This Detroit-style pizza mini-chain Square Pie Guys offers indoor and patio dining plus takeout at this outpost fronting Ghirardelli Square and Aquatic Park. The pies are unique in the West Coast pizza world — cut into thick, pillowy squares; bounded by crisped cheese-laden edges; and starring a blend of traditional and unusual toppings. Pepperoni, for example, is available either with red sauce and mozzarella, or with white sauce, chile flake, green goddess dressing, and grated grana padano. Kale salads, chicken wings, and desserts complete the menu.

Yes, there’s excellent dim sum to be had right in the heart of Ghirardelli Square, from the team behind Koi Palace and Dragon Beaux, the legendary Ng brothers. Tourists or not, customers are almost certain to order a steamer of the multi-colored xiao long bao alongside the equally Instagrammable fried taro puffs crafted to resemble black swans. You can also rely on Palette’s pedigreed dim sum chefs to put out solid versions of all the classics including har gow, barbecue pork buns, and pan-fried radish cakes.

With its stunning views, killer margaritas, fresh blue corn tortillas, and festive background music, Barrio brings a serious vacation vibe to Ghirardelli Square. Tacos are the focus, and the ones with fresh, grilled halibut are a natural choice. Margaritas are customizable by liquor (tequila or mezcal) and flavor (lime, pineapple, prickly pear, or watermelon) and are available in single servings or party-sized pitchers. Palomas, micheladas, and house riffs on classic cocktails are on the menu, along with alcohol-free aguas frescas.

This longtime fine-dining institution near Ghirardelli Square continues to offer its famed risottos and decadent desserts. Head to the bar and order a la carte from the menu: the cheese cart, trio of creme brulee, and souffles are all best in class. Level up with caviar service, if you’re feeling ritzy.

Cafe de Casa is a Brazilian-owned cafe serving all manner of Brazilian street food: açai made with guardana; classic pastries like enroladinho, or coconut bread filled with cheese; and coxinha, breaded dough filled with shredded chicken and cream cheese. Other highlights include pour-over coffee and seriously spicy hot sauce.

Literally sitting on the dock of the bay, Scoma’s has been around since 1965, making it a gem of the Fisherman’s Wharf scene. It even used to have its own fishing boat for salmon and crabs. Despite the long tenure, it’s managed to upgrade the cocktail program and menu quite a bit. This is a top-tier choice for a sit-down fancy-ish dinner somewhere on Fisherman’s Wharf. If you’re looking to try one of the city’s legendary dishes, order the “lazy man’s cioppino.”

San Francisco’s Korean food scene has recently started to boom, but if you are craving pajun, jook, or bibimbap, this spot has solid versions of all of the above. Owners Steven and Jiyeon Choi — who also own Kitchen Story, Sweet Maple, and a few other Bay Area neighborhood staples — have created a very decent American-style brunch including popovers, sweet-spicy “Millionaire’s” bacon, and super-thick blueberry-stuffed French toast.

This Argentinian food truck serves some of the area’s tastiest and most reasonably priced food. It’s best known for its flaky, Argentinian-style baked empanadas and its massive, chimichurri-topped burger — low-key one of the better burgers in the city. But you can also grab a seat in the little covered dining area and enjoy a heartier sit-down dinner — say, a grilled steak over saffron rice.

England-born Suzanne Acevedo knows her way around a fryer. She founded this humble trailer in 2011 because she missed the fish ‘n’ chips from her homeland. Now she’s serving some of the best food on the Wharf, and some of the best fish tacos in San Francisco. Note that she doesn’t take reservations or orders by phone; online ordering is the only way to plan ahead for pickup. 

One of the few stand-alone Krispy Krunchy locations that isn’t embedded inside a gas station convenience store, this Southern-style fried chicken chain has been a welcome addition to the Wharf. Well-seasoned, unfailingly crunchy skin — hence the name — and sweet honey biscuits are the hallmarks here.

Fog Harbor is a tourist trap to be sure, but with its prime spot on Pier 39, large outdoor dining space boasting views of the bay and bridge, and over-the-top seafood feasts, it offers a fun time for everyone. Tie on a bib for sourdough bread bowls brimming with clam chowder and piled with lump Dungeness crab meat, its specialty, and go big with lobster tails, a whole Dungeness crab, or surf and turf.