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The Infatuation
The Best Clam Chowder In SF
By Julia ChenRicky Rodriguez,
20 days ago
Welcome to our very important guide to San Francisco’s most beloved drinkable seafood dish—and we’re not talking about cioppino. Clam chowder, in all its thick, creamy glory, is everywhere in this city, from West Coast-ified versions with shell-on clams to, of course, the legendary hollowed-out bread bowls.
You can find the good stuff at old-school seafood institutions, Happy Hour destinations, and trendy markets that offer it up in 32-ounce servings. And we took it upon ourselves to consume a near-concerning amount of bivalves and cream to bring you this guide.
THE SPOTS
This seafood spot on Fillmore is well-known for their lobster rolls, but the clam chowder alone warrants a trip here. The buttery clam chunks are perfectly cooked, you get soft potatoes in every bite, and the soup itself is rich and savory—basically, what a New England chowder should be. The space is decked out in nautical paraphernalia, with marlins mounted on the wall and a massive painting of the ocean. You know, the ideal setting to demolish a bowl of chowder.
Purists, look away—the chowder at Hog Island isn’t your classic New England. The soup isn’t thickened with flour, there’s as much bacon as there is seafood, and the clams come with the shells still on (don’t worry, there are still big hunks of potato). Ignore the traditionalists, because this is a day-making soup, especially when enjoyed from the ocean-facing patio.
At this breezy seafood spot in the Marina, the chowder comes with a one-to-one ratio of clams and bacon, giving each spoonful a nice smoky flavor. The whole thing is finished off with a smattering of chives and fresh black pepper, and a bag of oyster crackers. We’d come here for a bowl of this alone, but rounding out the order with some oysters and green cioppino is always a good idea.
At Anchor Oyster Bar in the Castro, you’ll slide up to a bar seat and build your seafood-themed spread. That spread should include the Boston-style clam chowder, which is silky smooth, incredibly creamy, and really well-balanced. You’ll get a mouthful of clam, celery, and potato in every bite, and there’s plenty of free bread for dipping, too. Never leave here without at least a half dozen of whatever fresh oysters are scrawled on the whiteboard.
Tadich Grill is the oldest continuously running restaurant in California, and you can tell from the moment you step inside that not much has changed in the last 175 years. The entire staff is decked out in white jackets, bartenders shake martinis, and waiters refill your plates with free sourdough (which comes in handy for sopping up the dregs of your chowder). And the celery and potato-heavy chowder itself is so thick a spoon could almost stand up on its own. If you only want to come in for soup, sit at the bar—tables are required to order entrées (though the soup is filling enough to be a meal in itself).
Boston clam chowder reigns supreme at this kitschy Italian North Beach restaurant. The chowder is more like a gravy, with a glossy finish and a disclaimer on the menu reading “Yes, there’s bacon in it!” There’s free endless bread here, which is great if you’re someone who likes a carb mop for your chowder. Sit at the bar with your steaming hot bowl and pass the time counting the number of fake sea creatures on the walls.
Bar Crudo has the best Happy Hour in town, which is why every table in this NoPa seafood restaurant fills up by 5:05pm daily. Everyone is here for one thing: the seafood chowder. It’s not technically a clam chowder, but there’s enough brine in this soup to make up for it. This loaded bowl comes with fish, shrimp, mussels, and squid, plus bacon and potatoes. It’s $12 during Happy Hour, and you’ll easily polish off the entire thing in minutes, which means you’ll have plenty of time to order another discounted bowl.
The Old Clam House has been around since 1861, and once you step inside, it still feels like this Bayview restaurant’s opening day. There’s an old Western saloon feel with stained glass windows, dangling lantern lights, and dark wooden booths. And after all these years, they still serve some of the best chowder in the city. It’s a little thinner than other chowders on this list, but nails its creamy-to-tangy ratio. Get it in a bread bowl, give it a few minutes to cool (if you can resist), and eat.
Fisherman’s Wharf is rarely described as “fun” (at least by a local), but enjoying a bowl of chowder at this Pier 47 institution is the perfect respite when visiting relatives insist on saying hi to the sea lions. The bowls of chowder here are massive and have the consistency of grits, which makes it all the more scoopable with all of the free table bread. Combine that with a big comfy booth and an espresso martini, and you’ve got yourself a meal that can get you through any visit from the in-laws.
This Noe Valley fish market is less wholesale fish seller and more fancy fish grocery store à la Bi-Rite (with plenty of seating). Their New England-style chowder is served in three different sizes, ranging from a tiny 8oz cup to a giant 32oz bowl, and comes with a few slices of crispy, toasted bread that are made for chowder-dipping. It’s among the creamiest on the list and has enough bacon to qualify as a meat dish. And while you’re here, get the lobster salad on brioche.
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