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North Box Restaurant, San Francisco, CA

North Box Restaurant

3.9
3.9
292 Reviews
$31 to $50
Contemporary American

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2 people
19:00
Booked 13 times today
  • Charming
  • Good for special occasions
  • Vegetarian-friendly
Located on the north mezzanine level of the historic War Memorial Opera House overlooking the magnificent main lobby, North Box Restaurant offers California cuisine with global influences, created using locally-sourced ingredients and serves as an ideal destination for pre-performance or intermission dining for any Ballet and Opera goer.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Californian, Continental
  • Hours of Operation
    Tue–Sat 17:30–19:00 Sun 12:00–14:00
  • Phone number
    (415) 861-8150
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Alfonso Mis
  • Area
    Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
  • Cross Street
    Franklin St. and McAllister St.
  • Parking details
    Parking is available in several lots in the surrounding area. Please call lots for current hours and rates.Performing Arts Garage*Patrons dining in the Opera House may enter through the North Carriage entrance of the Opera House (adjacent to the War Memorial courtyard) up to two hours prior to curtain.
  • Public transit
    For transit directions, visit 511.org or call 511.
  • Additional
    Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 292 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

3.9
3.9 based on recent ratings
  • 3.6Food
  • 4.2Service
  • 4.3Ambience
  • 3.3Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
North Box Restaurant offers an unparalleled dining experience for opera-goers with "convenience" being a standout feature. The "wonderful service" and seamless pre-intermission arrangements enhance the evening. While the food quality and price point receive mixed reviews, the ambience and attentive staff make it a pleasant choice before a performance.

292 Reviews
  1. Diana

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Nice setting if you are near the balcony with a view of the decorated lobby. Food is mediocre and super pricy for what you get, but VERY convenient and low stress to have it booked so you are not rushing to make the performance. We specifically requested not to be seated near the stairs, but that is where they sat us. Good quick service and good cocktail.

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  2. Julia

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 12 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    EXCELLENT service! Attended the Nutcracker, so we reserved a table and followed the advice of the SF Ballet website and ordered our dinner in advance. We got a nice little table overlooking the gorgeous lobby and our food came right away, so we could relax and enjoy it and didn't have to rush. Then we pre-ordered drinks for intermission and came back to our table to find those ready for us -- another relaxing moment. The staff was attentive and prompt -- couldn't ask for more.

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  3. Tom

    San Francisco

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on 7 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Outstanding, indeed - as always! Our server, Nataile, made sure that everrything was perfect for us. We're looking forward to our next time at North Box!

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  4. JennieH

    VIP

    San Francisco

    10 reviews

    4.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on 7 December 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Server Natalie was delightful and the food was very good. We had a nice view of the festivities below during our pre Nutcracker meal and dessert during intermission. Food was a little pricey but expected and worth it for the convenience of relaxing in the opera house instead of hustling from another restaurant.

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  5. Hyun Seok

    New York City

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on 7 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Kind and good service. Foods were served faster than I expected. Variety of menu is not met what I expected but delicious.

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  6. pemala

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 1 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had often eaten downstairs at the Opera House and enjoyed it, but the North Box upstairs is such a nice intimate experience and the service was great. The menu is the same as downstairs and it is good and well presented.

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  7. Eric

    VIP

    Raleigh

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 30 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Super nice spot to grab a tasty bite before the opera.

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  8. Mariella

    San Francisco

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 27 November 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Beautiful location obviously! Great set up for tables and not much of a wait time for food. Not sure if I can call it good food though…, the meals were only a few choices, extremely expensive for the portions and taste and also no espresso in desert menu just some watery brown water. Taste was very average. I would not go there again.

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  9. Ron

    VIP

    Sacramento

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 24 November 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    A pleasant dining experience and so convenient for Opera productions. It appears to be a little pricey but this is San Francisco! We would recommend!!

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  10. Mali

    VIP

    San Francisco

    25 reviews

    2.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on 23 November 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    This is a convenient place to eat before the opera if you are pressed for time or can't find reservations somewhere else within walking distance. That is the only reason I have dined at this place more than once. The service is efficient and professional. The food leaves much to be desired. The kitchen is on the lower level ( basement ) of the SF Opera building and is carried three floors via stairs on trays, so by the time it gets to your table, you can be sure the food is cold. So order anything already cold; stick to basic things, and you will be less disappointed. The food has been low quality for years, and I don't see it changing. The view and the setting looking over the balcony into the lobby is beautiful. When you make your reservations, request a table not adjacent to the staircase so you can at least enjoy the ambiance. The convenience, service & ambiance make up for the terrible food.

    1 person found this helpful

FAQs

North Box Restaurant is rated 3.9 stars by 292 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 13 times today
Google Map for North Box Restaurant

301 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Franklin St. and McAllister St.
  • Area
    Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
  • Hours of Operation
    Tue–Sat 17:30–19:00 Sun 12:00–14:00
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Californian, Continental
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Parking is available in several lots in the surrounding area. Please call lots for current hours and rates.Performing Arts Garage*Patrons dining in the Opera House may enter through the North Carriage entrance of the Opera House (adjacent to the War Memorial courtyard) up to two hours prior to curtain.
  • Public transit
    For transit directions, visit 511.org or call 511.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Alfonso Mis
  • Additional
    Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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