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Ferry Building Marketplace
Categories: Shopping Shopping Centers Food Specialty Food Shopping Centers, Specialty Food [Edit]
1 Ferry BldgSan Francisco, CA 94111
Neighborhood: Embarcadero
(415) 983-8030
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 10 am - 6 pm
Sat 9 am - 6 pm
Sun 11 am - 5 pm
- Price Range:
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$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
775 reviews for Ferry Building Marketplace
Review Highlights
"Then of course the Farmer's Market."
(in 141 reviews)
"There is even a cowgirl creamery stand."
(in 106 reviews)
"I can't believe they brew Blue Bottle Coffee outside."
(in 38 reviews)
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775 reviews in English
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Review from Sabrina L.
Columbus, OH
1/31/2012 1 Check-in Here
I could have spent hours here. Hours and dollars upon dollars. There was so much food I wanted to try and we had limited time so I missed out on a lot. Every booth I visited had something that I wanted to try, and most had three or four things I'd have dropped money for.
Cheeses, gellato, fancy meats, a mushroom place... the options were endless.
This was a great place to stop in the morning before our tour, and despite being an obvious tourist destination, it wasn't terribly busy. It was also very, very clean. Probably the cleanest place I visited in San Fran. -
Review from Arthur C.
Daly City, CA
2/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
Four stars because its expensive.
Takes about $15 to get a hearty meal from the food vendors, farmers market, or restaurants.
Caters to the professionals and tourists down in the financial district, but tons of fresh, healthy, and tasty foods. Great place to walk around and hang out down at the Embarcadero. Its stays pretty busy throughout the day, but the hustle and bustle sort of adds to the excitement of the place.
Best parts of the ferry building are its weekly events. There is a farmers market every tuesday and saturday with tons of locally grown, guaranteed fresh foods. There are tons of vendors that span across the front of the ferry building and even more by the water in the back of the building. It's a really fun experience, but the food is locally grown by privately owned farms so nothing is going to be really cheap. There are also a bunch of vendors that sell ready made food there. Every thursday vendors set up food tents during the day. They are usually local restaurants that come out to sell food. It gets very hectic at lunch time and there is always a line, so beware.
All in all, with the water front views, the bay bridge in the back drop, the delicious and diverse foods, its a great place to get some food or hang out on one of those rare sunny San Francisco days. -
Review from Rachel H.
Seattle, WA
1/29/2012
Foodie mecca. The completely redesigned Ferry Building is full of cheap bites, tasty treats, wine tasting, charcuterie, Cowgirl Creamery cheese nibbles, caviar sampling, oysters, farmers market produce stands, gourmet Mexican food, japanese tasty bites, take away family style dinners, waterfront views and on, and on, and on!
Favorite cheap eats include Il Cane Rosso, Delicia, Boulette's Larder and Mitte. Shop the Gardener and Sur La Table (ala Seattle!) for unique gifts for your favorite foodie.
If you miss the Ferry Building Marketplace on your visit to SF, it's almost like you never came to San Francisco in the first place. -
Review from Tyshawn J.
San Francisco, CA
2/8/2012
Fresh fruit, bart rumbling under your feet, crouds everywhere what's not to love about the ferry building :)
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Review from Roger F.
Orange, CA
2/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
Historic and bustling with life. A lot of goodies to try.
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Review from Nick L.
San Francisco, CA
1/23/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Using no search parameters besides food, I had to click down over 120 places before I got to the first one I had been to. Someone got bored. Yup!
Onto the review....
If you've got money to burn and don't mind paying a premium for some goods then this is the place for you. The same could be said for the farmers market that occurs here 3 times a week.
It's also very crowded at the lunchtimes I have been here. Probably due to tourists and office workers in search for food. The food places inside are actually pretty good. Only tried a couple but I remember a great crab melt sandwich at the place opposite the oyster bar on the far side, closer to the water.
I don't come here that often as my wallet isn't deep enough! -
Review from Anthony N.
Denver, CO
1/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
Dude, if I had all the money in the world, I'd go here to shop every frickin' day.
It's good food... and well, more food. Oysters. Cheese. Fancy breads. Fancier restaurants. And when it's all nice and cold, there's ice skating out front. Families love it. Yuppies love it. Heck, I love it.
The only thing I kind of don't like about the area is the craziness when happy hour hits. I swear, you've got lines that last for more than 1 1/2 hours. For a couple of oysters! What the f---? Ah, but they're so cheap and mmmMmm good...
Decisions, decisions. -
Review from Heather K.
Half Moon Bay, CA
1/8/2012 2 Check-ins Here
The Ferry Building is pretty awesome indeed.
I don't like the crowds - be they tourists or locals, it doesn't matter - I just hate crowds. But it's almost worth it to brave the masses and venture in for a visit. Especially for the Wine Merchants! A cute little wine bar with a wine shop attached. Love it. There's also a Cowgirl Creamery (ohhh, triple creme, come to Butthead), a kitchen store (is it Sur la Table? I want to say it is....), coffee, gelato, an occasional farmer's market, and the lovely Slanted Door restaurant. Oh, and out back is an awesome deck overlooking the harbor and the Bay Bridge.
Worth a visit indeed.Listed in: Recession? What recession??
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Review from C. H.
San Mateo, CA
2/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
Can't wait to go back earlier in the morning on a weekend, and partake in some serious noshing.
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Review from Natalie R.
Pittsburgh, PA
1/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
If you have one day to spend in SF or you have out of towners to entertain, this is the number one place to take them. There is something for everyone to love here.
Yes, it's expensive but you will be supporting an important destination for tourist and locals alike! And all those small businesses! It's win win.
One of the best things that has ever happened to SF was the conversion into the building's current culinary awesomeness. -
Review from Rachel H.
1/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
Fun things, lots of stuff to do, eat, and see. (Potentially buy, but not for me, no room in the ole rollerboard)
Drawback? Somewhat limited seating, and lines can be long and slow. -
Review from Jason G.
Lots of great food choices, restaurants and groceries (so to speak, not like going to Safeway). Shopping is good too.
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Review from Kris L.
1/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
The Ferry Building is awesome. It's a beautiful building on the Embarcadero and has tons of cool little shops. I don't come here very often (much less now that I don't work in the FiDi), but I do so love walking through.
I also don't buy very much here because I find that all the shops here are quite pricey. I can't afford to shop here, but "window shopping" is quite fun, -
Review from Shachi B.
12/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
It's reeeeeeaaaaally expensive, but if you're visiting SF you shouldn't leave without making a trip here.
Blue Bottle Coffee - get your butt over to it right this second! It'll make you forget the words Starbucks and Peets.
SCHARFFEN BERGER! Fantastic chocolate (although, none of their candy bars hold a candle to their chocolate pudding, sold at SF Whole Foods) and very friendly people!
Cow Girl Creamery - come here midday when it's less crowded so you can learn more about the great cheeses they serve.
Be sure to take a peek around the back of the building - there is a lovely view of the bay and you can sit, have coffee (Blue Bottle, of course) while admiring it! -
Review from Shannon E.
San Francisco, CA
12/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
If there's a heaven, I sure hope it's like the Ferry Building (sans the slightly inflated prices). I'm not a massive foodie, but I definitely appreciate this place as a destination for gourmet goodies. The farmer's market on the weekend is amazing! In addition to fruits and veggies, there's everything from smoked fish to chocolate almond brittle and everything in between. Loads of amazing eateries have stands where you can grab a bite to eat while you're perusing. The food really runs the gamut: you can pop by Alive for raw organic vegan food or hit up Fatted Calf for sausage, salami or pates.
The shops inside the building (that are always open) are also incredible. Cow Girl Creamery, Boccalone & Golden Gate Meat Company for your carnivorous cravings, Stonehouse & McEvoy for olive oil, Blue Bottle Coffee, honey and chocolate shops... just so much gourmet goodness to add to your life. They even have a MUSHROOM store -- all mushrooms, all the time. It's pure amazingness and it's a wonderful place to hit up on a Saturday morning. It's also a wonderful spot to take out-of-town guests for a taste of Northern California (almost everything -- if not everything -- is locally sourced) and some spectacular views. -
Review from Julia P.
Updated - 12/5/2011
I still love this place but having a huge encampment trying to replicate Woodstock has really ruined the atmosphere.
At least it's across the street but when I turn around and look back at beautiful San Francisco, I see beautiful skyscrapers, a fountain...and then a tent city. Yeah my days as an amateur photographer trying to capture shots of SF just aren't getting the architectural shots like I previously desired.
Then again maybe I can get some great shots of the common man fighting for what he believes is rightfully his...yeah no thanks.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/1/2011
I love this place. Can I emphasize that enough?
I moved to the City by the Bay about 3 months ago… Read more »
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Review from Nick P.
12/20/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Foodlandia!
So many artisan snacks and precocious little treats to enjoy that I don't even know where to start.
$2.00 ready to shoot oysters? Handmade empanadas? Little tiny donut thingies that I can't remember the name of filled with assorted fresh fruit fillings? And meat cones! Precious little twee meat cones!
Truly, as a food snob destination, this place is without parallel. Can't recommend it enough. -
Review from Tram N.
11/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
I can't think of anything that anybody would want that is NOT here.
You want coffee? You want gelato? You want bread? You want seafood? You want Mexican food? You want Japanese food? You want gourmet cheese? You want sandwiches? You want flowers? You want breathtaking views?
You can spend your entire day here and not be bored. And full!
I LOVE this place.Listed in: The Pier
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Review from Nick K.
San Francisco, CA
12/28/2011
Awesome shops and places to eat...Blue Bottle, Far West Fungi, Cowgirl Cremery, Alfeiri Farms Chocolate and nuts.
Wander around here for lunch or breakfast, you won't regret it. -
Review from Lisa S.
11/22/2011
What a great place to come on the weekend for the farmer's market. I wanted to buy all sorts of items, but we were only visiting, so that wasn't a good idea. I wish we had a farmer's market like this back in Los Angeles, but I haven't seen one to match it so far.
The actual ferry building has some great eateries as well. -
Review from Rob P.
11/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
The Ferry Building is a food paradise! Previously, I had only been here once about 4 years ago. I didn't get a chance to really explore too much as I was with my nieces at the time and they were dead set on Gelato and nothing else. This time around I had a lot more time to explore, though in reality you need the better part of an afternoon to really fully appreciate the place.
The shops and stands inside are all different shades of awesome. There is Far West Fungi which sells amazing mushroom products, including fresh Truffles. Boccalone which sells great pork related cuts of meat from pulled pork sandwiches to deli meats. Blue Bottle Coffee which is supposed to be great coffee... though honestly I didn't get to try it because the line was soooo freaking LONG! I got to sample some wonderful olive oils at a stand and saw a salted caramel doughnut that I wish I had the space to try. All in all, it is amazing that they could pack so many different yet amazing places in one small area... Only in San Francisco!
Good God I can't wait to go back!Listed in: Hole in the Walls (SF)
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Review from Lawrence E.
San Francisco, CA
1/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
It's a nice place to explore. I was here also during New Years Eve and watching the fireworks around this area is amazing and special. :)
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Review from Nat N.
Why can't our equivalent of the Ferry Building Marketplace in Hawaii - ALOHA TOWER MARKETPLACE, be this awesome??
Both were built to serve the same purpose - to serve as a pass-through for visitors arriving by ferry. But that's where the similarities end. The Ferry Building in San Fran is exceptional in its architecture and offerings. The marketplace is filled with vendors selling specialty items, meat, cheese, coffee, cupcakes, pastries, etc. The Ferry Building is clearly a destination point for SF tourists and locals. -
Review from Jen S.
1/30/2012
the remodeled ferry building now has a ton to offer!! there is food that will please all of your picky friends. on thursday, they have a farmers market and food trucks as well. it can get really crowded and the lines very long during lunch hours, but if you're hungry it's worth the wait.
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Review from Sam A.
Alamo, CA
1/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
I wish I would have gone during a farmer's market, but this place was really cool, lots of neat little shops and eateries. Shame we didn't eat and just walked around and got some coffee.
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Review from Ayall S.
San Francisco, CA
1/16/2012
Great place to have lunch and visit/walk around.
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Review from Peter D.
10/9/2011 3 Check-ins Here
If you love good food and nice things [and have a sizable chunk of disposable income], the Ferry Building is paradise. The best produce, meat, cheese and more for those who cook at home, as well as place settings, china, utensils and pans to cook and serve said food in.
For the lazy among us, or simply those feeling lazy, there is all manner of delicious food ready to eat. Mapo tofu from DELICA, oysters at Hog Island, seafood from SF Fish Company, cones of meat from Bocalone Salumeria, grilled cheese from Cowgirl Creamery...just pick a place, and stuff your face happily. Hell, you could make a meal from just the samples offered as you stroll around.
Every time I end up in SF, I make it a point to come by, if only to tease myself with all the edibles I'm not able to take home with me. This is one of SF's only attractions that makes me wish I lived in the Bay Area; with only a hotel room at my disposal, I simply can't take advantage of everything the Ferry Building has to offer.
But I'm still coming back next time I'm in town. -
Review from Dan G.
Along with being a quintessential SF landmark the Ferry Building also houses one of the greatest markets I've ever seen.
They have everything here. Fruits, breads, veggies, meats and cheeses. If I were local, I'd surely shop here all the time.
The Slanted Door was one of the better meals we had in town on our last visit, that is right here in the back. There is a nice patio out front where we chilled with cold $5 brews. Public restrooms if you need them, and of course, you can catch the ferries across the bay. -
Review from Sean M.
11/10/2011
There are quite a long list of likes and dislikes I have about San Francisco. The Ferry Building Market, and the weekend outdoor market are on the plus list. I have made over a dozen trips to SF in the past 25 years and this is one constants in most of those trips. Some of the best caviar, salumi and bread I have ever purchased came from here. It is mostly about the food and depending on who is with me I can drop some large coin here. Often I have to make a trip back to the car or to the hotel room to dump the goodies before proceeding with my day.
* killer produce, cheeses, sauces and jams outside from local producers.
* go hungry and eat your way around.
* I like to get there before 10am on the weekend.
* oh and some decent people watching here too. -
Review from Cindy T.
10/22/2011
Pros
-Amazing views of San Francisco
-Delica
-Miette Patisserie
-Farmers market
-Blue Bottle
-Organic-everything!
Cons
-Crowded
-Hot and stuffy
-Long lines at the bathrooms
-Not many places to sit and eat -
Review from Cindy K.
San Jose, CA
1/4/2012
This is a wonderful place to go and play on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Many food choices. Greta shopping, wine tasting and people watching. We took BART into the City. It is a short walk from the BART station but well worth it. So many people. Very fun!
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Review from Valery C.
10/30/2011
Absolutely worth a visit, this food-centric marketplace inside the historic Ferry Building is beautiful to look at, well-maintained, and offers a well-curated selection of shops specializing in everything from mushrooms, coffee, dairy, pork, and kitchenware, and selling food products both for cooking and for immediate consumption. A few restaurants onsite, including the famed Slanted Door, a farmer's market right outside featuring multiple food stands on certain days, and a waterfront promenade out back are just icing on this lovely cake.
To be fair, its really not a very big marketplace and it won't take long to go through most of the stores. Its primarily a takeout marketplace but there is very limited seating around for eating. As expected, it gets madly busy. And generally speaking, the goods here are expensive but the quality is very high as well. -
Review from Cate T.
9/3/2011
A haven of delicious opportunities and a public transportation hub of San Francisco, the Ferry Building Marketplace is one of the many places in San Francisco that makes me wish I lived in this glorious city.
Wandering around inside the Ferry Building made me wish for an available kitchen so I could buy some beautiful fresh produce, some great meat, some fresh delicious bread, some amazing cheese, some fabulous wine and just go home and whip it all up into a delicious feast for friends.
You can definitely burn a hole in your pocket here as a San Franciscan, and I don't envy them one bit (okay, maybe a little).
But, also enjoyable is coming here in the morning to get a cup of coffee or tea or some sort of beverage and just hanging out back where there are benches, ferries taking people to and from the building, and seagulls. It's a great people-watching spot, and if water doesn't make you seasick, it's great to just unwind a little and take in the bay area.
This was my first stop and my last stop in San Francisco, and I felt lovely being here, browsing goods and sipping hot chocolate and adding to my favorite memories of the city.
Oh, and the Farmers Market that's held here? It was totally mind-blowing for me. It scares me that this isn't even one of the biggest around, but it's especially awesome to see just how many local farmers are in the bay area. What an amazing place for a farmers market. -
Review from Sofia R.
Updated - 10/25/2011 5 Check-ins Here
I love going to the Ferry Buildings. It has so much to offer food-wise, I can't leave without buying or trying something.
Because of this, I love going with friends there for lunch. It's a good place to take people who haven't been to that part of the city yet. To be honest, you're doing them a service by taking them there. I've never had someone be disappointed by a trip (except a few times because we came too late and everything was closed).
Farmer's Market (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays) is especially something to look forward to. It does close a bit earlier than I would like (10am-2pm) but if I have time, I always make the effort to go. So much great, local food being sold! And food carts...many food carts. It's definitely something you HAVE to go to at least once. And even if you get there too late, you have the buildings inside to fall back on which isn't necessarily a step down.
Looking forward to next lunch day there already.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/17/2011
I brought my cousin here to show her the buildings. I personally love it there because of all the… Read more »
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Review from Amanda S.
10/15/2011
This certainly isn't your Midwestern farmer's market.
Oh, no. It is a gorgeous building full of light and air while also being packed to the rafters with artisanal breads, dairy products, chocolates, salted pig parts and what-have-you. Regretfully, we allocated just one afternoon to the market and did not sample even a tenth of what the vendors have to offer.
We strolled from Dottie's True Blue Cafe in the Tenderloin, down the Embarcadero and onward to the Ferry Building on a gloriously sunny afternoon in July. Entering the market, we were immediately swept into the stream of shoppers.
Our first stop: Blue Bottle Coffee. The line was inexplicably long at the storefront but we just wandered around the corner and placed our order with the man in the window. The coffee was as intense as the guy who made it. We each ordered two shots, macchiato style and, by this late date, I've forgotten the variety of beans we chose. I'm pretty sure we we went with the African beans because while the shots were rich and creamy, there was a slightly tart note to the cup. Not unpleasantly tart, but something you would expect with the citrus flavors you'll pick up in most any African coffee. Each cup is a work of art, literally. The baristas pour the foam in such a way that it creates a lovely design. A thing of beauty, indeed. We drank standing at a counter and took in the sights, sounds and smells of the market.
Our next mission: find the chocolate! After wandering up and down the building, we finally located Recchiuti, a confectionery wonderland. Unfortunately, my experience was somewhat marred by the sullen little turd working behind the counter. I don't know who pooped in that guy's chocolate but he needs to tone it down. He acted as though he was doing me a favor by helping me, becoming impatient when I was considering what to purchase. I came away with a deliciously decadent box of chocolates to be paired with whiskey so, whatever. Fortunately the dude doesn't represent the prevailing attitude at Recchiuti. The two ladies behind the counter were far more pleasant and helpful.
Having just eaten breakfast, we were unable to sample the delights to be found at Cowgirl Creamery or Boccalone of the tasty salted pig parts. So, we exited through the back doors of the Ferry Building and strolled along the piers, soaking in the most beautiful views of the Bay.Listed in: If you're going to San…
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Review from Stephen R.
Alameda, CA
12/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
A San Francisco institution full of delicious foods and fine wares. Pricey and terrible parking but I continue to go back, again and again. The draw is undeniable.
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Review from Chris D.
San Francisco, CA
9/8/2011
Let it be known that this place is one of THE BEST places to go if you're a foodie!... Well an expensive foodie anyway with a large wallet and a mature pallet. The Ferry Building is an absolute must to visit if you're visiting the best city in the world, while a great option to shop at or just walk around if you're a local- I mean what other building houses so many four and four-and-a-half star yelp places in a single strip???
Looking for EXCELLENT bread and cheese? Theres Acme Bread Co (4.5 stars) and Cowgirl Creamery (4.5 stars) right next door. Just want a little snack? Delica (4 stars) is an excellent Japanese delicatessen and sushi bar while Il Cane Rosso (4 stars) has a delicious beef brisket sandwich. Want to stock your kitchen with supplies or exotic/specialty ingredients? Sur La Table (4 stars) has everything you need for the kitchen at reasonable prices and Far West Fungi (4.5 stars) has an excellent mushroom selection (morels!) as well as truffles should you ever want to splurge. The Village Market (4 stars) has a good selection of beers and spices and Boccalone (4 stars) is one of my favorite cured meat shops in the city (lardo!!), I highly recommend the salami cone!
For a full meal, the fairy building isn't the best but still has some strong options: there's Gott's Roadside burgers (3.5 stars but I say 4!), Slanted Door (3.5) fancy vietnamese food, and Hog Island Oyster Co (4 stars).
I have yet to make it out on Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday for the farmers market but I sure as hell will be back here.Listed in: I Like Sammich!
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Review from Erika C.
I love coming here for lunch on Thursdays. Come here early to beat the FiDi/Embarcadero lunchers. Anything you have to wait too long for starts losing a star... waiting is for suckers.
Farmer's market is cool too. My favorites here are Blue Bottle and Namu tacos. Everything else is cool but not indispensable for me. -
Review from Yvette T.
8/11/2011
If Donald Trump decided to build condos above the marketplace, I'd be the first to move in. I'd survive on a diet of strictly cheese, oysters and gelato, and live happy ever after.
I heart you.Listed in: SF Conquests
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Review from Lissa -.
Los Angeles, CA
8/31/2011
Old-style building housing a bunch of artisanal speciality shops. It even had one booth devoted to only mushrooms, which was a bit weird.
Weekends are crazy here, since it also has a festival marketplace outside on Sundays w/ vendors selling stuff they made at home (i.e. bracelets made out of forks?).
