Dungeness crab season is expected to reopen mid November— that means restaurants around the Bay Area will soon be dishing out fried rice served in crab shells; buttery crab noodles, and more! Keep an eye out for the official announcement of the beginning of the season. For now, we’ve put together a list of our favorite restaurants to enjoy dungeness crab, so start your bucket list for the season.
Jo’s Modern Thai [Oakland]— Dungeness crab fried rice is light, savory and fishy. We love Chef Intu-On Kornnawong’s version because it’s perfumed with the aroma of cilantro, lemongrass, and lime leaves. The prik nam pla provides a wonderful kick. It’s beautifully presented in the crab shell.
Cotogna [San Francisco] — Crab and meyer lemon tagliolini is a simple pasta, but it shines due to the quality of the three main ingredients. The thin strands of chewy tagliolini are made in house, the crab is delicately cooked until tender, and the meyer lemon sauce is carefully crafted to add just enough acidity to balance the dish without making your lips pucker.
Damansara [San Francisco] — Crab prepared three ways — cured yolk and cereal; black pepper; or chili and crab fat. Each preparation method brings an exciting experience to the table. The cured yolk crab is savory and a touch sweet; while, the black pepper crab provides a “heat” sensation which is a bit different than that caused by capsaicin. The chili and crab fat offering packs a serious punch.
R&G Lounge [San Francisco] — Fried crab at this iconic Cantonese restaurant is shatteringly crisp. Our favorite is the salt & pepper crab which preserves the delicate flavors of the crab while still giving it a bit of pop. You can also enjoy crab tossed in black bean sauce, spicy garlic sauce, or salted egg yolk.
PPQ Dungeness Island [San Francisco] — we love the selection of flavors of dungeness crab offered here that draw inspiration from several cuisines. Those flavors include curry, cajun sauce, jalapeño sauce, and salted egg yolk. Order the crab dinner to pair your crab with imperial rolls, cabbage salad, garlic noodles, and fried banana ice cream.
Swan’s Oyster Depot is an iconic SF spot, so you’ll need to show up early to beat the crowds. It’s a seafood lover’s paradise with options like clams, lobster, and smoked fish. It has a casual vibe, but the dishes are plated as elegantly as anything you’d find in a high-end restaurant.
Scoma’s Restaurant can be described as one of the cheesy restaurants along Fisherman’s Wharf, but we think this one is actually worth visiting. It has an old-school vibe and their dungeness crab dish is photo-worthy. It’s also one of the only spots on this list that offers crab cakes.
Can’t get enough crab? Head over to Monterey to pick up a fresh catch from Monterey Fish Co and cook them up at home. Looking for more food suggestions? Check out our pizza guide.
