San Francisco Ferry Building: Best Places to Eat & Shop

Food and San Francisco go together like bread and butter, and the San Francisco Ferry Building is where the pair simmer in a perfect recipe of history and delicousness.

Built in 1898, the Ferry Building is a glorious Beaux-Arts style building and clock tower at the intersection of Market Street and the Embarcadero waterfront. The area is one of the most walkable in the city and a great San Francisco neighborhood for families.

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Believe it or not, a freeway used to whip right by it, blocking its view. The 1989 earthquake fixed that, and suddenly, the Ferry Building was visible, revitalized, and ready for its close-up as San Francisco’s premier food hall.

Inside you’ll find 50+ shops, cafes, restaurants, coffee stands, and more. I visit often, especially when I have visitors in town, and I still find it one of the most enjoyable things to do in San Francisco. It’s also a good place to go on a rainy day, since most everything is indoors or covered.

📍Wander the Ferry Building on your own. Or, if you prefer a guide to share some local San Francisco history, drop into a Farmers’ Market and Ferry Building walking tour.

If you’ve come to San Francisco to eat, you might also want to check out my guide to dining along Irving Street in the Inner Sunset, a local secret for food lovers who want to dine well near Golden Gate Park.

Here are some of my favorite Ferry Building stops to add to your San Francisco itinerary.

Parachute Bakery– French Patisserie with Twists

chocolate entrement from parachute in the ferry building

A new darling of the Ferry Building, opened in September 2025 by the culinary minds behind Michelin-recognized Sorrel, Parachute is where melt-in-your-mouth pastries can be yours—- if you’re willing to wait in line for them. Hint: Most San Franciscans will wait in line.

The item to secure is the Parachute Chocolate Entremet, a multi-layered chocolate cake, dusted in cocoa powder that resembles their logo: a parachute and a croissant. Cute, non?

Honestly, it looks like a piece of modern art, and it disappeared in my house quicker than the ever-present line at the counter.

El Porteño -Golden Empanadas Worth the Line

There is always a line here, too, and I am often in it. This Argentinian empanada stop sells golden pastries filled with spicy beef, gooey cheese, smoky chicken, shrimp, and some vegetarian options too.

Each is perfectly seasoned, hot, and ready to eat on the spot from a paper bag. We’re a casual bunch here. Who needs a fork and knife, really?

It’s the perfect midday lunch on the go, or a fuel-up snack before setting out to explore all the amazing things to do in San Francisco. I recently stopped by on the way to a game at Oracle Park.

Tip: You can ask for the empanadas frozen, then take them home, wipe a little egg wash over the top, and bake.

Hog Island Oyster – Straight from the Source

If you can’t take a day trip to Point Reyes and Tomales Bay, stop here for the freshest bivalves in the city. The outdoor patio hums on sunny days, but I prefer the inside oyster bar. It faces the water and is a great perch for people watching.

They usually have a daily oyster selection to choose from, which you can slurp with mignonette or straight with lemon. You can also try them grilled with garlic and parsley, or opt for the oyster po’boy sandwich.

Oysters are super popular in San Francisco, and many places around the city have them on happy hour specials for just $1-$2 a pop. It’s a good way to stretch dollars too, if you’re visiting San Francisco on a budget.

Nopa Fish– Sustainable California Seafood

nopa fish fresh selection on ice inside the ferry building

nopa fish ferry building menu in grey holder

Another newcomer to the San Francisco Ferry Building in 2025, Nopa Fish is part market, part casual restaurant, with a focus on sustainable and responsibly sourced seafood.

You can grab sandwiches, fish and chips, and seasonal small plates. They also sell gorgeous fresh catch fillets and seafood to take back to your Airbnb.

A16 La Pala –Roman-style Pizza

A spin-off of the beloved A16 restaurant in the Marina district, this counter-service spot serves Roman-style pizza al taglio, or pizza by the slice. Baked in large rectangular pans, the pizza is sold in square or rectangular portions.

You can also try focaccia sandwiches, salads, classic antipasti, and Italian pastries.

Cholita Linda

The Ferry Building’s go-to spot for fresh, handmade Peruvian and Latin American street food is Cholita Linda, where you can get handmade tacos, Cubano and Asado sandwiches (pressed and gooey good), and aguas frescas.

Fog City Flea Trading Post – Local Souvenirs & Vintage Finds

fog city flea trading post shop neon sign in ferry building

fog city flea trading post clothing corner with crab hat

I seriously love this shop, but the word ‘shop’ hardly does it justice. It’s more like a 5,000-square-foot ode to made-in-San-Francisco goods. It’s hard to know where to look, to be honest, but you’re guaranteed to find a fabulous souvenir, and something for yourself too.

The emporium features vintage clothing, T-shirts, home décor, jewelry, hats, printed scarves, coffee mugs, and knick-knacks, all sourced from local makers.

It’s the perfect place to take a rest between stuffing your face and to pick up some San Francisco-sourced goods, too.

Arquet–Modern Med-Meets-Cali Cuisine

Taking over the space occupied by The Slanted Door (RIP fabulous restaurant and Charles Phan), this is the newest full-service restaurant in the Ferry Building, also from the team behind Sorrel.

It’s open Wednesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner.

The coastal California menu is casual, sustainable, and designed for sharing. You can expect to find items like Dungeness crab brioche, roasted chicken, BBQ oysters, and ricotta dumplings. Reservations are essential, though you might be able to walk in and snag a seat at the bar.

San Francisco Ferry Building main hall with soaring ceilings and restaurants and shops lining both sides — San Francisco’s Ferry Building is home to around 50 shops and restaurants

Humphry Slocombe Ice Cream– Bold Flavors & Classic Riffs

If it’s true that we all scream for ice cream, this is the one you scream for in San Francisco.

Known for its quirky flavors that blend novelty with deliciousness. Humphrey Slocobme has been a beloved San Francisco ice cream sweet spot since opening its first scoop shop in the Mission District in 2008.

Try some of the best-selling flavors like Secret Breakfast (bourbon & corn flakes) and Blue Bottle Vietnamese Coffee.

My personal favorite is the Peanut Butter Fudge Ripple because chunks of peanut butter in my chocolate is really good.

Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant– Sips from Around the World

wine bar inside san francisco's ferry building — Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant serves California and world-wines by the glass and bottle

Man, I’ve sipped a lot of wine at this bottle shop and wine bar. It’s an easy meeting point for friends who work downtown and live in Marin.

This nearly 3,000-square-foot space is a wine bar, bottle shop, and soon-to-be cheese shop (opening summer 2026). Sip California and world wines poured by the glass or bottle. It closes pretty early (7 p.m.), so you still have time to dash out for dinner.

Delica– Grab ‘n Go Japanese Classics

A great Japanese-California spot with fresh grab-and-go items like sushi rolls, salads, donburi, bento boxes, udon noodles, soup, and more. If they have the wasabi garlic potato salad, don’t skip it! Grab a table or bench outside and watch the ferries roll in with the tide.

If you’re a Japanese-food super fan, don’t skip a visit to San Francisco Japantown, one of the city’s most underrated neighborhoods, and a great neighborhood for families.

Miette – The OG Cookies & Cakes Outpost

Cute as a French crumb (Miette means crumb in French) and a cookie jar fantasy, this has been a Ferry Building mainstay since the very beginning, arriving in 2005.

Miette is a go-to for French macarons, cookies, candies, cakes, and more.

📍 If you’re curious about exploring more of San Francisco’s neighborhoods through their food scenes, a guided local food tour is an easy way to sample edible favorites while learning the stories behind them. Plus it’s a fun way to spend time in San Francisco with family and friends.

More San Francisco Travel Ideas

FAQs

frequently

asked

questions

Yes, there are several sit-down restaurants inside, and places to sit when you order take-out, too!
Hog Island Oyster Co. is renowned for fresh oysters and seafood.
Gott’s Roadside is a popular spot for burgers, ahi poke tacos, and milkshakes.
A16 La Pala specializes in Italian dishes and pizza slices.
Cholita Linda serves fresh, made-from-scratch Latin dishes.
Arquet is a new (2025) upscale dining option serving Med-meets-Cali cuisine.

The Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market unfurls three days a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, year-round, rain or shine. Saturday is the biggest one. Hours are 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Tuesday/Thursday and 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Reservations are generally not needed at the Ferry Building, except for at Arquet, where they are highly recommended, though you can sometimes sit at the bar.

Yes! And for second and third-time visitors too. With 50 shops, cafes, and restaurants, as well as ferries to different cities around the bay, the historic Ferry Building is a must. And locals love it too.

Absolutely! The Ferry Building is one of the best places in San Francisco to shop for locally made goods. Inside, you’ll find artisan food producers, small-batch makers, and California-based brands offering everything from gourmet chocolates and olive oils to handcrafted ceramics, stationery, and home goods. Many vendors source ingredients locally or produce their goods in the Bay Area, making it an ideal stop for meaningful souvenirs and gifts that truly reflect San Francisco’s creative and culinary culture

The Ferry Building isn’t just a food hall, it’s a San Francisco landmark. Housed in a historic waterfront terminal with sweeping Bay views, it blends architecture, local history, and a sense of place with its culinary offerings. Unlike many modern food halls, the Ferry Building emphasizes locally owned vendors, regional ingredients, and long-standing Bay Area institutions, creating an experience that feels distinctly San Francisco