Capital

839 Clay St, San Francisco, CA 94108, United States
+1 415-397-6269
$$$ Cantonese restaurant , Asian restaurant
(887 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Capital offers a straightforward Cantonese dining experience right on Clay Street in San Francisco’s Chinatown neighborhood. The restaurant serves up a broad range of classic Asian dishes, making it a practical spot for those seeking familiar flavors without fuss. Expect a lively, somewhat tight dining space with tables arranged close together, which adds a bit of an old-school Chinatown basement vibe despite being at street level. This layout works best for groups who don’t mind the bustling, no-frills atmosphere.

The menu leans heavily on hearty, generous portions that often leave you with leftovers—something that appeals to local workers and families looking for solid value during lunch or dinner. Signature dishes like the salt and pepper chicken wings are a frequent draw, praised for their crispy exterior and juicy interior, though seasoning runs slightly on the saltier side for some. The honey walnut shrimp stands out as a sweeter dish that balances well with spicier or savory options.

Capital’s offerings cover a comfortable range of Cantonese homestyle favorites: from sizzling platters served in clay pots to classic noodle soups including wonton and beef stew varieties. The combination plates provide a convenient way to sample different items, typically rounded out with tea and fortune cookies, making it a familiar choice for casual solo diners or pairs looking for a quick, satisfying meal.

Service reflects a traditional Chinatown rhythm where efficiency often takes priority over friendliness. Seating can feel cramped and busy, and while some staff members balance this with attentiveness, service here generally suits those primarily focused on the food rather than a leisurely dining experience.

Overall, Capital fits well into the Chinatown dining landscape as a place to get taste-true Cantonese dishes with straightforward comfort rather than polished refinement. It’s best enjoyed during off-peak hours to avoid crowded tables and is suitable for locals and visitors who appreciate solid execution of staple dishes like salt and pepper wings, beef chow fun, and steaming bowls of wonton soup.

Highlights
Has fast service
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
What they serve
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves comfort food
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Best for
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Paid street parking
Difficult to find a space

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Saturday

11:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Sunday

11:00 AM - 08:00 PM

887 Reviews
Dylan Li

08 Dec 2025

Known for their fried chicken, which was certainly better than most Chinese fried chicken I've had. It was crispy yet juicy and tender. The pork belly and mixed vegetables was average though. The portions were large, so I had leftovers to bring home. Overall, a good spot for Chinese food

Anna Oh

07 Dec 2025

Very generous portions! Good value. Salt and pepper wings - 8/10. A little salty for me. Super crispy. Leftovers tasted great. Shrimp and egg - 7/10. Classic dish. Lots of shrimp and egg.

Jeff Ho

22 Oct 2025

Capital Restaurant has a Chinatown basement restaurant vibe even though it is on street level. Tables are tightly packed not meant for the average American. Previously, the tables were really sticky. Now they put table clothes on some tables. The counter lady is Toisan and is not friendly. The older waitress is nice but she is too busy to offer good service. One person to wait on 10 tables is kind of ridiculous. The food is meh. My house salt pepper wings $13.75 had too much salt. It was crispy but it needed more of a pepper taste. People around me seemed to enjoy it; as it is the house special. The beef stewed braised noodles $14.75 + wontons $3 ($17.75) was OK. It needed a little bowl of soup on the side, as most places will provide. The tendon pieces were too hard to eat. It should have been cooked longer. The added wontons were small and needed sesame oil or minced shrimp. Not good. Other than that, this meal was fine. I wasn't expecting much.

Phuong Luong

19 Oct 2025

Honestly? I didnt think the chicken wings were super special.... They are definitely fried to perfection, but the seasoning is underwheming to me, I personally prefer more flavorful variations of wings. Loved the honey walnut shrimp though, impeccably done. The hot and sour soup, mongolian beef, and fried rice were just okay. They're super sweet and it's such a nice spot tho!

A. Wu

17 Sep 2025

Fantastic service and outstanding food! The chicken wings are a must-try, perfectly golden brown with an irresistibly crispy exterior that gives way to juicy, tender meat inside. Every bite is packed with flavor and crunch. The Steamed Pork with Mushroom and Chinese Sausage transported me straight back to Canton China. The savory aroma of the sausage, the natural sweetness of the mushrooms, and the well seasoned pork come together in a wonderful balanced dish. Celebrating Father’s Day at the Capital Restaurant was absolutely worth the trip. Lots of parking near by parking structures.

Nadine H.

12 Sep 2025

I first came in 2017 and have remembered the chicken wings ever since. I had to come back during this trip and it did not disappoint. The Singapore noodles were a little bit dry but delicious.

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