Best Seafood Restaurant in San Francisco: Top Picks for Seafood Lovers
San Francisco’s seafood scene has a rich history dating back to the mid-1800s Gold Rush era, when the city’s port attracted fishermen from around the world. By the early 20th century, Fisherman’s Wharf in SF emerged as a hub for seafood commerce and dining, offering a variety of fresh catches from the Pacific Ocean. Over the years, iconic seafood dishes like cioppino, a hearty seafood stew, and sourdough bread bowls filled with clam chowder gained popularity among locals and visitors alike. Today, San Francisco continues to celebrate its maritime heritage with an abundance of the best seafood restaurants in San Francisco.
Broad Street Oyster Company - Best Seafood Restaurant in SF
Ghirardelli Square has quickly established itself as one of San Francisco's top destinations for seafood enthusiasts. Inside a two story space is Broad Street Oyster Company, a raw bar and restaurant that offers a modern twist on classic seafood dishes. Upon entering Broad Street Oyster Company, guests are greeted to a funky and casual interior adorned with wood paneling, vintage signs, and a striking raw bar where the crew of oyster shucking pirates stay busy.
The menu at Broad Street Oysters Company showcases a wide variety of seafood offerings. Oysters take center stage, with a rotating selection of premium varieties from both the East and West Coasts, served raw on the half shell or prepared in innovative ways. Beyond the oysters, the menu features many other seafood hits, including a seafood tower overflowing with shrimp, crab, and caviar, as well as a hearty seafood stew called cioppino. Their most popular item is the lobster roll, served either chilled with mayo or warm with butter. Adding a topping of caviar and sea urchin is a must try for any seafood lover in San Francisco.
Complementing the cuisine is an extensive beverage program featuring artisanal wines and local craft beers, all carefully chosen to enhance the experience. Whether stopping in for a casual lunch, a romantic dinner, or a casual gathering with friends, a meal at Broad Street Oyster Company is a celebration of San Francisco’s best seafood.
Waterbar in SF
Situated on the Embarcadero waterfront, Waterbar is a chic seafood restaurant known for its elegant ambiance and creative cuisine. The restaurant's spacious dining room features floor-to-ceiling windows, sleek modern decor, and a lively oyster bar where guests can watch chefs shuck fresh oysters to order. The menu at Waterbar has an emphasis on locally sourced and sustainable ingredients. Their signature dish is pan-seared scallops with butternut squash puree and brown butter.
Swan Oyster Depot in San Francisco
Swan Oyster Depot is a beloved institution that has been serving top-quality seafood since 1912 in Nob Hill. This small, no-frills counter-style restaurant is famous for its fresh oysters, cracked crab, and clam chowder. Despite its humble setting, Swan Oyster Depot draws crowds of locals and tourists alike, often resulting in long lines during peak hours. The restaurant's friendly and efficient service, along with its consistently excellent seafood, has earned it a reputation as one of the best seafood spots in the city.
Angler
Located in the historic Ferry Building, Angler is a Michelin-starred seafood restaurant that celebrates the bounty of the sea with a focus on seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant's menu changes regularly based on the availability of fresh ingredients, but guests can expect to find a variety of inventive seafood dishes, such as roasted whole fish with herb salsa verde and smoked trout roe on grilled sourdough bread. In addition to its exceptional seafood offerings, Angler boasts an extensive wine list, as well as a selection of artisanal cocktails crafted with house-made infusions and tinctures.
San Francisco’s Best Seafood Restaurant - Broad Street Oysters Company
With its prime location at Ghirardelli Square, breathtaking views of the Bay, and commitment to delicious bites, Broad Street Oysters Company has truly earned its place as a top destination for seafood lovers in the City and by the Bay. Try their world famous lobster roll and pair it with an ice cold beer for a taste of the best seafood in SF.
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