Crack Crab At These 11 San Francisco Restaurants All Year Round

By Dan Rosenbaum

San Francisco is crazy for crab!

Every year, hordes of local and visiting foodies mark the start of crab season and dash out to grab dishes of the succulent crustacean. San Francisco is most known for its Dungeness crab, which has been fished and enjoyed in SF since 1848. San Francisco takes its crab so seriously that the local fishing fleets used to be blessed by a priest before their first catch of the season. The more crab, the better.

We asked our followers and subscribers to share their top crab restaurants. We can't pick a favorite, but you won't be disappointed at any of these establishments!

Tadich Grill

240 California St.

This list has to start at the beginning. That means 1849; the year San Francisco grew from a gold nugget, and the year Tadich Grill came into being. Serving fresh seafood along with an array of other options, Tadich is a no-nonsense restaurant. The servers' spotless white uniforms are a dead giveaway. Come in for the cioppino; stay for the history! You are in the oldest restaurant in California and in the city that invented the dish you are about to devour.

Eat At Tadich Grill

Sabella & La Torre

2809 Taylor St.

Sabella & La Torre has been serving up crab since 1927. It opened as a small stand and was sold to a new owner after World War II. The business now spans two stands, an outdoor restaurant and bar, and a crab-shipping business. Inside, the restaurant is charming and homey, dimly lit with old-school booths and banquettes.

Eat at Sabella & La Torre

Crustacean

1475 Polk St.

Not in the mood for crab in the traditional sense? Head over to Crustacean for their take on crab. Their menu of Euro-Vietnamese cuisine is imaginative and delicious. Drunken or roasted crab is what to get here along with a side of their famous garlic noodles. This isn't the only restaurant by the An Family on the list. Stay tuned.

Eat at Crustacean SF

R & G Lounge

631 Kearny St.

Hidden away in Chinatown, R & G Lounge is the perfect spot to have your Chinatown experience and get your crab fix. This space has two levels: a downstairs with more casual decor and a formal upstairs. Along with all the Chinese classics, they serve up crab in eight ways. Try it deep fried, steamed in white wine, or even covered in black bean sauce. With any combination of crab and garlic, we're in heaven!

Eat at R&G Lounge

Franciscan Crab Restaurant

Pier 43 ½

This neon-lit, nautical-themed restaurant is easy to spot. Built in the 1950s, this mid-century eatery has 20-foot windows that offer panoramic views of the bay. Franciscan Crab Restaurant only buys Dungeness crabs that are two-plus pounds to ensure ample meat and serves them on a sizzling platter with butter sauce. You'll certainly need a bib if you dine here.

Eat at Franciscan Crab Restaurant

Crab House

PIER 39

Simply put, Crab House is a must-dine restaurant for all seafood lovers. Famous for their secret garlic sauce coupled with spectacular views of the bay and a cozy fireplace, Crab House is truly a feast for the senses.

Eat at Crab House

Swan Oyster Depot

1517 Polk St.

A place not short on accolades, Swan Oyster Depot is an institution in San Francisco and has been made wildly popular to out-of-towners by the late, great Anthony Bourdain. Be prepared to wait 30 to 45 minutes for an elbow-to-elbow seat with strangers.

Thanh Long

4101 Judah St.

Want a locals-only experience and a reason to go to the Outer Sunset? Opened in 1971, this is hailed as San Francisco's first Vietnamese restaurant. The owner, Helen An, was honored by the Smithsonian in 2019 for bringing Vietnamese cuisine to America. Inside the restaurant, it feels like a party, full of people celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, or reunions, all enjoying the succulent pepper-coated roast crabs. Than Long is definitely a special occasion meal. What to Eat: roasted crab and garlic noodles.

Eat at Than Long

Scoma's Restaurant

Pier 47 and 588 Bridgeway, Sausalito

The undisputed people's champion of crab. There's a reason behind it: Scoma's menu is packed head to toe with crab. Two favorites: The crab cakes and the "lazy man's" cioppino.

Eat at Scoma's

Cioppino’s

400 Jefferson St.

Today’s the day to indulge in a seafood extravaganza! Cioppino’s signature dish consists of Dungeness crab legs, clams, mussels, snapper, calamari, and shrimp stewed in a savory tomato broth. Yes, their signature dish is so good they named their restaurant after it.

Eat at Cioppino's

Fog Harbor Fish House

PIER 39

Locals and visitors alike come to Fog Harbor to enjoy their award-winning seafood dishes and clam chowder, along with the picturesque views of the Golden Gate Bridge. They are proud to be the first restaurant on Fisherman’s Wharf to serve 100% sustainable seafood.

Eat at Fog Harbor

Dan Rosenbaum

Dan was part of the San Francisco Travel team for more than a decade, most recently as Vice President, Global Marketing. His favorite ways to spend a weekend in the city are with a cup of craft coffee in hand, a playlist of good vibes and a growing list of books to read, or out at the hottest new restaurant or bar.