Given San Francisco’s waterfront setting and world-class dining scene, you’re never far from a great restaurant in and around the city’s bustling Pier 39.
Enjoy red sauce classics at an Italian American favorite at Fisherman’s Wharf. Get ultra-fresh seafood and peak waterfront views at a family-owned destination in North Beach. Dig into a celebrity chef’s standout Peruvian dishes at a Financial District hotspot.
Whether you’re a visitor or call the city home, the best San Francisco Pier 39 restaurants are sure to impress with top-notch food, no matter the occasion.
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Discover 10 must-book San Francisco Pier 39 restaurants for your next meal.
For contemporary American-meets-French cuisine with global influences – visit Gary Danko (Fisherman’s Wharf)
Founded in 1999, Gary Danko is one of San Francisco’s long standing fine dining destinations. The French menu with a California twist changes seasonally, but expect special-occasion-worthy dishes that could include lemon pepper duck breast and lobster risotto. Supplement your meal with a glass of wine from the 15,000-bottle list or the chocolate soufflé. Expect impeccable service in the intimate dining room, where elaborate floral bouquets complement dark wooden accents and Asian-inspired art.
For Italian American comfort food in a family-friendly setting – book a table at Cioppino’s (Fisherman’s Wharf)
Named after the restaurant’s signature dish—a fragrant soup originally prepared by Italian fishers in San Francisco—Cioppino’s serves seafood staples and Italian American comfort food. With red-and-white checkered tablecloths and awnings in the colors of the Italian flag, it’s a favorite for families and date nights. Choose from chowder-filled sourdough bread bowls, pizza, pasta, sandwiches, and seafood-forward dishes. For dessert, don’t miss the baked apple tart.
For knockout seafood at a San Francisco Pier 39 restaurant – visit Franciscan Crab Restaurant (Fisherman’s Wharf)
Get top-notch seafood along with panoramic views of Alcatraz and the bay at Franciscan Crab Restaurant. Black-and-white photos of celebrity guests line the walls, while red leather bar stools add a touch of sophistication. The whole Dungeness crab roasted in garlic sauce is the restaurant’s signature dish, but other standouts include the clam chowder in a French baguette-like bowl.
For sustainably sourced seafood and incredible views of San Francisco Bay – enjoy a meal at McCormick & Kuleto’s Seafood Restaurant (Fisherman’s Wharf)
Situated in a historic building in bustling Ghirardelli Square, McCormick & Kuleto’s Seafood Restaurant boasts spectacular views of the Bay and an interior accented with dark wood finishings and custom-built lighting. Choose from a menu of high-end steaks along with top-notch, sustainably sourced seafood that could include ahi tuna caught with longline methods and oysters from propriety beds focused on marine preservation.
For a stellar sourdough bread bowl – grab a table at Bistro Boudin (Fisherman’s Wharf)
Bistro Boudin is housed on the top floor of the famous Boudin Bakery, and the wood-accented dining room serves up panoramic views of the Bay. The bistro celebrates Boudin’s legacy with a menu of American dishes with a sourdough twist. Choose from sourdough pizzas, sandwiches, Dungeness crab mac & cheese with sourdough bread crumbs, and sourdough bread bowls filled with creamy clam chowder or lobster bisque. After your meal, explore the nearby shops.
For ultra-fresh seafood and stunning views – try Scoma’s Fisherman’s Wharf (North Beach)
Family-operated since 1965, Scoma’s Fisherman’s Wharf is a top destination for boat-to-table seafood, friendly service, and uninterrupted Bay views. With a mid-century-inspired bar overlooking the water and servers in white jackets, the atmosphere goes all in on retro vibes. Fishing boats deliver fresh catches to the Scoma family’s pier every morning, so expect dishes starring seasonal, locally caught Dungeness crab, halibut, sand dabs, and more.
For Filipino cuisine with California flair– find a table at Abacá (North Beach)
Founded by wife-and-husband team Dian and Francis Ang, Abacá specializes in modern takes on Asian and Filipino dishes made with fresh California produce—think smoked lechon pork belly with seasonal stone fruits or yellowtail amberjack sarciado with salted egg custard. Located in the Kimpton Alton Hotel, the chic restaurant is dressed with hanging ferns and cheery yellow banquettes. Don’t miss playful cocktails like an ube colada.
For exceptional seafood in a sophisticated setting – reserve a table at Waterbar (Financial District/Embarcadero)
With floor-to-ceiling windows revealing views of the Bay Bridge, towering circular aquariums, and carpeting that mimics the Bay’s rippled surface, Waterbar lives up to its name. This stylish seafood restaurant is one of San Francisco’s top destinations for fresh-caught seafood and shellfish. Savor oysters, whole California halibut, or chilled Maine lobster in the dimly-lit dining room or the outdoor patio. Pair your meal with a glass of California wine or enjoy the daily happy hour specials.
For Peruvian ceviche and happy hour specials – try La Mar Cocina Peruana (Financial District/Embarcadero)
Led by celebrity chef Gastón Acurio, La Mar Cocina Peruana is one of the best Peruvian restaurants in San Francisco and serves ceviche and seafood in an industrial-chic atmosphere. Try the clásico, which includes the daily catch, leche de tigre, habanero, sweet potato, corn, and red onion. Large groups should splurge on the bandeja cevichera—a feast of four signature ceviche. Come at happy hour to relax with a pisco sour at the lively bar.
For dim sum and Cantonese classics in a casual setting – enjoy a meal at Yank Sing (Financial District/Embarcadero)
Founded in 1999, Yank Sing is one of the most famous dim sum restaurants in San Francisco. Drawing huge crowds on the weekends, the restaurant is well-appointed yet comfortable, with large, circular tables, carpeted floors, and Chinese paintings. Choose from over 100 dim sum variations including egg custard tarts, soup dumplings, and Peking duck wheeled in on trolleys that roll past tables in the lively space. Cap festive meals here with a cup of oolong tea.
From sourdough bread bowls filled with creamy clam chowder to Peruvian ceviche, experience incredible dining steps from Pier 39 and the San Francisco Bay. Savor each bite of dim sum served directly from a pushcart, or dig into a generous portion of seafood linguine at a local Italian icon. Watch the boats sail under the Golden Gate Bridge with a pisco sour in hand, or indulge a chef’s tasting menu at one of San Francisco’s beloved fine dining destinations.
Whether you’re craving a quick meal while sightseeing or celebrating something special, the best San Francisco Pier 39 restaurants impress for every occasion.
