Anchor Oyster Bar

Located in the heart of San Francisco at 579 Castro St, Anchor Oyster Bar is a hidden gem for seafood lovers. This women-owned restaurant offers a variety of fresh seafood dishes with a focus on oysters. The menu includes many vegetarian options, making it a great choice for both seafood enthusiasts and non-seafood eaters.

One of the highlights of Anchor Oyster Bar is their outdoor seating, perfect for enjoying a sunny day while indulging in delicious seafood. The casual setting and moderate noise level create a welcoming atmosphere for diners of all ages.

With a range of amenities such as delivery, takeout, and reservations, Anchor Oyster Bar caters to various dining preferences. They also accept credit cards, Android Pay, and Apple Pay for added convenience.

Whether you're looking for a dinner spot, a place for happy hour, or a spot for a quick bite, Anchor Oyster Bar has something for everyone. Their attentive waiter service and covered outdoor seating ensure a pleasant dining experience. Enjoy a glass of beer or wine while savoring the freshness of their seafood offerings.

Overall, Anchor Oyster Bar is a must-visit for seafood lovers in San Francisco. From the quality of food to the relaxed ambiance, this restaurant ticks all the boxes for a memorable dining experience. Make sure to give them a try and let your taste buds thank you later.

Anchor Oyster Bar Menu

Location

Address: 579 Castro St San Francisco, CA 94114
Phone: (415) 431-3990

🕓 Work Hours
MON 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM
TUE Closed
WED Closed
THU 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM
FRI 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM
SAT 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM
SUN 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Business info

  • Offers Delivery
    Yes
  • Offers Takeout
    Yes
  • Reservations
    No
  • Many Vegetarian Options
    Yes
  • Accepts Credit Cards
    Yes
  • Accepts Android Pay
    No
  • Accepts Apple Pay
    No
  • Outdoor Seating
    Yes
  • Casual
    Yes
  • Moderate Noise
    Yes
  • Good For Kids
    Yes
  • Good for Dinner
    Yes
  • Street Parking
    Yes
  • Beer & Wine Only
    Yes
  • Women-owned
    Yes
  • Covered Outdoor Seating
    Yes
  • Gender-neutral restrooms
    Yes
  • Offers Catering
    No
  • Not Good For Groups
    No
  • Waiter Service
    No
  • Wi-Fi
    No
  • Happy Hour
    No
  • Dogs Not Allowed
    No
  • TV
    No
  • Bike Parking
    Yes

Last Reviews

  • Author: Christopher Paretti

    19 February 2025

    I know this place is a staple of SF and I believe it's earned that status. That said, it didn't really end up being worth the hour wait for us. The biggest let down were the oysters oddly enough. It could be the time of year perhaps, but the local Tomales Bay oysters weren't good. Muddy aftertaste & almost no liquor. My partner is Japanese and LOVES Oysters and she passed on the last one. Best dish was the crab sliders for us. Chowder (being from New England) also missed the mark a bit for me. Fun texture, but not a great ratio of ingredients. It's very frothy and buttery, but could be more hearty. I feel like perhaps this is more of a cooked seafood place. Servers were very nice, no issues there at all. Oh and the caesar salad was quite good.

  • Author: Y W

    19 February 2025

    We arrived during the peak weekend dinner time and waited over an hour, but it was worth it. We had a small cioppino, mussels, garlic bread, and clam chowder. It was enough food for two adults and a small child.The mussels and the broth were delicious, which the yummy bread soaked up beautifully.Cioppino was well-spiced with a hint of grassy herbaceousness. The crab in it was large and full of juicy meat, which was super fun to crack and eat. Because of how strongly it was seasoned though, other smaller seafood ingredients like mussels, shrimp, and clams were a bit buried in the rich flavors of the sauce.Wouldn’t strongly recommend the chowder. It was okay but nothing remarkable. I’d rather have more of their scrumptious garlic bread.The service was also attentive, and the staff members were lovely!Would definitely return.

  • Author: Justin W. Vang-Moore

    19 February 2025

    I have been going to Anchor Oyster Bar for more than a decade and it is simply one of my most favorite restaurants in the Bay Area. The wait is as simple as putting your name on the white board outside the door and the wait, at the height of dinner, is usually about -minutes. I usually aim to be there near the start of dinner so that I can sit for dinner quickly. There are several outdoor dining booths with heaters (dress warmly), tables lining the wall, and generous bar seating. The place is styled in a New England feel, is always clean, and well staffed. The staff are wonderfully friendly and provide excellent service. The food is stellar! I absolutely love the caesar salad with a bowl of the clam chowder. The salad is simply delicious. In addition, the Cioppino is a dish that cannot be missed! Please stop off and enjoy!

  • Author: Teresa

    19 February 2025

    I found best seafood in SF at the Anchor Oyster bar. There’s a reason it’s Michelin recommend. Everything was super fresh and delicious; the raw oysters even tasted sweet. I recommend getting the scallops. We came close to closing time and the wait wasn’t bad. Even though we sat by the bar, our waitress was very attentive. I will definitely be back to try more items on the menu.