Highlights
- Great dessert
- Great coffee
- Great wine list
- Great beer selection
oChef » The Old Clam House – San Francisco
The Old Clam House - San Francisco
Photo from The Old Clam House
The Old Clam House at a glance
San Francisco Bayview District
- 🦞 Seafood Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $41–$50
mentioned by 128 of the guests
#503 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#4 Seafood Restaurant out of 48 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
692
Reviews
80.8%
Satisfaction
Often praised
Frequently criticized
The restaurant, The Old Clam House, is a beloved seafood restaurant nestled in San Francisco’s historic Bayview District. You will discover a truly unique dining experience here, complete with a great dessert selection that perfectly caps off any meal.
This establishment offers a cozy and casual atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for a relaxed lunch or dinner. You can enjoy the historic charm while savoring fresh seafood dishes.
Overview: Introducting The Old Clam House
Excellent
8.1
out of 10
692
Reviews
80.8%
Satisfaction
101
negative
32
neutral
559
positive
What people like
What people don't like
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Verdict: Our expert take on The Old Clam House
Food (8.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 96% of the guests
Alright, lets talk about the food! With a solid score of 8.4 and customer satisfaction at a strong 85.9%, its clear that the culinary experience here is generally good. Many diners rave about the delicious, fresh seafood, especially the clam chowder, seafood linguini, and cioppino, with 336 positive remarks highlighting the quality and flavor of the dishes.
However, out of 391 total comments, there were 35 negative observations. Some found the food to be occasionally bland or under seasoned, with a few mentions of concerns about freshness or portion sizes. While these are minor points compared to the overall praise, they're worth keeping in mind.
Food
391
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
35
negative
20
neutral
336
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh, delicious seafood
- Excellent clam chowder
- Flavorful pasta dishes
What people don't like
- Food can be bland
- Occasionally under seasoned
- Some portion concerns
Often praised
- foodIt's a place where fathers bring their sons or daughters for so many special occasions, or simply for the need for a hearty meal. While it may not be as polished as fancier spots, it makes up for that in character and personality, not to mention the great food and excellent service.
- clam chowderIt was amazing! We enjoyed every dish from the appetizers (saute of clams, clam chowder) to the mains (mixed combo seafood skillet, crab and asparagus spaghetti). We will definitely be recommending this restaurant to friends.
- seafoodMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's a true hidden gem with incredible seafood at reasonable prices. The vibe is very chill, and the staff are the best I've ever come across.
- clam brothclam broth they serve as soon as you sit is sooo good and warm
- calamaritheir calamari. Nothing has disappointed me.
- FoodFood:5
- cioppinoThe risotto was fantastic as well, with a generous amount of seafood and the lobster tail was not overcooked. My partner got the cioppino, and while it did look like a smaller portion for the price, he said the flavor was good. Overall, I would come back!
- clam juicethis place greets you with a shot of clam juice. It tastes amazing!
- clamsThe clams and garlic bread are fantastic too
- oystersoysters that were fresh and delicious
Frequently criticized
- foodI don’t think our waiter cared much; it felt like we were an inconvenience for coming in to have dinner. He didn’t even come check to see how the food was.
- seafoodthe seafood definitely wasn’t fresh
- CrabwichOmg the way that they make the Crabwich now is sooooooooo nasty.
- bread and butterThe bread and butter is not complementary
- brothleft wanting more broth
- bruschettabruschetta that was in it was a little too salty
- cheesecakeThe only slight disappointment was the cheesecake
- choppinothe choppino, and it was bland, with no flavor
- cioppinoCioppino tasted super bland
- clam and friends dishthe dish was supposed to come with shrimp, which were not there
If you're looking for a spot with consistently good, fresh seafood and classic dishes, this place is definitely worth a visit. Just be aware that a few diners have noted occasional issues with seasoning or blandness, but the positives far outweigh the negatives.
Service (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 77% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.8 and customer satisfaction at 76.9%, it's clear many diners have had good experiences. Out of 143 comments, a whopping 110 praise the attentive service, friendly staff, and warm hospitality.
Guests frequently mention excellent, impeccable, and prompt service, often highlighting specific servers for their world-class experience. However, not everyone leaves completely satisfied. There are 29 instances where service fell short, with some guests reporting slow service, rude staff, and frustrating waiting times.
Issues like forgotten orders, haphazard service, and a poor attitude from some team members occasionally mar the dining experience, leading to disappointment for a few.
Service
143
Reviews
76%
Satisfaction
29
negative
4
neutral
110
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Attentive, friendly staff
- Prompt, excellent service
- Warm hospitality
What people don't like
- Slow, rude service
- Long waiting times
- Poor staff attitude
Often praised
- serviceIt's a place where fathers bring their sons or daughters for so many special occasions, or simply for the need for a hearty meal. While it may not be as polished as fancier spots, it makes up for that in character and personality, not to mention the great food and excellent service.
- staffrest of staff friendly and indiscriminately quiet but attentive towards service
- ServiceService:5
- serverThe server was nice and patient and friendly.
- attentive servicevery attentive service
- JoseJose was a magnificent server. Best service I’ve had in years.
- friendly serviceThis place is a GEM. I had a wonderful experience with friendly service and yummy food, which was perfect for a foggy San Francisco day.
- hospitalityenjoyed the hospitality
- serversthe severs are top noch and so nice and friendly
- waiterOur waiter who I unfortunately forgot his name was delivering with grace and a swiftness
Frequently criticized
- servicethe service was slow although there weren't a lot of patrons
- waiterThe food was extremely under seasoned. I don’t think our waiter cared much; it felt like we were an inconvenience for coming in to have dinner. He didn’t even come check to see how the food was.
- accountabilitydid not want to take accountability
- attitudetheir attitude was always terrible
- bartenderI want to believe that being a Sunday evening and Father's Day contributed to the lack of service we deserved. For dessert, I wanted to enjoy the tres leches cake with a Mexican coffee, but the bartender was too busy to make it happen. I'm a great tipper for great service, and the delicious food allowed me to give a 25% gratuity.
- dinnerThe food was extremely under seasoned. I don’t think our waiter cared much; it felt like we were an inconvenience for coming in to have dinner. He didn’t even come check to see how the food was.
- disappointedSo disappointed
- false advertisingThis is false advertising
- haphazard serviceapologize for the haphazard service
- inconvenienceso much of an inconvenience of a drive
Overall, youre likely to encounter good service here, with many praising the attentive and friendly staff. While theres a chance of slow service or a less-than-stellar interaction, the positive experiences significantly outweigh the negative. It's worth a visit, but be prepared for a slight possibility of a hiccup.
Ambience (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 68% of the guests
The ambience here truly shines, with a strong 7.8 score and 78.7% customer satisfaction, indicating a good experience for most. Based on 107 positive remarks out of 136 total, guests consistently praise the old school restaurant experience, historic charm, and vintage ambiance. Many love the fun and quirky environment and awesome atmosphere, feeling its a true SF classic with unique character.
However, its not without its quirks, as 26 negative comments point out. The main concern revolves around parking, often described as difficult or in a sketchy part of town. Some also noted issues like a dusty net or uneven floors, suggesting minor upkeep concerns, and a few found the location off-putting or loud inside.
Ambience
136
Reviews
78%
Satisfaction
26
negative
3
neutral
107
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Old-school charm
- Historic atmosphere
- Unique decor
What people don't like
- Difficult parking
- Sketchy location
- Dusty interior
Often praised
- atmosphereThe seafood linguine was as good as it gets for me, which is high praise coming from San Diego where it's hard to top local seafood. The restaurant offered good service, good food, and a great atmosphere.
- interiorThe interior of this place will make you feel like you're on an old ship.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- decorhuge fan of the decor and the rustic look
- noise levela quiet noise level, making conversation easy
- ambiancelaid back ambiance
- ambienceCoupled with the ambience and decor
- musicThe food was excellent, and the casual atmosphere provided great small-town vibes. I also appreciated the Frank Sinatra music and the personal touch from the staff.
- vibeThe vibe of the place is very cool
- 19th-century charmkeeping the 19th-century charm
Frequently criticized
- parkingThe building itself has a ton of historical significance, and if it's slow, you might even get a little tour of what's haunted! Just be aware, parking is terrible. I went on a Tuesday afternoon, so it may be worse because it's in an industrial area; there might be more parking when businesses are closed.
- ParkingParking is unavailable
- neighborhoodThis is a historic restaurant, definitely worth visiting! Unfortunately, the neighborhood is quite dirty and authentic. The dishes were good, and some people speak Italian.
- Parking spaceSomewhat difficult to find parking
- alley parkingdidn't like was the alley parking
- dusty neta dusty net hung over our table
- fancy placesno drama like many other fancy places
- floorsthe floors are uneven surrounding the bar area
- handicap ParkingNo handicap Parking for my 84 yr old mother
- insidethe inside was to loud
If youre seeking a unique, old-school San Francisco vibe with tons of character and dont mind a bit of a parking adventure, this place is definitely worth a visit. It offers a charming, historic atmosphere that many find truly special. Just be prepared for potential parking challenges and a location that's a bit off the beaten path.
Value (5.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 15% of the guests
Some guests found the value here quite appealing, praising the reasonable prices and the welcome absence of extra fees. The bonus of free street parking also earned a nod. These positive experiences, noted in 6 comments, suggest that for some, the pricing felt just right.
However, the overall picture for value is a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5.1 (which is average) and customer satisfaction sitting at a rather poor 27.3%. Many of the 11 negative comments, out of 22 total, pointed to things being quite pricey, often citing small portions for what you pay or unexpected add-on costs.
Value
22
Reviews
27%
Satisfaction
11
negative
5
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable prices
- No extra fees
- Free street parking
What people don't like
- Often pricey
- Small portions
- High add-on costs
Often praised
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had a great meal at a reasonable price. Every dish was excellent, and the portions were big.
- pricesI was curious to try what is apparently the oldest restaurant in San Francisco, drawn by its great seafood and pasta menu with surprisingly decent prices. While the location isn't the most glamorous, situated off the Alemany exit amidst industrial buildings, don't let that deter you.
- extra feesEvery dish was excellent, and the portions were big. I'm glad they don't charge extra fees besides tax, making it a great value for money. The food was rated a 5 and the atmosphere a 5, with service rated a 4.
- free street parkingParking options:Free street parking
Frequently criticized
- pricepricey, but its San Francisco so expected
- Price per personi just wasted it $25 on this nasty cold sandwich.
- portion for the priceit did look like it was on the smaller portion for the price
- portionsall of which had small portions for the price
- pricescharges sky-high prices
- priceyVery pricey
- shrimpthe add on price was a bit high for the shrimp
- tippingthe waiter tipped himself without my consent
- transactionmanager said he could not find my transaction
If youre looking for a budget-friendly meal with generous portions, you might find the value here a bit challenging. However, if youre prepared for potentially higher prices and appreciate perks like free street parking, you might still find a dish that makes it worthwhile.
How are the prices at The Old Clam House?
You’re looking at roughly 47 per person – reported by 128 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.
Interestingly, while the average hovers around 47, a good chunk of diners actually spend less, with the most common price point falling in the $21–$30 range. This suggests a nice mix of more affordable dishes alongside some premium options, spreading out the price points quite a bit.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 128 most recent reviews.
Heres how this restaurants value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, for a Seafood Restaurant in San Francisco, this pricing feels quite fair. We see a good range of options, allowing diners to choose based on their budget while still enjoying quality seafood. It’s a good balance.
Customer Reviews: what people think about The Old Clam House
Price per Person
- $61–$70
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Classic SF Seafood Gem
My experience at The Old Clam House was fantastic! It's a true classic San Francisco spot with a perfect blend of local history, delicious seafood, and welcoming hospitality. I absolutely loved the warm clam soup they served as a starter – it was incredibly delicious.
The Dungeness crab is a definite must-try, and the clams and garlic bread were also superb. The old-school charm of the place made it feel like a delightful step back in time. It's definitely worth a visit for an authentic SF dining experience.
- warm clam soup10
- Dungeness crab9
- clams9
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Delicious Food, Worth the Trip!
We were more than pleasantly surprised by our experience. Everything we ate was delicious. We enjoyed the calamari, grilled octopus, salmon and shrimp, and the seafood linguini.
The tiramisu was also delicious. The only slight disappointment was the cheesecake. It was definitely worth the trip to get here.
- calamari9
- grilled octopus9
- salmon and shrimp9
- cheesecake3
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Outstanding Food & Service at Historic Gem
My experience at this 100+-year-old restaurant was exceptional. I stopped in for a late afternoon happy hour at the bar. The food was outstanding, and the bartender provided exceptional service.
This restaurant is full of character, and we loved every moment of our visit.
- food10
- bartender10
- restaurant9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Authentic Chowder, Worth the Trip
I was looking for a bread bowl of chowder that was true to taste, without having to go back into the city. This restaurant delivered exactly that. Next time, I'm eager to try their cioppino.
- bread bowl of chowder10
- cioppino9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
8
Great Seafood Experience with Minor Hiccups
Overall, I had a great experience at this seafood restaurant. It's wonderful to have a dedicated seafood place in this area. The restaurant is decorated well, and the service was good.
I ordered the fried calamari, clams, risotto, and cioppino. The calamari was a bit on the saltier side, but the portion was good and it was fried well. The clams were my favorite dish; they were super fresh and flavored well.
The risotto was fantastic as well, with a generous amount of seafood and the lobster tail was not overcooked. My partner got the cioppino, and while it did look like a smaller portion for the price, he said the flavor was good. Overall, I would come back!
- seafood restaurant9
- Restaurant decor9
- service8
- portion for the price4
What The Old Clam House offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Late-night food
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Brunch
- Counter service
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
Atmosphere
- Historic
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere can you expect at The Old Clam House, and is it accessible?
You will find a historic, cozy, and casual atmosphere at The Old Clam House. The restaurant is fully wheelchair accessible, including the entrance, seating, and restrooms, ensuring a comfortable visit for everyone.
What dining options are available, and is The Old Clam House suitable for families?
The Old Clam House offers lunch, dinner, brunch, and dessert, with both table and counter service. It is very good for kids, providing a dedicated kids’ menu and high chairs for your convenience.