Sea Lion Cafe

Reviews

• Michael F.

  star star star star star_border 14 June 2026

  Being a local resident, I don't venture to Pier 39 often, but with my mom and sister visiting from out of town, a friend and I decided to spend the day at the Pier.  Our lunch at the Sea Lion Cafe was definitely the highlight.  Everything was enjoyable from the moment we walked through their doors.  Mom uses a walker and the hostess very politely assured us it was not in the way (we had been concerned about it sticking out).  The view was spectacular - we could see the boats coming and going and the sea lions barking and, because there was no fog, we had a perfect view of Alcatraz.  The food was excellent.  My friend and I both started with a cup of their yummy seafood bisque.
  
  in a rich and spicy tomato base.  My sister tried the lobster mac and cheese and was delighted!  Mom had a salad that she said was fresh and filling.  The cheeseburger I ordered with bleu cheese was enormous and cooked to perfection - just to the doneness I like (very rare).  Carlos was our waiter and all I have to say is he should be cloned!  He was friendly, efficient, and provided excellent service.  He even had a sense of humor!
  
  My friend and I were both drinking coffee and he made sure neither of our cups was empty.  Mom and my friend both had desert (Carlos had recommended something chocolate, and that's just what they had).  Like I said, I don't down to the Wharf often, but this place would definitely bring me back.  If Carlos was always there, or I knew all of the servers were as good, I might even make a habit of visiting the Sea Lion Cafe.

• Ed U.

  star star star_border star_border star_border 13 June 2026

  TAKE ONE: "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade."
  ....hmmm, too optimistic...and also way too puckery sour.
  
  TAKE TWO "When life hands you lemons, F&%$ the lemons and bail!"
  ....hmmm, too realistic, and Paul Rudd already said that in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall".
  
  TAKE THREE: "When life hands you sea lions, open the Sea Lion Cafe."
  ....oh yeah, that's the ticket!...what the...
  
  How enterprising it is of the owners of the tourist-trap Neptune's Palace restaurant to cordon off a room overlooking the sea lions and still charge ridiculous prices for what is their diner-style menu. I should know better when strolling on Pier 39 that there is fat chance that a bargain meal exists on top of any of those well-trodden planks.
  
  The so-called Sea Lion Cafe is on the second floor and provides temptation for anyone looking to park a spell after a lengthy walk from Fisherman's Wharf. You will indeed be lured by the sight of the resting sea lions below the window seats. Don't give in, my friends. Recognize that the sea lions are not there to bark mating calls, honk horns or balance rubber balls on their snouts. The entertainment value diminishes considerably after the first three minutes of viewing. But alas, the Sea Lion Cafe will have already entrapped you with the attraction afforded by burgers, fried seafood and bowls of clam chowder.
  
  I was ensnared like Bambi in the wooded glen when I naively ordered two bowls of clam chowder for Jamie W. and myself. I thought the menu price of $5.95 seemed reasonable for a tourist-trap (a contradiction in terms, I know). Just as the foreign-accented waitress walked away, she asked..."You'd like that in a bread bowl, jes?" I nodded my head and then discovered I was adding $3.05 to each soup order. I hate when that happens. We also shared an order of onion rings for $4.95, so adding the sales tax and worker health costs, the grand total for this "snack" (see my photo) was over $26. Ka-ching, ka-ching.
  
  I realize I have to take responsibility for my own stupidity, but it does seem like quite a premium just to see the sea lions roll over each other. I could rent a bestiality porn video for a lot cheaper...or so I'm told. Funny thing is if you go to the restroom there, you walk right through Neptune's Palace, which is when it dawned on me that I had been taken in. Fool me once, shame on you...fool me twice...oh you get the drift.
  
  FOOD - 3 stars...it was decent chowder at new-car prices
  AMBIANCE - 2 stars...I saw a sea lion move
  SERVICE - 1.5 stars...gee, she could have told me the surcharge for sourdough
  TOTAL - 2 stars...tempted to give one star but go ahead and try it...just know you've been warned

• Jin S.

  star star star_border star_border star_border 7 June 2026

  The best part about Sea Lion Cafe was that we actually had a great view of the Sea Lions at play.  The view was amazing.  My friend and I had a great time laughing at the sea lions.
  
  The oysters were good.  The clams were plentiful but not great.  The server was mediocre.

• Teresa G.

  star star star_border star_border star_border 6 June 2026

  Came here to eat because it was close to the seals. That and because I didn't feel like eating seafood. The burgers are big enough to split if you are not a big eater. However, there was no taste to the food. Garlic fries was mediocre. Just some fries with chopped garlic on it. Nothing special. Service was so so.  Didn't come to visit the table often. When they did come, they were friendly. Not sure if I'd go back though...

• Mike M.

  star star star_border star_border star_border 18 May 2026

  Had dinner here last night atop Pier 39.The view is excellent.The service was good,although it took a good 15 to get our order in.Place was not busy whatsoever.
  Food was decent enough.With all the other options on the Pier,I would next time likely try someplace else,since the menu here is limited and you constantly hear sea lions outside,hence the name Sea Lion Cafe,one would imagine?