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Interior - Pier 23 Cafe, San Francisco, CA

Pier 23 Cafe

4.3 (1233)
$30 and under
Seafood
Pier 23, On The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94111

Make a reservation

A photo of Pier 23 Cafe restaurant

Pier 23 Cafe

4.3
$30 and under
Seafood
Financial District / Embarcadero

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 9 times today

About this restaurant

  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Great for brunch
  • Great for happy hour
Coastal Cuisine. Local Ritual. The welcoming view of the bay from the back patio offers a respite from routine and a place to land. Pier 23 Cafe has been a family-run fixture on the San Francisco waterfront since 1985. Afternoons run easy with great food and drinks on the patio. The Beer Garden offers full views of Treasure Island. Live music plays on the weekends, from blues to jazz to world sounds. The kitchen is a chowder house at heart that keeps reworking the city's seafood: clam chowder done as the house specialty, a shrimp sandwich that landed on Eater's best-dishes list, a smoked salmon plate sharpened with fried capers, and fish & chips the regulars love. It is dog and family friendly. Built for groups, large or small, and no one rushing you off your seat once you settle in. The kitchen and bar are open Wednesday through Monday from 11:30 a.m. and closed Tuesdays. Reservations run through OpenTable, with parties of 11 or more booked by phone, and walk-ins always welcome.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, American
  • Hours of operation
    Mon, Wed–Sun 11:30 am–8:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • 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.
  • Private party contact
    Private Event Coordinator: (415) 362-5125
  • 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, Dancing, Dog Friendly, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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All Experiences

  • 23 Dinners

    $95.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Max. 40 tickets per person

    Nov 13, 2026 only
    6:00 PM
    Pier 23 Cafe presents 23 Dinners! We are kicking off this series 6pm Friday Nov 13, 2026. Join us for a three course family-style dinner on our back patio. Find your spot, pass the platters, make new friends and let's gather in a familar way.

Private dining

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Videos

Shared by creators who recently dined at this restaurant.

  • Profile image

    forkmeetsfood

    @pier_23_cafe has some new menu items and they’re 🔥 Tuna, mango, chipotle, cucumber, pepitas, cilantro and chips 🔥🔥 #forkmeetsfood

  • Profile image

    michellelaisaunchu

    ✨Mahjong at Pier 23 Cafe✨ Mahjong Mondays Every Monday from 4-7pm Pier 23 Cafe 📍23 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA Have you ever played HK-style mahjong on the waterfront of the San Francisco Bay? Well, you can every week if you come to Mahjong Mondays at Pier 23 Cafe! This is by far the best view I’ve ever had playing mahjong, and an added bonus is the great seafood you can eat while playing. Because I’m in SF, I had to get the clam chowder with a side of boudin sourdough, and I also love a good calamari and street corn. I got to it down at a table to play with the owner of Pier 23 Cafe, Meighan, who is such a kind and hospitable person. There’s a free instructional hour from 4-5pm to teach you the basics of HK-style mahjong if you’re a beginner, and open play from 5-7pm, but I just sat down and played for the full 3 hours. Come for the tiles, stay for the views, and enjoy some delicious bites throughout! #Mahjong #Embarcadero #SanFrancisco #HKStyleMahjong

  • Profile image

    forkmeetsfood

    The reviews don’t lie. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you’re heading to San Francisco’s waterfront, make @pier_23_cafe your next stop. 🛑Their famous fish & chips have earned a loyal following for a reason…crispy, golden, flaky, and the dish everyone keeps coming back for. 🐟🍟 Pair it with the bay views, and you’ve got one of the best waterfront meals in the city.🙌🏼😌 #forkmeetsfood

  • Profile image

    forkmeetsfood

    Embarcadero views, cold drinks, and live music all week at @pier_23_cafe 🌊 Swing by for waterfront hangs, rotating bands from 4–7pm, and some of the best bites by the Bay. Whether you’re here for the sunset or staying for the music, this is your spot. #forkmeetsfood

  • Profile image

    forkmeetsfood

    Crispy calamari, fresh oysters, flaky fish and chips dunked in tartar sauce, and a classic root beer float to finish it off — waterfront comfort food done right at @pier_23_cafe . Old-school San Francisco vibes, unbeatable Bay views, and a menu that never misses. Save this for your next Embarcadero stop 🌊🍽️ #forkmeetsfood

  • Profile image

    forkmeetsfood

    Your weekend just got better 😎 @pier_23_cafe #forkmeetsfood

  • Profile image

    forkmeetsfood

    How about a cheesy shrimp melt from @pier_23_cafe ⁉️ #forkmeetsfood

  • Profile image

    forkmeetsfood

    Nothing beats a juicy cheeseburger by the bay 🍔🌊 @pier_23_cafe is serving up waterfront views and serious flavor — melty cheese, perfectly grilled patty, and all the fixings you crave. Pair it with crispy fries and an ice-cold drink, and you’ve got yourself a perfect SF afternoon. #forkmeetsfood

  • Profile image

    forkmeetsfood

    @pier_23_cafe mac and cheese is comfort in a bowl—creamy, cheesy, and topped with golden breadcrumbs for that perfect crunch. A must-order with a view of the bay. 🧀🌊 #forkmeetsfood

  • Profile image

    forkmeetsfood

    The P23 dog from @pier_23_cafe definitely hits the spot 🌭 #forkmeetsfood

Videos are powered by Seekeasy. How this content is generated

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Pier 23 Cafe.

4.3

4.3
(1233)
  • 4.2Food
  • 4.3Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Pier 23 Cafe offers a "wonderful location" with a "great view" by the water, making it a favorite spot for both locals and tourists. The "great food" ranges from fresh oysters to delicious fish tacos. The staff is often praised as "fantastic," providing attentive service that enhances the dining experience.
1,233 Reviews
  1. Zoe Gold

    San Antonio26 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 23, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great experience our first time we were celebrating our anniversary. Easy street parking

    Is this helpful?

  2. Roberta

    San Francisco15 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 23, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful location, great food, fantastic staff. Dependable and consistent in all aspects. Favorite of mine and my visitors always ask to go back when the come.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Liz

    San Francisco23 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 21, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The food was excellent for all of us. Good attentive service, have been often but this day it was outstanding

    Is this helpful?

  4. Jeffrey

    San Francisco1 review

    4.0

    Dined on October 10, 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Experience test test test hello goodbye this is my experience

    Is this helpful?

  5. Polly

    San Francisco7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 4, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Oysters nice and fresh. Good mignonette sauce. Crab cakes good and “crabby.” Lunch partner’s salad looked good. Accommodated her special request for cheese on the salad and our mutual request for a 1/2 order of fries, which were hot, crispy, and salted just fine. Bloody Mary generous and my non-alcoholic Negroni was just right. I love the old school ambiance and being right there on the water. It is one of my fave SF go-to places.

    Is this helpful?

  6. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 2, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Loved the food but the best being at a table Next to the bay water.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Michele

    San Francisco1 review

    5.0

    Dined on October 1, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fish tacos were sooooo good and the chowder was excellent too.

    Is this helpful?

  8. sheldon

    San Francisco8 reviews

    1.0

    Dined on September 29, 2026

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 1
    I might as well skip any nuance here. This place sucks. The food is really inedible. It’s clear they don’t care about that. The drinks are awful. I don’t know of any restaurant in San Francisco that is a worse place to eat and drink. The ambience is focused on the bay view because there is no other ambience. They have no indoor seating even though they allowed Open Table to take this reservation with the claim that they do. If you can make it past all that then the service is ok. Not great. Sort of like complementing the servers knowing that the place is under military threat. If I have not been clear enough then I will warn you. DON’T GO THERE.

    Is this helpful?

  9. James

    San Francisco1 review

    5.0

    Dined on September 21, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Worked out well for a party of six. They provides us a table with a nice view and we were happy that they did not rush us. We had a good time for a meal and two hours of catching up with each others.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Bonnie

    San Francisco2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on September 19, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Service was terrific, food was great, and it was sunny and pretty warm so sitting outside overlooking the Bay was very nice indeed. We started with Mexican corn, which was served on the cob with a very tasty “sauce” - I’m not sure what the right word would be. My hubby had one of the daily specials, pork ribs with slaw and salsa; he loved it! I ordered the fried fish tacos, which were good but would have been better with less of the mashed black beans, which overwhelmed all the other ingredients and made the tortillas soggy. I’ll order the tacos without the beans next time. Hubby never misses a dessert, and he really enjoyed the lava cake. Altogether a really pleasant lunch.

    Is this helpful?

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, American
  • Hours of operation
    Mon, Wed–Sun 11:30 am–8:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • 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.
  • Private party contact
    Private Event Coordinator: (415) 362-5125
  • 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, Dancing, Dog Friendly, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Gift card

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

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FAQs

The clam & fish chowder is Pier 23 Cafe’s house specialty and a recurring favorite, it appears on the menu and guests frequently praise it.

Pier 23 Cafe is a relaxed, family-run waterfront spot with a back patio overlooking the bay, weekend live music, and a welcoming, unhurried vibe that guests love.

Dogs are welcome, the cafe is described as dog-friendly, and guests have brought their dogs to sit on the deck and enjoy a meal.

Sunday is a favorite, guests praise sunny Sunday afternoons on the patio, and the weekend vibe is boosted by live music and weekend bottomless mimosas.

Yes, Pier 23 Cafe hosts private parties; reservations run through OpenTable and parties of 11 or more are handled by phone.

Many guests describe portions as generous, reviewers note ample servings (take‑home portions), large tacos, and a generously sized fish & chips.

Yes, Pier 23 Cafe is a lovely pick for a special evening, thanks to its waterfront views, weekend live music, and guests enjoying Valentine’s Day and other intimate evenings there.

Pier 23 Cafe is at its loveliest on sunny Sunday afternoons, guests report easy patio seating around 4pm, while weekend evenings bring live music if you prefer a livelier night out.

You can sit in the dining room or at the bar, then head out to the back patio/beer garden with full bay views, the restaurant also accepts private parties.

Yes, Pier 23 Cafe is family-friendly; the owner description calls it family friendly, guests report visiting with grandchildren, and the menu offers kid-friendly choices like Mac & Cheese and sandwiches.

Yes, the beverage menu features canned and bottled beers, a full drafts list, craft cocktails like Aperol Spritz and Pimm’s Cup, and a selection of wines.

Yes, Pier 23 Cafe welcomes dogs on its outdoor deck; guests describe bringing their dogs and enjoying the patio views with attentive staff.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Francisco Bay Area
  4. San Francisco
  5. Financial District / Embarcadero

Make a reservation

A photo of Pier 23 Cafe restaurant

Pier 23 Cafe

4.3
$30 and under
Seafood
Financial District / Embarcadero

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 9 times today
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