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Discover the Best Waterfront Restaurants in San Francisco

By: Hotel Nikko San Francisco / 31 Jul 2019
Discover the Best Waterfront Restaurants in San Francisco

Savor Beautiful Views at the Best Waterfront Restaurants in San Francisco

San Francisco's scene is unparalleled, from seafood and sushi to steaks, Asian cuisine, and street food. And with an extensive coastline along the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean, it's the ideal place for waterfront dining. You'll find breezy outdoor terraces in the summertime and cozy indoor dining rooms in the winter. There's no shortage of amazing waterfront restaurants in San Francisco; the hardest part is deciding where to go. Explore some of our favorites and plan your culinary adventure today.
 

The Waterfront: Classic Fine Dining at Pier 7

Boasting an inviting, open-air patio with breathtaking views of the Bay Bridge, this fine dining restaurant has been around since 1969. Chic and stylish, The Waterfront is perched right on the bay at Pier 7 at the Embarcadero. While sustainable seafood is the focus here, you can also indulge in a wide variety of cuisine - everything from prime steaks to vegan fare. Try the lobster risotto or the Dungeness crab cakes, or stop in for happy hour before a night on the town. With spectacular views and almost half a decade of critically acclaimed food service, you really can't go wrong.
 

La Mar: Peruvian Ceviche & Pisco Sour Cocktails

Situated just south of The Waterfront restaurant at Pier 1 ½, La Mar is the brainchild of superstar Peruvian chef Gaston Acurio. It's a large space with partially outdoor dining, a prime location right on the water, and a breezy maritime vibe. Feast on fresh seafood and Peruvian favorites like empanadas, ceviche, and delectable whipped potatoes known as causas. Be sure to try a classic pisco sour but be warned: the unofficial Peruvian cocktail packs a powerful punch.
 

The Slanted Door: Organic Vietnamese Cuisine in the Ferry Building

Chef Charles Phan blends fresh California produce and seafood with the brilliant flavors of Vietnam: ginger, lemongrass, lime, and cilantro. Posh and polished, The Slanted Door attracts fervent fans for its upscale take on Vietnamese street food - and its focus on local, sustainable, organic ingredients. Enjoy stunning views of San Francisco Bay and the Bay Bridge as you enjoy creative Asian dishes: shaking beef with grass-fed beef, clay pot chicken with caramel, and perfectly crispy imperial rolls.
 

EPIC Steak: Modern Roasthouse with Extensive Wine List

Have you had your fill of San Francisco's fresh seafood for the time being? Head to EPIC on the Embarcadero, a cool modern steakhouse with immaculate views of the San Francisco skyline and the Bay Bridge. Of course, they also have incredible seafood. But the focus is on prime cuts of beef and juicy, organic poultry. Try the roasted rack pork chop or if you're really hungry - the five-pound dude ranch steak. With great weekday happy hours and an excellent wine list, it's easy to linger for hours at EPIC.
 

Sutro's at The Cliff House: Clifftop Oasis with Pacific Ocean Views

If you want to gaze forever into an ocean horizon, there's no better place than Sutro's at The Cliff House. Originally opened in 1894, it's been burned down by fire and rebuilt three times; the latest iteration is from 2004. What hasn't changed: the jaw-dropping views of the Pacific Ocean, Seal Rocks, and the Marin coastline. Situated on Point Lobos Avenue just north of Ocean Beach, the restaurant features fresh California cuisine and two-story windows for those wonderful views. Feast on treats like bacon-crusted Scottish salmon, saffron risotto, and sautéed scallops and wild shrimp scampi. You'll also find cheery café for more casual dining - and Land's End is steps away for a scenic after-dinner stroll.
 

Dinner, Drinks & 360-Degree Water Views: Hornblower Cruises

For up-close-and-personal waterfront views, Hornblower Cruises puts you right in the middle of San Francisco Bay. Board a luxurious yacht that doubles as a floating restaurant and tour the city from a whole new perspective. Hornblower offers a wide range of dining cruises, including champagne brunch expeditions on the weekends, special holiday tours, and dinner-and-dancing experiences that go into the night.
 

Creative Japanese Cuisine with California Flavor: ANZU at Hotel Nikko

Are you planning a foodie adventure to San Francisco? With incredible waterfront dining, killer street food, and award-winning restaurants at every turn - this city's culinary scene is among the best in the world. Put yourself in the heart of San Francisco at Hotel Nikko, a one-of-a-kind boutique hotel with chic Asian style and stunning modern luxuries. Situated steps from Union Square, our convenient location is ideal for exploring the best waterfront restaurants in San Francisco, from fine dining on the Pacific Ocean coast to seafood eateries at Fisherman's Wharf. Enjoy imaginative, artisanal cuisine at our signature restaurant ANZU, a contemporary Japanese restaurant that offers a dining experience unlike anywhere else in the city. Try ANZU's cioppino, a fresh miso-tomato broth soup with snow crab, black cod, salmon belly, scallops, and furikake brioche. Savor vegan beet ravioli and pesto marinated skirt steak. Sample fresh sashimi at the sushi bar, share an elegant dinner on Friday night, and wake up to a mouthwatering breakfast buffet. Discover the ultimate culinary destination in San Francisco - and at Hotel Nikko.

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