3 1/2 Stars

A visit to Fisherman’s Wharf wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Lou’s Pier 47 Restaurant and Blues Club. Serving seafood cuisine, Lou’s adds a Cajun twist to their entrees, kicking your taste buds up a notch. Lou’s specialty includes a breathtaking spicy Jambalaya dish that goes well with their gargantuan 60oz House Margarita. In addition, Lou’s Blues Club, located right next to the restaurant, offers guest live jazz seven days a week featuring over 65 bands per month. So get your groove on at Lou’s Pier 47 Restaurant and Blues Club.

Opened by Frank Pompei on February 1, 1946, Pompei’s Grotto has been serving Italian seafood cuisine for more than a decade. Located at the heart of Fisherman’s Wharf, Pompei’s Grotto is a family restaurant that serves freshly caught seafood like steamed Dungeness crab – (a San Francisco tradition) and homemade Clam Chowder that will pull in customers from around the world to stop by and enjoy their extraordinary dishes. Known to keep it in the family, you can stop by anytime of the day to see one of Frank’s family members working the shop. For a great family dining experience, …

A family owned restaurant, Café Maria serves authentic Northern Italian cuisine. Their menu features delicious, homemade entrees like Gnocchi Di Patate, Calamari Fritti, and Chicken Parmigiana. Using only the freshest ingredients, Café Maria prepare each dish personally for you creates a dish that you will enjoy. Inside Café Maria, an all dark wood classic bar serves handmade cocktails, beers, and wines to accompany your Italian dish. Café Maria’s mystical environment is decorated with Italian themed art and sculptures from the High Renaissance period.

Caffe Sport is a terrific place to indulge on authentic Italian cuisine while surrounded in an Italian setting. Caffe Sport offers tasty Italian dishes that showcase all the flavors that Italian cuisine. Their Scampi All’Antonio is one of the tastiest dishes they have on the menu: prawns with marinated zucchini in drenched in sauce. While guest eat their entrees, Caffe Sport environment engulf them will Italian décor. Caffee Sport is filled with Italian art and souvenirs, providing an eclectic environment that kids and adults will enjoy.

Located in the heart of historic North Beach San Francisco, Colosseo Ristorante & Bar Italiano serves authentic Italian cuisine utilizing fresh ingredients. The spacious dining area, with its fresco ceiling imported from Italy, hand painted murals on the walls and statues of Roman Centurions lend an air of authenticity to the rich and inviting décor. The beautiful, dark wood bar has you covered in the drink department with a wide array of beer, wine, liquor and even Italian espresso. Patio dining is an option for the days when the weather is agreeable, and is heated for dinner service, or whenever …

Located at 360 Pine Street, Credo stands tall as a restaurant that believes in togetherness during meal time. Credo, meaning “I believe” in Latin, believes that good food and good company go hand-in-hand. They belief in the time-honor tradition of surrounding yourself around the people in your life and take the time to eat, discuss, and breathe in each other presence. Credo’s interior is surrounded with inspirational quotes to stir up the mood in each table’s conversation and world-renowned Dutch craftsman Plet Hein Eek handcrafted each solid wooden table. In addition, Credo’s menu showcases a blend of traditional Italian cuisine …

Filled with culinary passion, Panta Rei creates dishes that are not found in the routinely Americanized concept of how an Italian restaurant should operate. Panta Rei brings freshness to every dish they create. Every pasta dish is made-to-order specifically for the guest and they have a daily changing menu that features handmade Gnocci and risotto. Panta Rei interior is modern and fresh compared against most of the Italian Restaurants in town. Also their full bar is light with a vibrate color scheme brings youth and a new direction to Italian restaurants.

Sodini’s Green Valley Restaurant is an Italian restaurant should be featured in an Italian movie like GoodFellas or The Godfather. Their interior represents an old style look that cannot be found anywhere else in San Francisco, even their neon sign right outside their door hasn’t ever changed. Also, Sodini’s Italian dishes are authentic as they can be. Swing by and try one of the many favorites like Linguine with Clams and Mussels, and Beef Lasagna.

Neptune’s Waterfront Grill & Bar serves guests Authentic San Francisco food that was made famous by San Francisco’s grills and fish houses. Delectable seafood dishes like steamed Fresh Dungeness Crab and Pan Roasted Sea Bass attracts locals and tourist that visit Pier 39. Neptune’s Waterfront has floor to ceiling windows that offer guests a panoramic view of San Francisco’s beautiful bay. During yacht racing season, Neptune’s offer a front row seat to local and regional regattas and is a premier venue for the international excitement of the 34th America’s Cup Racing. Enjoy your visit at Pier 39 by stopping by …

Sometimes described as a magical oasis, Pena Pachamama serves traditional Bolivian cuisine in an environment filled with music, dance, and performances. Pena Pachamama serves a variety of tapas plates like Yuca Frita and Papas Bravas: spicy potatoes. In addition, Pena Pachamama creates dishes using raw-living organic foods, unprocessed raw vegan produce that have not been heated above 115 degrees Fahrenheit. Pachamama creates tasty raw-food dishes that incorporate the flavors of Bolivian cuisine. On some nights, Pena Pachamama has live performances to bands playing world music from speakers advocating raw food diets and lifestyle.

Part of the appeal of Italian cuisine is the fact that it's been perfected over centuries. What's even better is that Italian dishes are still evolving and adopting new and exciting ingredients and techniques, which is what diners will find at Vicoletto in North Beach. While the food may be modern, the atmosphere in the restaurant is comfortable and relaxed, allowing patrons to enjoy their food to the fullest extent. The menu at Vicoletto is simple and divided into three categories: Antipasti (appetizers), Paste Della Casa (house pastas), and Secondi (entrees). However, within these three simple categories lies a world …

Named after Unione Sportiva, a popular soccer team from Palermo, Sicily, U.S. Original Restaurant in North Beach has been serving guests for over twenty years. A favorite appetizer, the Antipasti de Mare with clams, mussels, shrimp, baby calamari, and scallops on a bed of ice cold lettuce with capers, celery, minced red onion, and tomato served with lemon wedges and a light red wine vinaigrette will whet the appetite for the main course. Daily specials abound, and the Osso Bucco, served on Saturdays, has some locals claiming it to be the best in San Francisco. Open for lunch and dinner …

Blue Barn Gourmet in Marina/Cow Hollow may only serve soup, salad and sandwiches, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a wide variety of choices when it comes to these three items. There are 11 salads, with a choice of 10 proteins to add. There is also a staggering 14 sandwiches to choose from, including the vegetarian friendly Buddha. If you are in the mood for grilled cheese, there are 8 distinct grilled cheeses on the menu. Of those, Blue Barn Gourmet offers a unique cheese in seven out of the 8. Cheeses include manchego, brie d’ affinois, havarti and mozzarella …

Located in a historic Union Street building, Nettie’s Crab Shack offers a wide array of fresh sea fare. It’s expansive bar features a fine range of local, domestic, and imported beer, a broad wine list, as well as house crafted custom cocktails. Nettie’s Crab Shack features a light and sunny dining room, a completely open kitchen, and an open-air patio for an outdoor dining experience should the weather permit. With a number of years of experience working in local restaurants, proprietor Annette Yang and partner/Chef Brian Leitner’s goal was to create, “a serious place that didn't take itself too seriously.” …

In a world that is constantly changing, Café Des Amis prides themselves in offering a timeless Parisian setting in SF. Their establishment transports guest to back to old Paris to its “Café Des Amis” painted sign above their restaurant from its sophisticated dishes that reflect the tastes and flavors of the local neighborhood mixed with French cuisine. For large parties, Café Des Amis offers a Private Dining Room. French inspired, Café Des Amis Private Room transports large parties to a time of lavish meals and sensual cocktails. Up to 40 to 50 guests, their Private Room surrounds large parties in …

For a slice of Windy City flavor in San Francisco’s Marina District, look no further than Patxi’s Chicago Pizza. The appetizer selection is stellar and straight forward: The Classic Bruschetta is served with roasted cherry tomatoes, basil, and olive oil, while the Antipasto plate features naturally cured Zoe’s Hot Coppa, Aged Prosciutto and Spanish Chorizo. Salad offerings include, butter lettuce, Greek, spinach, Caesar, and garden, all of which can be topped with any of the seven dressings in house. But let’s get down to brass tacks; the pizza is where Patxi’s Chicago Pizza shines. There are four styles of pie: …

If you’re in search of a restaurant that serves new and exciting dishes and stiff drinks, The Brixton is the spot. The Brixton serves American dishes in brand new ways. Starters like their "Demoned" Eggs, four halved eggs with fresh Dungeness crab, bacon, aioli, shallots, celery, parsley, and chives, have a traditional arrangement with a contemporary twist. Just like their starters, the main entrees at Brixton are traditional dishes with contemporary flavor combinations like the Peppered Beef Stew: tender beef chucks tossed with cracked peppercorns, smashed garlic, and orange zest. The Brixton uses their forward thinking behind the bar as …

Fleur de Sel is a delicatessen that focuses on providing customers with natural, organic gourmet breakfast and well prepared meals. To go along with their organic and natural philosophy, Fleur de Sel supports local farmers, sustainable agriculture, and fair trade market products. Fleur de Sel ethos attracts all the natural foodies not only because of their stances on sustainable agricultural, but their food also attracts them to come back for more.

Frjtz on Valencia is a gastronomic French fry paradise. Frjtz offers fresh potatoes deep fried and topped in three different ways: garlic, spicy, or white truffle. In addition, they include a wide arrangement of dipping sauces that you won’t find in any other restaurant. Thai Chili ketchup and Pesto Mayo are a few of the unique sauces that Frjtz has to offer. Aside from their fries, Frjtz also offers Belgian Mussels, gourmet burgers, and sandwiches. All of these selections have different flavor combinations inspired by different flavors from cuisines around the world. End your night one of Frjtz crepes. Like …

Located in the Mission district, Loncanda has become one of the busiest spots serving Roman inspired food and drinks. Owned by Craig Stroll, creator of Delfina, Loncanda channels the culinary traditions of Rome by serving Roman classics like Grilled Lamb Leg and Oxtails alla Vaccinara. Loncanda doesn’t just do find Roman cuisine, they also create Roman-inspired cocktails that are innovative to say the least. With a handful of cocktails that rotate in the limelight every month, Loncanda’s bartenders create super-simple cocktails and drinks that are constructed with four or five ingredients. Their bartenders are knowledgeable in the art of mixology …