Where to Eat on Pier 39: A Local’s Shortlist

Packed with seafood spots and casual eats, Pier 39 in San Francisco, CA, is popular with tourists, but locals keep coming back, too. Food takes center stage here, with many favorites on offer. Dungeness crab, mesquite-grilled fish, sourdough chowder bowls, and other beloved dishes have you returning for more.

People come here for special occasions, the view, or just the reminder that San Francisco remains a seafood city at heart. That mix of everyday and celebratory dining makes the restaurants a win for tourists and natives looking to eat, drink, and relax.

You just have to know where to look. The list below shares places at Pier 39 worth sitting down for.

Crab House at Pier 39

Dungeness crab is a North Pacific favorite, with Crab House San Francisco’s go-to place for it. The restaurant’s World-Famous Dungeness Killer Crab® is roasted in a secret garlic sauce and served on a sizzling iron skillet. It’s a treat for both locals and visitors.

Enjoy your meals with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and Fisherman’s Wharf. And while it’s on the second level of Pier 39, it’s a restaurant you rarely stumble on by accident. That makes it feel a bit like a secret to be discovered.

What to Order at Crab House at Pier 39

Apart from their best-selling crab, enjoy a range of delicious seafood dishes like salmon, seafood cioppino, clam chowder, and sizzling mussels and shrimp. You’ll also love the seafood pasta dishes and surf-and-turf options like the crab-topped NY steak or cheeseburger.

Fog Harbor Fish House

If you’re looking for a more upscale option, head over to Fog Harbor Fish House. Big windows wrap around the dining room, giving you a sweeping Bay view as you dine at this San Francisco institution. It’s also the first Pier 39 restaurant to fully commit to serving sustainable seafood.

But you don’t have to dress fancy—unless you want to. The ambiance is homey and quintessentially San Francisco without trying too hard. Service is polished without being stiff. It’s a place you book when you have family visiting or just don’t want to gamble on a random spot.

What to Order at Fog Harbor

The menu’s filled with classic favorites: chowder, cioppino, halibut. Or indulge in their oh-so-buttery Lobster Tails or their Seared Scallop & Crab Risotto.

Pier Market Seafood Restaurant

Family-friendly dining in the mid-range for price wins out at Pier Market Seafood Restaurant. The restaurant has been around since 1983, which says a lot in a city where restaurants often come and go. It’s a classic dining spot for San Francisco visitors and locals alike, and for good reason.

The draw? Mesquite-grilled seafood. You can taste the smoke in each dish, making for unique plates you wouldn’t expect from a restaurant on a tourist pier. But you’ll also get to enjoy the view of the Bay from indoor window seats or, if the weather cooperates, from the outdoor patio.

What to Order at Pier Market

Seafood wins the day when you dine at Pier Market. Of course, anything off the Mesquite Grilled Seafood menu is a crowd-pleaser, from the Pier Market Mixed Grill plate to the Teriyaki Salmon to the Surf and Turf. Other favorites are the Cioppino and the Garlic Roasted Whole Dungeness Crab.

Eagle Cafe

Take a step into old San Francisco when you dine at Eagle Cafe. It opened in 1928, then moved to Pier 39 in the 1970s. The appeal? It’s casual, unfussy, and steeped in history. The food is classic and comfortable, as is the ambiance.

The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch only. Looking for a good brunch spot with fantastic views and history attached? Eagle Cafe is your stop.

What to Order at Eagle Cafe

Three-Egg Omelets are perfect for any egg-lover, served with home fries and your choice of wheat or sourdough bread or an English muffin. Benedicts are served on thick slices of Boudin sourdough with home fries, while French toast and pancake options will delight anyone with a sweet tooth.

Wipeout Bar & Grill

Built for groups, Wipeout Bar & Grill is loud and surf-themed with plenty of space and TVs everywhere. If you’re with kids or just want pizza and burgers, this bar and grill will work for you.

It’s not subtle, and that’s fine—sometimes you don’t want subtle. The menu is straightforward, the atmosphere easy, and the drinks cold. It’s a great spot for friends who want to keep it simple while staying within Pier 39.

What to Order at Wipeout

Screaming Starters like the Wipeout Nachos, Cheese & Chorizo Dip, and Coconut Fried Shrimp pair perfectly with cold beers or fizzy drinks. Both kids and adults will love Paddlin’ Pizzas, especially the BBQ Chicken Pizza and Pipeline Pepperoni Pizza. Or go for comfort with Big Wave Bowls and Wipeout Burgers.

Something for Everyone at Pier 39

This list doesn’t cover everything. That’s the point. These San Francisco restaurants are spots you can recommend to anyone without hesitation and are listed among the top restaurants at Fisherman’s Wharf.

Crab House for the crab and other seafood dishes, Fog Harbor for the view and classic comfort, Pier Market for the grill, Eagle Cafe for the history, and Wipeout for the chill—whatever your vibe, you’ll find someplace fun to eat at the Pier.

Yes, Pier 39 can be crowded and a little chaotic. But the real food, sustainable ingredients, and reliable service keep locals coming back.