Seafood has gained a halo of virtue in recent years, recommended by dietitians for its brain-boosting omega-3 fats. Whether you’re looking to slurp on oysters during happy hour or a fancy date night dinner, many seafood restaurants in San Francisco will satisfy your cravings.
This luxury restaurant has a menu full of decadent seafood dishes.
Look for a Waterfront Location
San Francisco has a fantastic selection of seafood restaurants. From small, neighborhood fish shacks to large, sprawling restaurants with amazing views, there is something for everyone in San Francisco. These restaurants range from affordable to pricey, but all have one thing in common: they serve delicious seafood!
If you’re looking for a great place to eat seafood on the water, you should consider checking out the restaurants in San Francisco Pier 39.
Located in the city’s heart, this popular seafood restaurant is known for its excellent service and high-quality food. The restaurant serves various dishes, including oysters, mussels, and clams. In addition to its delicious food, the restaurant also has an impressive wine list.
The restaurant’s menu is designed to cater to all tastes. The restaurant offers various dishes, from classic seafood favorites like lobster and oysters to exotic dishes like octopus and grilled mackerel. The restaurant’s prices are also reasonable.
This seafood restaurant is a hidden gem in the heart of the city. Its location on City Island makes it a perfect spot for those who want to enjoy delicious seafood without paying too much money. The restaurant serves everything from fried cod and oysters to soup, and its prices are extremely reasonable. The restaurant’s atmosphere is cozy and inviting, making it the perfect place to eat with friends or family.
Look for a Seafood Bar
In a city where the seafood menu is arguably as long as the subway map, a restaurant with a full-service oyster bar is an easy way to score some fresh fish in San Francisco. There are many options, from steamed mussels to a classic clam chowder.
Look for a full-service seafood counter if you’re in the mood for cold dishes like whipped mackerel and grilled octopus or hot preparations, including lobster rolls and fish tacos. At this Astoria seafood joint, you’ll find a small menu constantly changing to reflect the best local catch.
This spot feels like a nautical film set with its salvaged ship portal and eight-foot piece of driftwood draped with thick ropes. The simple menu includes Northeast clam-shack favorites and a raw bar, as well as dishes like grilled octopus with fried fennel, squash puree, and cilantro and jumbo shrimp pho hai phong with sprouts, bok choy and rice noodles.
The chef heads up the kitchen at this upscale seafood restaurant. The menu has a range of fan favorites, from tuna toast and hamachi crudo to whipped black sea bass and longevity noodles, plus chilled shellfish like scallop ceviche and grilled Long Island striped bass. And, of course, a solid roster of classic cocktails. The restaurant has two locations in Midtown and the Upper West Side, where the menu crosses borders with Italian, Thai, Japanese, and Mexican influences on frontrunners like tzatziki-topped salmon sashimi tostada and handmade squid ink spaghetti with black mussels.
Look for a Restaurant with a Raw Bar
A seafood restaurant with a raw bar is the best choice for anyone looking to enjoy the freshest possible seafood. These restaurants typically feature raw oysters, clams, shrimp, and crabs alongside cooked seafood dishes like lobster rolls and tuna burgers. They may also offer a variety of other natural and shellfish-based appetizers.
The city’s top-rated seafood restaurants feature impressive oyster selections and other seafood-based dishes. For example, some serve up some of the best raw oysters in San Francisco (and one of the most decadent oyster happy hours) as well as dishes like cod grilled with tarragon butter and a North Atlantic lobster roasted with fennel pollen and potatoes.
Another top-notch seafood spot that puts a premium on coastal Mediterranean cuisine. Here, the chef flies in fresh seafood from around the world and prepares it with roasted tomato vinaigrette and linguini with clams.
A stylish take on fish shack food with a menu of gussied-up seafood classics, including a fried lobster roll spiked with celery root remoulade and a fresh sardine banh mi with sambal lime aioli. The restaurant’s massive seafood counter with a raw bar is a prime spot to stop for some drinks and oysters on the half-shell during the day or at night.
Look for a Restaurant with a Seafood Buffet
Seafood has gained a reputation as being healthy thanks to its low sodium, calories, and omega-3 fatty acids. However, not all seafood restaurants are created equal. Choosing the right seafood restaurant for you depends on where the food comes from, how it is prepared, and how fresh it is. This is especially important for diners with allergies or dietary restrictions.
It is best to choose a local seafood restaurant, as they can get the fish from the local fishermen directly. This will ensure that the seafood is as fresh as possible and will not have to travel a long distance, which can make it less flavorful. The restaurant should also have a menu that identifies the type of fish, the way it will be cooked, and any ingredients that may be added to the dish.
A promising sign is if the restaurant uses fresh herbs and minimal garnishes, as these will not overpower the fish’s natural flavors. Mild fish, like cod, should be treated delicately, while more substantial fish, like tuna and salmon, can handle more robust sauces.
Another thing to look for is whether or not the restaurant gets a daily seafood delivery. If they do, the restaurant is getting fresh seafood daily and trying to give their customers the best possible experience.