Waterbar Restaurant
Seafood restaurant · Rincon Hill
399 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105
Highlights
Stylish seafood spot with oysters, Bay Bridge views, and aquariums
Stylish seafood spot with oysters, Bay Bridge views, and aquariums
"This place on the Embarcadero has huge bay views and giant floor-to-ceiling fish tanks that might make you feel a bit like you’re dining in an aquarium. Which is why we go here with coworkers, important clients, or anytime we want to feel like a high-powered person over some very good fish. The menu changes nightly based on what’s in season, but you can always count on great oysters, ceviches, and roasted fish like cod filets and swordfish steaks. There’s no need to plan ahead for a table at Waterbar unless there’s a conference in the area. Otherwise, day-of reservations are typically easy to get. However, the best seats are on the patio, which do run out when the forecast is good, so if you have your heart set on dining al fresco, you may want to check at least a day or two in advance." - lani conway, julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez, patrick wong
"This seafood place on the Embarcadero has huge bay views and giant floor-to-ceiling fish tanks that might make you feel a bit like you’re dining in an aquarium. Which is why we go here with coworkers, important clients, or anytime we want to feel like a high-powered person over some very good fish. The menu changes nightly based on what’s in season, but you can always count on phenomenal oysters, ceviches, and roasted fish like cod filets and swordfish steaks. They also do lunch and are open Mondays. There’s no need to plan ahead for a table at Waterbar unless there’s a conference in the area. Otherwise, day-of reservations are typically easy to get. However, the best seats are on the patio, which do run out when the forecast is good, so if you have your heart set on dining al fresco, you may want to check at least a day or two in advance." - lani conway, julia chen 1
"Eating at Waterbar feels like dining in an aquarium—not just because the dining room has floor-to-ceiling cylindrical fish tanks, but also because you’re only a few steps from the bay. The Embarcadero seafood restaurant is a great choice for an oyster Happy Hour or lunch with clients who are easily impressed by sweeping Bay Bridge views. If you’re pulling out all the stops, go in on the $185 Seafood Indulgence Platter, which pretty much includes every creature that once called the ocean home. There’s no need to plan ahead for a table at Waterbar unless there’s a conference in the area. Otherwise, day-of reservations are typically easy to get. However, the best seats are on the patio, which do run out when the forecast is good, so if you have your heart set on dining al fresco, you may want to check at least a day or two in advance." - julia chen 1, patrick wong, ricky rodriguez
"Sister spots Waterbar and Epic Steak are hulking restaurants at the foot of the Bay Bridge, and while Epic focuses on steak, Waterbar is all things fish. Waterbar has lots of space indoors and outdoors on a couple of different levels, and the lunch power move is a soft-shell crab sandwich and a glass of sparkling wine. Don’t overlook the dessert menu — pastry powerhouse Lori Baker joined Waterbar last year, and her warm rhubarb crisp and princess cake truffle are exceptional finales to a seafood feast." - Flora Tsapovsky
"When Karl’s left for the day and dining al fresco doesn’t require a blanket, ask for a table outside at Waterbar. Right up against the ocean, this Embarcadero seafood restaurant has a large umbrella-covered patio against a backdrop of the Bay Bridge. Just the right setting to further astound your toughest clients by hitting the 24-oyster order limit (be sure to ask for a side of ginger-apple mignonette), or to make the spreadsheet you finished yesterday at least somewhat interesting over chilled Maine lobster and an oven-roasted branzino. If you’re not lucky enough to expense your meal here, suggest a midafternoon meeting at 2:30pm when Happy Hour starts with many of the same menu items from lunch. There’s no need to plan ahead for a table at Waterbar unless there’s a conference in the area. Otherwise, day-of reservations are typically easy to get. However, the best seats are on the patio, which do run out when the forecast is good, so if you have your heart set on dining al fresco, you may want to check at least a day or two in advance." - ricky rodriguez, julia chen 1, patrick wong
