By
Shoshi Parks
Jul 15, 2025 - 7x7
As San Francisco’s waterfront transit hub, everyone eventually ends up on the Embarcadero one way or another.
But this quadrant, dominated by the Ferry Building, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, is as much a destination as it is a commuter corridor. Both within and outside the 127-year-old Beaux Arts beauty—with its indoor marketplace and expansive three-day-a-week farmers markets—the Embarcadero has welcomed several interesting restaurants over the last few years, bringing a new era of vibrancy to the neighborhood. Between them, a handful of cherished old-school bars and classic restaurants still hold their own, along with one of Northern California’s most curiosity-sparking, STEAM-focused museums.
From our favorite retailers in the historic Ferry Building to the best spots for sunset drinks and dining, here’s a modern guide to the best of the Embarcadero.
The Best Things to Do at the Ferry Building
A seasonal cupcake from Miette
(Courtesy of @ferrybuilding)
Even after more than a century, the Ferry Building (1 Ferry Building) marketplace still wows with its grand architecture and showcase of local retailers, who run the gamut from eateries to quintessential made-in-SF shops. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and especially on Saturdays, the doyenne’s adjacent plaza transforms into what’s considered one of the country’s best farmers markets, stocked full of local produce, small-batch products, and breakfast and lunch purveyors. Other small and large events cycle through frequently, from Pickwick Vintage and the Head West Marketplace to monthly workout classes, live music, and drag bingo.
It’s hard to go wrong at the Ferry Building, but don’t miss these favorites:
Restaurants
Celebrated chef Nite Yun’s Lunette Cambodia opened at the Ferry Building last summer with fast-casual service and brightly spiced South Asian noodle and rice dishes and snacks like Khmer fried chicken wings and lemongrass fish cakes. // Nopa Fish, the newest venture by the team behind Divisadero Street’s Nopa, is a sustainable fish market and kitchen. Stop by their alcove for the freshest-of-fresh fish and seafood from transparent local fisherfolk and fantastic casual eats like smoked trout-topped latkes, fried rockfish sandwiches, and the catch of the day “a la plancha.” // Chef-owner Joseph Ahearne built El Porteño Empanadas around his grandmother’s original Argentinian recipe, inciting a legion of followers obsessed with the flaky pastries filled with mixes like dry-aged grass-fed beef, pimiento-stuffed olives, raisins, and hard-boiled eggs. // Though they now have close to half a dozen locations from Tomales Bay to Larkspur to SF, the Hog Island Oyster Co. at the Ferry Building is one of its most atmospheric, with panoramic bay views that somehow make their farmed bivalves—raw or grilled with Cajun butter, chipotle bourbon butter, or garlic parsley butter—even better. Don’t miss the Bloody Mary. // Jamaican restaurant Peaches Patties delivers the brilliant taste of the island’s most popular dishes (think empanada-like patties full of Jamaican spices, as well as rice, beans, and plantains). Their freshly debuted happy hour runs from 4pm to 8pm through October. // One of the biggest names in small-batch, sustainable caviar, Tsar Nicoulai’s Café specializes in flights of the good stuff—and the really good stuff—as well as shareable bites topped with briny succulence. // Cholita Linda’s Baja fish tacos, overstuffed tortas, and plates of fried and stewed meats will cure your craving for flavors from south of the border.
Shops
Appearing at more than a dozen farmers markets around the Bay each week, if you like mushrooms, you know Far West Fungi. The SF-born farm’s brick-and-mortar shop has the same kind of variety as their pop-ups—ranging from colorful oysters to fuzzy lion’s mane—as well as whatever’s come in from their wild foraging partners (morels, chanterelles, and truffles are common) and plenty of fungi-full condiments, dried mushrooms, mushroom jerky, and grow-your-own mushroom farms. // // Geek out on the shiny, sharp beauties at every SF chef’s favorite shop, Bernal Cutlery. // // The Ferry Building outpost of Heath Ceramics, one of the last remaining and most-beloved mid-century ceramics workshops, sells classic tableware and vases that will never go out of style. // // Mishka Dog Boutique’s fresh, natural treats and festive cakes are made just for the floofiest among us. // Two-leggeds will find treats of their own among the lavender shortbreads and chocolate éclairs at the adorably Parisian-inspired Miette Patisserie and at gourmet chocolatier Recchiuti Confections.
Where Else to Eat on the Embarcadero
Mediterranean dishes from Alora
(Neetu Laddha Photography)
The first Mediterranean venture from the team behind ROOH, Alora (Pier 3) is a lively spot for really good food from the sea’s diverse coastline. The swanky digs, with its North African-inspired patio, has a wide range of fantastic dips and breads, mezze like olive oil-poached octopus and mushroom cannoli, and gorgeous centerpieces like beef tenderloin shashlik and roasted eggplant with onion caramel. // One of the Embarcadero’s most recent additions, Bon Délire (Pier 3) is a sweet spot for French bistro fare like croque-monsieur, sole meuniere, and escargot, eaten in the glow of projected black-and-white French films. Stop by at Sunday brunch, when they offer baked egg dishes and pain perdu alongside favorites from the regular menu. // Angler’s (132 The Embarcadero) Michelin-starred fare is deliberately sourced and cooked over live fire on the restaurant’s wood-burning hearth. The seafood-focused menu includes à la carte gems like embered oysters with smoked chili butter, aged black cod, and whole sea bream with coconut and swarnadwipa—or let them choose your journey for $145/person. // Freshly dressed in ocean-inspired colors and materials, and with a modernized menu from executive chef Victoriano Lopez, La Mar Cocina Peruana (Pier 1 1/2) is kicking off its 17th year in style. Look for additions like Spanish octopus tiraditos and cebiche Victoriano with local halibut and sunchoke leche de tigre, alongside cebicheria eats like causas and nigiri, and family-style dishes like pescado enchichado and lomo saltado. // Dressed to the nines in Ken Fulk design, longtime upscale SF staple Boulevard (1 Mission St.) is still turning heads with seasonal, multi-course menus featuring dishes like burrata and English pea panzanella and roasted pearl hen with sweet corn and chanterelles. Grab a seat at the bar, lounge, or chef’s counter for choose-your-own-adventure a la carte options. // Get your steakhouse fix at Epic Steak (369 The Embarcadero), who pairs their—indeed, epic—views with hearty cuts of ribeye and filet mignon. // For Cantonese-style dim sum (think soup dumplings, BBQ pork buns, congee, deep-fried shrimp toasts, and more) and chef’s specials like Singapore-style chili Dungeness crab and beef brisket hot pot, Harborview (4 Embarcadero Center) is a solid bet with a lovely view of the Ferry Building.
Where to Drink on the Embarcadero
The patio at Pier 23 Cafe is the place to be on a sunny afternoon.
(Courtesy of @pier_23_cafe)
An old-school favorite, especially for Giants fans headed to Oracle Stadium, Hi Dive Bar (Pier 28) has strong drinks, shareable snacks, and one of the last $2 beers (Coors) in town. // When the sun is shining, the patio at the classic Pier 23 Cafe (Pier 23) is full of infectious energy. While their Dungeness crab cakes and shrimp melt sandwiches are fine, this spot is made for posting up with cocktails, beer, and wine to enjoy one of the best views in town. // Zero-waste cocktails on the charming patio at Terrene at the 1 Hotel San Francisco (8 Mission St.) are a simple pleasure made more complex by a sustainably sourced, Mediterranean-leaning menu. // Bar Sprezzatura (300 Clay St., #100) mashes up the elegance of coastal Italy with a hint of Vegas opulence in creative cocktails, Italian wines, and one of SF’s most expansive amari lists (including vintage versions from the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s). If you’ve got an appetite, cicchetti (snacks) like guanciale meatballs are well worth the effort. // Red’s Java House (Pier 30) has been slinging beers, burgers, and dogs to the waterfront crowd since 1955. Though it’s little more than a snack shack, this place has a big personality, a full bar, and another great patio overlooking the bay. // Want to go more upscale with your bevvie-with-a-view? Try seafood restaurant Waterbar (399 The Embarcadero), which has a horseshoe-shaped bar inside, a huge patio, and a 30-page list of cocktails, wines, spirits—plus a happy hour at which a Fort Point IPA will cost you $5, a margarita $10, and the chef’s daily featured oyster just $1.55 a pop.
More Things to Do on the Embarcadero
The Exploratorium
(Courtesy of @guinnruiz)
You don’t have to be a kid to love the Exploratorium (Pier 15), SF’s waterfront STEAM museum. Explore more than 700 hands-on exhibits and special shows like Adventures in AI, on right now. For an adults-only experience, check out The Exploratorium on Thursdays from 6pm to 10pm, when the 75,000-square-foot institution comes alive “After Dark.” // Visit the San Francisco Railway Museum (77 Steuart St.) for a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the city’s rail and transit history, from its famous cable cars to its vintage streetcars. // Bamford Wellness Spa at 1 Hotel San Francisco (8 Mission St.) takes an organic, holistic approach to treatments like massages and facials. For a unique treat, book a bath salt soak in a stone spa tub on their private rooftop terrace.
The Best Things to Do at Embarcadero Center
Embarcadero Center
(Courtesy of Sens)
Located on the inner edge of the bayside neighborhood, Embarcadero Center has more than 60 shops and restaurants—with a dynamic lineup of events and a curated collection of new retailers on their way. Already, you’ll find everything from energizing fitness and wellness studios to casual dining, chic boutiques, and a charming candy shop:
Puppies and Yoga is a one-of-a-kind studio that offers a 75-minute all-level class weekly, featuring a different breed of playful puppies. // Find functional medicine and science-backed integrative wellness services—including energized vitamin injections and revitalizing IV drips—at B12 LOVE, along with aesthetic treatments to promote healthy aging. // Once a popular food truck, the no-frills, brick-and-mortar Burger Littles is known for its smashed cheeseburgers and crispy fries. // Elevate Pilates offers reformer, mat, and barre classes designed to build strength, flexibility, and body awareness. // French patisserie Boho Petite handcrafts pastries, custom cakes, and café classics like buttery croissants and seasonal desserts. // Jerry’s Roast Pork is serving up East Coast-inspired hoagies, pizzas, and salads. // Women-owned boutique Ambiance SF brings both casual staples and elevated looks, featuring everything from premium denim to statement accessories. // Cheeky Bits Sweets crafts small-batch, melt-in-your-mouth toffees that are straight-up addictive. Owner Nina Veaco, who began the confectionery company using her grandmother’s original toffee recipe in 2020, won a Good Food Award for her masterful sugar skills in 2023, and has since added killer peanut brittle and salted caramel sauce to the shop’s offerings.
Check out the Embarcadero Center’s new retailers, especially during Wednesday afternoon Summer Happy Hours, when you can sip specialty cocktails from Bar Car and enjoy live music from 4pm to 6pm. The first 200 guests on July 30th, August 6th, and August 20th get a free drink.
// 1-4 Embarcadero Center, Clay St. (FiDi/Embarcadero); find more info on retail openings and current events at embarcaderocenter.com.
Thank you to our partners at Embarcadero Center.
