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No-frills counter nook in a fish market is a bustling landmark for raw-bar fare & casual seafood.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 1517 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Phone: (415) 673-1101
Menu Photos
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Reviews
Ina Alcazar
There’s a reason this spot is Anthony Bourdain’s favorite spot in SF. It’s pretty straightforward good seafood spot that serves fresh catch! It can get a little pricey but the coziness of the place and the attentiveness of the staff makes it worthwhile.
I specifically liked the sashimi platter and the oysters they have are flavorful, briney and fresh — we had it for breakfast and didn’t have any tummy issues!
Note though they serve Boston style clam chowder so it’s runnier than the typical chowder you find in SF
… moreI specifically liked the sashimi platter and the oysters they have are flavorful, briney and fresh — we had it for breakfast and didn’t have any tummy issues!
Note though they serve Boston style clam chowder so it’s runnier than the typical chowder you find in SF
Levent Bulusan
Stepping into Swan Oyster Depot is like stepping back in time to a place that has perfected the art of fresh seafood. This is a no-frills, counter-seating-only institution, and its charm is in its authenticity and, of course, its incredible food.
The menu is a dream for any seafood lover. We ordered the combination seafood salad (often called the Sicilian Sashimi), and it was a stunning plate of fresh-off-the-boat tuna, salmon, and white fish, perfectly accented with olive oil, capers, and a squeeze of lemon. The smoked salmon was equally amazing—buttery, delicate, and served with fantastic sourdough bread.
The guys behind the counter are true professionals, shucking oysters and preparing plates with incredible speed and skill. The atmosphere is loud, busy, and full of happy customers. It’s more than a meal; it’s a true San Francisco experience.
Essential Tips:
• CASH ONLY! The sign in the window isn’t joking.
• Arrive early (even before they open) to get a spot in line.
• Be prepared to stand, but know that the reward is one of the best seafood meals you’ll ever have.
… moreThe menu is a dream for any seafood lover. We ordered the combination seafood salad (often called the Sicilian Sashimi), and it was a stunning plate of fresh-off-the-boat tuna, salmon, and white fish, perfectly accented with olive oil, capers, and a squeeze of lemon. The smoked salmon was equally amazing—buttery, delicate, and served with fantastic sourdough bread.
The guys behind the counter are true professionals, shucking oysters and preparing plates with incredible speed and skill. The atmosphere is loud, busy, and full of happy customers. It’s more than a meal; it’s a true San Francisco experience.
Essential Tips:
• CASH ONLY! The sign in the window isn’t joking.
• Arrive early (even before they open) to get a spot in line.
• Be prepared to stand, but know that the reward is one of the best seafood meals you’ll ever have.
Abbie N
Delicious seafood. We came around 10am and we had to wait 3 hours to be seated. The raw oysters, Sicilian sashimi and cracked crab are worth trying. Service was great!
… moreAli Tassavor
Been wanting to try this place for over a year every time I visit SF and finally had a chance to check it out. We waited in line for around an hour to get seats. The vibe and atmosphere is great and OG! The food is great but nothing too special that would worth an hour wait. I understand this place is historic but I feel like it needs some deep cleaning 🙂
… moreR Choi
We got the following:
$12 crab back
$20 combination cocktail (1 oyster, 2 prawns, 2 crab leg meat, bunch of shrimp, bunch of white crab meat)
$40 Sicilian sashimi (medium size)
$8 bowl of clam chowder
$40 “Crab-santhemum” (Leg meat only)
$17 smoked salmon with French bread (half size)
$40 three glasses of wine
(Dec 2025 prices)
NYE was really busy with takeout orders taking most of the counter space. So they had only 5 seats available from 8 to 1130am. I waited about 3 hours and got finally seated.
The food and service made up for the long wait.
The highlight was the crab-santhemum — leg meat arranged like flower petals of a chrysanthemum. Very flavorful. I liked it with a bit of crab back + Louie sauce.
Another highlight was the smoked salmon. The bread is sliced thin, so you can fully enjoy the buttery smoked salmon.
Combination cocktail was great value as I got to have oyster, prawn, crab (2 leg + lots of white meat), AND shrimp. I liked mixing the white crab meat with crab back. With shrimp, I enjoyed making little sandwiches with bread, butter, Louie sauce.
Boston style clam chowder had good flavours. The chili sauce went perfectly with it. It’s not as thick as new england chowder.
The Sicilian sashimi plate came with scallop, yellowtail, ahi tuna, and salmon. The scallop was outstanding, but the other fish were just fine. I don’t think I would get it again. The flavours were not as impressive as how the dish looks.
Next time I want to try another off-menu item, scallops with ponzu and Sriracha sauce. Or the cherry stone clams.
… more$12 crab back
$20 combination cocktail (1 oyster, 2 prawns, 2 crab leg meat, bunch of shrimp, bunch of white crab meat)
$40 Sicilian sashimi (medium size)
$8 bowl of clam chowder
$40 “Crab-santhemum” (Leg meat only)
$17 smoked salmon with French bread (half size)
$40 three glasses of wine
(Dec 2025 prices)
NYE was really busy with takeout orders taking most of the counter space. So they had only 5 seats available from 8 to 1130am. I waited about 3 hours and got finally seated.
The food and service made up for the long wait.
The highlight was the crab-santhemum — leg meat arranged like flower petals of a chrysanthemum. Very flavorful. I liked it with a bit of crab back + Louie sauce.
Another highlight was the smoked salmon. The bread is sliced thin, so you can fully enjoy the buttery smoked salmon.
Combination cocktail was great value as I got to have oyster, prawn, crab (2 leg + lots of white meat), AND shrimp. I liked mixing the white crab meat with crab back. With shrimp, I enjoyed making little sandwiches with bread, butter, Louie sauce.
Boston style clam chowder had good flavours. The chili sauce went perfectly with it. It’s not as thick as new england chowder.
The Sicilian sashimi plate came with scallop, yellowtail, ahi tuna, and salmon. The scallop was outstanding, but the other fish were just fine. I don’t think I would get it again. The flavours were not as impressive as how the dish looks.
Next time I want to try another off-menu item, scallops with ponzu and Sriracha sauce. Or the cherry stone clams.
fonte her
The lone is worth the wait, trust me! The staff is amazing and was able to get us in right before seating stopped. Food was amazing and lived up to hype!
… moreNick
What an old school gem of a seafood joint! Tony was right, this is a special place and worth your time. Cash only, long line, but incredible service, phenomenal seafood, great vibes and good company. Go out of your way to stop here. It had been on my list for a decade and I had to travel 3,000 miles to get here. Well worth it.
… moreJenny Bae
CASH ONLY
In this economy, if they are taking cash only, you’re going for the vibes
Free bread
Napkin bill
Wrong math
But given the tables + turnover, it’s worth a visit just to say you did. When I want to feel like a tourist again, I’d give it a visit. The staff are so chill that if you forget your cash, they let you go grab it by the nearest ATM.
Buttery oysters were from WA
Clam chowder is less creamy than you might expect
… moreIn this economy, if they are taking cash only, you’re going for the vibes
Free bread
Napkin bill
Wrong math
But given the tables + turnover, it’s worth a visit just to say you did. When I want to feel like a tourist again, I’d give it a visit. The staff are so chill that if you forget your cash, they let you go grab it by the nearest ATM.
Buttery oysters were from WA
Clam chowder is less creamy than you might expect
Taylor G
Came in right when they opened on a weekday. Played it safer with half the smoked salmon and a cup of chowder since I was having it for breakfast.
So yummy!! Incredibly kind and chill staff. You’re coming here for great food and even better vibes. Chill at the bar; good music. The place just feels so rich with community and history. Cash only!
Would go back and would recommend.
… moreSo yummy!! Incredibly kind and chill staff. You’re coming here for great food and even better vibes. Chill at the bar; good music. The place just feels so rich with community and history. Cash only!
Would go back and would recommend.
Ann X
Lining up at 8:30 am and got seats after half an hour cash only. Totally worth it. My hub said it might be the best seafood restaurant he ever had in America . 11 out of 10. We r coming back!
… more