San Francisco, as the food capital of the west coast of the United States, has always attracted many tourists with its rich seafood resources and unique cooking style. Fisherman’s Wharf, as one of the most representative seafood food gathering places in San Francisco, is especially famous for its fresh seafood and restaurants with local characteristics. Here, you can taste the freshest seafood, enjoy the beautiful bay scenery, and experience the unique marine culture of San Francisco.
1. Classic seafood restaurant at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco: Scoma’s Restaurant
Restaurant history
Founded in 1965, Scoma’s Restaurant is one of the most representative seafood restaurants at Fisherman’s Wharf. As a family-run restaurant, Scoma’s attracts a large number of local residents and tourists with its fresh seafood and warm dining environment. The restaurant insists on purchasing the freshest seafood every day, providing a variety of classic seafood dishes, and has become the first choice for seafood lovers in San Francisco with its super high quality and unique cooking methods.
Food characteristics and taste
Scoma’s signature dishes include classic cream-baked crab, pan-fried sea bass and seafood pasta. Among them, the cream-baked crab is delicious, with full crab meat, served with fragrant cream and spices, giving people an ultimate seafood enjoyment. The pan-fried sea bass is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and the delicious fish meat is combined with a slight lemon flavor, with a rich taste. The seafood pasta perfectly combines fresh shrimp, clams and crabs with pasta, and the rich seafood flavor and fresh vanilla aroma are intoxicating.
Personal experience
The dining experience at Scoma’s is very pleasant. The restaurant is located in a very advantageous location, close to Fisherman’s Wharf, and the window overlooks the beautiful bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. The waiters in the restaurant are very friendly and give people a feeling of being at home. The dishes are large enough and the taste is very unique, especially the freshness of the seafood is impressive.
Location and reservation platform
Scoma’s is located in the Inner Harbor area of Fisherman’s Wharf, the address is Pier 47, San Francisco, CA 94133. Reservations can be made through third-party platforms such as OpenTable and Resy. The cost of the restaurant is about $30-$50 per person, depending on the dishes and drinks you choose.
2. Romantic restaurant at Fisherman’s Wharf: The Crab House at Pier 39
Restaurant history
Since its opening, The Crab House has attracted a large number of diners with its excellent bay views and fresh seafood. The restaurant focuses on providing the best quality crabs and other seafood delicacies, especially its signature crab feast. The seafood here is not only fresh, but also pays attention to cooking skills and presentation methods, providing diners with a rich choice of seafood.
Food characteristics and taste
The pepper and salt crab of Crab House is one of the restaurant’s signature dishes. The crab has a crispy skin and tender meat inside. The taste of pepper and salt is just right, with a hint of spicy and salty fragrance. The seafood platter is a great choice for seafood lovers, including a variety of fresh seafood, such as oysters, crabs and clams, with a delicious taste and unique flavor.
Personal experience
The Crab House’s dining experience is perfect for couples and families. The restaurant is located at the forefront of Pier 39, with an unbeatable view of the bay outside the window. The waiters are enthusiastic and professional, and the food is served at a moderate speed, ensuring a good dining experience. The most impressive thing is the atmosphere of the restaurant, which is romantic and warm, and is an ideal place to enjoy delicious seafood.
Location and reservation platform
The Crab House is located at Pier 39, San Francisco, CA 94133. There are not only delicious food, but also shopping and entertainment projects, and you can enjoy the view of the bay by the way. Table reservations can be made through platforms such as OpenTable and Yelp. The average per capita consumption is about $35-$60.
3. Classic seafood and bar culture: Fog Harbor Fish House
Restaurant history
Founded in 2004, Fog Harbor Fish House is another famous seafood restaurant in Fisherman’s Wharf. The restaurant is located at Pier 39 and offers authentic San Francisco seafood flavors, focusing on freshly caught crabs and other seafood dishes. Its restaurant interior design is modern and stylish, while maintaining the classic harbor restaurant style. It is a gathering place for many tourists and local residents.
Food Features and Taste
Fog Harbor’s fresh seafood platter contains a variety of seasonal seafood, including oysters, crabs and prawns, served with a unique sauce. The freshness and taste of seafood are unforgettable. Its clam chowder is also a classic dish, with a thick soup base, tender clam meat, and a strong seafood aroma. For diners who like heavy flavors, the pan-fried Atlantic cod is an excellent choice. The fish meat is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a rich taste of vanilla sauce.
Personal experience
Fog Harbor Fish House is impressive. There is not only delicious seafood here, but also an open bar where visitors can relax and enjoy hand-made cocktails. The restaurant is in a prime location and offers a stunning panoramic view of the bay. Especially at dusk, the scenery under the sunset is even more charming, making it an ideal choice for couples and families.
Location and Booking Platform
Fog Harbor Fish House is located at Pier 39, San Francisco, CA 94133. You can make reservations through third-party platforms such as OpenTable and Resy. The average per capita consumption is between $40-$70.
4. Exquisite seafood and beautiful views: Waterbar Restaurant
Restaurant history
Waterbar Restaurant is a high-end seafood restaurant located on the San Francisco Bay. It was established in 2006 and is known for its fresh seafood and exquisite dishes. The restaurant is located on the waterfront of the bay, providing excellent views and dining experience, and is an ideal choice for celebrating special occasions and romantic dates.
Food Features and Taste
Waterbar’s oyster platter is one of the restaurant’s star dishes, offering selected oysters from different regions, and every bite is delicious. Black pepper pan-fried scallops are also a classic choice of the restaurant. The scallops are delicate and paired with crispy black pepper sauce, which is rich in flavor. The seafood soup is rich and smooth, and it is a dish that is very suitable for enjoying with bread.
Personal experience
The dining experience at Waterbar is intoxicating, not only the food, but also the excellent view and environment. Sitting by the window, you can see the beautiful bay view through the glass window, which is a perfect combination of enjoying food and nature. The service in the restaurant is also very good, and the waiters are friendly and professional, making the whole dining process more enjoyable.
Location and reservation platform
Waterbar is located at Pier 5, San Francisco, CA 94105, and is a great place to enjoy delicious seafood and beautiful scenery. Reservations can be made through platforms such as OpenTable and Yelp. The average per capita consumption is about $50-$90.
5. Things to note when dining at San Francisco restaurants
Choose the right dining time
When dining at popular restaurants in San Francisco, it is recommended to avoid peak dining hours, especially dinner time on weekends. It is usually easier to find a table between 5pm and 6pm or after 8pm, so you can avoid waiting too long. During peak hours, restaurants may require reservations in advance to guarantee a seat, especially in tourist hotspots such as Fisherman’s Wharf.
Pay attention to the portion sizes of restaurants
Most restaurants in San Francisco serve large portions, so if you are dining with two people, you can consider sharing a dish with your companion to better experience a variety of different cuisines. In addition, some restaurants also offer small menus for diners who like to try a variety of dishes.
Make reservations in advance
To ensure that you can dine during popular hours, it is recommended to make reservations in advance through platforms such as OpenTable and Resy. Especially during the peak tourist season, many restaurants will be fully booked in advance. Making reservations in advance can avoid the trouble of insufficient vacancies and allow you to enjoy the food in a comfortable environment.
Pay attention to service charges
Many high-end restaurants will add a service charge to the bill, which is usually 15% to 20%. When dining, it is best to check whether the service charge is included in the bill to avoid paying twice.
San Francisco’s seafood cuisine has always been known for its freshness, richness and diversity. From Fisherman’s Wharf to the restaurants on the bay, each one has its own unique charm and deliciousness. Whether it is a traditional seafood platter, a special crab dish, or a creative cooking method, San Francisco can allow every diner to experience an unparalleled seafood feast. If you are a seafood lover, San Francisco is undoubtedly a gourmet place you can’t miss.
When booking a restaurant, it is recommended to operate through third-party platforms such as OpenTable, Resy and Yelp to ensure that you can get a seat during peak hours and enjoy a more convenient dining experience.
