Chowders

566

357

1204

29 days ago

This spot is right next to the dock and has a nice view outside. The workers were friendly and the service was decent. There was seating inside and outside. The interior is more of a classic diner type of vibe. The staff was pretty friendly. The food didn't take to come out either. The clam chowder was solid but wasn't anything mind-blowing. The bread bowl was on the softer side. The crab cakes and the dipping sauce were enjoyable. read more

Chowders - Clam chowder and crab cakes - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Simran S.

0

58

35

2 months ago

Went here 1PM on a Saturday mid-August. Food for 5 came out within 15 minutes. Sourdough bread bowl and fish and chips were very good. We loved the atmosphere and service. Price was very reasonable. Would easily stop here again. Kids meal was $11.99 and had a host of options, no drink included though. read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 1

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Rick R.

59

122

1188

3 months ago

Chowders is an awesome spot for clam chowder in San Francisco Pier 39! This place is a regular spot for clam chowder when in SF. They also serve a variety of seafood dishes from shrimp cocktails and sandwiches. Convenient parking across the street. And plenty of inside dine-in tables with cool decor as well as outside patio seating by the water. For this visit, ordered the following for a quick, light meal: ***Clam chowder (bowl) $14 - 4/5 ***Crab melt sandwich $19 5/5 Clam chowder was delicious! Added some tabasco, just my preference. And the crab melt sandwich was sooo good too, I thought about ordering another one ;) Staff was very welcoming and courteous! Great customer service! Check out Chowders if you're at Pier 39. read more

Chowders - Clam chowder with tabasco - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

Chowders - Crab melt sandwich - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Helpful 3

Thanks 1

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Eui L.

2

46

52

4 months ago

Fair price point, I would even say affordable for pier 39 and tourist attraction. Service was great and quick and welcoming. The food was very flavorful and delicious. Red clam and white clam and popcorn shrimp and crab cakes for 3 adult males now that's a steal For a few less than 60 The ambiance is nice and modern and historical and classic. read more

Chowders - Shrimp and crab - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

Chowders - Red and white clam - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 2

Oh no 0

Remy R.

455

44

36

14 days ago

Was pretty good. Honestly a pretty limp serving but it tasted good. Rlly good. Amazing good read more

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Negar T.

57

285

626

3 months ago

We ordered the chowder and the French fries. The chowder was okay, but the French fries were crispy and delicious. The service was friendly, the outdoor seating area was comfortable, and I really liked the view. Overall, we had a nice experience and would come back again, especially for the fries! read more

Chowders - Chowder - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

Chowders - Fries - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Lisset M.

5

71

346

7 months ago

Food, customer service, ambiance was all 10 stars! We arrived prior to rush hour on a sunny Thursday in March. The music was softly playing in background while we enjoyed our conversation and still were able to take in the scenery. Vibes were on point bread and chowder was fresh! Deff returning when in Pier 39. read more

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Zay M.

522

817

17891

4 months ago

I stopped by while at the pier walking around. I ordered at 1:37pm. I got the seafood platter with fish, shrimps calamari, and fries. The food was ready at 1:42pm, which was quick. It was crispy and tasty but could've used more seasoning. Staff was friendly. I ordered at the counter and then picked up my food from the counter when it was ready. read more

Chowders - Seafood platter - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Lynn D.

311

860

5093

4 months ago

You have to have seafood in Pier 39 but be careful which restaurant you choose. Clam chowder was okay here but the shrimp Louis was very odd. It was served in a tortilla shell and was full of celery pieces which outnumbered the amount of lettuce. Tomatoes and mushrooms were the only other ingredients. The shrimp was good but a Louis needs boiled egg slices and preferably has avocado slices also. I did not understand the tortilla shell and all the celery. The dressing was good. read more

Chowders - Very odd shrimp Louis - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Yeebing T.

7

169

198

7 months ago

Came to Chowders for lunch after an awkward encounter with the hostess of the restaurant I was initially planning to go to that made me feel too embarrassed to get lunch. The ambiance has a laid-back, 50s diner-esque vibe, and the servers were relatively friendly. I decided to get the clam chowder bowl. The service was unusually quick, as they served me my food before I even got the chance to sit down. I'm certain that the soup was likely prepared in advance, but it was still warm and the differences it had from other clam chowder places (such as the skin of the potato being visible) I went to made it clear that this was a soup made from scratch. The soup itself was good, and tasted amazing with the sourdough bread. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of sitting underneath a section of the diner that had a small ledge, which was wide enough for a pigeon to sit on it and poop on me while I was trying to eat. Luckily it didn't get into the food, but it made for an uncomfortable experience and resulted in me having to end my trip to San Francisco early. Despite it all, it was an alright experience. Had it not been for the pigeon, I probably would've rated this place five stars. If you want to go here, make sure to look above you to make sure you didn't choose one of the seats with said ledge. read more

Chowders - Clam Chowder Sourdough Bowl - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Michael M.

4

57

43

2 months ago

I went to Chowders, which is also located on Pier 39, and it was honestly just alright. The prices were a little high compared to other places on the pier, and I had an issue where I asked for the price of a side of fries and was told they were 2.99, but then I got charged 6.00. I also ordered the fish and chips, and the fries were honestly lacking and left me wanting more. The saving grace of the whole meal was the fish, which was very fresh and tasted pretty great. If it were not for the quality of the fish, this would be a one star review. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Sheila L.

54

52

101

4 months ago

Chowders at Pier 39 has been my favorite since the day I started working in aviation. Everyone has clam chowder in a sour dough bowl, however the prices tend to fluctuate in price- often leaning toward the more expensive side. Chowders is delicious and isn't breaking the bank. The location is easy to get to, located at the front of Pier 39. In our 20s it was affordable when we were out of money at the end of the weekend. As a mother, it was affordable with children. I had clam chowder at many other locations in the city. Chowders is just as yummy as some of the more "talked about" restaurants and the price is just as great!! Craving it now. read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Shiny C.

21

145

457

4 months ago

Honestly kind of regretted eating here when there were so many other options on the pier. We came here because we wanted to try the chowder and also get parking validation, but they don't do that here since it's not a full-service restaurant, so keep that in mind. The chowder was okay and there wasn't very much clam meat. The bread was good though! But definitely not worth the price, you can probably find better chowder elsewhere on the pier. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Niks O.

698

379

372

11 months ago

I'm sorry to leave a 2 Star review.. I almost went with 3, but when I thought "would I go back" the answer was "no". It's in a great location, indoor or outdoor seating is nice and the service is quick, especially with the chowder bowls. We ordered clam chowder in a bread bowl (obvi) and the crab melt. The chowder was more creamy than actually flavorful, and sadly the bread bowl was just chewy and not really tasty. I almost didn't even want it. The crab melt was good, but a small amount of crab. read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Lea L.

8

102

226

10 months ago

Our family is Bay Area local, and whenever it's chilly outside and we feel like "playing tourist," we head to Pier 39 for some clam chowder. They offer two types: the classic white chowder and the red chowder. The white is definitely the crowd favorite--rich, creamy, and comforting. The red is more like a minestrone with clams, still tasty but a different vibe. I personally prefer the traditional white chowder. If you can grab the back seat by the window, you'll get a great view of Alcatraz while you enjoy your meal. The soup here is really good--honestly better than many of the other bread bowls on the pier. Perfect spot for a cozy little tourist moment, even for us locals! read more

Chowders - White chowder bread bowls - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

Chowders - Bread bowls - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

Chowders - Menu - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

Chowders - Outdoor seating - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

Chowders - View of the Alcatraz - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

Chowders - Red Chowder - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Jesse R.

292

434

405

6 months ago

Food was good for the price point. Busy crowd even on a rainy Thursday. Service was fast and the fries were piping hot when delivered. read more

Chowders - Clam chowder - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Louise P.

0

58

61

2 months ago

This is my family's go to place when we visit Pier 39. Went in on a weekday, inside was empty and wasn't as busy. Tables are not clean , we had to wipe the tables down . Food's always good. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 1

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Justin P.

0

21

6

2 months ago

Crab meat sandwhich 2/10 No flavor,bland very disappointed for making this my 1st time. Bbq chicken sandwhich 6 /10 A little dry on the chicken Garlic fries 7/10 convenience store Presentation 8/10 Very disappointed the fact that it was our 1st time trying this and we are from Los Angeles so you know we came with an appetite. But failed us miserable especially after paying nearly $70 read more

Chowders - Bbq chicken sandwhich - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

Chowders - Crab meat sandwich - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

La Selle H.

16

111

876

9 months ago

We never fail to stop here every time we visit Pier 39. Shareable portions especially the clam chowder bowl. Fish and chips are tasty as well. read more

See all

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Nayeli C.

0

1

0

1 month ago

Staff is friendly and the place is clean but the clam chowder is very underwhelming! I didn't think u could mess up clam chowder but it wasn't good. The fish n chips weren't good either :( missing lots of flavor read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Gabriela P.

0

7

20

1 month ago

Food was nice. Place was clean. Staff was nice. I really liked my fish fillet sandwich:) and the homemade sauces were yummy read more

Chowders - Fish filet sandwich - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

Chowders - Fish and chips - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Lisa W.

3673

3539

18867

2 years ago

Super touristy, but why not? Visiting my sister and decided to play tourist on Pier 39. It was a beautiful day so it was extremely busy. You order and pay first then find a seat. They have front seating, inside and side seating outside. We only ordered the clam chowder in a bread bowl. The bread is a good sourdough. The chowder itself was extremely salty. Definitely needed the bread or water to mellow it out. Not much clam pieces, lots of salt and potatoes. Order came really fast. Plenty of seating. read more

Chowders - Chowder bread bowl - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Helpful 9

Thanks 4

Love this 3

Oh no 1

Sho R.

109

1900

8511

1 year ago

While visiting Pier 39, I stopped by for a quick lunch. There was good crowd, but still I got a seat. Crab cake was my favorite item Sea food plater was good, but expected a bit more food. Everybody were ordering the clam chowder. So I also went for a clam chowder on a bread bowl. I thought that was ok. read more

Chowders - Crab cake - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

Chowders - White clam chowder - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Amada H.

116

107

96

5 months ago

We visited the pier and was craving chowder, we thought this place would be perfect. We were served the chowder bread bowls before we finished paying which was fast! However, the celery and potatoes that was in the chowder was not cooked, it was crunchy. The bread was really good though. If you're craving chowder, I'd recommend going elsewhere. read more

Chowders - Bread bowl - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Mikee C.

Elite 21

62

229

339

9 months ago

White and red chowder were tasty. Everybody from our family (13 of us) loved it. The fried meals were good too; except for the onion rings that were TOO SALTY that it was left unfinished. Nice quick spot for a lunch or dinner. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Service was quick and process of ordering looked very efficient and quick to get diners in and out. read more

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Grim M.

0

64

1

2 months ago

The food was so bad the clam chowder had no clam in it and flavorless and the shrimp louie louie had no flavor and hardly any meat in it. Never coming back here it was so bad I wasnt full after eating some. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

courtney c.

136

203

296

2 years ago

Good menu selection and beers to chose from. My lunch post Alcatraz tour. Staff were friendly and helpful when ordering. Food was freshly cooked and perfectly seasoned. Beer was a perfect pairing. read more

Chowders - Fish & Chips Modelo Beer - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

Helpful 1

Thanks 1

Love this 1

Oh no 0

marjorie c.

0

4

6

10 months ago

Food is too salty we order clam chowder And shrimp baskets, the fries is salty as well. Service is fast read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Arron P.

194

253

1528

1 year ago

Came here for the clam chowder bowl and it was expected. Tried their fried fish and chips but it was bland without the sauces. It's worth the visit and the service is friendly. The ambiance is casual with music playing in the background. read more

Chowders - Clam Chowder Bread Bowl - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Ela M.

11

151

69

7 months ago

This place is disgusting! We ordered the shrimp cocktail and crab cocktail. What we got was shredded frozen crab micro pieces and very nasty bay like shrimps. Didn't bother finishing the food. We also got the bread bowl clam chowder was exceptionally the worst I have ever had! Very salty and an added seasoning that eliminates the entire flavor profile that it should not be called a clam chowder. The crab melt was also a disappointment to say the least. Please don't waste your money here! You're better off getting these at the stalls on Fisherman's Wharf read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Jaymie V.

35

269

414

1 year ago

This place is a good staple to bring people from out of town. Their onion rings are thick and delicious! Can't go wrong with clam chowder and their crab sandwich. Fast service and can get in and out quickly. read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 2

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Kavita S.

11

128

212

1 year ago

Fast and friendly service. Chowder was full of all the good stuff. Bread bowl was perfect. Lots of seating inside or out. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Christian H.

3

84

154

9 months ago

Chowder's is the perfect stop for classic comfort seafood. The food is rich and satisfying, especially the chowder which is creamy, hearty, and packed with flavor. Portions are generous and everything tastes freshly made. The service is friendly and efficient, making it easy to grab food and enjoy without a long wait. The ambiance is casual and relaxed, great for a laid back meal by the coast. Definitely a spot I would come back to whenever I'm craving good chowder. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Helen V.

16

203

499

1 year ago

The food came out quickly right after we ordered. The food was good for it being chowder but not my favorite spot. It was a convenient place to eat at since it's at the pier. There's lots of seating options both inside and out. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Martin N.

111

553

2897

1 year ago

very good prices weren't too bad even in San Francisco. The food quality was amazing very fresh. Great customer service very clean. Can't wait to go back and try other things ... I should have tried their famous clam chowder. Definitely be back soon. read more

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Kami H.

177

397

515

2 years ago

Delicious chowder and the sourdough bread bowl seemed fresh. Prices aren't bad considering they're on Pier 39 and there is an extra fee you pay for employee insurance. They have water cups on the side of the counter so you don't have to buy an expensive drink. Seating available inside and outside. Outside can get pretty windy plus you need to be aware of the birds. read more

Chowders - Clam chowder in a bread bowl - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

Helpful 2

Thanks 2

Love this 2

Oh no 0

Lindsay N.

555

301

1186

2 years ago

A good place to have clam chowder! This restaurant had no line compared to others and their clam chowder is pretty good! I liked how they actually fill the bread bowl, but they could've removed more bread on the inside. The potatoes and celery could've been cooked for longer. The potatoes were still slightly hard. They have a bunch of bread bowls prepped, so not sure how fresh the bread bowls are. It's a decent place to have chowder if you don't want to wait at other restaurants! read more

Helpful 3

Thanks 1

Love this 2

Oh no 0

Tuyetnhi M.

18

229

231

1 year ago

I've always wanted to try these bread bowls of clam chowder! Safe to say it will be the last. Mediocre at best, and hyped up for no reason. It lacked flavor and was so bland. We also tried the tuna sandwich and it was completely flavorless. Super disappointed! As a party of 5, we all agreed and had the same opinion. I was so sad that we wasted our money here. I'm glad we tried it at least once, but it's a one and done for all of us. The service was ok, and the ambiance is good overall as it's located inside of Pier 39. read more

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 3

Omar R.

862

289

1078

2 years ago

I stopped by Chowders in San Francisco, and despite being a tourist spot, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit. The clam chowder soup was absolutely delicious, especially on a chilly day. The service was top-notch, friendly and fast. read more

Helpful 16

Thanks 1

Love this 11

Oh no 0

Page 1 of 26

See more reviews

More info about Chowders

2 Beach St
Fl 1st
Bldg A, Level 1
San Francisco, CA 94133
Fisherman's Wharf, North Beach/Telegraph Hill
Directions
(415) 391-4737
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.chowderspier39.com/

Hours

What time does Chowders open?

Chowders opens at 10:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, Friday and Saturday.

What time does Chowders close?

Chowders closes at 9:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.Chowders closes at 9:30 PM on Friday and Saturday.

Mon-Thu, Sun 10:00 AM - 9:00 PMFri-Sat 10:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Payment methods

Does Chowders take credit cards?

Yes, Chowders takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Chowders have catering options?

No, Chowders does not have catering options.

Does Chowders have a happy hour?

No, Chowders does not have a happy hour.

Does Chowders serve alcohol?

No, Chowders does not serve alcohol.

Indoor Amenities

Does Chowders allow dogs?

Yes, Chowders allows dogs.

Does Chowders have TVs?

No, Chowders does not have TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Chowders have bike parking?

Yes, Chowders has bike parking.

Does Chowders have outdoor seating?

Yes, Chowders has outdoor seating options.

Does Chowders have parking?

Yes, Chowders has parking options. Garage Parking, Validated Parking

Other Amenities

Does Chowders have free WiFi?

No, Chowders does not have free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

This is the place you've heard of! Featuring our homemade chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl, and our freshly breaded fish and chips. Come by and see us we're located in front of Pier39, just look for Scoop the Pelican to show you the way!

Chowders Reviews in Other Languages

You might also consider

Verify this business for free

People searched for Seafood 24,303 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

Verify this business

Explore benefits

Dumpling Story

4.5(483 reviews)

1.9 mi•Pacific Heights

Sooooo goood I liked pretty much everything I ate, I swear. You should come here if you're in the…read moreneighborhood.

this is such a good restaurant! food is great, service is super fast, and all the employees are so…read morekind. you also get a table in minutes no matter how busy it is. if you are looking for a good dumpling place in the city, this is the place to go. all of their food dishes are absolutely delicious and you can't go wrong with anything you order!

Dining room

Juicy pan fried pork bao

See all

Pan fried pork dumpling

Yuji

4.7(91 reviews)

Amazing spot tucked away above Fermentation Lab in Japantown! It's a small restaurant (9 seats) but…read moreeasy to get a res - they typically do 2 seatings (5 and 7:30), and the meal lasts around 2 hours. I love the mix of hot foods with nigiri, and was so surprised at how tender each nigiri piece was (even squid which I normally dislike). They also offer additional à la carte nigiri if you are still hungry, but we didn't need any

Wow. What an experience. Loved the place. A great omakase. The husband and wife team are a pleasure…read moreto watch. The courses were great and complimented each other. Chu Toro, Hokkaido Uni, Negi Toro, Spotted Prawn, Steamed snapper, A5 Waygyu that melts in your mouth, Chawanmushi (savory custard), fried eel, and more. The extra touches showed the dedication to their craft (shokunin-damashi). The subtlety of the dashi, the wasabi from the Izu peninsula, the freshness of the curated fish selection. Bravo !!!!! Gochisousama deshita

1.8 mi•Japantown, Lower Pacific Heights

Bar seating

Chilean sea bass with piece of truffle and pickled ginger on top

See all

Matcha crème brulee

Sobakatsu

4.4(310 reviews)

Felt like I got transported back to Japan when I was dining here! The space is very small and only…read morefits 11 people total across a couple tables and bar seats. You self order at a kiosk and seat yourself. There are two people cooking everything from scratch in the open kitchen and they'll call your number when your food is ready. I advise coming before they open as my friend and I came 15 minutes before they opened on a random Wednesday and there were already 5 others ahead of us. If you miss the first seating, you'll have to wait 45 min until someone finishes and leaves. We decided to share one cold soba with shrimp tempura and veggies in addition to the spicy dipping broth. It was delicious!! If you aren't a big eater, one order is definitely enough to share. The soba portion is quite generous. The tempura is made-to-order and really crunchy. I'm excited to come back and try their scallop kakiage. The spicy broth was really good with a hint of yuzu so if you like spicy food, I'd recommend adding that as a side item. It's a "cozy" restaurant so you might be sharing a table with another party. I'd come solo or even at most with one other person to have the best opportunity to sit each other.

Visited this lovely restaurant during a layover in SF. Even though I do not have to eat gluten free…read moreitems, it's nice for those who are gluten free. We ordered the Hot Yuzu Scented Niku Soba ($25) & the Tenzaru Kakigage ($28) which were both delicious. The hot soba came with onsen tamago which was rich in flavor. The Tenzaru Kakigage came with cold soba, crispy deep fried veggies, and dipping sauce. The restaurant is small & you have to order before picking a seat. I would not recommend bringing a big group. Ordering food is through a self serve tablet and you pick up your food at the counter when your number is called. They offer soba-yu for after you're done with your meal that is meant to be added to your dipping sauce and consumed as a broth.

Inside

Tenzaru Soba: Shrimp + Veggie Tempura w/ chilled soba noodles | $19.25

See all

Cold soba + tempura

Daeho Kalbijjim & Beef Soup

4.5(2.4k reviews)

•$$$

We thankfully didn't have to wait that long on a Friday evening -- I think our table was ready in…read moreabout 15-20 minutes at most which was surprising. Beware, they do close off the waitlist signup and will also completely close off the front entrance when they think they have enough guests to be done for the night. You can sign up via Yelp Waitlist online although this is not always guaranteed (we found that sometimes the system glitches and doesn't let you sign up because it doesn't believe that there is enough current wait?) The soups are super high quality and I think I will be coming back on the regular for the tendon seolleongtang in the future. As someone who is super involved in athletic pursuits, I gotta get my collagen fix in to prevent injuries and keep those tendons strong, and this is probably one of the best spots to do it. My GF had the spicy kalbi soup and also really liked it.

Daeho Kalbijjim & Beef Soup has a few locations in the Bay Area and we opted to get on the Yelp…read moreWaitlist for the Japantown location. (Definitely get on the waitlist early because it'll be a good 1-2 hour wait anyway, and they will shut down the waitlist should you attempt to do a walk in.) The estimated wait time was definitely off, as it took about 30 minutes more. After a good long wait, our table of five were seated at the table at the very front by the window. We were never given menus, but did spend our two hour wait perusing the menu already so we had an idea of what we planned on ordering. We had to get up and get our own physical menu. It did take awhile for someone to come and take our order, and eventually the hostess did. They automatically serve water, but do have hot boricha upon request. They only served three different banchans - but I loved the kelp noodles one as it's rare I see it offered. Our dishes: * A2. Kalbi Japchae $14 - The Japchae isn't something I would typically order as a dish, but I did like their version. It was freshly cooked, so it was hot and very tasty. Usually I have it served as a banchan and it's room temp. I also like the noodles they used as it's different than other typical japchaes. * A3. Kalbi Tteokbokki $14 - This Tteokbokki was pretty good too, and the Kalbi was tender and enjoyable. I liked that this dish wasn't spicy as most tteokbokki dishes seem to be. I could easily order this dish on its own and be satisfied with that. * B2. Back Rib Jiim (Braised Back Rib, Special Center Cut) $75 + Mozzarella Cheese $6 * B1. Daeho Kalbijjim (Braised Short Rib) $86 + Mozzarella Cheese $6 As with the kalbijjim, the whole spectacle is having the servers torch the cheese table side. They come armed with two torches, so it makes quite a show. After our server was done doing the first dish, he walked away and we were left wondering which dish it was as we ordered two similar dishes. Each order comes with 2 rice bowls - white or purple. I wasn't a fan of them bringing out the rice bowls early with no covers as the rice got cold. I'm used to Korean restaurants having rice covers and was surprised theirs did not. We were pleasantly surprised with the amount of meat in both dishes, and definitely had leftovers. Our mistake was ordering two dishes that were along the same flavor profile, so we got bored eating the same thing. We should have ordered only one kalbijjim and maybe a suyuk or jeongol. The major issue was we had was the service. We were largely overlooked as those waiting for tables were blocking our section. The staff rarely came by to check on us and we were constantly trying to grab someone's attention without having to get up and chase them down. We also realized we never got serving utensils for our kalbijjim, which would have been helpful. It was a pain trying to get refills on our tea, water, banchan, etc. There is also an automatic 18% service charge, in addition to the 5% mandatory SF ordinance charge. I wouldn't mind the automatic service charge if we got decent service. Constantly trying to get someone attention by waving our hands, napkins, etc. is tiresome and really put a damper on the whole experience.

2.0 mi•Lower Pacific Heights, Japantown

Beef rib with cheese and rice cake

Su Yuk-Boiled Beef Slices

See all

Regular Galbijimm

Marufuku Ramen - San Francisco

4.5(6.1k reviews)

Happy hour specials

Kid friendly

Really good ramen spot. The flavors were rich, the ingredients were fresh, and the bowl was…read morecomforting from start to finish. Definitely a place I'd visit again.

I've been here several times and love it each time. The food here is amazing. I'd come here more…read moreoften if I lived closer. The service was ok and expected considering how busy they they were. They stayed open after closing to cater to everyone on the waitlist. It was a little louder than normal, but we were able to hold a conversation. The atmosphere is nice, clean even when busy. It does get really busy, I recommend getting on the wait list early and check in when you there. Expect a wait. It's in Japan Center so you can walk around while you wait.

Marufuku Ramen - San Francisco - "HAKATA TONKOTSU DX" Hakata Style Ramen with Rich Pork Broth
Regular toppings (chashu pork (simmered pork belly), seasoned soft boiled eg

"HAKATA TONKOTSU DX" Hakata Style Ramen with Rich Pork Broth Regular toppings (chashu pork (simmered pork belly), seasoned soft boiled eg

See all

VEGETABLE RAMEN,CHICKEN PAITAN,HAKATA TONKOTSU DX

HINODEYA Ramen Japantown

4.2(2.4k reviews)

I don't care if it's tourist-y, I've tried every ramen place I can in the city and Hinodeya stays…read moremy favorite. I always stick with their Hinodeya House Ramen. I wish they kept the spice level adjustment option but you can add spice at the table. It's very fairly priced for the city and for everything you get, noodles are a great thickness, egg is always cooked consistently, menma is always just soft enough. And the staff is attentive. If you go during the weekend, especially around dinner time, you could probably expect a wait, but I've come to go during week nights and it's never an issue. Parking in J-town is probably my biggest gripe but we'll deal. I've also been to the Hinodeya in Chinatown, Union Square, and in San Jose near Valley Fair. All have been consistent but this one is my go-to. They once accommodated my party of ~14 people on a Saturday and we didn't wait longer than 30min.

Tasty ramen with rich broth. I practically inhaled the whole bowl. But with any ramen, it's salty…read moreand. I knew what I was getting into. I got the ramen with the slice of butter but honestly, I'm probably fine without it. There's plenty of seating inside as well out outdoor seating.

Inside restaurant

Spicy Miso Ramen

See all

Crispy Chicken Karaage

Hed 11

4.3(132 reviews)

•$$$$

Awesome experience overall. I left feeling full and really satisfied with the price, especially…read moreconsidering how many different dishes we got to try. Each dish came in just the right quantity, and it felt like there was a lot of thought put into every dish. Honestly, everything was delicious and worked really well together as a whole. The Hokkaido scallop was probably the best scallop I've ever had. It was a huge scallop that was lightly seared on the outside while still being raw inside, and the natural sweetness was incredible. The cabbage was another standout for me. It was perfectly crunchy with a great balance of savory and sweet flavors. The flavors throughout the meal definitely leaned more on the sweeter side, like the coconut curry with the scallop, the prawn salad dressing, and the cabbage sauce, but everything was really well balanced. I also really liked the guava sorbet. It was a perfect way to end the meal and paired nicely with the more burnt flavors of the other dessert. The presentation was really unique too, with all the plates and bowls having interesting shapes. The soup bowl especially looked like a giant clam shell, although it was pretty funny and slightly difficult to actually drink the soup out of. Definitely recommend.

really cute spot right in the heart of Japantown…read more everything that was served was delicious. drinks were refreshing and well made. the apple honey smokey rice was just strong enough with a satisfying sweet aftertaste. the lemongrass pandan was well balanced, the pandan was not overpowering, and very light. the highlights of the meal were the crispy rice in the fermented beef salad, the crab legs in the curry sauce, and the fermented apple in the duck leg Khao Soi. the one thing I wasn't a huge fan of was the red onion in the cheesecake dessert: it combined well but was not my preference for a sweet item. one hiccup is that although our reservation was set for a la carte, they assumed we were doing a tasting menu, and thus we waited for an extended period of time before we were served at all. waiters also assumed that my brother and i were partners, despite me listing in the reservation that we were celebrating his birthday, which is an awkward and offensive assumption to make. 7.5/10

Inside

Thai coconut pancake with caviar | @wha.eva.eats

See all

Yuzu sake and lemongrass pandan

Soupchu

4.6(43 reviews)

0.8 mi•Russian Hill

Locally owned & operated

Family-owned & operated

The food is so delicious I'm obsessed. Great flavor and it's like having a comforting home-cooked…read moremeal.

Sick? Not sick? Want something "light"? Soupchu has you covered! I've had several soups here and…read morethey are all super yummy! I highly recommend the lentil soups...or...better yet, the TOMATO soup! it's truly a unique place for all your soup needs. All are in great portions and are fresh.

2.0 mi•Lower Pacific Heights, Japantown

Red Lentil Soup - Blended carrot, onion, and potato with caramelized onion with sesame seed and paprika.

Tomato Soup - Tomato roasted red bell pepper with shredded mozzarella cheese with Acme bread.

See all

Yogurt Soup - Barley and Swiss chard with dried mint olive oil with Acme bread.

Udon Mugizo - San Francisco

4.4(2.8k reviews)

Kid friendly

Locally owned & operated

The food was absolutely delicious and the service was amazing! Jane and Jenny were both so friendly…read moreand welcoming. A special shoutout to Jane for helping us choose some of the best dishes. Everything she recommended was so good! We had such a great experience and I would definitely come back if I'm ever in San Francisco again. Highly recommend!

Ordered the Tempura Zaru Udon and had a pleasant time. All staff were attentive, especially Jeff…read more The overall atmosphere was lively and with the staff made for a wonderfully pleasant lunch.

See all

Bangkok Street Thai Street Food

4.1(851 reviews)

My husband and I visited the Cherry Blossom festival in Japantown, but finding a place to eat was…read morechallenging due to the crowd. We decided to explore the nearby area and found this Thai restaurant with outdoor seating, which was perfect for us and our dog. The staff was very friendly and helpful, and the menu was intriguing. We ordered the Thai spicy egg noodle soup, green papaya salad, and Thai drunken noodles with seafood. Each dish was delicious, but the spicy noodle soup stood out as our favorite--one of the best noodle soups we've had in a while. To conclude our meal, we ordered the Thai coconut milk dessert, Ka-nom-tuay, served in a little porcelain cup. It was equally delightful. My husband and I were so impressed with the food that we're already planning our next visit. Highly recommended!

It's been a while since I traveled through Southeast Asia, but memories of Bangkok's legendary…read morestreet food still linger. The aroma of sizzling skewers over charcoal grills and soothing fragrance of lemongrass, Thai basil, and kaffir lime leaves drifting through the warm evening air. The rhythmic clatter of woks, the organized chaos of street vendors creating unforgettable meals from kitchens no bigger than a parking space. Oh...how I've longed to go back. And then, while walking the streets of San Francisco...I stumbled upon Bangkok Street Thai Street Food. No passport. No jet lag....Just an empty stomach and a healthy appetite. Our meal began with the Chicken Satay, and what a way to start. The chicken was beautifully grilled, tender, and lightly charred around the edges. But the real star was the silky peanut sauce paired with the bright cucumber relish. Rich, nutty, slightly sweet, and perfectly balanced with a refreshing crunch, it was the kind of appetizer that makes everyone at the table quietly reach for "just one more skewer." Next came the Green Curry. One thing I appreciate is that they let you choose your own level of heat. Whether you prefer a gentle warmth or a full Thai spice adventure, the kitchen happily accommodates. Beneath the spice was a wonderfully creamy coconut curry layered with fresh herbs and deep aromatic flavors that made every spoonful comforting yet vibrant. Then came the dish no Thai meal should ever be without...Pad Thai. Simple on paper, difficult to master and Bangkok Street gets it right. The rice noodles were cooked perfectly--not too soft, not too firm--and coated in a beautifully balanced tamarind sauce that delivered the ideal combination of sweetness, acidity, and savory depth. Every bite kept inviting the next, to the point where ordering a second plate actually seemed like a perfectly reasonable life decision. Somewhere between the satay, the curry, and the Pad Thai...something unexpected happened. We completely forgot to take pictures! Not one. No overhead food shots. No "wait, don't touch it yet" moments. No social media evidence that we were ever there. That's usually the highest compliment I can give a restaurant. When the food is so good that everyone forgets about their phones, you know the kitchen has everyone's full attention. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. But the flavors at Bangkok Street Thai Street Food create a culinary memory that lasts far longer than anything saved to your camera roll. Overall: 4 stars. Fresh ingredients, beautifully balanced flavors, thoughtful spice levels, and comforting Thai classics prepared with care. From the outstanding Chicken Satay and fragrant Green Curry to a Pad Thai that showcases the magic of a well-crafted tamarind sauce, Bangkok Street Thai Street Food captures the spirit of Bangkok one delicious plate at a time. Come hungry...and Go Big!!!

See more unrecommended reviews

Papaya Salad and Waterfall Pork Salad

See all

STREET Dish : Crispy Corn Whole Fish, Thai Crispy Seafood Pancake, Traditional Thai Basil, Sweet & Sour fish crisp

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

46 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

James C.

1

183

4

10 years ago

I think the cashiers that work here are racist against asian people because I was waiting in line like a normal person then a young hispanic lady just walks in the middle and instead of helping me who was patiently waiting in line, she helps the hispanic lady. I told her I was waiting in line but she just looks at me, gives me a dirty look, then says to the hispanic lady, "what would you like?" Wtf? It's cool to help out your own race, but not at the expense of being rude. I can tell she is racist. It was the short mexican lady cashier who wears black rimmed eyeglasses Wow, never going back. read more

David G.

0

1

0

10 years ago

My experience at this restaurant was not a good one, for a family restaurant the environment was not what I expected, the man working there had their pants down to there knees and I was unpleasant to see their underwear. my 5 years ask me why there where dress that way at work, while eating my food a few of the employees where drinking on the side of the restaurant with their uniform on and after wards when back to preparing the customer food. The food was ok the one good thing I can mention was the good service at registers the cashier were friendly an efficient. read more

Joshua B.

5

30

92

9 years ago

Chowders is located in the high traffic, most touristy Pier 39. This place was packed and we were very under dressed for the occasion so sitting outside was not on our radar. Lucky for us we grabbed a seat inside! Food: These guys are famous for their chowder! It is served typically in a sourdough bowl. They have white chowder and red chowder. I went with white chowder and it was good! I ate most of the bowl too. They also serve a variety of other fried sea foods. read more

Ray L.

Elite 16

254

645

1431

10 years ago

Was there in January...did not have time to write the review until now.... Low cost seafoods that are good. I had the clam chowder and the fish and chip...oldies, but goodies...can not go wrong with these orders. This is a fast food place, so they will not valid your $9 parking for 1 hour, and it is a good thing that I can eat my food in 30 minutes. Just wanted to visit the wharf. The tourist thing to do.... read more

kelly s.

0

3

0

14 years ago

This is the best clam chowder I have ever had!! You can see it being made while you order. Even my 2 year old was lapping it up. The staff is really friendly and quick. We also had a seafood platter which was delicious and the best crab sandwich filled with tons of real crab. This is a must hit on the Pier!!! read more

Ali C.

0

7

2

3 years ago

July 23 We were going to take a boat tour with my wife.I wanted to eat something aperitif,We ate a fish sandwich I'm so sorry worst sandwiches I've ever eaten..Also, the personal is uninterested, and they fight amongst themselves.So sad read more

Brandon P.

2

5

3

10 years ago

Never really had chowder in a bread bowl so i am a fan but cant say it was the best chowder. We didnt exactly go to this one for the best, was on a budget and it works. I wish they gave us the inside of the brea through lol. read more

howard c.

13

31

0

18 years ago

most places start their clam chowder from a can, not this place! from scratch, their chowder is made thick, tasty and with lotsa clams. Theyre crab sandwich is to die for as well! real crab meat!!! read more

Daniel C.

2

6

0

13 years ago

Highly recommend the chowder soup in bread bowl Its a must try at lease once in your lifetime! However its always extremely busy with tons of tourist.... good luck in finding a seat :) read more

Jennie H.

0

12

0

15 years ago

The clam chowder seemed a bit pricey though I didn't mind that since I'm also paying for a warm seat to sit in, but the fish sticks was very expensive for what it is. read more

Manju N.

0

2

0

8 years ago

chowder!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

Tania B.

0

3

0

8 years ago

this place sux beyond words. it doesn't deserve any stars. had to wait almost 2 hours for my food. what kind of service is that??!

Odin C.

14

30

0

9 years ago

Finally we have tried the clam chowder in a bread bowl. It looks good , I think it's little too salty. And put more clam in there.

Andrew L.

6

115

24

15 years ago

Get the Chowders! You will not be disappointed! Seats is limited! So be warn about that! overall the chowder is very good!! read more

Stefanie R.

50

119

18

11 years ago

The lines were very long and drinks were $4. We ended up leaving and going to a sit down restaurant. Same price....

F. M.

0

70

7

7 years ago

Food was great and delicious, and the staff were very friendly. Service was fast. I will be back again for sure!!

Michelle R.

8

7

0

8 years ago

Loved the chowder! Decent prices and the food was good. This place stays packed so seating was a bit tough.

Jessica J.

0

26

1

9 years ago

We never go the San Fran without visiting chowders! The chowder is delicious as well as everything else.

Barry A.

3

18

0

9 years ago

Had a great lunch with my wife. Great chowder and great salads. Need to walk it off now. Too full!

Edwin M.

1

5

0

9 years ago

The service is the best I have had in a while. Best clam chowder around. Will be coming back soon.

Chowders - seafood - Updated October 2026

People who viewed Chowders also viewed

Pier Market Stand

4.0

(111 reviews)

I was walking around Pier 39 and stumbled upon the Pier Market Stand. I was taking one of my…read morefriends from Texas around the Bay Area and wanted him to try unique food items that he cannot really get in Texas. We bought the clam chowder bread bowl and he absolutely loved it. It's creamy, hearty, savory and oh so good. It's not too expensive also costing less than $12 which is hard to find nowadays in the Bay Area. But parking around Pier 39 is very expensive. So it makes that bread bowl more expensive lol. But if you are in the area and looking for a quick snack or even a meal, I highly recommend the Pier Market Stand's clam chowder bread bowls. Very very delicious! They also have a restaurant but I haven't tried it yet and will definitely try it soon.

So there are two options for eating here. There is a full service restaurant with a larger menu…read morecalled Pier Market. In front of this restaurant is a take out stand that has similar options from the main restaurant but available to go. If I had the time I would've liked to sit down and eat in the restaurant. BUT because of time constraints on our travels we opted to grab something to go. In my opinion I would've rather just grabbed the fish and chips to go at the take out counter over sitting in the restaurant. I mean is there a real difference between the fish and chips from sit down and the takeout counter? I will say the fish and chips from the counter were amazing. I'd absolutely come back to eat here.

Cousins Maine Lobster Restaurant - Pier 41 San Francisco

3.9

(74 reviews)

Excellent but pricey lobster rolls with fresh, quality lobster! I wish it was slightly larger for…read morethe price. I'm glad they're open until 9pm! Was looking for dinner & seafood in the area around 8 PM on a Monday night. It was end of January, so it was empty inside. The menu was limited since it was about to close, but they still had lobster and crab rolls so we were fine. Order at the counter and they will bring your food to your table. I got the Connecticut Roll, served warm. The taste and the lobster meat was satisfying and buttery. I could have eaten another roll since it was small, but it was $27. This was my first time to this location after previously ordering from the food truck before. This spot and the food truck are equally good. Service was decent. Ambiance wise, it's nothing fancy. There is a fair amount of seating inside.

I was really looking forward to coming back to Cousins Maine Lobster after having such a great…read morefirst experience, but this visit unfortunately fell short. We arrived around noon, yet several menu items were already sold out, which was disappointing. I decided to try a few different lobster dishes this time, but the lobster itself was surprisingly bland and lacked the fresh, buttery flavor I remembered. To make matters worse, I even found traces of sand in a few bites, which really took away from the meal. I was genuinely excited to return, but this visit just missed the mark.

Guardino's

4.0

(22 reviews)

The food was amazing, crab tasted fresh. The owner welcomed us, explained his menu, and gave…read morerecommendations. He made our food and check on us while eating. There were inside and outside tables right on the corner of the street with plenty to look at.

I've been to Fisherman's Wharf many times, but I don't think I've ever sat to have a good bowl of…read moreclam chowder. Well today, I did just that! Guardino's had good reviews and not a long line so tried it and great idea. I absolutely loved the clam chowder in the sourdough bread bowl. It was warm and I loved even eating the bowl! We also tried the crab and shrimp roll and it was delicious too. And with a nice ice cold beer. Perfect afternoon at Fisherman's. And thanks to Andrew the owner for being so hospitable! He asked how we enjoyed it and offered to take our trash.

Frankie's Crab Stand

3.5

(129 reviews)

It's Good Friday and I have been doing some test runs on which fish sandwich I should eat since…read moremeat was not on my bingo card and menu for my Good Friday meal. I was supposed to go to McDonald's and have the Filet -O-Fish but the filet I received this week has shrunk along with the buns and now it has half the cheese it used to have on it. So I decided to drop the fast food fishwich route and heads towards Fisherman's Wharf. I went to the place I had one of the best fishwiches in SF. It's literally located less than 100 feet from the drop of the Pacific Ocean in US waters and above is the Franciscan restaurant. On a Spring Tourist Trap stroll in San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf USA , I landed at Frankie's Crab Stand located below the Franciscan restaurant. Inside they sell crabs, clam chowder , shrimp, and fish and chips ( even the British tourist would enjoy). I got the World Famous Fishwich. The bun was so soft and the fish was so fresh but a bit flakey like some in SF but it was tasty and crispy plus the coleslaw made it crunchy. The sauce of the fishwich was savory which packed a punch ( not punch the viral monkey). The fishwich came with some very crunchy garlic fries which put Oracle Park sometimes soggy garlic fries to shame. Overall a consistently great Fishwich sandwich which can be enjoyed during all four seasons at the tourist trap in SF. Franciscan restaurant is a legacy San Francisco seafood restaurant "brand" went to the place below associated with the Franciscan and got a Fishwich with flavor not like some in SF that are very"bland" you can eat it and hold the buns with your "hand" it's called the World Famous Fishwich at "Frankie's Crab Stand " Fisherman's Wharf in SF is called a Tourist Trap because of visiting Tourist it will "draw" to drop some money to eat seafood like shrimp, crab ,cioppinno and "red lobster claw"and in some establishments in SF you can watch live Dungeness crab "crawl"on Good Friday grab a fishwich which has soft buns with a tasty crispy fish fillet topped with crunchy "coleslaw"

Nice soft shell crab sandwich with garlic fries for reasonable tourist prices…read more Clean bathroom Back faces the bay with incredible relaxing views. Albeit music blasting takes away the ambience of the bay.

Swiss Louis Italian & Seafood Restaurant

3.9

(58 reviews)

We hosted a large group dinner here for about 40 people, and the entire experience was fantastic!…read moreOur group was set up inside the restaurant right by the bar area, which was a huge plus for us since it made accessing and ordering drinks incredibly convenient for our guests. We opted for a buffet-style setup, and the portions were absolutely perfect. More importantly, everything tasted wonderful! For appetizers, we had the shrimp cocktail, caprese skewers, mini meatballs, and a mixed green salad--all of which were excellent. For the entrees, we had the baked salmon, chicken marsala, and pasta primavera. Everything was amazing and well-prepared. An added bonus is definitely the location and the view! We were able to look out over the pier and even see the sea lions, which provided a great backdrop for the evening. Highly recommend Swiss Louis if you need to host a flawless, stress-free group event with a view!

Everything from the moment we came in to The moment we left…read more The level of service was top Tier. Adrian made our meal very memorable. The waitstaff was so friendly offering great suggestions. We gave the seafood platter the clams and linguine yummy the choppino delicious, the fish and chips. The cannolis were tasty even the Shirley Temples! The ambiance was warm and friendly and to be honest I'm Coming back for dinner tomorrow based on the service alone. I love restaurants who value their patrons. Thank you for a memorable Meal!

The Codmother Fish & Chips

4.4

(3.5k reviews)

As a local, I thought this was a tourist trap and I was WRONG. We ordered the combo plate with two…read morefish, four shrimp, and fries. It was more than enough to feed two women (almost too much). In addition, each piece was surprisingly FRESH and you can tell. If it was frozen prior, then you sure did a great job making it taste as if you just caught it from the ocean. The fish was falling apart and thick slices/fillets, the shrimp was bouncy and the fries were thicc. The batter was light and there were no air gaps and it was not greasy at all (someone is a pro at the oil temperature I see you) I've never been defeated by a plate of food before but I do dare say it was almost too much for me. Highly recommend (may take a while for your food to arrive but it is worth waiting).

This food truck is about a 15 minute walk from Aquarium of the Bay. We got here at around 1:30 PM,…read moreordered, and got our food within 15 minutes. It gets really hot, but thankfully there were quite a few benches with seating that had umbrellas to provide shading. Each bench also had malt vinegar (a must), ketchup, and salt. Fast casual eatery. What we got: - Fully loaded fries - super saucy! The menu says it has garlic, melted cheddar, and homemade Baja sauce. Definitely tangy and easily shareable amongst 3-4 people. - Fish only - comes with two pieces of fried fish and tartar sauce. This was pretty good and not too bad of a portion. We split it and ate one each. Good batter to fish ratio! Got our fish and chips cravings satisfied for sure! Bonus points for the pun, the Codmother is actually hilarious and definitely won me over. Would totally come back for more if I'm ever visiting San Francisco again!

The Socialite Crafthouse & Kitchen

3.2

(88 reviews)

All I needed was a place to eat and relax. This place met my expectations. The burger was well…read moremade, freshly topped, held together well and cooked correctly; the fries were crunchy, making everything as it should have been and quick to come to me considering they were also very busy. The atmosphere of the restaurant was great and all of the staff were extremely friendly, allowing us as much time as needed while we were dining there. I will return here again soon!

I honestly can't remember the last time I left a restaurant this disappointed. We chose Socialite…read moreto celebrate a friend's birthday, expecting a fun, simple dinner. Instead, we spent THREE HOURS trapped in one of the most frustrating dining experiences I've ever had. The only thing they got right was seating us immediately. After that? We were completely ignored for nearly 15 minutes. No water. No menus. We literally had to wave our server down just to be acknowledged. The food was shockingly underwhelming, especially considering the outrageous prices. We ordered the bruschetta, a chicken sandwich, a cheeseburger, and a Margherita pizza. Every single dish was bland, flavorless, and forgettable. Even the fries somehow managed to arrive without a grain of salt. I've had more flavorful food from a gas station. Then came the pizza... or rather, it didn't. We waited over an hour while multiple tables that arrived well after us were served their pizzas first. When I asked what was happening, I was told it was "still being made." Somehow everyone else's pizza was magically finished first. To make up for the ridiculous delay, our server told me he would comp me a glass of wine. Finally, I thought someone recognized how poorly this meal was going. Wrong!!! Before ordering, I specifically asked if they did anything special for birthdays. The server enthusiastically said yes. Great! At the end of the meal he brought out a small frozen dessert with the check. Then I noticed I had been charged for the second glass of wine, the one I had been told was complimentary. When I questioned it, his response was, "I comped you a pastry." Excuse me... what?! The birthday dessert I had asked about before we even ordered somehow became the replacement for the promised compensation? So instead of honoring what he told us, they quietly charged me for the wine anyway. It felt dishonest and incredibly misleading. As if that wasn't enough, the restaurant itself was dirty. The restroom had no toilet seat covers, no paper towels to dry your hands, and there was only one restroom for the entire restaurant, creating an absurd line. To add insult to injury, I paid $16 for a tiny 6 ounce glass of mediocre wine. Nothing about it justified the price. This wasn't just slow service. It was poor communication, broken promises, overpriced food, and a complete lack of hospitality. Save yourself the disappointment and your money. If you're craving a burger, go to Nation's just a couple of blocks away. Want Italian? You're surrounded by far better restaurants serving pizza, pasta, and seafood. Looking for Mexican food? Even the nearby taquerias and street carts offer better flavor and value. Socialite managed to turn what should have been a birthday celebration into a three-hour exercise in frustration. Bland food, outrageous prices, terrible service, misleading staff, and an overall miserable experience. I won't be returning, and I can't recommend this restaurant to anyone. AVOID AT ALL COST!

Scott's Chowder House

4.0

(58 reviews)

Really nice service (though the place was empty at 1 PM on a Wednesday). Decent atmosphere. Got the…read morelobster salad which was decent, greens and vegetable mix really nice. Lobster was ok, not a stingy amount but not a lot. Price was very fair.

Weird place. Food was not very good. Service was hard to communicate with and the order accuracy…read morewas off. Would not recommend. I'm

Pescatore Trattoria

3.5

(459 reviews)

My fambam of ten stayed at Hotel Zoe because we had an early San Francisco tour the next day. One…read moreof the best parts was that Pescatore, the restaurant, was conveniently located just downstairs by the lobby. Since we were a large group, I called ahead to make a reservation. Luckily, they had a lovely private room with a big-screen TV just for us. It wasn't crowded, and I was relieved we didn't have to share the space with other guests--we tend to get loud when we're together! I wish I could remember the name of the friendly person I spoke to on the phone, who ended up being our server for dinner. I don't know what everybody ordered, but my man and I shared a seafood pasta. It was alright with enough mussels, shrimp, and fish. My sister shared the Margherita Pizza with everyone, and it was pretty good. We ordered one of each dessert on the menu and shared them between the ten of us. The most popular one was the Chocolate Lava Cake. The cake was rich and oozed out warm melted chocolate when cut, perfectly paired with vanilla ice cream. The Panna Cotta was smooth, silky, and elegant. The most surprising of all was the Banana Pudding, which was decadent, sweet, and comforting. Knowing we had an Alcatraz tour coming up, we found the movie "Escape from Alcatraz" and watched it on the big-screen TV during dinner. The staff were accommodating and let us finish the movie without any rush. My family enjoyed the experience so much that they decided to have breakfast at Pescatore the next morning before our tour, since they didn't want to venture far. Even though I was tempted to try a different breakfast spot, I realized that sharing the experience with my family was more important. Since everyone wanted to eat at Pescatore, I was happy to join them. We made another reservation, as the server mentioned breakfast tends to be quite busy. It was thoughtful of them to reserve the same private room for us again. For breakfast, my man and I shared the American Breakfast, which came with eggs, sausage, potatoes, and a choice of bread--a hearty way to fuel up before our eight-hour tour. I enjoyed a latte, and my daughter was happy with her parfait. In fact, everyone in our group of ten was pleased with their meals. The servers were prompt and efficient; while not as friendly as our dinner server, they made sure our orders arrived on time.

My husband and I were in Fisherman's Warf of San Francisco (July 16-20). As we stood outside of…read morePascatore reading the menu posted, the chair that was propping the door open was quickly pulled inside. The door was immediately locked from top to bottom. Once we stepped to the corner to cross the street, the door was unlocked. As for do I recommend? Not if you are hungry and have any amount of melanin in your skin.

Taco Cantina

3.6

(111 reviews)