The Spinnaker
Waterfront · Seafood
Verified September 2026
Photo by Gregory Varnum, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Built out on its own pier with dramatic, wide-open bay views toward San Francisco, the Spinnaker has been serving classic American-Continental seafood since 1960, when Bill McDonnell and California state senator Gene McAteer opened it on a spit once called Shell Beach. It's still family-run — McDonnell's son Tim now runs it, alongside a general manager who's been with the company for more than 27 years — and a 2025 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence backs up a wine list that's clearly more than an afterthought.
Atmosphere
Formal enough for an anniversary dinner, with floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides putting the bay on nearly every table rather than just the ones by the glass. The room fills with soft evening light before sunset, which is when it's booked hardest.
What To Order
Whatever fresh catch is featured that day, and a window table booked well ahead — the kitchen's strongest plates tend to be whatever's simplest and freshest rather than the more elaborate preparations on the menu.
Good To Know
The property has a private banquet facility, so call ahead before assuming a table is available on a weekend if a private event has the room booked. It's a short drive from downtown Bridgeway, not a walkable distance for most visitors, and it's open all seven days.
Our Take
Book this one for the occasion, not just the meal — the view over the water toward the city is the best reason to come. Time your reservation for the hour before sunset if the date allows it.