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Grilled Jumbo Prawns - Prelude at the Opera House - Lower Level, San Francisco, CA

Prelude at the Opera House - Lower Level

4.1
4.1
628 Reviews
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102

Make a reservation

2 people
10:00 PM
Booked 2 times today

About this restaurant

  • Charming
  • Good for special occasions
  • Vegetarian-friendly
A night at the opera or ballet is an elegant event, deserving of a remarkable culinary experience. Our gorgeous setting offers an ideal environment for pre-performance or intermission dining at the War Memorial & Performing Arts Center.
We are located on the lower level of the War Memorial Opera House. Our menu is offered in buffet and à la carte format, keeping performance start time at the forefront for all visitors.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Continental, Californian
  • Hours of operation
    Tue–Sat 5:30 pm–7:00 pm Sun 12:00 pm–2:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Alfonso Mis
  • Catering
    Host your next event at the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center, and Global Gourmet Catering will create an unforgettable experience for you and your guests. Perfect for weddings, galas, corporate parties and pre- and post-performance events, this is San Francisco's premier choice for events of all sizes.
  • Neighborhood
    Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
  • Cross street
    Franklin St. & Grove Street.
  • 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.Entering the Opera with a restaurant reservation? Please enter at the north side of the building at the carriage entrance.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 628 people are saying

Prelude at the Opera House - Lower Level reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.1
4.1 based on recent ratings
  • 3.8Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.3Ambience
  • 3.5Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Prelude at the Opera House offers an "inviting buffet" with "delicious options" and a "delightful wait staff." Its location is perfect for pre-show dining, with "convenient access" to performances. Patrons appreciate the "elegant setting" and the unique experience of enjoying dessert and coffee during intermissions. Some reviews mention pricing, but many "love the experience" and the attentive service.

1,921 Reviews
  1. Theresa

    San Francisco1 review

    4.0

    Dined on April 16, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    VERY Nice selection on the buffet and all offerings were tasty! Convenient location and very attentive staff. Very nice overall experience. A bit pricey.

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  2. Ana

    San Francisco1 review

    3.0

    Dined on April 11, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    My husband and I had a dinner night there before a ballet show. We were expecting a nice experience. The food was so so and way over priced. We chose a la carte. Apparently, they don’t serve warm food. The serving staff need to put a little more effort in serving. I wouldn’t eat there again.

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  3. Jessamyn

    Greater Boston1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 9, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had such a special experience before tbe ballet, highly recommend

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  4. Lenore VIP

    San Francisco5 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on April 9, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    The food is very ordinary for the price they charge. They seldom change the menu, and the quality should be better.

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  5. Deborah

    San Francisco9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 23, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We always enjoy our brunch at Prelude at the Opera restaurant, the fresh vegetables and salads with a wonderful brunch selection give us such satisfaction and enjoyment. We've come to enjoy our kind servers Pepe and Chang over the years also, it's so nice to see long time employees over the years. The service is always so kind and excellent. We'll be back!

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  6. Jan Rose

    San Francisco8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 23, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It’s a treat- especially for a long story ballet. They have hot coffee & dessert waiting for you- & will hold over the dessert you didn’t finish- for the 2nd intermission.

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  7. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco2 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on March 21, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Very nice thing to do. My only issue was the food was not hot at the buffet. Service was very good

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  8. Terry VIP

    San Francisco15 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on March 9, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    The buffet offers overpriced and modest food choices without inviting creativity or sophistication. The wait staff, however, is delightful and the innate convenience and beauty of being located on the lower level of the theatre is marvelous. I can’t help but wish however that the restaurant‘s culinary elements and esthetics were a better match with that special location and the lovely old school staff.

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  9. Joey VIP

    New York City15 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 16, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This is a very special place unlike any other. The food, the service are all first class in an old school style that is very much missed. Where else can you have your dessert and coffee at intermission with your table held for you? If you're attending the opera or ballet at the Opera House, please take advantage of this wonderful restaurant.

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  10. Jan

    San Francisco2 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on February 15, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 1
    Buffet offerings were quite limited given the price, drinks were overpriced (for the unglamorous venue at any rate), and dessert selection uninspired and pricey (no desserts provided at the buffet). Won’t be back.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Prelude at the Opera House - Lower Level is rated 4.1 stars by 628 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Francisco Bay Area
  4. San Francisco
  5. Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness

Make a reservation

2 people
10:00 PM
Booked 2 times today
Google Map for Prelude at the Opera House - Lower Level

301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Franklin St. & Grove Street.
  • Neighborhood
    Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
  • Hours of operation
    Tue–Sat 5:30 pm–7:00 pm Sun 12:00 pm–2:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Continental, Californian
  • 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.Entering the Opera with a restaurant reservation? Please enter at the north side of the building at the carriage entrance.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Alfonso Mis
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
  • Catering
    Host your next event at the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center, and Global Gourmet Catering will create an unforgettable experience for you and your guests. Perfect for weddings, galas, corporate parties and pre- and post-performance events, this is San Francisco's premier choice for events of all sizes.
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