Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » California Fish Market – San Francisco
California Fish Market - San Francisco
Photo from California Fish Market
California Fish Market at a glance
San Francisco North Beach
- 🦞 Seafood Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $41–$50
mentioned by 67 of the guests
#778 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#9 Seafood Restaurant out of 48 in San Francisco
Good
7.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
563
Reviews
78%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Fresh seafood
- Good service
- Pleasant ambiance
Frequently criticized
- Service inconsistency
- Food quality issues
- Price perception
The restaurant California Fish Market Restaurant is a vibrant Seafood Restaurant situated in the heart of San Francisco’s lively North Beach neighborhood. You’ll discover a casual yet trendy atmosphere, perfect for enjoying a meal.
With options for outdoor seating, dine-in, takeout, and delivery, it offers flexibility for your dining preferences, whether you’re stopping by for lunch or dinner.
Overview: Introducting California Fish Market
California Fish Market offers a notable seafood experience, with many guests praising the fresh, well-prepared dishes and the generally attentive service. The inviting ambience also contributes positively to the dining experience, making it a pleasant spot for a meal.
However, some diners have encountered inconsistencies with the service, noting instances of unhelpful staff or delays. There are also occasional remarks about certain dishes not meeting expectations, and some find the overall value to be a point of contention.
Good
7.8
out of 10
563
Reviews
78%
Satisfaction
95
negative
29
neutral
439
positive
This establishment garners a solid Restaurant Score of 7.8 out of 10, indicating a generally positive reception. Customer sentiment is also quite strong, with a Customer Satisfaction rate of 78%.
These figures suggest that most patrons leave content with their visit, reflecting a consistent quality across various aspects of the dining experience. Delving into specifics, the Food stands out with a strong (8.4) score, supported by 439 positive remarks out of 563 total observations.
Ambience also fares well (7.7), creating a pleasant setting for diners. While Service receives a respectable (6.6), some 95 negative comments highlight areas for improvement.
The Value score (5.4) suggests it’s a more mixed bag for guests, with opinions divided on pricing.
What people like
- Fresh, delicious seafood
- Attentive, friendly service
- Inviting atmosphere
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service quality
- Occasional food issues
- Value concerns
California Fish Market presents a compelling option for those seeking quality seafood in a welcoming setting. While the food is a clear highlight, be mindful that service can occasionally be inconsistent, and the pricing might not align with everyone’s expectations for value.
With a Recommendation Score of 8.1, it’s certainly worth considering. If fresh seafood is your priority and you’re prepared for a potentially lively atmosphere, this restaurant could be a good fit for your next dining outing.
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Verdict: Our expert take on California Fish Market
Food (8.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 95% of the guests
When it comes to the food, diners are clearly impressed! With a solid score of 8.4 and customer satisfaction at a fantastic 85.9%, the culinary experience here is largely celebrated. Many of the 304 positive comments rave about the incredibly fresh seafood, especially the delicious Cioppino, perfectly cooked scallops, and tasty lobster ravioli.
However, not every dish hits the mark, with 29 negative comments pointing out some areas for improvement. A few guests found certain pasta dishes to be bland, while others mentioned a soup being too salty. There were also isolated instances of spoiled crab and an underwhelming octopus dish, suggesting some inconsistency.
Food
354
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
29
negative
21
neutral
304
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh seafood
- Delicious Cioppino
- Perfectly cooked scallops
What people don't like
- Bland pasta
- Salty soup
- Spoiled crab
Often praised
- foodOverall, I cannot recommend California Fish Market enough. The food is outstanding, the service is top-notch, and the ambiance is inviting. If you're in San Francisco and looking for a fantastic seafood restaurant, look no further than California Fish Market!
- seafoodWe ordered the risotto, pappardelle al salmone, linguine granchio, and Caesar salad. The risotto and pasta were all amazing; the seafood was very fresh and there was a good amount of it, and the pastas were perfectly cooked with enough bite to them. The pappardelle was surprisingly delightful and unique; the smoked salmon they used is not your average smoked salmon (the one on bagels) and went well with the richer sauce.
- Cioppinoi had Cioppino and Pinot Grigio- it was perfect
- oystersPrijs-kwaliteit is top, en het eten komt niet zoals bij veel Amerikaanse restaurants meteen te snel achter elkaar. De oesters waren heerlijk vers, de pasta die mijn man had was lekker en de gegrilde visselectie die ik had was lekker en veel. Zeker een aanrader als je van vis houdt en in San Francisco bent!
- cioppinocraving their cioppino for a very long time. What a delicious dish.
- portionWe had a reservation, but our table was not ready upon arrival, which caused a 10-minute wait and some agitation. However, the food was incredibly satisfying and generously portioned. The only minor drawback was that the table bread wasn't as good as the bread served with the seafood stew.
- FoodFood:5
- pastaWe ordered the risotto, pappardelle al salmone, linguine granchio, and Caesar salad. The risotto and pasta were all amazing; the seafood was very fresh and there was a good amount of it, and the pastas were perfectly cooked with enough bite to them. The pappardelle was surprisingly delightful and unique; the smoked salmon they used is not your average smoked salmon (the one on bagels) and went well with the richer sauce.
- scallopsscallops which were also cooked perfectly
- Caesar saladCaesar salad, Everything was delicious
Frequently criticized
- foodthe food looks pathetic and tasteless
- pastapasta was more on the bland side
- Chipinothe Chipino was really not very good
- Cioppinothe crab in it tasted absolutely horrible - spoiled and acidic/bitter
- Lobster Rollwaiting on our lobster roll (roughly 50 minutes after placing our order.)
- TiramisuTiramisu was bland
- cioppinoI think Sotto Mare does cioppino better
- crabthe crab in it tasted absolutely horrible - spoiled and acidic/bitter
- crab cakecrab cake was the only semi disappointing dish
- crab chowder temperaturewish for it to come out hotter
Overall, if you're seeking a restaurant with a strong focus on fresh, well-prepared seafood, this place is definitely worth a visit. While there might be minor inconsistencies with certain dishes, the overwhelming positive feedback suggests a delightful culinary experience awaits.
Service (6.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 77% of the guests
It seems the service here offers a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 6.6 indicating an average performance and customer satisfaction sitting at a 63.5% mixed rating. Based on 137 pieces of feedback, there's a noticeable split in experiences. Many guests praised the friendly staff and attentive service, often noting they were seated right away or had knowledgeable servers.
Positive feedback, accounting for 87 comments, frequently highlighted efficient reservations and a warm, welcoming atmosphere from the team. However, 47 negative comments pointed to issues like waiting time and slow service. Some encountered rude staff or an unhelpful attitude of the waiter, leading to frustration.
There were also instances of poor customer service and a feeling of being rushed.
Service
137
Reviews
63%
Satisfaction
47
negative
3
neutral
87
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Attentive service
- Easy seating
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Rude staff
- Slow service
Often praised
- serviceThe quality seafood was absolutely worth the wait, and it's a much better alternative to the tourist traps on the pier. The service was impeccable, and the seafood was as fresh and tasty as expected. While the atmosphere is loud, I recommend making a reservation.
- staffThe salmon roe cream pasta was rich, but if you like rich food, I'd recommend it. Most of the staff are Italian, so they seem to be knowledgeable about food. While I can't directly compare it to Sottomare, it was definitely delicious!
- ServiceService is friendly and attentive
- waiterI asked the waiter if he'd ever been to Napa, and eaten at the no defunct Carriage House Restaurant, and I was shocked when he said yes
- reservationsMy favorite was the Crudo, and I also enjoyed the lobster ravioli, calamari, and chowder. We would come back because reservations are easy to get.
- seated right awayWe were seated right away
- serverThe server gave us a lot of attention
- Italian guyItalian guy was hustling for sure and holding it together
- Italian speakersMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The staff was incredibly kind and even spoke Italian. I absolutely loved the lobster ravioli and the cioppino fish & sauce.
- JavierMe atendió Javier en forma extraordinaria
Frequently criticized
- serviceThe service was terrible, particularly the attitude of the waiter.
- reservationWe planned to go to Sottomare with a group, but without a reservation, we would have had to wait about an hour and a half. So, we decided to try the place next door instead :) We enjoyed our meal very much!
- staffRestaurant was understaffed, wait staff looked panicked
- waiterHe mansplained that it was the spaghetti that I got and they were supposed to look the same as the linguini.
- accessoryhad to ask literally every accessory
- apologiesNo apologies. No offers to make it right.
- attentivenot particularly attentive
- attitude of the waiterparticularly the attitude of the waiter.
- closure on SundayI was looking forward to trying this place, but unfortunately, it was closed on Sunday. There was no notice on Google Maps or their website, and I couldn't see any sign on their door.
- customer serviceTerrible customer service.
If youre looking for a place with potentially friendly and attentive staff, you might find it here. However, be prepared for the possibility of long waits or less-than-stellar interactions, as service experiences vary. Its a bit of a gamble on the service front.
Ambience (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 38% of the guests
The ambience here generally hits the mark, with a 7.7 score indicating a good experience and 76% customer satisfaction. Many of the 38 positive comments praise the inviting atmosphere and relaxing vibes, often highlighting outdoor seating and its oceanfront location. Guests appreciate the pet friendly and romantic setting, making for a warm and convivial place.
However, not everyone found it perfect. Out of 9 negative remarks, some noted the atmosphere could be loud, with mentions of dishes and pots falling. A few felt it leaned more towards a tourist spot than a local restaurant, which wasnt quite the expected experience' for some.
Ambience
50
Reviews
76%
Satisfaction
9
negative
3
neutral
38
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Relaxing vibes
- Pet friendly
- Oceanfront location
What people don't like
- Can be loud
- Dishes falling
- Tourist spot feel
Often praised
- atmosphereThe atmosphere was also great, and the food was exceptional. It wasn't pretentious, but it was really outstanding. I would totally recommend it.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5 Wonderful!
- ambianceOverall, I cannot recommend California Fish Market enough. The food is outstanding, the service is top-notch, and the ambiance is inviting. If you're in San Francisco and looking for a fantastic seafood restaurant, look no further than California Fish Market!
- restaurantthe restaurant is clean & airy
- Everything all aroundHonestly, it's one of the best restaurants we've ever been to. Everything all around was amazing.
- North BeachThis is a good spot in North Beach for something other than Italian food. My favorite was the Crudo, and I also enjoyed the lobster ravioli, calamari, and chowder.
- convivial and friendly placeit is a very convivial and friendly place
- experienceEverything was absolutely delicious. We had such an amazing meal and a memorable experience. The service was great, too!
- good atmospherewith a good atmosphere
- indoor and outdoor seatingThe squid ink spaghetti was okay, though my partner thought it was great. The service was good, and they offer both indoor and outdoor seating.
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereun lugar pequeño, sencillo no tan acogedor
- parkingOnly downside is the parking
- dishes and pots fallingdishes and pots falling on the floor
- large partyMy experience at this restaurant was largely positive, with excellent quality of ingredients and extremely attentive and helpful staff. The atmosphere is smaller and more quaint, though it can get loud with a large party. The only aspect preventing a 5-star review was the sea urchin, which was regrettable.
- local restaurantwas not the local restaurant I expected
- restaurant closureAppears to have gone out of business?
- tourist spotThe food was okay, but unfortunately, it was too salty. It didn't feel like the local restaurant I was expecting; instead, it felt a bit like a tourist spot.
If you're seeking a generally pleasant and often romantic setting, especially with outdoor seating and ocean views, this spot is worth a visit. Just be prepared that it can get a bit lively, and some find it a bit touristy.
Value (5.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 19% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot is a bit of a mixed bag, with an average score of 5.4 and customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 45.5%. Based on 22 opinions, with 10 positive and 10 negative, many customers found the prices surprisingly good, especially for wine. Terms like reasonable price, well-priced, and price-quality frequently popped up, with diners feeling the food offered good value and was definitely worth the money.
However, the value proposition isnt always straightforward. Some guests felt it was pricy or overpriced, noting high prices overall. More concerningly, several opinions highlighted issues with unexpected charges, such as service surcharge or tip being added to the bill' without permission, with some even describing these as fraudulent.
Value
22
Reviews
45%
Satisfaction
10
negative
2
neutral
10
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good price-quality
- Reasonable wine list
- Dishes offer value
What people don't like
- Unexpected service charges
- Fraudulent tip additions
- Can be overpriced
Often praised
- pricesWe can't speak highly enough about our experience. The Market has it all: food and service that can't be beat, a great Italian wine list, and fair prices. My wife and I had our most enjoyable dinner with our 10 and 12-year-old children in years.
- moneyworth the money and easily can feed two people
- priceWith reasonable price
- price-qualitySuper verse vis en zeevruchten, hele goede en vriendelijke service. Prijs-kwaliteit is top, en het eten komt niet zoals bij veel Amerikaanse restaurants meteen te snel achter elkaar. De oesters waren heerlijk vers, de pasta die mijn man had was lekker en de gegrilde visselectie die ik had was lekker en veel.
- reasonable price합리적인 가격대에 음식 퀄리티가 좋아서
- valueCalifornia Fish Market is fantastic. The grilled seafood platter and the crudos are especially good, but everything we’ve ordered has been tasty and a good value. They also have daily specials in addition to the items on the printed menu.
- well-pricedwell priced
- wine pricesIt was tastier than nearby famous restaurants, and the service was great too. The wine prices are reasonable, so I strongly recommend it for dinner with a glass of wine!
Frequently criticized
- priceFood is a bit overpriced
- tipthe restaurant still charged me a tip, which is very unethical and a fraud
- billthey gave us a wrong bill
- parkingNo hay estacionamiento, enfrente hay un estacionamiento público por el que pagas $30.00
- pricesThe staff were very nice, and the physical restaurant is lovely, with many locals present. While the small details could be overlooked, the prices were high, which is to be expected in San Francisco.
- pricey sideBit on the pricey side but not bad
- pricyDelicious but kind of pricy
- service surchargeput in a service surcharge without permission
If you're considering a visit, you might find some dishes and the wine list offer good value. Just be sure to scrutinize your bill carefully, as there have been notable concerns about unexpected charges and service surcharges.
How are the prices at California Fish Market?
You’re looking at roughly 48 per person – reported by 67 diners. That puts it in the $41–$50 category. For a Seafood Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While many guests spend around this average, we also see a good number opting for slightly lower prices in the $31–$40 range. There’s a nice mix, with some diners enjoying more premium options too.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 67 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value compares to similar spots in San Francisco.
For a Seafood Restaurant in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It offers a good mid-range experience, and the variety in spending suggests theres something for different budgets. Wed say its a solid choice if youre looking for quality seafood without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about California Fish Market
Price per Person
- $81–$90
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
10
Outstanding Fresh Seafood Experience
My experience at this restaurant was outstanding, particularly with their incredibly fresh seafood. We began with the combo crudo Calabrese, which featured raw halibut, salmon, and scallop, topped with capers, Calabrian chili, and sea salt. It was absolutely delicious and quickly became a favorite.
For our main courses, we enjoyed the linguine granchio, a perfectly cooked linguine with Dungeness crab meat, tomatoes, and pepper. The Coppino was another standout, generously filled with mussels, clams, scallop, calamari, and shrimp in a rich tomato-based stew. Everything was exceptional, and I highly recommend this place if you're craving fresh, flavorful seafood!
- seafood10
- combo crudo Calabrese10
- halibut, salmon, and scallop10
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Restaurant appears to be closed
It appears this restaurant may have gone out of business. We were standing outside, waiting for our reservation next door.
- restaurant closure1
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Disappointing closure, wasted trip
I was looking forward to trying this place, but unfortunately, it was closed on Sunday. There was no notice on Google Maps or their website, and I couldn't see any sign on their door. I wasted my time walking over.
- closure on Sunday2
- notice1
- sign1
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Fantastic Prawns and Service After 30 Years
After walking past this place for 30 years, I finally had the chance to eat here for the first time. My experience was fantastic, particularly the sauted prawns which were excellent. The service was also excellent, complementing the great food.
- sauted prawns10
- service10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Romantic Date
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Romantic Dinner with Outstanding Seafood Risotto
My experience at this charming small restaurant in the heart of North Beach was extremely pleasant. The service was attentive, cordial, and friendly. During the afternoon, the atmosphere was quiet and very enjoyable.
I ordered the Risotto de Mare, which was outstanding. It was a generous portion and featured a large variety of seafood with the best fresh flavors. We chose this restaurant for my husband's birthday, and it turned out to be quite romantic.
We will definitely be back.
- service9
- Risotto de Mare10
- seafood9
What California Fish Market offers
Crowd
- Tourists
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Paid parking lot
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What dining options and atmosphere can you expect at California Fish Market Restaurant?
At California Fish Market Restaurant, you can enjoy a casual and trendy atmosphere perfect for lunch or dinner. They offer table service, and you can choose from dine-in or outdoor seating. Don’t forget to save room for dessert!
Are there family-friendly amenities and accessible features at California Fish Market Restaurant?
Yes, California Fish Market Restaurant caters to families with a kids’ menu and high chairs available. The restaurant is also wheelchair accessible, featuring an accessible entrance, seating, and restroom for your convenience.
What is the overall customer sentiment for California Fish Market?
California Fish Market has a strong overall customer satisfaction rate of 78% and a Restaurant Score of 7.8 out of 10, indicating that most patrons have a positive experience.
How does California Fish Market perform across different aspects of dining?
The restaurant excels in Food (8.4), followed by a good Ambience (7.7). Service is respectable (6.6), though some guests note inconsistencies, and Value (5.4) is perceived as average, with mixed opinions on pricing.
Are there any common issues reported by diners at California Fish Market?
Some diners have reported occasional issues with service, including staff attitude or attentiveness. There are also mentions of certain dishes being inconsistent in quality, and some find the overall value to be a concern due to pricing.