As anyone who’s been on the Alcatraz tour can attest, there was actually a time when the prison island was known for its dining options. Apparently, the warden in the first half of the 20th century believed that good food meant happier and more sedate prisoners.
We’re a long way from that era, and the food choices for tourists at the former prison site are quite limited. But a planned waterfront restaurant and cafe, Il Porto, set to open at Pier 31’s Alcatraz Landing in the coming months, will at least send you off to jail with a decent last meal.
Eduardo Rallo, a founder of venture capital firm Brainstorm Ventures and an early investor in OpenTable and Zappos, among other tech startups (opens in new tab), is the owner. When Il Porto opens in June, it will be Rallo’s first San Francisco project since he opened the cafe and pizzeria Il Parco at the Presidio Tunnel Tops in 2024.
Rallo’s business strategy in the city has been clear: Find high-traffic locations choked with tourists and give them some high-quality food options; case in point, Il Parco and Colibri Mexican Bistro, which he opened in 2022 in the Presidio.
The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy (opens in new tab) has been expanding its Alcatraz Landing launch point for the ferry to the island for nearly a decade. Those renovations included a 3,700-square-foot space to be built out by a restaurant operator.
In addition to this buildout, Il Porto has access to a public patio on the north side of the building for outdoor service and a smaller public seating area closer to the Embarcadero. It can serve beer, wine, and spirits under a Type 47 liquor license, which Rallo is in the process of acquiring.
In line with its role serving travelers to and from Alcatraz, the restaurant is required to operate at least 45 minutes before the first boat departure, typically at 8:40 a.m., and remain open until at least 30 minutes after the last return, usually around 10 p.m. when night tours are offered.
According to the lease, Il Porto’s operators will pay an annual base rent, plus a cut of sales over a certain break-even point.
Rallo brings extensive hospitality experience to the venue. He cofounded the local chain of World Wrapps and is a board member for the Pacific Catch chain. His Buen Rallo group is also behind the Mexican restaurant El Jardín and Spanish-Peruvian concept Suspiro in San Jose’s Santana Row.