When it comes to classic, long-standing restaurants, the San Francisco Bay Area breaks the mold. From outstanding Chinese, Italian, Greek, Thai, steaks, and more, you can find a wealth of iconic places to satisfy your gastronomic urges. Among them is The Old Clam House where the food is nothing short of a culinary masterpiece! Get ready to experience the oldest restaurant in Northern California's Bayview Hunter's Point.

The Old Clam House is located at 299 Bayshore Blvd in San Francisco’s Historic Bayview Hunter’s Point neighborhood.

Founded in 1861, it is the city’s oldest restaurant operating in the same location. This is quite an accomplishment given the transformation the city overall and the surrounding area have undergone over the past 161 years.

True to its name, the clam dishes here are among the biggest draws.

Regular diners come from all over the Bay Area, as well as scores of tourists, to enjoy some of the best Prince Edward Island Clams (often called Manila Clams) served up in a variety of ways. This includes sautéed with garlic and white wine, in a white and creamy clam chowder, and with all types of pasta.

If you enjoy delicious fresh fish, The Clam House offers some tantalizing options.

The salmon served with acini pasta and mixed vegetables is a crowd favorite. Folks also love the sand dabs swimming in a delectable piccata sauce and served with fingerling potatoes and the special chef’s vegetables.

Who wouldn’t love to dive into this steaming pot filled to the brim with seafood goodness?

Pictured here are the sand dabs surrounded by corn on the cob, potatoes, fresh vegetables, and pasta. You might also try the Old Clam House’s unique twist on the classic Cioppino dish. It still includes clams, mussels, prawns, calamari, and fish, but also sweet corn and potatoes swimming in a savory yellow sauce.

If you like mussels, you’ll enjoy these Prince Edward Island Cultured Blue Mussels cooked with a variety of spices and seasonings.

Other popular and oh-so-delicious culinary masterpieces created at the Old Clam House include the seafood black linguine with clams, scallops, a splash of tomato sauce, and cherry tomatoes. The Bigoli Bolognese is a thick Venetian spaghetti with a beef and pork meat sauce. And be sure to order the prawns sautéed with artichoke hearts and asparagus. These are just a few of the outstanding dishes here.

Can’t decide what to order? Try a sampler plate!

Grilled shrimp, mussels, crab legs, and melted butter for dipping. Need I say more?

If you’re searching for amazing, high-quality fish and seafood (and great meats and sandwiches too) in a classic restaurant that has stood the test of time, come on over to The Old Clam House – where culinary masterpieces are always the catch of the day.

Have you dined at The Old Clam House? If so, we’d love to see your photos and hear about your experience there. You can also check out any current specials on their Facebook page.

If you’re looking for other long-standing restaurants in San Francisco, be sure to check out the Tadich Grill.