Key Takeaways
- Crab House at Pier 39 is a fantastic spot to try some traditional San Francisco seafood dishes.
- Many seafood restaurants serve Dungeness crab, but only Crab House at Pier 39 has Killer Crab®.
- While Crab House at Pier 39 is known for crab dishes, several other menu items are just as iconic.
If you are looking for the best seafood at Pier 39 in Fisherman’s Wharf, you have come to the right place. We’ve taken a look at the tastiest seafood in San Francisco in Fisherman’s Wharf and have put together a list of the top dishes so you know what to eat at Pier 39. Here you will be taken on a gastronomic adventure with a menu filled with tempting choices. Let’s look at the must-try, signature dishes.
Best Dishes at Crab House at Pier 39
Crab House at Pier 39 is best known for its crab dishes. It requires very little seasoning to bring out the flavors of its slightly sweet and nutty flavor. This is definitely some of the best seafood at Pier 39, and the legendary Killer Crab® is the house specialty of Crab House at Pier 39.
Killer Crab®
Come hungry and get ready to savor a two-pound full Dungeness crab that is served after being roasted in a secret garlic sauce. It is totally unforgettable. The secret garlic sauce brings out the delicate flavors of the crab meat. This crustacean has naturally sweet and tender body meat and slightly firmer legs, perfect for dipping in its secret house sauce. It is easy to understand why patrons come from far afield just to enjoy the Killer Crab®. The whole-roasted Dungeness crab is widely considered to be some of the best seafood at Pier 39.
Skillets
The Sizzling Iron Skillets give patrons a variety of other seafood options when deciding what to eat at Pier 39. The shrimp and mussel skillets are local favorites, and while the crab is king, these skillets featuring shrimp and mussels roasted in garlic sauce are packed with flavor.
When it comes to seafood in San Francisco, in Fisherman’s Wharf, get the best of all worlds with the Killer Combo. Here you get crab, mussel, and shrimp in one dish. And if you are super hungry, or want to share, you can skip the single combo and order a double combo instead.
Crab fried rice
The crab fried rice at Pier 39 is a must-try if you enjoy fried rice but still want the best seafood at Pier 39. It’s packed with flavor and topped with crab meat, egg, lemongrass, ginger, and more.
Crispy calamari
Have you ever tried a dish of crispy calamari lightly fried with pepperoncinis? Each piece is crunchy and tasty, and because of its varied textures, it is a local favorite.
Crab Chowder
If you still don’t know what to eat when visiting Crab House at Pier 39, you can’t go wrong with the crab chowder. This dish is a slightly different take on the ever-popular clam chowder. It’s served nice and hot in a sourdough bread bowl and topped with crab. It’s definitely one of the best ways to enjoy clam chowder in San Francisco!
Garlic Noodles
For those craving pasta, the garlic noodles are a simple yet incredibly addictive dish, and it is some of the best seafood at Pier 39. After tossing the noodles in our garlic sauce, they are garnished with Parmesan cheese, cilantro, green onion, and chili flakes. Don’t pass up this delicious seafood in San Francisco at Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s a very customizable dish because you may add crab, shrimp, chicken, and vegetables to your noodles.
Crab cakes
Get ready for the house specialty: the crab cakes, which are pan-seared and served with a Mediterranean-style cayenne aioli. However, this is a great starter for any meal. Because they are so delicious, some patrons double up with two starters to make a complete meal.
Cioppino
For more of the best seafood at Pier 39, try the cioppino. This specialty seafood has a story that dates back to the 1800s. Italian fishermen in the area used to chip in with what they had caught for the day, and their wives would use the ingredients to create a simple seafood stew.
Crab House at Pier 39 provides an easy answer for what to eat at Pier 39: Cioppino. You’ll get a rich, hearty stew that’s simply brimming with flavor—think of a delicious tomato base, generous chunks of crab, flavorful fish, and a medley of shellfish including shrimp, scallops, clams, and mussels.
Fish and chips
A consistent favorite seafood in San Francisco, in Fisherman’s Wharf, for all age groups is a classic fish and chips meal. And yes, it falls under our list of best seafood at Pier 39 for good reason. Crab House at Pier 39 serves beer-battered cod that is complemented with coleslaw, french fries, and tartar sauce.
Crab-topped cheeseburger
If you are more of a traditionalist, you may want something more familiar, like a cheeseburger. Well, Crab House at Pier 39 gives you one better than that. You get two quarter-pound patties, American cheese, and crab meat topped with a glazed aioli. This is a firm favorite with all ages.
Crab and shrimp fettuccine
For diners still looking for the best seafood at Pier 39, Crab House at Pier 39 definitely has something for everyone. This pasta recipe has a creamy butter sauce, shrimp, crab meat, white wine, parsley, fresh tomatoes, garlic, and mushrooms. It’s a must-try seafood dish in San Francisco at Fisherman’s Wharf because of the different flavors, which practically make you long for its creamy warmth.
Conclusion
These are some of the best choices of what to eat at Pier 39. Fisherman’s Wharf undoubtedly offers you the best seafood at Pier 39, with a range of dishes to choose from and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy a night out. You are spoiled for choice at Crab House at Pier 39, and fortunately, the restaurant accepts group reservations, so everyone can join in and enjoy mouthwatering seafood.