Best Pre-Theater Restaurants in Kensington, San Francisco Bay Area

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodIndianMexican

Regions

East BayPeninsulaSan FranciscoSan Jose / Silicon ValleyWine Country

Neighborhoods

BerkeleyCivic Center / Hayes Valley / Van NessDowntown / Union SquareFinancial District / EmbarcaderoMarina / Cow Hollow / PresidioMountain View

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for fine wines

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

36 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of Revival Bar+Kitchen restaurant

1. Revival Bar+Kitchen

4.6

Exceptional(2871)

$$$$

• Californian • Berkeley

Booked 25 times today

Revival Bar+Kitchen is serving distinctive, locally sourced, farm-to table, snout-to tail, utterly delicious food for brunch and dinner. The full bar is mixing original, hand-crafted cocktails, and our bar menu is available to satisfy after-the-show appetites. The entire dining room is available for meetings and buy outs.

2. ZINO

4.1

Excellent(471)

$$$$

• Mediterranean • Berkeley

Booked 11 times today

A Modern Mediterranean Restaurant and Bar located in the heart of Downtown Berkeley. ZINO features a rotating menu of cuisines, complemented by a modern cocktail program infused with Mediterranean flavors and spices. ZINO is a gathering place for people of the community to socialize, celebrate, and share in the unique flavors of one of the most diverse regions of the world.Vegetarian menu available.For Parties of 9 or more, please contact the restaurant directly.

A photo of Heroic Italian - Berkeley restaurant

3. Heroic Italian - Berkeley

4.6

Exceptional(156)

$$$$

• Italian • Berkeley

Booked 2 times today

Discover a Unique Artisanal Italian Experience in Downtown BerkeleyTucked away on a quiet side street in Downtown Berkeley, our restaurant and wine bar offers a peaceful escape with a charming outdoor patio—perfect for those seeking a Gourmet Casual experience.We offer full service dining inside, but for patio dining we only offer ordering via QR code.We accept reservations for groups of 1-20 online. Larger groups up to 120 can reach out to us eat@heroicitalian.com We blend the finest imported Italian meats and cheeses with fresh, locally sourced produce and herbs to create unforgettable flavors. Our carefully curated selection of Italian and Californian wines pair beautifully with our handmade sandwiches, fresh pastas, crispy pizzas, and vibrant salads.

4. Via del Corso

4.8

Exceptional(1615)

$$$$

• Italian • Berkeley

Booked 39 times today

a destination… is really just a place you are going along your way. When you enter Via del Corso, you may feel as if you are in any trattoria in Florence, Rome, or any other place in Italy. In the heart of North Berkeley, we bring you a place to relax, restore, dine and have drinks with family and friends. Leave the outside world outside for a moment. It is our pleasure to welcome you to Via del Corso.

5. The Harlequin

4.4

Awesome(168)

$$$$

• Contemporary American • SOMA

Booked 21 times today

1920's revival cocktail bar, restaurant and lounge offers an elevated cocktail program paired with a decadent New American cuisine featuring pizza's, pastas, steaks, and burgers. Happy Hour daily from 4pm to 6pm featuring $2 oysters and discounted beer and cocktails. Located in the center of San Francisco's Yerba Buena district, steps from Moscone Center and Union Square, The Harlequin is great for groups and private / corporate events. Private dining is also available in our Aviary.

6. Corzetti

4.3

Awesome(573)

$$$$

• Italian • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 24 times today

Step off the bustling streets of Union Square and into a glamorous, coastal Italian getaway. Corzetti is a Ligurian restaurant and bar that evokes summers spent on the Italian Riviera where life moves at a slower pace, and seaside restaurants serve up menus influenced by the day’s catch and peak-season produce from the region.Chef Tali Missirlian's focus on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and handmade pasta reflects our commitment to sustainability and quality. You'll find fresh seafood-forward dishes on our menu including pizza, pasta and more, which pair perfectly with creative cocktails from our bar and an extensive list of Italian wines. Come in for lunch, happy hour, or a quick dinner before a show. Host birthday parties and get togethers in our private dining room. From our cozy and intimate atmosphere to our knowledgeable and attentive service, Corzetti invites you to savor the essence of Liguria's relaxed seaside culture in the heart of the city.

A photo of Tratto - San Francisco restaurant

7. Tratto - San Francisco

4.3

Awesome(926)

$$$$

• Italian • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 4 times today

A spirited, bar-driven restaurant serving rustic Italian fare with modern sensibilities, Tratto takes its name from the Italian word for “stroke,” a nod to the neighborhood’s artistic roots and The Marker Hotel next door.The menu features simple, flavorful, shareable dishes paired with a lively, communal dining experience inspired by Italy’s aperitivo tradition. Guests can enjoy playful twists on classic Italian cocktails, boozy sodas, and a curated selection of beer and wine from California and Italy—including house wine on tap. Join us for our new spring menu with Tratto's take on traditional classics. From antipasti and house-made pastas to pizzas, family-style entrées, seasonal sides, and classic desserts, Tratto offers something for every occasion.Stopping by for a quick bite or after work drink? Aperitivo Hour delivers expertly crafted cocktails, premium wines, and elevated small plates in a warm, stylish setting. Offered Daily from 4-6PM.

8. 54 Mint

4.6

Exceptional(3548)

$$$$

• Italian • SOMA

Booked 29 times today

54 Mint is a hidden gem in the heart of downtown San Francisco across from the old US Mint Building. We offer authentic Roman cuisine prepared only with fresh and seasonal ingredients. Our pastas, bread and desserts are made fresh in house on a daily basis. Our bar offers an extended variety of Italian wines, craft cocktails and high-end imported and local spirits.

A photo of bota tapas and paella bar restaurant

9. bota tapas and paella bar

4.5

Awesome(1054)

$$$$

• Tapas / Small Plates • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 13 times today

Bota is an authentic Spanish style tapas and paella bar located in the heart of Union Square in San Francisco. A place to go to share food, savor rustic flavors and enjoy Spanish wine in a casual, yet chic, environment. Inspired by the concept behind our name “BOTA”, a vessel to share wine with the people around you.

10. Montesacro SOMA

4.7

Exceptional(2404)

$$$$

• Pizzeria • SOMA

Booked 28 times today

Montesacro is the first “Pinseria Romana” in the United States. The interior resembles old Roman “Fraschette”, offering a wide selection of artisanal cheeses and cured meats, cold dishes from Roman tradition and a modern take on pinsa, a low fat, low calorie and easy to digest flat bread made with a blend of rice, soy and wheat flour imported directly from Rome, all GMO free. Our wine list represents mostly old world regions. We carry wines that are made from grape varietals native to their respective areas. We feature smaller producers of less known wines with a focus on organic, biodynamic and natural agriculture.We look forward to hosting your next gathering with friends or private group dinner!To host a private group dinner at MONTESACRO SoMa, please contact our Event manager Elena Manunta to elena@mintgroupsf.com or send an inquiry via https://montesacro.com/events-soma

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

M
Mary
San Francisco Bay Area •16 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Very convenient location, very good food, especially the duck, in the Service was good.
More info
Revival Bar+Kitchen$$$$• Californian• Berkeley
•
4.6
D
Dawn
San Francisco Bay Area •17 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Food was incredibly delicious. It reminded me of being back in Rome. Homemade pasta! All the ingredients were so fresh. The tiramisu was delicious. I would highly recommend this restaurant.
More info
54 Mint$$$$• Italian• SOMA
•
4.6
A
Anayeli
1 review
5.0
Dined on May 22, 2026
Great place to go with a large group! Nice patio and they were really accommodating. Server was the nicest and would check up on us to make sure everything was okay. Food was great!
More info
Heroic Italian - Berkeley$$$$• Italian• Berkeley
•
4.6
M
Michele
Nevada •4 reviews
4.0
Dined on May 21, 2026
The waitress was very good, The food was outstanding, but took a long time to get our entree an hour. They charge for everything, bread, salad but again the food was really good. So if your not in a hurry and you don't mind paying top dollar, the place was very nice. And it was walking distance from our hotel The Spero.
More info
Tratto - San Francisco$$$$• Italian• Downtown / Union Square
•
4.3
J
Jessica
San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
5.0
Dined on May 16, 2026
Great ambience, classy and spacious. Located inside a beautiful historic hotel with high ceilings and great acoustics for conversation. Food was delicious, especially the Tri-tip sandwich and Wagyu burger. Attentive service and friendly servers.
More info
ZINO$$$$• Mediterranean• Berkeley
•
4.1

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