Cancel

Open app

Search

Pier 29 Waterfront Restaurant

3.0 (551 reviews)
Open • 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Updated over 3 months ago

Pier 29 Waterfront Restaurant Photos

PIER 29 WATERFRONT RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Dogs allowed
Good for groups

You might also consider

More like Pier 29 Waterfront Restaurant

Recommended Reviews - Pier 29 Waterfront Restaurant

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Outside Covered Patio
Steve D.

Do you know the way to Ballena Bay? Pier 29 Restaurant is located in Alameda's Ballena Bay. It has an extensive seafood menu, full bar, soups, salads, and some chicken and steak. It has a view of the marina on one side, and a view of San Francisco bay on the other. It's away from the busy downtown traffic, and offers lots of free parking. I was treated to lunch there recently, to celebrate my retirement. For appetizers, we had Shrimp Cocktail and Fried Calamari. All the seafood was fresh. I then ordered the "Fish and Chips Combo" featuring fish and prawns. It consisted of two pieces of fried cod, and two fried prawns. The fish was fresh, and had a nice flavor. The prawns were crispy, and not greasy. There was a generous amount of crispy fries. The coleslaw on the side was dry and bland. Service was good. There were only two servers working, and it seemed the young lady was doing most of the work. But service was attentive, and she checked on our table a few times. Pier 29 is a large restaurant, probably capable of hosting large groups and events. It also has an outdoor patio. Can't find Ballena Bay? The entrance to Ballena Bay is 1 block east of Encinal High School, along Central Ave.

The view- outdoor seating on a warm day
Apple O.

Quaint spot on the water with great views and outdoor seating to enjoy lunch with a view on a warm day!! My fish n chips were super fresh - really enjoyed. The tuna melt was also fresh and tasted really good- not fishy at all. The service was on point and you can tell the staff has been there for awhile- very friendly and informative.

Salmon
Con C.

Hard to find a complete meal these days. Rich thick clam chowder, light salad and massive lamb shank with mashed potatoes. Salmon was well cooked. Green beans were a bit on the crunchy side. Private room was cozy and servers were attentive. First time here and had a solid experience

Menu
Pat C.

Ample sitting outside facing the marina, huge reception room if you have a private function as it was the case today and another room. A vast menu that mixes hot sandwiches ($18) and basic entrees ($25). Service is pleasant but slow. I went for eggplant parmigiana with a side of steamed rice (you can also have mash, pilaf rice and a soup of your choice. We were served complimentary bread and butter. On paper , it should work. Maybe I chose the wrong dish. The food was not nice at all.

Johnny R.

Enjoyed coming here on a Sunday with my friends. Not super busy and we were seated immediately. The TV was showing the football game which was nice. Oysters were delicious and overall such great customer service.

Patio
Margarita G.

This restaurant has a great location with plenty of parking and an outdoor patio area for dining. They have a nice looking bar area. We have had lunch and dinner here a few times in the past and it's always a hit and miss on the quality and taste of the food. Last night we ordered the clam chowder and my soup did not have any clams a few pieces of potatoes and large chunks of onion. I did not have one piece of clam in my soup. For my main dish, I order the ground round steak, it was OK, but I needed to add a lot of salt and pepper to give it that extra flavor that it was lacking. We ordered a few alcoholic drinks, and they were a little mild on the alcohol. They could've added a little more alcohol to the drinks. The women's restroom looks somewhat clean the stall walls really need to be clean. The stall wall has a lot of fingerprints and look dirty.

Yummi N.

Pretty ok food, the scenery was amazing! The service was nice! The drinks were nice and strong

Shrimp and scallops
Matthew L.

Maybe on a warm summer night with sunset views over the bay, this place would be worth the price. But as it were, on a chilly mid-week spring evening, this place felt drafty and lonesome. It's clearly got its regulars, who were all on a non-name-tag first-name basis with the sole waiter/bartender. Cheers to all of them. The meal seemed like upscale theme park fare--an afterthought straight out of the freezer. With the exception of the creamy sauce served over the shrimp and scallops, the food was unremarkable. The seafood was not especially fresh, the steamed vegetables tired and dry. The place wasn't warm to outsiders. The bill was too high for what we got. I live here on the island, but I unfortunately won't be back any time soon.

Side salad with ranch
Super F.

I'm sure Food here is great service is quality ambience is casual music chatter kitchen all of the above. Come here and try out and enjoy the view from San Francisco to Oakland.

Sourdough Bread

See all

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Tony C.
256
187
12

14 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 17
Thanks 8
Love this 11
Oh no 0

21 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of J L.
0
1
0

2 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 2

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 1

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Jim O.
5
59
20

5 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 2

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Super F.
0
187
384

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Derrick C.

Derrick C.

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Bin Z.
24
15
11

1 year ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1
Photo of Jay B.
2
24
4

10 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Vikki S.
30
103
274

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Mamajing S.
88
133
162

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 9
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1
Photo of Christina G.
355
151
48

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of John C.
96
127
4

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Zita M.
1460
390
730

5 years ago

Helpful 6
Thanks 0
Love this 4
Oh no 1

5 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1
Photo of Diane M.
106
53
0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 14

Ask the Community - Pier 29 Waterfront Restaurant

Does this restaurant have high chair accommodations for infants?

Yes all restaurants are supposed to as well as disable ramps,etc

View All 3 Questions

You might also consider

Forbidden Island - Full view of the bar at opening time

Forbidden Island

4.2(1.6k reviews)
1.4 mi
•$$

A Tiki Bar in Alameda?! Sign me up! I just moved to the area and have been missing the tiki bars…read moreback home. Super happy I found this incredible little spot not very far from my new spot! Made a reservation for a Saturday and was able to grab a seat at the bar. This was definitely a necessity. I'll always keep this in mind when planning a visit here. Upon arrival, we were met to cute tiki interior, dollars overhead (my version of heaven), and an incredible staff! It was such a warm and welcoming environment. The staff was mega nice and helped us answer all of our burning questions. The drinks were perfect! I honestly can't remember everything I had, but the menu was expansive and all the drinks were tasty. We got a bit hungry and ordered some empanadas. I loved these! A nice change from other food at tiki bars ive experienced. Awesome visit to Forbidden Island! Im looking forward to visiting again!

Visited this place on a Sunday evening with a reservation for a party of six. The place is so cute…read moreinside, with inviting tropical-inspired bar seating and cozy booths. They also have a large outdoor seating area. As soon as you step inside, you feel like you've been transported to a tropical island--it definitely gives you that vacation vibe! The drinks weren't exactly cheap, but everything we tried was delicious and pretty strong, so we definitely enjoyed them! The service was also friendly and attentive throughout our visit. Overall, such a fun and vibrant spot to hang out and enjoy some tropical drinks!

Photos
Forbidden Island - Outside patio area

Outside patio area

Forbidden Island - The two mugs that they have available. The mug on the left is a special edition mug and $150. The mug on the right is $40.

The two mugs that they have available. The mug on the left is a special edition mug and $150. The mug on the right is $40.

Forbidden Island - More of the atmosphere of the forbidden island, and I love all the money hanging from the ceiling

See all

More of the atmosphere of the forbidden island, and I love all the money hanging from the ceiling

Saltbreaker - SB Burger $21,00

Saltbreaker

4.4(340 reviews)
1.4 mi
•$$$

I actually haphazardly stumbled upon this place a few months back after hanging out at a brewery…read morenext door. After scoping out the vibes of the place and the menu, I told myself to make sure to give this a shot. The place is in a redeveloped corner of Alameda right next to the bay. Probably used to be Navy base grounds back in the day. But now there's a couple of blocks worth of hip warehouse-y type of buildings, mostly restaurants, beer spots, some lofts and a little retail commerce. Very happening even though the surrounding area is a ghost town. Dining area not too big, maybe a couple of rooms that can hold about 20-30 heads each. Think there's another room for a private party/overflow. Decor pretty minimalist and stark. Service on the upscale side but in my stay, matched the decor, very minimalist and stark. Efficient enough but a little terse with little emotion. But I know service personality can differ from time to time or person to person. Just my obsy for one out. Daily Crudo ($20/4*) I think this rotates daily. Our choices that day was hamachi or a house smoked sturgeon. The sturgeon really piqued my interest but then it really wouldn't be a 'crudo' anymore would it, since I relate crudos to something 'raw-ish'. So I chose the hamachi. Very pretty plating, I love symmetry and balance. The thin slices of hamachi were indeed fresh, sitting in a stealthy pool of yuzu and olive oil. There are some fresno pepper slices and microgreens that garnish and a delicious nori cracker to break and accompany the crudo. This went really well with my glass of Fume Blanc. Caeser ($17/4.5*) We split this salad as their version sounded super cool. A miso-tinged Caeser dressing, lots of rustic garlic croutons and feathery soft grated parm and a soft-boiled egg. I love properly made Caesers and this was one of the best and unique versions I've ever had. The umami punch and the diverse textures just hit with me. A tad salty for a salad, but the crunchy and refreshing lettuce was able to absorb the salt blast. Huge salad too, like ideal for splitting and ridiculously large if for 1. Beef Short Rib ($43/4*) This was on special that night, and since I wasn't feeling Steak Frites (their only other beef entree option) this kinda fell on my lap. Very heavy and hearty dish. The short rib part was impeccable, super tender, gotta be sous vide. Perfectly seasoned with braising elements completely penetrated into the meat. There was a coarse gravy/sauce that covered which was okay, may have been the braising liquid just pureed. Served atop a huge pile of some risotto that I didn't inquire about. This risotto is what made the dish especially heavy. I ate most of it and it put me in a heavy carb coma. Lol. But there was a nice serving of perfectly cooked broccolini which helped balanced out the rich beef and carb heavy risotto. Chocolate Bar ($13/4.5*) Shared this for dessert as I really couldn't take more than just a few bites after the filling entree. But was this impressive, like high end dessert quality. Whoever does the desserts here definitely has some pedigree. The precision cut bar consisted of 3 layers. A brownie layer; a Bailey's mousse; and a salted caramel layer. I was loving the texture of all the different layers playing on one another. And every flavor was distinct without being overly sweet, which hit the right chords with me. A thick ganache garnished off to the side, which was good but just seemed a bit overkill with the already chocolate dominant bar. I think a cream element would have been a better contrast instead of rich chocolate on rich chocolate. But very minor quip on an otherwise skillful dessert. I finished the last few sips of my glass of Rhone with this dessert, and it left me one happy camper. I would definitely return as their style with flavors hits an accord with me. A little French, a smidge of Japanese and a lot of California. Rounding to a fiver, as this place made me more happy than not.

The food was as visually beautiful as it was a party in my mouth. Emily was a fantastic server…read morewith her welcoming smile and positive demeanor that kept just the right amount of attention on us. We had the buratta, the mixed greens salad, the duck and the pasta. We finished up with the chocolate bar dessert. This was the most incredible culinary experience I've had in a really long time and I was so happy to have it. The fresh pasta with the fresh English peas in the carbonara sauce was so light and flavorful. The duck was crispy and moist. The salad was gorgeous with edible flowers sprinkled in. It was just a treat all the way around. Thanks so much. Heather

Photos
Saltbreaker
Saltbreaker - Fresh pasta carbonara, chicken sliders, steak frites

Fresh pasta carbonara, chicken sliders, steak frites

Saltbreaker - Burger was pretty decent. The bun really makes it awesome

See all

Burger was pretty decent. The bun really makes it awesome

The Yard at Saltbreaker - Smashburger

The Yard at Saltbreaker

4.0(62 reviews)
1.4 mi

Went to The Yard before a musical event and it was a perfect temperature to be outside. The seating…read moreis open and all you have to do is order with the staff and get a number. We ordered smash burgers and they had a beyond meat option. Both were delicious. Also the Cauliflower Buffalo Dip was surprising in that it tasted so much like buffalo dip and had a great texture. Definitely check it out!

Service and Staff: - Order at the register or via the QR…read morecode on your table - Staff will bring food to your table - We ordered oysters, which never came. When we let the staff know about this, we waited because they needed to double-check that the order did not come out after all. This was confirmed (still weird because what if the staff didn't remember or said that it did go out?) - Staff seemed confused by table numbers as we had three different dishes brought to our table that weren't ours Food and Drinks: - Shrimp roll: filling and tasty - Smash burger: definitely filling - not super exciting though (mainly just tasted the cheese). The fries were very good though - Lemonade: nice and tart - Caesar Salad: good (light meal) Miscellaneous: - Good for small and medium-sized groups - Outdoor seating only (some coverage by umbrellas) - Parking available via shared parking lot with other businesses - Good for families and kids - Casual and average level of sound

Photos
The Yard at Saltbreaker - Main counter - love the container conversion

Main counter - love the container conversion

The Yard at Saltbreaker - Fish & Chips

Fish & Chips

The Yard at Saltbreaker - Pasta salad

See all

Pasta salad

Trabocco Kitchen & Cocktails - Spaghetti Del Trabocco*

Trabocco Kitchen & Cocktails

4.2(2k reviews)
2.1 mi
•$$

Absolutely wonderful experience here for a last-minute birthday dinner…read more We didn't have a reservation for a Saturday night, but did not have to wait around 5:45pm for a party of 2. There is plenty of seating inside, by the bar, and outside in a heated patio. I ordered the spaghetti del Trabocco, as I love seafood and pasta, but have food intolerance to onion and garlic, which has always been challenging for me when going to Italian restaurants. However, the waiter informed me that this dish has no onions or garlic at all! I have never yet encountered a pasta dish with no garlic/onion and was beyond exhilarated that I would be able to order this dish. My husband got the lasagna, and we both ordered drinks. The drinks came out within a few minutes, along with yummy bread, vinegar and olive oil. The entrees took about 10 minutes to come out but they were well worth the wait. The scallops in the spaghetti were so soft, the shrimp were large, and the pasta was cooked to perfection. One of the clams was slightly salty but it did not ruin the dish. My husband enjoyed his lasagna as well, noting it was fulfilling. The best part of the night, was when I asked for a tiramisu to celebrate my birthday. Having tiramisu cake on my birthday holds personal sentimental value to me. Apparently, when the cook isn't busy, he'll come out and sing Happy Birthday to you! The cook was busy when my cake came out about 10 minutes after we finished our main dishes, but the waiter came to sing instead and he was wonderful, topping off the night to say the cake was complimentary. I was almost brought to tears by the gesture. The tiramisu was delicious, devoured too quick, even my husband approved, and I have been thinking of it ever since. I am so appreciative of how they made my birthday dinner a wonderful experience, the service, and the delicious food. Would definitely recommend and come again.

So I have held off doing a review for a long time because I was conflicted and just recently sort…read moreof figured out why. We have popped in here a lot over the years. Drinks and appetizers are great at the bar. Bartenders are nice. I think I had a cioppino or sea food stew once that was also really good. All the food coming out of the kitchen looks great. But here's the rub I finally figured out after talking about this place with my partner multiple times. There is tension in the air, a lot of it. Walking in you can feel it. Not sure where it's coming from since the owner, Gino I think, seems like a pretty nice and chill guy and interactions with him are always good and I see him interact with the staff in a positive way. So why the tension? Where is that coming from? Regardless, I don't need that tension and anxiety on my resume or in my tequila. For some reason I really wanted this place to be sort of a nice hang out and place to always go. Just hasn't panned out that way. We'll still go back at times and test the waters. Just not going to be one of our regular haunts. People seem to love it more than I currently do so there must be something there. Rounding up to 4.

Photos
Trabocco Kitchen & Cocktails - Setting

Setting

Trabocco Kitchen & Cocktails - Polipo e Patate

Polipo e Patate

Trabocco Kitchen & Cocktails - Duck Special

See all

Duck Special

Town Tavern - Black Manhatten

Town Tavern

4.3(204 reviews)
2.5 mi
•$$

Our go-to cocktail spot in Alameda. We've been here many times now, and it never disappoints. Great…read moredrinks, good service, and a chill, comfortable atmosphere. My favorite part is their collection thoughtful, balanced, complex drinks. If you want a variety of delectable old fashioneds with different spirits -- you're in luck! ---- Drinks ---- The cocktails are the main reason we keep coming back! Old Fashioned menu. They actually have several varieties and I've really appreciated how they use a different spirit for each! I won't review every single one, but you can't go wrong based on what flavor profile you want. They're all relatively sophisticated, balanced, spirit-forward, and consistently well made. The rest of the cocktail menu is equally thoughtful. Complex, creative, and well executed without trying too hard or going over the top with flavors or presentation. The food is delicious as well although we're usually just here for drinks before/after a meal. More small bites than full meals, but everything we've had has been tasty and pairs well with the drinks. We really enjoyed the empanadas; great flavor and execution. ---- Environment ---- Warm, cozy, and stylish -- but not pretentious or obnoxious. Music volume is always at a level where you can actually have a conversation, which I really appreciate! It does get busy, especially on weekends, but it's never been extreme. We've been seated immediately or only with a short wait most times. ---- Service ---- Friendly, welcoming, and attentive! Always had good experiences with the staff even when busy. Most of them have good recommendations. ---- Tips ---- Make a reservation if you can! Walk-ins are definitely possible, though you may end up sharing a larger communal table. We've done it before and honestly didn't mind. The bathroom can occasionally have a bit of a wait. ---- Overall ---- Love this place. It's become our go-to spot whenever we're in the mood for great cocktails and a relaxed evening and want a reliable experience. One of my favorite cocktail bars in Alameda.

This spot has very good cocktails. This time I tried Georgia on my Mind, it has cognac and peach…read moreliqueur. My friend has the chicken sliders with fries. Good choice. Server was helpful and attentive. Cheers!

Photos
Town Tavern - Toki, hazy IPA, Basil gimlet.

Toki, hazy IPA, Basil gimlet.

Town Tavern - Nachos

Nachos

Town Tavern - Pick your specials

See all

Pick your specials

Pier 29 Waterfront Restaurant - seafood - Updated October 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...