I know you already learned about the Grand Hyatt San Francisco, where you can get a $468 per night stay for only 20,000 points. I hope you took advantage! Here, I’ll tell you about the top 5 BEST seafood in San Francisco, to go with your luxury stay at the Grand Hyatt near the infamous Ferry Building.
1. Swan Oyster Depot.
For serious seafood lovers only, this restaurant is adjacent to Fisherman’s Wharf in the Nob Hill neighborhood. Line up early for a seat at Swan Oyster Depot’s 15-spot counter, which is only open from 10:30a-5:30p daily (closed Sundays). It takes no reservations, and there’s always a line out the door beginning around 9:30a. This should tell you it’s the best seafood.
This is a very un-fussy restaurant. Enjoy fresh oysters, chilled crab, chilled lobster, and crisp wine served by the Sancimino family.
Remember, this is a 15-seat counter restaurant. Do NOT attend with more than 3 people in your party or you will have a very hard time getting seated, or talking down the counter at each other if you do get a seat.
Double-secret tip: There’s a SECRET menu for regulars, covered here. Try the “dozen eggs,” which contain no eggs and are positively awesome.
2. Thanh Long.
Thanh Long is San Francisco’s best roast crab restaurant. Located in the Sunset neighborhood, it’s adjacent to Golden Gate Park in what’s historically a very Asian neighborhood. And unlike most of the other restaurants on my list here, this one accepts reservations. It’s a locals-only spot that tourists don’t even know about. (I’m no tourist; although I live in Chicago now, I lived in San Fran for over 10 years.)
Get the garlic noodles too.
Dungeness crab is the specialty here. Enjoy it drunken-style (wine and garlic) or roast (garlic and peppercorn). Don’t forget the garlic noodles, which are garlicky, buttery goodness and add to the flavor of the best seafood in San Francisco. Some people also like the garlic fried-rice, but I found it a bit plain-tasting for my liking.
3. Kiss Seafood in Japantown.
Kiss is another tiny, under-the-radar restaurant that is one of San Francisco’s best. This one is in Japantown near Fillmore street. It only has 12 seats and is run by an ancient husband-and-wife team. Seafood is only available until it runs out.
Some great news: You can make a reservation.
Your best bet is to try the omakase menu, which places your food choices in the owners’ capable hands. With omakase you get a mix of sashimi, sushi, and cooked dishes. I particularly liked the “Special Omakase” dinner, which currently runs $89 per person and includes some more exotic fish.
4. Zushi Puzzle.
Zushi Puzzle is a neighborhood sushi joint that’s been in the Marina district, on Lombard, for about 20 years. The neighborhood itself is near Fisherman’s Wharf and generally pretty ritzy, but Lombard is less so. It’s right next to an Asian Massage Parlor.
The menu has all of the over-complicated sushi rolls with deep-fried nonsense you see at all touristy sushi joints. I’m typically not a fan. BUT, if you sit at the bar at the rear of Zushi Puzzle, you can gain access to extra-special species and cuts of fish that are only available nigiri- or sashimi-style. These are flown in daily from Japan. They’re off-menu, listed on a little chalkboard next to the counter.
Things ONLY available at the sushi bar include LIVE scallop and LIVE uni. Yes, these are literally alive, and they’re both must-order dishes. Big eye and blue fin tuna are available in akami, chutoro, and otoro versions. There are usually many types of salmon including Scottish, wild Coho, Copper River, and Ivory salmon, which you can hardly get anywhere. Oftentimes they serve flying fish, belt fish, and needle fish. Expect to be pushed to try a ton of new things and to drop some serious coin, but it’s totally worth it.
Chef Roger holds court at the sushi bar and will chatter happily with you about fish all night long. You must call for reservations, and it’s typically very difficult to get them, especially for the sushi bar.
DOUBLE-SECRET TIP: There is a secret way to get a sushi bar reservation. If you call at least a week ahead of time and tell them you’d like Roger to prepare you the live lobster sashimi, they’ll save a couple of seats for you. Buyer beware: Lobster sashimi is between $100-$200. Worth every penny.
5. Tekka Japanese Restaurant.
Tekka sits on an unassuming stretch of Balboa in the Sunset district, right by Golden Gate Park. You won’t see any signage, windows, or anything designating the restaurant. Just navigate yourself to the address and look for the line.
People start lining up about 1 hour before Tekka Sushi opens, another clue that it serves the best seafood in San Francisco. The restaurant is small enough that they can only seat two rounds a night, so word to the wise: Count the number of people in front of you and try to figure it out.
The restaurant is run by an older husband-and-wife couple, and they only sell the food they bought literally that day. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.
Oh, and it’s only open Monday – Friday, that is, closed on weekends.
Expect extra-thick slices of the freshest salmon, hamachi, tuna, and other seasonal goodies, served nigiri or sashimi-style. The food isn’t complicated, but it’s good, and it’s very traditional for San Francisco. Which is to say, NOT traditional for any other U.S. city. Think fresh, simple seafood and a no-frills atmosphere.
As with most of the other restaurants on my list, this place is not for large groups nor people with dietary restrictions. Also, it’s CASH ONLY. And there’s no website, so check out Yelp beforehand to confirm opening times.
I know this is quirky AF, but once you go, you’ll brag to all your friends.
