Nick’s Rockaway is a beloved seafood restaurant and bar in Pacifica, California, offering a dining experience that blends coastal charm with memorable flavors and a front-row seat to the ocean.
Located at 100 Rockaway Beach Ave, this welcoming spot is known for its signature crab sandwich, fresh seafood, and lively atmosphere, making it a favorite for locals and visitors looking for a meal that feels both satisfying and special.
With beautiful ocean views and live music on weekends, Nick’s Rockaway creates the kind of setting that turns an everyday meal into an experience worth remembering.
Guests return again and again for the variety and quality that define the menu and service. Whether you are stopping in for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, or dessert, the restaurant offers something for nearly every craving, including comfort food, healthy options, local specialties, and a strong selection of alcohol, beer, cocktails, coffee, and happy-hour favorites.
The bar on site, table service, and fast service add to the ease of dining, while the great beer selection, cocktails, coffee, dessert, and wine list help make every visit feel complete.
From solo dining to relaxed meals with family or friends, Nick’s Rockaway is designed to be a place where guests can unwind, enjoy quality food, and take in the coastal atmosphere.
Nick’s Rockaway also stands out for its thoughtful accessibility and convenience. Wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance, seating, and restroom access help ensure that more guests can dine comfortably, while delivery, takeaway, dine-in, and on-site services provide flexible options for any occasion.
Reservations are accepted, and recommended for brunch, lunch, and dinner, reflecting the restaurant’s popularity and strong reputation. With a 4.50-star rating based on 3,151 reviews, Nick’s Rockaway has earned the trust of its customers through consistent quality, warm hospitality, and an inviting setting that feels casual, cozy, historic, and romantic all at once.
For those seeking a seafood restaurant that combines great food, scenic views, and a welcoming experience, Nick’s Rockaway continues to be a standout destination on the Pacific coast.
Popular Items
Frequently ordered and highly recommended items at Nick's Rockaway
Our Story
Welcome to a place where great food meets warm hospitality. We believe dining is more than just a meal - it's an experience to be savored and shared.
Our kitchen is dedicated to creating dishes that bring people together, using recipes that honor tradition while embracing innovation.
Photos
A glimpse of our restaurant experience
Food & Drinks
Bombay gin, cucumber, lime juice & sugar chilled, straight up
Bulleit rye whiskey, di padrino sweet vermouth and a dash of bitters served straight up with a bourbon soaked cherry
Bacardi, captain morgan and malibu, orange & pineapple juice with a blackberry brandy float on the rocks
Rum, pineapple juice, sugar, cream of coconut and fresh mangos blended
Deep eddy ruby red vodka, cointreau, lime juice & splash of cranberry chilled, straight up (ice pack not included)
Nick's homemade pineapple vodka shaken and served straight up
Ketel one citron, triple sec, lemon juice, sugar, blue curacao chilled, straight up with a sugar rim and a box of kleenex
Tequila, triple sec, lime juice, pama liqueur on the rocks with salt
Absolut vodka, lime juice and ginger beer garnished with a mint leaf on the rocks
Nick's made from scratch bloody mary with sriracha vodka served with a chilled prawn
On wedemeyer sourdough
With bacon, cheddar and green onions
With mint chimmichurri
With cream cheese, red onion, capers, olives and baguettes
With kalamata olives, sundried tomato and baguettes
On grilled sourdough choice of french fries or mixed greens with basil vinaigrette
On grilled sourdough choice of french fries or mixed greens with basil vinaigrette
Hear from our valued guests
Indeed, the Crab Sandwich is fantastic. Fabulous oceanfront location, gets stoopid busy leading up to sunset, yet the staff does a splendid job getting folks seated and happy. Sunsets easily viewed from inside, we were finished dining and were treated to another epic sunset from the parking lot, along with dozens of others. We returned the following night for drinks only, and were warmly welcomed and remembered by the staff. Getting a bartender’s attention, however, was a very annoying task.
After a cold morning of fishing I was ready for something that warms the body from the inside out...and a big bowl of steaming hot soup was the ticket! But...Not just any soup, it had to be Clam Chowder, and not just any Clam Chowder ..It had to be Clam Chowder from The world famous Nick's Rockaway! Man-O-Man was I ready for it! Outside of a little hole in the wall way up north in Noyo Harbor, Nick's Rockaway has the best Clam Chowder in the state! 5 ☆☆☆☆☆ Oh...Don't forget to snag a quart of that Clam Chowder for the next day, you'll be sorry if you don't.
Probably the best crab sandwich I’ve ever head. The bread was soft and chewy. Their clam chowder was also incredible. Views and the vibes were 10/10 as well.
It's important to know that Nicks Rockaway restaurant is charging a premium price for subpar food and drinks. The view from Nick's dining room is outstanding and world class but other than that. Good luck.
Let me just say from the moment you walk in the entire room is just an awesome vibe.It's almost like traveling back in time. Then, you look at these beautiful windows with the ocean right in front of you, and there is just an ambiance that I cannot be able to describe. As soon as you take all that in, you are immediately greeted by the friendliest staff, you could hope for and even though you may have to wait for a table.They don't let you be uncomfortable yhey serve you, drinks and appetizers in the meantime. There's never a moment that you are just sitting uncomfortably starving.They just really have their business down. Next, you get seated and the waiters and waitresses are so attentive.The busers are right on the spot.... And the food is absolutely mouthwatering!!! I love a restaurant that leaves a lasting impression.This was my first visit here, and it most definitely will not be my last!!! ❤️❤️❤️ as a side note, I had a hamburger on their sourdough it is phenomenal!!
Ambience A +++++ Staff is really nice. I took my wife out for her Birthday which is on the 31st. Staff is always so accommodating. We had a reservation and not only was able to get in earlier, but also accommodated by changing seats to a booth by the window. The food is excellent, waiter was very informative and attentive. Plates were cleared from table promptly as you finished dinner. It is a little pricey for most, but I think we'll worth the price - and if you don't want dinner, I recommend you order the delicious crab sandwich to go. After dinner there is a bar/lounge with seating at bar and tables in lounge area. There is usually a live band and you can literally watch the waves in the ocean while listening to music. And did I mention they check your coat! Absolutely lovely place you HAVE to visit if ever in Bay Area.
When in Rome do with the Romans, you have to sample their lobster roll? What a wonderful restaurant to enjoy. Just a fabulous sandwich. They offer a variety of different types of seafood. We really enjoyed the Dungeness crab nachos, which were just unbelievable.
We had lunch at this great restaurant and enjoyed the spectacular view of Pacific Ocean while dining sea foods. The meal size was generous, was cooked deliciously and served with respect. They have plenty of parking on their property and they are also supporter of veterans.
We had a fantastic date night experience here. Our waiter Jim was hilarious and very polite and attentive. I enjoyed the crab sandwich. They accommodated a shellfish allergy easily for my husband. We came at prime time on a Friday and did not have to wait for a table. Not cheap but the vintage atmosphere is fantastic.
Nick’s Rockaway is one of those places that reminds you why some restaurants survive for generations. Family-owned for nearly 100 years, you can absolutely tell the recipes have been perfected over time. The moment you walk in, you get this retro, vintage vibe that feels classic in the best way. Yes, the price point is a little higher, but the food, portions, service, and overall experience make it worth it — which is exactly why we’ve gone back. I had the prime rib with a baked potato, and it was cooked and seasoned perfectly with enough leftovers for breakfast the next day. We also tried the garlic bread, the crab cakes (packed with real crab and delicious), and the sole lemon almondine, which was super flavorful. The atmosphere is lively and festive. If you can get a window seat around sunset, the ocean view makes the experience even better. They also have a full bar, live music in the evenings, and lots of dancing going on, so just know it’s definitely more energetic and loud than quiet and intimate. Customer service was excellent from start to finish. Our server was spot on and made sure we never needed a thing. They do accommodate larger parties, but I’d definitely recommend reservations because they get extremely busy. We waited about 30–40 minutes without one. We drove 2½ hours to get there, and honestly, we’d do it again. In Hawaii we say HANAHOU!! Pro Tip- There a beach walkway to enjoy after dinner….bring a jacket, it can get chilly in the evenings.
Common questions about Nick's Rockaway
Nick's Rockaway is located at 100 Rockaway Beach Ave, Pacifica, CA 94044, CA 94044, United States.
You can reach Nick's Rockaway by calling +1 650-359-3900.
Nick's Rockaway has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 based on 3151 customer reviews.
Nick's Rockaway features the following accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible car park, Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible seating, Wheelchair-accessible toilet.
Nick's Rockaway features the following service options: Delivery, On-site services, Takeaway, Dine-in.
Nick's Rockaway features the following highlights: Fast service, Great beer selection, Great cocktails, Great coffee, Great dessert, Great wine list, Live music, Serves local specialty.
Nick's Rockaway features the following popular for: Lunch, Dinner, Solo dining.
Nick's Rockaway features the following offerings: Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, Coffee, Comfort food, Happy-hour drinks, Happy-hour food, Healthy options, Late-night food, Private dining room, Small plates, Spirits, Wine.
Nick's Rockaway features the following dining options: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Catering, Dessert, Seating, Table service.
Nick's Rockaway features the following amenities: Bar on site, Restroom.
Nick's Rockaway features the following atmosphere: Casual, Cozy, Historic, Romantic.
Nick's Rockaway features the following crowd: Groups, Tourists.
Nick's Rockaway features the following planning: Brunch reservations recommended, Lunch reservations recommended, Dinner reservations recommended, Accepts reservations, Usually a wait.
Nick's Rockaway features the following payments: Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments.
Nick's Rockaway features the following children: Good for kids, High chairs, Kids' menu.
Nick's Rockaway features the following parking: Free parking lot, Free street parking, Paid parking lot, Plenty of parking.
Business Features
We look forward to welcoming you. Make a reservation or stop by - walk-ins welcome!
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