Best Lobster Tail Bay Area | Pier Market Restaurant

Lobster cooked and ready to serve at San Francisco's Pier Market

  • Discover San Francisco lobster options at Pier Market, like lobster dishes and sides you can pair with any entrée.
  • Savor the rich, smoky flavor of lobster cooked on Pier Market’s mesquite grill.
  • Enjoy delicious lobster, waterfront views, and warm hospitality at this favored spot on Pier 39.

The City by the Bay and seafood go hand in hand, so it makes all the sense in the world to be on the hunt for the best lobster restaurant in San Francisco. Well, it turns out the top spot is hiding in plain sight, right in the heart of the action on Fisherman’s Wharf.

That’s right! Located on world-famous Pier 39, Pier Market serves up some of the most delicious lobster in town. For more than 40 years, locals and visitors have been in on the secret that this is one of the premier destinations for delicious lobster in San Francisco. Here’s why they keep coming back to Pier Market, and why you should join them.

San Francisco Lobster Tails Done Right

Plated San Francisco lobster tails at Pier Market

You take your seat and scan the Pier Market menu for exactly what you’re craving, and there it is— lobster tails! If you’re all about zeroing in on sweet, delicious lobster when you sit down for a San Francisco seafood meal, then two is always better than one.

The two 4- to 5-ounce lobster tails you’ll savor are mesquite-grilled (more on that later) and served simply, with drawn butter. But if you feel like taking the flavor level up a few notches, you can mix things up and have your tails prepared Cajun style or with teriyaki sauce. At Pier Market, we like to be a San Francisco restaurant that provides options when it comes to lobster!

San Francisco Lobster Tip #1

With three lobster tail preparations, lobster lovers have three great reasons to visit Pier Market a few times during their stay!

Surf & Turf: A San Francisco Lobster Classic

Plated surf and turf at Pier Market

Of course, nearly as favored in the hearts of lobster lovers is that timeless pairing: surf & turf. While no one is sure where that clever moniker first appeared, it’s clear that in San Francisco restaurants, the combination of lobster and steak reaches delicious new heights.

At Pier Market, you’ll find both the surf and the turf seared to perfection on our signature mesquite grill. We love the unique smokiness our grill infuses into our meat and seafood dishes so much that we made mesquite grilling the centerpiece of our menu selections, from tasty salmon and swordfish to our popular Mixed Grill.

San Francisco Lobster Tip #2

Before or after your spectacular Pier Market San Francisco lobster meal, stop by and watch our chefs cook lobster tails—and just about everything else—in full view on our smokin’ mesquite grill!

Add Delicious San Francisco Lobster Onto Any Meal

Maybe you’ve already stopped by to sample Pier Market’s lobster tails or our surf & turf—or perhaps you’re a fan of variety. Good news! At our San Francisco restaurant, you can add a 4-ounce lobster tail to any other entrée on our extensive menu.

Love the mild, delicate flavor of trout, but don’t want to miss out on the sweetness of lobster tail? Or are you choosing a light option like grilled chicken breast, but want to elevate the experience with luxurious lobster on the side? At Pier Market, customize your meal to your heart’s content!

San Francisco Lobster Tip #3

Always choose a restaurant with menu flexibility. Being able to pair anything you crave with one of our Maine lobster tails is one of the things that makes Pier Market such a standout!

Why Pier Market Has the Edge for Lobster and More

The welcoming entrance and outdoor patio at Pier Market

In San Francisco, lobster is definitely a mainstay on many seafood menus. That’s why you need a dining option that offers a bit more than the average eatery.

Ideal Location

Enjoying San Francisco lobster in a waterfront restaurant setting is a win-win. With our terrific location on Fisherman’s Wharf’s famous Pier 39, Pier Market is the perfect spot to savor not just ocean delicacies, but also fabulous views.

Take in all of the dockside action through our dining room’s extra-large waterfront windows overlooking the Bay. Or, get in some epic people-watching from our heated outdoor patio. And before or after your meal, you can immerse yourself in all of the fun and frivolity on offer at one of the city’s top attractions. Pier 39 has so much to explore—and Pier Market puts you in the heart of the action.

Menu Variety

We get that dining on lobster in San Francisco may be at the top of your dish wishlist, but the menu at Pier Market is also loaded with fish and seafood favorites that you and everyone in your party is sure to enjoy.

  • Hoping to sample one of the most iconic soups in San Francisco? Forget lobster bisque! We serve delicious clam chowder, with or without the sourdough bread bowl.
  • Craving crab cakes? As a starter or a main course, we have some of the best around.
  • Joining us for lunch? How about sampling our popular salmon burger?
  • Want to share a feast with a friend? Check out our double Shellfish Platter, teeming with crab, shrimp, clams, and more!

Whether you’re zeroed in solely on lobster or you prefer a San Francisco restaurant with a range of tasty choices, Pier Market is the place for you!

Bay Area Tradition

Pier Market has been family-owned and operated since 1983. We aren’t some flash-in-the-pan San Francisco restaurant—we’re a lobster and seafood institution!

Our casual, friendly vibe has made us a favorite for generations of locals, and visitors always make sure to recommend us to friends who are headed our way. We’re a family-friendly, casual destination that just happens to serve up some of the best lobster in San Francisco.

The Final Word in San Francisco Lobster

If you’re searching for the best lobster in San Francisco, your search ends in this restaurant: Pier Market. From lobster tails to surf & turf combos to flexible add-ons, it’s all here, served with a side of great views and exceptional hospitality.

Book online or stop by today. We keep tables available for walk-ins, so don’t hesitate to come see us when you’re near Pier 39. We’re open every day of the year, so it’s easy to make Pier Market your go-to restaurant for lobster in San Francisco!