Swan Oyster Depot

San Francisco, US

Enjoy a meal at this Bay area mainstay and you'll be transported to the briny waters of the Pacific. The restaurant has sat on the same site since 1912, building a reputation for fresh-as-they-come, home-style seafood comfort classics loved by the likes of Anthony Bourdain. Indeed, the marble counter, tills and piled-high market boxes look like they’ve not changed since it opened, while walls clad in posters, NFL jerseys and a jumble of photos add to the neighbourhood vibe. To snag one of only 18 seats, you’ve got to be prepared to wait – the Sanicimino brothers only do business in person. Arrive early and look for the sea-blue awning, which yields to reveal a hand-illustrated menu that’s a bona fide ode to the ocean. Blue Point oysters – out the water two, maybe three hours tops. West Coast littlenecks. Boston chowder. Spiced Delta crayfish. The iconic dish? Crab back – a buttery medley of crabmeat and liver on a half shell – the embodiment of gill-to-fin cooking. A lively team are on hand to offer suggestions for those who can’t decide, though a side of San Francisco sourdough is obligatory for mopping up juices, as is a local Anchor Steam beer to wash it all down.

Key Information

• Average price per person $50
• Lunch: Mon – Sat
• +1 415 673 1101
• Visit Swan Oyster Depot's Website

Location

1517 Polk St, Nob Hill, San Francisco, California, CA 94109