{"id":387903,"date":"2026-07-06T14:36:37","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T14:36:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/387903\/"},"modified":"2026-07-06T14:36:37","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T14:36:37","slug":"a-locals-approved-modern-guide-to-fishermans-wharf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/387903\/","title":{"rendered":"A Locals-Approved Modern Guide to Fisherman’s Wharf"},"content":{"rendered":"

Most locals wouldn\u2019t come within a quarter mile of kitschy, over-touristed Fisherman\u2019s Wharf if they didn\u2019t have to. <\/p>\n

But if the last time you visited the neighborhood was when family were in town, prepare to be surprised. There\u2019s more to this waterfront neighborhood than meets the eye\u2014and more to come, as the resurgence of the area, hit hard in the pandemic, picks up speed.<\/p>\n

In our locals guide to Fisherman\u2019s Wharf, we remove the wheat from the chaff, directing you only to the good stuff that\u2019s hiding in plain sight\u2014along with a neighborhood hotel recommendation for when those out-of-towners inevitably come to visit.<\/p>\n

Where to Eat in Fisherman’s Wharf<\/p>\n

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Contemporary Filipino at Abac\u00e1<\/p>\n

(Courtesy of @restaurantabaca<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Scoma\u2019s<\/a> (1965 Al Scoma Way) is one of the city\u2019s best seafood spots, and not just because it\u2019s located right where the city\u2019s last working fishermen bring in their daily catch. The bayfront restaurant has been in business since 1965 and it has a classy, old-school vibe with a warren of small dining rooms with views, signed memorabilia on the walls, and a mid-century-style showpiece bar at its center. Their cioppino is legendary, along with their Dungeness crab cakes, Louie salads, and perfectly-spiced Bloody Marys<\/a>. \/\/ A leader in San Francisco\u2019s contemporary Filipino food boom, Abac\u00e1<\/a> (2700 Jones St.) chef Francis Ang is known for his creative, California-influenced takes on traditional flavors and dishes<\/a>. Inside an airy atrium on the ground floor of the Kimpton Alton, the bright and unintimidating restaurant has an extensive lineup of seasonal small plates, barbecued skewers, noodle and rice dishes (you must try the lobster noodles!), and mains like stuffed quail tinutungan with fava beans and morel mushrooms. Don\u2019t skip the cocktails: they\u2019re inventive, unexpected, and pair beautifully with the food. \/\/ Stop by Cafe de Casa<\/a> (685 Beach St.) at breakfast and lunch for Brazilian cheese bread sandwiches, tapioca crepes, and escondidinho, along with a variety of espresso drinks. \/\/ A recent addition to the neighborhood is the Japanese-inspired grab-n\u2019-go vegetarian eatery, coffee shop, and market, Bunny Cafe<\/a> (1327 Columbus Ave.), so named for its lounge full of adorable, adoptable rabbits. They work with a different local rescue organization every quarter, helping to find needy bunnies new homes, and you can reserve a 30-minute spot to visit them whether you\u2019re in the market for a rescue or not. \/\/ Korean restaurant Surisan<\/a> (505 Beach St.) serves up a mix of American-style and K-breakfasts by morning (think jook, bulgogi fried rice, and benedicts) and Korean fried chicken, BBQ, and dishes like bibimbap for lunch and dinner in an inviting, industrial-accented space off the tourist track. \/\/ On the second level at the entrance to Pier 39 is Eagle Cafe<\/a> (Pier 39, Floor 2, A-201), a Fisherman\u2019s Wharf staple since 1928 serving up crowd-pleasing classic breakfasts and lunches like fish and chips and burgers. If the weather is cooperating, eat out on their balcony overlooking the water. \/\/ Fog Harbor Fish House<\/a> is the best spot for dinner on Pier 39. You may be one of the few locals in the crowd but if you\u2019re in the mood to crack into a whole Dungeness crab or take down some clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl, this family-owned restaurant specializing in responsibly-sourced, sustainable seafood is the place to do it (plus, you can\u2019t beat the views).<\/p>\n

Coming Soon<\/p>\n

The second location of affordable, delicious Saigon Sandwich<\/a> (333 Jefferson St., #125) is set to open in Fisherman\u2019s Wharf later this summer, adding soju cocktails to the menu alongside its beloved banh mi. \/\/ Cult-favorite fast-foodery Raising Cane\u2019s<\/a> is also planning to open later this summer, bringing their famous chicken fingers and Texas toast to the neighborhood (211 Jefferson St.).<\/p>\n

Where to Drink Coffee, Cocktails + Beer<\/p>\n

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Humble Sea opened a beer garden on Pier 39 in 2025.<\/p>\n

(Courtesy of @humblesea.sf<\/a>)<\/p>\n

The Buena Vista<\/a> (2765 Hyde St.) has built its reputation on Irish Coffee, which was allegedly invented by a bartender here in 1952. But the classic cafe with wide windows overlooking the bay next to the cable car turnaround has charmed many a local and visitor for decades (check out the behind-the-bar memorabilia from frequent patron, Hunter S. Thompson). It\u2019s an ideal spot for a nostalgic cocktail\u2014coffee-flavored or otherwise. \/\/ Humble Sea<\/a> (Pier 39, Unit N-111-1) may be a fairly recent addition to Pier 39 but the whimsical, ocean-themed brewery has been making waves since it opened its first taproom in Santa Cruz in 2017. Its newest location has a beer garden on the wharf, and a colorful indoor bar with plenty of hoppy IPAs on tap. \/\/ Tiny Signal Coffee Roasters<\/a> (2701 Leavenworth St.) will brighten up your morning with small-batch, house-roasted coffee drinks and beans, specialty bevvies, and in-house bakes.<\/p>\n

Coming Soon<\/p>\n

Later this summer, homegrown SF brewery Woods Beer & Wine Co.<\/a> will open their new taproom in the nautical-themed remains of the historic former seafood spot, Fishermen\u2019s Grotto No. 9 (2847 Taylor St.). The long-term pop-up is slated to have a full liquor license that will add barrel-aged and batched cocktails to their craft beer and wine offerings. <\/p>\n

What to Do in Fisherman’s Wharf<\/p>\n

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A scene from one of the antique games at Mus\u00e9e M\u00e9canique <\/p>\n

(Courtesy of @museemecaniquesf<\/a>)<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re not charmed by the Musee Mechanique<\/a> (Pier 45), you\u2019re dead inside. No, seriously: This place is an absolute gem, featuring more than 300 antique mechanical arcade games (one of the world\u2019s largest private collections) kept lovingly in working order. Many originally came from Playland, the amusement park that operated on Ocean Beach from 1928 to 1972, (along with creepy Funhouse mascot Laffing Sal) and each machine costs just 25 to 50 cents to play. \/\/ You don\u2019t have to be from away to want to spend some time with the sea lions at the Viewing Area at K Dock<\/a> (Pier 39). The pinnipeds post up here by the dozens all year round, barking, sparring, and swimming in the bay, oblivious to the crowd of onlookers. Come in spring to see babies just old enough to climb onto the docks. \/\/ If you get a kick out of the more gruesome side of science, check out the Truhlsen-Marmor Museum of the Eye<\/a> (645 Beach St.). On the ground floor of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, it\u2019s chock-full of interesting exhibits about eyeball anatomy, vision, perception, and medical innovation. \/\/ Despite its recent scandal<\/a>, the Cartoon Art Museum<\/a> (781 Beach St.), an institution endowed by comic god Charles Schulz, is worth a visit for its small but well-curated collection of cartoon and comic book art. \/\/ If you\u2019re into naval history, step on board the S.S. Jeremiah O\u2019Brien<\/a> (Pier 35) or U.S.S. Pampanito<\/a> (Pier 45), a restored naval ship and submarine from the World War II era.<\/p>\n

Where to Stay in Fisherman\u2019s Wharf<\/p>\n

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Guest rooms at Hyatt Centric Fisherman’s Wharf have just been completely renovated with an eye towards guest wellness and sustainability.<\/p>\n

(Courtesy of Hyatt Centric Fisherman’s Wharf San Francisco)<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve got friends or family coming into town who\u2019d rather avoid staying in the hustle of downtown, Fisherman\u2019s Wharf is a good, transportation-connected alternative. While the Kimpton Alton<\/a> (2700 Jones St.) is the most luxurious option in the neighborhood, the Hyatt Centric Fisherman\u2019s Wharf<\/a> (555 North Point St.) is an excellent, more affordable alternative that\u2019s just been completely renovated with a special emphasis on sustainable design and guest wellness<\/a>. The freshly redone guest rooms\u2014some of the most spacious in town\u2014have a modern look accented in responsibly harvested wood and natural materials free of toxic substances, bronzed lighting and mirrors, patterned wall coverings, and subtle nautical accents.<\/p>\n

An outdoor sun deck framed by the hotel\u2019s upper floors has a heated pool and hot tub, along with new loungers and cabanas, and the 24-hour fitness center is full of top notch equipment including treadmills, bikes, and free weights (in-room yoga classes are also available on demand). Brick & Beam, the hotel\u2019s signature, brick-walled gastropub, is open all day, serving generous plates of brioche French toast and croissant sandwiches at breakfast, and a wide range of handhelds, flatbreads, and other crowd pleasers at lunch and dinner. Note the happy hour at the full bar (5:30pm to 7:30pm), where margaritas, beer, and wine are just $6\u2014definitely among the lowest prices in town. A 24-hour market in the lobby also offers snacks and drinks to go. You can\u2019t beat the location which is just two blocks back from the water and a short walk from Pier 39.<\/p>\n