You can get cheaper chowders at one of the stands a few blocks away, but here you’re treated to views of actual fishermen (a rare sight on the wharf) and an Old San Francisco vibe. The chowder is delicious, too -- as thick as it gets and loaded with four different kinds of fresh clams.
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Scoma’s is one of SF’s most classic seafood restaurants, serving “pier-to-plate” fare from local fishermen who bring their daily catch directly to the restaurant’s pier. Obviously, that means that the best thing to order is whatever was just reeled in, including the Cioppino with Dungeness crab, scallops, shrimp, clams, mussels, and market fish. But, no judgment at all, sometimes you just want a really good fish filet sandwich, and when that happens, Scoma’s—prepared with fresh flounder and served with fennel slaw, salad, and fries—always hits the spot. Whatever you order, you’ll be enjoying it with water views (including fishermen hard at work) indoors and out.
Fisherman’s Wharf has no shortage of seafood restaurants offering the city’s famous tomato broth-drenched seafood stew of Cioppino, and anything made with our local briny, sweet, and meaty Dungeness crab. Scoma’s has a leg up on the competition, having its own fishing boat that docks right by the restaurant to offer “pier to plate” dining. It even built its own pier named after the restaurant’s founder, Al Scoma, who opened Scoma’s in 1965. The restaurant is part of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch, only offering seafood that is sustainable. Bonus: During the holidays, pick up a bottle of Scoma’s aged vintage eggnog, made with sherry, rum, and cognac.
The Market section of the Scoma’s website has what you’ll need from this iconic Italian restaurant, and the Sides, Beer, and Cocktail categories are the best for stocking up on gifts. Get bottled Manhattans and Negronis (for two or six people), Bloody Mary kits with house-made mix that come with Scoma-branded glasses, local brews like Firestone’s Union Jack West Coast IPA, and even 16-ounce tubs of cocktail and tartar sauces for the dip-lovers in your life. A new offering for the holiday season is a 500-milliliter bottle of Scoma’s vintage egg nog, which is definitely just for adults with its triple threat blend of rum, cognac, and sherry.
How to order: Online for store pick-up.
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