Anchor Oyster Bar
Seafood restaurant · The Castro
579 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114
Highlights
Fresh oysters, cioppino, and clam chowder in a nautical setting
Fresh oysters, cioppino, and clam chowder in a nautical setting
"At Anchor Oyster Bar, there’s an aquarium’s worth of seafood to choose from. The old-school Castro spot is home to Olympic swimming pool-sized bowls of cioppino, creamy clam chowder, and a daily selection of oysters. And admiring the nautical-themed decor, like light-up anchors and life preservers hanging on the walls, is all part of the experience. Just one visit is all it’ll take before a trip to this spot becomes a weekly occurrence. The ideal way to play hooky for an afternoon is to set a “busy” block on your calendar and slide up to the bar for some oysters, golden-brown crab cakes, and wine." - lani conway, julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez, patrick wong
"Landlubbers seeking a taste of the sea can be found pulling up a stool at this Castro institution, where waves of waiting diners spill out the doors. This tiny, minimally adorned space filled with old-fashioned charm is better for twosomes than groups.While the menu may be petite, it’s full of fresh fare like a light and flavorful Dungeness crab “burger” on a sesame bun; Caesar salad combining sweet prawns and tangy anchovy dressing; or a cup of creamy Boston clam chowder loaded with clams and potatoes. As the name portends, raw oysters are a specialty—so briny that the accompanying mignonette may not be necessary. And of course, the cioppino is unmissable, as this signature item turns sublime when paired with delicious and buttery garlic bread." - Michelin Inspector
"Anchor Oyster is a neighborhood classic, holding it down in the Castro since 1977. The cioppino is jammed with mussels and crab claws, and the crab cake has been upgraded from appetizer to main, served with zingy tartare and roasted potatoes. Anchor also serves oysters on the half shell, creamy clam chowder, and garlic bread." - Flora Tsapovsky
"If you’ve ever had a sudden midday craving for a couple of oysters and a bowl of clam chowder, Anchor Oyster Bar is here for you. If you haven’t, one trip to the old-school seafood spot decorated with light-up anchors and life preservers is all it takes before you start having mysterious visions of miniature clams dancing around in the sky at 2pm on a Thursday. The menu covers the usual from-the-ocean suspects—like prawn salad, a daily selection of oysters, and Olympic swimming pool-sized bowls of cioppino." - lani conway, julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez
"This Castro spot is a classic seafood bar with anchors and life preservers tacked all over the walls, and a menu of icy oyster platters, pool-sized cioppinos, and some of the best clam chowder in town. It’s also sourdough paradise. Don't say "no" when the server offers you a plate of tangy bread—and then another—and never resist dousing a piece in your soup of choice." - julia chen 1, patrick wong
