259 reviews
#72 of 4,934 Restaurants in San Francisco$$ - $$$, American, Seafood, Gluten free options+1 415-387-7091+ Add websiteImprove this listing
Hours
Sun
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Wed
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Thu
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Fri
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Sat
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
4.5
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
Learn More
CUISINES
American, Seafood
Special Diets
Gluten free options
Meals
Dinner
features
Does this restaurant offer outdoor seating?
Details
About
Pacific Cafe opened July 4th, 1974 at the corner of 34th Ave. & Geary Blvd. in San Francisco's Richmond district. We serve dinner Wednesday through Sunday from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm. Our menu and extensive daily specials offer a wide variety of fish and shellfish. Each entree includes Boudin sourdough bread, your choice of soup or salad, and a side of rice, french fries, or vegetable. We do not accept reservations, but guests receive a glass of complimentary wine with their dinner! Our friendly and experienced staff will take great pleasure in making you feel at home in a warm neighborhood setting.
CUISINES
American, Seafood
Special Diets
Gluten free options
Meals
Dinner
FEATURES
Seating, Street Parking, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Digital Payments, Discover, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Family style, Gift Cards Available
Contribute
4.5
259 reviews
Excellent
180
Very good
64
Average
10
Poor
3
Terrible
2
Trent B
Fort Myers44 contributions
Feb 2022 • none
Upon walking into the cozy dining room, you're greeted with a glass of wine. A limited menu of fresh entrees is carefully prepared by talented staff, and presented by a friendly and efficient waitstaff. For a relaxing night out, special occasion, or trip to the city, this is then place to come for great food, excellent service, and reasonable prices. I am glad we visited!
Written February 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christal D
Saint Louis100 contributions
May 2021 • none
After a week driving down the west coast, we spent our final day in San Francisco. My husband and I spent the day touring San Francisco with a local friend. He highly suggested Pacific Cafe. The restaurant has a vintage look and feel but not in a bad way. Our dinners were plentiful and tasty, and the complimentary glass of wine was a hearty pour. Everyone from the servers to the owners were fantastic and very enjoyable to visit with. Marlene and the crew made the last night of our trip a highlight!
Written June 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
תומר ב
1 contribution
Sep 2021 • family
Great tasty food and kind staff, one of the best meals I’ve had in sf.
My table had the parmesan halibut, calamari, crab cake, trout and a cheesecake for 3- all was made flawlessly and the 3 of us were very full.
Just a must go place.
Written September 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Don'tWaitForRetirement
California5792 contributions
Sep 2022 • none
We tried this restaurant while staying in the Richmond neighborhood for a few days, based on reviews and proximity to our accommodation. We were fortunate to get seated right away soon after opening in a cozy window seat. The restaurant has a cozy orange-hue warmth.
I took a star off for feeling rushed. We ordered a bottle of wine, but felt rushed to drink it as service was swift, there were people waiting for tables and it was obvious they were wanting to turn tables. It's a very small (and popular!) restaurant. On reflection, we should have only ordered a glass each instead of a bottle.
We ordered a salmon and fries and salmon and veg. It comes just like that, nothing else on the plate. The bread and butter was really good and they brought us more when we were finished. The meal also came with a cup of soup.
The dessert we ordered was like an oversized chocolate cupcake which was very good, although the frosting tasted like the store-bought stuff in a tub. (Still yummy!)
One other note, the wait staff were wearing masks (Sept '22) which was great to see.
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Written September 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Q9233XM
London72 contributions
Oct 2023 • friends
It is unexpected to find this restaurant ranked high amongst SF restaurants. It has very, very little to recommend it. The food is unacceptable (I actually threw up my food an hour later) - the three of us all got inedible food. The restaurant is in a second rate premises with second rates tables, second rate chairs and second rate everything else. Frankly, to be avoided.
Written October 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NewarkGin
Newark272 contributions
Apr 2023 • couples
Ate here on a Wednesday night. It is very small so even arriving at 5:30 we waited a bit for a table. They offer a free glass of wine to help you wait which is very kind. Folks waiting all chatted and it was very pleasant. It seems to get a lot of folks from the neighborhood. Staff were very friendly and efficient. Fried oysters were outstanding as was the sourdough bread. Parmesan encrusted halibut was very good. The French fries were thick cut wedges, and really were not very good—not particularly crisp, nor salty—just very dry. Next time I’ll try the rice pilaf.
Written April 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darrell S
Trenton152 contributions
Oct 2022 • none
Since we first started planning our trip to San Francisco, due to the very high ratings for this restaurant and the very positive vibe from Trip Advisor ratings, was excited about this restaurant. While very good, especially my meal, the Halibut, my wife was not thrilled by hers and so cannot rate as great. The wine was good but expensive and I didnt finish the bottle I ordered but did offer to have the staff to share with other diners. It was very good but not great and so can only rate as 4 out of 5
Written December 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bryan H
Saginaw149 contributions
Apr 2022 • business
Coworker and I ate at Pacific Cafe as we wanted seafood and wanted to avoid the tourist traps on the Wharf. Arrived at the restaurant at 5:15 pm and it was already mostly full. We were able to get the last table. I ordered the grilled scallop special All meals come with bread, soup or salad, fries or veggie.
The shrimp Louie salad was delicious. The scallops were cooked perfectly and were delicious. Coworker had the calamari steak. We ended the meal with the mixed berry galette a la mode.
I will definitely eat here again.
Written April 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mona W
1 contribution
Jun 2024 • friends
We’ve been coming here for 50 years. The food always has the same high quality consistency. The complimentary white wine is always festive. And the prices are very affordable. The staff treats you like family. A SF favorite!
Written July 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marla B
San Francisco193 contributions
Dec 2022 • none
Friends have been raving about this place for years. After 32 years here in SF, I'm with my friends.
As one reader said it's a time warp of nostalgia. Do take the time to take it all in, even in the golden blow of the dining room. Whether you have to wait or not they start you off with a glass of Red or White wine, your choice (and a generous pour).
The seating area is no large but very cozy in old fashioned booths.
Love the simplistic menu, fresh fish and generous portions.
Starting off with some mighty fine sour dough bread & no skimping on the butter.
Bottles of wine are also very reasonable and decent selection.
My friend had the salmon and house salad (with shrimp on top, no less) - $30
I had the Petrale Soul Neuberg and the cup of chowder - $31.95. Both were piping hot and mouth wateringly delicious.
I couldn't believe I ate the whole thing, but it probably would have lost a bit if I had to reheat it the next day.
We finished with a HUGE scoop of Mitchell's Ice Cream and coffee. The coffee was not weak either.
Had a lovely chat with our server Ruth, who was also wonderful at her job.
So if you are thinking about trying the place, don't wait, you won't be disappointed.
I will be back.
Written December 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tammy B
Victoria8 contributions
Sep 2024 • couples
I did not have a good experience. The food was terrible. I had th crab cakes, which tasted like canned shredded crab with mayo and some green onion. I couldn't finish my dinner. What a waste of time and money. Even the wine I ordered came in a can. The only positive was the staff. I do NOT recommend this place.
Written September 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jonathan s
1 contribution
Jan 2023 • couples
Just OK. We have gone to many SF restaurants over the years and just OK. We have no plans to return
Written May 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jay
Scottsdale2 contributions
Mar 2023 • friends
Wonderful owner and staff with great service and great fish dishes that are true and tried! Not trendy but is trendsetting!
Written March 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark S
44 contributions
Jul 2022 • couples
A perfect neighbourhood restaurant with amazing food and super friendly service. The crab cakes and halibut were amazing and incredible value too
Written July 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard W
Penn Valley877 contributions
Aug 2021 • none
This local gem opened in 1974 and I have been visiting it since 1977--always excellent service and excellent fresh seafood items. Many locals go here which is always a great sign of quality. The owner still works the tables and trains his staff well, keeping his cooks going for over 24 years! This is a place dedicated to quality and family. Upon entering or simply standing in the waiting line outside you are offered a full glass of white wine--complimentary. If you are in line for a long time you may even get a second glass!
Local quality and sourcing is exhibited here! Even the wine list, though not extensive, offers incredible pricing---a bottle of very good Napa Valley Chardonney for under $30!
This is a place you don't want to miss if you love quality seafood at very fair prices and with excellent service. The staff shirts claim Petrale Power since 1974...we simply love this place and visit whenever we can get to the City.
Written September 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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