In San Francisco, Dungeness crab season – which begins in November -  is cause for celebration. Restaurants throughout the city populate their menus with the freshest and most imaginative dishes featuring the succulent crustacean. Here is a list of nine notable establishments serving up crab favorites.

Alioto's #8, 8 Fisherman's Wharf
http://aliotos.com/.
Since 1925 Alioto's #8 has been serving family recipes with the city's freshest crab. Beautiful views of Fisherman's Wharf and the Bay compliment their many Sicilian specialty dishes, including Cioppino and shellfish risotto. Media contact: Trevar Booker, trevar@aliotos.com.

Crustacean, 1475 Polk St.
http://houseofan.com/wp/
Not in the mood for crab in the traditional sense? Head over to Crustacean, where their menu of Euro-Vietnamese cuisine is imaginative and delicious. Drunken or roasted crab is a favorite among patrons along with a side of their famous garlic noodles. Crustacean is just one of the restaurants by the An Family on this list. Media contact: Monique An, crustaceansf@aol.com.

Franciscan Crab Restaurant, Pier 43 ½, Fisherman's Wharf
http://www.franciscanrestaurant.com/.
Recently named “Best Food at Fisherman's Wharf” by Sunset Magazine, the Franciscan Crab Restaurant stays true to its name. Boasting beautiful views of the San Francisco Bay, menu favorites include sizzling Dungeness crab legs and crab enchiladas. Media contact: Ward Thom, stinkingthom@gmail.com.

R & G Lounge, 631 Kearny St.
http://www.rnglounge.com/
Hidden away in Chinatown, R & G Lounge serves up crab eight different ways, along with traditional Chinese dishes. Media contact: Kinson Wong, kinson@rnglounge.com.

Sabella & La Torre, 2809 Taylor St.
A staple in Fisherman's Wharf, Sabella & La Torre has been serving up crab since 1927. Their prices are almost as good as their dishes, with a crab sandwich for only $6.

Scoma's Restaurant, Pier 47
http://www.scomas.com/
Celebrating their 50th anniversary next year, Scoma's is a true San Francisco tradition.  Their menu changes with the season's freshest catch, but don't miss out on the Dungeness crab cakes or the "lazy man's" cioppino. Media contact: tiffany@spritzsf.com.

Swan Oyster Depot, 1517 Polk St.
A place not short on accolades, Swan Oyster Depot is a casual seafood diner, serving some of the city's freshest fish. Lines can grow up to 45 minutes long, but it's worth the wait to sit at the counter of this family-run establishment.

Tadich Grill, 240 California St.
http://www.tadichgrill.com/
Founded in 1849, Tadich Grill is a San Francisco classic, with waiters serving fresh seafood in spotless white uniforms. In the city that invented Cioppino, be sure to try their signature version. Media contact: Rick Powers, rpowers@tadichgrill.com.

Thanh Long, 4101 Judah St.
Located in the Outer Sunset, Thanh Long is the place to dine like a local. Run by the An Family (the people behind Crustacean), their roasted crab and garlic noodles are menu favorites. Media contact: Harlan Joseph, hjoseph@antranbiz.com.

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