Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
Dungeness crab is the sweet, brown-meat Pacific crab the city eats from mid-November to June, served steamed and cracked at Swan Oyster Depot, Tadich Grill and the Wharf.
The Dungeness fishery, named for a tiny harbour on Washington's Olympic Peninsula, opened commercially in San Francisco in the 1850s. Crab Louis salad emerged at Solari's Grill near Union Square in the early 1900s. The modern season is set by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and usually opens the second week of November, with delays for low meat or marine biotoxins (most recently 2015 and 2020). Swan Oyster Depot on Polk Street, opened 1912, is the cracked-crab benchmark; Sotto Mare runs cioppino with it through winter.
4 editor picks for Dungeness crab in San Francisco, ranked by editorial score. All San Francisco signature dishes · Dungeness crab 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.
Sotto Mare in San Francisco is the North Beach Italian seafood room that does the city's best cioppino, a 12-table room that takes a few reservations.
OrderThe cioppino for two; the kitchen's whole reputation in one bowl.
TipWear an apron, no exceptions; the cioppino is not negotiable on splatter.
Anchor Oyster Bar in San Francisco is a 22-seat Castro counter that has served Dungeness, cioppino and clam chowder the same way since 1977.
OrderThe cioppino in season, with a side of garlic bread.
TipNo bookings; arrive at 16:30 for the early seating or after 21:00 when the line thins.
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.
Dungeness crab 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.
3.5 hours
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...
