Seafood at Swan Oyster Depot — An immaculate seafood spread is awaiting you at Swan Oyster Depot.

Where to Find
Seafood in San Francisco

By Dan Rosenbaum

Where to find the best lobster, crab, chowder and seafood is on everyone's mind. Here's the best seafood restaurants in San Francisco.

Seafood. The word is vague, yet a catchall for everything that comes from the sea/ocean. However, the word conjures up images of succulent steamed shrimp and crab, buttery, red lobster, or savory pearls of oysters. Anyone featuring these items on their menu could be considered a seafood restaurant. Theoretically, that includes 95%* of the restaurants in San Francisco.

Here’s our list of the best seafood in San Francisco.

240 California St

Tadich Grill

This list has to start at the beginning. That means 1849, the year San Francisco grew from a gold nugget, and the year Tadich Grill came into being. Serving fresh seafood along with an array of other options, Tadich is a no-nonsense type of restaurant. The spotless white uniforms are a dead giveaway. Come in to get the cioppino, and stay for the history. You are in the oldest restaurant in California and in the city that invented the dish you are about to devour. What to eat: Seafood Cioppino.

Eat at Tadich Grill

2809 Taylor St.

Sabella & La Torre

A staple in Fisherman's Wharf, Sabella & La Torre has been serving up crab since 1927. Why? You can't beat their crab sandwich for $6. They are open seven days a week from 12 to 8 p.m. What to eat: Clam chowder in a bread bowl, Seafood Louie.

Eat at Sabella & La Torre

400 Jefferson St.

Cioppino’s

There’s nothing better than a bowl of Cioppino with a stunning waterfront view of San Francisco Bay. Today’s the day to indulge in a seafood extravaganza! Cioppino’s signature dish consists of Dungeness crab legs, clams, mussels, snapper, calamari, and shrimp stewed in a savory tomato broth. Yes, their signature dish is so good they named their restaurant after it. What to eat: Cioppino, Clam Chowder.

Eat at Cioppino's

PIER 39

Fog Harbor Fish House

Who doesn’t want to eat 100% sustainable seafood served with a side of the Golden Gate Bridge? Fog Harbor’s menus are ever-changing, as their chefs craft the menus based on what seafood is fresh and sustainably caught. What to eat: Baked Oysters, Garlic Roasted Dungeness Crab.

Eat at Fog Harbor Fish House

1517 Polk St.

Swan Oyster Depot

There are a few truths that ring free in San Francisco. A line out the door of Swan Oyster Depot is one of them. A place not short on accolades, Swan Oyster Depot comes in at number four on our list. People have come from the farthest reaches of the country to suck down clams and oysters from this institution. Be prepared to wait 30 to 45 minutes for a seat that is elbow-to-elbow with complete strangers. Anthony Bourdain has been quoted, If god made anything better, he kept it for himself." What to eat: Combo Salad.

Eat at Swan Oyster Depot

1475 Polk St.

Crustacean

Not in the mood for crab in the traditional sense? Head over to Crustacean for their take on crab. Their menu of Euro-Vietnamese cuisine is imaginative and delicious. Drunken or roasted crab is what to get here along with a side of their famous garlic noodles. This isn't the only restaurant by the An Family on the list. Stay tuned. What to eat: The roast crab

Eat at Crustacean

1 Ferry Building

Hog Island Oyster Company

The freshest oysters in the Bay Area are at Tomales Bay, where the Hog Island Oyster Farm is located. If you can’t make it all the way up there, Hog Island Oyster Company in the Ferry Building is a great second option. Along with freshly shucked oysters, you get a gorgeous view of the bay. What to eat: Hog Island Sweetwater or Atlantic.

Eat at Hog Island Oyster Co.

631 Kearney St.

R & G Lounge

Hidden away in Chinatown, R & G Lounge is the perfect spot to have your Chinatown experience and get your crab fix. Along with all the Chinese classics, they serve up crab in eight ways. For us, any combination of crab and garlic and we're in heaven. What to Eat: Salt and pepper crab.

Eat at R&G Lounge

Pier 43 1/2

Franciscan Crab Restaurant

Let's go through our mental checklist for this one. Fisherman's Wharf? Check. Restaurant with a view of Alcatraz? Check. Named "Best Food at Fisherman's Wharf" by Sunset Magazine? Check. Crab any way you want it? Check. What to Eat: Mussels and the Crab Enchiladas.

Eat at the Franciscan Crab Restaurant

655 Divisadero St.

Bar Crudo

Bar Crudo is the first local’s place on this list. Many people hope it stays that way because the wait for a table is already long enough. If you have time to come here more than once, you should make your way through the entire menu. However, if you come only once, you should always order the chowder. It’s legendary. What to eat: Seafood Chowder.

Eat at Bar Crudo

Pier 47

Scoma's

Once a little coffee shop on the pier in 1965, Scoma’s has become a force of buttery goodness today. There’s butter sauce, and then there’s Scoma’s butter sauce. Nothing compares. What to eat: Shrimp and Scallop Alla Gannon.

Eat at Scoma's

1914 Fillmore St.

Woodhouse Fish Co.

Woodhouse Fish Co. is a neighborhood spot serving up quality seafood in a New England style atmosphere (think red-checkered paper mats). The clam chowder and sourdough bread is a match made in heaven and the Crab Melt should be on your list for next time. What to eat: Lobster Roll.

Eat at Woodhouse Fish Co.

2824 Jones St.

The Codmother Fish & Chips

A place both locals and tourists can agree is delicious. This stationary food truck near Ghirardelli Square cooks up amazing fish and chips, shrimp and chips, and Baja fish tacos. Since the inception of Yelp, Codmother has been named one of the best in the city. What to eat: Standard Fish and Chips

Eat at Codmother's

4101 Judah St.

Thanh Long

Want a locals-only experience and a reason to go out to the Outer Sunset? Thanh Long is the place to dine like a local. Run by the An Family, the same family behind Crustacean. What to Eat: roasted crab and garlic noodles.

Eat at Thanh Long

579 Castro St.

Anchor Oyster Bar

With great food, comes great competition. In light of Swan Oyster Depot’s long lines, many imitators have come onto the scene, but none of them have been held in the same regard, except Anchor Oyster Bar. Since 1977 they have been serving fresh sustainably caught fish, shellfish, crab and delicious, simply prepared, seafood dishes. What to eat: Clam Chowder.

Eat at Anchor Oyster Bar

295 Terry Francois Blvd.

ATwater Tavern

Steps away from the ballpark, ATwater Tavern is the perfect venue for to suck down oysters on the halfshell. The waterfront location features two levels of indoor and outdoor dining with incredible views of Oracle Park, the San Francisco Bay and the downtown skyline. What to eat: Atwater Cioppino.

Eat at ATwater Tavern

Dan Rosenbaum

Dan is the Vice President, Global Marketing, at San Francisco Travel. San Francisco has been his home for over a decade (that makes him a local, right?). On the weekends, you can find him with a cup of craft coffee in hand, a playlist of good vibes, a growing list of books to read, or out at the city's hottest new restaurant or bar.