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    Scoma's Restaurant

    4.1 (5.1k reviews)
    Open • 12:00 pm - 9:30 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

    Scoma's Restaurant Photos

    SCOMA'S RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Scoma's Restaurant

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    Menu front
    Robert B.

    Scoma's. Had the SF Restaurant Week Lunch Special with clam chowder (excellent, creamy and full of clams) and Linguine with clams. Also ordered calamari and shrimp cocktail for the table. Bread was crunchy on outside and soft in inside and the butter seemed housemade with a bit of a tang to it. Service and ambiance was excellent, very old school. Some of the bay and city was visible from our table. Cracked pepper was offered for the clam chowder and as much fresh grated Parmesan as you'd like for the pasta. Exquisite! Excellente! Complimentary valet parking was excellent and made visiting a breeze!

    Mixed Seafood dinner
    Sandi I.

    Our go to while in San Francisco. Delicious fresh seafood. The restaurant has been in business decades and it is old school attentive great service. It's tucked away on a spit of land surrounded by the harbor with fishing boats across from fish companies on one side and fisherman's wharf on the other. Kudos to the chef for the amazing fish. The black cod was the best we've ever had- the shrimp was grilled to perfection! A wonderful spicy margarita topped our delicious memorable meal! Thanks Scoma!

    Beet appetizer
    Claire B.

    We ate at Scoma's **three times during our 11-day San Francisco vacation**, which probably says more than anything else about how much we enjoyed it. I had the clam chowder twice, and it was just perfect--creamy, with lots of clams and potatoes. And then there is the **Boudin sourdough bread**, with that wonderful, distinctive "sour" flavor that seems to be missing from so many sourdough breads these days. One evening, we shared the **Mixed Seafood Grill**, which was amazing: wild-caught shrimp and three kinds of fresh fish--black cod, halibut, and salmon--served with salad and fresh vegetables. We started with the organic beet salad, with both red and gold beets. On another visit, I had the **Dungeness crab cake appetizer with a bowl of clam chowder**, which made a delicious and surprisingly hearty dinner. I was lucky enough to have **Tom as our waiter twice**, and he won my heart with a small act of kindness. At the end of dinner, I asked if he could wrap up my two remaining pieces of sourdough bread. When I opened the package later, I discovered he had tucked in a few extra pieces for me. I brought them home and was able to enjoy a little taste of San Francisco for several more days. Thank you, Tom! I also love that Scoma's hasn't tried to turn itself into another sleek, modern restaurant. The **old-school, vintage 1960s-1970s atmosphere** is part of its charm: waiters in white jackets, dark wood paneling, brown leather or vinyl seating, brass details, warm amber-glass lighting, wrought-iron dividers, and crisp white tablecloths. Walking into Scoma's feels a little like stepping back in time. For me, it was even more special because it brought back memories of **California days with my family when I was growing up**. Wonderful seafood, warm hospitality, sourdough that actually tastes sour, and an atmosphere with a real sense of history. There is a reason we came back three times.

    Fish and Chips
    Brock P.

    Went here after a bay cruise for lunch. I like the wharf atmosphere and the view. Calamari was excellent the fish and chips was good but would have preferred Halibut. Fresh pickles were really good. Only thing I didn't like was the modified Mai Tai called a Mai Tardi- the Frangelico ruined this drink.

    Rosalyn L.

    I haven't been here in more than a decade and it's exactly how I remember it and better. In a day where big cooperate and franchises are taking over. It's nice to see a place like this still exist, and still remains amongst the top of the top. We were greeted immediately by the complimentary valet. And we couldn't believe that. Free parking in the city, get out of here! The service inside was exceptional too. They thanked us for being patient, and apologized for the wait. And we were like "It's completely fine, we are walk-ins". We started off with drinks and muscles at the old school long bar. Then before we knew it we got called for a table. Everyone that passed us, asked us if we were enjoying our food and drinks. Like not only our server but all the servers and managers. I have never gotten so much attention and care at a restaurant. The way they care about people here is outstanding. So amazing in a world where kiosks and robots are replacing everything, it makes you feel like you're going back in time. To a time where things like integrity, quality, and experience mattered. The food was divine. The clam chowder made my eyes water. Sooo good. And the steamed muscles were exquisite, so tender! And I have never had a flounder sandwich so soft and buttery in all my life. On the way out I asked a Manager where the bathroom was, she said "oh I'll show you" with a smile. We got to talking I told her how much I love this place. And turns out she is Sancia Scoma! Al Scoma's daughter. The original owner! He established the restaurant in 1965! I took a picture with her, I was so stoked. Her family is legendary, and it was like meeting a celebrity. She is really keeping the place alive. Updating things like seasonal veggies but still keeping the same traditional Sicilian recipes of her grandmother going strong. This place is right on the water. It's so cool to sit inside or outside, and get a view of the water and the busy life on the warf. All of the old photos on the walls are really so cool, and such a trip to look at. Maybe next time I'll sneak my picture on the wall with Sancia Scoma. When I googled top best seafood in San Francisco, Scoma's was on the top ten list, but not at the very top. They are wrong!!! It should be at the very top. And remains #1 in my book!

    Cioppino
    Kay d.

    Came here after a hike for lunch and waited about 30 minutes for an outdoor table. The waterfront setting made the wait worthwhile and added to the relaxing atmosphere. Once seated, I was craving oysters, and this place delivered. The calamari was fresh and crispy with just the right amount of batter. The vongole pasta was flavorful, but my favorite was the creamy risotto with perfectly cooked scallops. The cioppino was also delicious, and a glass of wine made the meal even better. Service was attentive throughout, making for an enjoyable dining experience and giving me another reason to return.

    Clam chowder
    Liz G.

    Stopped into Scoma's for a light bite and a drink. The beet salad was simple and tasty, and the clam chowder was classic and good. Neither dish was particularly memorable, but we enjoyed both. The espresso martini was delicious, and the bartenders were super friendly! The sand dabs and some of the other dishes we saw looked really good, but we weren't hungry enough for a full meal. Would be curious to come back with a bigger appetite and try more of the menu. This place was highly recommended by a few people I know.

    Boudin Sourdough Bread
    Bobby M.

    Sarah, Sean and Jose provided excellent, friendly and attentive service. Everything on the menu is fresh and delicious. High energy vibe in a classic seafood eatery. Scoma's is an institution and a neighborhood gem!

    Pasta
    Kristen H.

    Delicious food, we're seated right away. Service was great. Nice ambience. Couldn't ask for better seafood dinner in San Fran!

    Tracy T.

    This is an SF staple located literally on the water (pier) down near Ghirardelli square. This is where you come if you're craving that "SF seafood experience". Service is top tier and I love the nostalgia of the waiter uniforms. Anywhere that starts off with bread is a great choice for me, and this place doesn't disappoint with that. There are a ton of great dishes here but I would stick with the seafood (since that's the whole point) for the most part. I got the shrimp bisque and salmon - I have had better salmon before but the soup was amazing. We also had the fish three ways and the calamari - both great options. I will say that our waiter was hilarious and really rounded out our experience. The views weren't so bad, either. For dessert- get that 5-layer chocolate cake and you can thank me later. Parking sucks for the most part in this part of town (since it's mostly a touristy area) but valet is available.

    Bennette I.

    We couldn't walk through Fisherman's Wharf without going to iconic Scoma's. We were not hungry but went anyways and ordered the $30 crab cocktail and a coke! It hit! The also provided complimentary bread and whipped butter. Fresh crab with cocktail sauce was a great mid afternoon snack. Super fresh!! The server was so pleasant and customer service oriented. I love how Scoma's has their fish arriving station right off the marina - you know you are eating fresh fish!

    Pacific snapper
    Sho R.

    I stopped by on a weekday for lunch. I went for a couple of lunch specials. Pacific snapper with spaetze was my favorite item. Dungeness petite crab Louis was a close second. It was on the lighter side. Clam chowder and Organic roasted beet salad were my sides, and both were good. All the seafood I had here was fresh.

    Pedestrian street leading to Scomas restaurant
    Barbara Baker W.

    The food, service, atmosphere and location are outstanding. It's a little difficult to find, slightly out of the way at the end of a pedestrian street, but it is a renowned restaurant, so anyone asked should be able to help.

    Pasta Puttanesca and a Dirty Martini!

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    Scoma's Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Scoma's Restaurant

    Does the family style option work well for groups?

    There are several dishes that guests order family style. For example, often, guests will order several dishes from the regular menu to share. We also have a family style offering on our banquet menus for reserved events.

    Can you split crab or shrimp Louie salads?

    Thank you, Truk. We do not split the Louie salads in the kitchen but always provide share plates tableside. Happy to do so and we appreciate you thinking of us.… 

    Gold spotted sand bass?

    HI. The Gold Spotted Sand Bass is fish that is fished off the Pacific Coast of North America from Santa Cruz California, to Southern Baja California, Mexico. It's a mild white fish that is somewhat flaky. I hope this answers your question. Please… 

    Does Scomas serve brunch?

    Sorry that we don't serve brunch. We open daily for lunch through dinner starting at noon time. (Bar opens 11:30am). Hope to you see you visit Scoma's soon.

    How's the outdoor dining experience in the winter? are there heaters?

    Yes they have heaters

    I don't see anything on the website, do you know if gift cards can be purchased? (Not in person)

    Hello Heather, Thanks for thinking of SCOMA’S. Yes, you can purchase gift certificate on our website www.scomas.com, scroll down underneath the main photo, you should see… 

    Do they still offer happy hour?

    At this time (September 2022), Scoma's is not offering happy hour.

    Can I make reservation for 20 people on Sept 4, 2022 Sunday evening?

    Hi Vivian, Sorry for the delayed responds on this Yelp platform. Thanks for planning to visit Scoma's, for party of 20 reservation, best to contact our event coordinator. Please call 415.771.4383 or email to events@scomas.com. Hope to see your group… 

    Can I make reservations for 6 for this Sunday the 8th for outdoors 12:00 , 1:00?

    You can make a reservation at Scomas.com and indicate your seating preference in the notes.

    No more lobster bisque? What a disappointment, if it's true.

    We went there on Fleet Weekend. It has always been our go to restaurant when we visit the city. They no longer had the trio appetizer, and a bunch of other favorites no longer on the menu. We were disappointed

    Do I need a vax card proof to dined in?

    Yes, you will need proof of vaccination to eat indoors. Scoma's website on Sep 19th, 2021 reads: "Effective Friday August 20, 2021 - Guest[s] 12 and over wishing to dine indoors in San Francisco must provide proof of full vaccination. Accepted forms… 

    We would like to see if outdoor seating is available?

    Hi Cindy, yes, we have limited outdoor seating when weather permitted. Looking forward to see you at Scoma's!

    This app does not allow me to update my reservation,?

    Please call.

    Hello Pet friendly for outdoor seating?…

    Yes we are pet friendly on our patio for well behaved dogs on leashes. Thank you!

    What happened to the Pasta Fisherman dish that has been served here for decades? If it was removed from the menu, why was that decision made? Any chance to get the recipe?

    There are a lot of items that aren't on the menu 🤫

    Does anyone have the old recipe for their scallops before they changed it to be healthier?

    I have loved Scoma's for decades. Want to try their outdoor seating arrangement, but am wondering if they did anything to deal with the wind that is usually very strong in the summer. Plexiglass barriers, or anything else? Thanks!

    Thanks for visiting us over the years! We do have outdoor dining on both the City and Bay sides of the restaurant. We have put in canvas partitions on our City Side outdoor dining patio. While they do not block all of the wind, it does do a very… 

    Is Calamone Alla Anna back on the menu?

    What a shame they removed this from their menu. Looks to me like Al's family is ruining the traditional menu.

    Can I wear nice jeans?

    Yes it was pretty casual

    Does this restaurant have happy hour at the bar?

    Hi Shirley, thanks for contacting Scoma's. We do not have happy hour at the bar. Our full menu is served all day at both dining room and at the bar. Looking forward for your visit at Scoma's.

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    The Lucky Spot

    The Lucky Spot

    4.6(17 reviews)
    0.9 mi•North Beach/Telegraph Hill, Russian Hill

    LOVE THIS SPOT! From the cleanliness, location, ambience,…read moreand overall customer experience - this is now my go-to spot for watching sports, date night, night out with friends, and even a solo hang. I feel right at home when I step into this bar. Plenty of space and a huge bonus: dogs are allowed! Do yourself a favor and go visit one of the best bartenders in town, Ali. If it's your first time, it won't be your last.

    Just popped into The Lucky Spot in North Beach with some buddies for drinks to watch Sunday night…read morefootball, and it quickly became our new favorite hangout spot! This place has that perfect North Beach neighborhood bar chill and welcoming vibe, like a classy dive where you can watch the game or just chat for hours. The cocktails are next level: tried a few that tasted like grown-up root beer floats and Orange Julius vibes, super creative and balanced without being too sweet. They've got solid classics too if you're not feeling adventurous. Walls are covered in cool local SF photos and art that make it feel proudly San Franciscan. Only street parking available but there's plenty of bus lines that drop you off in ths neighborhood & there's no food served onsite, but they brought in complimentary Golden Boy pizza for the game watch party which quickly went into my stomach after downing a few cocktails. Staff was friendly and on point, and it's great for locals or anyone wanting elevated drinks without the pretension. Perfect pre-dinner spot in North Beach or for a full night out.

    Photos
    The Lucky Spot
    The Lucky Spot
    The Lucky Spot

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    Petite Lil’s - Look for this sign.

    Petite Lil’s

    4.6(59 reviews)
    0.7 mi•Russian Hill, North Beach/Telegraph Hill
    •$$

    Pub Crawl #2 Romantic, enigmatic, and undeniably sexy…read more No, I'm not talking about my man! Those were the exact words that came to mind as I glanced around upon walking in. This bar was our second stop after wandering around SF, a bit indecisive about where to go next. The dining room and bar were bustling with couples, but luckily, we snagged two seats at the bar. Honestly, this place feels like a top spot for Tinder (or any dating app) meetups. The friendly bartender quickly set out two glasses and poured us water, but to my surprise, he also brought over champagne glasses. As we waited, he offered us a taste of champagne--such a thoughtful, complimentary touch! I can't recall exactly what we ordered, but my man's drink had Mezcal, while mine was something sweet and fruity. We both thoroughly enjoyed our choices. After a long time without dinner, I was absolutely craving French fries. The crinkle-cut fries arrived perfectly golden and salty. We also ordered the bone marrow--rich, savory, and buttery. Spread over toast, it was pure bliss. We enjoyed our second pub crawl stop so much that we vowed to come back for a full dinner. Honestly, if couples don't end up getting laid after visiting Petit Lil's, they're definitely doing something wrong!

    So warning- this place has two yelp pages- this is my review posted on Lilly Coit's page- which is…read morethe same bar and restaurant. This happened in the winter- "Owner" screamed at a woman for closing the door. It was a giant fuss on an absolute cold March night and the owner just seems to make a sport out of embarrassing patrons who were trying to keep warm. This has been consistent- he tends bar too and is rude to a lot of people. Stay away if you like to keep your dignity and not be mortified by a jerk who doesn't deserve your money.

    Photos
    Petite Lil’s - A talk about housing in SF.

    A talk about housing in SF.

    Petite Lil’s - Ambiance

    Ambiance

    Petite Lil’s - Overall:4.87776 stars

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    Overall:4.87776 stars

    Legacy North Beach Bar - Fortaleza Blanco w/ club soda ($18) + Ginger Beer ($6)

    Legacy North Beach Bar

    3.6(26 reviews)
    0.9 mi•North Beach/Telegraph Hill

    Apparently North Beach is the best 'hood in the city for nightlife...right now…read more IF I was still in my 20s, I would start the night off at Monroe for Battle of the Decades where drinks start at $1 at 5 pm and increase by $1 every hour until 10 pm. Nosh on zucchini fries at Original Joe's before bar hopping on Grant Ave. IF you like a diverse crowd with DJs spinning hip hop, a visit to Legacy is mandatory. We did a little weekend day drinking at Legacy and when we saw customers sporting their Frisco gear, we knew we were in the right place! Sorry but it's Frisco, The Sco, or The City, it's NEVER San Fran. For those who disagree, tell that to Mac Dre, Too $hort, and the Hells Angels. Plus, Herb Caen eventually took back his "Frisco" stance. Anyhow, after Legacy, I would move on to watch the midnight ballerinas on Broadway and end the night smashing faces with a Golden Boy! A slice of clam & garlic OFC. O T H E R N O T E S * Friendly staff. * Low-key, locals bar with lounge seating, vinyl lined walls, TVs, and projectors for game day. * No HH specials. * Crisp sound system with DJs spinning hip hop on Fridays and Saturdays. * Dog-friendly but obvs wouldn't bring my dogs here when it's crowded at night. * Clean restrooms. * Cc's accepted but there's a discount if you pay cash.

    I came here with my girlfriend for the first time on halloween weekend to experience a bit of SF…read morenight life. It was our first time going out since forever and we were looking forward to trying Legacy in particular because we noticed the music and vibes seemed the absolute best. It was really disappointing though to find that the staff seemed pretty rude. I tried waving one lady down for a drink politely and she gave me a mocking wave back and ignored us. Then I ordered a long island from a different waiter, and it came out to a pretty expensive $20. I smashed no tip and he yells "Niiiiice Thanks Man!" In front of everyone. What the heck? Lol do something worth a tip if you want one. In fairness though, this bar still slaps and I hope they do better. A couple stars for the good experience anyway, and I'll adjust my rating if they adjust their professionalism.

    Photos
    Legacy North Beach Bar - Espresso martini with cacao nibs

    Espresso martini with cacao nibs

    Legacy North Beach Bar - Empress Gin and Tonic

    Empress Gin and Tonic

    Legacy North Beach Bar

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    Scoma's Restaurant - seafood - Updated September 2026

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