3 1/2 Stars

While most seafood restaurants around PIER 39 have just one specialty, nearly all of the sea's creatures are served up at Pier Market and served up well. Pier Market is yet another acclaimed restaurant from the Simmons family, who have created some of the most popular dining destinations on PIER 39 and Fisherman's Wharf. The Simmons family knows that the coast of San Francisco provides a diverse array of delicious seafood and seek to offer their customers an abundance of choices. Pier Market always offers its popular and award-winning Clam Chowder in fluffy bread bowls, but it also features succulent …

Seafood lovers that appreciate selection, quality, and an amazing waterfront view are bound to enjoy everything that Alioto's has to offer. Located on Fisherman's Wharf, Alioto's adds a signature Italian flair to all of their dishes, which also include fresh, high quality seafood. The restaurant should know a thing or two about fresh, quality fish, shellfish, and mollusks, considering that it began as a fish stall on Fisherman's Wharf in 1925. Finding that she could better showcase her bounty on a table rather than on ice, Rose Alioto created the restaurant to show diners how traditional Italian cuisine could enhance …

Traditional Italian dining creates an ideal atmosphere for family and friends to gather and share stories as well as delicious food. Puccini & Pinetti has captured the spirit of this communal environment, all the while garnering numerous awards for their superb Italian cuisine and impeccable service. Located on the corner of Ellis and Cyril Magnin, on the outskirts of Union Square, Puccini & Pinetti not only serves mouth-watering dishes like Roasted Squash Gnocchi and tender Veal Picatta, but offers a variety of specials morning, noon, and night. The chefs at this acclaimed Italian eatery use fresh local ingredients that are …

Traditionally, Irish pubs were a haven where people could come to socialize, drink their cares away, hear a bit of music, and maybe enjoy a bite to eat. Johnny Foley's has expanded on this timeless custom in a way that few pubs have in modern times by offering gourmet food, quality live entertainment, and an array of premium beers and liquors. Located just a little ways from Union Square, Johnny Foley's has become a popular gathering place for all kinds of people who come to relax and unwind. Its location in this popular area of the city attracts an eclectic …

A true testament to San Francisco's fishing industry, the Blue Mermaid offers award-winning clam chowder and other seafood delights in a comfortable and nautical atmosphere. The restaurant and bar is located in the old Haslett Warehouse and Argonaut Hotel on Fisherman's Wharf, which itself is steeped in nautical history. Not content to coast on a historical reputation, the Blue Mermaid has made some San Francisco seafood history of its own by offering a variety of delicious and rare chowders—including their creamy, signature, award-winning Dungeness Crab and Corn Chowder. This popular eatery also offers a bevy of seafood and meat dishes, …

For too long vegans and vegetarians have suffered silently, settling for the few substandard options at restaurants that cater primarily to the carnivore. At Ananda Fuara, diners can cleanse their bodies and minds with delicious vegetarian and vegan cuisine served in a serene environment. Located downtown across from the Bill Graham Civic Center, Ananda Fuara serves delicious natural food in an environment free of any stress or worry. Many of the restaurant's dishes -- and its overall philosophy -- come from India, ensuring that customers experience a conscious meal with a little kick. In addition to a selection of samosas …

Campanula Kitchen of North Beach is known for their ability to put a delicious spin on some American favorites. Their Macaroni & Cheese comes with smoked bacon, herb bread crumbs, and truffle oil mixed in. They also serve unique small dishes such as Wild Boar “Sliders” and even Bone Marrow. Diners should be sure to sample not only the dishes, but also the specialty beverages: a select list including cocktails, wines, and beers. Dim lighting combines with views of Washington Park to create a romantic atmosphere that is ideal for an intimate dinner.

While some elegant Italian restaurants in San Francisco have excellently prepared dishes, they often miss out on the communal and social aspects of Italian cuisine. At Barbacco, guests can enjoy delicious, traditional Italian dishes in an intimate atmosphere more conducive to friends and family. Barbacco is located on California Street next door to its sister restaurant, Perbacco. While Barbacco adheres to the same high standard of quality as Perbacco, its trattoria atmosphere is ideal for a casual meal with friends or a night out without the pressures and rules of fine dining. Even the menu allows for groups to share …

The dishes and ingredients at Mona Lisa may be simple, but their superior quality is what sets this excellent eatery apart from the many other Italian restaurants in North Beach. Located near the corner of Columbus and Grant, Mona Lisa has gained quite a reputation for making delicious pastas, pizzas, and meat dishes using quality ingredients. Using simple, fresh ingredients allows Mona Lisa to create a large and varied menu full of traditional Italian dishes that are bursting with flavor. With so many meals to choose from, fans of Italian food will be hard pressed to find something on the …

For decades, Chef Gigi Fiorucci has created many fine restaurants in San Francisco, including Maye's Oyster House and Montclair restaurant. After many years as a successful restauranteur and seafood master, Chef Fiorucci is dedicating most of his time and effort to making a success of his final restaurant: Sotto Mare. Located on Green Street in North Beach, this intimate and homey restaurant serves some of the tastiest oysters and seafood in the neighborhood, and does so with a zesty Italian flair. While Chef Fiorucci has a skilled mastery of Italian cuisine, the heart of this eatery is the fresh, high …

Fresca on Fillmore Street is innovating Peruvian cuisine as we speak. They aim to offer a traditional rendition of Peruvian gourmet cuisine with an innovating gastronomic approach. Their dishes still give offer a Peruvian tasting experience, however head chefs and couple Julio and Zoila Calvo-Perez infuse Asian and Californian flavors as well. Fresca’s sheik inner design will allow guest to eat in a beautiful atmosphere. Their granite top bar/eating area complements their rustic colored walls and scheme. Fresca pushes the boundaries on Peruvian cuisine and allows guests to see traditional Peruvian dishes with new flavor combinations and textures.

Come take in a bit of history at PIER 39’s Fog Harbor Fish House. Surrounded by historic landmarks like Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Bay Bridge, Fog Harbor Fish House is a waterfront restaurant that serves a wide variety of seafood cuisine from their award-winning Clam Chowder to the Garlic Roasted Whole Dungeness Crab. Voted Best Scenic View in San Francisco, diners are able to soak in the romantic sights of the San Francisco harbor while watching the restaurant’s chefs prepare their freshly caught fish and bake classic sourdough bread daily.

No 9 Fisherman's Grotto has a rich history serving the people of San Francisco from its location on Fisherman's Wharf, and has helped to create a culinary standard by which many of the area's seafood restaurants strive to meet. In 1935, the restaurant was opened as a way to showcase fresh hauls of seafood, and is widely known as being the first sit-down restaurant on Fisherman's Wharf. Since that time, this family owned business has been offering a variety of traditional Italian dishes that feature fresh and delicious seafood caught locally. The time-tested menu at Fisherman's Grotto features a variety …

Standing out both literally and figuratively from the many seafood restaurants on Fisherman's Wharf, The Franciscan Crab Restaurant offers delicious cuisine, fine accommodations, and an impeccable panoramic view of the San Francisco Bay. While the restaurant may have a modern new look, this iconic bay area eatery has been enticing diners with delicious meals for over 60 years, and has no plans of disappointing its regulars any time soon. Disappointing anyone may actually be a challenge for The Franciscan Crab Restaurant and its menu featuring a bevy of seafood skillets, Roasted Dungeness Crab, Crostini Bar, Pastas, and seafood sandwiches. The …

Located right on the Original Fisherman’s Wharf, Capurro’s creates fantastic Italian dishes . Established in1946, Capurro’s offers a menu that showcases their talent on creating Italian cuisine. Capurro’s only use the freshest locally caught seafood in their dishes. Their pasta dishes feature fresh shrimp, clams, and locally favorite crab. Capurro’s also creates original bread bowl cioppinos, an mixture of seafood in a custom baked sourdough bread bowl. Capurro’s has a wide variety of seafood choice created in Italian techniques that seafood lovers will enjoy.

Located right on the Fisherman’s Wharf, Cioppino offer incredible Italian cuisine that locals and visitors will enjoy. Cioppino is named for what they do best, a rustic and flavorful seafood soup called the Cioppino. And in San Francisco, Cioppino has their hands on the local seafood catch to create a seafood soup that is irresistible to seafood lovers. Other dishes Cioppino has to offer are pasta, pizza, and sandwich choices that also utilize fresh and local seafood straight from the pier. Furthermore, Cioppino is can accommodate large parties as well. They have a large, private banquet room with an amazing …

An upscale American tavern, Park Tavern was created to by the team behind the popular Marlowe restaurant in SOMA. Park Tavern is hybrid establishment with an indoor/outdoor cafe, providing fine dining cuisine in a tavern-ish environment that is polished and contemporary. They offer delicious dinner and bar fare, ranging from shareable plates in raw, smoked, or fried forms, to soups, salads, appetizers, and mains. Their open kitchen gives diners a live show in the culinary arts. Bartenders perform amazing acts by creating classic, crafted cocktails with good spirits and fresh ingredients at their open bar. For large groups, Park Tavern …

Many restaurants claim that their dishes are “The Real Taste of Rome” yet they seem to fall short. Cinecitta Ristorante & Bar does not fall short of that mark but exceeds it by offering authentic Italian cuisin. Cinecitta has delicious Italian choices on their menu that will make your mouth water. Cinecitta hand creates tasty pizzas with flavorful ingredient combinations like the traditional Margherita pizza and the Pollo Arrosto: roasted chicken with marsala wine mushrooms, tomato sauce, and parmigano. Aside from their delicious pizza selections, Cinecitta has hand crafted Panini sandwiches, Calzoni, and a handful of pasta selections.

The Pub at Ghirardelli Square offers all the flare of New Orleans on the west coast. The Pub’s is a two story, open area establishment with booth seating and Mahoney wood décor. Guests are offered favorite barbeque dishes from all around the USA like St. Louis Style Ribs and Texas Style Beef Brisket. Also on the menu are New Orleans dishes with unique flavor combinations like The Evil Bob’s Jambalaya and Chili Mac and Cheese. The Pub’s creates hand-crafted cocktails and specialty drinks that showcase their knowledge of flavor combinations.

Castagola’s is one of the few establishments that have been open since the Gold Rush. Located on Fisherman’s Wharf, Castagnola’s Restaurant offers diners fine Italian cuisine, seafood, and chops house specialties. Diners can indulge in fine entrees like The Hendrix Hen Chicken Marsala and The Old Blues Eyes Aged New York Strip Steak while viewing boats dock and send off into the horizon. Have Castagola’s pair your dish with one of their finest wines. Castagola’s has a wide selection of premium wines from Napa Valley and Italy. Castagola’s provides guest with a fine dining experience and a incredible view of …