Uniquely San Francisco, The Old Clam House is the City’s oldest restaurant serving quality seafood and spirits in the same location since 1861. It has survived many city transformations, including the San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906.

In 1861 Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated as President of the United States, the dust from the Gold Rush was just beginning to settle, and San Francisco was blossoming as a city. The approximate City population that year was sixty thousand. When it opened in this atmosphere of young America, The Old Clam House was constructed on what was then the waterfront to the south of Islais Creek, just below Bernal Heights.

First named The Oakdale Bar & Clam House, the restaurant at one time was connected to downtown San Francisco by an estimated two miles of plank road. It quickly became a gathering place for the waterfront workers and neighbors settling in the area, during an era when the Bay Area contained a thriving fishing industry.

In 1906, the Great Earthquake and Fire swept toward the Mission District from South Beach, but was contained at 20th Street, sparing The Old Clam House. In fact, much of the Islais Creek marshy estuary was filled by debris from this earthquake and fire. Although the area surrounding The Old Clam House has changed over time, the restaurant remains in its original location.

Today, the bar area consists of the original structure making it San Francisco’s oldest restaurant in the same location since 1861. A fact we cherish.

We warmly welcome you to a unique San Francisco tradition...

With respect to the Tadich Grill in SF and Musso & Frank’s in Hollywood, our choice is this legendary spot in Bayview. Anyone who has spent time playing soccer on Silver Ave or driving down Bayshore Boulevard or just living around SF knows the Old Clam House’s iconic sign and that giant clam sitting on the side of the roof and the fact that it’s the oldest restaurant in the same location in SF (again, apologies to Tadich). But more people should know about their incredible clam bake cioppino and the amazing kettle bread they bring out with hot clam juice and their own “Milwaukee steam beer”, which our SF-based editor swears by.