Best Waterfront Restaurants in San Francisco Bay Area

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodMexicanJapanese

Regions

East BayMarinPeninsulaSan FranciscoWine Country

Neighborhoods

BeniciaBerkeleyDiscovery BayEmeryvilleFinancial District / EmbarcaderoFisherman's Wharf

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

32 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of The Waterfront Restaurant and Cafe restaurant

1. The Waterfront Restaurant and Cafe

4.4

Awesome(3667)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 17 times today

The Waterfront Restaurant and Cafe is a waterfront restaurant because it offers stunning views of the Bay Bridge from every table, both indoors and on the tented patio. The restaurant is located on Pier 7 on the Embarcadero in San Francisco, which is in the heart of the waterfront area. Reviewers consistently highlight the breathtaking views and the waterfront location as a key feature of their dining experience.

2. Waterbar

4.6

Exceptional(11081)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 161 times today

Waterbar is a seafood-centric restaurant located on the waterfront in San Francisco. It's famous for its stunning panoramic views of the bay and city skyline, as well as its exceptional design and menu of fresh sustainable fish and seafood. Reviews often highlight the restaurant's spectacular views of the Bay Bridge and the Bay, making it a popular spot for dining and enjoying the waterfront ambiance.

A photo of Angler San Francisco restaurant

3. Angler San Francisco

4.7

Exceptional(325)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• American • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 66 times today

Angler is a seafood-focused Saison Hospitality Group restaurant with one Michelin star on the Embarcadero waterfront, featuring views of our expansive wood burning hearth and the San Francisco Bay, where each dish is touched by fire and intended to be shared.Our sourcing is deliberate and our menus closely follow the seasons of Northern California. Chef de Cuisine, Joe Hou

4. Alora

4.5

Awesome(230)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 34 times today

Alora is a Coastal Culinary Journey from the Mediterranean Sea to the California shores. Alora, meaning “beautiful dreamer,” is a refined yet convivial San Francisco waterfront restaurant that melds the vibrant flavors, ingredients and dishes from countries spanning the vast Mediterranean coastline with market-driven California cuisine.

5. Pier 23 Cafe

4.2

Awesome(1291)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Seafood • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 2 times today

Pier 23 Cafe is a waterfront restaurant as mentioned in their description and confirmed by several reviews. The restaurant is located on the wharf, overlooking the beautiful San Francisco Bay. Patrons rave about the 'beautiful views of the bay' and 'wonderful views' from the outdoor patio. The restaurant's location and ambiance are a key part of the dining experience.

6. Foreign Cinema

4.7

Exceptional(8936)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Mission District

Booked 129 times today

Foreign Cinema is a one-of-a-kind, nationally acclaimed restaurant blending independent films with California-Mediterranean cuisine. Enjoy a stylish indoor dining room with a full bar and fireplace, or relax in our heated and covered outdoor courtyard where 35mm film screenings begin at dusk. For those seeking a more intimate experience, our private dining options include the mezzanine, amate terrace, and gallery, thoughtfully curated by Modernism West. Our vibrant DJ/live music bar, Laszlo, serves craft cocktails, zero-proof options, a full dinner menu, and lively tunes to end your night.We are currently accepting reservations for both the heated and covered outdoor patio and indoor dining up to 60 days in advance. Standard seating refers to indoor dining. For groups of 9 or more, please reach out to our private dining department at janine@foreigncinema.com for booking details.

A photo of Scoma's Fisherman's Wharf restaurant

7. Scoma's Fisherman's Wharf

4.8

Exceptional(5936)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • North Beach

Booked 110 times today

Founded in 1965, Scoma's Seafood Restaurant is located in the heart of San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf. Family-owned for three generations, our iconic waterfront restaurant is famous for serving the freshest seafood from pier-to-plate. An award-winning bar program includes an extensive wine list, local microbrews, and expertly crafted cocktails. For nearly 60 years, locals, visitors, politicians, athletes, actors, singers, and heads of state have been frequenting Scoma's for its old-school hospitality, delicious seafood, spectacular views, and impeccable cocktails. Located on a working pier, Scoma's has its own fish receiving station, dealing directly with local fishers for 100% sustainable seafood.***Scoma's gladly welcomes reservations, as well as walk-in guests on a first come first served basis. You can also call 415.771.4383 during our operation hours for assistance with reservations. *** WE OFFER COMPLIMENTORY PARKING***

A photo of COQUETA - San Francisco restaurant

8. COQUETA - San Francisco

4.8

Exceptional(3443)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Spanish • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 65 times today

Brought to you by Award Winning Chef Michael Chiarello and located at Pier 5 on the bustling San Francisco Waterfront, Coqueta is inspired by the cuisines of Spain. Chef Chiarello feels that Spain’s signature ‘small plates’ coupled with the social vibrancy of their dining scene is the perfect combination for San Francisco, which has its own deep-rooted history with the country. Focusing on regional dishes from Madrid, Catalonia, the Basque Country and beyond, the menu will feature Chiarello's interpretation of traditional Spanish cuisine and, as has always been his tradition, will highlight the bounty of fresh, local ingredients from land and sea.Coqueta means “flirt” or “infatuation” in Spanish, and represents Michael Chiarello and his team’s exploration and interpretation of Spanish Cuisine, wine and inspired cocktails, while highlighting the bounty of Northern California.

9. Bistro Boudin

4.5

Awesome(2173)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Fisherman's Wharf

Booked 24 times today

Located on the upper level of Boudin at the Wharf, Bistro Boudin offers an ideal place to enjoy a leisurely meal with views of the SF Bay. Warm and inviting with beautiful dark wood accents, Bistro Boudin features a full service bar, Oyster bar and spectacular views of the waterfront. The menu is influenced by the abundance of seasonally fresh foods available in the San Francisco Bay Area and the restaurant is open for lunch and dinner.

A photo of Perry's - Embarcadero restaurant

10. Perry's - Embarcadero

4.7

Exceptional(2380)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 30 times today

Perry's - Embarcadero is a waterfront restaurant as it's located right on the waterfront of San Francisco's Embarcadero. Reviews mention the 'great bayside views,' 'view of the Bay and Bay Bridge,' and 'outdoor seating on the Embarcadero side with view of the Bay and Bay Bridge.' So, it's definitely a spot where you can enjoy your meal while taking in the sights and sounds of the Bay.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

D
DOUGLASVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •147 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
This was my first time on the new covered patio. It's as wonderful as I thought it was going to be. I'm now looking forward to being there during different kinds of weather to enjoy all of the things that can be done with it. When you add the great food and perfect view you just can't go wrong. Right now they have fried green tomatoes back on the menu and they're better than ever. I already look forward to my next visit.
More info
WaterbarPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Financial District / Embarcadero
•
4.6
D
Dushan
San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Green salad had an herb that gave it a very good flavor, I liked it a lot. Forgot to ask what it was. And King salmon was cooked to perfection. Hats off to the chef.
More info
The Waterfront Restaurant and CafePrice: Expensive• Californian• Financial District / Embarcadero
•
4.4
J
Jill
Atlanta •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Fantastic dining experience. Food was excellent, service extremely attentive. View of bay bridge wonderful
More info
Angler San FranciscoPrice: Very Expensive• American• Financial District / Embarcadero
•
4.7
K
Kerry
San Francisco Bay Area •3 reviews
4.0
Dined on Apr 22, 2025
Wonderfully fresh and unique. Excellent food. Service was meh, as we had to ask to order, ask for check and ask for other attention.
More info
AloraPrice: Expensive• Mediterranean• Financial District / Embarcadero
•
4.5
B
BeatVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •29 reviews
5.0
Dined on Apr 14, 2025
Good food in relaxing atmosphere, very friendly staff. Always a pleasure to go to Pier 23.
More info
Pier 23 CafePrice: Moderate• Seafood• Financial District / Embarcadero
•
4.2