Budget
Boudin
Home of the sourdough bread with a recipe they've nurtured since 1849, where you can get among other things their popular clam chowder in a bread bowl. Visit their flagship location the Bistro Boudin at 160 Jefferson St, where you can shop for gifts here or stroll around their museum to learn about Boudin's history.
China Station Restaurant
Small restaurant, located at the Anchorage Center, serving low-fat, fresh Chinese food made to order. No MSG here either.
Darren's Cafe
Reasonably priced "mom and pop" Vietnamese/breakfast place on the Wharf. They serve Vietnamese dishes, soup, and sandwiches as well as more traditional breakfast options like country potatoes and omelettes. Small but friendly!
Fisherman's Wharf Deli and Taqueria
Inexpensive breakfast and lunch restaurant serving both Mexican and American fare like tacos, burritos, omlettes, toast, bagels, burgers, salads, and sandwiches. They also have internet facilities costing $3 for 20 min, $5 for 40 min, and $7 for an hour.
Chowder and Crab Sidewalk Stands
Get clam chowder in a bread bowl, Dungeness crab in season November through June, fish and chips, shrimp cocktails, calamari salad, etc. from this busy outdoor marketplace. If you're getting a crab, ask for a fresh one and they'll cook it up for you on the spot.
Chowders
Serving fresh seafood cocktails, clam chowder in a bread bowl, fish and chips, sandwiches, and salads. They also have a small "Not so Fishy... " menu for those who don't like seafood.
In-N-Out Burgerâ
Standard In-N-Out Burger, but it has the distinction of being the only one in the city. They serve "fresh burgers" and fries cut straight from the potato in front of you... it's still fast food, but it's definitely better than the usual fare. This place gets seriously packed but the line does tend to move quickly.
Midrange
Caesar's Italian Restaurant
Great Italian restaurant on the Wharf... they have been around for over 50 years. Try the tender calamari.
Cafe Pescatore
A mid-range Italian trattoria that focuses on the staples of Italian food like pasta, pizza, and risottos. It being Fisherman's Wharf, they do have a particular focus on seafood however.
Cioppino's on the Wharf
Family dining with indoor and outdoor seating. Cioppino is a flavorful San Franciscan seafood soup.
Eagle Cafe
One of the more reasonably priced places to eat on the Wharf. Traditional fare served. Pancakes are a favorite.
McCormick and Kuleto's Seafood Restaurant
A good seafood restaurant that also serves other fare such as pastas and steaks. The restaurant is perched atop Ghirardelli Square and has magnificent views of the bay, as well as a spacious and airy feel inside.
Pier Market
Pier Market is a real market and restaurant at Pier 39. It's definitely one of the better seafood options on the Wharf; the fish always seems to be fresh, the service is fast and friendly, and the prices are pretty low given the quality.
Rainforest Cafe
A jungle-themed restaurant with a wide variety of fare from chicken, seafood, pasta, pizza, and beef. Popular with young children.
Sea Lion Cafe
Good restaurant if you're with kids; it serves fish & chips, fresh seafood entrées, cafe sandwiches, salads, and pasta dishes while watching the sea lions but expect to pay a "San Francisco Minimum Wage Surcharge" with every meal.
Top end
Alioto's
Established in 1925 by the Alioto family, it plates Sicilian recipes incorporating the local, fresh seafood.
Castagnola's
Voted San Franciscoâs No. 1 Seafood and Family Restaurant of 1998 by The National Academy of Restaurant Evaluation and The Best of San Francisco Pocket Guide. They specialize in seafood and Italian cuisine, complimented by quality Californian wines.
Crab House at Pier 39
Voted "Best Crab in San Francisco" and famous for it's "Killer Crab" — 2 pounds of Dungeness Crab! Comes with great views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Forbes Island
Fancy a bit of an adventure for your next dining experience? Well, how about dining on a floating island? Forbes Island is a floating wooden island 100 foot by 50 foot complete with a lighthouse, waterfall, and real palm trees. It was built in 1975 and was originally intended to be a floating home... the creator was inspired by the novel "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea." The dining room is partially under water and portholes give you a underwater view from your table. It's moored about 100 yards from the sea lions at Pier 39 and a pontoon ride will have to take you there and back... so don't drink too much! The cuisine is French.
Nicks Lighthouse
Warm and aromatic Italian restaurant serving popular family fare.
No. 9 Fisherman's Grotto
On the side of the plaza, this restaurant is an old favorite. The small ground floor room has a warm Venetian inspired ambiance; the upstairs is larger and more modern. Its windows overlook the fishing boats.
Sabella and LaTorre
A family owned restaurant that's been open since 1927 providing fresh seafood, family fare, and a full bar. They're known in particular for their "cracked crab".
Scoma's Restaurant
Overlooking the bay and Alcatraz, and nestled amongst the fishing boats on Pier 47, this restaurant is popular among locals and tourists alike for its fresh seafood.
| This guide uses the following price ranges for a typical meal for one, including soft drink: | |
| Budget | $10 or less |
| Mid-range | $10 - 20 |
| Splurge | $20 or more |
Many of the restaurants here are seafood restaurants, so if you're not into seafood at all, it's best to go to any other section of town. North Beach Italian and even Chinatown are within healthy walking distances. Many of the older established restaurants have Italian names like "Castagnola's" and "Alioto's" — a reflection on the fact that many of the Wharf's first fishermen were immigrant Italians. Alas, much of the fare available is overpriced, but not all, there are still plenty of places on the Wharf where you can fill up on the cheap. If you're tired of the manic crowds, get take out and bring it up to Aquatic Park where there is lots of room to sit and enjoy your food in peace.