Best Dishes at Swan Oyster Depot

Swan sources oysters from both coasts, rotating the lineup based on market availability and season. The shuckers work at speed without sacrificing technique. Reviewers praise the freshness and the variety—you might find Tomales Bay, Humboldt, and East Coast varieties in a single sitting. The marble counter is the ideal spot to watch the knife work.

Swan sources whole Dungeness crabs that are cracked fresh to order. The meat goes into a traditional cocktail sauce with shrimp. The crab's natural sweetness shines through the acidic cocktail sauce. Reviewers consistently order this as a signature; the crab is so fresh the meat practically melts on the tongue.

Swan's clam chowder is made fresh daily and served in a sourdough bread bowl. The broth is creamy but not heavy; clams are tender; potatoes add substance. Reviewers note the balance of flavors and the freshness of the clams. The sourdough bowl is perfect for soaking up every last drop.

Swan sources premium smoked salmon—often from the Pacific Northwest—and serves it on house-made sourdough. The salmon is thinly sliced and buttery; the sourdough is toasted until crispy but not hard. Simple, classic, and executed at a level that belies its seeming simplicity.

This iconic dish gained global fame after Anthony Bourdain featured it on his show. The crab back—the inverted shell—is filled with rich tomalley and melted butter. It's deeply savory and decadent; the buttery tomalley is spreadable. One order serves as an appetizer or side; many diners order two or split one.