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

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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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 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

I really wanted to like this because the bar area seems like a great place to lounge and have a few drinks but the restaurant food and service was painful. While our server was very sweet, the whole time we were there, she did not refill the water at all. On top of that , the food took forever to come out . By the time we got our food, we were past the point of hunger. Food was mediocre so we were quite disappointed. There are so many other restaurants in SF to dine at and we really hoped for a great time but unfortunately , it wasn't a memorable experience . read more

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

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

Beautiful space, with ambiance that transports you back to elevated piano bar restaurant. The staff fits that ambiance very well. Service was good. We ordered the trout and the iconic chicken pot pie. They were solid dishes. The ambiance is the reason to return. 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

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

It is wonderful to have this San Francisco gem back. The service, atmosphere and experience do not disappoint. Grateful they stayed true to its historic character. 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

The Big Four is back and better than ever! The elegant decor, outstanding service and delicious food and cocktails make this easily the best place to dine in the Nob Hill area. Great for date night or an evening with friends. Five stars! read more

I recently dined at Big 4 Restaurant on Nob Hill with family and friends. The meal was an excellent experience from start to finish. The ambiance had that classic, old San Francisco charm--elegant yet comfortable, making it a great spot for a relaxed but special meal. The food was outstanding, with each dish thoughtfully prepared and full of flavor. You can really tell there's attention to detail in both presentation and taste. Just as impressive was the service--attentive without being intrusive, and genuinely welcoming throughout the meal. Overall, it's a wonderful place to enjoy a memorable dining experience. I will absolutely return and highly recommend it to anyone looking for great food and top-notch service in a beautiful classic San Francisco setting. read more

last night stop by at the bar before the show , arrival at 5:30 bar is busy and the restaurant already 1/2 full. At the bar all the bar tables is full and any people standing waiting to order drinks, sadly only one lady working behind the bar, while I was waiting to order my drink. One of the cocktail table open ( I only wait about 15 min ) , mac/ cheese nothing special and side veg over cooked, the most ridiculous thing is , I order some bread and come out stale the bread from the supermarket , it cost $12 for two slices . Nothing screaming at m make me wanna come back again read more

The Big Four - Mac/ cheese - American Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

After many years, The Big Four has finally re-opened. The good news: the dining room is lovely, much the same as before, with comfortable seating, refreshed wood paneling, polished brass fittings, all looking comfortingly familiar. The service was fine, the attentive staff was gracious and very present without hovering. Alas, the food itself was very disappointing: poorly and harshly prepared dressings for the salads; tasteless mains; prices more suited to a higher level of taste and quality. Definitely not up to the "4" of yore. On a scale of 0-10, I would call it 5 for food, 4 for value, 8 for service. If the kitchen can catch up to the service staff, it might succeed. This used to be a frequent favorite of mine...lunch, brunch, late night...but no thank you for this now greatly diminished version of a once-classic Nob Hill haunt. I hope this chef can get it together before it's gone once more. Hal Kaufman read more

Entrees were a bit too salty. We had the trout and the lamb chops. Everything else about our experience was stellar. A memorable 4th Wedding Anniversary thanks to The Big Four, especially our server Ali and the hostess who so graciously greeted and seated us according to our request for a romantic yet accessible seating arrangement. read more

Nice clubby ambiance and decor especially with the dark wood, green naugahyde booths and live piano. Hostess was very friendly and accomodating considering we were a bit late but still wanted to enjoy a few minutes at the bar before going to our table. I had the ribeye and my brother had the cioppino, both were good but perhaps not exceptional for the somewhat steep price. I'll probably return and try the chicken pot pie which seemed to be on everyone's table. read more

Historic building, professional and warm service (thank you, Karine) and excellent food. We celebrated our wedding anniversary there and couldn't have been more satisfied. read more

Welcome back! Old San Francisco elegance, charm, class. Celebrating a special birthday and it could not have been more wonderful. Our server Lela was excellent...fun, unpretentious, attentive. We were warmly greeted upon entering, plus enjoyed visits to our table by Kelsey and Edward, both extending goodwill and hospitality, reminding us of how lovely this beloved institution is. The cocktails were delicious and generous! Our meals were top quality...the wine recommendations from Lela were perfect. The chicken pot pie was decidedly improved from our last visit, years ago before closure, when ingredients were undercooked. The wedge salad was large enough for two, fresh and tasty. The fish entrée was excellent with great accompaniments. The Parker House rolls were outstanding. We had little room for dessert but enjoyed a scoop each of the sorbet and ice cream choices, both lovely. Our cappuccinos were lukewarm, the only slight downside of our entire meal. We look forward to returning many more times, The Big Four is incredibly special. read more

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

See all

The service was impeccable. The ambience was gorgeous and serene. The Caesar salad and the chicken pot pie were perfect. The margarita was weak, my only complaint. A wonderful evening for all of us. read more

This iconic place is still awesome and one of the very best restaurants in the country. Food, service, ambience -- all excellent.

We've always enjoyed the Big Four. But there is definitely a new excitement in the air. The staff is attentive and the food is delicious. It's great to have them back. Definitely the clubhouse of the neighborhood. read more

We had a lunch for 4, and live in Bay area. We really enjoyed the ambience with elegant setting and quiet acoustics so easy to have conversations, plus the wine , drinks, and variety of food types on lunch menu was good. We had salmon (x 2) , pasta, and burger entree, Ceasar salad and rhubarb/strawberry starter as well as shrimp cocktail, and all were excellent! Finished with fantastic berry cobbler and creme brunette. Service was perfect as well. We also liked the historic decor with authentic photos and artwork from the late 1800s to early 1900s in the Bar and restaurant. Well worth the visit and pricing fine as compared to other similar level dining establishments in iur opinion. read more

Portions are very small. Food is delicious though Ambience is lovely. Had breakfast there read more