Reviews


Reviews

Fun Lunch at Fog City

By Michael C |

I've not been to Fog City since it transitioned from the old Fog City Diner. What a pleasant surprise !!! The space is quite different and it's great !!! We sat inside for lunch and had a really fun time. The food is very good and the staff is super - interactive, attentive and caring. Really nice. We started with appetizers - bread sticks and a daily special, "tomato salad". The bread sticks were a cut above the traditional sourdough breadsticks with marinara - toasted perfectly with just the right amount of cheese and olive oil. The "tomato salad" was significantly better than a normal caprese salad - the tomatoes tasted as if they were right off the vine, the burrata cheese was divine, etc. etc. Just delicious. The mains were really tasty. The turkey burger was very good and the traditional burger was also very good. The tuna melt was the hit, though. The menu just says "Oh yeah" as the description and, well, nothing more needs to be said. Ahhhh..... Our server, Victor, was always visible and checked in at just the right times. His recommendation for dessert was spot on - key lime pie !!! The rich, thick filling, the perfectly cooked meringue, and the graham cracker crust combined to make a delightful end to a really fun lunch.

Not a diner any more!

By supertravelistic |

Some years ago, this was a fun diner with an elegant twist. But it has changed hands and although it has kept part of its name, the new owners marked the difference by dropping the "diner" part. It has interesting food and the selection includes items as kobye beef. But watch out for the prices, especially when off-the-menu options are presented because these can be shocking. Nonetheless, the food is excellent, the service great, and everyone seems warm and friendly.

Tasty hamburgers

By Annelig |

Good hamburgers in nice surroundings. Fast and efficient service. Reasonable prices. Leave Fisherman's Wharf and continue along the Embarcadero.

Fine but probably wouldn't go back

By Rylie G |

We were searching for a place to eat a quick lunch and saw this spot on the iPhone Maps, information on the maps told us it was a fun little diner with movie history, and when we walked in the restaurant, that is not what we got. When we went, they must've recently remodeled because even the guy at the table next to us was asking the waitress questions about the previous restaurant and menu. It has an upscale kind of vibe and the hostess and waitress looked at us like we didn't belong. Like I said, we walked in thinking it was a diner. But we decided to give it a try, I ordered potato soup and my brother, a Caesar salad. The food was good, but I don't think I would come back. However, the Chef who brought out our meals was very nice and seemed to enjoy his job.

A nice location close to the Bay

By Florian B |

Always good to come back to Fog City Diner. A true diner experience with more upscale food. Open fire hearth- serious meat plates. Big selection on wines, spirits. And a San Francisco Institution. If you're visiting this is a great place to get away from touristy Fisherman's Wharf.

Memorable

By Kate |

Stopped by for oysters, bubbly, craft beer and sourdough breadsticks. Cool,classy and contemporary diner. Restroom was nice and to much hilarity I did burst in on a man in the ladies! Memorable.

Nationally known but also a locals spot

By erikglit |

Dinner on a Tuesday and no problem getting a table. The dishes are fresh and prepared well. Asparagus and Broccolini sides were bit hits. Burger was mostly OK, similar to many other higher end burgers but not super noteworthy. Ribeye special was better. Good wine and beer selection and an overall nice atmosphere.

View of Embarcadero

By freda m |

Do you like fried chicken and mashed potatoes? How about overlooking the view of the Embarcadero? You can find the answers to these and more when you visit ‘Fog City’ (perfect description of San Francisco when the fog hits the ‘City By The Bay)

Don't be deceive by the outside look

By Pia D |

Very unassuming place as it looks dark inside from the outside. But very nice bar/bistro feel inside. Great atmosphere for a drink and great service! Have not tried the food but the menu looks delish! Definitely recommended!

Great as always

By sanmarco |

The food and service here are always exceptional. Today was no different. Fog City makes an ordinary lunch feel special, like you are at a vacation destination, even if you're a local.

Not what it used to be...

By SimonsReviews1967 |

We visited Fog City 8 years ago when it was called Fog City Diner. Having returned to San Francisco from the UK this place was top on our list of places to go to, but the venue has undergone a massive refurbishment about 3 years ago. Don't get me wrong, it is looking great but it is no longer an authentic American Diner but a restaurant/bar offering a smaller dinner menu. I had a cheeseburger which lacked any real flavour and was served on an untoasted bun reslting in a non existent base layer which had turned to mush. There was a huge pile of fries. My partner had Fog City Fried Chicken which didn't taste great. The staff were very friendly and attentive, but we left feeling a little dissapointed as Fog City has lost it's charm.

Great lunch!

By Anna N |

We talked down the steps from Coit Tower and had an amazing lunch. High quality ingredients, great atmosphere and service.

Great place for Sunday Brunch

By RickJones012 |

The food eas exceptional. The cocktails were well executed. The Bloody Mary's were a mean in them selves. They deliverd one of the best Sazarac ever. The burgers , Benedicts and Pizzas were tasty.

sign of the times

By gary c |

ate here regularly years ago and it was great. came back and it's completely remodeled and gone was the atmosphere, the food, and the service. the only way charitable way i can describe the waiter is he must have been stoned. it was so loud i couldn't hear my wife. The food was about Mr. Steak or Applebees quality at twice the price. its a good place to stay away from unless its happy hour. a lot of other choices in this town. a sign of the times when profit is more important than quality.

Great spot for drinks

By Thomas T |

This is one of the better spots in the neighborhood to grab a drink. The food is slightly overpriced and the service is mediocre.

Amazing food

By Ozlem S |

One of my colleagues recommended so went as a group of 8. The place has been there for 30 years. The food is amazing and so is the service. I had oysters and a salad.

Fancy diner food near embarcadero

By KoolKat001 |

Pleasant walk from ferry building. Great corner building. Decor was upscale yet comfortable. Set in a private booth in the back. Started with deviled eggs and grilled calamari on a bed of corn and veggies. Entrees were enormous burger and fries, split crunchy salad and large plate of pork chops with arugula and lentils with another. Topped it off with chocolate custard with dark chocolate sauce and the B bomb which was a pastry, vanilla custard drenched with caramel sauce. Took another walk again after a satisfying dinner.

Unique, Lively, And Close to Excellent, But...

By Jeffrey G |

A trip to Fog City is certainly different - a diner in appearance only...inside you'll find a classier dining hot spot, right along the main thoroughfare from Fisherman's Wharf to The Ferry Building. The environment is warm and inviting, if not a bit loud - we found a lot of the after-work crowd having fun...nothing wrong with that - but for folks out for a nice dinner, sharing a spot with people that had slammed a few too many? Yeah - that was a bit annoying. The space is small - there's no avoiding the bar area, really... Our meal was great - I opted for the ribs...and they were incredible. The only problem you encounter in big cities like San Francisco is that you pay top dollar for you meal - to be expected - and oftentimes you leave the restaurant not quite full...which was the case here. An hour or so later I found myself snacking at some fast food joints down the street, at The Ferry Building. So the food was excellent at Fog City, yet pricey and not quite substantial enough. How do you explain that to the chef? So as far as a recommendation, what can I say? Yes - go. The food is excellent, and the location is unique. No - don't go. The crowd can be over-the-top, and the quantity of the food (at least based on my one visit, which...I admit, is rather unfair) is lacking. I would say take this review in stride...and compare it with the other comments you'll read about Fog City. I think I'll do the same, then make a decision about whether I decide to return the next time I visit San Francisco.

Fantastic Service

By Eric W |

The food is good but the service is top notch. Their drink selection is good and their bar tenders seem to be masters of their craft. The menu could use a few more items but the current items are done well.

Unexpected visit

By oink0880 |

After a walk from Fisherman's Wharf we came across Fog City. The food was very good but as with most American portions we could not do it justice. This was not only a restaurant but a very pleasant pub. Our waiter Aldo was very helpful.

Great location and setting to match food

By scottderrick |

Great service, cozy booths, fantastic location full of a cross section of locals from business people, tourists, locals and regulars. Professional service with predictably good quality food well executed. Whenever I'm in the area, I always consider this place for a good satisfying meal.

Comfort food with an elegant twist

By 7continents2010 |

This is one of the best places in San Francisco to come with friends for conversation over a meal and drinks. The drinks are well made and the food is excellent and comforting, but with modern twists such as an unexpected, but delicious sprinkling of dried seaweed shreds on the French fries which are served with aioli as well. There are several small plates on the menu you'll want to share and a few larger main course options.

Pricey, for average food and service

By beardocnj |

Met friends while overnighting on a cruise that stopped in SF. Fog City was convenient as it was across from the cruise terminal. Split the babaganoush appetizer for the table and friends had oysters. Mains consisted of 2 gnocchi, halibut, and duck. All serviceable, but nothing special; average size portions. Split one strawberry shortcake among the four of us. Drinks (2) were $12 apiece; wine was $10.25. All in all, nearly $250 tab for four with tip included for a rather non-memorable meal. Doubt we'd return even if the location is convenient.

Great place for Lunch

By joanp232 |

We had a very pleasant lunch there today. We ordered the grilled artichoke appetizer. The artichoke was quite tasty. None of us care much for the accompanying dipping sauce. The Crab Salad was quite enjoyable. The greens were fresh. The tomatoes sweet and the other items like cucumber were quite tasty. A little more crab would have been nice on the salad. My husband and daughter enjoyed the salmon sandwich. It was accompanied by a perfectly dressed arugula salad. Delicious! We spilt the chocolate mousse. The mousse was encased in a hard chocolate shell making it difficult to eat without having it fly across the table. I prefer traditional mousse. My husband ordered a gin and tonic that was presented with fresh herbs and floating juniper berries in the glass. That was a lovely presentation. The service was great. Overall it was quite pleasant.

Changed and not for the better

By J J |

We only visit the city a couple of times a year. This is the first time we've been to Fog City since it changed from the "diner". We were not impressed by the food or the service. We liked the appeal of the old style and upscale diner food it used to offer; for a fine dining restaurant there are much better choices so we won't go out of our way to visit again. The drinks were good though.

Fog City is more than a diner now

By pnati0n |

I had wanted to eat here for years but just never made it until now. It exceeded my expectations as I expected a typical diner but instead got a bistro. We shared a burger and a salad and had a great meal. The service was great and the decor was anything but diner. Don't wait like me, try it, I think you will like it too.

Great burgers!

By Monica T |

We came across this place by accident, but it tuned out to be a nice find. We ordered burgers and they were very good. Everything else looked good too. And you can't ignore the bottomless Mimosas! Casual place. Friendly service.

Give it a miss

By LynneK4 |

We visited here for an evening meal, the place wasn’t over full. The service was dire, it took forever to get served , that was the point we should have left Eventually we ordered drinks which eventually arrived, then eventually we got to order food. The soda bread starter was delicious but was supposed to arrive with the main courses , my Caesar salad also a starter, which I have to say was disgusting did arrive with the other main courses. Two meals out of the three arrived stone cold. Further drinks then ordered never did materialise and the waitress tried playing dumb and saying she didn’t know we had reordered, yet we had done with her. To be fair on the restaurant they didn’t charge two meals but our evening was ruined and one member of the party was violently ill when he got back to the hotel I’d give it a miss !

Real pros!

By PeterR23 |

Well trained friendly staff insures great service. I had the roasted artichoke (perfect), onion strings w/delicious in house made ketchup. It had a semi-sweet bbq sauce taste and was excellent. Tune chocolate mousse was the best I've ever had. Great location at the foot of Telegraph Hill near Pier 33 where the Alcatraz tours depart from.

Overpriced, but pretty

By boscoblake |

The Gin and Tonic was delicious, but I needed oxygen when the bill came... over 70 bucks for cocktails and some shared small plates. I used to love their soup, and many things, but I am done with Fog City Diner.

Once again, very happy

By Lori M |

While visiting San Francisco, we made sure to once again dine at the Fog City Diner. We were not disappointed. The service is excellent, and just as the last time, our server described a special of the night so well, we strayed from our original menu choices. He also paired the wines very well. When our meal was devoured, we left full and more than satisfied. Thanks again Fog City!!

Our annival trip

By topangatam |

We love the cozy ambiance AND THE FOOD! Yummy shakes. It is like going back in time. Love the little diner vibe. Great for the kiddos,

Trying too hard to be something; too expensive; lost its character

By BArtigue |

Having recalled Fog City DIner from over a decade ago we were excited to return but ultimately disappointed in just about everything. Horrendously expensive - $94 for three entrees and three soft drinks - for food that seems like amateur hour at cooking school. Nothing was remarkable and we left realizing why the new Fog City has so many empty seats at lunchtime while the old one had a line outside the door.

One of the best restaurants we found in San Fran

By Flower543 |

Great little find. Fantastic food and beer (love the 4 beer sampler) . Easy to get to on the street cars. Quiet and friendly, perfect!

Very tasty

By Kevan W |

After our Alcatraz tour we walked down Embarcadero from Pier 33 to 'Fog City' for a light lunch. We shared the warm brussel sprout starter and the fried calamari starter, both os which were very generous portions and very tasty; accompanied by a very tasty Gary Farrell Russian River Pinot Noir. Followed by dessert of frozen affogato (delicious) and warm apple-pineapple crisp (also delicious) Great setting and good service (we ate at noon so it has just opened at 11.30 and was pretty empty)

Grossly overpriced

By maloke2014 |

Two small pieces of chicken over two toasted white bread and a coleslaw for $18.00. A small mug size of clam chowder for $8.25, four pieces of devil eggs for $9.00, caesar salad with shrimp for $18.50, short rib BLT on toasted white bread for $16.50. B-bomb (doughnut with ice cream) for $7.00. I thought Maui prices are high until I dined at this establishment. BTW, this is lunch prices.

My first time back

By sfimporter |

My first visit since the change-over from "Fog City Diner" to simply "Fog City". The interior is a huge step up. Everything is clean and fresh. I stopped in with a friend in mid-afternoon after walking around town (and walking down from Coit Tower). We hit happy hour and had a few Sangrias at the bar while taking in the views across the Embarcadero. Will need to come back for brunch or dinner sometime as the menu looked good. It beats a lot of the nearby restaurants - and is certainly better than the tourist places at Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39. This is a great spot for visitors who may be heading off, or returning from a visit to Alcatraz.

Amazing brunch

By Xaviera Y |

We sampled a wide variety of options from the menu and they were all excellent. The eggs Benedict were to die for. Never skip dessert at Fog City! All four dessert options were amazing. The bottomless mimosas were good and the Bloody Mary is just picture worthy. Service was also outstanding.

Great Bar

By Bozo D |

We ordered a red & a white Sangria loaded with apple & Asian pear which were delightful. Fish tacos were nicely presented with just enough to fill you up. Husband had Kale salad, he almost licked his plate clean!

Good for lunch

By markwilliams62 |

Had a real nice lunch at Fog City. Nice venue and good food. Recommend sitting at the bar or at a high table.

Burgers and strawberry shortcake.

By JEFF_AND_HAZEL |

I have been to Fog City back when it used to be known as "Fog City Diner". I was aghast that to hear they were closing with a new concept. Luckily, that idea failed and the current Fog City doesn't stray too far from the original upscale diner concept. The Fog City Burger is always delicious and is what I always get. This time my daughter and I shared a strawberry shortcake which was equally yummy.

Damn fantastic food

By Adi K |

Had seafood tower and clam chowder. Both.... Amazing. I've had few clam chowder bowls in my life. This was absolutely amazing. Fresh seafood, friendly staff, amazing views. Must feed at.

Disappointing

By Margaret R |

We used to go here often, but for various reasons haven't been for a few years. They have remodeled and to us, lost all of the charm of the "Diner" which it appears they have removed from the name also. First thing we noticed when walking in was NOISE!!!!!! It was SO Noisy we could not even talk to each other. And I'm talking NOISY!!! Not just a bit of a crowded evening. I could not hear our server telling us the specials even though she was nearly yelling herself. Next........they have a full paper menu page of cocktails, a full paper page of wines, but the dinner menu itself has Very Few choices! I ended up having a hamburger which was really the only thing I even saw I possibly wanted on the 6 or 7 meals they offered. The specials sounded worse to me than the other options. Octopus (many would love this I suspect), 2 other dishes were surrounded by "pork bellies" (which may be "trending" now but sounded disgusting to me). Their menu used to be many pages with options for everyone. My husband did try the fish offering which he said was good. Small portion at $29. For the 2 of us with 1 drink each it was $150. For a burger and fish. We unfortunately would not go back here. I'm disapppointed as it used to be charming and such a wonderful selection to choose from. And my headache within 10 minutes due to the noise made me just want to get the meal overwith and get out of there. A sad loss of one of our favorite places to go.

Meh

By Steven J |

Nothing to get excited about here, other than location on the Embarcadero. Food was mediocre, at best. Stay away from the grilled (?fried) peppers appetizer. The Caesar salads were OK, and the mushroom pizza was pretty good. But the other entrees ordered by our table were completely forgettable. Could've found them at a Denny's. When the bill came we were charged for two 'bottomless mimosas" to the tune of $36 that we hadn't ordered or received. With the tax, SF surcharge, and tip, someone who didn't check the bill would've forked over an extra $50. Maybe all the restaurants down there are overpriced and lacking, taking advantage of the tourists (we're local), but I can't imagine that we'd ever go back.

Looks Like A Diner, but the Menu is more Bistro

By JBMartiniguy |

In a city the aize of San Fran there are so many choices, but sometimes a repeat performance is worthwhile. I was with business colleagues and they liked the fact that the photos make it look like the Hopper "Phillies" painting. The food is very good, it can be a bit loud during peak periods although the tables in the back are a bit quieter. You can see the Embarcadero from the front windows. Some recommendations, definitely get dessert. The fries are phenomenal. Its just as good at lunch as dinner, and they do have a full bar with a decent selection f affordable wines. I've been many times over the years and am glad they maintaining the quality of food and good service

Nice but

By Dkkeeling |

Very nice restaurant the first visit but we only had a few drinks Second visit was for dinner and was terrible 2 meals from 4 were really inedible Service was typical Us style Over the top tip

Disappointing Sunday Brunch

By C M |

Disappointed with visit after looking forward to eating at this restaurant. Location is good, view of the Bay. Well done interior decor, and clean. Six of us had a Sunday brunch. However, though the food was tasty and menu creative, it did not live up to expectations. Each of us found the food when served to us was mostly cold - scrambled eggs for example. The coffee tasted stewed as though it had been made a while. There was no diary free milk for those that needed it. The wait staff said there was, but returned to let us know they only had enough for the bar/drinks. We had to ask for cutlery for the desert, the beignets were cold a bit heavy.

Over priced

By Glennbrian |

Place is basically an over priced tourist restaurant and bar Was surprised as I had been there years earlier. Used to be reasonably priced with good service. Both are lacking now

There are dinners and then there is Fog City

By Michael O |

I have eaten here several times on my trips to San Francisco. I love the great service, the killer full service bar the food and the location. I have never had a meal that wasn't very good. The atmosphere is great and you see a broad selection of people from locals, business persons on a business trip to tourists. It is an easy place to find in the city and you can usually find parking in the area, not always the case in SF. Love the crab cakes,and just about anything on the menu. It is not your typical dinner.

Not your old Fog City Diner

By nyfriend |

I used to visit here for their calamari, the best I ever had, thick, flavorful and you could cut with a folk. I hadn't realized the diner had changed ownership & uses the name deceptively 'Fog city' having dropped diner. I ordered the calamari and they brought out these tiny over fried things I couldn't eat. Everything changes & I'm sad I won't have this treat when in San Francisco again.

Good eats close to Alcatraz Pier (33)

By Stevebo1 |

Excellent place with good vibe. Very nice Truffle fries, Salmon and Pizza. Located a short walk from Alcatraz pier (pier 33)

Great devilled eggs

By Kevan W |

In preparation for climbing the Greenwich Steps on my way up to Coit Tower after a morning’s sightseeing, I popped in to Gog City Diner for a restorative couple of beers and some superb devilled eggs. Food menu is varied and looks great and the cold beer hit the spot.

Hidden gem: Great food, great service, best prices around.

By Quai_Noi |

A Home Run. Been coming here for years and frequently recommend for folks that ask me for choices downtown. The decor is iconic but California American chic. The menu is varied and they have wonderful oysters which my wife loves. Prices are VERY reasonable for where you are too. The good news is the worst of the tourist crowd doesn’t even know it’s here because it’s right across the road from the ocean and most of them never cross the street and get the fried stuff on the pier. That said it’s a hoppin’ place but with the locals and business folks. So you get a better crowd, better food, better prices and better service. A quick story on why this is a well run hidden gem. Today I went after work because I don’t like rush traffic. For the first time ever I got a dish I didn’t finish. I travel the world for business and hate to be “that guy” who whines and tries to roll a restaurant for a freebie. I do quite well and shaking down a restaurant is something I abhor. So when I got my dinner it’s cooked perfectly but somebody in the kitchen loaded it up with oil. This an obvious mistake but they were busy so I did a work around. As I was dining alone I just quietly used a bread plate to move the food that wasn’t swimming in oil. The server saw me and sent the manager. As they saw I wasn’t eating it I couldn’t lie. :-) I told them I loved the place and said I didn’t want a discount but asked that they let the kitchen know. Anyway this is why I’ve been coming here for over 15 years, it’s the best place around. It’s a well run, fun place with excellent staff and management, plus the food is awesome. I’m even happier with them now because they were all over great service.

Very nice bar!

By Lilbean87 |

We stopped in for a drink. Service was a little slow at first but then our bartender was very attentive! My husband loved his old fashioned and I enjoyed my strawberry vodka drink! We also got a burger and fries, they were both really good! I would highly recommended stopping by if you get the chance.

Across the street...

By Marshall B |

...but a world of difference. Great food with excellent service. Personal touches to standard fares. Who's never had "Fried Chicken with Mash Potato & Cole Slaw" you haven't. Unless you know what Fog City has going on!

Very good lunchtime visit

By purplejoey |

We visited on a weekday lunchtime and the place was nicely busy with mainly local office workers and a few tourists. We were given a comfy booth and had a very nice meal with good service. 3 of us had pizza which were very tasty and just the right size (ie a bit too much for me but devoured by my teenage boys!), my husband had the Caesar salad which was good if a little style over substance! Drinks, views & ambience were great so would thoroughly recommend

Not What We Expected!

By Ashsaw |

Based on what we had heard, we were expecting a truly classic American Diner, but this has grown up and become more sophisticated than its reputation of old. Decent enough food, service ok but the evening lighting is rather too subdued for our taste. Liked the open oven and being able to watch the chefs at work.

Great food & drink but poor service

By Davina H |

Stopped in for food after late trip to Alcatraz on Fri night. Sat at bar as rest of restaurant looked a bit quiet and we wanted to be in the action. Snack starters were delicious & then we ordered a pizza to share; also really good with properly tasty dough. Decent wine list so we had a lovely bottle of Pinot Noir. Only drawback was the service. We struggled throughout the evening to get the staffs attention. The staff were chatting to each other at other end of bar or waiting the game on tv.

Good casual restaurant by the Embarcadero

By 4N6_traveler |

This was our first visit to Fog City since it was remodeled. The interior has changed somewhat, but the food is still inventive and tasty. My Bloody Mary was a meal in itself, garnished with a deviled egg, etc. The brussel sprout appetizer was one of the most delicious ways we've ever experienced them. It's a must. Great burgers and salads at reasonable prices for San Francisco. I recommend it highly.

Delish Lunch

By Sggypsy |

Fun to see diner from my memory of the ‘80’s commercial. Food was excellent. Great carrot.ginger cream soup and excellent roasted Brussels sprouts. Very good service.

Nice place for dinner or for lunch

By sicuani |

During late March I was in San Francisco and after a long walk with my son, we saw the Fog City which had been recommended by a friend who lives in San Francisco. My son's instructions from his friend said to share two things, their burgers, and the smoked trout salad. Both were excellent, especially the smoked trout salad. We had a couple of draft beers from a pretty good selection and had a reasonably and fairly priced dinner that hit the spot. The service was excellent, we did not have to wait for an outside table, and I would definitely return and try some of their other items.

Grandpa's brew !

By michellegreene2017 |

Nothing like wood fire roasted burger w/ bacon jam and a scotch on a Saturday afternoon! Highly recommend and the oysters are amazing!!

Snack time in Fog City

By motorcar1 |

Saw Fog City from the other side of the street, decide to go over. It’s cool looking on the outside. Inside it’s nice for food and drink. It’s popular and busy mainly locals. We enjoyed our snacks and coffee. Good service and friendly staff.

Dinner at Fog City

By stef20172017 |

Well...honestly... sooo blah and disappointing. It was sold approximately two years ago and completely renovated. It went from a great San Francisco establishment to just another overpriced mediocre fu fu SF restaurant. They had the BEST food before - now not so much. They upgraded the interior and it lost all of its charm. The shrimp appetizer was $17.00 for three fishy shrimp. We asked to make it four shrimp since there were four of us. We of course offered to pay for the extra shrimp. The chef refused. We had to buy 2 shrimp appetizers (6 shrimp total for $34.00). The entries were just average. My husband and daughter ordered the cheeseburgers. Those used to be their specialty along with other high end entries. The hamburgers were both sooo undercooked that they had to be sent back. There were no condiments on the burger. My husband had to ask for lettuce, tomatoes and onion. They didn't have tomatoes. They took the best chocolate malt in San Francisco off the menu. The apple cobbler was really good though. The server Rachel however was lovely. That was the only reason we gave it 2 stars. I would not recommend it.

Convenient location, good lunch

By Carina G |

My husband, mother, and I were spending the day along the Embarcadero and we met up with my husband's cousins for lunch at Fog City. I had the artichoke and fennel salad and appropriated the avocado that came with my husband's salmon sandwich. Both were good, but not spectacular. Our waiter was a bit of a comedian and it was fun to joke around and nice that neither he nor we were in a rush. I think the menu prices are a bit high, but not outrageous for San Francisco, where everything is expensive.

Fun

By Cindy F |

We ate there Oct 4th about 5pm. Our waiter was funny and quick, we had a great time. The food was great and the ambiance was very nice.

Great for a large group

By jlg3000 |

We visited Fog City with a group of ten. They had a nice table for us and we had a great time. It's a bit noisy but that seems to be true of all restaurants these days. The flank steak was terrific - perfectly cooked with some nice fries. Note that it is served with spicy chimichanga sauce which the menu refers to as 'fried herbs'. I thought it was great but it did surprise one of our group so the waiter promptly had it remade without the sauce.

Looks can be deceiving

By Travellover6128 |

I was sceptical of this place when viewing it from the outside. However we had a delicious meal here. The kale salad was excellent, this was followed by their special filet steak dish, which was extremely delicious. Wine selection was great, service was good. It's on the pricey side but worth it for such good quality food.

Good food and service but atmosphere could be better

By Amy Joy |

Lived in SF for 18+ years and never made it over to Fog City until last night. My first thought walking up to the building was “are they blasting music outside?” As we got closer we were able to confirm they (oddly enough) did have music playing outside over speakers. Perhaps they do seating outside when its warmer. We went inside and the decor is minimalistic, clean, with nice big windows all around and looking out towards Embarcadero (which is especially lovely to see when a cable car drives by). Sevice was pretty good. The glass of wine I had was great. We ordered Smoked Chicken Wings, a Dungeness Crab Salad, and the Boneless Short Rib with Gnocci. Wings were pretty good, especially if you are a fan of smoked meats. My husbands crab salad tasted good, but they really skimped on the crab (especially compared to other restaurants such as Joe’s of Westlake or Anchor Oyster). The short ribs were nice and tender and the gnocci was unique shaped (bigger/longer pieces), I enjoyed the texture of both, though I suggest a Gorgonzola sauce to go along with the gnocci. Flavor was good on the meat. Now the level of food and service being pretty good, this is the kind of place I would normally go back to and recommend to people- BUT, the music they were playing (both outside and in) was really loud and horrible music you would hear in a cheesy club or dive bar. It didn’t match the food or expected atmosphere. Now I like all types of music, but the stuff they were playing really wasn’t appropriate for a nice sit down meal...it really ruined the whole vibe of the place. This place has such potential but they don’t seem to be creating the right atmosphere for a nice dinner out in San Francisco. Let’s leave the cheesy dive bar tunes in the dive bar and just play pretty much anything else. This is dinner in an old timey restaurant on the Embarcadero- not spring break. If you going for hip/ younger vibe there is still better suited music out there than what was playing.

Great location

By Javygirl |

It is a great location near Fisherman's Wharf and The Ferry Building. It seems to be a hot spot for the bar scene. The pizza was very good and service was spot on.

Just average

By Ryan H |

Came for dinner here. Unlike other reviewers the staff was friendly and attentive. We ordered calamari to start. They were very small and may have been a touch over cooked. My wife had the lasagna which was a good size and tasted good. I ordered the steak. It was good but extremely small. Maybe 5oz. Loads of fries in the plate with a garlic aioli dip. The fries were definitely not hand cut. Almost like McCain super fries! With tip and tax and two alcoholic drinks we were over $110. Seems a bit steep even for SF. Nice atmosphere though. Very quaint spot by the piers...

Upscale Diner

By grapeeape |

The look of this place is deceiving It really is no longer a diner. The inside is completely redone and it's rustic and updated. The food is heavenly. Hubby got salmon and I ordered wood oven fired pizza. We also got the sourdough breadsticks. They got that dough just right. They didn't burn the pizza. We stumbled upon this place walking down The Embarcadero. I wouldn't write this place off unless you were looking for a classic diner. If so, seek out Lori's Diner. If you're willing to give it a shot, hopefully you won't be disappointed.

Great food, good atmosphere

By Dawn M |

Great service. Food was fantastic. Nice environment where you can watch people along the pier walk by, kids menu chicken fingers and fries great!

Best Sunday Brunch ever

By SRM |

The minute you get the "hair of the dog" menu first you know your in for a treat ..... order the bottomless mimosas at $18 great value! The eggs Beni and all the sandwiches are perfect .... yummmy experience and very relaxing booths. Will definitely return

Nothing to complain about, how's that!

By BarryandJackie |

Our second visit, on an early Sunday evening (not too crowded) and had great service (Lars was a gem), and found the cocktails refreshing and the menu with interesting choices, but not too many. Had the Branzino (also know as Greek Sea Bass) and it was more than enough to share, which was also true for the salad. All in all a good value and enjoyable dining experience.

This is a rock solid place, well staffed, well managed and a great collection of delights

By PeikAnderson |

We had a great lunch and the food was very good. The service was good and the food was creative and good. We would go back.

Solid food

By Ludgatecircus15 |

I am not sure why others have a problem with this place. I have been there four times and it consistently performs. Creative, good food. Location is great for a walk to Pier 39.

Appetizers by the bay

By Lynne A |

Beautiful view of the San Francisco Bay in the Marina District. Not a bad view in the restaurant which is beautifully appointed. We had a nice appetizer and drinks. Service was lovely.

Yummy versions of good comfort food

By Kathryn G |

Fog City has very good food -- and drinks. Basic American food, but with some added complexity of taste or upscale ingredients. A little pricey though.

Totally remodeled but still good!

By mhpo |

Fog City was a very charming typical America dining, with a wonderful bar and jazz music background. Now has been totally remodeled, has a strange and styleless decor, with food is based on a pizza woven and grill. It also offers deep fried squid and a nice cesar salad. I had grilled artichoke which was really tasty and delicious. Being a nostalgic, I miss the old place, but the new one is good too, except for the not welcoming waiter guy...

Questioned food, odd response

By jurban1997 |

We do enjoy this restaurant. But, on the last occasion I ordered a pork chop that arrive with about 50% fat. And, it was expensive. I questioned the quality, the waiter took it back to the kitchen, and the manager brought it back to my table stating that there was nothing wrong, and that this is how they prepare their pork. None of us have ever seen a restaurant contest a customer on the quality of a dish.

Nice environment, great menu

By Ben T |

I ate here on a client's recommendation while in SF for business and had a very enjoyable dinner. Our waiter was extremely useful in helping us select drinks and entrees, and had truthful suggestions instead of giving us the trite "everything here is great!" line. The restaurant was an easy walk from the Financial District and features great ambiance. The ingredients were fresh and the specials matched well with the more established menu items.

Pricey lunch

By drsharonleed |

The restaurant has undergone a complete renovation since we last dined here. Very open space now. Gone are the brass plaques of the frequent diners, and some of the charm; but it has been replaced with clean lines and seemingly more Windows. Lunch for two with no drinks was $60 before tip. Service with a smile, and we were not rushed.

Busy diner, great location

By Sarah |

This diner is located just off the Embarcadero and was a very busy lunch spot. Staff were a little hurried but the place was packed and the pizza and beer were just what I needed to refuel after a busy morning sightseeing before attempting the Greenwich Street steps.

Lunch Date with an Aussie and an Irishman before time to fly.......

By Sooty |

Walked and Walked and Yep Walked some more to reach this Dinner...... Was well worth the Heat and the Sun.....excellent range of Cold Beer.....myself and the Aussie enjoyed the pre meal drink......the Irishman was more refined and took a nice Red..... Simple and easy menu..... Starter and to Share - Soup and Salads - Sandwiches - Pizza. Price range is under $20.00 The Dinner menu is Lunch with some add-on's with the Ribeye being $39.00 Had the Anchor Lager @ $8.50 not cheap but was very nice. To eat we all had the Cheese Burger and Fries - All Good....

Californian Road Trip: Day 12

By Claire K |

A great name for a bar. And the restaurant looked really lovely when we walked in. And it was a real shame the waitress was a bit off with us because the food was great. But it came out at different times. Even if the food is good-if the service isn’t, it makes it a disappointing experience.

A bit disappointed

By Vamama924 |

Staff was very kind and friendly, but service was slow. Clearly a hot spot for the bar scene, but we just wanted a quick dinner. Food came out at different times. They forgot our water, so I had to go and ask after about 15 minutes. Pizzas were delicious, but the two we ordered both had burned crusts. Luckily we don't eat our crusts anyway. Because the staff was so nice, I will leave this at 4 stars but otherwise would have marked it three.

Upscale Diner in a great location

By JBMartiniguy |

Fog city continues to improve. Their menu is basic American but done well. Their bar is very well stocked and the service is very good. Their outdoor seating is not great, small 2 sweaters on the sidewalk. Gray for a coffee or cocktail, not so for dinner. Right off the embacadero its a great escape from the tourists. I enjoys it again this past week with a couple of my colleagues. Its comfortable and allows you to enjoy the people you are with.

Fog City is still great, but it's changed.

By James A |

First time I went to Fog City (Diner was in the name) was in 2007. It was just like in the Mike Myers movie "So I Married An Axe-Murderer". That was ten years ago and it's under new ownership and has been completely been redone. Fog City has a new and exciting menu and completely redone interior decor which was a pleasant surprise. I was very impressed with the menu options and food quality. Prices were high, but San Francisco is an expensive city. Overall I really liked it, but I missed the old diner. This place is very contemporary and in line with the San Francisco of today. Sometime lost and something gain. Overall it's a net positive. Give it a go if you're not to hard up for cash.

Not the Fog City of years prior and was disapointing

By Plong308 |

The Fog City Diner is gone and it is now just Fog City. We use to have to wait to get in and when we arrived we walked right in. After we ate we fully understood why there is no wait. The menu is very limited which we found surprising. Pizza and 4/5 other sandwiches and some appetizers. We did the pizza which was soggy and burgers which were $18.00 and of low vale for the price. Generally disappointed. In contrast the Fog City diner was red hot and always great. We doubt if we will be back

Yum!

By Ellen M |

Nice dinner in comfortable restaurant and good service. The restaurant is right near the Bay and the Embarcadero--nice location for a post-meal stroll. We went on a Friday night and easily found parking within 2 blocks. 4 of us ate here and had friendly and good service that was very informal (i.e. not stuffy), but solid. Our food was very good and we all enjoyed our meals. It wasn't like the best food we ever had in our lives, but was very good. One friend is on a diet, so the kitchen went out of its way to customize her meal for her. This is just a very solid place for a good meal that's not ridiculously expensive.

Loved this restaurant

By Zooey518 |

Had seared pork belly, lamb chop and filet trio. It was amazing. Will definitely visit again when in town. Adequate selection of beer and wine.

Quite forgettable

By Prakash G |

Passed by at lunch time and the place looked nice, and was quite crowded, which is normally a good sign. Service was attentive if a bit "leisurely", The salads were okay as were the burgers. Of the two bottles of wine that we tried, one was below par, the other was passable. If you haven't been here, you haven't missed much

Enjoyable dinner with friendly staff

By mojave_ben |

I've had some really enjoyable dinners here over the years. It's nice to see the wood fires blazing as you walk in the door. Vast selection of drinks but we didn't partake. We sat in the middle of the floor and found it fairly noisy, but the tables are not jammed together so we could still talk (us older folks have a bit of trouble hearing in places where there are two many others talking at once). It's a good menu, but we found it hard to get portions right. My friend had a Caesar salad which was on the "small but artful" size. I had the mushrooms as an appetizer and it was a huge bowl and a great variety of delectable mushrooms; would have been great for two or three (it is sold as a side, not an appetizer). My friend had beef strips with shoestring potatoes (and Japanese spices) - the steak was excellent. I had St. Louis Ribs which came with slaw and I ordered a side of fries. Way too much food, especially after the mushrooms. I should have skipped the fries - there's a ton of slaw and it's nice, not the creepy creamy type, nicely vinegared. I was disappointed with the ribs because they were really slathered with sauce that completely over powered the flavor of the meat. I left a bunch of fries and slaw - it was just too much for me and I am a big eater!

Great lunch spot

By Waylandtraveller |

This was a great spot to grab lunch down by the piers. Cool modern/old diner combination. Windows all around for a light and airy feel. The menu had a nice collection of choices and the salads and omelettes we had were great. Service was great too.

Something different

By Matthaios |

I loved this restaurant. The food was really impressive- fresh and different. Service was also some of the best I have had here in SF, with a really informed waiter providing highly knowledgeable, passionate & honest information on the menu.

Have the Sangria!

By Lori M |

We stopped in after a nighttime tour of Alcatraz. What a treat this place was! The tuna app was delicious as was the Sangria. Wish we were there earlier to try the full menu. My picky 14 year old had a hard time finding something to suit her tastes. Everything was just a little too unusual for her but not for us! Delicious!

Really quite good

By Seeitgo |

Fog City is a pleasant, relaxed bar and restaurant on the SF waterfront with a vaguely retro feel. The food, largely in the brunch-bar food range, is very good, as are the drinks. Our service was excellent. The prices are pretty high, though not out of line for SF. This place is close to the Exploratorium, and offers a children's menu.

Beam me up Snooty

By steven d |

Totally snooty bar staff. Popped in for a refreshing drink after Coit tower. Unfriendly staff served my wife. Not for me..expensive too

Such a nice surprise

By mjjpower |

We had finished a dinner at a more upscale restaurant and were supposed to be meeting friends for drinks at said restaurant. We decided it was way too loud to visit so we arranged to meet at Fog City and what a great choice that was. The service was so friendly, the drinks were lovely and the butterscotch pudding was to die for! All around a solid place to visit and enjoy the company of friends. I also must add that we never felt rushed to leave which was nice because we had such a great visit. I would highly recommend.

Not what we remembered

By kenbert |

Having eaten here and enjoyed it thoroughly on our last visit to San Francisco 5 years ago, we had high expectations. While the food was good, portions were a bit small. We probably should have ordered an appetizer, as there was no bread service provided. This was curious, as one would think that a place calling itself a "diner" in a city famous for it's sourdough bread would offer it. Menu choices were much more "fine dining" than diner fare. Prices were definitely not diner prices.

Unassuming Diner with good food

By Dave L |

Team dinner here. Good service (although they did forget to bring out one of the appetizers). Had the halibut, was great. Wine suggestion worked well.

Only the name remains iconic

By Mindy W |

Sadly, your picture represents the best of Fog City Diner of the past. New look, new ownership, and sadly new standards for food. What is still called the Fog City burger at $17.50 is the same size as In-and-Out Burger, and without taste. It's a cool looking place, but doesn't compensate for the poor meal, and pathetic portion.

Great Happy Hour Find in San Francisco

By Tammie J |

Surprisingly reasonable prices with great food and staff. Wood fire pizzas, signature truffle fries, and happy hour wines hit the spot after an afternoon at Alcatraz.

Great food and service

By SMKRVA |

Our family enjoyed sour dough bread sticks and onion strings as appetizers. Caesar salad, sole, and salmon. Very close to waterfront. Gluten free menu with substitutions available. Friendly service. Would definitely return.

great lunch location

By Mrs_Phil2000 |

Stopped in for lunch with some friends. Afternoon cocktails and lunch, what can be better? The calamari with the avocado-cilantro salsa was awesome.

Some good, some bad

By Scott M |

Given its location on the Embarcadero, Fog City is a fun spot for lunch/brunch on a nice weekend but the food can be hit and miss. We celebrated an 87th birthday with 3 generations of family. The Bacon Mary with bacon and deviled egg was big enough to be a starter on its own. The “smoked” chicken wings were unappetizing. Huevos Rancheros were a hit. The salmon sandwich was so-so. Beignets, either the breakfast version or dessert version are a treat. Tables on the Embarcadero side of the restaurant are quieter but you’ll need to get there early if that’s what you want.

A nice place to eat

By harryatkck |

This is located at the end of Battery street across from the cruise terminal. This used to be a diner & has been here for years. My wife & I had a relaxing dinner here after going to Alcatraz Island. The food & drink were excellent & the service was great. However, the menu is kind of pricey.

A Surprise

By p0tter66 |

Fog City was much better than we expected! Lively dining scene with surprisingly attentive service on a busy Saturday night. Food was well prepared. The special rib eye steak was cooked as ordered and provided a second dinner the next night.

Amazing Food!

By Melans |

We went here based on a friend's recommendation. I am so glad we did. The food was off the charts! My husband had the Gnoochi, and he said if all vegetarian dishes were this- he could be a vegetarian. I had grilled porkchops. Also, fabulous. I ate every morsel on my plate. I will say for the price the portions seemed small, but again- the food was so tasty, this could be overlooked as an issue. The atmosphere is very casual. We had reservations, but there was plenty of open seating, we wouldn't have needed it. Our server was friendly, and attentive to our needs. However, several people were part of our experience- all super friendly and pleasant.

Excellent food

By Bweiz |

My traveling companion and I passed Fog City whilst traveling in the F-Line and wondered if it was truly the 'diner' experience that the building seemed to communicate. It lived up to our expectations! It was an upmarket dining experience with an excellent cocktail and alcohol menu. Would highly recommend the fries, the rib tacos, and the chicken drumsticks. Our best meal in San Francisco for four days.

Amazeballs food

By Kevin Parsakia |

We came here for a late dinner after exploring the pier all day. The pizza is made with sourdough and it's so good!!!!! I got the salmon with polenta and sourdough breadsticks. My wife got the cheese pizza and it was really good. I guess we got lucky with having good service and the bartender was mad cool. I havent good pizza in a while so it hit the spot. It looks liek a hole in the wall but it's far from it.

Fog city is a must go when in San Francisco.

By Vero S |

Fog city is a must go when in San Francisco. I came for dinner with family and had an amazing experience. Service was excellent and food was phenomenal. The manager was very sweet and accommodating. She made our experience even better. Totally recommended

Not a diner but good place to eat!

By Elizabeth D |

We went to Fog City Diner over 25 years ago on vacation from Nj. Just went back and although it’s not like a diner, we had a good meal here. I had the cheeseburger and it was tasty with lots of pickled on the side. Hb had the mushroom pizza and it was very flavorful. Dr had the salmon sandwich and she liked it. It came with bacon which always helps any sandwich. Service was awesome and we had a booth on the pier side.

Nicer food than the name suggests.

By Joanne L |

Nicer food than the name suggests. The Brussels sprouts were not bitter at all. The wings were good as were the bbq ribs. The crab salad was large with lots of cucumbers but very little crab was on top. That was a bit disappointing. They have a full bar.

So disappointing

By Teemul0818 |

This is our go-to place when out of town friends are visiting. Food has been always good, service too. Very disappointing when we went this past weekend. Selections for entrees were limited and there were no specials. Got the halibut and while the fish was fresh and delicious, didn't care for the quinoa and sauce. The worst part of it was the service. The waiter barely tolerated our presence, was quite standoffish and condescending. It was embarrassing for us to be treated like that while with friends here from out of town, especially since we had built the place up to them. There was one very sweet female server who was friendly and fun- wish she had been working our table. Certainly not as good as it has been. Will find a new spot to take visitors for sure.

Nice ambiance and good drinks

By Sabrine S |

We went there on Christmas Eve for a drink and we were surprised by the place. The lightning is perfect, the service very fast - we sat At the bar. We got a Caesar salad and fried calamari. The salad is small but veeeery flavorful, simple and crispy. Same for the calamari, nicely cooked. It’s very easy to get an over cooked calamari, but that o e was a good one. The gin& tonic was nice also. Recommended for any occasion!

Still in my seat!

By Jessica Proctor |

Absolutely amazing drinks and food. This is a gem, a must visit! Bartenders are very educated and the food was delicious beyond every expectation. Must visit, must try!

Average

By Evelyn E |

The food was nice and well cooked but the price is of a 5 star experience not a diner! The food was nice and the selection for meat eaters was ok, vegetarians there was limited options. The cocktails were nice and well made. Service was fine and fast. For the price perhaps look somewhere else. The music also needs to be updated with the menu prices.

Kind of a Disaster

By rhopelain |

How do you give one star to a place where the food was actually pretty good? When the service is so bad that they beg for one star. We got to Fog City at 8:30 on a Friday night. First bad sign was that it was half full. (And even at half full it was deafeningly loud). Long story short (very long story) over a half hour to get water. About 45 minutes for drinks. Got drinks wrong. First courses came, then they came again. And once again. Then the waitress got mad at us. (Still not sure why -- we didn't want 3 first courses?). THEN we heard that they had run out of the entrees two of us had ordered (fried chicken). Another long wait and three of us got our entrees. Three of us finished our entrees. And then the fourth one (grilled trout came. To make up for the terrible service the restaurant gave us the tuna tartare appetizer after we were all done to make up for it. Food was pretty good. Not worth the service. And, it was maybe half full. Wonder why.

Great food and atmosphere

By Amy O |

We were a large group of 30 so we had a set selection. Devilled eggs were delicious as was the chicken starter. Didnt get to the tuna or hummus. I skipped salad or soup option and ordered the trout dish. Omg amazing! Cooked to perfection. Salad was yum also, for dessert i had their frozen custard also very yummy! Staff were great, place was busy and had a great atmosphere! Recommend if you are in the area.

Unfortuantely Not the Same

By DiSiriBy |

Reservations for 6 - seat us at a table by the front door that seats 8 and has a giant pole separating some of the seats. Not great for conversing. They were NOT busy and they would not move us to another table upon our request. We thought ok move on. This is definitely NOT the same Fog City we remember. Menu was limited and not that many great options as before The comfort food once offered has been replaced with so so options. Service was terrible. Our waiter was not rude but not overly friendly and seemed bothered to take our order. We ordered a round of drinks but was never offered another round. We had great memories of the old Fog City and had brought a couple who had never been even - not impressed. We really were excited to come here but unfortunately will not be back. The makeover inside was beautiful but with all the other options in the City we will choose another place next time.

Disappointed

By Kevin D |

I ordered the flank steak with fingerling potatoes. My wife ordered the halibut. Both dishes tasted good. When our meal was brought to the table, I had four slices of steak on my plate. My wife's halibut was also a small portion. The portions left much to be desired.

Location, location, location...

By Karuk-girl |

This isn't the Fog City Diner of the olden days, no...it's new and has a modern rustic vibe about it. Large bar in the center serves up cocktails and friendly wait staff tend to your every need. Located across the street from the cruise ship terminal, the diner's windows allow for lots of people watching and view of the bay. The menu isn't extensive, but it's interesting. My companion had the Rib Eye and proclaimed it "Excellent!" I had the brisket, and it was okay. Really good champagne cocktails! We both spotted a big bowl piled high with onion strings when we first came in...we had to have some. They were quite good. Great sauce for dipping! It's not fancy, but it's fun, and the food is pretty darn good!

Great lunch time fare

By Romelle11 |

Stopped for lunch at Fog City on our way to catch the Alcatraz tour. Sat at the bar and a wonderful bartender served us a delicious lunch. Have never had such a delicious chicken sandwich!

Great evening during election night

By I710ESthomass |

Extremely friendly people working in the restaurant, good atmosphere, excellent drinks and good wine und also not very sophisticated but pure good food!

Nice spot

By KSheldo |

We stopped here for a quick bite and a couple of drinks! Service was fast and friendly! Tasty mac and cheese, spicy wings! Great spot for a quick stop.

Great food but service was bad....

By Johnny-O_1964 |

We had a great lunch, pizza, sandwiches, three appetizers and drinks. Then our waitress accidentally broke the water bottle all over our table ruining two salads and a few breadsticks. She never said she was sorry or comped for the food she, the waitress ruined. $150 dollar tab for that kind of service, be careful there are lots of better places to eat.

Where's the diner?

By naronsson1 |

Was disappointed to find that the diner is no longer a diner. It has lost its charm due to the reservation. However we had a great server in the form of Brittany, she was excellent! The food was still a good standard.

Great food....service leaves to be desired for

By ThomasEMM |

After having been here a few years ago for a business lunch and enjoying it very much, decided to go here but this time with the family. Must say, food is great and absolutely excellent, however the service is really poor. It seemed our waitress had more time for the barman than for her guests. Having said that, the burger and the salad we had was great, in the end the food is the most important, and for that will be back.

Fun place to eat

By westie23 |

Visited SFO for the day from a cruise ship and met up with friends here. It was very full but the staff found us a booth even though we hadn’t made a reservation. The waiter was very friendly and helpful and explained the specials. Between us we ordered turkey and cheese burgers, fish tacos and pizza. My pizza was delicious and not too large. Fish tacos (special of the day) were very good. Burgers not quite so good but OK. My husband doesn’t eat cheese but the menu didn’t say the turkey burger came with cheese. Why do Americans add cheese to everything?! Local beer was good. A fun place close to the waterfront and apparently iconic!

Fish Tacos to die for!!!!

By Cm K |

Fog City has a strong legacy in the SF area and did not disappoint. Although it can be busy, our waiter recommended the fish tacos which were outstanding. With the freshest of ingredients, the fish were seasoned with a delectable blend of spices and topped with a lime, cilantro, guacamole and sauce that had my tastebuds tingling. They have a nice selection of wine and microbrews to complement dining selections. Our wait staff and hostess were extremely polite, welcoming and professional and we had a terrific experience

Friendly and good food

By SJ |

We popped in here for a quick drink and snack en-route to the Exploratorium. We ordered a flight of beers (great value), a couple of other drinks and a pizza plus the onion strings to share. It was all lovely food and great value with friendly service.

Log City!

By RTDubyah |

When you enter this establishment you are hit with the fantastic smell of wood fired stoves. Straight away, this place feels like home. I had the fortune of eating here three times last week. I was in San Francisco on business. This was one of my favourite restaurants we visited. The menu is small, but varied. The portion sizes are perfect, AND the FISH TACOS were extraordinary! Wow! I also had the oysters which were fresh! The staff were friendly. The restaurant was spotless! And did I mention that great smell of burning logs? Love it!

Good food but expensive

By Steve W |

Well situated opposite the Embarcadero with a good atmosphere. We’d had a recommendation so we went there for dinner and although it wasn’t too busy the bar service was very slow. The table waitress was very good and extremely helpful. We had steak and a fennel sausage pizza. Both meals were good enough but nothing special and expensive for what they were. Good surroundings but we found it quite cold (possibly our table was too near an aircon unit). Glad we went but probably wouldn’t return.

Great food, even this close to the waterfront

By joelwakefield |

I find San Francisco to actually be a hard place to find restaurants, because there are so many places, and so many are either just for tourists or are too hoity toity for my tastes. i find it particularly hard down by the water front, but Fog City is a great alternative, really close to all the stuff on the wharf, but with interesting food that doesn't feel overly fancy. My sons enjoyed the burger and fish tacos, and my falafel sandwich was really good. The aioli combined with the very interesting Japanese twinged fries was also very good, making the fries a very interesting appetizer. Fog City worked nicely for us.

It’s still one of the best spots in San Francisco

By Jcgs1968 |

The first time that I visited San Francisco 20 years ago, this place was trendy, hot and expensive specially during the weekends for brunch. Now it’s less visited but the food is extremely good and affordable. I highly recommend the spicy salmon sandwich.

Not great

By Brian B |

The food was overcooked and over priced. If you're going to pay that kind of money there are a lot better options in San Fransisco.

Really tasty food!

By Sherri W |

I've been to Fog City several times in the last 6 months and each time the food is really tasty -- unusual flavors combined in unique ways. Service is attentive, crowd is lively and happy, and the view of The Embarcadero is so enjoyable.

Classy classics

By kenna rubin |

I visit this diner at least once a year, when I am in the city, and it never disappoints. Nice atmosphere, good service, interesting combinations on the menu, something fancy but also a little but homey, which is nice in a city that has many restaurants competing with each other for originality.

What to expect

By Fredrik U |

Lovely lady in the bar, however not so focused on service. Ordered a burger, just to find out they had one kind... "medium, is that ok?" Sure, burger was alright however the rest is like MCD.

stopped here on a whim - glad we did - highly recommended

By Roger E |

Stopped for lunch. Modern diner feel, nice people/tourist watching. The food was a great surprise. Clearly made by a chef. Our table had the onion rings, smoked wings, artichoke and fennel salad and the shrimp burger... all expertly made and delicious. Service was very attentive. We will be back.

Happy hour!

By Cpwee |

Dropped by Fog city as they had happy hour. The oysters are really good! Old fashion cocktail is nicely done too.

Lively fun place for good food

By A_Light_Sleeper |

Once you've worn yourself out on specialty foods, go to Fog City for just good food. Their specialty seems to be that they do regular food really well. There are a few surprises, the Ahi Tartare is really good, but don't order so much that you pass up the Mac & cheese. Ambience is fun, lively and very nice.

change is NOT always good!

By Greg S |

I visited the Fog City Diner a number of times when I worked in the S.F. Financial District years ago. We stopped in there last Sunday night and were greatly disappointed! The redecorated trying to make it more sophisticated but in doing so, in my opinion, they lost all the charm that the restaurant used to posses, such as the old dinner exterior with the chrome and neon sign. The waitresses were dressed in plaid shirts which seemed contradictory to the decor and the whole vibe of the place was unprofessional and dead. Granted, it was a Sunday night, but still... I could have overlooked all that if the food was good. We were under-inspired by the menu choices and settled for caesar salads and split a clam chowder, which should have been called bacon chowder. I would recommend skipping this place altogether.

Business Party

By Daniel L |

This is another great restaurant located close to the financial district and within walking distance to Fisherman's Wharf so great for tourists too!

Sunday at Noon but no brunch?!

By arober |

I guess I was dissappointed because I wanted breakfast food and was under the impression that they serve Sunday brunch but when I didn't see it on the menu I asked and was told, yeah, we aren't doing that. I had the fried chicken and it was ok, slaw was good. Two of us had clam chowder and it wasn't anything special. It's pretty pricey but everything in San Francisco is.

A nice standard for SFO visit.

By JJ F |

Great location along the waterfront near the Embarcadero between the Ferry Building and Pier 39/Fisherman's Wharf. Have eaten here before when we use to live in the Bay Area around 19 years ago so wanted to try again. It had been remodeled but still very welcoming and a bit more airy and light. Food selection was adequate. I had a Crab Salad and a nice Dry Riesling. The meal was very enjoyable. I would recommend this as a must try during your visit. Outside across the street is a great photo op with Fog City in the forefront and Coit Tower in background.

Ate the same fab meal TWICE

By cache99 |

Fog City is a classic! Inventive menu of fresh seasonal dishes. EXCELLENT Happy Hour with special menu. Fish tacos great. BUT, the Trout dinner (wood roasted) is perfect. Had it two nights in a row! Hey when it's good.....! Windows all around with views. Outdoor dining available.

Disaster Dinner-Diners Beware

By mreitman |

We've always been fans of Fog City until last week. Dinner was a disaster. Our server never placed the order and when he did, the food was immediately served cold and quite under cooked. The one time he visited our table was to ask what we wanted for dessert and that was before dinner arrived. He spent a great deal of time quoting his poetry to two women at the table next to ours and never asked if we wanted refills for our iced tea. Fog City's edition of Nashville Hot Chicken is a joke. Kentucky Fried is better. There's no excuse for this type of service and cuisine at expensive prices.