the best place to eat shwrimp in San Francisco! It is a litttle expensive but I would come back there. The staff also are very polite. 10!

My wife and I decided to eat at Fisherman's Wharf and decided we wanted to sit down rather than buy from one of the many food stands. My wife was particularly eager to try the crab bisque on sale in several places, preferably out of a sourdough bread bowl. We therefore inquired at the entrance whether this was something Alioto's served and I was assured that they did.

We went inside and were seated by the window, with a pleasant view out across a couple of jetties and a collection of little fishing boats. The mist over the bay prevented a clear view, but we could make out the towers of the Golden Gate Bridge through the fog and in clearer conditions it would have been a splendid view.

We both ordered the crab bisque, but not before a bizarre exchange with a waiter whose demeanor I would describe as moody - ostensibly polite, but with an underlying attitude that suggested he was at best having an off day. He explained that the sourdough bread bowls were for the clam chowder and that they didn't do that for the crab bisque, or at least it wasn't on the menu. Yet, after challenging what would mean they had what we wanted but wouldn't sell it to us, he quickly said, 'But you can have it for an extra $1.50 each." So, why not just say that to start with?!

This 2 minutes of unnecessary awkwardness produced an atmosphere that was not terribly welcoming. But, that aside, the service was fairly quick and appropriately attentive. The crab bisque was actually excellent - and despite the odd exchange it invokes, I would recommend you request it served in a sourdough bowl. It was really delicious, with sizable chunks of really fresh crab, full of taste.

Pricing was reasonable, albeit about twice that for the same food sold at the stands on the quayside downstairs. It is nice to be eating a meal right in the midst of San Francisco's famous Fisherman's Wharf. The building itself also had a charming old-school family restaurant feel - and indeed I believe it is such a place - with the stairways decked with photos of Alioto's from what appears to have been something of a heyday in the 50s. I am pleased to report it is still going strong - just maybe add a little smile to the service!

Ate inside at the more casual restaurant. Fish & chips were good - not greasy at all. Had a small dinner salad to go with it. Had a view of the marina from our table.

Ate at the " lesser" cafe, for it ad lighter offerings at less cost than its full restaurant.

Well, it wasn't terrible quality, but little memorable, to be honest.
Nice waiter who allowed me to exchange French fries with a house salad...or so I thought...for the salad was old, damp, yucky...they did have decent bread at least....

We just wanted a nice meal outside in the cafe zone. We're told to wait to be seated while the two maitre des had an argument infront of us about the cafe being too busy to seat us (with 5 empty tables infront of us). We were told we could be seated upstairs with a menu three times the price, we walked away. The menu was out and tables were available, but in the end their rudeness waSnt acceptable. Wouldn't recommend, wouldn't return!