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An iconic restaurant along the San Francisco waterfront has closed after 56 years.
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The Waterfront opened at Pier 7 in 1969.
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The restaurant has hosted figures including Tony Bennett, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
SAN FRANCISCO – An iconic dining destination that drew locals and tourists alike to San Francisco’s Embarcadero for more than half a century has suddenly closed its doors.
The Waterfront Restaurant at Pier 7 closed Dec. 31, according to the Port of San Francisco.
The longtime establishment announced its unexpected closing with a sign posted on the door.
A call to the restaurant was returned with a message saying: “Thank you for your support over the past 56 years. We are sorry to say we are closing for good. Thank you.”
You deeper
In a statement to KTVU, Port of San Francisco Communications Director Eric Young explained, “The restaurant had a month-to-month agreement with the Port after the lease expired in December 2024.”
What we don’t know
It is not known what led to the closure.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many businesses in the area and the nearby downtown neighborhood, although there are signs that the areas are experiencing a resurgence and rebound.
KTVU attempted to reach the owners of The Waterfront for comment, but did not hear back.
The background story
Once serving as an industrial port, historic Pier 7, home to the restaurant since 1969, has undergone major changes, transforming into a popular tourist destination and bustling public square area anchored by the nearby Ferry Building.
Over the years, the restaurant has played host to some notable figures, including Tony Bennett, President Bill Clinton and President Barack Obama.
SF Legacy Business Registry
In September, the Waterfront Restaurant was nominated by District 3 Supervisor Danny Sauter to be listed in San Francisco’s Legacy Business Registry. From Monday, the restaurant appeared on the registry map.
The city’s Legacy Business Registry aims to “save long-standing, community-serving businesses that so often serve as valuable cultural assets,” as the San Francisco Planning website states.
As part of the registration application, Sauter praised owners Al and Cheryl Falchi for their dedication to preserving the history of the restaurant building.
“Following a major fire in 1973 and the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989, Al and Cheryl rebuilt and restored the restaurant while honoring their maritime heritage. Their resilience and commitment to the success of the Embarcadero was admirable,” Sauter wrote in a letter to San Francisco Office of Small Business Director Katy Tang.
In the application, The Waterfront said it served as a symbol of the city’s resilience and diversity and was a testament to San Francisco’s maritime history.
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“Enriched the history of the community and observed the transformation of the Embarcadero,” the restaurant wrote.
With its fresh seafood, farm-to-table cuisine and stunning bay views, the company also described The Waterfront as “a landmark establishment and an integral part of San Francisco’s waterfront identity.”
The application for heritage status, signed by Cheryl Falchi, not only looked back at the restaurant’s historic contributions, but also looked optimistically at The Waterfront’s future in the city.
“For decades, The Waterfront Restaurant has been an iconic place on the Embarcadero for visitors and residents alike to enjoy delicious seafood and beautiful views of the bay. I look forward to seeing how The Waterfront Restaurant will evolve in the coming years,” the co-owner wrote.
KTVU reached out to Supervisor Sauter’s office seeking comment on the closing, but had not received a response by the time of this story.
What’s next
The Port of San Francisco said efforts are now underway to prepare the property for a new restaurant to take over the space.
“Port staff are currently evaluating the building in anticipation of the facility coming on the market in early 2026 in search of a new restorer,” Young explained.
San Francisco-based commercial real estate agency Maven Commercial will handle the search for a new tenant, the communications director said.
“Unique Opportunity”
The port also acknowledged the importance of the old restaurant’s closure, saying it created a rare opening in a prominent area of the city.
“This is the first time in decades that the Waterfront Restaurant site will be available for lease,” Young said, “providing a unique opportunity to reimagine an iconic property located between the Ferry Building and the Exploratorium in one of San Francisco’s most visited and visible waterfront areas.”