The Unchanging Menu of a San Francisco Institution
The menu at Swan Oyster Depot is a testament to a simple, powerful philosophy: let the freshest ingredients speak for themselves. As a “strictly a seasonal house,” the offerings are a direct reflection of the day’s finest catch from the Pacific. You will not find elaborate preparations here; instead, the focus is on pristine raw seafood and classic
time-honored recipes that have delighted patrons for over a century. The hand-illustrated board behind the counter tells much of the story, but true regulars know that the best experience often comes from asking one of the Sancimino brothers what is exceptional that day—a tradition that often reveals off-menu treasures like the coveted Sicilian Sashimi.
| Swan’s Wine List | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wine Name | Glass Price | Bottle Price |
| Swan’s Choice of the Day Chardonnay | $12 | $44 |
| Honig Sauvignon Blanc Napa/Lake County 2023 | $12 | $44 |
| Domaine de la Foliette Muscadet France 2021 | $12 | $44 |
| Sineann Pinot Gris Columbia Gorge Oregon 2022 | $14 | $52 |
| Green & Red Zinfandel Napa Valley 2021 | $15 | $60 |
| Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc North Coast 2022 | $16 | $64 |
| Grgich Hills Fume Blanc Napa Valley 2020 | $16 | $64 |
| Ramey Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2021 | $16 | $64 |
| Chappellet Chenin Blanc Napa Valley 2023 | $16 | $64 |
| Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs North Coast 2020 | $16 | $64 |
| The Withers Rose’ El Dorado County 2022 | $16 | $64 |
| Lewis Cellars Chardonnay Russian River Valley Sonoma County 2022 | $20 | $80 |
| Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc Russian River 2022 | – | $76 |
| Telmont Champagne Brut France 2018 | – | $100 |
| Pahlmeyer Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2020 | – | $130 |
| Beer & Non-Alcoholic | ||
| Draft Beer: Drakes Bold Rush, Trummer Pils, Fort Point Animal IPA, Mare Island War Bond (The New Anchor) | $7 | – |
| Corona, Heineken 0.0 (non-alcoholic) | $7 | – |
| Guinness Draught, Best Day West Coast IPA (non-alcoholic) | $7 can | – |
| Salads | ||
| Item | Price | |
| Shrimp | $28.00 | |
| Prawn | $30.00 | |
| Crab | $42.00 | |
| Combination | $32.00 | |
| Lobster | – | |
| Seafood Cocktail | ||
| Crab | $27.00 | |
| Shrimp | $19.00 | |
| Prawn | $19.00 | |
| Olympia Oyster | $15.00 | |
| Eastern Oyster | $14.00 | |
| Clam | $14.00 | |
| Combination | $17.00 | |
| Lobster | – | |
| Beverages | ||
| Anchor Steam | $6.00 | |
| Stella Artois | $6.00 | |
| Wine | $10.00 | |
| Lemon Lime | $2.50 | |
| Pepsi | $2.50 | |
| Coffee | $2.50 | |
| Tea | $2.50 | |
| Milk | $2.50 | |
| Oysters on the Half Shell | ||
| 6 Cherry Stone Clams | $20.00 | |
| 6 Blue Point Oysters | $18.00 | |
| West Coast Little Necks | $15.00 | |
| Other Items | ||
| Maine Attraction Lobster | $69.00 | |
| Half Cracked Crab | $25.00 | |
| Smoked Salmon | $29.50 | |
| Boston Clam Chowder (Bowl) | $7.00 | |
| Boston Clam Chowder (Cup) | $4.00 | |
| Bread & Butter | $1.50 | |
| Octopus Salad | $16.00 | |
| Crab Back | $8.00 | |
Expert Pairings and Insider Tips
Choosing your meal is just the beginning of the experience at Swan Oyster Depot. The community of connoisseurs who frequent this counter knows that certain pairings elevate the meal to legendary status.
A cold, locally brewed Anchor Steam beer is the classic companion to a dozen fresh oysters. For an iconic taste of San Francisco,
follow Anthony Bourdain’s lead and use a piece of sourdough bread to savor every last drop of the rich tomalley butter from the Dungeness Crab Back.
Remember to bring cash for your order and don’t hesitate to engage the staff—their personal recommendations are the most valuable special on the menu.
Iconic Tastes & Signature Dishes
The flavors of Swan Oyster Depot are a pure, unadulterated expression of the Pacific Ocean, celebrated through dishes that have become San Francisco legends. The undisputed star is the Crab Back, a specialty praised by Anthony Bourdain. This inverted Dungeness crab shell holds a decadent, savory mixture of tomalley (crab fat) and melted butter, and it is an essential rite of passage to dip fresh sourdough bread into this rich elixir.
For those in the know, the off-menu Sicilian Sashimi is a coveted prize—a pristine, meticulous arrangement of the day’s best raw fish, often salmon, tuna, and scallops, dressed simply to highlight its clean flavor
Foundational to any visit are the briny, fresh-shucked oysters and clams on the half shell and the sweet, tender meat of the Half Cracked Dungeness Crab. These are the signature tastes that have defined this Polk Street institution for over a century.