This Detroit-style pizza mini-chain has exploded in popularity since its debut two years ago. Square Pie Guys does a big delivery business through all the usual apps and offers indoor and patio dining plus takeout at this newest outpost fronting Ghirardelli Square and Aquatic Park. The pie is unique in the West Coast pizza world, with its thick, pillowy “squares;” crisped cheese-laden edges; and blend of traditional and unusual toppings. Pepperoni, for example is available either the old-fashioned way, with red sauce and mozzarella, or the uber-NorCal way, with white sauce, chile flake, green goddess dressing, and grated grana padano. Very respectable kale salads, chicken wings, and dessert complete the menu. Sweet options include ice cream or the house take on monkey bread: pizza dough dipped in butter and brown sugar, and served with blackberries, caramel, and seasoned ricotta.

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 (soup dumplings) 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, from har gow and barbecue pork buns to pan-fried radish cakes.

With its stunning views, killer margaritas, housemade blue corn tortillas, and festive background music, Barrio brings a serious vacation vibe to anyone visiting its Ghirardelli Square outpost. Tacos are the focus, and the ones with fresh, grilled halibut are a natural choice in this seaside environment. Margaritas are customizable by liquor (tequila or mezcal) and flavor (standard 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 order, along with aguas frescas for the alcohol-free folk.

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 souffle are all best in class. Level up with caviar service, if you’re feeling ritzy.

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

Literally sitting on the dock of the bay, Scoma’s is a gem that has been around since 1965, and it has its own fishing boat for salmon and crabs. Despite the tenure, it has 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. (Check out the making of their “lazy man’s cioppino” here.)

San Francisco’s Korean food scene has only recently started to grow, 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 (slash empanada counter) 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. 

Before Tartine, Josey Baker, Della Fattoria, and even Acme, there was Boudin. San Francisco sourdough is now such a crowded field that the original — developed in 1849 by French immigrant Isadore Boudin — seems ubiquitous and pedestrian. But a visit to Boudin at the Wharf, home of the historic mother dough from which all other super tangy Boudin sourdough loaves are born, reminds both locals and tourists of the iconic bread’s origin story. The flagship complex comprises a demonstration bakery, where you can watch that famous bread being made; a downstairs cafe and market; and a fancier upstairs bistro with a classic oyster bar. But for a real San Francisco experience, whether visiting or a longtime resident, stick with clam chowder in a bread bowl.  

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.