The Old Clam House

I finally gave this place a try as i have seen the intriguing look and read about it's rich history. For all your seafood lovers out there, this place doesn't go fancy and or adds lots of different sauces to their seafood. The quality of the seafood is up there but not everybody might enjoy the flavor when left alone. For example I tried their mussels in a skillet. This is a no thrills dish and there is no provencale or garlic or anything besides a bit of lemon that comes with it. So the mussels by their nature taste earthy or leave a hint of iron on your taste buds. The mussels are fresh but certainly not everyone's taste. Also their Cioppino, most restaurants serve it in a thicker tomato based sauce with herbs garlic and some spices, not here. The tomato based sauce is rather light and doesn't take away from the fish, mussels and clams. It's not what I expected but still tasty. The interior makes your eyes wonder as you get to see something different on every shelf. It gives you that pirate of the carbian feeling and with such let's get sum rum. Speaking of cocktails, that was the only area which I thought was rather disappointing, the drinks were not very distinct and on the lighter side of alcoholic beverages. The service was nice, friendly. I'm glad I tried this place. Cheers

This is an old school Italian Seafood House in the South part of San Francisco. I love the look of the wood bar, the red and white checkered tablecloth and the outdoor patio that can be warmed or cooled. Most restaurants greet you with warm bread or breadsticks, but this place greets you with a shot of clam juice. It tastes amazing! I have had their pasta, clam chowder, calamari, fish and their pork. Nothing has disappointed me. Come check it out!

A Lunch That Became a Memory at The Old Clam House There are moments when the soul simply needs a break—a space to pause, breathe, and enjoy. That’s how, around 4 p.m., we found ourselves at The Old Clam House, a place filled with history and flavor, nestled in the heart of San Francisco. The atmosphere was cozy and full of charm, with wood-paneled walls, warm lighting, and vintage details. But what truly made the experience special was our server, Freeman. He wasn’t just kind and attentive—he proudly shared the story of the restaurant and its owner. To me, that speaks volumes about the heart of a place: when a team member speaks highly of their boss, it shows respect and appreciation. And happy staff always deliver heartfelt service. We started with a seafood platter—crispy calamari and shrimp, perfectly seasoned and fried to golden perfection. Then, we each found comfort in our entrées: I had the 12 oz. Prime Ribeye, grilled to perfection—tender, juicy, and full of flavor. It came with creamy mashed potatoes and sautéed vegetables. It was everything I needed on that day: satisfying and grounding. Miguel chose the Local Petrale Sole Piccata—a delicate white fish fillet, gently bathed in a lemon butter caper sauce, also served with mashed potatoes and fresh veggies. Light, refined, and simply delicious. To drink, we enjoyed a cold local draft beer, the perfect pairing for both meals. And just when we thought the experience couldn’t get any better… Freeman returned with a raspberry panna cotta, a sweet gift from the house. “You can’t leave without dessert,” he said with a smile. That gesture sealed the afternoon with sweetness and warmth. This wasn’t just a lunch—it was a reminder that good food, genuine hospitality, and kind hearts still exist. Thank you, The Old Clam House, for giving us a beautiful memory we’ll always treasure. We will return—without a doubt. Review written by Lizdalia, a dreamer at heart and a lover of details that heal.

11/10 One of the best restaurants I’ve visited in the bay. I was here in 2025 on a day trip with my boyfriend to the bay and stopped here on our way back home. Each single dish we had was handcrafted passionately. I can taste the love and dedication that everyone did to make those dishes we had exquisite. And don’t be mistaken with the portion sizes, it’s truly quality over quantity here. Our waiter who I unfortunately forgot his name was delivering with grace and a swiftness I hardly see know a days. Coupled with the ambience and decor the Old Clam House was a pleasure to dine at.

The vibe of the place is very cool. I personally am a huge fan of the decor and the rustic look they have got going. Fun fact: They bring you hot clam broth as soon as you sit down. It is salty, buttery and umami. Food-wise, I found it to be extremely average. Everything tastes the exact same. We got the lobster roll, the crab burger and octopus carpaccio. Everything tastes fine, is a tad bit bland. Service is slow. Fun place to visit once for the vibe; wouldn't want to go again

Food was INCREDIBLE! The bread came out super warm and fresh, the seafood was super fresh and perfectly cooked and seasoned. Would highly recommend and definitely will be coming back! We had the mussel + shrimp skillet and the clam special pasta. Great service and fun/historic decor too!

I am so happy that this place exists.. Its one of the best clam chowder bread bowls I've ever had. Thanks to the bestie who introduced me to this place! Calamari was excellent. I had an espresso martini which was just fine. The sourdough bread bowl is amazing, the clam chowder is amazing, I can go on and on about how good this was. Also, the building has a ton of historical significance, if its slow you might just get a little tour of what's haunted ;) Just be aware, parking is terrible, I went on a Tuesday afternoon so it may be that its worse since its in an industrial area, there might be more parking when the business' are closed.

After decades of living in the Bay Area, I finally walked into this legendary spot and now understand why it’s been around since the horse-and-buggy days. First off, they serve you a free clam broth that feels like a warm, briny hug. The cioppino was hearty with tender calamari and prawns so big they could bench-press a crab. The clams were so fresh they high-fived as they slid down the hatch. Halibut was excellent. The vibe? Imagine if your Italian grandma opened a nautical museum and also really wanted you to eat well. The place is dripping with charm, the service is smoother than a buttered baguette. Can't wait to come back!