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Regarded as San Francisco’s foremost seafood restaurant, Waterbar continues to set new standards of sustainability, variety, and excellence. Waterbar is situated in a prime location on the waterfront of San Francisco’s Embarcadero, just south of the “Cupid’s Span sculpture, featuring panoramic views of the bay, Bay Bridge, Treasure Island, and the San Francisco skyline.
Stylish seafood spot with oysters, a horseshoe-shaped bar, and patio with up-close views of Bay Bridge.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 399 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: (415) 284-9922
Website: https://www.waterbarsf.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: tripleseat.com
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
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The best views of the Bay. Open 7 days a week from 11:30am-9pm. We are open for indoor and outdoor dining.
Waterbar Restaurant – San Francisco, CA | OpenTable
Waterbar is a seafood-centric restaurant located on the waterfront with spectacular panoramic views of the bay and city skyline.
Reviews
Sriharsha A.
I got surprised here for a birthday dinner date. We got here almost 20 minutes late to our reservation. We called ahead of time to give them a heads up and they were nothing but kind and accommodating. Right when we went there, the staff at the front desk wished me a happy birthday, and once we were seated, the waiter (Jeremy) started off by giving me a birthday card which was signed by the entire staff. What a thoughtful gesture and made me feel very special! Jeremy was also very friendly and was helping us throughout our menu selection with all the questions we had and nicely explained where the food is coming from and the care taken which we appreciated a lot. You don’t see service that amazing like this everywhere.
For the food, we started with the chef’s selection of oysters (6 count). Two Buckley Bay, two Kumamoto, and two Tomasini. The Buckley Bays were the ones to get. Oceany and very fresh, but not too salty.
Drinks were the Pineapple Express. Very sour. Very boozy.
For starters, we got the steamed purple clams. Absolutely incredible! The garlic sauce was so good we ordered a side of bread just to soak it up.
Entree was the seared black cod. The fish was buttery, smooth, and lightly salty. Came with a sweet and well balanced hollandaise that didn’t overpower it. The butternut squash on the side was cooked perfectly. Genuinely the best butternut squash I’ve had.
Dessert was the Brooklyn blackout cake. Great flavor and a really unique ice cream. Just wish the cake itself was warm.
And they ended up giving us the dessert and bread on the house, and they even gave us a serving of the brussel sprouts on them which was a really nice gesture. This was definitely a place to remember and cherish and will definitely be back!
… moreFor the food, we started with the chef’s selection of oysters (6 count). Two Buckley Bay, two Kumamoto, and two Tomasini. The Buckley Bays were the ones to get. Oceany and very fresh, but not too salty.
Drinks were the Pineapple Express. Very sour. Very boozy.
For starters, we got the steamed purple clams. Absolutely incredible! The garlic sauce was so good we ordered a side of bread just to soak it up.
Entree was the seared black cod. The fish was buttery, smooth, and lightly salty. Came with a sweet and well balanced hollandaise that didn’t overpower it. The butternut squash on the side was cooked perfectly. Genuinely the best butternut squash I’ve had.
Dessert was the Brooklyn blackout cake. Great flavor and a really unique ice cream. Just wish the cake itself was warm.
And they ended up giving us the dessert and bread on the house, and they even gave us a serving of the brussel sprouts on them which was a really nice gesture. This was definitely a place to remember and cherish and will definitely be back!
Yusi
Great experience with our baby! The staff sooo nice to us and super helpful~
The food is great ~ the oyster of the day is only $1.5!!! Can’t believe it. It was pretty decent.
Steak also nice here – so as the stuff served together with the steak: mushroom, onion ring and potato
… moreThe food is great ~ the oyster of the day is only $1.5!!! Can’t believe it. It was pretty decent.
Steak also nice here – so as the stuff served together with the steak: mushroom, onion ring and potato
L
Waterbar is an absolute gem in San Francisco! From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with a stunning waterfront view that sets the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable meal. The customer service was truly exceptional — warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming.
Now, let’s talk about the food — because it stole the show. The fresh scallop carpaccio was outstanding; delicate and bursting with flavor. And the lobster roll? Simply divine. So fresh and tender, it practically melts in your mouth — the kind of dish you find yourself craving long after you’ve left.
It’s the kind of place that leaves you with zero regrets and a strong urge to come back again. Highest recommendation!
… moreNow, let’s talk about the food — because it stole the show. The fresh scallop carpaccio was outstanding; delicate and bursting with flavor. And the lobster roll? Simply divine. So fresh and tender, it practically melts in your mouth — the kind of dish you find yourself craving long after you’ve left.
It’s the kind of place that leaves you with zero regrets and a strong urge to come back again. Highest recommendation!
Alessandra Silva
I’ve been coming to Waterbar for over seven years, and moments like today remind me why this place is truly special.
Every Friday, Waterbar offers their iconic lobster roll, and today I experienced something that went far beyond the menu. I don’t eat bread or pasta, and Fred — one of the bartenders — immediately suggested creating a healthier version for me.
Fred is someone I genuinely recommend looking for when you sit at the bar. His attentiveness, warmth, and ability to listen to the guest make all the difference. He remembered my preferences, took the time to speak with the kitchen, and made sure the experience felt personal and thoughtful.
Following Fred’s suggestion, a sous-chef named Carlos Benitez prepared a stunning lobster roll served on fresh butter lettuce — light, beautifully balanced, and absolutely delicious. It wasn’t just a dish; it was a gesture of care and creativity.
This is hospitality at its finest: listening, adapting, and creating something special. Waterbar has always been a place of consistency and excellence for me, but today was a reminder that what truly makes it shine is the people behind the bar and in the kitchen.
If you visit Waterbar, I highly recommend sitting at the bar and asking for Fred.
Thank you, Fredi, and thank you to Carlos Benitez for such a memorable experience. This is why I keep coming back — and why I always will.
… moreEvery Friday, Waterbar offers their iconic lobster roll, and today I experienced something that went far beyond the menu. I don’t eat bread or pasta, and Fred — one of the bartenders — immediately suggested creating a healthier version for me.
Fred is someone I genuinely recommend looking for when you sit at the bar. His attentiveness, warmth, and ability to listen to the guest make all the difference. He remembered my preferences, took the time to speak with the kitchen, and made sure the experience felt personal and thoughtful.
Following Fred’s suggestion, a sous-chef named Carlos Benitez prepared a stunning lobster roll served on fresh butter lettuce — light, beautifully balanced, and absolutely delicious. It wasn’t just a dish; it was a gesture of care and creativity.
This is hospitality at its finest: listening, adapting, and creating something special. Waterbar has always been a place of consistency and excellence for me, but today was a reminder that what truly makes it shine is the people behind the bar and in the kitchen.
If you visit Waterbar, I highly recommend sitting at the bar and asking for Fred.
Thank you, Fredi, and thank you to Carlos Benitez for such a memorable experience. This is why I keep coming back — and why I always will.
Geronimo C Ramos
I walked into Waterbar on a Monday evening around 6pm, hoping for fresh seafood with a view. The dining room had open seats at the seafood bar and a distinctly 2000s vibe complete with aquariums lining the space. The Bay Bridge stretched across the windows, and it’s a genuinely nice backdrop for dinner.
The seafood was hit or miss. The broiled oysters and crudo were decent, though nothing special. The crab cocktail missed the mark with that telltale frozen taste that you can’t really hide. But the eggplant fries? Surprisingly great. Crispy, well-seasoned, and my favorite thing on the table.
I appreciated seeing detailed sourcing information on the menu, noting where and how each fish was caught. That level of transparency is refreshing. The service was attentive throughout, constantly checking in and keeping water glasses full.
Waterbar delivers on ambiance and views, which counts for something when you’re dining on the waterfront. The food won’t blow you away, but if you go in knowing it’s more about the setting than the standout seafood, you’ll have a pleasant enough evening. Worth it for the patio and bridge views, especially with a cocktail in hand
… moreThe seafood was hit or miss. The broiled oysters and crudo were decent, though nothing special. The crab cocktail missed the mark with that telltale frozen taste that you can’t really hide. But the eggplant fries? Surprisingly great. Crispy, well-seasoned, and my favorite thing on the table.
I appreciated seeing detailed sourcing information on the menu, noting where and how each fish was caught. That level of transparency is refreshing. The service was attentive throughout, constantly checking in and keeping water glasses full.
Waterbar delivers on ambiance and views, which counts for something when you’re dining on the waterfront. The food won’t blow you away, but if you go in knowing it’s more about the setting than the standout seafood, you’ll have a pleasant enough evening. Worth it for the patio and bridge views, especially with a cocktail in hand
Shawn .H Leathers
This spot holds a special place for me. The team really knows their stuff, especially when it comes to oysters—they’re great at explaining flavors and helping you choose the perfect ones, even if you’re new to them. Whenever friends visit me in San Francisco, this is always a must-stop. Each area has its own charm: the patio is perfect during the day, the bar is ideal for happy hour, and the dining room feels elegant and cozy for a refined evening. It’s a memorable experience every time, and I can’t recommend it enough.
… moreDerek Wong
October 23, 2025- Thursday.
Came to the Waterbar with my family for the first time during happy hour because we’d heard great things about their oyster special — and to be fair, the oysters were amazing. Super fresh, briny, and perfectly chilled. You could really taste the quality, and they were definitely the highlight of our visit. I’d honestly come back just for those.
Unfortunately, everything else we ordered was kind of a letdown. We tried a soup (can’t remember the name), but it was bitter and just didn’t taste right — not something I’d recommend at all. The fish and chips sounded promising but were greasy and bland, like the fish had no seasoning and the batter was too heavy. The milky bread was another miss — dry, dense, and didn’t really pair well with anything.
The service was also pretty inconsistent. When we first arrived, we were seated at the wrong table, and our first server seemed annoyed about it — definitely gave off “I don’t want to be here” vibes. It felt like he usually worked the non–happy hour section and wasn’t thrilled to have to reset a table for our larger group. Once we got moved to the correct happy hour section though, the vibe completely changed. The staff there were so much friendlier and more attentive, which helped make up for the rocky start.
Overall, I’d say Waterbar is worth it if you’re here for oysters during happy hour, but that’s about it. The oysters are fantastic, but the rest of the food and service didn’t live up to the same standard.
… moreCame to the Waterbar with my family for the first time during happy hour because we’d heard great things about their oyster special — and to be fair, the oysters were amazing. Super fresh, briny, and perfectly chilled. You could really taste the quality, and they were definitely the highlight of our visit. I’d honestly come back just for those.
Unfortunately, everything else we ordered was kind of a letdown. We tried a soup (can’t remember the name), but it was bitter and just didn’t taste right — not something I’d recommend at all. The fish and chips sounded promising but were greasy and bland, like the fish had no seasoning and the batter was too heavy. The milky bread was another miss — dry, dense, and didn’t really pair well with anything.
The service was also pretty inconsistent. When we first arrived, we were seated at the wrong table, and our first server seemed annoyed about it — definitely gave off “I don’t want to be here” vibes. It felt like he usually worked the non–happy hour section and wasn’t thrilled to have to reset a table for our larger group. Once we got moved to the correct happy hour section though, the vibe completely changed. The staff there were so much friendlier and more attentive, which helped make up for the rocky start.
Overall, I’d say Waterbar is worth it if you’re here for oysters during happy hour, but that’s about it. The oysters are fantastic, but the rest of the food and service didn’t live up to the same standard.
AL Cobb
We both ended up getting the short ribs with risotto, mushrooms and leeks. The risotto was fantastic the short ribs were a 4/5 as you ate in they actually were a little dry and the leeks should have been cut down instead of the whole leak being placed in there. However as an absolute hater of mushrooms those weren’t terrible. I did hear that their menu is changed and printed daily which I thought was nice.
We made reservations earlier in the day and had to wait about a 10-15 mins past the reservation time so I definitely recommend making a reservation. However we waited near the bar and were asked multiple times if we needed anything wanted a cocktail while we waited and more so that was a nice touch.
The ambiance was really nice and we sat right next to one of the fish tanks which I loved. It’s definitely perfect for a date night with intimate table seating. I am not sure about the outside because we quickly passed by it on our way in.
Overall it was nice to eat there and the vibe of the place was wonderful but it’s not some place I’d feel the need to frequent. However, I would like to come back and check out their happy hour.
… moreWe made reservations earlier in the day and had to wait about a 10-15 mins past the reservation time so I definitely recommend making a reservation. However we waited near the bar and were asked multiple times if we needed anything wanted a cocktail while we waited and more so that was a nice touch.
The ambiance was really nice and we sat right next to one of the fish tanks which I loved. It’s definitely perfect for a date night with intimate table seating. I am not sure about the outside because we quickly passed by it on our way in.
Overall it was nice to eat there and the vibe of the place was wonderful but it’s not some place I’d feel the need to frequent. However, I would like to come back and check out their happy hour.
S Berkland
This was our family’s highlight meal after spending 10 days traveling along The Pacific Coast Highway 1 North from LAX to SFO. The food was well above average, but the real surprise was the service. Exceptional is an understatement – this place goes out of their way to make sure each person is enjoying their food and drink. Easily a #SFOBestOf in my book. Can’t wait to return!
… moreMiss Milan
I went there on my recent stay in San Francisco and was looking for somewhere that has great oysters. I went for the happy which pricing was reasonable from $10 – $25, oysters were amazing and fresh like they just caught them, I also had the crab cakes which were really good little bites, some marinated olives which are my favorite snacks. I don’t drink alcohol but the bartender made a nice mocktail that was refreshing. I would come back to this place to experience the dinner. I enjoyed and would recommend!
… more