1. Fog Harbor Fish House
39 pier
San Francisco, CA 94133(415) 421-2442Visit Website
Situated in a prime-time spot on Pier 39 in Fisherman’s Wharf, Fog Harbor attracts throngs of tourists, but it’s still a really fun seafood feast. Tie on a bib for sourdough bread bowls brimming with clam chowder and piled with lump Dungeness crab meat. The restaurant boasts a big outdoor space with views of the bay and bridge, not to mention the background music of seagulls and sea lions.
ALSO FEATURED IN:
Where to Eat and Drink in Fisherman’sharf for Non-Tourists
2. Scoma’s Restaurant
1965 Al Scoma Way
San Francisco, CA 94133(415) 771-4383 Visit Website
Scoma’s is not just a restaurant, it’s almost a monument to seafood, perched on the quayside since 1965 as if it had roots in the water. Long-time customers come in as if they’re in their second home, sinking into those comfortable leather and wood seats, while the waiters-who have probably been there longer than some of the boats in the harbour-serve them with a knowing smile. Here, the cioppino is old-school, the Manhattans come with character, and the grilled combo platters are a sure bet. The secret? Probably a little nostalgia and lots and lots of flavour.
ALSO FEATURED IN:
- 15 San Francisco Restaurants With Spectacular Views
- Where to Eat and Drink in Fisherman’s Wharf for Non-Tourists
3. Sotto Mare
552 Green St
San Francisco, CA 94133(415) 398-3181 Visit Website
The Italian-American classic in North Beach talks big fish game with “the best damn cioppino in San Francisco,” as well as a big hearty menu filled with pasta, risotto, and sand dabs. Its tiled dining room crammed full of memorabilia is the ideal place to strap on a bib and dig into San Francisco’s favorite stew.
ALSO FEATURED IN:
4. La Mar Cebicheria Peruana
pier 1 1/2
San Francisco, CA 94105(415) 397-8880Visit Website
Just north of the Ferry Building, this modern Peruvian restaurant boasts tall ceilings and big views of the bay. They specialize in several different types of cebiche, lightly cooked in “leche de tigre,” with choices between the catch of the day, ahi tuna, or yellowtail. Make it a full meal with grilled octopus and lomo saltado.
ALSO FEATURED IN:
5. Hog Island Oyster Co.
One, Ferry Building, #11
San Francisco, CA 94111(415) 391-7117 Visit Website
The mega oyster farm that supplies the city’s top restaurants is well worth the trip to the picnic tables in Marshall. But if you don’t want to venture that far, they also have a stand at the Ferry Building. The sure-fire classic, a dozen of their legendary freshwater oysters. But if the craving strikes, there’s also a creamy clam chowder and a soul-hugging grilled cheese.
ALSO FEATURED IN:
6. R & G Lounge
631 Kearny St
San Francisco, CA 94108(415) 982-7877Visit Website
R & G Lounge has been a Chinatown classic since 1985. It’s not exclusively a seafood restaurant, but it’s known for the live crab with salt and pepper, a deep-fried golden icon of Chinese-American food in San Francisco. And there are plenty of other fish on the menu, including prawns with honey walnuts, steamed sea bass, and whole lobster.
ALSO FEATURED IN:
- 24 Splendid Chinese Restaurants in San Francisco
- Where to Eat and Drink in San Francisco’s Chinatown
7. Tadich Grill
240 California St
San Francisco, CA 94111(415) 391-1849 Visit Website
Down where the trolley cars bottom out on California Street, Tadich Grill still stands as the oldest continuously run restaurant in San Francisco, founded in 1849 by Croatian immigrants, so they say. It can be a scene, with white linens on tables, white-jacketed waiters, and it’s bustling at lunch. The seafood is still grilled over mesquite charcoal, and they’re known for cioppino, chowder, and sand dabs.
ALSO FEATURED IN:
8. Angler
132 The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94105(415) 872-9442 Visit Website
Angler opened on the Embarcadero in 2018, as a spinoff of Michelin-starred Saison, and focuses on seafood, with some upscale options and add-ons.The fish comes out of the wood-fired oven and smokers with a flavour that could write its own story. Parker House rolls with cultured seaweed butter, whole grilled lobster and abalone are not far behind, and then there’s sea urchin, uni and more… because the seafood feast here knows no bounds.
ALSO FEATURED IN:
- 45 Michelin-Starred Restaurants Have Returned in the SF Bay Area
- 18 New and Classic Bay Area Barbecue Joints That Are Open for Takeout
9. Swan Oyster Depot
1517 Polk St
San Francisco, CA 94109(415) 673-1101
The legendary fish market accepts no reservations, and usually draws long lines, although as a concession to the pandemic, they now do delivery. Swan’s has a hundred-year history dating back to before the 1906 earthquake, and it’s now in the hands of the Sancimino brothers, who have shucked oysters for everyone from Bing Crosby to Anthony Bourdain. Belly up to the bar for oysters of course, and also clam chowder, crab salad, and “Sicilian sashimi.”
ALSO FEATURED IN:
10. Waterbar Restaurant
399 The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94105(415) 284-9922 Visit Website
Sister restaurants Waterbar and Epic Steak are perched right at the foot of the Bay Bridge: one goes for the meat (Epic) and the other swims with the fish (Waterbar). Waterbar doesn’t skimp on space, with spacious interiors and terraces on different levels. Brunch? Here it means a lobster roll in one hand and a glass of sparkling wine in the other.
ALSO FEATURED IN:
23 Great Places to Eat and Drink Outside in San Francisco
11. The Anchovy Bar
1740 O’Farrell St
San Francisco, CA 94115(415) 796-2710 Visit Website
The newest restaurant from the State Bird team was actually able to open during the pandemic. It’s an ode to Chef Stuart Brioza’s obsession with anchovies, and when in season, the local little fish are laboriously preserved in house. Year round, there’s also tinned fish from Spain and Italy; oysters, mussels, and clams; and a duo of whipped butters with roe and nori.
12. Brenda’s French Soul Food
652 Polk St
San Francisco, CA 94102(415) 345-8100 Visit Website
Chef Brenda Buenviaje is a Louisiana native, and she brought New Orleans style to her popular restaurant in San Francisco, which now has several different spinoffs and locations. Brenda’s is definitely not strictly seafood — there’s good fried chicken — but there’s lots of fish on the menu, for those craving broiled oysters, barbecue shrimp, crawfish beignets, shrimp and grits, and fried catfish po’boys.
ALSO FEATURED IN:
13. PPQ Dungeness Island – San Francisco
2332 Clement St
San Francisco, CA 94121(415) 386-8266 Visit Website
The legendary Vietnamese restaurant of the Richmond is known for big family-style Dungeness crab feasts, featuring roasted crab and garlic noodles. It’s a fun time for families and larger groups, but there are also a la carte options.
ALSO FEATURED IN:
14. Woodhouse Fish Company
2073 Market St
San Francisco, CA 94114(415) 437-2722 Visit Website
The MacNiven brothers grew up in the Bay Area, but their San Francisco seafood restaurants have a New England soul. At both, the menu is fresh, relaxed and loaded with delicacies like Dungeness crab rolls, lobster rolls, fish and chips and fish tacos. Oh, and if the Fillmore’s parklet looks like a boat to you… it’s no coincidence.
15. Anchor Oyster Bar
579 Castro St
San Francisco, CA 94114(415) 431-3990 Visit Website
Anchor Oyster is a neighbourhood classic, dropping anchor in the Castro since 1977. Their cioppino comes loaded with mussels and crab claws, and yes, accept the bib without fear: it’s basically a garlic steam facial. There are also oysters on the half shell, clam chowder and sourdough bread, because some classics don’t need reinventing.
MORE IN MAPS
- 18 Juicy Burgers in San Francisco
- The 38 Essential Restaurants in San Francisco
- 25 San Francisco Brunches to Wake Up To
16. La Ciccia
291 30th St
San Francisco, CA 94131(415) 550-8114 Visit Website
La Ciccia is a cozy neighborhood restaurant at the quiet end of Noe Valley, at top of Church and 30th. It’s a Sardinian menu filled with lots of seafood, pasta, and minerally wine. Regulars keep going back for the fresh spaghetti with cured fish roe grated over the top, fresh fettuccine tinted with squid ink, and tender baby octopus.
Information taken from:
