Fantastic. I just spent a few days in San Francisco for a conference. Scoma's on the wharf was the best meal I had while there. Order the Seafood Diplomatico. Best seafood dish I've had... maybe ever. Seriously, don't pass it up for something else. Great, old-school service as well. Beautiful view of the bay. Hard to get a reservation but if you show up and get on the list, they can seat you within about an hour. Earlier is better. Lots of the restaurant is currently under renovation so there really isn't a bar or even much room to sit and wait for a table. We walked down to another bar and Scoma's texted when our table was ready. Very nice experience. Great SF seafood.
(5)
Steve F.
Nice old school location. My first time there for lunch. Idk if I'd go back.. I tend to stay aware from tourist restaurants. I enjoyed the food, but, it was over priced for what it was.
(4)
Kassandra H.
My husband and I decided to go someplace special and was recommend Scoma's by our hotel concierge. The food was delicious! 5 stars! I LOVE seafood and this place hit the spot! So fresh and delicious. The location is great. Tucked away but walking distance from Fishermen's Wharf. Lovely views. Sadly I had to take away some stars because of the waiter we had! The waiter kept forgetting us. And when he did pay us attention to us he seemed really bored of us. If this place was cheaper...I wouldn't have taken stars away...but when a restaurant a charging good money you should get a good experience overall. I'd like to try this place again sometime.
(3)
V U.
Good food but slow service. We had the half crab, fries, calm chowder, and seafood sampler plate. Everything was delicious but our favorite was the calm chowder, it's probably the best we've had anywhere. The crab was also very tasty and garlicky!
(4)
Cc R.
Delicious food. Generous portions and great,helpful staff. Ambiance is a type of long boat house, with an OKAY view of the water and a lot of boats for docking.
(4)
Emily S.
Stumbled upon this place while walking around Fisherman's Wharf. Our waiter, John B., was AMAZING. I wanted to take him home with me! We started off with an excellent oyster trio & app platter. The oysters were good but I've had better. I had the swordfish piccata for dinner & would definitely get it again. The swordfish was a huge piece of fish & the flavor was delicious. Overall, we had a great experience & I would definitely go back. Not sure if they take reservations but I would recommend going early if you don't as the place was packed by 6pm.
(5)
Mary B.
It's on the pier, but views of the bay are limited. The fishing boats and SF hillsides at night are lovely, though. We were seated at a table that received a big draft of cold air every time the doors opened, which wasn't comfortable. On the other hand, the food was delicious, prepared to order, and the wait staff were friendly and observant. Children (at other tables) were made welcome, and that is nice to see. A little overpriced, I think, but bayside property (even on a pier) must be pricey, too. They're forgiven. Go for the fresh seafood! It's wonderful.
(4)
Nika K.
If your looking for a sit down meal around the wharf, this is probably the only place I will go for seafood. Of course you will see a lot of visitors and tourists, but what else do you expect? Do get: The crab cakes kumamoto oysters crab louis salad The interior and servers are a little bit dated, but hey, service is always up to par. Plenty of seating in the bar area, and the main dining. Beware: Parking can be difficult though, and prices are a bit steep.
(4)
John Q.
Cioppino is fantastic I go to San Francisco several times a year my trip is not complete unless I get a bowl. It is large enough to share. Also get some oysters and clam chowder. You will not be disappointed..... I haven't had anything that good on the east coast
(5)
Carrie R.
My family been going here since I can remember. I've been telling my husband since I met him that this is my favorite restaurant in California. Too bad my most recent trip changed that. Apparently for Scoma's 50th anniversary they changed quite a few things. They got a new head chef and the menu is now "fresher and more refined for the palate." At least that was our waiter was trying to convince us of. Clearly they rehearse this spiel since we heard it again a handful more times to other tables. Nothing taste the same. Completely gutted and disappointed. My husband could not believe that this has been my favorite restaurant after our dinner. 2 stars because thankfully the service hasn't changed. Same excellent wait staff and service.
(2)
Michael S.
Resturaunt is located next to the water. Beautiful views near the pier. They do vallet parking so parking is not an issue! Make a reservation or you'll be waiting for at least 45 mins. Service was great staff and waiters are friendly. Ordered the 12 oz steak medium well. Steak was prepared on point to how I like it. Was nice and tender juicy. Gf ordered the pasta diplomatica was very tasty in creamy sauce mixed in with scallops, clams, shrimp and lobster. Serving size was filling! Most items on the menu are pricey but I do plan on coming back. I guess you pay for what you get and the quality of the food is great!
(4)
Ron R.
Wow, LOVE this place! Pricey, but I gotta say their seafood dishes were simply spectacular! Service was great too! Smack dab along a main Fisherman's Wharf artery; If you're walking or driving, just trust what google maps says and head down Al Scoma Way! You'll find this place at the end, with free valet parking waiting for ya. We arrived at approximately 4:20pm on a Saturday, and it didn't seem to busy. The hostess greeted us, and we were waited on by Chris. He had some good descriptions and recommendations from the menu. Honestly, I was NOT planning on paying more than $15 for a pasta dish. UNTIL one of the servers passed by, and presented another table with a huge plate of seafood pasta! The little devil on my shoulder said, "Screw it you cheap bastard, you're gettin' that dish!" I ordered the Diplomatica ($38), and this made for all the reason to write my review. It had two small lobster tails, fresh shrimp, perfectly cooked soft scallops, and clams. With linguine noodles drowning in a savory white cream sauce. Maybe a bit too saucey, but just add some parmesan cheese and you're good! So glad I tried this, and I had mega-leftovers! The gf ordered the Mixed Seafood Grill ($39) with penne pasta, rice, veggies, shrimp, scallops, and two small sized lobster tails. You can tell all of the seafood were fresh because there were just juicy; Not overcooked, and again made perfectly well! If you cannot decide on what to order, this huge dish will absolutely satisfy. It's a mix of everything, so you can't really go wrong with this one. Oh yeah, the appetizers: The Calamari! Soft and well breaded! Another winner! The sour dough was good, but I was expecting it to be warm. No biggie! Our server started out with Chris who was very polite and funny. His shift ended and we were waited on by CC. Both were well attentive, and always filled our water glasses. One minor mistake was serving my Diplomatica to the gf and vice versa. Also no biggie, but as a compliment we were given some Lady Fingers for free. Those Lady Fingers were a nice crunchy sweet treat! I'll absolutely come back, because there's much try like the "Lazy Man's" Cioppino and the King Salmon. But if I were to recommend anything, it would be to try something that has shrimp or scallops, or both!
(4)
Pete F.
I had the cioppino here again the other night. I must say it doesn't get any better than this - a heaping bowl of sea morsels in finger licking delicious broth, accompanied with some crusty toasted sourdough bread. The cioppino is loaded with crab, fish, scallops, squid, clams, and mussels. Besides the quantity, the quality is excellent, fresh and cooked to perfection. According to our waiter, they use same day fresh catch used for other dishes unlike other places where they use less fresh ingredients for this stew. Also, the person that makes the cioppino has been making it for nearly 30 years . . all at Scoma's. At $36, it's not cheap. I suggest splitting this and another dish with your dining companion. Also, reservation is highly recommended. Even on a Monday night, it was packed. And yes, it's in Fisherman's Wharf and it is touristy. But if you like cioppino as I do, you just have to try it.
(5)
Eric S.
Lobster bisque was amazing alternative if you're tired of all the clam chowder. I had ordered the sand dabs while my friend ordered the gulf shrimp past in a. The sand dabs was very flavorful, grilled to perfection. While the herbs in the pastina really gave it an interesting taste. We top it off with apple crisp desert. For those who really have a sweet tooth I'd definitely recommend this.
(5)
Leah O.
My boyfriend and I were visiting San Fran this past weekend. We asked some friends for seafood restaurant picks and they all pointed us to Scoma's. I also read the yelp and google reviews and thought it would be amazing because most of the reviews are amazing. We showed up on Saturday about 5pm local time and it was sooo packed, with a 45 minute wait for a table for two. So we left and i came back on Monday afternoon for lunch. I ordered the lobster bisque soup in a cup and lunch size crab and shrimp louie salad. The lobster bisque was really good but tiny. I wished I ordered the bowl for only $2 more.. The crab and shrimp louie salad was really awful. I eat everything usually, but couldn't stomach the taste of this dish. The shrimp was okay but the really tiny kind, smaller than my pinky nail. The crab had an awful taste to it. I was extremely disappointed. My waiter wasnt terrible but was not very friendly or warm. I still cant understand why the food was so meh-- did i just order the wrong entree? Anyways, I will not be coming back here. Also the decor and views are not great... just very confused why such great reviews..???
(2)
Cheryl Z.
Not as good as the Silver Tay in Dundee, Scotland - ha! Quite frankly, I don't know what all the rave is about. Over priced. Over rated!
(2)
Randall H.
First class service and First class meal. Next time I'm in SF I'll take a friend. Had the Oyster Rockefeller, Lobster Thermador and fried Calamari. So delicious!
This review is for the service only! This the only spot I put up with the tourist because the food is worth it! But as a 3rd gen San Franciscan I expect a certain type of service that scoma's is know for but tonight everything from our host, bartender and waiter sucked!!! You guys really need to get your sh#t together or you will lose your usual natives. That being said the food still rocks
(2)
E T.
Lived up to the hype! Scoma's is an institution in San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf. In a place full of tourists where every restaurant claims 'the best' Cioppino or Dungeness Crab but often under delivers, Scoma's seems like the industry leader in terms of being around the longest and having the freshest seafood. I had it between Cioppino's (that touristy looking restaurant that pumps the smell of garlic bread out of huge vats on the wall) and Scoma's having heard that both had great Cioppino. The dish was $35 + 10% off coupon (courtesy of Raddison front desk) at Cioppinos and $39 at Scoma's which doesn't offer any coupons ... ever. I chose Scoma's because it is a classic. The building looks like a trailer at a construction site. It is located off the wharf and has a little sign that says 'Scoma's this way' off the main strip. Inside it looks like a cleaned up old school place. A stuck in the 70s yacht club or maybe even the bar/restaurant at a private country club in South Carolina. Cheap imitation leather booths, white table cloths and wood paneling. The windows look out over the wharf and a parking lot. Don't go for the view. The Cioppino is what I ordered despite (as other reviews mention) waiters pushing a certain pasta dish. What came was not a letdown! There was a large bowl of orange broth (almost the thickness and taste of tomato soup) LOADED with seafood. Seriously ... Probably the most quality seafood I've ever had in one dish. 3 big scallops, 2 medium size shrimp, lots of pieces of squid (not rings, but big pieces and tentacles), 2 big pieces of a nice white, firm fish ... And a mound of cold crab meat! There were also 2 black mussels and 3 small clams. The sauce (its not broth) was tomatoey and sort of acidic. I did not think there were any spices other than tomato and salt, which surprised me a bit. (Normally fennel and saffron are important) but I didn't hate it as much as I thought I would when I first ran my fork through it and thought 'this is tomato soup!' It worked after I added some crushed red pepper. The waiters are old school. Not only for their white double breasted coats ... But they are grizzled veterans of the waiting industry. Quick with a suggestion and offering the perfect amount of checking in without being overbearing. We should all be so lucky to have servers like this in our local restaurants. Overall, a bowl of Cioppino with tax and tip came to $52. A steep price for sure! However, only slightly higher than the going rate at other places in Fisherman's Wharf. Except that other places aren't Scoma's. Glad I paid extra and went with the classic. One of my favorite Cioppinos ever is from The Taditch Grille downtown. This topped it. Scoma's is not for the budget-minded but they will do well by those who appreciate quality. I wish the couple next to me who literally let their kid run up and down the isle screaming the entire 45 minutes of my meal hadn't heard about Scoma's ... But I'm glad I did. I had a rather lackluster experience at the Sausalito location (except for the view outside) but the Fisherman's Wharf location made up for it this time. If debating ... Yes, its worth the higher price to eat here. FYI ... Monday at 9 pm and the place was still pretty crowded. Its true you want to make a reservation here anytime before 8:30 any day of the week.
(4)
Derek S.
This place is a gem on Fisherman's Wharf, assuming you're willing to pay a bit extra for the location and (IMO) quality of food and friendly service. My family had a late dinner here which was absolutely delicious across the board. The server was friendly, old school, and didn't rush us at all. - Oysters: Awesome - Mussells: Awesome - Pasta dishes with crab, lobster, scallops: Amazing, the amount of seafood/shellfish they toss into their pasta dishes is mindblowing. Wine: Affordable list of bottles. Even the bread's good. Totally recommend, especially for out-of-towners who don't mind a high-quality old school seafood restaurant right in the middle of Tourist Central.
(5)
joe s.
been going to scoma's for decades. still doing a great job. everyone was pleased with their meals. service is top rate. our waiter, kevin, was a joy. we'll keep coming back!
(5)
Chris B.
Seafood so fresh they hire boat captains to fish for them and they even have a processing area across from the restaurant. Ordered their market grilled fish and it was simply the best I EVER had in SF. Also ordered their calimari, crab cakes, and shrimp that were just rich. Also tried their lobster bisque which was the BEST I ever had. I appreciate the staff ( an ARMY of them) and guests ratio. It is pricey but u get the very real "fresh" seafood from the ocean to the fork food.
(4)
Lon H.
Ordered the Lobster Bisque soup, which was absolutely awesome. The flavor was incredible and i practically licked the bowl clean. I also ordered the Poor Man's Cioppino based upon the recommendation from our waiter and this dish had to be the best Cioppino I've ever had. There was a good amount of prawns, shrimp, scallops, clams & fish. Not to mention it's served with a large piece of their garlic bread and I guarantee you won't leave hungry. The service was impeccable and they offer valet parking. Quite simply a great meal at Fisherman's Wharf in SF.
(5)
Kayla S.
Perfect restaurant for a nice seaside dinner! After some research, we couldn't have been happier with our discovery of this place. Though it looks like a dive from the outside, this place has class inside, not to mention the incredible location off the beaten path of Fisherman's wharf. We sat right next to the window and watched the sunset on the dock as we had our meal. Make sure to make a reservation, try the California wine, and order the Caesar salad and garlic crab.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Kimberli D.
Fantastic. I just spent a few days in San Francisco for a conference. Scoma's on the wharf was the best meal I had while there. Order the Seafood Diplomatico. Best seafood dish I've had... maybe ever. Seriously, don't pass it up for something else. Great, old-school service as well. Beautiful view of the bay. Hard to get a reservation but if you show up and get on the list, they can seat you within about an hour. Earlier is better. Lots of the restaurant is currently under renovation so there really isn't a bar or even much room to sit and wait for a table. We walked down to another bar and Scoma's texted when our table was ready. Very nice experience. Great SF seafood.
(5)Steve F.
Nice old school location. My first time there for lunch. Idk if I'd go back.. I tend to stay aware from tourist restaurants. I enjoyed the food, but, it was over priced for what it was.
(4)Kassandra H.
My husband and I decided to go someplace special and was recommend Scoma's by our hotel concierge. The food was delicious! 5 stars! I LOVE seafood and this place hit the spot! So fresh and delicious. The location is great. Tucked away but walking distance from Fishermen's Wharf. Lovely views. Sadly I had to take away some stars because of the waiter we had! The waiter kept forgetting us. And when he did pay us attention to us he seemed really bored of us. If this place was cheaper...I wouldn't have taken stars away...but when a restaurant a charging good money you should get a good experience overall. I'd like to try this place again sometime.
(3)V U.
Good food but slow service. We had the half crab, fries, calm chowder, and seafood sampler plate. Everything was delicious but our favorite was the calm chowder, it's probably the best we've had anywhere. The crab was also very tasty and garlicky!
(4)Cc R.
Delicious food. Generous portions and great,helpful staff. Ambiance is a type of long boat house, with an OKAY view of the water and a lot of boats for docking.
(4)Emily S.
Stumbled upon this place while walking around Fisherman's Wharf. Our waiter, John B., was AMAZING. I wanted to take him home with me! We started off with an excellent oyster trio & app platter. The oysters were good but I've had better. I had the swordfish piccata for dinner & would definitely get it again. The swordfish was a huge piece of fish & the flavor was delicious. Overall, we had a great experience & I would definitely go back. Not sure if they take reservations but I would recommend going early if you don't as the place was packed by 6pm.
(5)Mary B.
It's on the pier, but views of the bay are limited. The fishing boats and SF hillsides at night are lovely, though. We were seated at a table that received a big draft of cold air every time the doors opened, which wasn't comfortable. On the other hand, the food was delicious, prepared to order, and the wait staff were friendly and observant. Children (at other tables) were made welcome, and that is nice to see. A little overpriced, I think, but bayside property (even on a pier) must be pricey, too. They're forgiven. Go for the fresh seafood! It's wonderful.
(4)Nika K.
If your looking for a sit down meal around the wharf, this is probably the only place I will go for seafood. Of course you will see a lot of visitors and tourists, but what else do you expect? Do get: The crab cakes kumamoto oysters crab louis salad The interior and servers are a little bit dated, but hey, service is always up to par. Plenty of seating in the bar area, and the main dining. Beware: Parking can be difficult though, and prices are a bit steep.
(4)John Q.
Cioppino is fantastic I go to San Francisco several times a year my trip is not complete unless I get a bowl. It is large enough to share. Also get some oysters and clam chowder. You will not be disappointed..... I haven't had anything that good on the east coast
(5)Carrie R.
My family been going here since I can remember. I've been telling my husband since I met him that this is my favorite restaurant in California. Too bad my most recent trip changed that. Apparently for Scoma's 50th anniversary they changed quite a few things. They got a new head chef and the menu is now "fresher and more refined for the palate." At least that was our waiter was trying to convince us of. Clearly they rehearse this spiel since we heard it again a handful more times to other tables. Nothing taste the same. Completely gutted and disappointed. My husband could not believe that this has been my favorite restaurant after our dinner. 2 stars because thankfully the service hasn't changed. Same excellent wait staff and service.
(2)Michael S.
Resturaunt is located next to the water. Beautiful views near the pier. They do vallet parking so parking is not an issue! Make a reservation or you'll be waiting for at least 45 mins. Service was great staff and waiters are friendly. Ordered the 12 oz steak medium well. Steak was prepared on point to how I like it. Was nice and tender juicy. Gf ordered the pasta diplomatica was very tasty in creamy sauce mixed in with scallops, clams, shrimp and lobster. Serving size was filling! Most items on the menu are pricey but I do plan on coming back. I guess you pay for what you get and the quality of the food is great!
(4)Ron R.
Wow, LOVE this place! Pricey, but I gotta say their seafood dishes were simply spectacular! Service was great too! Smack dab along a main Fisherman's Wharf artery; If you're walking or driving, just trust what google maps says and head down Al Scoma Way! You'll find this place at the end, with free valet parking waiting for ya. We arrived at approximately 4:20pm on a Saturday, and it didn't seem to busy. The hostess greeted us, and we were waited on by Chris. He had some good descriptions and recommendations from the menu. Honestly, I was NOT planning on paying more than $15 for a pasta dish. UNTIL one of the servers passed by, and presented another table with a huge plate of seafood pasta! The little devil on my shoulder said, "Screw it you cheap bastard, you're gettin' that dish!" I ordered the Diplomatica ($38), and this made for all the reason to write my review. It had two small lobster tails, fresh shrimp, perfectly cooked soft scallops, and clams. With linguine noodles drowning in a savory white cream sauce. Maybe a bit too saucey, but just add some parmesan cheese and you're good! So glad I tried this, and I had mega-leftovers! The gf ordered the Mixed Seafood Grill ($39) with penne pasta, rice, veggies, shrimp, scallops, and two small sized lobster tails. You can tell all of the seafood were fresh because there were just juicy; Not overcooked, and again made perfectly well! If you cannot decide on what to order, this huge dish will absolutely satisfy. It's a mix of everything, so you can't really go wrong with this one. Oh yeah, the appetizers: The Calamari! Soft and well breaded! Another winner! The sour dough was good, but I was expecting it to be warm. No biggie! Our server started out with Chris who was very polite and funny. His shift ended and we were waited on by CC. Both were well attentive, and always filled our water glasses. One minor mistake was serving my Diplomatica to the gf and vice versa. Also no biggie, but as a compliment we were given some Lady Fingers for free. Those Lady Fingers were a nice crunchy sweet treat! I'll absolutely come back, because there's much try like the "Lazy Man's" Cioppino and the King Salmon. But if I were to recommend anything, it would be to try something that has shrimp or scallops, or both!
(4)Pete F.
I had the cioppino here again the other night. I must say it doesn't get any better than this - a heaping bowl of sea morsels in finger licking delicious broth, accompanied with some crusty toasted sourdough bread. The cioppino is loaded with crab, fish, scallops, squid, clams, and mussels. Besides the quantity, the quality is excellent, fresh and cooked to perfection. According to our waiter, they use same day fresh catch used for other dishes unlike other places where they use less fresh ingredients for this stew. Also, the person that makes the cioppino has been making it for nearly 30 years . . all at Scoma's. At $36, it's not cheap. I suggest splitting this and another dish with your dining companion. Also, reservation is highly recommended. Even on a Monday night, it was packed. And yes, it's in Fisherman's Wharf and it is touristy. But if you like cioppino as I do, you just have to try it.
(5)Eric S.
Lobster bisque was amazing alternative if you're tired of all the clam chowder. I had ordered the sand dabs while my friend ordered the gulf shrimp past in a. The sand dabs was very flavorful, grilled to perfection. While the herbs in the pastina really gave it an interesting taste. We top it off with apple crisp desert. For those who really have a sweet tooth I'd definitely recommend this.
(5)Leah O.
My boyfriend and I were visiting San Fran this past weekend. We asked some friends for seafood restaurant picks and they all pointed us to Scoma's. I also read the yelp and google reviews and thought it would be amazing because most of the reviews are amazing. We showed up on Saturday about 5pm local time and it was sooo packed, with a 45 minute wait for a table for two. So we left and i came back on Monday afternoon for lunch. I ordered the lobster bisque soup in a cup and lunch size crab and shrimp louie salad. The lobster bisque was really good but tiny. I wished I ordered the bowl for only $2 more.. The crab and shrimp louie salad was really awful. I eat everything usually, but couldn't stomach the taste of this dish. The shrimp was okay but the really tiny kind, smaller than my pinky nail. The crab had an awful taste to it. I was extremely disappointed. My waiter wasnt terrible but was not very friendly or warm. I still cant understand why the food was so meh-- did i just order the wrong entree? Anyways, I will not be coming back here. Also the decor and views are not great... just very confused why such great reviews..???
(2)Cheryl Z.
Not as good as the Silver Tay in Dundee, Scotland - ha! Quite frankly, I don't know what all the rave is about. Over priced. Over rated!
(2)Randall H.
First class service and First class meal. Next time I'm in SF I'll take a friend. Had the Oyster Rockefeller, Lobster Thermador and fried Calamari. So delicious!
(5)Simon S.
During my 2015-April trip to San Francisco, Scoma's had been recommended to me twice: Once by a lady who worked at Swiss Louis on Pier 39, and a second time by the guide from Dylan's Tours. Surely it had to be good. It even has it's own road in Fisherman's Wharf, for chrissakes (Al Scoma Way). Surely it's a San Francisco fixture, a piece of its history. All this puts Scoma's in that dangerous territory of setting high expectations all to easy to disappoint. I got there when their doors were open but before their official start of business. The maître d' was a younger fellow, friendly, personable and professional. He even remembered my name on my way out, and little details such as my leaving for the airport that same night. Sadly I ended up with a pushy waiter who seemed insistent on upselling me their Shellfish Sauté Sec even though I told him I was just here for a light meal as I had elsewhere to eat on my very last day in San Francisco. I am going to assume that not all the waiters at Scoma's are similarly pushy, and that when it's not so busy that every seat is precious, they will respect a diner's wishes about just how much they want to eat. The procedure at Scoma's is apparently to first take down your name and seat you at the bar until you are called, one party at a time, into the dining room where you are seated. Since I went during lunch and pretty much right when they opened, this seemed a strange practice as seating was obviously already available. Something similar had happened at Crustacean, and I wonder if this were a way to sell drinks at the bar first. After all, if you are sitting at the bar, you might be more likely to order a drink while waiting (?). I asked (as I invariably do with foolish hope) if they had fresh-squeezed juice. Nope, but "fresh squeezed" in a bottle was available. I asked if the lemonade might be made from real lemons. Nopem from concentrate. Even though afterwards the bartender stood there squeezing the life out of maybe a dozen lemons. Oh, the irony of how bars work. Grapefruit Juice ($4) - Tall glass not filled to the brim. Somewhat chilled but no ice. - When I asked for ice he said he forgot to ask if I wanted ice. Hmm. - Anyway, strong and not too much ice. Scoma's Famous Clam Chowder ($9 cup, $11 bowl) - Soupy like Boudin's and about the same in tastiness, except maybe with a light hint of butter (?) and costing about $3 more if you get the bowl -- on top of not having any sourdough to go with it, although dining at Scoma's sees complimentary bread sent to your table once you have ordered. Lobster Bisque ($10 cup, $12 bowl) gluten-free - Rich and salty-sweet, on the too-salty side. - Lightly hot-spicy. - Not very lobster-y, but also without too much of the possibly off-putting lobster-guts flavour. While you are in line waiting for the maître d', look to your right for souvenirs such as books of Scoma's matchsticks (you hardly see these things anymore) and a square info card that, among other things, talks about the Vegimobile.
(3)Duke Of Frisco X.
This review is for the service only! This the only spot I put up with the tourist because the food is worth it! But as a 3rd gen San Franciscan I expect a certain type of service that scoma's is know for but tonight everything from our host, bartender and waiter sucked!!! You guys really need to get your sh#t together or you will lose your usual natives. That being said the food still rocks
(2)E T.
Lived up to the hype! Scoma's is an institution in San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf. In a place full of tourists where every restaurant claims 'the best' Cioppino or Dungeness Crab but often under delivers, Scoma's seems like the industry leader in terms of being around the longest and having the freshest seafood. I had it between Cioppino's (that touristy looking restaurant that pumps the smell of garlic bread out of huge vats on the wall) and Scoma's having heard that both had great Cioppino. The dish was $35 + 10% off coupon (courtesy of Raddison front desk) at Cioppinos and $39 at Scoma's which doesn't offer any coupons ... ever. I chose Scoma's because it is a classic. The building looks like a trailer at a construction site. It is located off the wharf and has a little sign that says 'Scoma's this way' off the main strip. Inside it looks like a cleaned up old school place. A stuck in the 70s yacht club or maybe even the bar/restaurant at a private country club in South Carolina. Cheap imitation leather booths, white table cloths and wood paneling. The windows look out over the wharf and a parking lot. Don't go for the view. The Cioppino is what I ordered despite (as other reviews mention) waiters pushing a certain pasta dish. What came was not a letdown! There was a large bowl of orange broth (almost the thickness and taste of tomato soup) LOADED with seafood. Seriously ... Probably the most quality seafood I've ever had in one dish. 3 big scallops, 2 medium size shrimp, lots of pieces of squid (not rings, but big pieces and tentacles), 2 big pieces of a nice white, firm fish ... And a mound of cold crab meat! There were also 2 black mussels and 3 small clams. The sauce (its not broth) was tomatoey and sort of acidic. I did not think there were any spices other than tomato and salt, which surprised me a bit. (Normally fennel and saffron are important) but I didn't hate it as much as I thought I would when I first ran my fork through it and thought 'this is tomato soup!' It worked after I added some crushed red pepper. The waiters are old school. Not only for their white double breasted coats ... But they are grizzled veterans of the waiting industry. Quick with a suggestion and offering the perfect amount of checking in without being overbearing. We should all be so lucky to have servers like this in our local restaurants. Overall, a bowl of Cioppino with tax and tip came to $52. A steep price for sure! However, only slightly higher than the going rate at other places in Fisherman's Wharf. Except that other places aren't Scoma's. Glad I paid extra and went with the classic. One of my favorite Cioppinos ever is from The Taditch Grille downtown. This topped it. Scoma's is not for the budget-minded but they will do well by those who appreciate quality. I wish the couple next to me who literally let their kid run up and down the isle screaming the entire 45 minutes of my meal hadn't heard about Scoma's ... But I'm glad I did. I had a rather lackluster experience at the Sausalito location (except for the view outside) but the Fisherman's Wharf location made up for it this time. If debating ... Yes, its worth the higher price to eat here. FYI ... Monday at 9 pm and the place was still pretty crowded. Its true you want to make a reservation here anytime before 8:30 any day of the week.
(4)Derek S.
This place is a gem on Fisherman's Wharf, assuming you're willing to pay a bit extra for the location and (IMO) quality of food and friendly service. My family had a late dinner here which was absolutely delicious across the board. The server was friendly, old school, and didn't rush us at all. - Oysters: Awesome - Mussells: Awesome - Pasta dishes with crab, lobster, scallops: Amazing, the amount of seafood/shellfish they toss into their pasta dishes is mindblowing. Wine: Affordable list of bottles. Even the bread's good. Totally recommend, especially for out-of-towners who don't mind a high-quality old school seafood restaurant right in the middle of Tourist Central.
(5)joe s.
been going to scoma's for decades. still doing a great job. everyone was pleased with their meals. service is top rate. our waiter, kevin, was a joy. we'll keep coming back!
(5)Chris B.
Seafood so fresh they hire boat captains to fish for them and they even have a processing area across from the restaurant. Ordered their market grilled fish and it was simply the best I EVER had in SF. Also ordered their calimari, crab cakes, and shrimp that were just rich. Also tried their lobster bisque which was the BEST I ever had. I appreciate the staff ( an ARMY of them) and guests ratio. It is pricey but u get the very real "fresh" seafood from the ocean to the fork food.
(4)Lon H.
Ordered the Lobster Bisque soup, which was absolutely awesome. The flavor was incredible and i practically licked the bowl clean. I also ordered the Poor Man's Cioppino based upon the recommendation from our waiter and this dish had to be the best Cioppino I've ever had. There was a good amount of prawns, shrimp, scallops, clams & fish. Not to mention it's served with a large piece of their garlic bread and I guarantee you won't leave hungry. The service was impeccable and they offer valet parking. Quite simply a great meal at Fisherman's Wharf in SF.
(5)Kayla S.
Perfect restaurant for a nice seaside dinner! After some research, we couldn't have been happier with our discovery of this place. Though it looks like a dive from the outside, this place has class inside, not to mention the incredible location off the beaten path of Fisherman's wharf. We sat right next to the window and watched the sunset on the dock as we had our meal. Make sure to make a reservation, try the California wine, and order the Caesar salad and garlic crab.
(4)Michelle K.
Delicious cioppino! Great service.
(4)