by the number of rolls or pieces of bread required to fill up. This was a 7 pieces of bread dinner for me. If we were to go back, I would try a fish entree which seemed to also provide nice portions based on what I saw at the other tables. As the restaurant got more crowded closer to show time, the service significantly slowed down, but in the beginning when we were practically the only ones there, they were attentive to our requests.

Hays Street Grill is one of my 'go to" places especially before the Ballet or Opera. The food is always simple, and impossibly fresh and the service consistently great. Love this place!

Having made the mistake of not booking a restaurant on a Friday night, we quickly found that, even for a table of 2, it is difficult to get a table~7pm in the Hayes Valley Region! Luckily HVG had a table and we are eternally greatful to the gods which had led us to eat here Positives - Food - superb flavours without being pretentious. We had the asparagus and the warm goats cheese salad for appetisers, and then scallops on a cauliflower and potato purée and cod with mushrooms for mains. All were marvellous - service - attentive without being over the top. They have obviously had plenty of experience - a slightly amusing side note was that most of the waiters are 65+. - wine was good and the waiter even recommended the cheapest on the list as being very nice. Which it was. - atmosphere - nice comfortable surrounds and tables. Negatives - none that I can think of

I have experienced lunch here twice recently and found the food and service to be extraordinarily good. However, lunch for two both times was $160 with tip. Drinks contributed to the steep price, but it was easy to lose track of the mounting total. The atmosphere was quiet and refined. If you go, be prepared for an enjoyable time but at a cost.

I had not been the Hayes Street Grill in more than a year, and remembered good if expensive meals in the past. We went without reservations for a late dinner at 8:45 on a Friday after a SF Symphony concert. We were immediately seated, since there were many available tables. Service was friendly but perfunctory, and ambiance was quiet enough to discuss the concert. We ordered just glasses of wine and entrees (boudin blanc with fries, and sole). Unexpectedly, the entrees arrived at our table before the wine arrived; the waiter apologized, saying that the bar was backed up! No mayo, ketchup, or aioli offered with the fries. Final price included a service fee and with tax was more than $40 each. Convenient to the symphony, and nicely prepared food, but not a great value.

We went for an early dinner and had a terrific meal. The grilled calamari with butterbeans was great. My wife had scallops on a White Corn Succotash which was to die for and my sole with chanterelle mushrooms must be a signature dish. I you go you MUST have the buttermilk pannacotta with meyer lemon gelee for desert.

While on holiday in San Fran we visited numerous restaurants and we came back to this one which says something. On both visits we had different fish courses and the quality and flavour was superb. The staff tell you that they lightly cook the fish and hence if you prefer it cooked more you can. I always prefer my fish lightly cooked and hence this suited me perfectly; as requested, the Salmon was lovely and pink and the Halibut translucent. The scallops were also lovely, the sweet corn combination was a bit odd for me, but hey, it was still good. Wine selection was good, I recommend the Chablis. Tom was an excellent waiter on both our visits - thanks very much! Needless to say, I highly recommend a visit.

I've been coming to this restaurant since moving to San Francisco in 1987! The quality is the same -- even some of the servers are still here. Wonderful, simply prepared seafood and salads. Order whatever they have for the fruit crisp of the day!

I ate at the Hayes Street Grill before attending a performance of Siegfried. The grilled sea bass with french fries accompanied by the sauvignon blanc was exactly what was needed in advance of 5 hours of Wagner.

I frequent this spot several times a month and have never been disappointed in the deliverables, great service, good menu and always a value for the food, same wait staff makes you feel welcome, love this spot.

We ate here before the SF Symphony. Lovely people, atmosphere, and food. Thank you Hayes Street Grill. We’ll be back.

We have eaten at Hayes Street Grill at least a dozen times over the years. We live in the East Bay so are not tourists. When it is just the two of us we prefer to dine at the bar. Today we arrived after the lunch rush and as we entered the bar area not a single employee greeted us. There were two seats available at the bar except that a patron had decided to give one of them to his backpack. The bartender asked him if he could remove it but he seemed apologetic since the guy was a regular. And here is the problem with HSG: if you ain't a regular they treat you like you don't matter to them. The bartender/server never asked if we needed anything, never engaged us in any conversation as he did with patrons he knew, and basically ignored us the entire time we were there. We spent over $100 for lunch, and while the food and wine were very nice, the service was deplorable. We are never going back. Get a clue Hayes Street Grill!

Nice spot, good food and service..... especially convenient for attending opera or symphony. Fresh fish dishes were favored.

Always consistent in the seafood deppartment, but that's not all. The food is always fresh and seasonal delicacies are the lead items.

We had a pre-opera dinner here and they did a super job of making it seem not rushed though they had to get all of us up and out in under two hours. Great pate and fish and the desserts looked good though we didn't have time to test them.

Hayes Street Grill is one of my favorites in SF and I booked a table weeks ahead. Although it did not detract from my enjoyment there was an issue with the bar and I consider my waiter blameless. I ordered a golden rum on the rocks to enjoy with oysters. The waiter returned saying the bar didn't stock golden rum so I substituted a well-known brand of premium Scotch. The oysters arrived quickly but 15 minutes later my drink had not and my waiter had disappeared so I asked another waiter to investigate. My waiter finally returned to say that the bar didn't stock that brand. I substituted again and the drink arrived quickly. The rest of the meal was perfect in every way.

Very high end place without high end prices (at least by SF standards). Service was very professional. Very close to the Opera. Fish is the specialty. Highly recommended.

In the 25 years that I've been enjoying meals at Hayes Street Grill, I've seen no fads appear on plates (they may have flirted briefly with goat cheese and kiwi, I don't remember), no expansion of facilities or menu length, no dip whatsoever in quality (they serve some of the finest fish in town, always fresh), no distracting flash-in-the-pan frills such as food towers, gels, or foams. The only changes I've noticed are that their excellent fries are now a little less hard-fried, less salty, and of a less guilty quantity; you can substitute sauteed greens for fries; and their table salt is a finely flaked fleur de sel, only half the saline by volume. -- So, what do you get at HSG? * An immediate table or counter spot even if you arrive without reservations within 45 minutes of your concert, opera, show, or lecture. * Service that is uncommonly fast if you need it, compassionate, knowledgeable, professional, graceful without mannerisms, and coordinated like a choreography at tempo presto. (And the staff is long-standing: I still recognize over half of them after 25 years, now silver-headed, and nobody appears to have slowed down at all.) * A one-page menu that honors fresh-local-natural and includes both coordinated entrees and choose-a-fish+choose-a-sauce with fries. * Some perennial items: oh thank you, HSG, for leaving the house green salad as it has always been, shallot vinaigrette and all. * A back-of-the-menu wine list of clean, crisply defined, characteristic wines, the best for their food, in a sensible range of prices. -- HSG is my standby: I always know what I'm going to get there, it's always delicious, and I can count on being in and out in 40 minutes when necessary. But, you know what? Even when newer, interesting restaurants in the vicinity have tables, I often choose HSG. Their steadfast insistence on quality reminds me that, really, all's right with the world.

If you want to feel like you're eating with the folks who have lived in San Fransciso their whole lives, plan ahead and book a meal at Hayes St. Grill. It will be packed up until the Symphony (or Opera or SFJazz - all within 2 blocks) concerts start, then will be easier to get a reservation. The specialties are fresh fish dishes, but there is a wonderful selection of local, sustainable salads and meat dishes as well. They pay attention to their ingredients and they pay attention to their cuisine (one of the owners is a noted SF food writer), but the also take good care of their customers. We live in the East Bay, and it is our go-to place for pre-theater dining.

If you're going to an event near the Opera House, Hayes Street is an excellent choice. You can get your fish, meat or chicken cooked with skill from satisfactory ingredients. The interior is dark, crowded and sometimes noisy, but compared to the other available choices in this part of the city, it's a wise place to reserve. Service is quick and unobtrusive. Good customers are recognized.

The place is usually full on concert/opera nights, finally decided to give it a try. A very traditional old fashion place. Service is friendly although they hurry you along. Very limited selection on wines either by the glass or bottle. The food is more midwestern than west coast, bland and not very tasty. The desserts, well, should have skipped. But then one realizes almost all the patrons are quite senior and the setup is most likely catered to a particular set of clientele. So, the adage of location location is the reason, close to the opera house and the symphony hall, they will come regardless. But with so many choices around San Francisco this one should not be on top of the list.

We had planned to attend a concert at the symphony hall and had reservations for 5:00 which gives plenty of time to enjoy a meal and stroll across the street to the venue, but the universe chose otherwise. The power had gone out to over half of the city. We were stuck in traffic in our Lyft. We realized it was faster to walk the rest of the way to the restaurant, so we did. As we continued each block we saw no lights on in any of the businesses. We got to the restaurant and we were delighted to see it lit up in candlelight. The host greeted us warmly, explained that drinks were available but the menu was limited because the kitchen had no power. We enjoyed a delicious Caesar salad, smoked trout toast a Pinot Noir and Roso. The service was impeccable and friendly. The conversation between the tables was jovial and convivial. I was thoroughly impressed with the entire staff. Bravo, bravo! You are all amazing!

This is always a consistently excellent restaurant. The seafood is the freshest and prepared simply but expertly. Service was impeccable.It is an ideal pre-concert choice because of its location near both the symphony hall and the new Jazz Hall..Wines by the glass were primarily California but interesting and reasonable value. I had the Petrale sole and would recommend it highly. Each trip to San Francisco we try to go here and have never been disappointed.

My husband and I were going to the Symphony tonight. We decided to come here because We haven't been here for about a year. We had a great waiter, Sherman, he really took good care of us. The food was excellent, my husband had sand dabs and I had crab cakes. We won't wait so long to come back Also valet parking is great

Despite the latest popular cuisine or edgy venue that seems to surface and then quickly disappear by the month in San Francisco, it's nice to know that Hayes Street Grill still provides meals and service head and shoulders above the rest. True to its mission, the natural flavors of the ingredients shine, without gimmick or confusion. You feel as though you have been transported to a fine European bistro each time you enter. The service is personable and professional. The menu is classic, yet never stodgy. Each course is a delight. At the end of the meal, I always remark about why I haven't been here more often.

Great location near the Symphony, Opera House, and new Jazz Center. They keep on schedule to make sure you are out in time to walk to your event. The fish is exceptional and this last time I had the chicken which is now my favorite. So many flavors and very juicy. The wine list is small but still impressive with a wide range to fit your budget. Most comments say overpriced but in comparison to other nice, classy restaurants in SF they are right on. Enjoy!

I might say this place is hust perfect for business lunch. Not plain, not rich. Nice service and good honest food. The fish was good and a big portion. I had to ask to wrap the rest. Apparently they have one of the best burger around according to my frienda who were having burgers and fries.

Was always a pre-performance favorite. Now they are charging five dollars per person for the San Francisco health mandate. That is their cost of doing business at five dollars per person that can be up to 10% of the total. This is completely unacceptable. Other restaurants feel that they need to charge for what should be the cost of doing business. They don’t charge more than three or 3 1/2%. we will find someplace to eat before the Opera symphony and ballet.

Had a recent mid-week, after-the-symphony rush dinner with a friend. Coming in a little later has the advantage of a much quieter experience. The wait staff was friendly, if a bit inattentive given the number of empty tables. We split an salad with goat cheese which was excellent. We both ordered the halibut which very fresh and done well. My friend ordered the fires which looked good; I ordered rice which was looked and tasted as if it was ordered as Chinese take out. Next time, I'll order the fries. Had a Manhattan which was, good but not great. Overall, a good meal with very nice ambiance and fair service.

We were in San Francisco for a large conference so reservations were hard to get. Our concierge recommended the Hayes Street Grill and we were not disappointed. While some reviews comment on the space being tight, I thought it gave the place a home town feel. Sometimes with close tables it is difficult to have a conversation but this was not the case here. The service was excellant. Apparently you have to have the french fries as I was told by our server. They were delicious. Fish was fresh grilled and also delicious. It is an excellant choice if you are going to the theater or opera as it is a blook away. We walked from Union Square which was a hike but doable. I would recommend this restaurant.

We were here for lunch and really enjoyed it. Small, quaint restaurant with old classic style ambiance. My wife ordered the petrale sole with chanterelles which was very flavorful and a good sized portion. I ordered the steelhead which was grilled and also really enjoyed it..very flavorable. There is a about half a dozen fresh fish options available for grilling with several sauce options. We ordered a green salad to start which which was ok....too acidic for both of us.

Pleasant restaurant, with attentive staff, nice and simple atmosphere, good bar, and good food. Restaurant easily accomodated our party of six on a busy Saturday evening.

We picked this restaurant due to its close proximity to the New Conservatory Theater. We made on-line reservations and we were immediately seated upon arrival. The waiter asked if we were going to a show and what time it started. Service was fast. The food was very good. We had the sword fish, pork chop, steak, and crab cakes. All meals were delishious with big servings. We started with the warm goat cheese salad. We finished with coffee and chocolate cake. Our glasses were never empty. The staff was friendly. We made the show with plenty of time to spare. We would go back here.

The best thing I can say about Hayes Street Grille is it's convenient and the food is very traditional. If you have tickets to the opera, symphony, ballet or SF Jazz Center, this restaurant provides a quick serve and a very predictable meal. But, in my opinion it's way over-priced and and far from an enjoyable dining experience. The menu hasn't changed in years, with the exception of the french fries which are over salted and are now served in noticeably smaller portions. The noise level on a crowded evening is intolerably loud, the service brusque. In one instance our server was just short of being rude. When asked to filet my fish, she replied, "I'll show you how, but I'm too busy now." Hayes Street Grille, specializes in seafood, mostly grilled or sauteed. The menu has little or no variety. If you're looking for a great seafood experience in San Francisco, Hayes Street Grille definitely is not the place to go. And, it's expensive! The only thing this restaurant has going for it is its location!.

Very nice bistro. Well edited menu and dishes were excellent. Attentive but not cloying service. Quiet enough for a business conversation. Nice bar.

One of the best dining experience in this area. I have only been here twice and both times I ordered the burger because it is delicious! Neiman Ranch beef patty that is thick and cooked perfectly to your spec. They will add cheese if you like and it's a lovely dry cheddar. Both times, services were excellent. Friendly and everything on point without being stuck up. I can't wait to try other dishes here. The clientele here tend to be a bit more suited up, or the opera, ballet crowd. Prices are a little higher than other restaurants nearby, but food/service are worth it.

What can you say about a place that consistently delivers first rate seafood, service and a casual ambience...the best!

This Classic fish house in Hayes Valley has been cooking good meals for over 40 years. White tablecloths, great, experienced wait staff and a really fun bar. Any of the seafood dishes, the fish and pork chop are all extremely fresh and well prepared. The pan fried oysters cannot be beat. They have nice salads and french fries, along with an acceptable coleslaw, but could benefit from some good veggies with their entrees. The veggies always seem over done. Nice hot fudge sunday and good crisps in the summer. Hint: Do not go on a really hot day...not air-conditioning....

The tables are close together as some people mention, but that's because the place very popular. Great place to eat if you are going to the symphony. The food is great. I had halibut and chose the lemon sauce. Spectacular. The warn goat cheese salad was unique and great. A little noisy and crowded. Service was good and food was exceptional.

Really convenient to performing arts venues. fills up to the brim and service plummets. great for fish and seafood. this is not a cheap place to eat.

A first visit with friends mid-week. Excellent fish menu, lots of selections beyond the ordinary, and all fresh and tasty. Our group had the butter fish, salmon and sole...all delicious. Our waiter enlarged the starter to serve 4 (usually serves 2-3) and we thoroughly enjoyed the smoked trout toast...yum! Nice wine selections by the glass and bottles. Service was attentive and friendly and we were seated immediately. Parking on the street was not available at our reservation time, but the performing arts garage is only 2 blocks away.

In a city of good restaurants the Hayes Street Grill gets it right on so many levels. The dining rooms are sensibly sized, the sound levels never become so overpowering that conversation is impossible, the service is efficient and the food is produced with sensitivity and real skill. We had the halibut - cooked to perfection. The thoughtful wine list had the Grgich Hills Fume Blanc - a wine served by President Reagan to the French President in the US embassy in Paris at the time of the Bicentennial . At $50 for a bottle an underpriced marvel. This restaurant exudes quiet quality. We were rather surprised that at dinner time on a Saturday night the entire dining room emptied on the dot of eight. Theater goers clearly know that this is a place for pre or post dinner sustenance. We will go again.

We had dinner on a Thursday night - after any performances had started to the restaurant was only about half full. We had a great meal - in summary good, fresh, relatively simple food cooked well. The salads were nice and fresh and well made (not over dressed) and the grilled fish was well cooked. It came with a sauce on the side but was better by itself. The wine selection seemed reasonably priced and the bottle we had was good and went well with the food. The service was excellent - the waiter there when needed and providing good assistance, but without being over bearing. If I was a local I think I would be a regular guest.

This was an amazing restaurant in every sense of the word. Recommended by hotel and our party of four were not disappointed! Seafood is their specialty, and fresh and prepared to perfection. An amazing tomato and fresh ricotta salad to start. Their deserts were excellent. Prices were moderate and service was ok.

This was our first time dining here. My mom and I enjoyed our dinner before the show. I had the Roasted Butternut Squash Soup and the Grilled Mahi Mahi. Both were delicious. But I loved the Meyer Lemon Chiffon Mousse with Candied Buddha’s Hand—I could have easily had a second helping of dessert. Service was friendly but a little hectic—I think most of us were going to the show. There was nearby parking—easy walking to the restaurant.

We had dinner there last night. Food and services were wonderful. Our waiter, Jack, was super knowledgeable and friendly, gave us plenty of time to think and enjoy ourselves but was always there when we needed him. We had a selection of apitizers that we shared and we had the pork chop, Swordfish and sea bass and wall were amazing. Thoroughly recommend this place.

Good service. Not crowded, as there was not a matinee at nearby venues. Pasta selections were excellent. Birthday treat for a friend.

I've been going to the Hayes Street Grill since it started, may be 30 years ago. It remains an excellent sea food restaurant, although it has other things as well. Last week I had the most wonderful grilled halibut there. I always start with one of their excellent salads. Wine list is more than adequate, service very professional. It's a great choice for pre-opera, ballet, or symphony dining -- they get you out on time without every creating a rushed feeling. Pre-curtain reservations at least 10 days in advance are a must.

Our friend took us to Hayes Street Grill for lunch. This is the sort of place that makes me wish TripAdvisor had a ten-star rating scale, because it’s SO far above about 99.9999% of all other restaurants, and I’d love to make clear just how distinctive it is. The Half Moon Bay Petrale Sole that my wife and I got was absolutely wonderful. But the real hit of the meal was the Radicchio Salad with Pomegranate that we split three-ways: what a revelation! A perfect dressing, really tasty greens…everything you could ever ask for in a salad. The dining room, decorated with signed photos of actors and other performers/arts people, was airy, bright and quiet. The place had a festive, happy atmosphere, with many young girls eating with their parents ahead of going to see a matinee performance of the Nutcracker ballet at the nearby Comcert Hall. Our waitress was totally professional. Everything about this place was spectacular.

The Hayes Street Grill is a cozy place to dine. The food is great as well. I had Paella, which was not quite traditional (more like chipping with rice), but delicious. My wife's halibut was done just right. Lastly, our waiter was exceptional.

This is the perfect San Franciso restaurant for fresh and delicious seafood. Forget Fisherman's Warf, this is the place to go. A traditional bistro, HSG offers a variety of fresh grilled and sauteed fish, served with the most wonderful french fries and sauces. I've been going there for years; the quality is consistent and so is the great service. They serve folks who go to the nearby Performing Arts Center (opera, symphony, jazz) and pre-performance reservations are a good idea. But come 7:00pm things calm down and that's the best time to enjoy a quiet, relaxed and wonderfully traditional dinner.

I have been coming her for many years, and I admit I love this place. The simplicity of the grilled fish with choice of sauce, the fries that are as good as they come, the vanilla ice cream with flavorful and substantial chocolate sauce and toasted nuts - it's all so good. the staff has been VERY stable and do a great job of serving, without being obtrusive. Good fish is expensive, so this meal does not come cheaply, but it is worth it. A delicious dinner, well served.

This is a popular pre-concert destination for people going to the San Francisco Symphony or other shows. The walls are completely covered in signed portraits of famous musicians including many of the music directors of the San Francisco Symphony (possibly other celebrities, but I'm a musician so that's what I noticed). The wait staff was incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. The menu is simple and elegant, and the food was prepared to perfection. My impression is that the real reason people come here is for the great fish. The traditional menu lists several different types of fish and several preparations, so you can mix-and-match if you would like, or you can select from a few other complete entree options if that doesn't appeal to you. Since most of the crowd is off to a concert after they eat, if you go around 8:00pm, you will have most of the restaurant to yourself. This is a place that is definitely worth going out of your way for!

Once upon a time, the Hayes Valley was a no-man's land. This restaurant was the pioneer that revived the area and made it one of the more charming streets in San Francisco. The Hayes Street Grill specializes in fish, although there are a couple of meaty offerings for those who prefer it. If sand dabs are on the menu, be sure to try this delicious local speciality.

This is the best seafood restaurant in San Francisco. If you are looking for a very trendy restaurant, with tiny portions and appetizers and entrees that look like they are gift wrapped art objects from a Paris boutique - look elsewhere. This restaurant serves real food, mostly fish, very well prepared, with simple classic sauces. Great service by knowledgeable wait staff. They will ask you how well done you want your fish cooked, and it comes just that way. Has a reasonable wine list. I had halibut, my partner had opah, and others had sea bass. All were excellent. Other fish on the menu included Black cod, Dungeness crab, scallops, Petrale sole, and pan fried oysters. Salads were also excellent. I had a warm goat cheese and green salad, - perfection. Desserts offered included a Meyer lemon chiffon mousse, creme brulee, and strawberries and rhubarb with pound cake and whipped cream. Everyone raved about the deserts. The restaurant has become a favorite for dinner before the nearby symphony, ballet, and opera, and is often crowded during the early evening. Less crowded during luncheon.

The food (scallops over beans/veggies) was good, but the bartender never checked back & acted like it was a chore to get another drink

Tried for early dinner. Split pea soup is great. Crab cakes excellent. Grilled calimari was ok, are used to deep fried in Brookings. But was good for a change. Sat at the bar and visited with locals who eat here regularly. Have put it on our return list.

My wife and I both ordered the shrimp louis salad. The dressing was spectacular with an abundance of shrimp as well as avocado slices, a hard boiled egg, peas, shaved radishes and cucumber cubes, and lettuce. The salad was a meal so filling we declined dessert.

Let me start out by saying this place has been around for a long time and is somewhat of a destination. This incident occurred on a busy Saturday night, prime time. I was 'tasked' to accompany some folks to this restaurant and help them get 'situated'. A reservation had been made by someone else and apparently during the course of the afternoon had been adjusted ( number of people for table ) at least twice. The diners happened to be some fairly legendary music & cultural folks who are quite humble and in no way do the 'I'm a star so treat me better thing'. I approached the maitre d' to let him know the party was present and ready to be seated. I immediately began to get some hostility about the reservation having been changed and that it was a busy Sat. night...blah blah. I was very calm & apologetic even though no one in the party had anything to do with making the reservation. There were 8 people who needed to dine however there was a table that could only seat 5 at best. Fortunately the 'rock star' w/o any attitude simply left with his wife & friends which left me to dine with another fairly well know individual & his wife both in their late 70's. When we were seated the maitre d as well as the waiter in very loud voices berated us publicly for the snafu. Those seated around us clearly heard the entire tirade. After a few moments of 'shell shock' the waiter asked if we minded moving to a smaller table and we were happy to do so. It's difficult to comment on the quality of the food after having been subjected to such verbal abuse. After our meal as we were exiting I approached the maitre d and quietly but in a very forceful way told him to never ever address anyone in such a manner as he had addressed us and never speak to me in such a way. I patted his shoulder and walked out with my friends, one of whom has quite a difficult time with his mobility. As my friends were making there way out the door the maitre d came running outside and said to me 'you're an as*h**e'. Needless to say the entire experience was traumatic and such behavior & attitude on by staff should never ever be permitted or tolerated. Am sorry to have to write such a negative review however this was my personal experience,

We had dinner last week at Hayes Street Grill. We were so happy with our choice to eat here. If you are looking for delicious fish ( sauces on the side) in an old school not so hip setting with no pretenses this is your place. We each has one of the three choices of fish and everybody was happy. Two of us had the salad with goat cheese, delicious also. Fries and jasmine rice perfect sides for the fish, couldn't have been happier.

We are dinner here with a group of seven. The atmosphere was great; conducive to group conversation and good lighting. We ordered different fish dishes and I was underwhelmed by the presentation and lack of seasoning/ taste. The appetizers and salads were on the same wave length. For these prices, was hoping for a large piece of fish and some veggies.

I really like the old San Francisco atmosphere here. We had some awesome fried oysters, the french fries rock: non-greasy and perfect size portion, the fish we ordered was fresh and tasty. Big mark up on the wine but nice selection. Enjoyed a yummy hot fudge sundae that was the perfect size. Good service and overall a nice City experience.

Its really hard to write a review of this restaurant as its hard to find decent affordable food in this city as everything is sooo overpriced. Its super busy before opera and theatre,and the clientele reflect the prices of theatre tickets. If you can pay $225 for Hamilton then maybe this seems cheap Coming from London (an expensive city) $26 for half a crab bit of lemon and mayonaise is a bit scary given its a sea port and its a fish based menu. The staff are older and very attentive and kind but theres nothing exciting or innovative food wise happening here just an expensive upmarket grill. We spent over $120 for not very much but maybe its not their fault prices are just ridiculous in the city

The name of this place is misleading. We stopped by for a visit on our way to a SFJAZZ show, being unable to get into any of the nearby restaurants without a reservation on Saturday night. What an unexpected treat! Although bustling and a bit noisy, the menu was quite sophisticated and the food was fantastic!

We happen to really like the Hayes Street Grill and started coming here many years ago when the menu was on a chalkboard. We live a few hours away and only go a few times a year before ballet performances, but we always feel welcome, cared for, and well fed. Yes, it's not cheap but this is San Francisco. I never miss an opportunity to order the swordfish with beurre blanc sauce. Delectable. The decor is simple and fresh, the service is polished, the drinks are delicious, the food is fresh and simply served. Oh, and we like to share the hot fudge sundae as an after-dinner treat. It can be noisy and it can be a bit stuffy on a warm day, but it's quintessential San Francisco and we love it.

My friend and I enjoyed our recent dining experience here, my first time. It is very close to Davies Hall, a big plus. The ambiance of the restaurant is pleasant, with warm lighting. Both the host and waiter were gracious and accommodating. My friend was late in arriving and I enjoyed a cocktail while waiting for her. We shared cracked crab, a small side salad, and a sauteed white fish I was not familiar with. Everything was good-tasting; the crab was fresh. The portion size of the sauteed fish was perhaps a bit small.

I think it's been at least 20 years since I'd eaten here, and a friend suggested we go. Was pleasantly surprised that the food was excellent, and better than I'd remembered it. Service very good and quite cordial, except that we were never offered any bread with the meal. Not sure if that was an oversight or considered an extra food item here. Would have been a 5 star review if we'd been served some bread after our orders were taken. I had a salad with fig, melon, and yogurt dressing which was superb. I'd gladly order that salad again and recommend it. Also had the Pork Chop which was generously sized and cooked perfectly. The meat was tender and flavorful--about as good as a pork chop gets. We did not have desserts, but no dessert needed. The two "dirty" gin martinis I had before and during dinner were well crafted.

Hayes Street Grill has become a bit old fashioned and thus is no longer the super-popular place it once was. Still very reliable for simple grilled fish dinners. Professional service.

Absolutely delicious food! Love this place. Service was excellent. My sole couldn't not have been more perfectly prepared. Can hardly wait to go back!

Started with the peekytoe crab & endive salad to share, but for $16 it was sized more for an individual serving. Entrees were scallops, good but for $28 only got four; the petrale sole which was cooked perfectly, but small for $30; lastly crab cakes, only two smallish cakes for $30. The most outrageously priced item was dessert, $10 for the chocolate silk torte which was the skinniest sliver of cake I have ever seen (maybe 1.5 inches at it's widest end), not even enough for one person.

This is an odd, schizoid place. It looks like a nasty NYC diner with the addition of tablecloths. The waitstaff is overly familiar (like diner waiters) and rather schlubby. The food however is quite refined and belongs in a different restaurant. Prices are on the high side and correspond to the food, rather than the decor and service.

We attended a wonderful Disney symphony event last December 2014 in San Francisco and made a reservation at the Hayes Street Grill to start the evening. To understand this review, it is important to understand that I am a 200 pound, 74" male that burns up over 500 calories a day, so the quantity of food received is just as important as its quality. And that is where the Hayes Street Grill falls short. We started with a $13 salad with butter beans and a nice vinegarette dressing. I was unpleasantly surprised by the small size of the salad, and the waiter almost apologized for the butter beans. The main course was a seasoned salmon with a rice side, and it was very tasty. In face, I could have eaten two more of those entrees easily. The dessert was uninspiring and not worth further comment. We walked out of there after putting $152 on my credit card, including tip. Please understand that our waiter was great and the bill included two mixed drinks that were okay. However, I cannot recommend any place where you drop over $150 and still look forward to a future hamburger after the evening is over. One last observation: the restaurant is relatively small in size , and one could become claustraphobic if seated in the corner. For those patrons who are accustomed to the ways of San Francisco, this review will probably seem unfair. For anyone from the other 49 states and over half of the other counties in California, my recommendation is to save your visit to a fancy restaurant for Lake Tahoe or any other resort city, where the bill will be half and the quantity of food will be double. Then, you will leave with confidence that you received what you paid for.

My mom and I went here pre-opera. We ate in the bar, as we did not have a reservation. The space is tight. The menu is a bit pricy. The food was great and the portions were anything but small. I had a bowl of mushroom soup, which was amazing, and their house made sausages that were delicious. I recommend this restaurant for quality and service. If you are looking for a low price, it might not be your place.

We came early, but at the last minute, during a very crowed time in SF but were seated immediately. The service was friendly and professional. The halibut was perfect as was the Paella.

Having been around for 41 years, they must be doing something right. And they are. Well prepared seafood is their specialty with a great and interesting wine list. We had grilled sardines on a delicious frisée salad and a good, but not great Paella. A fantastic Rosso de Montalcino accompanied this meal. Great pre theater place for dinner.

It's fresh and it's prepared perfectly, what more could you ask for. Very nice menu offering the freshest local seafood as well as some from across the country. Old school waiters add to the experience. Be sure to get a reservation as Hayes Street Grill is very popular with theater and opera goers. It empties out early on those nights.Tables are a bit close together but noise level is reasonable.

We went for dinner. Grilled asparagus, Halibut and fries, fresh strawberries with meringue and ice cream. Simple fare prepared with care. Thoughtful wine list and a sensible selection of wines by the glass. Fine dining as it used to be - fresh ingredients, knowledgeable chefs, friendly and efficient front of house. Thought and professionalism mark this place out.

I had a chance to meet some old and new friends over dinner at Hayes Street Grill while visiting San Francisco recently. Very good service that obviously remembers well their regular customers (my old friends) and their preferences. The décor was decent, the menu offered reasonable variety, the prices for that class of restaurant were reasonable, and the food was served in timely fashion, at the right temperature, with attractive plating, and tasted good. I don't know that I'd go out of my way to return, but if I certainly wouldn't mind returning. (And, for what it's worth, the French fries that they're obviously very proud of were indeed good, but I wouldn't say they're the best I've ever had. Of course, there are so many different ways to make French fries, and so many different tastes, that it's impossible to please everybody with any given preparation of this food.)

This is our favorite restaurant in San Francisco. It is low key, mostly local patrons, with excellent seafood and and other tasty items. The servers are very good with some having been there 20/30 years. Sherman is a real pro !

I have not visited in decades! I was so pleased with the entire meal and the service is excellent. Well informed wait staff. Great wine list and the best fish. Must do the anchovies and if they have Petrale sole, go for it! Great martini's too!

Had dinner there last night before the opera. It's a shame this place isn't better, given its location. Service was very good. My entree (paella) was brought out cold. Send it back and got a hot one. Reallyt isn't a paella in the true definition. More just spicy seafood, chorizo and rice. Decent but not great. My friend had the salmon and liked it. They have a good wine list and selection of wines-by-the-glass. Also have good gluten free options. All in all, its an okay place near the civic center. Not great and probably not worth the price.

The restaurant is beautiful, welcoming, nicely located. I did not think that the food or the wine lived up to the prices that were charged for it, but it was fresh and well-prepared. I think that it might be time for them to move on from their ubiquitous french fries!

Hayes Street Grill delivers honest well conceived and well executed food. I was worried a few years back that things were slipping here. But a recent visit showed the ship was righted again. Preparations were well done. Simple, straight ahead and fresh. Grilled salmon, was just that. Nothing fancy. Served with choices of sauce. The beurre blanc was excellent. Starter salads were also just what they should be. Don't go here looking for the latest food fad. Instead rejoice in the fact that simple is good. Our server was friendly and good natured and basically incompetent as hell. But he could be directed to do what he had to.

The Hayes Street Grill is within a block or two of Symphony Hall, the Opera House and City Hall. The food tends toward simple, grilled fish with fries (delicious) but there are other dishes like pork chops and sausages. Our party of four averaged two courses per person, three of us shared a bottle of good California wine while the fourth had a glass of white wine (also CA). The price was aboout $68 per person including tax and tip. It was easy for the four of us to converse all evening. The place emptied out at curtain time approached, which made it even less noisy.

Visited on the off chance, having just arrived form the airport. Restaurant was very busy (Saturday evening pre theatre) but we were welcomed and accommodated in a nice setting. Food (fish) was simple, well presented and delicious, as was the vegetable sides. The restaurant had a lot of atmosphere and history (judging by the number of celebrity photographs.

First of all, this is a very handy place to eat if you will be going to a concert. They are very aware of the need for people to eat and get to concert hall on time. We had a group of nine and half of us were stuck in traffic and arrived late. The waiter and staff didn't make us feel uncomfortable about that. Our waiter was friendly and helpful with suggestions. He was attentive and patient. This is a San Francisco restaurant and does have items that are a bit pricey. See menu. They specialize in fish. They have several options of sustainable fish and offer each with about 6 sauces that you can choose from to specialize the choice. I think everyone enjoyed their different white fish options (though the fries that several had were a bit over cooked). I ordered the Prawns and polenta which was excellent. I also traded a Prawn for a scallop with my sister and felt it was also delicious. I would suggest either of these dishes. I also really enjoyed my goat cheese pre-entree salad.

We go to Hayes Street several times a year in its perfect locations near symphony hall and the opera houses and have been doing so for many years. Little has changed: fresh fish any way you like it, unbelievable french fries, excellent salads, and great service from career waiters you've known for years. It can feel a little crowded- but never rushed- and sometimes you might wish for a new look here or there, but its reliability and the good and reasonable wine list keep you coming back again an again. Looks like a good bar scene and relaxed place after the music crowd has left, but everyone leaves hayes Street in a good and satisfied mood.

We stopped in here for dinner while wondering through Hayes Valley for two main reasons: they had a table available and it wasn't too noisy. We all enjoyed our meal (the steak was exceptionally good per our steak maven) and at $170 for 3 adults (including a glass of wine each) it was a good value. I wouldn't make a special trip to eat here but if you are in Hayes Valley it's a good choice.

This place is definitely not an economy joint. But the food was quite nice and I literally had the best espresso of my entire trip here.

We had dinner here before a symphony concert as it is a short walk to any of the performance venues for the symphony, opera, ballet, jazz in San Francisco. The staff is very helpful in keeping you on schedule to get to your performance on time. The food is very good and prices are about the same as elsewhere in the City.

The pork chop dinner that they serve here is the best I have ever eaten anywhere in the United States. The flavor, the tenderness is beyond compare. I only wear that I could get the recipe or their Niman ranch pork chops so that I could cook them at home. If you love pork chops, this is the be all, and all.

Went here with my Mom for my Birthday dinner prior to Symphony concert. What a gem of a place. Casual - local feel with a fantastic menu. Food and service did not disappoint. Spoke to some locals who come to the restaurant regularly. Tables for 2 very close in proximity, but we had fun. I will be back!

Attended matinee at SFJAZZ and wanted to grab early dinner before driving back to South Bay. So booked 5:00 PM just when they open assuming we would be in an empty restaurant. Surprise we were in a line extending out the door and within a half-hour every table in the dining room was filled. The ambience reminds me of mid-town Manhattan with VERY close tables and little elbow room. Definitely do not discuss any national secrets as many ears will be listening. Once over the tight quarters everything else was great. Came immediately with water and asked if we wanted bread (not automatic). Waitress was on top of our needs without being obtrusive even though she had a good number of tables to serve. Then the food - started with beet salad. The salad was was cold, the plates were cold and beets and fennel with walnuts and blue cheese were perfect. Judi had the big scallops served over a butternut squash purée; she raved. I had the best fried oysters ever; sweet, juicy in a deep fried golden brown breadcrumb coating. French fries were firm but not greasy. Only the coleslaw was a little weak but not awful; I am very fussy about my coleslaw so this isn’t a negative. Skipped desert but had a cappuccino that was very close to what one might expect in Rome or Florence. With two glasses of wine and a tip we dropped about $150: very reasonable for the quality.

Was here years ago and have fond memories. But disappointed this time: 1. My Swordfish was overcooked (even though the waiter assumed me it would be medium rare). 2. The portion size was very small and it was cut too thin. 3. No Pinot Noir available on the menu by the glass. Pinot is one of the best red wines to go with fish. Had to order a bottle for 2 of us with only very expensive or unknown choices. Service was very professional and excellent. Byron Rouda

Excellent food and good service. We showed up ~5:00PM without a reservation and were seated immediately. The menu is prepared and printed on a daily basis and had quite a few offerings of interest. The service was very attentive and the food was served piping hot. We noticed as time went by that the restaurant filled up very quickly and most people coming in had a reservation. It was a Friday night, so not surprising. We will definitely go back next time we are in town (probably with a reservation).

We were taking our granddaughter to see the ballet at the opera house and wanted to treat her to a meal first. It was busy and the service was somewhat spotty but the food was good. The crab cakes were excellent as was the swordfish. There was a scallop salad on the menu that day and I went for that. Scallops were very fresh and perfectly cooked. We shared a creme brûlée which was also good.

We often dine here before a performance at the Opera House or Davies Hall and last night's was excellent as always. The place is always hopping pre-theater and clears out around 7:30 - 7:45 so a table after 8 PM is easy to book. I had 6 great oysters and soft shell crab and my wife had a simple and delicious green salad and scallops. Only complaint was the extraordinary strength of my wife's Gin & Tonic. Too much Gin made it unbalanced.

Close to symphony so went after. Food was very good . Had the pre -fix dinner and every course was great!

The food is fresh and perfectly cooked, with local ingredients predominating. The ambiance and atmosphere are both well done and dinner was great.

It was a nice place to have a Drink and Snack at the bar before a concert nearby! Great Service and Friendly!

This place is little and charming. The menu is small, but full of fresh delicious dishes. Our group had a variety of dishes, and all were wonderful. Our waiter, Tom, was terrific and attentive to some specific dietary needs we had. The fish was amazing and fresh and delicious!

We went for dinner on a Saturday night, with 7:30 p.m. reservations - after the Symphony crowd had finished dinner, and the restaurant was very quiet. Had a nice round table for the five of us and good service from Jack. As others have mentioned the seafood isn't great. I chose the grilled skate which was seems to have been grilled filleted and was consequently rather dry despite my requesting it medium rare. My wife's fish dish was also rather dry despite requesting medium cooking. All our dishes were served without vegetables - only french fries. The wine list is good and prices aren't ridiculous.

We had a lovely dinner at Hayes Street Grill ahead of our show the other night. Traffic was a beast and we were 18 mins late for our reservation. We were looking at open tables and there were none at our estimated arrival, but upon calling (right before our reservation time), we were assured we would be accommodated. As we were seated, we were greeted by our server, who inquired as to if we were attending a show. This was a nice touch as we now both knew our "hard stop". Service was gracious and we were allowed time to settle in and pause between courses, but we were kept on track and ended up paid with time to walk to our next destination, grab a drink, and take our seats. Nicely done. We enjoyed a half dozen delicious oysters with a classic mignonette, split a salad with buttermilk blue cheese dressing and watermelon radishes (spot-on), and then were guided to our entrée choices by our server. I had the crab cakes - these were delicious and with barely any filler. The french fries that accompany the cakes were great. Hubby had the sole with chanterelles and fingerling potatoes with a lovely sauce. Both entrees were fabulous, and well portioned. Martinis to start were perfect and glasses of Chardonnay with our entrees were nice. This is not a trendy or avant garde dining location. This is classic American fare, heavy on seafood options. Perfectly prepared, well portioned (looking at all the plates passing by), and looked to be enjoyed by all. The menu isn't huge, but large enough to accommodate all. The wine list was a decent size and the by-the-glass list on the short side, but covered all the standards. This restaurant does have a kids menu and was nicely accommodating a large family group near us (kids burgers looked good).

It had been a while since we were last in SF but a visit to this wonderful restaurant is always a "must." Excellent service but, more importantly, outstanding food experience. We each had their petrale sole -- done with some unusual mushrooms and fingerling potatoes. Superb!!!

Always trying new spots around Davies Hall...Hayes Street came highly reccommended...it was ok just not great...the place is quite small so table are extremely close together...noise is high when full of diners..service was spot on....the salad was good, Salmon was nice with Beurre Blance sauce...the french fries were ok.....don't think it will be on our return to list!

Well prepared fish dishes if on the skimpy side. The fries this time did not live up to past experience. Usually GREAT! These were cold bits of chip ends. Wine is typically SF pricey. If restaurants only realized that they would sell more, for more profit if prices were more reasonable (twice wholesale.)

Met my friend here for a midweek lunch. Nothing that you would not expect; neither great nor terrible. Easy enough on the wallet.

Visited for Saturday breakfast and glad we did - a deservedly popular spot, great breakfast, top bacon! And the location's pretty good too!

My 'go to" place for many years......first visit in a long time. Meal not up to standard and majorly lacking in presentation....fish, sliced mushrooms, fingerling potatoes all piled together with nondescript sauce...a big plate of tan mess! Not worth the price. The staff, however, remain courteous and friendly.

This the 2nd time visiting the Hayes Street Grill prior to going to see the Colors of Christmas Musical in SF. Both times we visited the service, the atmosphere and the food was wonderful to our party. Everything is sold a la cart. We were a party of 8. We had bread and butter on the tables, variety of drinks, and a variety of appetizers including Butternut Squash soup, some type of Beet salad, and steam Oysters. Lastly a variety of entrees included Scallops, Petrale fish, and oysters fried in buttermilk, etc. and everything was excellent. We ran out of time and was not able to get desert. Maybe next time! We will go back if we attend next year. Expect to spend minimal $50 - $65 per person (includes a drink, food & tip). It is a little pricey but the location is great for us it is close to Musical we attend.

After attending the Theatre to see Kinky Boots, we decided to make dinner reservations at The Hayes Street Grill. It has been around for ages, and it doesn't disappoint. Service is friendly and accommodating, the menu changes daily, and our dinner was delicious. The only down side I felt was that the tables were very closely arranged. Yet it is the Christmas season and the place was packed. I would recommend having dinner here.

A nice atmosphere, friendly and attentive staff, and an attractive and well cooked menu made this visit very enjoyable. It's a classic grill restaurant with an old school feel and presentation standards are high. Hayes Street offers many alternatives, but this is one of the two classiest.

We dined at Hayes Street Grill recently with friends, always a good selection of fresh fish and delicious fries. Cesar salad excellent, and interesting choice of sauces for your seafood selection.

I have eaten at Hayes Street Grill at least 4-5 times over the years of visiting SF from NY. Once again, this was a wonderful experience! My wife and I went with eight other friends and each of us came away very satisfied. The persimmon-smoked trout appetizer was mouth-watering delicious as was my petrale sole (a local SF favorite). Dessert was also very good. The restaurant was quiet enough for easy conversation. Also I should note that Jack, our waiter, was first-rate and funny to boot!

The Grill has all the trappings of a classic San Francisco grill but last night there were too many misses to make it a favorite. It was our first visit and the maitre'd sat us at two bad tables notwithstanding the many tables that were available. The food was acceptable although not outstanding enough to be consistent with $30 for petrale sole with chanterelles, which to my taste, overwhelmed the delicate fish. The caeser salad was $14, with an acceptable size but with an acidy taste. I bemoaned the lovely green salad ordered by another table and wished I had ordered that. Paella was just good, but small. Service was prompt, if moderately unfriendly. It has the bones, location and reputation to be exceptional...but it is a real miss. I think they need new management.

The food at Hayes St Grill is always good- the ingredients are local and sourced responsibly, but really none of that matters when you've tasted every dish and they just keep getting better. The atmosphere is comfortable, the seating is ample and the lighting isn't too d that you can't read the menu (a personal pet peeve). If you appreciate delicious and sustainable food- this is a must have dining experience.

I was last here years ago; took an out of town friend. Overall: meh. Dry, unimaginative fish. Fritto mixto soggy, kinda greasy, warm, not hot. Couldn't even get excited about dessert. Even the interior, while clean, feels a little tired. Friendly staff.

3½* Hayes Street Grill 320 Hayes SF 94102 Happening place, high noise level; tables are close together; recommend reservations Near the Davies Symphony & Opera House; very convenient for performances Hostess was less than gracious Also, a lot of children were with parents and grandparents (some naughty; some nice) provided for a less than optimal ambience; some parents can be rather inconsiderate, do you think? Nice wines by the glass; also have beer; and full bar Great Caesar salad; I even loved the croutons which I normally don’t eat Ono was good, but the sausages (served with arugula salad and fries) were the best Waiter Justine was friendly Bus person Luis was excellent and did all the heavy lifting in terms of food service Very nice sourdough house bread Delish apple crisp dessert Nice after dinner coffee; but coffee drink from the bar was not served hot, try warm

After the opera, this eatery just several blocks south of the opera house is a go-to place. The menu is not extensive - some fish entrees, pork chop and one steak, about four or five daily specials. Entrees run from $23 to $35. Everything is ala carte. Salads run from $10-$16. That night, our party ordered paella and the pork chops. The dish was filling and contained small clams, a few mussels, fish and two shrimp. The sauce was delicious. We ordered the chocolate torte to share ($10). Two glasses of wine and four entrees, three salads, one dessert- the bill was over $205. Although the meal was satisfying, we did not come away with the feeling it was well worth the price. However, its a good restaurant, one that has been a repeat for us operators.

We attended a lunch time wedding party of about 50 plus people, it was terrific. The service, menu, wine list were all excellent. We had a room set aside for the celebration. The food was well served, excellent quality and presented so well for such a large party. I give them very high marks.

Charming old fashioned restaurant, good seafood well prepared. Adequate wine by the glass, and service helpful and attentive. Especially timely if you are off to one the performing arts venues.

The HSG as we call it was one of the first restaurants I ate at in SF over 30 years ago. After all that time, it still delivers amazing grilled or sautéed fish with a great choice of sauces. I cannot count the times I have eaten here and realize that I have been taking it for granted and I shouldn't. Everything about the restaurant is exceptional - from the terrific service, reasonably priced wine list and the amazing hot fudge sundae dessert!

Our waitress was extremely helpful in our food choices, and the service was top notch. We started with goat cheese with pecan salad, which was very good. Then we had the Salmon grilled with lemon caper butter. It was some of the best Salmon we have had. The surprise was the french fries. Didn't seem the fit the decor, but they were super crispy and light. Nice touch with the meal. This is a place to go back to and that is not something I do is SF. Too many places to taste.

The food continues to be so reliably excellent over so many years we have visited on our trips to San Francisco, it is hard to believe. The fish is always done to perfection with interesting side sauces. The green sauce we tried this time was great! The huge portion of greens was very tasty too. We usually choose this place on our first night in SF because we feel so well taken care of after a long travel day.

One of the “old ladies” of Hayes St, it specializes in good food served quickly for those on their way to the evening symphony program at Davies Symphony Hall around the corner. We enjoyed an excellent salmon dinner and wine. The maitre d” and the waiter both made sure we made to our perch on time. High marks to the staff.

We had not been to Hayes St Grill for about 2 years. How did we forget the wonderful overall experience. The décor is warm, comfortable and inviting. Service from a professional, very competent and efficient wait staff is obvious. That is a great start to a good evening. None of the "hi, my name is (fill in the blank)" style. Understated but attentive. The food was served hot, did not sit around under warm lights but right from the kitchen. Food was good quantity, nicely presented and tasty. What else could one want. There is a good wine list. The restaurant is near the SF Opera House, SF Jazz Center and the Symphony Hall so the wait staff will ask if you attending a performance so you will have time to eat and make your performance. Very thoughtful. We will not stay away for another 2 years, a definite return to this old friend.

Near the performing arts in SF, Hayes St Grill has been one of my all time favorites for seafood and just great service.

Have been coming to the Grill for years. Absolutely love their sand dabs. Prepared perfectly. Wait staff is top notch. Quiet and able to engage in intimate conversation as opposed to so many SF restaurants which are so loud one must yell across the table.

Hayes Street Grill is a fun, lively place (I ate there with a group so my opinion may be reflected in that). I had the salmon - very tasty but did have some small bones so watch out! It's served with their infamous French fries - tasty but I would have preferred a "less casual" side. Plus I think many people who want fish are looking for a healthier option. My husband and I split a salad which was large and excellent. Wine is expensive - $14 a glass. Overall it was a good experience but expect the bill to be a bit on the hefty side.

Lovely food, great people Visited here whilst on my annual holiday Wow wow wow Its a must visit for those in the area

More upscale and a favorite hangout of the attendees of the Opera, Ballet, and Jazz Center. Very good food and congenial, warm service. Would go back and recommend

Wonderful choice if you are going to Davies Hall. Right across the street! Very intimate with small tables and not fancy but good food and excellent service at reasonable prices. If you are not going to the Opera or Symphony earlier you can always get a table as the place is practically empty at 8PM. Definitely will get a repeat visit from us.

This is one of the best restaurants I have visited in San Francisco and it has a terrific fish as well as a variety of other dishes. I particularly enjoyed the salad, which was some of the finest tasting lettuce I have had in years! The dessert with the Devil's Food cake was particularly good as well. Additionally, it is in a very cool neighborhood with many stores you can visit prior to your dinner.

The Hayes St grill has been there a long time and has always been a reliable stop for a good meal. We were pre-theatre and they're great at making sure the food comes in a timely manner. Menu not exciting but reliable, fresh and tasty. Always a good bet.

We were looking for a place near the San Francisco Opera where we could have an early dinner. Hayes Street Grill has a nice "old San Francisco" feel to it. We had a sensational meal of scallops and one of the best chocolate desserts ever called "bete noir." Unbelievably chocolate-y. Service was superb, and they had a great wine list.

Overall my experience at the restaurant was very good. The waiter was attentive when we arrived and had our main course, but was good about filling our water glasses or asking us for anything else. I had the sole fish dish and my friend had the cod dish. Mine was more tasty and filling. We also had oysters and soup and both were good. We had an order of fries for fun and they were also good. I had the cheesecake and my friend had the cream brûlée. The cheesecake was better. I didn’t like this hidden service charge of $2 per person as it cheapens the experience. Also, the prices were on the high side for what you get. Also, the inside the restaurant is old and shabby and had a strong fishy smell when we were seated. Overall a nice experience but this is not the place to go if you want to impress someone as it is not fine dining.