Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
Cold-cracked Dungeness crab piled over iceberg lettuce, hard-boiled egg, tomato and asparagus, dressed with a tangy pink Russian-style sauce. The classic San Francisco lunchroom plate.
Crab Louie was on San Francisco menus by the early 1910s: Victor Hirtzler's 1910 St Francis Hotel cookbook gave a Crabmeat a la Louise; Clarence Edwords printed Solari's recipe in his 1914 Bohemian San Francisco. Tadich Grill, the oldest continuously operating restaurant in California (founded 1849), has served Dungeness Louie for over a century; Sam's Grill on Bush Street and Swan Oyster Depot on Polk Street still serve the canonical version with locally landed Dungeness from November through May.
3 editor picks for Crab Louie salad in San Francisco, ranked by editorial score. All San Francisco signature dishes · Crab Louie salad across every city.
Swan Oyster Depot in San Francisco is a Polk Street counter that has served cold-house Dungeness, oysters and clam chowder since 1912 in 18 stools.
OrderCrab Louie and a half-dozen Marin Miyagis on the half shell.
TipOpen 10:30-17:00 only; queue forms at 09:45 on a weekend, takes an hour at peak.
Tadich Grill in San Francisco is California's oldest continuously running restaurant, opened in 1849 in the Financial District, still grilling over mesquite.
OrderSand dabs grilled over mesquite, or the Hangtown Fry at lunch.
TipNo reservations except for parties of six or more; lunch counter seats turn over fastest.
Sam's Grill in San Francisco is the Financial District chophouse running since 1867, with sand dabs, mahogany booths and a midday lunch tradition.
OrderSand dabs with brown butter and lemon, the room's standard since 1867.
TipBook one of the private booths upstairs at lunch; the lower-floor dining room turns louder after 12:30.
Crab Louie salad makes more sense with someone from San Francisco explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Water activity · 4 hours
Join us for a 4-hour comprehensive class where we learn the art of crabbing in the bay, followed by cooking a traditional crab boil using the crab we catch.
3h 30m
Catch crab with a fishing pole and snare under the Golden Gate Bridge. Learn crabbing techniques and crab ID, then enjoy a scenic tasting of local red rock crab with b...
Guided tour · 3 hours
Explore the history-rich restaurant scene of North Beach in San Francisco on a curated, multi-course food tour. Enjoy appetizers, an entree, and a dessert as you disco...
