Key Takeaways
- Finding great seafood in San Francisco gets easier once you know which dishes the city does best and where to order them.
- We’ll dish on a list of our favorite seafood entrées at Crab House at Pier 39: the Killer Crab®, clam chowder, shrimp, mussels, the best non-seafood sides to pair them with, and more.
- When you dine at a coastal seafood restaurant, you get more than just good food. For a memorable experience, rich history, and picturesque views, try Crab House at Pier 39.
The City by the Bay has a food culture built largely on the water. The fishing communities that shaped Fisherman’s Wharf and the piers around it have made great seafood in San Francisco central to the waterfront experience for well over a century.
Here’s a look at the dishes worth ordering, and why Crab House at Pier 39 delivers on most of them:
Dungeness Crab
Knowing a bit about Dungeness crab before you sit down makes a difference. Native to the Pacific Coast, Dungeness has a sweet, clean flavor that’s distinct from blue crab or snow crab found elsewhere. For anyone putting together a list of food to try in San Francisco, this is where to start.
At Crab House at Pier 39, the signature is the Killer Crab® – a 2+ pound whole Dungeness crab roasted in a proprietary garlic sauce of olive oil, shallots, fresh garlic, rosemary, thyme, peppercorns, white wine, and garlic chips. It arrives on a hot iron skillet and holds the table’s attention from the moment it lands, making it the greatest seafood choice in San Francisco!
Clam Chowder in a Sourdough Bread Bowl
You can’t think about San Francisco’s coastal cuisines without mentioning the chowder. At Crab House at Pier 39, clam chowder is served hot in a fresh sourdough bread bowl (the best way to do it, but you can get it in a cup or bowl). The flavors soak right into the tart and texture of sourdough, making it one of the greats on our San Francisco seafood list. New here? We recommend ordering it as a starter or even a standalone lunch.
Sizzling Iron Skillets of Shrimp and Mussels
The iron skillet presentation at Crab House at Pier 39 is one of the more recognizable platings. The shrimp and mussels skillet comes to the table still sizzling, which tends to turn heads as the servers serve it up. Shellfish prepared on cast iron, with the heat still working its magic as it arrives, is a planned detail that adds to the charm of the meal.
For seafood connoisseurs on the hunt for great seafood in San Francisco, this one belongs on the order.
Cioppino
Cioppino is a tomato-based seafood stew created by Italian immigrant fishermen in the 19th century. Historian foodies flock to the San Francisco Bay Area to try food that has actual roots here, putting cioppino high on the list of dishes to taste.
Crab House at Pier 39 does cioppino right (broth-rich and loaded with several types of fish), making it a great seafood choice. Its flavor profile isn’t just for the menu; it packs real San Francisco history behind it.
Salmon
Salmon is a Pacific Coast staple that is sure to pop up on San Francisco menus everywhere. Crab House at Pier 39 keeps preparation straightforward: pan-seared with tarragon butter. Those simple flavors are the right call when your main ingredient does all the flavor work for you. To kick it up a notch, we also have Teriyaki Salmon served at our Pier Market Seafood Restaurant.
If you’re thinking salmon is an overused option, think again! We think it’s a solid pick for anyone at the table who wants something other than shellfish, making salmon the poster child for great seafood items in San Francisco.
Other Menu Items That Pull Their Own Weight
The starters, pasta, and salad at Crab House at Pier 39 hold their own. We have something for everyone that pairs well with just about everything on the entrée list:
- Garlic Noodles
- Seafood Pasta
- Crispy Calamari
- Garlic Truffle Fries
- Crab Bruschetta
- And more seafood and non-seafood items on our menu
A strong menu lineup is part of what makes great seafood in San Francisco feel like a complete table experience and not just the protein.
Plan Your Visit to Crab House at Pier 39
The waterfront is where the Bay Area’s food culture originated, and we’re proud to own a piece of that tradition. “A seaside place to visit for seafood to try in San Francisco” makes it to many bucket lists for this very reason. Our dining room sits right over the ocean, with a beautiful backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and Fisherman’s Wharf.
At Crab House at Pier 39, we’re more than just great San Francisco seafood—we have private dining, California wines from Napa Valley, and handcrafted cocktails for every occasion (casual, fun, family-filled, romantic, or otherwise).
Come experience the true essence of San Francisco, and be sure to plan ahead. Tables fill up just as fast as bellies do on this sea-level sweet spot!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long has Crab House at Pier 39 been open?
Crab House at Pier 39 has a longstanding history on the waterfront, serving great seafood in San Francisco since 1998.
How many people can be in our party?
We take walk-in guests for smaller parties in our main dining room and bar area. For larger groups, or if you’d like a little privacy for your gathering, our private dining room seats up to 45 guests.
Reservations may be limited during peak season, so please be sure to reserve well in advance.
Where can I eat great seafood in San Francisco with a waterfront view?
Crab House at Pier 39 is a great place to enjoy seafood with waterfront views. The restaurant sits over the water and offers views of San Francisco landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and Fisherman’s Wharf.