Last summer, Fisherman’s Wharf announced a major renovation, with an estimated cost of $10 million. The renovations garnered mixed opinions, particularly due to plans to tear down a historic restaurant, Alioto’s Restaurant. In place of the restaurant, the wharf created a public plaza, which has now officially opened.
Alioto’s Plaza at Fisherman’s Wharf
On September 3, 2026, San Francisco announced that the new plaza had officially opened. Organizers named the plaza after the former restaurant, Alioto’s, which was a historic Italian seafood restaurant that started as a stand on the wharf in the 1920s.
The new plaza features public seating, picnic tables, and signs detailing the wharf’s history. Woods Beer & Wine Co. is set to reopen its taproom space on the wharf and provide outdoor service at the edge of the plaza. The plaza also has space for various retail pop-ups in the future.
“Alioto’s Plaza is a wonderful addition to the continuing revitalization of Fisherman’s Wharf,” said Bri Maughan, Executive Director of the Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District. “Beautiful, welcoming public spaces like this are an important part of what makes the wharf both a world-famous destination and a living, working San Francisco neighborhood. We’re thrilled to see this historic location renewed as a place where residents, visitors, and the entire Fisherman’s Wharf community can gather, relax, and enjoy our waterfront.”
San Franciscans can also enjoy a new lagoon overlook that hosts weekly fish markets, perfect for fresh catches from local fishermen. The ongoing renovations to the wharf also include improvements to the harbor for fishermen, particularly to the electrical infrastructure.