Vintage photo of the Excelsior Fish Market stand at Fisherman’s Wharf

Guardino's is one of the few remaining historic crab stands at Fisherman's Wharf. It was originally founded in 1908 as the Excelsior Fish Market by Salvatore Guardino. Born in Sicily in 1872, Salvatore came to San Francisco in 1898, fished in Alaska during the Gold Rush, and returned to San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake to open the market. It evolved into a restaurant and gift shop, officially becoming Guardino's in 1968.

At the heart of historic Fisherman’s Wharf, Guardino’s offers a no-frills dining experience that celebrates our fishing community’s heritage. Step in out of the hustle, rain, or fog to experience old San Francisco with a bowl of traditional clam chowder. When the weather is nice, our outdoor patio is the ideal spot to soak in the California sun, enjoy an iconic Dungeness crab sandwich, and people-watch.

OUR ORIGIN STORY

Trio of crab, lobster, and shrimp rolls held up in front of the Fisherman’s Wharf sign in San Francisco
Freshly cooked Dungeness crab in a steamer basket
Guardino’s chef Matt is serving a clam chowder bread bowl at the Guardino's stand
Fresh crab held up with tongs at Guardino's, Fisherman’s Wharf

WE PROUDLY FEATURE LOCAL CRAB, OYSTERS, ATLANTIC LOBSTER, AND OTHER SEAFOOD SOURCED FROM LOCAL CRABBERS, FISHERMEN, AND THE ICONIC SAN FRANCISCO SEAFOOD VENDOR, A. LAROCCA ON PIER 45

Chef Matt Barnard brings over 20 years of experience cooking in California restaurants, hotels, resorts, and private clubs, deeply connecting with Guardino's legacy and its iconic place in the San Francisco food scene.

Guardino's emblem in blue and gold