This tented area functions as one of our three dining areas and can be used for private parties. It's heated in the winter.
1 / 10

Pier 23 Cafe Restaurant & Bar

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A vibrant waterfront eatery on the Embarcadero, known for fresh seafood, lively atmosphere, and nightly live music with stunning bay views.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
This tented area functions as one of our three dining areas and can be used for private parties. It's heated in the winter.

Pier 23 Cafe Restaurant & Bar

Highlights

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.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"A great spot to chill, relax, and enjoy the view while eating tasty food!"

TIP

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.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Closed·Opens 11:30AM

Cuisine

Seafood

Price

Mid-range

Phone

(415) 362-5125

Address

23 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Stunning Bay Views

Stunning Bay Views

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

Flavorful Vegan Tacos

Flavorful Vegan Tacos

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

Google Review
Live Music & Lively Atmosphere

Live Music & Lively Atmosphere

Experience nightly live jazz and blues music in a vibrant, laid-back setting that always feels welcoming.

San Francisco Live Music Bands: 10Best Concert Venue ReviewsJazz in San Francisco: History and Where to Hear it
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

From Pier 23 in SF 😘 #tiktokfood #fyp #foryoupage
@forkmeetsfoodofficial
37 likes • 1.2K views

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.

Join us for the annual Howloween Dog Costume Contest! A bone-afide good time brought to you by Jeffrey's Natural Pet Foods and Pier 23 Cafe! It's going to be spooktacular! HOWLOWEEN 2025 Pier 23 Cafe Restaurant & Bar Sunday, October 26th | 12 PM - 2 PM RSVP here: https://bit.ly/4pWJctO . . . . . #jeffreyspets #jeffreysnaturalpetfoods, #pier23, #pier23cafe, #halloweenparty🎃 @Pier 23 Cafe
@jeffreyspets
7 likes • 319 views
si buscar un lugar frente al mar con terraza el pier 23 es tu opción💓🙂‍↔️ #pier23 #sanfrancisco
@esteficabanash
25 likes • 773 views

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

4.6
(491k reviews)

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

Stunning bay views
Delicious fish and chips
Live music nightly

What People Dislike

Inconsistent service
Automatic gratuity
Cafeteria-like ambiance

Frequently Asked Questions

The best seats are generally considered to be on the deck facing the water, especially those with umbrellas for shade.

Google Review

Yes, Pier 23 Cafe features live music almost every night, with a focus on jazz and blues artists.

San Francisco Live Music Bands: 10Best Concert Venue ReviewsJazz in San Francisco: History and Where to Hear it

Yes, happy hour typically runs Monday-Thursday from 4pm-6pm, offering specials on drinks and snacks.

Google Review

Yes, Pier 23 Cafe is a dog-friendly spot with outdoor seating available for you and your furry friend.

The Ultimate San Francisco Pet-Friendly Travel Guide

Popular dishes include the fish and chips, vegan tacos, and crab cakes. The cheeseburger is also a favorite.

Google Review+2

The restaurant has a casual and laid-back atmosphere, so there is no specific dress code.

Google Review+1

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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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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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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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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