Great local seafood restaurant in outer Richmond. Lines start not long after opening, no mond as wine keeps you happy read more

Pacific Cafe - Great local SF gem in the outer Richmond. Many choices of seafood no red meat . - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

1. If there's a line, sign yourself up for a table on the paper inside. 2. Expect a long wait, most likely out in the cold/fog/both, because their inside waiting area is tiny. 3. Free wine while you wait. 4. The wait is LONG; it took 1.5 hours on Friday night. 5. Complimentary house bread and butter, and it's delicious. 6. The Crab Cakes appetizer was great- my favorite dish of the night. 7. Meals include soup or salad. 8. Entree prices are high, even taking #6 into consideration. TL;DR would not come back. A lot of our food tasted of chlorine, particularly the jumbo shrimp and spicy snapper. read more

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Probably one of the greatest hidden gems in all of SF. Great prices and superb seafood, ambience and Service. Much debate on what our favorite was, but most likely the spicy snapper followed closely by the crab cakes. Ceasar salad also had phenomenal flavor. Joe, Miles and Paula were fantastic servers who worked exceptionally well together. read more

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This might very well me favorite neighborhood restaurant of all time. We moved to the Richmond back in November, but even back then I knew this is one place I really wanted to try. I'm a huge seafood fan and I love local spots. This is one of those Neighborhood institutions that everyone knows and loves and I love it here so much. We came on a Thursday and there was a little bit of a line but the wait wasn't long at all. I think we waited all of 10 minutes before we were sat. Bread, water, and wine came to the table shortly after. The menu is simple and the specials are already written on the chalkboard. My girlfriend had the scallops and I had the snapper in the pouch. Both were absolutely delicious but the scallops were perfection. Love that west coast clam chowder is served here. The service is warm and attentive. You can tell that the people who live here come all the time and the owners take time to know their patrons. This is one of those spots in San Francisco that are slowly disappearing. I hope Pacific Cafe stays around forever. I absolutely will be making an effort to become a regular here. read more

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My wife and I both ordered the salmon which was cooked perfectly although it could have used a little bit more seasoning. The waiters were all very attentive they greet you with a glass of free wine at the entrance and wait times we're very reasonable. Overall a very nice seafood restaurant. Also lots of interesting pictures on the walls of the restaurant from years past. Apparently they've been in business for quite some time from the look of it! Definitely worth visiting if you like seafood. read more

Finally tried this seafood restaurant in the outer Richmond. Have heard great things about it, especially the free wine while you wait. Nice touch. Super friendly service. I had the petrale with mushrooms and capers, perfectly prepared, nice portion with rice and a delicious caesar salad to start. My fish was so good, will order that again. My husband had the swordfish, nicely grilled with veggies, he also enjoyed his caesar salad. We ordered a bottle of white wine, their bottle prices are very reasonable!!! The whole evening was really nice, happened to be Halloween, maybe why we didn't have to wait so long, I hear there is usually a line, no reservations. Worth the jaunt to the outer Richmond, excellent seafood, reasonable prices, and great service. Old school, nice to have a true SF experience. read more

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Have been coming here for about 20 years and have never had a bad experience. Whether the wait was 5 minutes or 2 hours, we have always had a fun time with delicious food. Tonight, we signed in and waited outside. We were waiting and waiting, but alas no complimentary wine. People inside were getting wine and refills, but not the people outside. So, after seeing 10 people outside without wine and everyone filled to the brim with refills inside, we left. I don't like to throw people under the bus, but the lady serving wine didn't even look outside. The regular Asian guy who is super efficient and makes you feel welcome (bread for the kids, checking on people outside...) wasn't there. Tip: if you see a lady serving wine with short brown/reddish hair, go inside to get some wine or go somewhere else. Otherwise you will feel a little resentment and neglect....which is why we left. read more

Great service and great food. The Shrimp Louie salad is a highlight and complementary wine while waiting is a big plus. Fish is always fresh. read more

I truly love this place and it's a little hidden gem! The seafood is always fresh, and they give you a complimentary wine while you sit and wait for your table, I mean who doesn't love wine?! I feel like it's so warm and cozy and inviting something you don't see a lot in sf so it's refreshing to see. The food itself is amazing fresh, feels like home cooked food it's truly awesome! read more

Delightful and very popular little gem of a seafood place. Okay, they had me as soon as the hostess greeted us with glasses of chablis. It helped that we got there early so we were seated immediately. (No reservations taken, folks.) Then, WOW, the salmon bisque! I recommend you get the amazing crab cakes although my husband would insist you order the melt-in-your-mouth grilled scallops. *Lose one star for bad french fries.* You will love the service and great seafood so get going! read more

Pacific Cafe - Cosy and friendly! - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

my boyfriend and i were taking a walk through the neighborhood one foggy night when we stumbled upon the warm hues that shone invitingly from the Pacific Cafe windows. we took a look at the menu, and made a plan to return a few days later for a celebratory dinner. and i'm sooooo glad that we did. the delicious complimentary glass of wine while you wait is already enough to write home about, we liked it so much that we ordered a bottle. we sipped and enjoyed the warmth of the space as we waited, and quickly realized that the warmth wasn't merely of the temperature variety. in our 10-15 minute wait for a table - which was timed perfectly as we were getting to the last few sips of our wine - we encountered two rounds of "happy birthday" being sang, uproarious laughter, smiling faces at every table, and pleasant interactions with the host and folks leaving after dinner. within minutes of entering Pacific cafe, you can tell that it's a celebration and everyone is welcome. as we were seated, there was already a beautiful hunk of sourdough bread and butter glistening under the perfect lighting. the ambiance of the restaurant is lovely with giant glowing orange orbs and small spotlights above each table so that no squinting at menus is required. our server was very kind, informative, and attentive at all the right times. in addition to the bottle of the house chablis, we ordered the shrimp cocktail for an appetizer which was so tasty! as for the entrees, i ordered the grilled salmon with a side of crab louie salad and rice, and my boyfriend ordered the stuffed trout with the clam chowder cup and fries. it was all absolutely divine. the salmon was delightfully flaky and moist on the inside and the perfect touch of crispiness on the outside. the rice was so tasty and perfectly cooked. of course i had to sneak some bites from the other side of the table. the crab cake the trout was stuffed with was possibly the best crab cake i've ever tasted and the combination of the two was delicious. my boyfriend said that the clam chowder reminded him of home and the fries are hefty in the best way. we definitely eyed the flourless chocolate cake on the dessert menu, but decided we'd come back for it another time because we were STUFFED. as we were finishing up, we were brought a box perfectly sized for the amount we had left and a separate bag for the remaining slices of bread. consistently throughout the night there were many instances of thoughtfulness and care, and to be brought exactly what we needed without even having to ask was definitely one of them. i could go on about this place forever but suffice it to say that my first yelp review ever has been earned by Pacific Cafe. we will be coming back for years to come! so happy to have stumbled upon this true hidden gem read more

I've been wanting to eat at this long running SF restaurant for probably 30+ years. Went after a wonderful day a Legion of Honor (great exhibition! Last Supper in Pompeii: From the Table to the Grave. Closes 29 August) . No reservations, as Tony B. Would say, part of what kept me away all of these years. Got there before the opened. 20-25% capacity. Great food! I had spicy snapper or was it tilapia) old school SF ambience. Terrific waitress. Last of dying breed. Y'all get out there! read more

A delicious dinner, again! . If it wasn't for the long wait time, I would come here more often. Thank goodness for the free wine while waiting! The table set ups are perfect for parties of 2 and 4 people. I think there are two tables for 6 people, any larger is more difficult to get seated near each other. The staff are very nice, friendly and attentive. They watch from afar and check in with the party if they need anything. Yay! Now to the food! I love the round sour dough bread they serve! I should have asked, but it tastes like it's from Boudin's! Yum! The clam chowder was tasty and had lots of clams. It is thicken by the potatoes more so than from the milk/cream, so it is a lighter chowder. The bay shrimp cocktail was good! There was plenty to share! This time I ordered the batter and fried oysters. Oh! They came out hot! The oysters were coated evenly in a thin batter. So delicious! I opted for broccoli instead of rice/potatoes. They were steamed and not over cooked-I think I would like it just a little more cooked; it was a little too crunchy! My husband had the Seared Ahi Tuna (medium rare) served w wasabi aioli. It was seared beautifully, but do not expect the same as from a Japanese restaurant where it comes out rare if not sashimi raw. In other words, it is more cooked on the surfaces. Still tasty with the spicy wasabi! read more

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I love this place!! So yummy and very great service. Would recommend. Very cozy and friendly employees. I got the salmon and shrimp combo with rice pilaf mmmhmm!!!the Halloween decorations are very cute too read more

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Super long wait and surveying the senior citizen crowd wasn't sure if the food would be tasty. Given that the wait was torturous and they distribute wine-I wasn't sure I could trust the reviews. After the wait- once seated, the food came out quicker than the anticipation. As a previous reviewer mentioned the style here is more old school with the classics/basics. Having said that, the fish were fresh and quite tasty. Come if you want to spend time catching up with a friend so that you don't notice the wait. Don't come if you are super hungry. read more

A repeat visit to this quaint Richmond establishment. Apparently this year it celebrates 40 years in business! Neither the food nor service disappointed! Frank is the consummate professional waiter. This business is well orchestrated. The crab cake was again amazing. My wife had the prawn scampi- the sauce is amazing the prawns cooked perfectly! The only thing that would have made the swordfish steak better would have been the thickness- regardless it was delicious and not overlooked. The vanilla bean ice cream was a great way to top off the meal! Cheers until we meet again! read more

I hate to say, but this place was a true disappointment. I have been there twice. The first time was so good which is why this is 2 stars and not 1. Plus our server was super nice and tried very hard to make up for the disappointing meal. We ordered calamari. It came fried the first time. It came cold the second time. When I brought this to the servers attention, she said in a defensive tone "it's always been this way." I order scallops and potatoes. I kid you not I received two boiled red potatoes. No butter, no seasoning, zero effort boiled potatoes. When I look back, the broccoli I got the first time was just as unexceptional. The cost did not justify the experience. So sadly I give this place two stars. On a positive note, they do shove a glass of wine in your hand upon arrival. Probably to make up for what is to come. read more

This place has been around for FOREVER. It was actually recommended to me by my aunt and uncle, who went there while they were on their honeymoon over 30 years ago. It definitely has that cute family owned, local vibe, perfect for a date night. We were greeted by the staff at the door with complimentary glass of wine and immediately seated. We split the clam chowder, crab cakes, scallops, and halibut. All of it was very fresh! I wasn't crazy about the chowder (it tasted more like a stew) or the scallops but I loved the vibe, the menu variety, and the freshness so much that I would be open to coming back for another shot and hopefully bring my rating up to 5 stars! read more

Great food. Great folks. Always good food at an ok price. Last week got take out. Wasnt offered any complementary wine to go. I was sad.

What a great and small place! Everything was fresh and good portioned along with a low affordable price. Provide wine for you while you wait. read more

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Very pleased with the food quality and server Maureen who's been here for 25 years! Yummy dinner, free wine was house, but awesome, and extra wine was great quality at super prices. We didn't have to wait on a Wednesday night. Just a really cool locals experience! read more

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In town for a quick visit. Might never get to come to San Francisco again. But I'll dream of this place forever. From writing your own name down on the waiting list, to the sweetest gentleman handing out complimentary wine while waiting, to the absolutely delish food. Get the side shrimp Louie salad instead of the chowder would be my only takeaway. Yay. read more

Pacific Cafe was a favorite of ours before we were married in the 1990s and moved to another city. As the fog rolled in, we would stand outside waiting for a table, drinking wine, and munching on hot sourdough bread. We finally returned ... two kids and 25 years later. NOTHING has changed. The food is still amazing, the service great, warm atmosphere, and great clientele. read more

If you are easily bought off by a cheap glass of white wine, this might be the place for you. Bland seafood of dubious quality. We started with the calamari which was drenched in Italian dressing that probably sits in a big Costco bucket in the kitchen. My grilled swordfish was overcooked and fishy. Fish should taste clean like the sea. This tasted like an old creek. My fries were soggy. Other parties had the baked halibut in parmesan which I was told was cooked to a slow death accompanied by rice pilaf which was also bland. Salmon is farmed and when asked about it, we were given a breezy explanation that tried to say everyone lies about wild caught salmon. Yes, some people do but you are able to get it. That shows you right there the level of quality you are dealing with. The only legit part of the meal was the Mitchell's ice cream. Mitchell's ice cream is also a San Francisco institution, but a good one. You might as well head to Fisherman's Wharf and get the same blah meal but at least you have the backdrop of the bay and bars in walking distance to drown your seafood sorrows. This institution may have been great back in the day but now, it's resting on its shady laurels. read more

Lived near Pacific Cafe for a couple years but didn't try it until recently. I was definitely missing out! The food is great and the service was both professional but with a friendly local feel. The restaurant also has a classic San Francisco feel that can't be replicated. Lovely old interior but well maintained. For the quality and the professionalism the price was also more than fair. I plan to be returning often! read more

Everyone talks about the wine. Yes, of course I remember the free wine. PC doesn't take reservations, so they serve you white or red wine while you wait. On the house. And bottomless. But that's not the highlight for me. For me, it's the crab cakes. I didn't have high expectations. I knew this joint was an institution, & that it's heavily seafood focused. But it's so busy, & the wait is so long, that my initial impression was "churn & burn." Not my thing. Turns out, PC was a surprise on many levels. It's very neighborhood. And very San Francisco. You're not too far from the beach, & it gets nippy, & before you know it the fog sets in... And then it happened. I was served maybe the best crab cake that I've ever had. Neighborhood service, complimentary wine, & outstanding crab cakes. A great night. 4 stars. read more

A close friend who travels on board cruise ships as the boat doc once recommended this low key, low profile restaurant. He was very specific. "I have traveled around the world many times and I'll dare say their Petrale Sole is one of the best I had anywhere." I have to try PC, as I can't ignore my doc's orders! The restaurant was not fancy schmancy. In fact, it was basically no frills and down-to-earth.... like starting dinner off with a boring loaf of sourdough with plain ol' butter. The quaint exterior of the building gave PC a charming and old-fashioned appearance, shrouded occasionally by the enveloping fog. The interior is congested with many tables and antique booths tightly jammed in every nook and cranny. It did exude a cozy and welcoming aura once you step inside not to mention the cool glass of complimentary white wine in your hands for having to wait for a table. I was amazed as to how simple the menu was. There were only three basic styles of cooking.... Baked or grilled or pan-fried. Add in a couple of soups and salads and there you have it, the whole menu of PC in a nutshell. We wanted to start off by sharing an order of sautéed and pan-fried calamari steak. Since it appeared in the menu only as a dinner entrée ($18.75), my server cleverly suggested ordering the entrée without the sides and she knocked $6.00 off from the entrée price. Sounded like a deal! Calamari is relatively cheap, in abundant supply and ecologically sustainable. PC's calamari was first pounded, egg washed and batter dipped and lightly fried to give the calamari a golden brown crust. In spite of its tough or rubbery reputation, the texture of PC's calamari was so super tender that a fork was all you needed. Coupled with the lip-smacking egg batter, the tender steak earned a well deserved 5 stars. I was told the abalone was prepared much the same way but at $45 a pop, I'd rather stick with calamari and try my luck at diving for abalone off the Mendocino coast! Petrale sole ($24.95), a Pacific Coast fish, is prized for its delicate, mild and sweet flavors. The fillets were quickly sautéed and pan-fried with a sauce of white wine, shallots, butter and herbs. PC then plated the fillets with sautéed button mushrooms, a sprinkling of capers and a gentle squeeze of lemon. The sauce wasn't overwhelming so I can still taste the natural flavor of the fish. Even though the prep sounded so simple, I can't somehow make it to taste this good at home! The carb of choice was rice pilaf that tasted exquisite like fried rice and good to soak up the excess sauce. I guess my doc was right about the sole, though I think I had better elsewhere. (4 stars). Besides, the calamari had the edge! The Spicy Red Snapper ($20.68) didn't have the "wow" flavor I'd hoped for but my wife said it was still a keeper in the menu. I personally think that the fish was a tad over grilled and the meat a little drier than I would like. It was labeled as spicy but not in any true sense of the word. The outer crust of the snapper had a robust, tangy char of some kind of mixed Cajun spices and herbs, cayenne pepper perhaps being the most discernable. (3.5 stars). The red snapper's meat was a little firmer and did not have the melt-in-your-mouth quality like the sole. All in all, a great seafood place.... the price is right; the food is unpretentious and seafood perfectly executed. I just love old established restaurants like this one. Parking can be a challenge in this neighborhood. No reservations are taken and the system is kinda funky and disorganized. A lady comes around to take your name without writing it down and then pours you a glass of white wine! read more

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Pacific Cafe is quite a catch. Who would've guessed that in the foggy Outer Richmond, you'd find such a cozy and homey seafood restaurant! I knew from the warm greeting from the guy at the door and the complimentary glasses of white wine that he gave us that I was going to like this place. Of course you want what's fresh so we checked out the blackboard with the dinner specials. We went with some of the grilled options: Ahi Tuna for BF and "Spicy" Snapper for me ($24.48 and $18.68). A good deal since it comes with soup or salad. The soups were great especially with the big hunk of sourdough bread that was already on the table. The soup of the day was a Salmon Bisque that definitely did not skimp on the cream. BF loved it but I preferred the Clam Chowder. Not too creamy and well seasoned with chunks of clam, potatoes, and celery throughout. One of the best I've ever had. Our entrees were generously portioned. They come with a carb of your choice (potato, rice, or fries) but they let me get the veggie of the day instead (broccoli). BF's Ahi Tuna was supposedly medium-rare but it was a little overcooked. He dolled it up with some of the delicious wasabi butter and some soy sauce. My "Spicy" Snapper was indeed spicy with a generous amount of cajun-ish seasonings and nicely cooked. The tartar sauce was addictive. We were pretty full but of course I had to see the dessert menu ($5.25 each). I was happy to see that they had my favorite cheesecake on the menu, Zanze's. It was delicious as always. BF had Fat Angel Bakery's Fresh Fruit Crumble which was like a mini blueberry and peach pie. He liked it but it would have been even better warmed up in an oven instead of a microwave and with a dollop of ice cream. Our meal was very reasonably priced (around $60 + tip) and service was efficient and friendly. I can see why Pacific Cafe has been around for 36 years and I hope it will be around for many more. (Thank you BF!) AJ1 ---------------- Update 5/19/11: Adding another star! Momma C. loves seafood and reasonable prices so we headed straight to Pacific Cafe which continues to rock. Note to Greedy Self: You do not need an appetizer. The Steamed Mussels we got were t-t-t-tasty tasty. However, by the time I ate that, plus the sourdough bread, and the cup of Pacific Clam Chowda that came with the entrée, I barely had room for my entrée. It was a good one too: Crabcakes. These two babies were about the size of hockey pucks and chock full o' crab and herbs. Delicious! Momma C. and J liked their respective Spicy Red Snapper and Salmon and Prawns combo. Can't wait to go back! read more

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CHECK, PLEASE! BAY AREA: SEASON 2: EPISODE 6 (206) 4.5 STARS July 11, 2009 @ 7pm, Saturday Date Night with Boyfriend Saturday nights dates are really important for me and my boyfriend. It is our time at the end of the week to catch up and just enjoy each other. It's more than going out, it is friendship and keeping that "flame" going. So this Saturday was another opportunity. We just wanted a nice, relaxing and laid-back dinner after a really exhausting work week. Pacific Cafe was the perfect place. It was homey and unpretentious. People were casually and warmly dressed for the cold Richmond district weather . This restaurant has been around since 1974 and as San Francisco as you can get--local, friendly and specializing in seafood. The decor was nostalgic--very 70's. True to its tradition, we were offered a FREE GLASS OF WINE each while waiting for a table. You just walk in, put your name on the clipboard and find a seat either inside the waiting area huddled with other patrons. We didn't mind since it was nice to be cozy in this cold weather--or sit outside of the restaurant and start a friendly conversation with others who are waiting for their table. Since BF does not drink, so I got 2 glasses of nice Chardonnay. (Woo Hoo!) The staff came out to REFILL our glasses but 2 glasses of wine are pretty much all I can handle. It didn't take us long to get seated at one of the wooden booths, probably about half an hour. We enjoyed looking at the memorabilias (like how much food cost in 1974) and sipping wine while waiting. A basket of sourdough bread was waiting for us at our table. We devoured it and we got another basket as soon as we finished the first one. The service was superb and very attentive. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/ZiTRspDPY9T_kh4tQDwDMQ?select=mQFbFnJXxAcsBUFgSISOrw For appetizers we ordered a CRAB COCKTAIL. It was a huge scoop of packed fresh crab meat with cocktail sauce. Delicious! Our entrees came with either soup or salad. I had the SALMON BISQUE and BF had the CLAM CHOWDER. Let me just say that it was the best fish soup I've ever had! Not fishy but creamy and really flavorful. BF loved his clam chowder which was not overly rich. For our entrees, BF had the PARMESAN HALIBUT and I had the CALAMARI STEAK. Both seafood dishes came with a choice of rice, mashed potato or french fries They were really delicious and seasoned well. Tender and not tough or dry. I didn't finish my calamari steak because I HAD to eat dessert. BF and I splurged. I went to the restroom and when I returned a CHOCOLATE TORTEhttp://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/ZiTRspDPY9T_kh4tQDwDMQ?select=lckLBs-kMUdX2yH3qZFVQA and MITCHELL'S CARAMEL PRALINE ICE CREAM http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/ZiTRspDPY9T_kh4tQDwDMQ?select=KMl91uoJVj2hLxL1mKujUQ waiting for me. BF finished the torte and our spoons fought over the ice cream. My gosh, soooo delicious! (Forget about being lacto. My suffering later was worth the creamy bisque and Mitchell's ice cream!) When we got the tab, we were surprised that our tab was only $84 Iincluding tax and tip! That was after splurging and satisfying our voracious appetites! The food at Pacific Cafe was simple but comforting and delicious. We really enjoyed our dinner. I wanted to drive straight to Ocean Beach to catch the sunset but I was too full, still too exhausted from the week before. BF and I went straight home where I passed out for the 3rd night in a row while he watched "The Unborn"-- a creepy, scary movie. Thank God I was out like a light or I would have had nighmares for a week! (I didn't get a chance to take pictures of the PARMESAN HALIBUT AND CALAMARI STEAK. We just attacked them as soon as the server placed them in front of us!) read more

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This is a great little old school seafood house in the Outer Richmond, "perch"ed at the corner of Geary and 34th. The wait is often quite long as it is very popular and they serve complimentary red and white wine while you wait! I had never heard of such a silly thing, but it is a really nice touch that eases the fairly lengthy 45 minute wait time (although I think they water it down). The place specializes in comfort seafood without the frills of the trendy seafood bistros closer in to town. They serve a nice iceberg salad with louie dressing and bountiful amounts of shrimp, followed by your choice of fresh seafood. The salmon is excellent. The fresh sourdough bread is very good too.... read more

Breakdown (I saved my receipt so I can share with the yelp community): -Calamari Steak w/ Salad & shrimp--$16.75 -Spicy Snapper w/ Salmon Bisque--$18.68 [Dessert] -Coffee-$2 -Chocolate Mousse Cake--$5.25 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ($46.74 for two with tax, before tip) So the actual reason why I wanted to go here was because I saw Rachel Ray made a big deal about how wonderful this spot was. Yes there was complimentary wine while you wait which is a very smart business tactic though I don't drink alcohol so it didn't do much for me. My partner and I were the youngest ones here, the demographics are mostly older caucasian couples. The atmosphere is very nostalgic, lots of historical photos on the walls. Service is friendly and i was surprised with how quick our dishes came. Parking is kind of an issue, keep in mind this is the Richmond District. Food: liked the salad w/ shrimp and the salmon bisque. Didn't try the spicy snapper because I can't handle spicy food. It was even spicy for my partner, who's Indian. He liked it though he preferred to have the spices mostly marinated, he felt like it was mostly sprinkled on top for an extra kick. I had the calamari steak, which was buttery and good for the first several bites. After I ate about 1/3 of it I felt like it was too much for me and I couldn't finish it. Even with the potatoes between bites, I felt like it was too much of the same taste. Maybe in small bits in moderation, or with half the calamari steak with something else it would've been better. The chocolate cake and coffee was very good though I felt a little rushed because the amount of people waiting made me feel guilty. It was very busy even though it was a Wednesday night! All in all it was a good place and experience, though I feel like it's more of a restaurant my parents would love rather than myself. They are way more into seafood, wine, and that atmosphere than I am. read more

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This place is a classic SF neighborhood institution. Friendly people, simple classic seafood menu and free wine while you wait? yes please! Bonus side note: I used to live down the street from this place and one night when the whole street lost power and I walked by the restaurant to ask them if they had any news or updates, they offered me a place to sit with wine and bread in their waiting area--that's true hospitality. read more

Pacific Cafe - One of the reasons I love this place: free wine while you wait! - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

I don't understand the wait for this place. Yes, you get free red/white wine while you wait, but the food I had was sub-par. It took a little while for the menus to come because they didn't have enough specials menus, so our table of 5 had to wait for them. When we finally got the specials menus and barely looked at them we were rushed to order. Our table got the filet of sole newberg, english sole, Parmesan halibut, prawns and scallops. Each meal came with either clam chowder or shrimp louie salad, red potatoes, fries, or rice with the main course. The clam chowder and shrimp louie salad was excellent. My main course was so bad I barely touched the plate. I ordered the english sole and it was the fish-est tasting fish I have ever ordered. Enligh sole are flat bottom feeding fish in the ocean and that's exactly how it tasted. Fishy and like dirt/sand. Disgusting. If fish is prepared well it shouldn't be fishy or dirt tasting at all. The best of the dishes was the prawns! They tasted exactly like they should. My advice is to skip the fish and go for the clam chowder, shrimp louie, and prawn main course. read more

Pacific Cafe - Clam chowder - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This is a restaurant that we go out of the way to visit almost every time we are in San Fransisco. We have always had the freshest fish prepared in an appropriate style and excellent well priced wine, especially the free house wine they give you when you are waiting for a table. I recall one time I ordered a dozen oysters and found them bland and too soft textured. The proprietor has warned me that they were end of season and not up to the highest standard, but I ordered them anyway. I did not expect to get them comped when I told him he was right, but comp them he did. Hooray for Pacific Cafe! P. S. Come early because they fill up fast. read more

I dare say that this place is a San Francisco institution as I have been coming here since the 80s and the food and service has remained consistent for decades. This place is not trendy, but a great neighborhood establishment with a devoted clientele. It can be a challenge to find parking and the restaurant does not take reservations; however, they will pour you glasses of complimentary Chablis until you are finally seated at your table. Hint: First seating is at 5pm when they open - thus if you miss the first seating, try to get there around 6pm for seating around 6:30pm which gives you time for the complimentary Chablis! Tables are arranged in sectioned off booths with table cloth on each table. Bread and water served immediately and the menu (a small white board with hand written items) is brought to your table. Boston Clam Chowder is good while the Oyster Chowder could stand for more oyster brine. Entrees of sauteed, grilled, fried, or steamed items have always been consistent with each visit. On our latest visit, we had Grilled Jumbo Scallops and Steamed Mussels (nice Wine? base with lots of mussels). So sopping good! We then closed out by sharing a slice of light Chocolate Mousse Cake. Service is excellent and unpretentious. A San Francisco institution like the cable car...... read more

A solid 4.8 star dining experience that rounds to a 5! I loves me some Pacific Cafe! This is my family's go-to spot for birthdays or any special occasion when we want to take a quick day trip to the city and enjoy some bomb seafood in a cozy, homey restaurant. They recently added a new special (salmon & prawns) that I've gotten the last few times I've gone and that I will continue to get. I've always gotten the prawns fried (which their amazing cocktail compliments perfectly!), but my dad recently got his grilled and they came in this buttery garlic sauce of pure goodness that gave me a serious conundrum on how I should order them on my next visit. (Talk about first world problems!) Until, that is, my brother suggested that we each order the prawns differently so we can share them and have both. (I knew he would come in handy one of these days.) The last couple of times I've been, the salmon has been very tender. There was one time that it was a little dry, but it's usually cooked right. A small knock is that it seems a bit bland to me. It does come with an herb butter, although I'm not really one for putting butter on fish. I prefer spices to give flavor. And I'll admit that my husband cooks just about the tastiest, moistest salmon ever, so the bar is set ridiculously high. The only other tiny knock I have would be the clam chowder. Please keep in mind that along with being a salmon snob, I'm also a bit of a chowder snob. (I blame it on all the times I've been to Oregon and gone to Mo's, which is the epitome of what the inventor of clam chowder envisioned it should taste like.) I prefer my chowders to be on the creamier side, and Pacific Cafe's is more broth-like. That's not to say that it isn't flavorful (because it is), it simply comes down to personal preference (aka my chowder snobbery). Now back to the highlights, which include potato goodness that comes in fry form! In the name of Merlin's beard, get the fries! They're a must-have! We asked the waiter about them (the wait staff is incredibly friendly, btw), and he said that they're parboiled and then fried. They have a light, crisp texture with the perfect crunch. I was shocked to hear that they're fried because they're not greasy at all. If you've never been, you've gotta add it to your list of must-try seafood restaurants in the city! read more

Pacific Cafe - Salmon, fried prawns, & french fries - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

It's old school and if you don't understand it and must have new American then don't bother. Honestly it's very San Francisco. It's as old as Herb Caen quotes and the famous twins that ran around downtown. Wooden booths with ocean prints and a melting pot of employees makes this spot a golden gem. First of all for an entree, you get a starter of soup or salad- read the menu board. Then you get a protein listed on the menu or again on the daily specials. You choose to have a side of potatoes, rice pilaf, a vegetable or French fries. And, if you're waiting to be seated, the will give you house wine. It's mostly seafood, again I love this. The portions are generous, the staff is friendly but not overbearing. No sodas, just water or four different wines to buy by the glass. Again it's not fuss and thrills just down to earth cooked meal. They also have Mitchell's ice cream- four flavors to choose from. Two scoops per portion, don't say I didn't warn you. Now come during the week when it's less crowded, no reservations are taken, so being a jacket. read more

Pacific Cafe - Chalkboard entree, if you can read it.... - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

The family and I come here fairly often. The restaurant isn't very big on the corner of Geary and 34th. It's generally always crowded with a decent wait. But...waiting is one of the best parts! They give you complimentary wine (sometimes multiple if you're like my dad who gulps it down like water). The food is pretty good and the seafood is always fresh. The filet of sole Newburg stuffed with crab is pretty good, if a bit rich and heavy (to be expected), as is the turbot in parchment. I've tried the grilled spicy snapper which is a good alternative to the heaviness of the other dishes. When they ask you what side to get, you should ask for one of the soups! Both the clam chowder and the crab bisque are really delicious here. Make sure to ask them for their Tobasco so you can add a little to the soups to give it that nice kick! Service here has always been very good. Definitely come by for dinner after you've spent the day freezing out at Lands End or on the beach! read more

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I was visiting friends who live in the neighborhood, and this is one of their local favorites. I'm glad that we came, because the atmosphere was fun and charming but still classy. It was perfect for the first dinner of my vacation (also, I was turning 30 at the stroke of midnight...booo). More importantly, how can you beat free cheap white wine while you wait? What a brilliant idea! I'm sure that the menu changes periodically, but I had a pretty good buttered swordfish and some so-so seafood chowder. And vast quantities of bread, which curiously ended up being the best sourdough that I tasted on the entire trip. read more

Pacific Cafe, you are my absolute favorite seafood restaurant in San Francisco. I love it when a friend suggest seafood because you are the first place I think of! I typically get the Parmesan Halibut. Wonderfully cooked and prepared dish with either red potatoes or rice. This last time I had the fried scallops with fries. Both items were perfectly cooked. Absolutely perfect. I do think the complimentary glasses of wine are a nice touch, but the wine is a bit crap. But, who cares! The food is fantastic! I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a wholesome, filling and satisfying meal. read more

Pacific Cafe - Fried scallops with fries - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California