Top 10 Instagram-Worthy Dishes to Try at Restaurants at Pier 39

  • People love seeing Instagram-worthy restaurant dishes on their feeds.
  • From colossal onion rings to crab feasts to delectable desserts, Pier 39 is loaded with Instagrammable delights.
  • Snap, share, and savor the most photogenic bites on San Francisco’s iconic waterfront.

If there’s one thing people can’t get enough of, it’s shots of Instagram-worthy food on their social media feeds. 

That’s what makes the epic meals on San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf and smartphones such a great combination. When you’re wondering what to eat at Pier 39, let this list of the most Instagram-worthy restaurant dishes be your guide.

1. Whole Dungeness Crab

Whole dungeness crab with lemon, butter, and bread.

Dungeness crab is one of the most iconic dishes throughout San Francisco, and Pier 39 restaurants serve it at its most Instagram-worthy. Take Pier Market, for example. Here you can order yours steamed and served with drawn butter or opt for their signature garlic-roasted preparation. Either way, posting pics of this craveable crustacean on your page is a must. 

2. Clam Chowder

Clam chowder in a sourdough breadbowl.

Speaking of Pier Market, did you know that they and their sister restaurant, Fog Harbor Fish House, serve up a delicious rendition of clam chowder? Whether you choose a cup or order yours in an iconic sourdough bowl, this savory soup is on any list of what to eat at Pier 39.

3. Crab Chowder

Crab chowder served in a bread bowl.

So how do you take a Pier 39 Instagram favorite like clam chowder to the next level? Add crab, of course. Crab House at Pier 39 is among the handful of restaurants that’ve found an Instagram-worthy way of improving on an already perfect dish.

4. Crab Bruschetta

Crab bruschetta served at Pier Market

Okay, while we’re on the topic of crab creativity, we’ve got to hand props to another Pier 39 photo star, available at Fog Harbor and Crab House at Pier 39. Tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, balsamic, shallots, crab meat, and parmesan, all piled on a sourdough crostini? If crab bruschetta’s not an Instagram-worthy food, we don’t know what is!

5. Steamed Clams

Steamed clams served at Pier Market.

If you think clams are put to best use in chowder, you’ve never seen them steamed at Pier Market. This spot is among the Fisherman’s Wharf restaurants serving up these Instagram-worthy mollusks in a delicious way. Here, just a simple steaming in garlic, butter, and white wine is all it takes to make these bivalves a must when it comes to what to eat at Pier 39.

6. Outrageous Onion Rings

Fried onion rings.

Instagram-worthy restaurants on Pier 39 aren’t just about seafood. We think the Outrageous Onion Rings from Wipeout Bar & Grill deserve a spot on this list based on size alone! These onions give new meaning to “thick cut”. And although you probably can’t eat one in just a single bite, post one pic of these rings on your page and the “likes” will pour in.

7. Lobster Tail

Grilled lobster tail on a plate.

Is there anything more picture-perfect than a lobster tail? Well, maybe two lobster tails! The twin tails served by Pier Market restaurant are Instagram-worthy stars in their own right. But order them Cajun style or Teriyaki, and you have a social media post for the ages.

8. Crab Cake Benedict

Don’t think for a second we’d leave an Instagram-worthy breakfast food off this list. Over at Eagle Cafe, crab makes another appearance in the top ten with this delectable Crab Cake Benedict. Who knew replacing an English muffin with a crab cake could put a morning menu staple into the spotlight as a Pier 39 Instagram sensation?

9. Fish Tacos

Fish tacos with a margarita.
Eagle Cafe in San Francisco on August 20, 2019. Photo Copyright Nader Khouri 2019

Eagle Cafe and Wipeout are both great restaurants for another Instagram-worthy favorite: fish tacos. Ordering fish tacos on a trip to California is simply a must.

10. Biscoff Cheesecake

 Biscoff cheesecake from Fog Harbor

We wouldn’t dream of wrapping up our top ten without including a dessert, and we think that Fog Harbor’s Biscoff Cheesecake really takes the cake! If you’ve got a sweet tooth, then this Instagram-worthy food needs to be on your list of what to eat at Pier 39!

There you have it! Ten Instagram-worthy restaurant dishes to try the next time you’re at one of our Pier 39 eateries. Did we miss one of your favorites? You’ll just have to post it on your page so everyone can check it out!