My husband and I were celebrating our 30th anniversary and decided to go here to the Waterbar. We had the worlds best time. The food, desserts and staff were so wonderful. The vibes were amazing. The staff signed a greeting card for us and brought tears to us both. They brought us desserts too and drinks on the house. It was so beautiful. The staff made this special time so beautiful. We plan to go back. read more

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This is one of my favorite places in SF to take a date. It has a great ambiance and great oysters!

Food is great and so as the ambiance with the amazing view of Bay bridge indoor or outdoor, Service is 50/50 . When attending to couples in a restaurant , focus on both individuals equally demonstrating respect and courtesy to their dining partner or guest.As a partner or as a date you need to focus on 2 people, not only for one, when she's talking it's like I don't exist. She's telling a little bit drama " maybe" to get more tips. We ate there almost 2 pm Sunday 5/31/2026 , maybe you can figure that out who's the server. Pay attention next time treat everyone fair with respect. Aside from that I am happy for the food, front desk and most of all the amibiance. Less 1 star because of the server. But supposed to be 5. I always love this place. It's my first time to complain, mostly I got good service. read more

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Waterbar is beautifully set on the water in San Francisco waterfront area. We were there for the oysters. Wow so many good varieties. All were fresh and perfect! I'm from east coast so it's nice to get some west coast oysters. We had 3 dozen We also had the grilled octopus over hummus. Delicious Highly recommend the Waterbar for great seafood, beautiful atmosphere and lively view! read more

Waterbar - Bar area - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

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How fun! Okay, disclaimer I've only been during happy hour and all my friends have only been during happy hour, but it's a HAPPY HOUR indeed. Lovely views. Great decor. Very relaxing, yet fun place. Service is warm and hospitable. Wonderful all around! $1.55 oysters, cheapest in town?? And a lovely selection of wine. Try the stag's head Sauvignon Blanc if you haven't yet. Great pairing. Happy Hour: everyday 2:30-5:00pm. Go, you deserve it. read more

Waterbar - Oysters and a glass of wine - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

I had really high hopes for this place :( We didn't have reservations and they were able to accommodate us for 2 people. We ordered and unfortunately they forgot about us. It was about 1:30 min later until we said something about not getting our food and another 1:30 min later until they said that the order didn't go through and gave us milk bread as an apology. The milk bread lacked in flavor and was hard in texture. The octopus was very delicious to me I was head over heels. The inside is obviously beautifully decorated with amazing view of the bridge. I would rate higher but the service was just so poor I don't know how a high class place like this doesn't check up on tables or notice that we've been unattended to for 2 hours. read more

Waterbar - Inside - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Really expensive. Just ok. Service was very slow - all in all about 2.5 hours for dinner. Starters - little gem salad, fine. Octopus, not great - first bite was good and thereafter overcooked and just ok. The sea bass was great, specially the cabbage. The branzino - tons of bones - we didn't eat it. The short rib - pretty good. Cheesecake with banana - no bueno. All in all a very expensive dinner - just ok read more

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Absolutely stunning restaurant decor with a magnificent view of the bay bridge. The food was really good as well as the drinks. All of the staff were really nice and I would say for the location and quality of food the price point is fairly reasonable (about $125-150 pp). When I'm in San Fran again I will definitely visit. read more

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Came here for dinner on a Thursday night without a reservation around 7:30 PM as a party of 4. They were able to seat us down pretty quickly. The fish was a lot less tasteful than I was expecting and wished I got a crab instead. Housemade Milk Bread - 0/5 - imo skip because it's a waste of calories Grilled Mediterranean Octopus - 2/5 - octopus was good but didn't go well with the hummus Tiger Prawn Cocktail - 4/5 Steamed Manila Clams - 5/5 Oak Roasted Wild Striped Bass - 1/5 - fish was a bit dry & did not go well with the peas Thai Garden - 3/5 - never had markrut before but it for some reason seemed like a savory drink like a pho broth I ended up ordering the oak roasted wild striped bass, and I did not think that it was too fishy, but there were 2 people in my party that did think that the fish was particularly fishy and couldn't end up eating it. I thought it was okay, aside from the fact that there were lentils being served with it, because I personally do not think those 2 go together. The primary reason for poor ratings is just that the food was not special in any way and lacked a lot of flavor. There's also no salt / pepper available on the table. The people who also delivered the dishes did not ask who ordered what and just started setting dishes down in front of people so we had to rearrange the dishes because they got them all wrong and we only ordered 3 different entrees. Mid way through our meal they turned down the lights significantly, which I assume was to set the ambiance. It was a bit louder than I would have liked as well. I'm not sure if it would have been more quiet in the front of the restaurant but in the backroom there was no ventilation and it was super loud. ~~Service: Good. It didn't take long for us to get seated. ~~Best Part: The chocolate brownie with espresso square that they give you at the end of your meal. The best actual item that I had was probably the Tiger Prawn Cocktail because it was almost just as good as the cocktail at Peter Lugar. ~~Worst Part: The house made milk bread. There was absolutely no salt on the butter itself though there was salt on the bread itself, but it honestly tasted like nothing. ~~Tips: Maybe get the appetizers & the seafood tower but imo there was nothing special about the fish dishes. ~~Return: No. read more

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Really beautiful restaurant with aquarium tanks inside and scenic outdoor seating. Service is super attentive and friendly, and also very efficient. We didn't have to wait long between courses and they cleared our plates and wiped down tables before dessert. The vibe inside is not too loud during lunch time and the view of the bridge is pretty. I really liked the halibut ceviche, milk bread with butter, and the lobster roll. Although the lobster roll itself was pretty small, the bread was fantastic and the lobster was so tender and not fishy at all. The coconut cream pie dessert was also so good! They have ~$2 oysters and lots of seafood options on the menu. Definitely a great spot to try different seafood dishes with a big group! They were able to accommodate 7 of us day of by calling. read more

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I had the most wonderful birthday dinner at this restaurant. The sea bass I ate was very delicious. The service was very friendly and my waiter was nice enough to ask me about my food allergies. The ambiance of the restaurant was amazing too. I highly recommended that restaurant. I wish I could give them 100 stars ! read more

Waterbar - Happy birthday - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

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We came here for the restaurant week special on a Saturday for brunch. The drinks in particular were very good and the food was I'd say just good. The waitstaff was lovely and it's in a very pretty spot! You definitely pay a premium for location but the restaurant week special was a good deal and fairly priced. read more

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Such a beautiful place to eat and watch the water and bridge in San Francisco. The food is amazingly fresh and great descriptions of where everything is sourced from. The bartenders were very knowledgeable as far as suggestions for small bites as well as the raw bar. the dollar 55 oyster special was just what I needed. The wine list was extensive and great suggestion suggestions for pairings with the dishes that I had the tuna tartare was buttery and fresh. The seafood bisque was light and the bread and butter with sea salt was a great pairing would absolutely not miss coming to this place. read more

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I got surprised here for a birthday dinner date. We got here almost 20 minutes late to our reservation. We called ahead of time to give them a heads up and they were nothing but kind and accommodating. Right when we went there, the staff at the front desk wished me a happy birthday, and once we were seated, the waiter (Jeremy) started off by giving me a birthday card which was signed by the entire staff. What a thoughtful gesture and made me feel very special! Jeremy was also very friendly and was helping us throughout our menu selection with all the questions we had and nicely explained where the food is coming from and the care taken which we appreciated a lot. You don't see service that amazing like this everywhere. For the food, we started with the chef's selection of oysters (6 count). Two Buckley Bay, two Kumamoto, and two Tomasini. The Buckley Bays were the ones to get. Oceany and very fresh, but not too salty. Drinks were the Pineapple Express. Very sour. Very boozy. For starters, we got the steamed purple clams. Absolutely incredible! The garlic sauce was so good we ordered a side of bread just to soak it up. Entree was the seared black cod. The fish was buttery, smooth, and lightly salty. Came with a sweet and well balanced hollandaise that didn't overpower it. The butternut squash on the side was cooked perfectly. Genuinely the best butternut squash I've had. Dessert was the Brooklyn blackout cake. Great flavor and a really unique ice cream. Just wish the cake itself was warm. And they ended up giving us the dessert and bread on the house, and they even gave us a serving of the brussel sprouts on them which was a really nice gesture. This was definitely a place to remember and cherish and will definitely be back! read more

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Best oysters I've had. Stunning location right on the water. Drinks delicious. Views beautiful. Service incredible. The service was beyond expectation. The staff was incredibly nice and it felt very genuine for being a more "upscale" dining location. It still felt very personable and relaxed. There was a very minor hiccup with a dessert menu being presented when it wasn't yet being served. We were offered a treat for the small mistake and it was extremely appreciated, although not expected. So I was very happy and grateful. They are so kind. read more

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Racist! My wife made a reservation 2 weeks ago only 2 arrive 30 mins early and check in to be told it's a 10 min wait only for use to be seated after walking back to the hostess after 15-20 mins. We were the only black ppl in the restaurant and the lack of service turned us to EPIC Steak next door who celebrated us and our anniversary. Do not go if you are Black, worst restaurant experience ever and we traveled from Chicago for this ‍ Can't wait to see what Rich T says. Business manager cleaning up a PR nightmare! read more

Waterbar - Epic Steak - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

Very nice and romantic date spot. They have a direct view of the bay and luxurious furniture. I also loved the fish tank it was tall and a nice touch. The fish was cooked well, not dry, and the sauces were nothing I have ever tried before. read more

I visited during happy hour and sat outside. The bay view was amazing. It was really busy and the staff were very nice, but I would recommend making a reservation. While I really appreciate a good vinaigrette, the one here was pretty underwhelming. I like one with more shallots. The oysters themselves were very fresh that day. I'd definitely come back for the location and view alone. read more

Waterbar - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

I always wanted to try this place. And today was the day. We ordered some appetizers. They have a daily special of chef's choice oysters for $1.55 each with a limit of 24. They were Rockpoint oysters and they were very meaty and delicious. We also got the halibut ceviche that came with fried plantains. That was definitely a game changer. It paired very well. I also got their aperol spritz which was ok. It tasted very flat. Service was good. And we had a spectacular view of the bay bridge. And it was a beautiful day. read more

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Beautiful restaurant for lunch in the city! First thing about this iconic waterfront restaurant along the Embarcadero is that it's right next to the San Francisco Bay. Inside there is a stunning panoramic view of water and the Bay Bridge. We got here when it first opened for lunch and were seated by the window. We started with some raw oysters. There are a few to choose from and each day there's a featured one for only $1.55. Cocktails are a must here. The Pineapple Express with mezcal is perfect for me. The Ultimate Bloody Mary was $25 but worth it for two Tiger prawns and bacon as topping! The housemade milk bread complemented well with the seafood bisque. For entrees, we ordered their single brunch item, lobster eggs benedict, which is only available on weekends. The seared dorade was very tasty. We also ordered their one non-seafood item, flat iron steak. They also offer chef's special prix-fixe lunch for $39 and have daily happy hour 2:30-5:00pm! We also had an amazing server Sidney who was attentive and took great care of us. read more

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If you're looking for the best happy hour oysters in SF, just come to Waterbar between 2:30 pm-5:00 pm, it was so worth it. We ordered 24 oysters (limit per table at one time) at $1.55 each, and they were super fresh and briny. We also got the Halibut Ceviche ($19) from happy hour menu and wow, the fish felt really high quality and not fishy at all, probably from the sauce, pineapple and jalapeno. Ceviche was served with taro chips , which was thinly sliced, very crunchy and nutty. It was my favorite part of the meal. For drinks, we tried 2 whites. Henriot Brut ($28) was a sparkling wine, I felt a bit too acidic and strong but it paired perfectly with the seafood. I personally prefered Brundlmayer Gruner Veltliner ($15) because it was more on the sweeter side and I like it that way, but I have to be honest, it didn't pair well with the seafood. That wine just made the fish taste way too fishy, so maybe skip that combo. Another thing I like about this restaurant is the view. I mean, I was sitting right by the Bay Bridge eating delicious seafood. What else could I ask for? Highly recommend if you need a place to date without breaking a bank! Thanks me later read more

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Food: 4 stars Service: 4 stars Ambiance: 5 stars value: 4 stars We heard about the happy hour oyster special and decided to drop in on a saturday around 3;30. there was a wait but we were seated at the bar within 20 minutes The wait staff was friendly as was the clientele. The $1.55 oysters during happy hour are a great deal. They let you order 2 dozen at a time. My husband and I put away 4 dozen between the two of us. We also ordered a couple of glasses of wine, fish and chips and the loaded fries from the happy hour menu. The Fish and chips ($16) came with one small piece of fish and some fries. I can't comment on the loaded fries ($28) as they never arrived but we do wonder what they'd be like at that price. Located on the embarcadero, the view of the bay and bay bridge is really nice. This is a prime location so it is not surprising that regular menu items are pricy. Two glasses of wine ($18 each), fish and chips and the oysters set up back $176 which included %20 gratuity and nearly a $10 kitchen surcharge. If you're looking for a restaurant with a friendly atmosphere in a good location, and love oysters, this is the place to come. read more

Waterbar - Dr Loosen Riesling - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Pat Kuleto established himself as a premier Restaurateur in San Fransisco, by bringing in well established and sought after chefs like Nancy Oakes, Todd Humphries, Traci Des Jardin, and the incomparable Mark Franz at the Waterbar on Embarcadero in San Francisco . I had the opportunity to visit the this location yesterday (4.30.26). The restaurant was absolutely beautiful, the ambiance of the restaurant...unmatched. As a writer imagine my utter shock and dismay to be racially discriminated against by the Host of the Waterbar when myself and a colleague were told there were no outside seats only to watch four white men to be given the choice to be seated outside or inside, immediately following what we were told. While they had a party of four, there were only two of us. The ambience here was one of the most beautiful...but we were only privy to a glimpse of the luxury design as we we whisked off down a few steps to the back corner of the restaurant where no one was dining...as if we were escaping some war torn country and they had taken pity on us. While the Indian woman who I dined with voiced her disdain for the obvious difference in treatment she believed we should stay. I have to admit, I cannot tell you how exceptional Chef Mark Franz cuisine was...as it was memorably overshadowed by the bitter taste of racism. Unfortunately my palette is not accustomed to the savoury sting of disparate treatment. I'm not sure if Mr. Kuleto is aware that he has a middle aged white male with racist views representing his good name, but if not...it's about time he was made aware. Not only Mr. Kuleto but Consumer Affairs, the Better Business Bureau, the San Francisco Chronicle and my fellow writers and editors in the writing community. Lisa Walker Thomas read more

Waterbar is a SF gem for dog lovers! I visited with a very well behaved puppy I was dog sitting and was sat outside in the patio. Everyone was excited to say hi to the puppy. My waitress provided a water bowl and even presented peanut butter based dog treats the chef specially prepares for their 4-legged guests. During the winter they cover their patio and turn on their outdoor heaters so we were very cozy. Vibe: Every seat, indoor or inside, has a beautiful view of the water and the bridge. The service is always amazing. Food: Considering the location and the lovely ambirance they create the prices are fair! Waterbar has oyster happy hour from 12-5pm and their fully happy hour menu from 2-5pm. It's hard to beat the price they have on their oysters during the HH. I am someone who loves oysters, I've always been impressed with their selection. read more

Kicking off the afternoon on a Sunday at Waterbar, Sam Francisco. The best was stealing a kiss from the fish... Enjoy great food , amazing service and drinks always. The fish aquarium is a wow experience all the time. They still have the holiday vibes going on. A must visit... Henriot, Brut & Barebottle Hazy IPA Oysters Damariscotta Flat, Harpswell Beach, ME Hope Point, Nanaimo, BC Humboldt Kumamoto, Humboldt Bay, CA Kussi, Deep Bay BC Olympia, Tomales Bay CA Sarah's Shore, Colville Bay PEI Halibut Ceviche, jalapeño, pineapple, cilantro Soft Pretzel Sticks, smoked salmon rillettes Exec Chef Parke Ulrich's Special Prawns A La Planca on a sweet Pepper sofrito Bed! Cheers! #sanfrancisco read more

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Came for the oyster special, and they were super fresh. Service was quick and efficient, and this is a super cool afternoon spot right on the bay. Can't beat the price during oyster happy hour time. read more

Waterbar - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

We celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary at Waterbar yesterday. My husband baby and I had a wonderful time and enjoyed our experience at the water bar. Pros: The Views!! We got seated in the patio with beautiful bay bridge views. Great for celebrations and fun hangouts. Except for a few things that didn't go well: 1. We booked a table for 2.30 but were running slightly late as we were driving from south fremont with a baby. I called on the way to inform them however they said they can try to give lunch menu but can't guarantee. And they can only offer us happy hour menu. We reached at 2.45 and we were super hungry but the happy hour menu was so small, limited options, the portions are so less that we were left hungry by end of the meal. Happy hour usually starts at early evening, keeping it at 2.30 is steep and not offering us lunch menu for being few mins late is so unfair. 2. We ordered Happy hour cocktails. My husbands margarita had barely any alcohol in it. It felt very mild. And my drink was like a mocktail. I barely have drinks so even a sip or two of real alcoholic drink will buzz me and I haven't felt anything even after downing the entire drink. 3. We ordered fish and chips. The fish was lacked seasoning and was over crispy. The deviled eggs were $18 for literally 1.5 bland eggs. Speak of ripoff. 4. There wasn't anything to feed my son. He's not a picky eater and eats well from restaurants but I didn't find anything for him. He didn't eat the fries as well for some reason. Overall we enjoyed our lunch date because of the ambiance and the views. read more

Waterbar - Fish and chips - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Excellent food, decent prices considering location quality and ambience. Out waitress was sweet and friendly. Offers private dining as well upstairs. read more

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Heard a lot of great things about their Happy Hour Oysters so I gave Waterbar a try when I visit the Pier recently. Got seated immediately with a high table next to the windows to enjoy bridge view. I love how aesthetic the bar section look with the unique chandelier. Service was fast and friendly, we ordered 2 cocktails, a dozen of oyster, and truffle french fries from their happy hour menu! Everything was tasty but the highlight of my visit was definitely the fries, they know how to make good fries here. The oysters were fresh and you cannot beat the price $1.55/each in this economy tbh lol, it tasted good. Drinks were also good and enjoyable. Overall it was a great place to check out if you around the Pier area. read more

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Another awesome dinner at Waterbar. We have a guest from France, so where else to go but Waterbar! Great dinner with a gorgeous view of the Bay Bridge! There is no more valet service, we found a spot kinda far away, and the weather was blustery cold tonight. We had a sumptuous shellfish platter, black cod so delicious, a delicate quail dish and a robust short rib. To top it all we had gingerbread pudding, but my favorite was the coconut pie with the pandan ice cream in phyllo dough. We polished that dessert!!! Thank you, Waterbar, till the next time! read more

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Been meaning to create a review for this spot! My boyfriend and I went here for Valentines weekend and it was wonderful! We had an outdoor seating area at first, however we were able to grab a spot indoors around the bar area. I had the queen bee cocktail; it was nice for a sweet drink without being super sweet. I personally enjoyed the honey/chamomile flavor! The seared black cod was my dish and paired well with the veggies and how they were cooked. The view is super nice! Indoors and outdoors. As other people have mentioned, right under the bay bridge. I highly recommend for a fancy date night just make sure to make a reservation in advance! read more

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Service is always A+ Views and vibes - excellent. We have been booking the upstairs for a dinner event every year and it's a crowd fave. Events team is fantastic to work with. We splurged for oysters this year and I guess we will have to continue as a tradition because they were a huge hit. Bread and butter - sounds simple but how is it so good? Scallop carpaccio - *chef's kiss* would definitely recommend it was so delicate yet flavorful and let the scallops shine Halibut and short rib - both surprisingly on the dry side. Short ribs could have used a sauce but loved the mushrooms and onions accompanying it (realizing now the menu said kabocha but I swear we got mushrooms) I've also been downstairs and outside for lunch and dinner many times with friends and family - always a crowd pleaser, with locals and visitors. read more

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Wonderful restaurant overlooking the bay bridge. Great place for Happy Hour drinks and Oysters before 5pm! Everything we ate at the bar was delicious. The bar tender and staff were extremely attentive and friendly. And the oysters were some of the best I've had in SF. The sole is highly recommended and both creme brulee and coconut cream pie were excellent finishing touches to our dinner. read more

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This place was so nice, with an amazing view of the bay bridge which looks really nice at night. It was nice having indoor and outdoor seating available. Even our table inside had a nice view of the bridge! Our server Chris was amazing! Gave great recommendations on their new menu. I got to try swordfish for my first time and it was delicious. The steamed cockles and prawns were great starters before dinner. Good place for a special occasion. read more

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We both ended up getting the short ribs with risotto, mushrooms and leeks. The risotto was fantastic the short ribs were a 4/5 as you ate in they actually were a little dry and the leeks should have been cut down instead of the whole leak being placed in there. However as an absolute hater of mushrooms those weren't terrible. I did hear that their menu is changed and printed daily which I thought was nice. We made reservations earlier in the day and had to wait about a 10-15 mins past the reservation time so I definitely recommend making a reservation. However we waited near the bar and were asked multiple times if we needed anything wanted a cocktail while we waited and more so that was a nice touch. The ambiance was really nice and we sat right next to one of the fish tanks which I loved. It's definitely perfect for a date night with intimate table seating. I am not sure about the outside because we quickly passed by it on our way in. Overall it was nice to eat there and the vibe of the place was wonderful but it's not some place I'd feel the need to frequent. However, I would like to come back and check out their happy hour. read more

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I walked into Waterbar on a Monday evening around 6pm, hoping for fresh seafood with a view. The dining room had open seats at the seafood bar and a distinctly 2000s vibe complete with aquariums lining the space. The Bay Bridge stretched across the windows, and it's a genuinely nice backdrop for dinner. The seafood was hit or miss. The broiled oysters and crudo were decent, though nothing special. The crab cocktail missed the mark with that telltale frozen taste that you can't really hide. But the eggplant fries? Surprisingly great. Crispy, well-seasoned, and my favorite thing on the table. I appreciated seeing detailed sourcing information on the menu, noting where and how each fish was caught. That level of transparency is refreshing. The service was attentive throughout, constantly checking in and keeping water glasses full. Waterbar delivers on ambiance and views, which counts for something when you're dining on the waterfront. The food won't blow you away, but if you go in knowing it's more about the setting than the standout seafood, you'll have a pleasant enough evening. Worth it for the patio and bridge views, especially with a cocktail in hand read more

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Waterbar used to be one of my favorite oyster spots in the city, especially for happy hour, but it's just not the same anymore. The quality has really gone downhill, and the value isn't there for what you pay. The oysters, which used to be a highlight, aren't as fresh as they once were. A few times I've had ones that tasted off or even sour, and a friend actually got sick after eating here. For the price, you can easily find better (and cheaper) oyster deals elsewhere in SF. They also removed the lobster roll from the menu, which was one of my favorite items before... a real loss. Also the fish and chips literally comes with ONE piece of fish, I had to confirm with the server to make sure it wasn't a mistake. The ceviche is also not fresh - really disappointing. That said, the ambiance is still incredible. The view of the waterfront is hard to beat, and on a sunny day the outdoor seating makes for a beautiful setting. Service is generally good, and food tends to come out quickly. Overall, the experience just doesn't live up to its past reputation. The food feels like an afterthought now. and for the price point, it's disappointing. But if you're after a great view and a nice atmosphere, maybe for drinks or a casual date it's not a bad choice read more

Waterbar - Oysters - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Cool nice spot on the water with the bay bridge and bay as the amazing back drop! Look like most people come for the daily happy hour which has a good variety of choices , small bites and drinks , but the real special is the daily chefs choice oyster for $1.55 a pc . Customers come in and order them a dozen at at time !! Place can be pretty busy around happy hour as well on a Sunday , but the wait wasn't too bad . Would definitely come in again for HH and maybe dinner , I'd like to see what's on that menu read more

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Great ambiance! Great service! Fun atmosphere with a view! Our soup and salads were great! The sancere was delicious! Great place! read more

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Food is ok, oysters are good. But service is...not sure why they just keep ignoring me, and I had to literally get away from my desk and wander around and ask the frontdesk "is there anyone available to take my order." read more

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