Anchor Oyster Bar

Landlubbers seeking a taste of the sea can be found pulling up a stool at this Castro institution, where waves of waiting diners spill out the doors. Inside the tiny, minimally adorned space filled with old-fashioned charm is better for twosomes, though larger groups can find berth at the outdoor parklet. The menu may be petite, but it's bursting with a bounty of pristinely fresh, sustainably sourced seafood. Hefty crab cakes served with tartar sauce are excellent, as is a Caesar salad with a tangy anchovy dressing, topped with juicy bay shrimp, or a cup of creamy Boston clam chowder loaded with clams and potatoes. As the name portends, raw oysters are a specialty — so briny that the accompanying mignonette may not be necessary. And of course, the cioppino is unmissable, as this signature item turns sublime when paired with delicious and buttery garlic bread.