“I’m an old-school guy,” Bourdain admitted, expressing his sentimental attachment to places like Swan Oyster Depot. His appreciation for the restaurant was not just about the food but the atmosphere—a haven of nautical themes and familiar faces. The counter, where he often found solace, represented a place of simple familiarity against the changing tides of San Francisco’s tech boom. “True love cannot be denied,” he said.
During his visit, Bourdain indulged in his favorite dishes, starting with the crab back, describing it as “unicorn juice“. He continued with crab legs and the restaurant’s famous oysters.
Swan Oyster Depot has served fresh SF seafood for over a century, weathering the many changes the city has gone through since it first. The small restaurant has no website, no reservations, and no frills. It’s reputation for fantastic seafood carries it far, with lines out the door a regular sight. The oyster haven was first started in the early 1890’s selling shellfish from Fisherman’s Wharf. After the 1906 earthquake, the family-owned business constructed it’s current location in the Polk Gulch neighborhood.
In 1946, Sal Sancimino and Pat La Rocca bought the shellfish depot, expanding the menu to include a variety of fresh, seasonal offerings. The menu includes clam chowder, fresh oysters, Dungeness crab, and much more.
The hours are limited, from 8:00 am until 2:30 Monday through Thursday, and on Friday and Saturday, they stay open until 5:00 pm. This doesn’t deter guests, though; the stools are regularly filled with loyal San Franciscans and world travelers alike. Anthony Bourdain isn’t the only celebrity to dine at the iconic spot. Over the years, Bing Crosby, Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Julia Child, and many more have all sat at the same 18 stools and marble counter.
It’s undeniable that Swan Oyster Depot has established itself as a San Francisco institution, one oyster at a time. “The touchstone in my worldwide wanderings,” Bourdain mused.
By Cat Huynh and Dana Flynn