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San Francisco Map: Swan Oyster DepotSwan Oyster Depot Frommer's Very Highly Recommended

Cuisine Seafood
Hours Mon-Sat 8am-5:30pm
Address
1517 Polk St
Location Between California and Sacramento sts, Nob Hill/Russian Hill
Transportation Bus: 1, 19, 47, or 49
Reservations Reservations not accepted
Phone 415/673-1101
Prices Seafood cocktails $7-$15; clams and oysters on the half shell $7.95 per half-dozen
Credit Cards Not accepted

Frommer's Review

Turning 97 years old in 2009, Swan Oyster Depot is a classic San Francisco dining experience you shouldn't miss. Opened in 1912, this tiny hole in the wall, run by the city's friendliest servers, is little more than a narrow fish market that decided to slap down some bar stools. There are only 20 or so stools here, jammed cheek-by-jowl along a long marble bar. Most patrons come for a quick cup of chowder or a plate of oysters on the half shell that arrive on crushed ice. The menu is limited to fresh crab, shrimp, oyster, clam cocktails, a few types of smoked fish, Maine lobster, and Boston-style clam chowder, all of which are exceedingly fresh. Note: Don't let the lunchtime line dissuade you -- it moves fast.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.


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Author: Matthew R. Poole
Pub Date: September 22, 2009
Price: $17.99

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Frommer's Star Ratings

Frommer's Recommended 0 stars Frommer's Recommended
Frommer's Highly Recommended 1 stars Frommer's Highly Recommended
Frommer's Very Highly Recommended 2 stars Frommer's Very Highly Recommended
Frommer's Exceptional 3 stars Frommer's Exceptional

About Our System

Frommer's ranks every hotel, restaurant, attraction, shop, and nightlife establishment it reviews for quality, value, service, amenities, and special features using a star-rating scale, an expression of the strong compare-and-contrast opinions that are a brand hallmark.

Other ratings provide stars based primarily on price and amenities; the Frommer's star rating is meant to quantify the kind of intangible, experiential elements that help travelers make informed decisions.

The "baseline" recommendation is zero stars--every hotel, restaurant, attraction, shop, and nightlife establishment that Frommer's chooses to review is recommended; otherwise, we simply wouldn't include it.

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