Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » Cousins Maine Lobster – San Francisco
Cousins Maine Lobster - San Francisco
Photo from Cousins Maine Lobster
Cousins Maine Lobster at a glance
San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf
- 🦞 Seafood Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 92 of the guests
#1447 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#28 Seafood Restaurant out of 48 in San Francisco
Good
7.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
355
Reviews
69%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Lobster Rolls
- Friendly Service
- Waterfront View
Frequently criticized
- No Restrooms
- Long Waits
- Unreliable Hours
The seafood restaurant Cousins Maine Lobster, located in San Francisco’s vibrant Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood, invites you to experience a taste of the East Coast right on Pier 41. This casual spot is renowned for its authentic Maine lobster dishes, offering a quick bite or a relaxed meal with stunning views. Whether you’re craving classic lobster rolls or fresh seafood, Cousins Maine Lobster Restaurant – Pier 41 San Francisco provides a memorable dining experience with its welcoming atmosphere and convenient outdoor seating.
Overview: Introducting Cousins Maine Lobster
Cousins Maine Lobster often earns praise for its seafood, with many customers particularly enjoying the quality of their lobster roll. The friendly staff also frequently receives positive remarks, contributing to a generally pleasant and efficient service experience.
On the flip side, the dining environment can be a drawback, with some guests noting the practical concern of no restrooms. While the food is appreciated, the perception of being pricey is a recurring point of discussion for many.
Good
7.2
out of 10
355
Reviews
69%
Satisfaction
91
negative
19
neutral
245
positive
The overall sentiment for Cousins Maine Lobster lands at a solid 7.2, indicating a generally good experience for many patrons. This is supported by a Customer Satisfaction rate of 69%, suggesting a mixed but leaning positive reception.
With 355 customer opinions considered, including 245 positive and 91 negative remarks, there’s a clear picture emerging of what works well and what could use attention. Diving into specifics, the Service (7.8) and Food (7.4) are definite strong suits, consistently earning high marks from diners.
However, the experience becomes more average when considering the Value (6) and particularly the Ambience (5.7). These areas present opportunities for improvement, as they don’t quite match the positive impressions left by the culinary offerings and attentive staff.
What people like
- Excellent Lobster Rolls
- Attentive, Friendly Service
- Waterfront Location
What people don't like
- No On-Site Restrooms
- Long Waiting Times
- Inconsistent Service Hours
With a Recommendation Score of 7.1, Cousins Maine Lobster generally earns a nod for its culinary offerings, especially if you’re seeking quality seafood. It’s a place that delivers on its core promise of good food and pleasant service, making it a worthwhile stop for many.
However, be prepared for a casual setting that might lack some amenities, and consider potential wait times. If your priority is delicious lobster and efficient interaction, it’s worth a visit.
If a full-service dining experience with all the comforts is what you seek, you might find it falls short.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Cousins Maine Lobster
Food (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 99% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark with a 7.4 score and a 71.6% customer satisfaction, indicating a good dining experience for most. With 146 positive remarks out of 204 total, many rave about the fresh lobster, tasty food, and generous portions, often highlighting the delicious, buttery lobster rolls and various seafood options. However, not everyone leaves completely satisfied, with 44 negative comments pointing to some areas for improvement.
Concerns often revolve around portion sizes being too small, occasional quality issues, and cold food, suggesting some inconsistency in execution and value for money.
Food
204
Reviews
71%
Satisfaction
44
negative
14
neutral
146
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh, delicious lobster
- Tasty, buttery food
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Small portion sizes
- Inconsistent food quality
- Temperature issues
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was a bit pricey, but the delicious food made it worth the money. We enjoyed the Connecticut lobster roll, lobster BLT, and lobster bisque.
- lobster rollMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic, especially the lobster roll! It was truly the best lobster roll I've ever had. While it was a little pricey, I felt it was worth the cost because you get what you pay for.
- tater totsI had a "Connecticut" lobster roll, which is lobster dipped in butter on a warm roll, along with tater tots and a drink. The total cost was about $30.
- FoodFood:5
- lobster rollscraving ever since we got back to New York. This place is highly recommended if you’re after lobster rolls
- Connecticut lobster rollIt tasted like the lobster rolls I had in Maine, so it's the real deal.
- lobsterDining alone was a great experience. The lobster roll was delicious and very full of lobster.
- lobster bisquethe lobster bisque was creamy and delicious
- lobster tacosThe food was served quite quickly, with good quantities and was very tasty. We ordered the tots, lobster tacos, crab roll, lobster quesadillas, and chicken sandwich. They have free "tap water" with refills from the beverage machine.
- Lobster TacosLobster Tacos, everything was fresh and very delicious
Frequently criticized
- lobster bisqueSo sad! For reference, we ordered the garlic butter lobster roll, lobster grilled cheese, and the lobster bisque. Food 1/5 stars.
- lobster rollMy lobster roll (the Connecticut) had barely a trace of lemon and the roll ended up soggy
- friesI particularly enjoyed the clam chowder in a bread bowl, which was wonderful, and the fish was also great. However, we didn’t care much for the fries.
- lobsterThe lobster was soggy, not fresh and flavorful.
- menu availabilityWhen I finally asked for fried clams, they only had lobster, with no other items available. If you're going to take your sweet time to open, at least have most of the menu available.
- portion sizethe portion size should be a bit larger
- soupSoup is 3rd class and no seafood in it
- Fish & Chipssuper greasy and mediocre quality
- Lobster Cheese Toastbarely any lobster
- Lobster totsHe ordered the Lobster tots and they gave him the Lobster tacos instead
If youre craving fresh, tasty lobster and dont mind potentially smaller portions or occasional inconsistencies, this place is worth a try. Just be prepared for the possibility that some dishes might not live up to the overall positive buzz.
Service (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 67% of the guests
When it comes to service, this place generally hits the mark! With a good score of 7.8 and customer satisfaction at a good 77.9%, many guests have had positive experiences. Out of 77 comments, 60 highlighted things like friendly staff, great service, and attentive and professional service.
People consistently praise the kind, patient, and helpful team, often noting quick service and a welcoming atmosphere. However, it's not all smooth sailing, as 16 negative comments point out some bumps. Concerns include refused service when the place was supposed to be open, frustrating waiting time, and issues with worker attitude or unclear closing time.
Some guests reported staff being unhelpful, mumbling, or even refusing entry, leading to disappointment, especially after traveling a distance.
Service
77
Reviews
77%
Satisfaction
16
negative
1
neutral
60
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Great service
- No wait time
What people don't like
- Refused service
- Unclear hours
- Long waiting time
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. The service was great, and the staff were incredibly nice. I ordered the Maine lobster roll, which was really good and priced pretty average compared to other lobster rolls I've had.
- staffThe dining room is simple, with many tourists passing through. It's clean, the staff is friendly, and some photos of "celebrities" with the "Cousins" adorn the walls. There's a good choice of dishes, all generous and very tasty.
- ServiceService:5
- wait timeThe atmosphere was also a perfect 5 out of 5. We experienced no wait time and found plenty of parking in the paid lot.
- IrfanMy experience at this restaurant was absolutely delicious, and the customer service was top-notch. Irfan was especially great and super friendly, which made the experience even better. I highly recommend this place!
- customer serviceMy experience at this restaurant was absolutely delicious, and the customer service was top-notch. Irfan was especially great and super friendly, which made the experience even better.
- Chowder HutIf you’re on the Wharf, go try Chowder Hut instead. They got us in and out fast, made sure we had everything we needed, and had very reasonable prices on food & drinks.
- attentive and professional serviceappreciated the attentive and professional service
- courteous managementcourteous management
- foodgot our food very quick
Frequently criticized
- opening hoursGoogle says they are open until 9pm. employee refused to serve us stating they were closed
- staffa different staff member says they aren’t open. He explains they are opening late
- waiting timewe waited nearly 50 minutes (that line moves SLOW)
- English proficiencyhe also seemed like he could barely speak English
- cashieralmost impossible to hear the cashier because not only was he mumbling really bad
- closing timerefused to let us eat there even though the closing time was 9 p.m.
- order accuracyin case they mess up your order like they did with my friend
- refused servicethe employee refused to serve us stating they were closed
- restaurant managementClearly this place is run by people who don’t know how to run a restaurant or don’t care.
- sellerthe nonchalant seller refused to let us eat there
Overall, the service here is generally good, with many praising the friendly and efficient staff. While most visits are smooth, be aware that some guests have experienced issues with inconsistent opening hours or staff attitudes. If you catch them on a good day, you're likely in for a pleasant experience.
Ambience (5.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 42% of the guests
Alright, lets talk about the vibe! The ambience here gets an average score of 5.7, with customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 54% based on 50 overall opinions. Many guests loved the atmosphere, praising the clean location, seating, and cute diner vibes.
The location by the waterfront also received high marks, making it a pleasant spot for many. However, its not all sunshine, with 22 negative comments pointing to some significant drawbacks. A major concern was the lack of washrooms or restrooms, which was a big inconvenience for many.
Other issues included cold lighting, a commercial atmosphere, and some feeling the interior lacked a proper vibe, with one even noting the place looks very dirty.
Ambience
50
Reviews
54%
Satisfaction
22
negative
1
neutral
27
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean location
- Good seating options
- Great waterfront location
What people don't like
- No restrooms available
- Cold, bad lighting
- Highly commercial vibe
Often praised
- atmosphereThe food was amazing, and the service was top-notch. The atmosphere was also a perfect 5 out of 5. We experienced no wait time and found plenty of parking in the paid lot.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- locationThe location is stunning, right by the waterfront
- placeThe place at Fisherman's wharf is very welcoming and clean.
- Clean locationClean location
- ambianceThe ambiance was nice, located right by the pier
- cleanlinessThe dining room is simple, with many tourists passing through. It's clean, the staff is friendly, and some photos of "celebrities" with the "Cousins" adorn the walls. There's a good choice of dishes, all generous and very tasty.
- cute diner vibesvery cute diner vibes inside
- indoor dining areaSeating type:Indoor dining area
- menuthe menu and surrounding atmosphere were gorgeous!
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereatmosphere was rated a 2 out of 5
- restroomsno restrooms despite being a restaurant
- vibeMy experience at this restaurant was pretty middle of the road. There isn’t really anything that is so good that it’s worth the price, and there is really no vibe. The food was rated a 3 out of 5, and the atmosphere was rated a 2 out of 5.
- ambiancespent very little time on establishing any type of ambiance
- bathroomsthey have no bathrooms
- commercial atmosphereI visited this restaurant last month (May 2025) for lunch, marking my first time dining at this establishment and at The Wharf. I must admit, I was not delighted with the highly commercial atmosphere of The Wharf and the Pier. A significant issue for me was that this restaurant, like others in the area, does not have a restroom for customers.
- dining experiencedining wasn't fun and satisfying at all
- interiorbad interior
- lightingcold lighting
- no restrooms on siteNot ideal that there are no restrooms on site
So, if youre looking for a spot with a great waterfront location and dont mind a casual, clean setting, it could be a decent choice. However, be prepared for a potentially commercial feel and, crucially, plan ahead as there are no restrooms on site.
Value (6 out of 10)
mentioned by 27% of the guests
When it comes to value, it seems theres a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 6 putting it squarely in the average range. Many folks felt they really got their moneys worth, especially appreciating the generous portions and the overall get what you pay for sentiment. Positive comments frequently highlighted the reasonable price and value for money, particularly for a city like San Francisco, making some lobster rolls feel totally justified.
However, customer satisfaction sits at 50%, indicating a mixed experience for many. A fair number of diners found the pricey cost to be a sticking point, with some even labeling it a tourist trap. Concerns about high prices for what's essentially fast food were also voiced, suggesting that while some found it reasonable, others felt it was a bit much.
Value
24
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
9
negative
3
neutral
12
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Generous portions
- Reasonable for value
- Worth the price
What people don't like
- Can be pricey
- High cost
Often praised
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. I was impressed with the generous amount of lobster on the roll, which I felt was definitely worth the price. I also really enjoyed the tater tots and appreciated that the meal came with additional small sides and a drink.
- get what you pay foryou get what you pay for
- pricesIf you’re on the Wharf, go try Chowder Hut instead. They got us in and out fast, made sure we had everything we needed, and had very reasonable prices on food & drinks.
- reasonablereasonable for what we ordered
- valuewhich really drives up the value of what you get
- value for moneyThe value for money was good, especially for San Francisco
Frequently criticized
- pricenothing that is so good that it’s worth the price
- priceyit’s a little pricey for me
- 28 dollars28 dollars for a small sandwich
- costSome people complained about the cost in the reviews.
- pricesthe prices are quite high for a Fast food
- tourist trapA tourist trap IMO at $26
If youre looking for a decent lobster roll and dont mind spending a bit, you might find the value here acceptable, especially given the location. However, if you're on a tight budget or expect gourmet dining for the price, you might find it a little steep.
How are the prices at Cousins Maine Lobster?
You’re looking at roughly 35 per person – reported by 92 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For a Seafood Restaurant in San Francisco, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average hovers around 35, our data shows a good mix. Many guests enjoy options in the $21–$30 range, but there are also plenty who splurge a bit more, showing a nice spread of choices for different budgets.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 92 reviews.
Comparing this restaurant’s value for money against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Seafood Restaurant in San Francisco. It offers a good balance, allowing guests to enjoy quality seafood without necessarily breaking the bank, while also providing options for those who want to indulge.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Cousins Maine Lobster
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
2
Disappointing Lobster Bisque and No Restrooms
My experience at this restaurant was a scam. I ordered the large lobster bisque and was extremely disappointed. It was primarily cream and flour with an artificial taste, and contained only two small pieces of lobster.
To make matters worse, the lobster pieces were cold while the soup itself was warm. Additionally, despite being a sit-down restaurant, there were no restrooms available, which is unacceptable.
- lobster bisque2
- pieces of lobster2
- lobster2
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Fresh Seafood, Worth the Price
As an avid seafood lover, it's rare I come across a place as fresh as this. The hospitality is always refreshing, with fish that tastes like it was caught that morning. It's pricey but worth it.
- seafood10
- hospitality9
- fish10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Excellent Lobster Rolls in SF!
While exploring the Piers in San Francisco, we decided to pop into this restaurant. The staff at the counter were incredibly gracious and took the time to educate us about lobster rolls, which we had been craving since returning to New York. This place comes highly recommended if you're in San Francisco and looking for lobster rolls.
- lobster rolls10
- staff at the counter9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Awesome Connecticut Lobster and Soda!
My experience at the restaurant was awesome! I enjoyed the Connecticut lobster with tater tots, and the Blueberry Maine Root soda was a perfect complement. It was a perfect way to cap off an evening!
- Connecticut lobster10
- tater tots10
- Blueberry Maine Root soda10
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
3
Disappointing Flavors Despite Fresh Seafood
My recent experience at this restaurant in San Francisco was sadly very disappointing. I had hoped to experience fresh, bright, and delicious flavors, but unfortunately, that was not the case. While the seafood was indeed fresh and looked delicious, it seriously lacked flavor.
My lobster roll (the Connecticut) had barely a trace of lemon, and the roll ended up soggy by the time I finished half. It was really disappointing, especially considering the gorgeous menu and surrounding atmosphere. I would choose a different restaurant if we were visiting again.
- seafood5
- menu8
- atmosphere8
- lobster roll2
What Cousins Maine Lobster offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Tourists
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Happy hour drinks
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Vegetarian options
- Private dining room
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Paid parking lot
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining and service options are available at Cousins Maine Lobster Restaurant - Pier 41 San Francisco?
At Cousins Maine Lobster Restaurant – Pier 41 San Francisco, you can enjoy a variety of dining experiences. You have the choice of dine-in, convenient takeout, or delivery services. For a refreshing experience, outdoor seating is available. The restaurant also offers catering, counter service, and is open for lunch, dinner, and dessert.
Is Cousins Maine Lobster Restaurant - Pier 41 San Francisco accessible and family-friendly?
Yes, Cousins Maine Lobster Restaurant – Pier 41 San Francisco is designed to be accessible, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance and seating. For families, a kids’ menu and high chairs are provided. You can also bring your dog to the outdoor seating area. Amenities include restrooms, free Wi-Fi, and an onsite bar.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Cousins Maine Lobster?
Cousins Maine Lobster has a Restaurant Score of 7.2 and a Customer Satisfaction of 69%. Customers highly rate the Service (7.8) and Food (7.4), while Ambience (5.7) and Value (6) are considered average.
What do customers enjoy most about the food at Cousins Maine Lobster?
The lobster roll is a consistent favorite, often described as delicious and generously filled. The lobster bisque also receives praise for its creamy texture and taste.
What are some common concerns raised by diners at Cousins Maine Lobster?
Frequent concerns include the lack of on-site restrooms, occasional long waiting times, and some experiences with inconsistent service hours.