More Maps

11 Bars and Restaurants With Impressively Strong Nonalcoholic Cocktail Menus in San Francisco

18 Essential Bakeries in San Francisco

16 Reliable Places to Eat Around Union Square

More in San Francisco See more maps

17 Fresh Seafood Restaurants in San Francisco

Where to feast on sweet oysters, the king of salmon, and cioppino

by Dianne de Guzman, Lauren Saria, and Becky Duffett Updated Feb 15, 2023, 2:15pm PST

View as Map

by Dianne de Guzman, Lauren Saria, and Becky Duffett Updated Feb 15, 2023, 2:15pm PST

Patricia Chang

San Francisco is a major port city, surrounded by ocean and bay, and the seafood tradition runs deep. This city has salty old-school restaurants that go back one or two centuries, from oyster counters to woodfire grills, and more recently, the city by the bay has continued to attract bold and modern fish restaurants, several from star chefs. Many prominently feature the local holy trinity: oysters, king salmon, and Dungeness crab. But year-round and across town, here are the freshest seafood restaurants in San Francisco.

Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission.

Read More

If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Fog Harbor Fish House

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, with the option of adding lump Dungeness crab meat on top. The restaurant offers a big outdoor space with views of the bay and bridge, not to mention the background music of seagulls and sea lions.

39 pier, San Francisco, CA 94133

Visit Website

Seafood platter at Fog Harbor

Also featured in:

Scoma's Restaurant

Scoma’s is a seafood institution, literally sitting on the dock of the bay since 1965. Longtime regulars love the warm leather and wood interiors, where they slide into a favorite booth, and chat with servers who have been there for decades. Scoma’s known for old-school cioppino, strong Manhattans, mixed grill platters, and more.

1965 Al Scoma Way, San Francisco, CA 94133

Visit Website

Scoma’s

Also featured in:

Sotto Mare

The Italian-American classic in North Beach talks big fish game by claiming “the best damn cioppino in San Francisco,” as well as a 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.

Open in Google Maps

552 Green St, San Francisco, CA 94133

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Portofino

There’s no shortage of great Italian restaurants in North Beach, but when it comes to seafood, Portofino earns special praise. The small casual restaurant crouches on Grant Street and cultivates an old-school vibe, in a good way. There’s no website and the best, freshest options are the ones scrawled on the hand-written menu board. Order from the chalkboard list and you’ll be treated to dishes like roasted sardines; whole steaming branzino laid atop a medley of tender vegetables; and squid ink pasta tangled up with chunks of swordfish, saffron, and veggies.

Open in Google Maps

1318 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

Also featured in:

Where To Dine on Christmas Day in Las Vegas

Atelier Crenn

Both of celebrity chef Dominique Crenn’s restaurants are famously free of meat (at least, the natural kind) and the full tasting menu at her three-Michelin-star stunner Atelier Crenn features seafood. The pescatarian dishes will change with the menu, but you’re guaranteed to experience all the trappings of a world-class dining experience here — flawlessly warm and professional service, surprising and delightful beverage pairings, and an elegant atmosphere worthy of any special or celebratory occasion.

Open in Google Maps

3127 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94123

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Hog Island Oyster Co.

The big oyster farm that supplies many star restaurants around town is worth the drive up to the picnic tables in Marshall, but it also has a seafood restaurant in the Ferry Building. The classic order is a dozen of their famed sweetwater oysters, but they also have creamy clam chowder and thick grilled cheese.

One, Ferry Building, #11, San Francisco, CA 94111

Visit Website

Oysters and caviar from Hog Island

Also featured in:

Bar Sprezzatura

Bar Sprezzatura’s dishes focus on Italian cicchetti, or snacks and small dishes, and while the menu isn’t entirely dedicated to seafood, there are a number of items that will satisfy most hankerings for a bite of fish or uni. A portion of the menu is dedicated to crudo, such as the Pacific amberjack that incorporates passion fruit and red tangerine olive oil, or the spendy insalata di mare with Monterey abalone, uni, Dungeness crab, mussels, shrimp, and surf clam. In the pasta section, don’t miss the sepe al nero, which pairs cuttlefish with whipped biancoperla polenta for a nice decadent point in the night.

Open in Google Maps

One Maritime Plaza, #100, San Francisco, CA 94111

Visit Website

Also featured in:

14 Buzzy Coffee Cocktails Around San Francisco and the East Bay

Estiatorio Ornos a Michael Mina Restaurant San Francisco

In mid-2021 San Francisco’s most prolific chef and restaurateur Michael Mina flipped his FiDi flagship restaurant into Estiatorio Ornos, an upscale Mediterranean restaurant that draws inspiration from his Greek heritage and Aqua, the seafood restaurant where he launched himself to stardom more than two decades ago. A fish sommelier will walk you through menu options that range from grilled sea bass to phyllo-crusted sole.

Open in Google Maps

252 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

Visit Website

Whole-Roasted fish at Estiatorio Ornos

Angler

Angler opened on the Embarcadero in 2018, as a spinoff from Michelin-starred Saison, and it’s focused on seafood with some luxurious options and add-ons. Fish picks up flavor in the woodfire oven and smokers, and there are Parker House rolls with cultured seaweed butter, grilled whole lobster and abalone, not to mention urchin, uni, more.

Open in Google Maps

132 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Waterbar Restaurant

Sister spots Waterbar and Epic Steak are hulking restaurants at the foot of the Bay Bridge, and while Epic focuses on steak, Waterbar is all things fish. Waterbar has lots of space indoors and outdoors on a couple of different levels, and the brunch power move is a Cajun fried rockfish sandwich and a glass of sparkling wine.

Open in Google Maps

399 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105

Visit Website

Patio at Waterbar

Also featured in:

The Anchovy Bar

This restaurant from the State Bird team is 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, as well as a selection of oysters and caviar.

Open in Google Maps

1740 O'Farrell St, San Francisco, CA 94115

Visit Website

Anchovies from Anchovy Bar

Also featured in:

KAIYO ROOFTOP

This tropical rooftop restaurant and bar is the polar opposite of San Francisco’s stuffier seafood destinations, soaring above the city’s skyline and adorned with waving palms. The Nikkei menu marries Peruvian ingredients with Japanese culinary techniques with the result being a vibrant selection of cebiche, tiradito, and sushi — both rolls and nigiri. To complete the vacation vibes, sip one of the almost-tiki-like cocktails.

Open in Google Maps

701 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94107

Visit Website

A hand holds out a plate of sushi.

Also featured in:

Le Fantastique

Join in on the seafood and wine party of your dreams at this Hayes Valley newcomer from Emily and Robbie Wilson, the couple behind Bird Dog in Palo Alto. Here they’re focused on all things fishy and mostly raw — think a full menu of seven fresh crudo plus caviar-topped eclairs — to be enjoyed alongside a list flooded with French wines.

Open in Google Maps

22 Franklin St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Visit Website

Caviar eclairs at Le Fantastique

Also featured in:

Where to Find Fantastic Food and Drink Around Hayes Valley

Woodhouse Fish Company

The MacNiven brothers grew up in the Bay, but their two seafood restaurants in San Francisco are New England inspired. Both offer a fresh and casual menu filled with Dungeness crab rolls, lobster rolls, fish and chips, and fish tacos, and the parklet on Fillmore resembles a boat.

Open in Google Maps

2073 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94114

Visit Website

The crab roll from Woodhouse Fish Co.

Ancora

Expect absolutely pristine seafood at this Mission District newcomer, which benefits from its close ties to Joe Conte, co-owner of sustainable seafood company Water2Table. Chef Nick Anichini brings experience cooking at three-Michelin-star Atelier Crenn to the restaurant, where he offers both a $125 prix-fixe menu and a la carte options. Anichini aims to let the waterborne ingredients shine through simple preparations like tagliatelle crowned with white sturgeon caviar and bottarga and anchovies served with pan con tomate.

Open in Google Maps

557 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Visit Website

Also featured in:

These Are the Hottest New Restaurants in San Francisco, May 2023

Hook Fish Co

Join crowds of Outer Sunset residents and their four-legged friends at Hook Fish Co. for thoughtfully sourced seafood served in burritos, tacos, sandwiches, and atop salads. This is California beach food at its finest, and best enjoyed either on the wooden parklet out front or with your toes in the sand — the restaurant is just two blocks from Ocean Beach.

Open in Google Maps

4542 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122

Visit Website

Two fish tacos topped with avocado on a metal tray

Also featured in:

Anchor Oyster Bar

Anchor Oyster is a neighborhood classic, holding it down in the Castro since 1977. The cioppino is jammed with mussels and crab claws, and don’t be shy about accepting the bib, it’s a full garlic steam facial. They also sling oysters on the half shell, creamy clam chowder, and chewy sourdough.

Open in Google Maps

579 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114

Visit Website

Cioppino at Anchor Oyster

Also featured in:

© 2023 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Link copied to the clipboard.

Fog Harbor Fish House

39 pier, San Francisco, CA 94133

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, with the option of adding lump Dungeness crab meat on top. The restaurant offers a big outdoor space with views of the bay and bridge, not to mention the background music of seagulls and sea lions.

39 pier, San Francisco, CA 94133

Visit Website

Seafood platter at Fog Harbor

Scoma's Restaurant

1965 Al Scoma Way, San Francisco, CA 94133

Scoma’s is a seafood institution, literally sitting on the dock of the bay since 1965. Longtime regulars love the warm leather and wood interiors, where they slide into a favorite booth, and chat with servers who have been there for decades. Scoma’s known for old-school cioppino, strong Manhattans, mixed grill platters, and more.

1965 Al Scoma Way, San Francisco, CA 94133

Visit Website

Scoma’s

Sotto Mare

552 Green St, San Francisco, CA 94133

The Italian-American classic in North Beach talks big fish game by claiming “the best damn cioppino in San Francisco,” as well as a 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.

Open in Google Maps

552 Green St, San Francisco, CA 94133

Visit Website

Portofino

1318 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

There’s no shortage of great Italian restaurants in North Beach, but when it comes to seafood, Portofino earns special praise. The small casual restaurant crouches on Grant Street and cultivates an old-school vibe, in a good way. There’s no website and the best, freshest options are the ones scrawled on the hand-written menu board. Order from the chalkboard list and you’ll be treated to dishes like roasted sardines; whole steaming branzino laid atop a medley of tender vegetables; and squid ink pasta tangled up with chunks of swordfish, saffron, and veggies.

Open in Google Maps

1318 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

Atelier Crenn

3127 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94123

Both of celebrity chef Dominique Crenn’s restaurants are famously free of meat (at least, the natural kind) and the full tasting menu at her three-Michelin-star stunner Atelier Crenn features seafood. The pescatarian dishes will change with the menu, but you’re guaranteed to experience all the trappings of a world-class dining experience here — flawlessly warm and professional service, surprising and delightful beverage pairings, and an elegant atmosphere worthy of any special or celebratory occasion.

Open in Google Maps

3127 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94123

Visit Website

Hog Island Oyster Co.

One, Ferry Building, #11, San Francisco, CA 94111

The big oyster farm that supplies many star restaurants around town is worth the drive up to the picnic tables in Marshall, but it also has a seafood restaurant in the Ferry Building. The classic order is a dozen of their famed sweetwater oysters, but they also have creamy clam chowder and thick grilled cheese.

One, Ferry Building, #11, San Francisco, CA 94111

Visit Website

Oysters and caviar from Hog Island

Bar Sprezzatura

One Maritime Plaza, #100, San Francisco, CA 94111

Bar Sprezzatura’s dishes focus on Italian cicchetti, or snacks and small dishes, and while the menu isn’t entirely dedicated to seafood, there are a number of items that will satisfy most hankerings for a bite of fish or uni. A portion of the menu is dedicated to crudo, such as the Pacific amberjack that incorporates passion fruit and red tangerine olive oil, or the spendy insalata di mare with Monterey abalone, uni, Dungeness crab, mussels, shrimp, and surf clam. In the pasta section, don’t miss the sepe al nero, which pairs cuttlefish with whipped biancoperla polenta for a nice decadent point in the night.

Open in Google Maps

One Maritime Plaza, #100, San Francisco, CA 94111

Visit Website

Estiatorio Ornos a Michael Mina Restaurant San Francisco

252 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

In mid-2021 San Francisco’s most prolific chef and restaurateur Michael Mina flipped his FiDi flagship restaurant into Estiatorio Ornos, an upscale Mediterranean restaurant that draws inspiration from his Greek heritage and Aqua, the seafood restaurant where he launched himself to stardom more than two decades ago. A fish sommelier will walk you through menu options that range from grilled sea bass to phyllo-crusted sole.

Open in Google Maps

252 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

Visit Website

Whole-Roasted fish at Estiatorio Ornos

Angler

132 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105

Angler opened on the Embarcadero in 2018, as a spinoff from Michelin-starred Saison, and it’s focused on seafood with some luxurious options and add-ons. Fish picks up flavor in the woodfire oven and smokers, and there are Parker House rolls with cultured seaweed butter, grilled whole lobster and abalone, not to mention urchin, uni, more.

Open in Google Maps

132 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105

Visit Website

Waterbar Restaurant

399 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105

Sister spots Waterbar and Epic Steak are hulking restaurants at the foot of the Bay Bridge, and while Epic focuses on steak, Waterbar is all things fish. Waterbar has lots of space indoors and outdoors on a couple of different levels, and the brunch power move is a Cajun fried rockfish sandwich and a glass of sparkling wine.

Open in Google Maps

399 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105

Visit Website

Patio at Waterbar

The Anchovy Bar

1740 O'Farrell St, San Francisco, CA 94115

This restaurant from the State Bird team is 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, as well as a selection of oysters and caviar.

Open in Google Maps

1740 O'Farrell St, San Francisco, CA 94115

Visit Website

Anchovies from Anchovy Bar

KAIYO ROOFTOP

701 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94107

This tropical rooftop restaurant and bar is the polar opposite of San Francisco’s stuffier seafood destinations, soaring above the city’s skyline and adorned with waving palms. The Nikkei menu marries Peruvian ingredients with Japanese culinary techniques with the result being a vibrant selection of cebiche, tiradito, and sushi — both rolls and nigiri. To complete the vacation vibes, sip one of the almost-tiki-like cocktails.

Open in Google Maps

701 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94107

Visit Website

A hand holds out a plate of sushi.

Le Fantastique

22 Franklin St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Join in on the seafood and wine party of your dreams at this Hayes Valley newcomer from Emily and Robbie Wilson, the couple behind Bird Dog in Palo Alto. Here they’re focused on all things fishy and mostly raw — think a full menu of seven fresh crudo plus caviar-topped eclairs — to be enjoyed alongside a list flooded with French wines.

Open in Google Maps

22 Franklin St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Visit Website

Caviar eclairs at Le Fantastique

Woodhouse Fish Company

2073 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94114

The MacNiven brothers grew up in the Bay, but their two seafood restaurants in San Francisco are New England inspired. Both offer a fresh and casual menu filled with Dungeness crab rolls, lobster rolls, fish and chips, and fish tacos, and the parklet on Fillmore resembles a boat.

Open in Google Maps

2073 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94114

Visit Website

The crab roll from Woodhouse Fish Co.

Ancora

557 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Expect absolutely pristine seafood at this Mission District newcomer, which benefits from its close ties to Joe Conte, co-owner of sustainable seafood company Water2Table. Chef Nick Anichini brings experience cooking at three-Michelin-star Atelier Crenn to the restaurant, where he offers both a $125 prix-fixe menu and a la carte options. Anichini aims to let the waterborne ingredients shine through simple preparations like tagliatelle crowned with white sturgeon caviar and bottarga and anchovies served with pan con tomate.

Open in Google Maps

557 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Visit Website

Related Maps

Hook Fish Co

4542 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122

Join crowds of Outer Sunset residents and their four-legged friends at Hook Fish Co. for thoughtfully sourced seafood served in burritos, tacos, sandwiches, and atop salads. This is California beach food at its finest, and best enjoyed either on the wooden parklet out front or with your toes in the sand — the restaurant is just two blocks from Ocean Beach.

Open in Google Maps

4542 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122

Visit Website

Two fish tacos topped with avocado on a metal tray

Anchor Oyster Bar

579 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114

Anchor Oyster is a neighborhood classic, holding it down in the Castro since 1977. The cioppino is jammed with mussels and crab claws, and don’t be shy about accepting the bib, it’s a full garlic steam facial. They also sling oysters on the half shell, creamy clam chowder, and chewy sourdough.

Open in Google Maps

579 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114

Visit Website

Cioppino at Anchor Oyster

Related Maps