The Big Four has truly regained its reputation as one of the most outstanding dining experiences in San Francisco. Our dinner on the 14th was memorable. The quality of the food as well as its presentation was excellent. Our server was truly professional. read more

Made a Sunday lunch reservation at Big Four for a date, specifically to catch their live jazz (they have it every weekend). The atmosphere alone is worth the visit - it's set in a historic building, with a dark emerald dining room that feels calm and intimate. Food was delightful. I had the shakshuka, which was really well made and came with toasted sourdough. My husband got the omelette with salmon and loved it too. We shared a slice of chocolate cake at the end - a perfect finishing touch. Definitely recommend this spot for an atmospheric date. Already looking forward to checking out Nob Hill Spa nearby for a future staycation. read more

See all

I celebrated a good friend's birthday here recently, and this was my first experience at The Big Four, which is all the way up on California Street in the Nob Hill area, and I do mean up there, as in there is a serious incline when you make your way up to this restaurant. Our party was seated near the piano and there was eventually live music, on top of all the chatter around us. We all ordered one entree each, and shared a caesar salad and a bread starter. I had the 14oz Double-Cut Berkshire Pork Chop and it was juicy and delicious. My Espresso Martini was also delicious and I could really taste the espresso. Our waitress was prompt and efficient. I love the charm of the interior. It feels like old San Francisco, dark and moody and classy. I would be happy to return here in the future read more

The HOSTESS (Candace), the AMBIANCE/LIGHTING, the ANNIVERSARY CARD, and the STIFF POUR were the best thing about the restaurant, and the reason for four stars. But the food is three stars at best, and our service was spotty. The garlic fries didn't taste like garlic. The charred broccolini wasn't charred. The macaroni and cheese was bland and not cheesy. The steak burger was fine. The chicken pot pie had a great topping, but the filling was watery soup so flavorless we had to ask for salt and pepper. The Diet Coke (no refills offered) was flat. We don't know what the sourdough rolls we ordered tasted like because we never got them. We didn't even finish the oddly-textured budino. The hostess, ambiance, and pour were outstanding, but the food gets the Big Four out of Ten. read more

See all

Meetup with hubby after work. The Huntington Hotel The Big Four Host - Leanne, she was amazing. She got me a table in front the musical piano. Server - Emma, she has the best retro hair design and great personality. Helped me pick out our drinks. So fun. Big 4 Martini Great Goose Vodka, St. George Velley Gin, Manzanilla Sherry, Dry Vermont, Yuzu Bitters Grey Goose Vodka Soda - Extra Lime So relaxing with live piano playing. The deco of the place has such great paintings with beautiful fresh flowers. A must visit. read more

See all

Very impressed. I hadn't heard about this restaurant until recently. This venue is a well known traditional SF spot. I met a couple who got engaged years ago. The hotel and venues all were shut down in 2020 and reopened this year in March (2026). The bar has wonderful seating and cocktails tables surrounding it. A grand piano with live music sets the mood with oysters, pot pies (can't wait to try), steaks, fries, and more. The service here is pronominal, options for cocktails and beverages were abundant. They have a private room which can host up to 24 guests. Can't wait to come back to grab a drink and food. read more

The Big Four - American Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Came here after an early Valkyries game with no reservation. We got a seat but it was pretty packed! It's deceptively bigger than it looks and can hold a lot of people. I love the decor. It's old-timey and historical and I love the live piano music. The bar is a vibe. The clientele seemed to be some business dinners, one family, a few dates, and definitely skewed older, classic SF. The bread was extra but was delicious. Drinks were strong and honestly cheaper than I thought they'd be (but only by a little.) Chicken pot pie was quite good. The menu does mention the $7 extra charge for adding sherry, which I declined. It was hearty and had a lot of vegetables. My partner enjoyed the burger (which does not come with fries--those are extra.) Our server was wonderful. Cannot recommend the service enough! Will be back with my parents. It's pricey, but a vibe. read more

See all

The Big Four is just oozing with ambiance. Swanky, dark, and upscale, with amazing service to boot. Unfortunately, the food was a bit of a mixed bag. I'd still visit again to try their cocktails and maybe sample some of their other items though. Burrata Excellent execution. Juicy heirloom tomatoes, balanced by pistachios and in-season peaches. Whats not to love? Corn Carbonara While not known for their pasta, I decided to give The Big Four's seasonal pasta a try. On paper this seemed like it would be a big hit. Sadly, this dish fell flat on it's face. It felt like a hodge-podge of flavors, with the sweet corn overpowering all other components. It became tiresome to eat overtime. Chicken Pot Pie The restaurants star item, and for good reason. Herbaceous, light, but hearty at the same time. The ideal chicken pot pie for me. My only minor complaint is that I wish there were a bit more pastry. Cobbler They weren't serving the creme brulee, but the cobbler was a great replacement. The tart plums were perfect! read more

See all

Overall B: Saturday celebratory jazz lunch, at this lovely wood paneled steakhouse. Interesting menu, we had crab benedict and classic bloody marys. Dressy, comfy, affordable, mediocre service. read more

The Big Four - American Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

The interior of the restaurant is stunning, featuring dark wood-paneled walls, a green ceiling, and English plaid carpeting that evokes the feel of the Polo Bar in New York City. Our reservation ensured we were promptly seated, and the live pianist in the bar added a lovely, upscale ambiance. However, the seating felt tight as tables are set close together. The menu is quite limited, offering about five entrées, two salads, a soup, and a wide selection of oysters. Everything is à la carte, even the bread, which costs $12--something typically complimentary at most restaurants. My husband and I shared the Louis salad, which came with four small lettuce wedges, asparagus pieces, and Thousand Island dressing. While there was no seafood included without an additional charge, the greens were crisp, the asparagus fresh, and the dressing flavorful. For my entrée, I ordered the chicken pot pie. It was excellent, generously filled with chicken pieces, carrots, celery, and pearl onions in a delicate, savory sauce. I accepted the offer to add a drizzle of sherry sauce, only to later find it was a $7 upcharge--something the menu did not mention. We finished with the chocolate Boudin for dessert, which was wonderfully creamy, rich, and not overly sweet. Overall, the food was high-quality and delicious, though the pricing structure and extra charges felt a bit steep for the experience. While it was an enjoyable experience, I may try other restaurants in San Francisco the next time I am in town before heading back. read more

The Big Four - Chicken pot pie - American Near Me - San Francisco, California

We were lucky enough to stay in the Huntington Hotel so we had this beautiful restaurant in our lobby. The big 4 was truly one of the most stunning restaurants I've had the chance to dine in. We had breakfast here every day of our stay and were so impressed with everything. The service was excellent and was refilling our coffee frequently. In terms of food, the Good Morning Nob Hill (2 eggs, toast, bacon, and potatoes) while traditional was executed perfectly. Another morning I tried the lemon ricotta pancakes and they were the best I've ever had. This place is also great for a cocktail at night if there's spots left at the bar, as they had a pianist playing to set the perfect vibe. read more

The Big Four - Good Morning Nob Hill - American Near Me - San Francisco, California

Superb dinner with excellent wine choices from the Somm. We enjoyed the Lamb, chicken pot pies and the Caesar salad. All were excellent. Shout out to Ian (the Somm) for helping us order a delicious bottle of Spanish wine! We will be back! read more

The Big Four is the restaurant at the Huntington Hotel, at the top of Nob Hill. It reopened about 3-4 months ago. I was craving a cioppino, but I also wanted to see the newly renovated restaurant and the hotel's new interior. I came on a Saturday night, and the restaurant was full. The crowd was well dressed and generally a little older. The atmosphere felt very "old money" which suits Nob Hill and its history. The decor is beautiful, with a lot of dark wood and a classic, elegant atmosphere. The hotel itself is wonderful. The lobby feels like a stylish boutique hotel and is beautifully designed. The Arabella bar is also very attractive. As for the food, I had the cioppino, and it was very good. So why not 5 stars? Unfortunately, the service was disappointing. It was pushy and snobbish. When I came to the table, the waitress (a blonde woman) deliberately pushed me aside with her hands to make room, without apologizing. There is no complimentary bread and butter, you have to order it. Nobody brought me water, and I had to ask for it in the middle of the meal. My glass was never refilled, and nobody came to check whether the food was good, even after I had finished eating. The Big Four is a beautiful restaurant with a great atmosphere and good food, but the poor service seriously affected the experience. read more

I'm gonna give them a 3 as it was overall just OK, but I'm optimistic they can get it together. Ambience is top-notch. It's almost worth it just for the old school vibe. Service was technically good although the waiter was oddly offputting and mechanical with us. He was busy, so maybe he was just overworked but I don't think so. He was just kind of unpleasant which made our experience feel a little subpar. We have learned from experience to pace our ordering because even in nice restaurants servers have a tendency to bring you everything all at once. This clearly annoyed the server and maybe that's what set him off with us. Hard to say. There was a second guy who checked in on us who appeared to be another waiter who was very personable and friendly and solicitous. You all need more of that kind of talent in this place. The bussers were good at the beginning of the evening, but by the end of the evening I had no water left in my glass and no one noticed. When we got there, there was no one at the host station so that was awkward - we sort of stood around in this space waiting for someone to notice us. She eventually showed up and indicated we could try to chase a seat at the bar while we waited because we were early. We managed to get a seat, and I had to sit next to a very strange patron who was not ordering anything, but asking other people for samples of their food and drinks and asking weird questions. It was very uncomfortable. I'm not sure exactly what they could've done about it but maybe if people aren't ordering food they shouldn't be allowed to sit there taking up space? Hard to handle that stuff but it's sort of set the off tone for the whole evening. The food itself was fine, but unmemorable. Very pricey. The drinks were good. We'll probably give them another try in a few months and see how it's coming together. read more

See all

Very anxious to see results of remodel. Very happy to see they kept the luxe look and feel - still feels like Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart may stroll on at any moment. To be fair, we ate weekend lunch. Burger still very good but might want to go back to more classic bun, and not sure about the chopped lettuce, tomato, and onion. Like to get texture on those items. Friend did the prime rib dip - also very good. I feel the surroundings, ambiance, and service all help to bring experience up a notch. Great special spot to bring visitors. read more

See all

Came on a whim since we were gonna see the Aura show at Grace Cathedral which was just across the street. It was rather dance so we decided to go in and ask if there was a dress code because we definitely didn't have our fancy clothes on. Though happy to say the hostess was nice and cheery and informed us that there was not a dress code but were fully booked but we could sit at the bar area which served the full menu and it was first come first serve. We sat at a little table and the server was very nice and very knowledgeable on the drink and food menu. The food was expensive but it was very good and the sides are all separate. We got the pork chop on a bed of mashed potatoes. It was a huge portion and very good. We god the mac and cheese which could easily serve 2 people and the raviolis. Everything was very good. They even had a pianist playing some toons which was pretty cool. It is attached to a hotel so had people from the hotel and outside crown. Not a bad place to fall into. read more

See all

WELCOME BACK BIG 4! For all of you who've been anticipating the reopening of the Big 4 Restaurant (located on the ground floor inside the Huntington Hotel), I'm thrilled to report that the long wait is finally over! The Big 4 closed in March 2020 and has remained closed ever since. Yes, that's 6 YEARS people! 6 years of missing, reminiscing, longing, & wishing! After a multimillion dollar renovation & ownership change, they have reopened their doors at last. Officially reopening to the public on 3/17/26, they have been open to hotel guests for the last several days. Being neighbors, we were honored with a dinner reservation for Monday night, 3/16/26 (soft opening?). So...I can attest that the interior & the ambiance has been lovingly kept in tact. The dark wood, the green leather, the live piano music, the history on the walls, the fireplace...all the majestic elements are gratefully still in play. It even still has that same fantastic & fabulous smell! Like that new car smell I swear my baby (Miata) still has. And after the interior check, the next priority was the menu check. That is, the status of the chicken pot pie. Quick fact; the chicken pot pie was the star of the menu here before the 2020 pandemic closure. So much so in fact, that when it was (unwisely) removed from the menu, people from far & wide spoke their utter dissatisfaction, and you know what happened? They brought it back. Yes. Back by popular demand. Of course the chicken pot pie is still on the menu. Whewww! And of course I ordered it! And for all you non chicken folks, now there's a mushroom pot pie as well. Hubs ordered the pork chop. Comes w parm garlic fries. Oddly, the fries came after our meal had been served, rather than plated with the chop. The chop was impressive looking with the flavor to match. Remember, you can always taste quality. Oy, could it be the pot pie is even better than before? Yes! I'm saying yes it is! It seems larger too! Golden crust. Positively chock full of chicken and veggies, perfectly seasoned. I particularly enjoyed the sprinkling of sea salt on the crust. Really a nice touch. I feel like I'm giving my favorite child some constructive criticism, & I really don't want to upset the kitchen because I do love it here. Always have. But one thing I just have to voice...maybe too many pearl onions...? Ok yes. Too many pearl onions in the pot pie. My husband agreed, so see, it's not just me! Please don't hate us! Ok one more thing; the amount of time it took for our order to arrive was almost a half hour. That seemed excessive on a night that half of the restaurant was empty. But, our server came over & announced that our order would be out shortly, seemingly reading our minds just before we felt the need to inquire. This was also the night before they were officially open to the public, so it's understood that some kinks are inevitable, & will be for a while. REALLY MISSED YOU Big 4. You've been one of my favorite spots in the city since my first visit 20 years ago. Jeffrey was behind the bar then, & gratefully he still is!!! I, along with a million other folks, are thrilled that you're back! 4 & 1/2 stars read more

See all

I had dinner here years ago before the recent remodel but never sat at the bar. The three of us arrived before five and decided to unwind with some cocktails with Jefferey behind the bar. The patrons at the bar were a combination of hotel guests and locals- all friendly and nice to chat with. Since, the bar is quite small, there's lounge seating with small tables in this elegant, dramatically lit restaurant. The three of us browsed through the menu and decided to order some raw oysters, Caesar salad and their infamous chicken pot pie. We ordered a refreshing bottle Sancerre to go with. Everything was perfect. The oysters were tasty and fresh. -loved the horseradish + cocktail sauce and their champagne mignonette sauce to go with! The Caesar Salad was simple and a good portion to share with the three of us. The chicken pot pie was definitely the best I've ever had and not a heavy dish. There was a perfect mix of ingredient and morsels of shredded chicken inside. As I recall indulging in this pot pie, my mouth gets watery. This was a nice refresher returning to the Big Four. I've always loved the classic interiors and elegance of this restaurant. Their menu looks so enticing. I look forward to taking a seat in the newly remodeled dining room next time after some cocktails at the bar. read more

See all

Terrific meal with historic ambiance! The Cioppino was as "San Francisco" as it gets and I've had Cioppino at all the best places in The City. My wife enjoyed her perfectly cooked steak and we all enjoyed our cocktails & wine....a wonderful night in a wonderful place! The piano live player puts this restaurant into a higher category of class. read more

The Big Four is BACK, BABY!! Went tonight and it was every bit as great as I remember it. The hotel and restaurant / bar has been restored to its former glory and it's as if nothing ever changed, despite being closed for 5 years and a multi million dollar renovation. Tonight, on a Wednesday nonetheless, the place was packed with well dressed socialites and you know what? I used to feel it was a bit stuffy for me but tonight it was so refreshing to be in a place filled with people who care about how they look and dress and socialize. There's something about the ambience with the piano playing away in the background and such an old school, classy vibe that makes this place one of the best spots in SF. I was sooo happy to see Jeff behind the bar once again. I've known him for a very long time and it was surreal to see him once again holding down an incredibly busy bar with ease. We had a few drinks and couldn't resist getting some food so we shared a wedge salad and the pot pies - one chicken and the other vegetarian. Everything was great. I ended up meeting 2 new great guys, one of whom is famous but I won't blow his cover. Towards the end a former executive of my former employer sat down (also shall remain anonymous) and I had a good long chat with him about the good old days there. I don't consider myself a socialite but it felt like one of the more meaningful, pleasant and downright fun nights I've had in a long time. I'm thrilled HH and Big 4 are back. If you do go I recommend dressing up. The place definitely harkens back to a different era where most people dressed up all the time. Tonight I saw a tuxedo, a few nice suits and lots of pretty dresses. It's a place to go to see and be seen and revel in the delights of every bit of it. read more

See all

Glad to see The Big Four back in action. Food was well prepared and the ambiance felt the same (that's a good thing). This is old SF, and a place you wanna share with your out of town guests or relatives. We had the buratta to share which was delicious. The French dip was recommended for lunch, which I had, and I loved that the dip had some onions in it! Service was good to start but slowed down as the lunch hour went on... I'm sure it'll get better with time. If we weren't in a hurry for a spa appointment, we would've asked for the dessert menu. read more

The Big Four - Menu - American Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Two visits to Big 4 in April! Really enjoyed the second visit as well - we were able to grab reservations the same day which was very lucky. Got the shrimp cocktail, oysters, cioppino and some cocktails which were excellent. The shrimp in particular was standout and the oysters here are very consistent - remarkably good. read more

The Big Four - Shrimp cocktail, big four martini and oysters - American Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

I came here for my birthday this year. It's located within a hotel. A table wasn't ready for us but the bar was. So we headed across the hotel to the bar. We ordered some drinks but I don't think any of use loved the cocktails. The bar has some paintings on the walls and definitely has a vibe. We could not just walk our drinks over to the restaurant which was a bummer. Felt rushed to finish them and secure our table. At the restaurant we tried the burrata and the bread. Both were great! We also tried the pot pie, lamb, and burger. The pot pie was super warm and didn't cool down so it was hard to eat but quite good. For dessert we had the creme brûlée and that was excellent! read more

I got the crab louie salad which was really tasty, the servings of crab was good and the salad was nice too. I asked for dressing on the side but it wasn't too heavy, so it worked out. The ambiance is lovely and seriously we had such a fun time there, it was really charming and romantic. Ken Fulk is really able to encapsulate a sense of allure and charm to any atmosphere. We were really enthralled by the ambiance. read more

See all

Gorgeous restaurant with a live piano player by the front entrance. Did not make a reservation in advance but we were still able to get sat quickly as a party of 3. Stand out appetizer was the steak tar tar which came with bone marrow and was mixed table side. Would definitely recommend that with the chicken pot pie, which were both 5/5. The burger, mac and cheese, and fries were tasty as well read more

See all

A lot of pretensiosness, you pay above premium for food and drinks, yet half the people were just poorly dressed tourists with backpacks and tennis shoes! They need to pick a clientele and commit. read more

I was super excited with the news of the Big four re-opening. Last night was our shot at indulging at an establishment of our liking. Our experience was as expected -Early 1900 decor -Food (chicken pot pie) which I would never eat but tempted at the croissant pie crest and the organic chicken n vegies. It didn't disappoint very delicious and hearty not to creamy sauce. -Fresh oysters. -The bar area nicely decorated but wished the wood bar had more seating but not a deal breaker all. The lounge area had luxury upholstered chairs and Crystal glass table from my point of view. -Music: the piano elevated the atmosphere that focused on timeless tunes. -Staff: I have to say the folks providing service waiters, servers, host and even hotel receptionist delivered bespoke service. A must for those that enjoy Big City classic, elegant metropolitan ambience in SF. read more

The Big Four - Chicken Pot Pie - American Near Me - San Francisco, California

The service was extremely slow and the place was not full. I asked anchovies on my Caesar salad and of course got none and the waiter never came back. The meal was good, but my lady friend did not like the pasta at all. I do like the Big Four, but it has issues to deal with. Also, the restrooms are unisex, which is fine. However as men seem to miss the head most to the time, the floors around the toilets should be cleaned very frequently as a courtesy to the woman. read more

Service was very good. Ambiance was good. Food was disappointing, $58 dollars for two puny overcooked and luke warm lamb chops. $24 for a small Caesar salad for two. Chicken pot pie was good. $28 for parking. No draft beer. We will not be returning....not worth it. read more

The restaurant is beautiful, the service was great, so happy Big 4 is open again. Those are the three stars. The menu is underwhelming, which I'm sure they'll sort out after a couple months. I had a bad oyster, which can happen anywhere. I will be back to give them another shot after they've been open longer. Unfortunately my expectations were not met last night but I believe it's just "newly opened" bumps. read more

We have been wanting to try The Big Four since it re-opened but the reservations got snapped up quickly. Luckily we were able to get one for last night. Our first impressions were great. They did a beautiful job on the ambiance. Balancing an old school vibe with many nice upgrades to add a touch of luxury. The layout is great with different rooms allowing you to feel that you're dining in a small restaurant within your section. I must say the service was outstanding. From our check in until we left, we were well taken care of. Everyone was very friendly and checked on us at just the right times. We all wound up having their famous pot pie which was delicious. They have a great menu with many things we would like to try on our next visit. Their wine list is amazing and they also have a good selection of cocktails. We will definitely be back as we had a wonderful meal with excellent service and beautiful ambiance! read more

It's back! Love. Ambiance is exactly on point. Foods fine. Service is fine. People watching is great! I always see interesting people and notable people as well. read more

What a beautiful spot! Love the history, the decor, the vibes are luxurious and so is the food. This is definitely a place to splurge, so expect to drop some coin. Everything was cooked perfectly - special standouts for me were the vegetables. The steak was excellent, though I wish it came with more than one shallot. Drinks were perfect and the service was attentive and friendly. We got dessert, but it wasn't anything special so I'd skip that in the future. read more

We live in the neighborhood and we're just so glad that this restaurant is back! The ambiance is beautiful, iconic and very nostalgic. It's very Nob Hill and I love it! We came for late lunch around 2pm to avoid the lunch rush. We ordered the sourdough bread with butter to start. It was delicious- just wish the bread was served hot. We ordered the famous chicken pot pie which was very good. The dough was flaky and flavorful. There was a generous amount of white meat and vegetables which was very filling. We also got the chicken sandwich which tasted fresh and yummy. I just wish they served it with lettuce and tomatoes as well. Staff and server: We noticed that the restaurant staff were not welcoming at all. They didn't even greet us as we walked in. They didn't show any enthusiasm or had the attitude to serve. Which was very disappointing since I had very high standards and expectations for this restaurant. The lady serving us was nice but was very slow, didn't check on us mid lunch to ask if we needed anything else- nothing, and wasn't very attentive. My husband even had to get up and look and ask for a drink refill from another server. The service we received was very disappointing because we expected a lot considering this restaurant was on the high end and the restaurant was not busy at all (we came in for late lunch at 2pm). Our server and the rest of the staff need a lot of improvement and training. It reflects poorly on this iconic place. read more

See all

the big four is finally reopen in the huntington hotel after 6 years. it's currently impossible to book for dinner but breakfast and lunch on weekdays are very doable. old school american interior - dark wood and emerald green. filet mignon and their signature chicken pot pie were both well done. truffle fries just tasted like normal fries. chicken breast in the pot pie was a little bland though sauce, veggies, and puff pastry were all tasty. service was lacking as the dining area filled up and our waitress was spread thin. good spot if you're looking for a nice environment to spend a few hours in read more

See all

The ambiance is 1950's and the food did not meet expectations and was over priced. I suggest some changes to the lunch menu choices. Service however was excellent read more

This restaurant revives the good old days of San Francisco of yore. Chicken pot pie was terrific and so was the service.

The food, service, and feel of this restaurant is amazing. My first visit and we came back twice in the same day. It feels like family, from the staff to guests you're invited in and treated like a regular. The food is great, and cocktails are perfect! I love the live music! read more

Big Four is back. We have dined at Big Four for many years. Deeply saddened to see what the previous ownership did to destroy it. Water under the bridge, they are back - big time. We arrived last night (April 2) to celebrate a birthday. I thought we had a reservation for 6:00, but apparently I screwed up. On a Thursday night, they were slammed. I thought there was no way they would be able to seat us - Well, they found a way! Bless Dawn and Mark - I don't know how you worked your magic, but I'm glad you did. The dining room and bar area look exactly they did 5 years ago (probably 35 years ago). Be that as it may, it is a very good thing. I almost cried when I walked in. We have celebrated so many important occasions here. The menu is scaled back, and that's okay. Do what you do best...OMG, they do! I had the trout, and it was fantastic. Birthday girl had the ribeye, looked perfect. As did the pasta, ciaponio. Everything. I really need to give another shout out to the servers. They were slammed, but service remained perfect. I am so glad to see that Big Four is back. read more

Beautifully renovated! Professional, warm service. Delicious Caesar Salad with Dungeness Crab! A true San Francisco Classic!