Pier 23 Cafe

4.2

1292 Reviews

$30 and under

Seafood

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 14, 2025

8:30 PM

Booked 2 times today

Great for outdoor dining
Great for scenic views
Neighborhood gem

Pier 23 Cafe Restaurant & Bar, a historic wharf restaurant and bar, continues to serves fresh seafood and good drinks to locals and visitors alike.

Family owned for nearly 35 years, Pier 23 Cafe takes an innovative approach to San Francisco’s traditional seafood dishes. It’s a tried and true establishment that captures the essence of the City and its waterfront history in food, service, and picturesque waterside setting.

Soak up the California sun and the beautiful San Francisco Bay views from our Beer Garden & Waterside patio or city views of Telegraph Hill and the Embarcadero from our sidewalk tables.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Seafood, American
Hours of operation
Mon 11:30 am–4:00 pm Wed–Sun 11:30 am–6:00 pm Bar Wed–Sun 11:30 am–7:00 pm
Phone number
(415) 362-5125
Website
http://www.pier23cafe.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Catering
For events off site, pickup a party platter! Choose from a selection of some of our favorite dishes: • Mini Dungeness Crab Cakes with Avocado Crema • Caesar Salad • Jumbo Prawns with Traditional Cocktail Sauce • Baby Back Ribs with Ginger Hoisin BBQ • Deviled Eggs with Salmon Caviar • Beef + Pulled Pork Sliders
Private party facilities
Pier 23 Cafe located right on the waterfront is a perfect place for hosting a work Happy Hour, birthday party, family or business dinner. Our excellent service, fresh delicious food, and dedication to sustaining San Francisco's rich waterfront history, provide a memorable experience for every guest.

Location
Pier 23, On The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94111
Neighborhood
Financial District / Embarcadero
Cross street
Greenwhich
Parking details
There are several public lots within walking distance of the restaurant. Some public parking lots close early so check the signs.
Public transit
The Muni F-Line light rail service that stops directly in front of Pier 23 Cafe is currently suspended. We are a ten minute walk from the Ferry Building and ten minutes from Fisherman’s Wharf
Entertainment
Live Music Nightly
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, BYO Wine, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Gift card

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Private dining

Oyster on the Half Shell
- each$3.50
Baked Oysters
chili butter, lemon, crispy shallot
- (4)$16.00
Seafood Cocktails
with cocktail sauce & louie dressing
- Bay Shrimp$17.00
- Prawn (6)$20.00
Shrimp & Octopus Ceviche$20.00
grilled tomato, avocado, tortilla chips
Smoked Fish Rillette$11.00
with garlic crostini
Grilled Chicken Wings$17.00
buffalo sauce, bleu cheese, shaved vegetables
Jamaican Jerk Roasted Cauliflower$12.00
crispy peas & preserved lemon
Grilled Broccoli$11.00
with roasted hazelnuts & XO sauce
Housemade Tortilla Chips$8.00
roasted tomato salsa & guacamole
Garlic Fries$9.00
Clam & Fish Chowder
celery, carrot, fennel, onion, potato, heavy cream
- Cup$7.00
- Bowl$10.00
Vegetable Miso
carrot, broccoli, spinach, sweet potato miso
- Cup$6.00
- Bowl$9.00

Main Dishes

Fried Fish Tacos$18.00
avocado, black bean, miso aioli, cucumber jalapeno salsa, flour tortilla
Fish & Chips$25.00
served with garlic fries, jalapeño ranch & ketchup
Baked Cheese Gnocchi$23.00
carrot, jimmy nardello peppers, kale, ricotta, pesto
Dungeness Crab Cakes$30.00
with mustard crema & mixed greens
Cheese Quesadilla$15.00
jack & cheddar cheese, guacamole, sour cream, salsa
Bayside Breakfast$16.00
roasted portobello & maitake mushrooms, sunny side up eggs, toast
Steak & Eggs$20.00
grilled flatiron steak, salsa verde, sunnyside up eggs, garlic fries

Sandwiches

sandwiches add side salad or fries $3

Shrimp Melt$24.00
griddled sourdough, cheddar cheese, lemon anchovy aioli
Cheeseburger$18.00
shredded lettuce, onion, pickle, burger sauce, cheddar cheese
Pulled Pork Sandwich$17.00
kimchi, pepper jack, house bbq, garlic aioli on a brioche bun
Bacon, Egg & Cheese Sandwich$11.00
with garlic aioli on a brioche bun

Salads

Shrimp Louie Salad$27.00
bay shrimp, avocado, hard boiled egg, cherry tomatoes
Caesar Salad$14.00
hearts of romaine, kale, garlic croutons, whole white anchovy & parmesan cheese
Grilled Radicchio Salad$15.00
sea island red peas, pistachio, mt. tam cheese, strawberry, beets, balsamic dressing
House Salad$13.00
local lettuces, radish, pepitas, fennel, cherry tomatoes, champagne vinaigrette

Salads - Add-Ons

Herbed Grilled Chicken Thigh$5.00
Flatiron Steak$8.00
Grilled Prawns$8.00
Bay Shrimp$7.00
Blackened Fish$9.00

Sweet & Savory Breads

Cornflake Crusted French Toast$14.00
plum jam, maple bourbon syrup, honey butter
Housemade Focaccia$8.00
with Sciabica olive oil & 7 yr balsamic vinegar
Housemade Banana Bread$8.00
with butter & seasonal jam

What 1,292 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.2

4.2 based on all time ratings

4.1Food
4.1Service
4.2Ambience
2.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Pier 23 Cafe offers "amazing margaritas, fresh crab," and "best caesar salad" in a "family run establishment for over 30 years!" Enjoy "spectacular drinks," "beautiful views of the bay," and a "friendly and chatty" atmosphere. Perfect for a "sunny day" with "excellent" fish tacos and clam chowder.

1,292 Reviews

M
Michael and Jennifer
San Francisco35 reviews
2.0
Dined on January 20, 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 3
The food was either just ok or cold. Two of us had to wait until the others were almost half done. Service was pathetic, didn’t get my drink until after I brought it up when food arrived. Had to go to the counter to pay.
Is this helpful?
l
libby
San Francisco11 reviews
4.0
Dined on December 27, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Close to the exploratorium. Good beer selection. Fish tacos are goood! Something for everyone. Kids menu
Is this helpful?
BH
BeatH VIP
San Francisco25 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 26, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always nice to pass by Pier 23. Good food and nice people.
Is this helpful?
AR
AlexRahn VIP
San Francisco7 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 27, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Perfect place for lunch on the SF bay! Amazing margaritas, fresh crab and best caesar salad! Friendly service and family run establishment for over 30 years! A must visit in San Francisco!
Is this helpful?
H
Hub51 VIP
Los Angeles10 reviews
3.0
Dined on March 24, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
I remember the food being a lot better in the past. Pre pandemic we used to frequent this spot often. The garlic fries no longer come with garlic. The server informed me that they switched to a garlic oil when i asked if they were in fact garlic fries. They looked and tasted like everyone else’s regular fries on the table. Must be that new tasteless odorless garlic oil. Party of six and everyone was underwhelmed by the food.
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DE
DebbE VIP
San Francisco64 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 21, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The place to be on a sunny day! Great cocktails, yummy food. Gotta try the fish tacos or bay shrimp any way they serve it!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco1 review
5.0
Dined on March 17, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great SF style food. Great spot sitting outside. Hard to find great food in this general location. But pier 23 was fantastic.
Is this helpful?
S
Saundo VIP
San Francisco40 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 10, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always a trusty spot for a weekend lunch or brunch. Great staff. They kept prices reasonable.
Is this helpful?
GW
GayleW
San Francisco3 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 25, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Highly recommend the fish/clam chowder. Great views too.
Is this helpful?
BH
BeatH VIP
San Francisco25 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 8, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always nice to pass by Pier 23 for a nice lunch in a comfortable setting!
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Pier 23 Cafe offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (415) 362-5125.

Pier 23 Cafe is rated 4.2 stars by 1292 OpenTable diners.

Pier 23 Cafe does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 14, 2025

8:30 PM

Booked 2 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Pier 23, On The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94111

Additional information

Cross street
Greenwhich
Neighborhood
Financial District / Embarcadero
Hours of operation
Mon 11:30 am–4:00 pm Wed–Sun 11:30 am–6:00 pm Bar Wed–Sun 11:30 am–7:00 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Seafood, American
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
There are several public lots within walking distance of the restaurant. Some public parking lots close early so check the signs.
Public transit
The Muni F-Line light rail service that stops directly in front of Pier 23 Cafe is currently suspended. We are a ten minute walk from the Ferry Building and ten minutes from Fisherman’s Wharf
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Entertainment
Live Music Nightly
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, BYO Wine, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.pier23cafe.com/
Phone number
(415) 362-5125
Catering
For events off site, pickup a party platter! Choose from a selection of some of our favorite dishes: • Mini Dungeness Crab Cakes with Avocado Crema • Caesar Salad • Jumbo Prawns with Traditional Cocktail Sauce • Baby Back Ribs with Ginger Hoisin BBQ • Deviled Eggs with Salmon Caviar • Beef + Pulled Pork Sliders
Private party facilities
Pier 23 Cafe located right on the waterfront is a perfect place for hosting a work Happy Hour, birthday party, family or business dinner. Our excellent service, fresh delicious food, and dedication to sustaining San Francisco's rich waterfront history, provide a memorable experience for every guest.

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card

Pier 23 Cafe

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Gift card

Waterside Bar

Dockside Private Dining

Dinner Tent Private Dining

Pier 23 Cafe Restaurant Buyout

Custom inquiry

Small Plates

Oyster on the Half Shell

Baked Oysters

Seafood Cocktails

Shrimp & Octopus Ceviche$20.00

Smoked Fish Rillette$11.00

Grilled Chicken Wings$17.00

Jamaican Jerk Roasted Cauliflower$12.00

Grilled Broccoli$11.00

Housemade Tortilla Chips$8.00

Garlic Fries$9.00

Clam & Fish Chowder

Vegetable Miso

Main Dishes

Fried Fish Tacos$18.00

Fish & Chips$25.00

Baked Cheese Gnocchi$23.00

Dungeness Crab Cakes$30.00

Cheese Quesadilla$15.00

Bayside Breakfast$16.00

Steak & Eggs$20.00

Sandwiches

Shrimp Melt$24.00

Cheeseburger$18.00

Pulled Pork Sandwich$17.00

Bacon, Egg & Cheese Sandwich$11.00

Salads

Shrimp Louie Salad$27.00

Caesar Salad$14.00

Grilled Radicchio Salad$15.00

House Salad$13.00

Salads - Add-Ons

Herbed Grilled Chicken Thigh$5.00

Flatiron Steak$8.00

Grilled Prawns$8.00

Bay Shrimp$7.00

Blackened Fish$9.00

Sweet & Savory Breads

Cornflake Crusted French Toast$14.00

Housemade Focaccia$8.00

Housemade Banana Bread$8.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

Does Pier 23 Cafe offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Pier 23 Cafe restaurant rated?

Does Pier 23 Cafe offer gift cards?

Is Pier 23 Cafe currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Gift card