Summary
Fellow San Franciscans: Dungeness crab season is almost upon us! November 3 is the start of the season in Northern California, and there’s no delays in sight this year, unlike last. The commercial crab season officially runs until the end of June; however, most of the season’s total catch is typically hauled out of the ocean in the first couple of months. Therefore, the supply of fresh Dungeness crab is usually reduced significantly by February.
01. Anchor Oyster Bar
Address: 579 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114-2511, USA
Phone: +1 415-431-3990
Seafood is prepared simply at this small and popular Castro restaurant. Whole, cracked crab is pan-roasted in garlic, white wine, and stock or served cold with drawn butter. Customers can also enjoy crab in various forms, including cakes, cocktails, or Caesar salads.
02. Crab House At Pier 39
Address: 203 C, Pier 39, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA
Phone: +1 415-930-9400
At this Fisherman’s Wharf restaurant, crab is featured in chowder, cioppino, cakes, Caesar and Louis salads, pasta, lasagna, melt sandwiches, omelets, and enchiladas. It is also served whole, roasted, and accompanied by garlic butter. The creativity here knows no bounds!
03. Kim Thanh
Address: 607 Geary St, San Francisco, CA 94102-1646, USA
Phone: +1 415-555-5555
This Chinese-Vietnamese restaurant in the Tenderloin showcases whole crab on nearly every table during Dungeness season. The salt-and-pepper crab is dry-fried, and after relishing the crab meat, customers often scoop up the crispy bits of fried garlic and pepper. Variations include steamed, stir-fried with ginger and green onion, and stir-fried with black bean sauce. Garlic noodles are a recommended side.
04. PPQ Dungeness Island
Address: 5821 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94121-2004, USA
Phone: +1 415-386-8266
Whole crab is prepared in five distinct ways at this Richmond district Vietnamese spot: roasted (baked with garlic and butter), peppercorn (deep fried with garlic, salt, and pepper), spicy (jalapeño and basil variations), drunken (cooked in a wine sauce), and curry style.
05. R&G Lounge
Address: 631 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA
Phone: +1 415-982-7877
Featured in one of chef Anthony Bourdain’s television segments, the salt-and-pepper Dungeness crab is a signature dish of this longstanding Chinatown restaurant. The crab is chopped, lightly battered, deep-fried, and tossed with a flavorful salt and pepper mix.
06. Swan Oyster Depot
Address: 1517 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109, USA
Phone: +1 415-673-1102
This century-old seafood shop and diner was named an America’s Classic by the James Beard Foundation. The establishment is known for its cracked, cold crab served with melted butter and sourdough bread. Alternatively, diners can keep it clean by ordering the crab Louis, an exquisite dish featuring lettuce, Dungeness crab, and a zesty dressing.
07. Tadich Grill
Address: 240 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA
Phone: +1 415-391-1849
Tadich Grill positions itself as “essentially a seafood restaurant,” and it holds the distinction of being the oldest restaurant in California, dating back to 1849. Various crab dishes are offered on white tablecloths, served by attentive waitstaff. Renowned for crab cakes, salads, and cioppino, the menu also features an array of crab-centric entrees and preparations.
08. Thanh Long
Address: 4101 Judah St, San Francisco, CA 94122, USA
Phone: +1 415-665-1146
The roast crab, seasoned with garlic and other spices, alongside garlic noodles, is the most popular dish at this Sunset restaurant. Additional offerings include drunken crab (simmered in wine, sake, and brandy) and tamarind-spiked varieties, as well as crab enveloped in crispy wonton wrappers.
