
Pier 23 Cafe Restaurant & Bar
A vibrant waterfront eatery on the Embarcadero, known for fresh seafood, lively atmosphere, and nightly live music with stunning bay views.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

Pier 23 Cafe Restaurant & Bar

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A vibrant waterfront eatery on the Embarcadero, known for fresh seafood, lively atmosphere, and nightly live music with stunning bay views.
"A great spot to chill, relax, and enjoy the view while eating tasty food!"
Happy Hour Deals
Visit during happy hour for great drink and food deals without breaking the bank.
Best Seats on the Deck
Aim for seats on the deck facing the water, ideally with shade from umbrellas.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Seafood
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Stunning Bay Views
Dine waterside with breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay. Perfect for a relaxed day or evening.

Flavorful Vegan Tacos
Indulge in delicious vegan tacos packed with cauliflower, beans, and salsa, a tasty surprise.

Live Music & Lively Atmosphere
Experience nightly live jazz and blues music in a vibrant, laid-back setting that always feels welcoming.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Happy Hour Deals
Visit during happy hour for great drink and food deals without breaking the bank.
Best Seats on the Deck
Aim for seats on the deck facing the water, ideally with shade from umbrellas.
Shareable Fish & Chips
Their fish and chips are delicious and large enough to share with another person.
Taco Tuesday Special
Enjoy street-style tacos as a weekly happy hour food special on Tuesdays.
Tips
from all over the internet
Happy Hour Deals
Visit during happy hour for great drink and food deals without breaking the bank.
Best Seats on the Deck
Aim for seats on the deck facing the water, ideally with shade from umbrellas.
Shareable Fish & Chips
Their fish and chips are delicious and large enough to share with another person.
Taco Tuesday Special
Enjoy street-style tacos as a weekly happy hour food special on Tuesdays.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Pier 23 Cafe offers a lively waterfront dining experience with great views and live music, though some find the service inconsistent and the pricing high for the ambiance. While many praise the delicious fish and chips and flavorful vegan tacos, a few reviews point to impersonal service and automatic gratuity as drawbacks.
"We were on a cruise and decided to stop by before reboarding our ship and Pier 23 did not disappoint. Their fish and chips are delicious and are enough to share with another person. Their fish tacos were also good and reminded us of Baja tacos. Beer was nice and cold, service was fast and friendly. Definitely recommend."
Reuben Pena
"Friendly welcome, stopped in for a drink only so cant comment on food. Nice to be/sit waterside. Plastic chairs and doesn't feel i high end place (sorry guys) but you know it can't be too bad when you are at a tourist hot-spot and it's clear there are a lot of locals in there."
Matt D
"Pier 23 is a great place to grab a drink and a bite to eat and watch the boats (and life) go by! I sat in a section without an umbrella, and it was ok. But had I been in little earlier I would have scored one of the good seats on the deck with one. Perhaps they could rig something up for the bar seats along the edge facing the water to have shade. These, in my opinion, are the best seats on the house!"
Eric Reeves
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The best seats are generally considered to be on the deck facing the water, especially those with umbrellas for shade.
Yes, Pier 23 Cafe features live music almost every night, with a focus on jazz and blues artists.
Yes, happy hour typically runs Monday-Thursday from 4pm-6pm, offering specials on drinks and snacks.
Yes, Pier 23 Cafe is a dog-friendly spot with outdoor seating available for you and your furry friend.
Popular dishes include the fish and chips, vegan tacos, and crab cakes. The cheeseburger is also a favorite.
The restaurant has a casual and laid-back atmosphere, so there is no specific dress code.
Yes, Pier 23 Cafe can host private parties and events, with options for buffets and outdoor seating.
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Pier 23 is a family-run bar and restaurant on the Embarcadero with good beer, stiff cocktails, and a menu of things like salads, tacos, and crab cakes. We usually skip the food when we’re here (this isn’t a place where you’ll say, “Hey, try this”), and instead use this spot as a ticket to waterfront drinking. Lots of umbrellas, tables, and plastic chairs fill the cozy but sun-lit outdoor area.
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Haven’t been to FW for ages but Scoma’s and Pier 23 restaurant were pretty good back then and I believe they’re still around. Red’s Java House is interesting though it’s past the Ferry Building.
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More known for its live music than its food, Pier 23 is THE nightlife spot on the Embarcadero. The Embarcadero has enjoyed a real renovation over the last few years, so visitors could easily plan an entire day around a live show at Pier 23. Start off with a delicious local breakfast at the Farmer's Market, which offers a large selection of organic bites and snacks.
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A post shared by SAN FRANCISCO by Sasha (@sanfrancisco) on Jul 12, 2019 at 9:17am PDT. While this legendary spot on Embarcadero is open for delivery and takeout, there’s nothing we’d like more than to be taking in Pier 23’s live music and sipping pier-side with this view. Confirmed Reopening: YesWhere: 23 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94111
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And, at Pier 23 Cafe, that's exactly what you'll get—seemingly endless lines of half-full glasses with happy patrons chatting up a storm. Find this gem along the waterfront, with an old retro neon light sign beckoning you to the patio poking out into the blue bay. // Pier 23 (North Beach), pier23cafe.com
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Pier 23 Cafe is a time-honored restaurant and bar located right on the Embarcadero and San Francisco Bay. Known for fresh seafood, unique cocktails, and bay views, Pier 23 presents nightly live music from local jazz and blues artists, Latin jazz bands and New Orleans-inspired groups.
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For a fantastic dinner, head to Pier 23 Cafe located on the city's historic waterfront. This dog-friendly spot boasts fresh seafood and other local fare, with plenty of outdoor seating for you and your furry friend. The stunning bay views add to the overall dining experience.
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When the occasion calls for a casual, let-your-hair-down kind of place where you’ll want to throw back a few cocktails, indulge in straightforward grub, and perhaps dance it up with tipsy locals after happy hour—all backed by an awesome view of the bay—this is where to go.
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Pier 23 is a casual, family-owned seafood restaurant with a waterside back patio and beer garden. Their fish tacos are fantastic, as is the shrimp and octopus ceviche. And don’t skimp on their cocktail menu, which has ocean-themed drinks for a perfect bayside afternoon.
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Pier 23 Cafe is a family owned business on San Francisco’s waterfront that has been around since the 1980’s. Here you’ll see views of Telegraph Hill from the Embarcadero, views of Treasure Island from the Beer Garden, and enjoy waterside dining on the back patio.
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23 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94111Phone: 415-362-5125 Visit Website. A post shared by Pier 23 Cafe Restaurant & Bar (@pier_23_cafe). Just three minutes north of La Mar on Pier 23 is the appropriately-named Pier 23 Cafe Restaurant and Bar.
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This historic wharf restaurant and bar offers favorites like crab cakes and clam chowder for takeout or delivery via Caviar, Doordash and Grubhub. They can't deliver the view, but the flavors make up for it.
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It's along the Embarcadero, not too far from Fisherman's Wharf. Not a big deal really, but I love little spots with cool signs, so why not shoot it since you might just walk by?
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The Pier 23 Cafe is a popular spot for relaxing, drinking and dining along the Embarcadero. Photo: Brant Ward / The Chronicle
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Escaped to the city for some fresh fish n’ chips and to watch the buses, trollies and boats. Love this place we call home.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit