clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
More Maps

Here Are the Hottest New Restaurants in the East Bay, May 2024

Here Are the Hottest New Restaurants in San Francisco, May 2024

Where Eat and Drink Down Divisadero Street

More in San Francisco See more maps
Epic Steak offers some of the most impressive Bay Bridge and waterfront views you can find in San Francisco.
Matt Wronski Photography

14 Actually Worthwhile Places to Eat and Drink on the Embarcadero

A vetted guide to dining and drinking along the bay

by Lauren Saria and Eater Staff Updated
View as Map
Epic Steak offers some of the most impressive Bay Bridge and waterfront views you can find in San Francisco.
| Matt Wronski Photography
by Lauren Saria and Eater Staff Updated

They call it the San Francisco Bay Area because abutting three-fourths of the city there is, indeed, a big beautiful bay. Tourists from around the world flock to the peninsular landscape to visit Alcatraz and cross the water to Angel Island. The Embarcadero is San Francisco’s must-visit chunk of waterfront dining and drinking, the three-mile-long seawall playing host to numerous piers and the iconic Ferry Building. There’s more for San Franciscans down the road, too: this year will see the debut of Bon Délire, for a glass of Champagne and French fare, and Joyride Pizza’s new waterfront outpost for buffalo milk gelato.

All of these 14 restaurants are mainstays for a reason, showcasing what makes the city a global destination. Pull up a stool, gaze lovingly at the Bay Bridge, and slurp an oyster.

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Hillstone

Copy Link

Yes, Hillstone/Houston’s is a chain, but a reliably good one — the kind of place you can count on for perfectly executed steaks and dependable burgers and salads. This San Francisco location is supremely scenic, right across from Pier 33, and frequent live jazz performances set the scene for memorable meals.

1800 Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 392-9280
(415) 392-9280

Also featured in:

Alora

Copy Link

Vikram and Anu Bhambri, the team behind ROOH and Pippal, opened this glitzy waterfront restaurant in January 2024. There aren’t many misses here; the hummus is light and creamy, and the eggplant dip is spicy and hardy. Mushroom dolmas come warm and chewy, with pops of roe, while octopus is tender and fresh with a pleasant dill sauce. Stopping here for lunchtime cocktails and wine with a few bites makes co-working downtown feel not incredibly worthwhile.

Pier 3, San Francisco, California 94111
Octopus at Alora. Paolo Bicchieri

La Mar

Copy Link

Seafood lovers will rejoice in La Mar and its Peruvian take on fresh catch from the ocean. The vibe is festive, the setting is breezy, and the flavors are big and bright. In addition to a slate of fruity pisco cocktails, this restaurant serves plates with punchy flavors — think tiraditos, which are described as "Japanese sashimi Peruvian style," empanadas, and big portions of seafood or meat.

Pier 1½, San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 397-8880
(415) 397-8880
Hockeystick Media

Also featured in:

Señor Sisig (SF Ferry Building)

Copy Link

Filipino-American pioneer Senor Sisig has been winning fans with its sisig-stuffed Mission-style burritos for more than a decade now, and the Ferry Building outpost makes for an accessible and affordable dining option on the Embarcadero. Order a torta or the shop’s version of a Taco Bell Crunchwrap with a bottle of ube horchata to enjoy on the back patio just off the water.

1, Ferry Building, #41, San Francisco, CA 94111
(855) 747-4455
(855) 747-4455
Daniel Beck

Also featured in:

Reem's California

Copy Link

James Beard award-winning chef Reem Assil started serving chocolate chip halawa cookies and cardamom cold brew out of the Ferry Building’s Suite 19, across the way from El Porteno, in late 2022. Like many Ferry Building businesses, the setup is all to-go. Order the Damascus lemonade and a wrap to take to the benches overlooking the Bay.

1 Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA 94111
(510) 852-9390
(510) 852-9390
Food at Reem’s. Reem’s

Hog Island Oyster Co.

Copy Link

Slurping down a tray of fresh oysters at Hog Island’s Ferry Building location is basically a rite of passage for San Francisco residents and visitors. There’s often a line, but if you queue up a little early (pro-tip: grab a Red Bay coffee to sip while you wait) you’ll be enjoying a glass of bubbles or bloody mary in short order. Besides an array of local oysters, choose from other seafood-centric options such as fried anchovies, clam chowder, and halibut crudo.

Ferry Building, #11, San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 391-7117
(415) 391-7117
Oysters and caviar from Hog Island Hog Island Oyster Co.

Also featured in:

Harborview Restaurant & Bar

Copy Link

Run by members of the R&G Lounge crew, Harborview is more than just a swanky banquet space with nice views of the water. It also serves some of the city’s favorite dim sum, turning out consistently solid versions of all the standards including har gow, siu mai, and baked barbecue pork buns.

Level, 4 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 399-1200
(415) 399-1200
Harborview Restaurant & Bar

Also featured in:

Terrene

Copy Link

Terrene is the plant-filled restaurant inside the 1 Hotel just across the street from the waterfront, and it’s a great option for brunch or an al fresco happy hour on the large patio. The restaurant asserts a commitment to sustainability, and the menu sticks to familiar fare including flatbreads, salads, and a range of meat skewers for dinner.

8 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 278-3777
(415) 278-3777
Conor Hagen

Also featured in:

Boulevard

Copy Link

Following an uber-glamorous refresh from star designer Ken Fulk, Boulevard returned from its pandemic closure more gorgeous than ever. But it’s not just the stunning decor that makes this longstanding restaurant a worthy dinner option; chefs Nancy Oakes and Dana Younkin continue to impress with multi-course menus that showcase seasonal ingredients like Brentwood corn and soft shell crab in elegant and still-approachable preparations. Plus service is reliably warm and professional, an impressive feat in these times.

1 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 543-6084
(415) 543-6084
The renovated dining room at Boulevard. Patricia Chang

Also featured in:

Angler

Copy Link

This sequel to Michelin-starred Saison is a stunner, with views of the Bay Bridge and a gorgeous open kitchen. The menu is served a la carte by suited servers, though it’s a casual atmosphere. An ever-changing selection of fresh seafood has included dishes like live scallop crudo, baby abalone, and hot fried rabbit that have garnered critical acclaim. It’s open for power lunches Tuesday through Saturday and for dinner seven days a week.

132 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 872-9442
(415) 872-9442
Patricia Chang

Also featured in:

Perry's Embarcadero

Copy Link

This classic after-work haunt is packed with happy hour drinkers and diners chowing down on Perry’s burgers. Expect basic but pleasing pub food like potato skins and fried calamari, with hearty dinners like pot roast and spaghetti with meatballs. It’s also a pleasant destination for brunch on the patio overlooking the Bay Bridge.

1206, 155 Steuart St, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 495-6500
(415) 495-6500
Tables at a business. Perry’s [Official]

Epic Steak

Copy Link

Among the city's contenders for best cut, Epic Steak impresses with romantic Bay Bridge views and surf and turf. Steakhouse favorites like Caesar salad, filet mignon, ribeye, and wagyu are all on the menu, plus other options such as oven-roasted halibut and lobster — though the biggest draw is probably the view. If seafood is more your thing, sister restaurant Waterbar next door has you covered and has unmissable desserts.

369 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 369-9955
(415) 369-9955
Epic Steak

Also featured in:

Red's Java House

Copy Link

Opened in the 1930s and renamed Red’s in 1955, Red’s Java House serves a lot more than java — favorites include fish and chips, hot dogs, and burgers served on San Francisco sourdough rolls. It’s old school, classic, and typically busy as a before and after Giants game spot. If the timing is right, don’t miss Red’s Bloody Mary — it’s a good one, best enjoyed with views of the Bay Bridge in the background.

Pier 30, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 777-5626
(415) 777-5626
Lauren Saria

Also featured in:

Delancey Street Restaurant

Copy Link

Since 1991, Delancey Street Restaurant has served well-priced food that also supports a good cause — the Delancey Street Foundation, which offers jobs and training to those who need to rebuild their lives. Program participants learn to make some classics, like pizzas, rack of lamb, ribeye, grilled salmon, and a classic PB&J, which is served in a comfortable and classy white-tablecloth dining room.

600 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 512-5179
(415) 512-5179

More in Maps

© 2024 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

Hillstone

1800 Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94111

Yes, Hillstone/Houston’s is a chain, but a reliably good one — the kind of place you can count on for perfectly executed steaks and dependable burgers and salads. This San Francisco location is supremely scenic, right across from Pier 33, and frequent live jazz performances set the scene for memorable meals.

1800 Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 392-9280
(415) 392-9280

Alora

Pier 3, San Francisco, California 94111

Vikram and Anu Bhambri, the team behind ROOH and Pippal, opened this glitzy waterfront restaurant in January 2024. There aren’t many misses here; the hummus is light and creamy, and the eggplant dip is spicy and hardy. Mushroom dolmas come warm and chewy, with pops of roe, while octopus is tender and fresh with a pleasant dill sauce. Stopping here for lunchtime cocktails and wine with a few bites makes co-working downtown feel not incredibly worthwhile.

Pier 3, San Francisco, California 94111
Octopus at Alora. Paolo Bicchieri

La Mar

Pier 1½, San Francisco, CA 94111

Seafood lovers will rejoice in La Mar and its Peruvian take on fresh catch from the ocean. The vibe is festive, the setting is breezy, and the flavors are big and bright. In addition to a slate of fruity pisco cocktails, this restaurant serves plates with punchy flavors — think tiraditos, which are described as "Japanese sashimi Peruvian style," empanadas, and big portions of seafood or meat.

Pier 1½, San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 397-8880
(415) 397-8880
Hockeystick Media

Señor Sisig (SF Ferry Building)

1, Ferry Building, #41, San Francisco, CA 94111

Filipino-American pioneer Senor Sisig has been winning fans with its sisig-stuffed Mission-style burritos for more than a decade now, and the Ferry Building outpost makes for an accessible and affordable dining option on the Embarcadero. Order a torta or the shop’s version of a Taco Bell Crunchwrap with a bottle of ube horchata to enjoy on the back patio just off the water.

1, Ferry Building, #41, San Francisco, CA 94111
(855) 747-4455
(855) 747-4455
Daniel Beck

Reem's California

1 Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA 94111

James Beard award-winning chef Reem Assil started serving chocolate chip halawa cookies and cardamom cold brew out of the Ferry Building’s Suite 19, across the way from El Porteno, in late 2022. Like many Ferry Building businesses, the setup is all to-go. Order the Damascus lemonade and a wrap to take to the benches overlooking the Bay.

1 Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA 94111
(510) 852-9390
(510) 852-9390
Food at Reem’s. Reem’s

Hog Island Oyster Co.

Ferry Building, #11, San Francisco, CA 94111

Slurping down a tray of fresh oysters at Hog Island’s Ferry Building location is basically a rite of passage for San Francisco residents and visitors. There’s often a line, but if you queue up a little early (pro-tip: grab a Red Bay coffee to sip while you wait) you’ll be enjoying a glass of bubbles or bloody mary in short order. Besides an array of local oysters, choose from other seafood-centric options such as fried anchovies, clam chowder, and halibut crudo.

Ferry Building, #11, San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 391-7117
(415) 391-7117
Oysters and caviar from Hog Island Hog Island Oyster Co.

Harborview Restaurant & Bar

Level, 4 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA 94111

Run by members of the R&G Lounge crew, Harborview is more than just a swanky banquet space with nice views of the water. It also serves some of the city’s favorite dim sum, turning out consistently solid versions of all the standards including har gow, siu mai, and baked barbecue pork buns.

Level, 4 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 399-1200
(415) 399-1200
Harborview Restaurant & Bar

Terrene

8 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105

Terrene is the plant-filled restaurant inside the 1 Hotel just across the street from the waterfront, and it’s a great option for brunch or an al fresco happy hour on the large patio. The restaurant asserts a commitment to sustainability, and the menu sticks to familiar fare including flatbreads, salads, and a range of meat skewers for dinner.

8 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 278-3777
(415) 278-3777
Conor Hagen

Boulevard

1 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105

Following an uber-glamorous refresh from star designer Ken Fulk, Boulevard returned from its pandemic closure more gorgeous than ever. But it’s not just the stunning decor that makes this longstanding restaurant a worthy dinner option; chefs Nancy Oakes and Dana Younkin continue to impress with multi-course menus that showcase seasonal ingredients like Brentwood corn and soft shell crab in elegant and still-approachable preparations. Plus service is reliably warm and professional, an impressive feat in these times.

1 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 543-6084
(415) 543-6084
The renovated dining room at Boulevard. Patricia Chang

Angler

132 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105

This sequel to Michelin-starred Saison is a stunner, with views of the Bay Bridge and a gorgeous open kitchen. The menu is served a la carte by suited servers, though it’s a casual atmosphere. An ever-changing selection of fresh seafood has included dishes like live scallop crudo, baby abalone, and hot fried rabbit that have garnered critical acclaim. It’s open for power lunches Tuesday through Saturday and for dinner seven days a week.

132 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 872-9442
(415) 872-9442
Patricia Chang

Perry's Embarcadero

1206, 155 Steuart St, San Francisco, CA 94105

This classic after-work haunt is packed with happy hour drinkers and diners chowing down on Perry’s burgers. Expect basic but pleasing pub food like potato skins and fried calamari, with hearty dinners like pot roast and spaghetti with meatballs. It’s also a pleasant destination for brunch on the patio overlooking the Bay Bridge.

1206, 155 Steuart St, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 495-6500
(415) 495-6500
Tables at a business. Perry’s [Official]

Epic Steak

369 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105

Among the city's contenders for best cut, Epic Steak impresses with romantic Bay Bridge views and surf and turf. Steakhouse favorites like Caesar salad, filet mignon, ribeye, and wagyu are all on the menu, plus other options such as oven-roasted halibut and lobster — though the biggest draw is probably the view. If seafood is more your thing, sister restaurant Waterbar next door has you covered and has unmissable desserts.

369 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 369-9955
(415) 369-9955
Epic Steak

Red's Java House

Pier 30, San Francisco, CA 94105

Opened in the 1930s and renamed Red’s in 1955, Red’s Java House serves a lot more than java — favorites include fish and chips, hot dogs, and burgers served on San Francisco sourdough rolls. It’s old school, classic, and typically busy as a before and after Giants game spot. If the timing is right, don’t miss Red’s Bloody Mary — it’s a good one, best enjoyed with views of the Bay Bridge in the background.

Pier 30, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 777-5626
(415) 777-5626
Lauren Saria

Delancey Street Restaurant

600 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94107

Since 1991, Delancey Street Restaurant has served well-priced food that also supports a good cause — the Delancey Street Foundation, which offers jobs and training to those who need to rebuild their lives. Program participants learn to make some classics, like pizzas, rack of lamb, ribeye, grilled salmon, and a classic PB&J, which is served in a comfortable and classy white-tablecloth dining room.

600 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 512-5179
(415) 512-5179

Related Maps