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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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

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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Went on a short-notice reservation based on reviews. We requested a window seat with bay views and we were accommodated. Every aspect of every dish was carefully designed and delivered with amazing flavor; the truffle butter was stunning with the lobster, my halibut couldn't have been more perfect! John, our waiter, was attentive and helpful. I highly recommend the coconut cream pie from the dessert menu (John's recommendation), it was an unexpected and very tasty treat. The portions are on the small side with prices on the high side, but for a special occasion, Waterbar hits the mark! read more

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

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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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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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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What are you doing if you aren't here for happy hour?? Yay on their $1.55 oysters. I went on a 3pm Saturday and the wait was about 15 minutes and seated outdoors with a pier and Bay bridge view! How lovely. Outgoing waiters. Good snacks. read more

Waterbar - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Waiter Stefan is the best! He is friendly, warm, personable, knows every dish and takes care of every detail! Always makes our lunch extra enjoyable! We live near by, just a few blocks from Waterbar, and this is our Go-To restaurant for seafood and The Bay Bridge View! The Oysters, prawns, fishes are all super fresh, and prepared to Par! Choices of wine is plenty and Stefan always suggests the best to pair with our food! We went there yesterday celebrating my husband high school friend's anniversary and birthday! They offer a new prefix lunch now and that's what the girls got, birthday boy had Fish & Chip, and my old boy had Grilled Halibut. The prefix had 3 courses, mixed salad, grilled squid, and raspberry shortcake. We also had a dozen of their daily oyster and Acme sourdough bread. And the girls had white wine while boys had beers. Just delicious and perfect! Thanks Stefan and Happy Birthday! (6/7) read more

Waterbar - Happy anniversary complimentary dessert! - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

I went here for Happy Hour with my friends. The Happy Hour is really great -- 1.55$ oysters and solid margaritas! We also got the cocktail prawns, baked oysters, and truffle fries. The truffle fries are really good -- crispy and comes with a side of truffle aioli. The atmosphere is unbeatable -- it's right by the Embarcadero, by the water. Because the weather was nice, we sat outside: perfect summer vibes. The service was also great - friendly staff who were attentive. Would come back for Happy Hour and try out their lunch/dinner meals as well. Giving a 4 star till I try out the rest. read more

Waterbar - Truffle fries - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

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We had the most wonderful time at Waterbar last Saturday evening while celebrating a very important birthday. The restaurant manager was first class all the way, delivering a dessert that was perfect for the occasion. From the moment we arrived the entire staff was courteous, attentive, and efficient. I highly recommend Waterbar for any occasion. You won't be disappointed. read more

Upon my recent visit to San Francisco I was in search of oysters by the water. Thankfully, my colleague knew just the place. Sign me up for a spot with happy hour every day that includes oysters for $1.55 each. In this economy, that is a steal! We started with 2 dozen which is the limit per table at one given time, and also got French Fries and bread. I will say we popped in without a reservation on Easter Sunday and at first the service was verrrry slow. However, once we got a new server Alejandro our service and experience was incredible. We must have sat and yapped for hours, adding more oysters, switching to happy hour wine, and opting to add some shrimp cocktail to our day. Wine is $8 on happy hour, which is another steal. The indoor restaurant looks very nice as well, but our outdoor patio seating was perfect. I would recommend this spot as a total vibe to enjoy a beautiful day with some great food and drinks. read more

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

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If I could give this place 10 stars I would! Service, Food, and ambience plus a view of the bridge and ocean water ... you have to experience it to believe it. Delicious food and friendly service. My advice ... get the cod and house bread ... thank me later read more

Waterbar - Blackened Baked Cod - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

I've been here a few times now, and always rated it highly (except for a couple of small snags on our most recent visit 2 days ago). Overall though I/we just really enjoy this place! Pros: - the location is right on the water, along the SF pier near the Bag bridge... easy to find, and so beautifully scenic! - the menu is fresh & bold; specials & features change (someone said weekly?) - Happy Hour oysters are available for $1.55 each (hard to beat that!) but are limited to whatever is the oyster of choice by the restaurant that day. I must say, the oysters are always 'perfectly' shucked!!! - parking is oddly not that difficult to find around the area (or maybe we're just lucky?) - the staff is lovely, they almost always go above & beyond - price is reasonable, all things considered - live jazz band plays in the gazebo area for the outdoor diners (outdoor patio is heated, yay!) - dogs are welcome (and treated with love!) Cons: - sometimes an incredibly long wait to be seated - my drink was not made well on my last visit (I ordered an "extra dirty" martini and there was almost no olive brine), but have been made quite nicely before - our most recent meals, the Lobster Frittata & hubby's Fish & Chips (no pic), were really not tasty (similar to the cocktail we were shocked, that was the first time that ever happened to us here) Hubby & I will definitely go back again, it's kinda our go-to spot when we're in the Bay area. I am hoping though, that the food & drinks will be back up to snuff next time... quality means a lot to me. I'll update this post if need be after the next visit. Thanks! :) read more

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Our server, John was incredibly kind and attentive, which made the experience even more enjoyable. The food overall was very good we ordered the house made milk bread (yum!), the Little Gems salad (only complaint was that it was were extremely salty) We both ordered mocktails: one was refreshing and delicious, while the tequila-style mocktail had an excessive amount of salt packed around the rim that fell into the drink, making it overwhelmingly salty. The highlight of the meals was the roasted MacFarland Springs trout absolutely delicious. The interior is also stunning; the front room has a rainforest café-for-adults vibe with a beautiful, immersive ambience. read more

5 Stars for a prime location, great staff, and solid drinks. My friends and I arrived without a reservation for a late lunch on Easter Sunday and were lucky enough to catch the lull after their brunch crowd had left, so we got an outdoor table. The views here are really great, so I'd make a point to sit outside in the future. Alejandro was our server and he was a GEM. He kept our cocktail and wine glasses full, offered suggestions, and went above and beyond to be hospitable. We chatted about different cuisines and he never made us feel rushed. I got martinis and the table was enjoying wine. The drinks were crisp and cold! We also got a couple dozen oysters (a bit on the big side for me personally), and shrimp cocktail. Overall, a great vibe and excellent service. Would definitely return! read more

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We made reservations outside, and it was a beautiful day. They do have heaters now in their patio. Our table was against a planter box, and we had ants on our table coming from it. We did notify the manager on duty. For food we got the ceviche, oysters (not pictured), and the crab cocktail. Our favorite was the ceviche which had jalapeños for a little kick. For our main, we did the white fish, and they were able to split it into 2 plates for us. The rice was a bit wet for my liking. Our server was nice and witty, he made a few jokes along the way. We would come here again, maybe inside. read more

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I came here with a group of friends during happy hour for the oysters! $1.55 an oyster is a great deal, and some of the costs are donated back to the local community too! Each table is allowed to order up to 2 dozen oysters at a time, and we ended up ordering 9 dozens total. The oysters are shucked fairly quickly after being ordered & tasted great (for the most part)... Some of them had tiny remnants of the shell in them, but I'm not one to complain about that at this price point. Aside from one funky tasting oyster that my friend spat out immediately, we all thought the oysters were delicious & sweet. Unfortunately, me & another one of my friends got sick from these the next day. The other 6 people in our group were fine though, so I guess we were just very unlucky. read more

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

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A solid spot for seafood lovers looking for scenic views. The restaurant has a lively atmosphere, and the quality of the ingredients was noticeable. Our server was knowledgeable and helpful with recommendations. Overall, a very good experience with only minor room for improvement. read more

My recent dinner at Waterbar was a great experience from start to finish. For the table, they started us off with some housemade milk bread. They were so good, you almost want to skip dinner and just eat these. For appetizers, we ordered the grilled shrimp and steamed purple clams. The grilled shrimp was just so-so (overcooked). The clams were delicious! It had a rich, buttery flavor that was hard to stop eating. I almost wanted to ask for more bread to sop up all the sauce. We also ordered a beet salad, but I forgot to take a picture of it. It was very refreshing and a nice contrast to everything else. For my entree, I had the fish and chips. It was perfectly prepared. The fish was flaky and tender with a light, crispy batter that was not greasy at all. My friend ordered the flat iron steak and it was also amazing. Yes, I stole a bite or two just to confirm. The service was outstanding as well. The staff were friendly, attentive, and made sure everything was going smoothly throughout the meal. Our water was filled without us knowing (ninja style). The setting makes the experience even better. Being right on the waterfront with views of the Bay Bridge creates such a beautiful atmosphere for dinner. Overall, it was a wonderful dining experience with great food, great service, and an amazing view. Of course being with great company just made our meal much better. We were completely stuffed and still had some leftovers to take home. I would definitely return. read more

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We came here around 3:45 on a Saturday, so the happy hour menu was the only one available. We waited about 15 minutes before a table near the bar became available. I ordered 9 of the $1.55 oysters, they were pretty small, but they tasted good. We also ordered the crab cocktail, which my wife enjoyed. We also ordered the $16 haddock and chips, they actually serve a half piece of fish only, they should charge more and at least give you one piece of fish. The service was excellent and the views of the bay bridge were outstanding. read more

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I came with my friends and family for my birthday dinner, I have to say that the restaurant was very nice been December the decor was nice, I requested a table with the view best view of the bay bridge, food was very good and flavors were great. I have to say they have the best bread and dessert. Great service everyone was very attentive nice and friendly. read more

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fresh seafood, cold drinks, and bayside views! whether you're getting a drink or a bite to eat, waterbar has a lot to offer. they update their menu with each season, so every time we go, there's something new on it! their website tends to keep up with their menu changes so that's a plus too. and for its prime location on the embarcadero, their overall prices are surprisingly low compared to other restaurants nearby. we prefer to sit at the bar as dining at a table felt super rushed especially during lunch hour. service was good, just felt a bit frazzled, so sit at the bar if you want to eat at your own pace and feel more at ease! the bartenders are very professional, helpful, and friendly. we always feel so taken care of when we sit there. we love peeking in to see the chefs cooking because of their open kitchen layout. the vibes are positive, the atmosphere is bustling, and the view of the bay bridge is absolutely unbeatable! the huge fish tanks in the middle of the dining area are a cool feature, the fish don't seem to be thriving, but I'm no expert!! make a reservation on opentable or walk in & sit at the bar! their happy hour is 2:30-5 :) read more

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Fantastic view of the ocean out in the patio and the inside has beautiful linear aquariums with swimming fish. Sure, the raw bar can be a little expensive but the seafood was so fresh and sweet. The daily oyster deal is fantastic and they are cleaned well and not fishy at all! read more

Waterbar - Half Dungeness Crab - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Came here for a birthday lunch with my parents!! They don't come up to the city often, so we thought we would try out Waterbar as they love seafood! The service was good, and the servers were both attentive and suggested many food options to us. They also took care to explain the menu, including the organization and how the menu changes daily! The ambiance is lovely as well. There's a few pillars in the restaurant that are aquariums! Very cool touch! The views of the Bay Bridge are also amazing. My parents and I ordered a variety of foods, including the lobster roll, seared Spanish dorade, beer battered fish and chips, baked oysters, and the chef's special oysters ($1.55 for one, and a portion goes to charity!). The food was cooked very well. I loved the lobster roll I ordered for myself - the lobster was fresh and tasty, and the bread was toasted perfectly. The fries were seasoned and a bit on the saltier side through. The fish and chips definitely stood out as a highlight! The oysters were great as well but some of the raw ones had a bit of shell in it- still tasty though! My dad had the Spanish dorade, and he enjoyed it! Overall, a delicious meal with a great view, and I would love to come again! read more

Waterbar - Chilled Lobster Roll - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Seated right away at 11:30am. Waiter was nice enough. We ordered ceviche- that was very good! The huge prawn cocktail was delicious! The fish and chips... the French fries were good! The fish was not firm and very fishy - not so good unfortunately. Shout out to the bartender for the cucumber gimlet! read more

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I love oysters! If you're craving oysters-- waterbar is a fun place to go with a beautiful interior making the ambiance so luxurious feeling and with a beautiful outside overviewing the bay bridge, it's one of my favorite places!! I'm a big fan of their happy hour as well-- coming with 1.55 oysters (only limited to 24 at a time** thank you for the correction Rich!) and their drinks! Their steak and eggs were a hit in our books as well as their avocado toast! Service was attentive and knowledgeable about food recommendations, I can't wait to go back again! A true hit in my books 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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We took my sister here to dine for her birthday Our server, I believe his name was Stephen, was very helpful and friendly. We ordered butter lettuce salad and the shellfish bisque. The salad was good but the bisque was just so. One of my sisters ordered the Mediterranean Dorade and the other ordered the Achiote Glazed Black Cod. They were both delicious. The calamari was very good. The clams were tasty as was the grilled asparagus dish. My cousin ordered the fish and chips and the fish was very under done. I ordered the lobster roll. He said it was 2 oz of lobster . I told him I wanted it well done and not under cooked. He said that they blanched large batches of it all at one time and they could not make sure it was well done. When my lobster came I could see that it was not completely done so I asked for a box to take it home. (When I got home I weighed it and it was only 1.3 oz. The lobster consisted of tiny pieces and was dry and tasteless . I think it was the worst I've ever had. The Happy Birthday plate with the chocolate writing and little square cakes were very good. My favorites were the Coconut Cream Pie and Banana Basque Cheesecake. The Chocolate Babka Bread Pudding looked amazing but it had no taste and the bread was tough. We didn't care for the sauce or the taste . read more

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I used to love happy hours and brunch here, but this time the food really was disappointing. We got the daily oysters, and they were very dry when they came out. The fish and chips was so poorly plated, the fish was on top of the fries on a large plate, meh, looked so amateurish. The cauliflower was terrible, it was watery and looked like bar food. I expected a whole roasted cauliflower, not what I got. The fish was fresh and delicious, but the whole thing left me feeling like they didn't care. read more

Great ambience. It's right next to the bay bridge and has wonderful views of the harbor. The large fish tanks are a real treat, very unique. The baked oysters were excellent. Much better than traditional Rockefellers. Tilefish with crab rice was superb. Lots of interesting ingredients-- cherries and fennel amongst other things read more

Waterbar - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This restaurant was perfection. We had a reservation and got seated. As soon as we were sat there was a table leaving that was sat at the window with the pretty view and we asked to if we could switch tables and they did so very kindly. We wanted to order the house made milk bread but they were out and offered us sourdough bread it came in warm and was delicious. Food could jot have been better we left nothing and it was the perfect portions. They knew we had two Birthdays and let us pick two items for free off the dessert menu which again was SO GOOD. The pistachio ice cream with the caramelized mango is to die for. Wouldn't have wanted to celebrate anywhere else. Thanks Waterbar! read more

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Definitely the place to be for fresh seafood and views of the bay bridge and water! My party of 4 arrived 30mins after the start of happy hour on Saturday and waited around 40 minutes before seated. We were there for their happy hour oysters at $1.55 each and ended up eating 2 dozen each. These oysters were plump and sweet. We also tried their crab cocktail, tiger prawn cocktail, and their northern halibut aguachile. The seafood here is beyond fresh and cleaned really well. Their tiger prawn were huge and super sweet. Their Auguachile? Really flavorful with citrusy notes that paired well with the sea bass. We were also surprised at the amount of crabmeat in the crab cocktail and appreciated not having to crack open the crabs ourselves. The servers were attentive and came over to take our oyster orders every time they saw us run out. The views here make this the perfect place for a romantic or celebratory meal, or for those looking for a nice place to catch up with friends. I'll definitely be back for more! Check out my foodsta @chiuventure for a closer look and more details of my dining experience here as well as other establishments in NYC and around the world! read more

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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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