San Francisco Restaurants

Guidebooks

Mobile App

San Francisco Guide App Download Fodor's City Guide App for FREE!

Waterbar

Write a review

Fodorite Reviews

Average Rating:  
Reserve Powered by

Waterbar Review

When you walk in the door of Waterbar, there's no mistaking what's on the menu. The sprawling dining room is dominated by sky-high aquariums filled with candidates—or some of the candidates (the kitchen has its own aquariums)—for your dinner plate. Every fin and shell is sustainably sourced, so there's no guilt in sitting down to a plate of chili-roasted Dungeness crab, pan-seared scallops, or grilled Pacific swordfish. Waterbar, like its next-door neighbor, Epic Roasthouse, is part of the empire of high-energy architect-restaurateur Pat Kuleto. Chef Parke Ulrich, who spent a decade at the city's celebrated seafood palace Farallon, dishes up the catch raw, cured, and cooked in dozens of ways, while nationally acclaimed pastry chef Emily Luchetti handles the sweet end of the menu. If you want to experience this splashy, watery world and can't afford the spendy seafood, grab a seat in at the raw bar, where you can snack off the bar menu and take in the drop-dead bay view (there's also a $1 oyster happy hour daily 11:30 am-6 pm); weekend brunch on the patio is glorious on a sunny day.

    Contact Information

  • Address: 399 Embarcadero, between Folsom and Harrison Sts., Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA, 94105 | Map It
  • Phone: 415/284-9922
  • Website: www.waterbarsf.com
  • Location: Embarcadero
Write a review

Fodorite Reviews

Average Rating:  
  • Food  
    Décor  
    Service  
    Value  

    Waterbar Review

    It's the city by the bay. Somehow, you know there has to be great seafood here. Let me tell you, Waterbar doesn't disappoint. You know the moment you enter the door this place has to be good. You know because it is absolutely packed with locals. Your senses are quickly overwhelmed. From the sight of almost ceiling high tanks filled with exotic fish inside to a picturesque view of the Bay Bridge out the windows that form the back wall of the place, the wow factor just hits you. The dinners are great of course but the bar menu satisfies all on it's own. If you love oysters, they have them here. And what a selection . . . from West Coast to East. I've never had better or fresher. One of our party ordered the wood oven pizzetta. It was almost a sacrilegious thing to do with all this fish around. And yet everyone had to admit it was one really terrific little pizza. We should have been surpirsed but it was just one more wow of many during our visit.

    by Jack_K, 4/2/10

Add your own review

Free Fodor's Newsletter

Subscribe today for weekly travel inspiration, tips, and special offers.

· Browse San Francisco restaurants

By Price:

By Location

 Fodor's Trip Planning Ideas

Travel Deals in San Francisco

View all travel deals
* Some taxes, fees additional

· Forums Trip Reports

View more trip reports

·, ,

View more travel discussions

· News & Features

View more blog stories