Sidewalk Vendors: Dungeness crabs, the West Coast's answer to lobster, are in season from November through June. When you buy a crab from one of the stalls, ask for "fresh" crab, and you'll get one cooked up just for you. These vendors also offer "take away" shrimp cocktails, calamari salad and other dishes.
For a nice picnic, take your sidewalk purchases through the double doors between Alioto's and Fisherman's Grotto on Taylor Street, where you see the sign marked "Passage Way to the boats," and find a bench where you can sit and enjoy the boats. Beware of seagulls who may want to share your lunch.
Boudin's Sourdough: Visit the original Boudin (pronounced "bo-deen") shop on Jefferson for famous San Francisco sourdough bread to go, or stop by their booth across Taylor from Fisherman's Grotto for clam chowder in a sourdough bowl.
Traditional Fisherman's Wharf Restaurants
The wharf's traditional restaurants reflect San Francisco's Italian heritage, so it's not surprising that their names sound like listings in an Italian phone book. Most are expensive, and locals do not consider them among the city's best restaurants, but neither fact keeps people from flocking to eat at them.Alioto's: #8 Fisherman's Wharf. Seafood, Sicilian specialties and homemade pastas. Yelp reviewers rate their sidewalk stand better than the restaurant itself.
Castangola's: 286 Jefferson Street. One of the oldest restaurants on Fisherman's Wharf and we're sorry to say the lowest-rated. They have a view of the Fisherman's Wharf area and the city skyline.
Scoma's: Pier 47. In the heart of Fisherman's Wharf, Scoma's has been a popular destination for more than 30 years and is the best-rated of the bunch, according to website Yelp. San Francisco Chronicle food critic Michael Bauer says: "The allure of this ultra-popular seafood restaurant is hard to discern: Waits are long, the view doesn't particularly impress and service is impersonal. The fish, however, is undeniably fresh."
Tarantino's: 206 Jefferson Street. Better than some according to Yelp reviewers.
Pompeii's Grotto: 340 Jefferson Street. Family-owned and operated since 1946. Seafood, crab and Italian favorites. See what Yelp reviewers have to say about it.
More Fisherman's Wharf Restaurants
- Lou's Pier 47: 300 Jefferson. A casual Cajun and seafood restaurant featuring nightly blues performances.
- Cioppino's: 400 Jefferson. They have outdoor seating that can be pleasant on a nice day.
- Rainforest Cafe: 145 Jefferson in the Wax Museum building. A tropical-themed restaurant featuring thunderstorms and animated wildlife.
- Joe's Crab Shack: 245 Jefferson. A popular seafood chain with a fishing camp theme.
- Franciscan Restaurant: Pier 43 1/2. San Francisco Chronicle food critic Michael Bauer says: "Good fish dishes, but some combinations are too ambitious. Pretty surroundings." Reviewers at Yelp are less kind, rating it just 3 out of 5.
