When you think of San Francisco, you probably think of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and its endless hills and valleys. And you would be correct. But San Francisco is also home to some of the best seafood in California. And if you’re looking for great food to try in San Francisco, then we have the top recommendations for you.
Dungeness Crab
Dungeness crab is definitely at the top of any must-try seafood list. It’s unlike any other crab you may have tasted before. The body meat is tender and subtly sweet; the leg meat is a little firmer but still carries the delicate crabby undertones. It lacks the fishy taste that is synonymous with most other crab varieties. It has a delicate nutty flavor that makes it even more delicious.
Cracking open the Dungeness crab is part of the experience. Beneath the crusty outer layer lies sweet, juicy meat that will leave your taste buds begging for more—and that makes this great seafood to enjoy in San Francisco.
At Fog Harbor Fish House, our chefs spin their skillful magic in the kitchen as they steam and garlic roast the Dungeness crab and serve it with fresh vegetables and potato fingerlings.
Our restaurant was the first on Fisherman’s Wharf to embrace sustainable fishing methods, and we continue to wholly support this.
Cioppino
This delicious crustacean meat can also be found in the next dish of food to try in San Francisco. Cioppino is an Italian-American fisherman’s stew. It’s also a favorite local dish. It comes in a medley with fresh fish, shrimp, scallops, clams, and mussels. These are left to simmer as we stew them in a hearty tomato broth with Dungeness crab meat to lend its sweetness to the rich, aromatic stew.
If you’re hoping to experience traditional local tastes, then cioppino is truly a great seafood dish to try in San Francisco. Its story dates back to the days when fishermen used to collectively add what they could spare from the day’s catch and cook it with tomatoes and wine in true Italian style. The original dish evolved into a local favorite.
Clam Chowder in a Sourdough Bread Bowl
Clam chowder is a local specialty. It’s made with clams in a rich, creamy broth and can be served in a fresh, sourdough bread bowl. And for a true fisherman’s twist, you can add crab meat to our mouthwateringly delicious and award-winning seafood dish.
The delightful creaminess of the clam chowder makes it a great seafood dish to try when in San Francisco. The rich, creamy chowder is close to the New England style. It is enhanced by the tang of the sourdough bread with each creamy bite. In addition to adding to the overall flavor experience, the crunchy bread contrasts well with the chowder’s sauciness.
Fresh Oysters
More food to try in San Francisco is the fresh oysters. We serve some of the freshest oysters because San Francisco is close to some of the top oyster-growing waters in the Pacific.
West Coast oysters can be prepared with spicy sauce, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. When we cook the oysters for you, we take a somewhat different approach at Fog Harbor Fish House.
You get a half dozen buttery oysters with spinach, bacon, and creamy, cheesy Asiago sauce. The oysters are shucked and prepared so they’re ready to enjoy. The combination of tastes and textures makes every bite one to remember and puts it on our list of great seafood to try when visiting San Francisco. You can add a glass of wine or a bottle to your meal to complement this dish.
Shellfish Platter
Deciding what food to try in San Francisco could prove a bit difficult with all the delicious choices at hand. So, why not give yourself the best of all worlds and indulge in the shellfish platter? This dish is a firm favorite with locals as well because you can get a platter to share.
The platter includes our signature fingerling potatoes. These are roasted in garlic butter and topped with herbs and then served with half a crab, mussels, clams, and shrimp.
Every bite will taste different because of the variety of flavors on your plate. You can savor the meaty prawns, the tender richness of the mussels and clams, and the sweet meat of the crab from the shellfish platter. Our platter undeniably offers great seafood to try when in San Francisco.
A Commitment to Freshness and Sustainability
We at Fog Harbor Fish House uphold the principles that led the way in promoting sustainable fishing practices. That is why we only support fisheries that use responsible fishing methods. This, in our opinion, enhances and makes your eating experience genuinely worthwhile.
We provide a range of flavors for our guests, from our Pacific cod to our Dungeness crab. Each one of our dishes is prepared to be delicious and visually appealing, and the ingredients are all sourced responsibly. You can make your reservation now and join us as we give you the best seafood on the West Coast. Now you’re in the know about what great seafood you should try when you’re in San Francisco.
