Waterbar Review, San Francisco

Reviewer: Foodnut.com Waterbar 399 The Embarcadero San Francisco, CA 94105 415-284-9922 Waterbar Website Book Reservation

Waterbar is a seafood restaurant located strategically on the San Francisco waterfront. It has extra ordinary views and is next door to the steakhouse restaurant Epic Roasthouse. They are both part of the vast Kuleto Restaurant empire. Waterbar has several meat entrees for those forced to dine here. The use local and sustainable seafood.

We first ate here in 2008 and returned in summer 2025.

Decor, Vibe – Pat Kuleto is a master restaurant designer and has created 175 restaurants including Boulevard, Jardinere and many other restaurants. This place has several impressive floor to ceiling aquariums which add to the dynamic atmosphere. Views are fantastic, even better than next door. Folks from their 30’s to 60’s were dining. Many larger parties. Business people after work were hanging out in the beautiful bar area.

WaterBar Menu

The WaterBar menu has lots of seafood options as expected. Good options for meat eater and just a couple for vegetarians.

Website Menu

Waterbar service was not great when we went.  It took almost 3 hours for our meal with delays.  They ended up comp’ing us a bunch of items.

Obviously prices are inflated by the expensive architecture and the views.

Food Review

Dos Flores ($12) is an interesting non alcoholic drink with adult flavors. 8/10

Yellow Peach Salad ($18) burrata, pistachio, piccolo fino basil, harvested at Marchini Ranch in Placerville, California hit the spot with lots of soft white cheese and fresh peaches and cherries. 8.5/10

Chilled Maine Lobster ($48 half) trap caught out of Casco Bay, Maine is expensive and more of an appetizer portion. Comes with lemon and cocktail sauce. 8.5/10

Roast McFarland Springs Trout ($40) is a nice sized dish even though the fish is thin and probably a 6oz piece.  Good sauce and accompaniments. 9/10

Warm summer beans ($13)  crisp artisan guanciale is a huge plate full of tender beans and string beans. 9/10

Peach Cobbler ($13) shiso & peach caramel swirl ice cream comes hot out of the oven. Not too sweet, but mix of hot/cold in this dessert. 8.5/10

 

Older 2008 review

Waterbar Picks:

Platter of Oysters ($2.75 each) – We had a variety of oysters, all were fresh and came with dipping sauces. It is funny the oysters are cheaper next door.

Geoduck Ceviche ($16) with Dashi custard, uni, shaved celery tasted incredibly good but was super tiny. Quality over quantity.

OK:

Yellowtail Jack ($33) looked great but was just average in taste. It was not cooked very well. The portion size was decent.

Roasted Heirloom Potatoes ($8) were plentiful but small.

Spigairello Kale ($6) was a little watery but tasted fine.

Pans:

Pressed Main Lobster ($65) with cauliflower gratin, natural juices was super expensive and came to us almost cold. The meat tasted fine. Should have sent it back.

We complained and they comp’d us some delicious cookies and truffles.

Restaurant Map: