Cancel

Open app

Search

Franciscan Crab Restaurant

3.5 (2.3k reviews)
PriceySeafood, American
Closed • 12:00 pm - 8:00 PM
Updated 2 months ago

Franciscan Crab Restaurant Photos

Business Info

FRANCISCAN CRAB RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Touristy
Moderate noise
Good for kids
Good for groups

You might also consider

More like Franciscan Crab Restaurant

Recommended Reviews - Franciscan Crab Restaurant

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

ramos gin fizz, a vintage hard to find cocktail
Amy D.

After walking by this vintage restaurant so much I finally stopped in for an early dinner. It's located on the second floor above Pier 43 1/2, and as you climb the stairwell you'll see the walls are covered with glossy black-and-white portraits of mid-century Hollywood celebrities. Seating is nicely terraced so that every table, from the window banquettes to the booths tucked farther in, gets views of the waterfront. Just in case, there's complimentary binoculars at some of the tables. We ordered the cioppino, an essential litmus test for any seafood spot in Fisherman's Wharf. I also ordered a strawberry ramos gin fizzcocktail, dessert, and bread for dipping in the cioppino. This vintage seafood restaurant remains an unwavering classic dinner spot on the water since 1957.

Fish fillet sandwich and fries - the best honestly!
Vivian H.

I came in here last evening about 1 hour before they closed and the place was almost empty, which was nice in its own way. I think this is probably a very popular spot during the day and when weather is nice. I got the more dark, quiet and romantic experience honestly. I loved every minute being in here. My waitress was excellent. Initially, I was going to sit at the bar, but then she suggested the cutest booth seat for 2 that faces the water and I couldnt resist and it was cozy. They even have a pair of binoculars for you to look out into the water. I'll have to come back in the daytime to get that experience. For dinner, I had a Blue Moon draft and also the white fish fillet sandwich with fries. The fish fillet sandwich was one of the best I have ever had. I dont normally like coleslaw or have it on my sandwich or sauces on my sandwich, but this one worked out very nicely. The sauce also had a nice kick to it. Service was spot on, no awkward moments and my waitress was a pro. This was an elegant dinner out experience. Its kind of nice to get the entire place to yourself, in a beautiful nautical themed place. I'll definitely be back again.

View from our table

I had a lot of fun eating my Dungeness crab and the presentation and taste were exquisite. We split a side of bread, but it really wasn't enough to fill me up. My husband had a crab sandwich, which stuffed him full. I think I would get something else with my crab next time or find a place with side options. It was a little pricey for no side. The view is amazing, though. We noticed the binoculars on the windowsill afterwards because they were a little behind us. It would have been nice to know they were there sooner, because that's a neat touch. Also, I felt a little judged for not knowing the difference between the crab options. We don't live by an ocean, so we don't know these things like sea dwellers might.

Sea bass
Stephen L.

This restaurant has both great decor and location with great view of the bay. Menu items are pricey and expect to pay $40 to $90 per person. Waiters give great service. Iced tea is some of the best I've ever had. Portions could be a bit larger. I had the sea bass and loved it. Also had a salad which had decent dressing but was a bit basic and could have been a bit larger. Fish and chips are good, but as one would expect, a more basic taste. Very good size portion for the fish and chips. Quality seemed good. I wanted to try their Dungeness crab but couldn't bring myself to spend that much on a single entre. Overall, good meal, good service but could be a bit better value for the salad and sea bass.

Hot iron skillet with shrimp and crab.
Gina R.

This place was amazing!!! I was a little skeptical thinking it was a tourist trap, because it was so close to all the action. I could not have been more wrong! The clam chowder in the bread bowl was the best I've ever had! We had the iron skillet roasted shrimp and crab - WOW! The puttanesca pasta with crab was incredible! If you are in the mood for a great meal in the Bay area - this is it!

Picture of half of my fishwich.
Terrance S.

Excellent view, excellent ambiance, great staff, and good food. You can't lose here. From waterfront view to the amazing dining choices, this is a sure fire winner. Perfect spot to take in the scenery and enjoy some SF food fare. Don't miss this while visiting Fisherman's Wharf.

Chowder bowl
Syd G.

We stopped in here for a light lunch while visiting the city. The decor is upscale and the staff is awesome. They were attentive and friendly. We had two margaritas and about loved them. Blended perfectly. My wife and I split her calamari and a chowder bowl. They were perfect! Some of the best calamari I've had in a while too! Our next trip will include a dinner here!

Kid's chicken and fries
Magaly P.

Service is AMAZING! Food was good too. We had everything from kid's meals to crab enchiladas and it was all good. Lovely views during the day. Did I mention service was excellent?

Jocelyn G.

My wife and I made last minute NYE reservations. We were extremely happy that they had availability when we booked the day before this momentus occasion. We never been here before so we were very excited to try it. We love Crab House and Fog Harbor, so we were familiar with the type of menu that had here. However, we wanted a fancier feeling and we got it. The restaurant is hugh and beautiful. We loved looking at the pictures as you come up and down the stairs, we love the "old school" feeling that it gave with every intricate detail. Thank you to the male host of the night who ensured that my wife and I got a booth. He was an older gentleman that was very very polite. We appreciated it. We were seated under 10 mins from our reservation time. Our server greeted us immediately, but he seemed a little impatient. We decided to be understanding towards him at that time because it was a busy night. We ordered our drinks from the drink menu (Blueberry lemon drop and a mojito) appetizers (Bread and cesear salad to share) and entree (Whole crab, mussels and shrimp platter) all at the same time. Our appetizer came out and honestly I was disappointed because we paid $17.99 for the large and it did not even cover the entire plate. I felt we were a little ripped off. Our entrees literally came out like 5 mins after the appetizer. The problem with that is that it came out like less than 10 mins of ordering it. Honestly, i don't think it was made at the time of ordering. I think it was already sitting. Neither the person that brought it nor our waiter poured the special garlic sauce over it like we saw other tables receive. That was disappointing. Our food was a little cold, but we didn't bother to say anything because it was a busy night. So we just ate it. Our drinks did not come until we were already halfway into our entrees. It took over 20 mins for them to come. My wife's drink was messed up and unfortunately the waiter did not return immediately for us to let him know. However, when he finally did, she let him know that it was missing the Blueberries and the red liquid at the bottom. She showed him the picture because it looked nothing like it. He went to get it remade. However, we do not believe that it was remade because the red liquid was sitting at the top of the drink. He informed her that it was bitters, but honesty.. that did not look like what was in the picture. It looked horrible and it tasted horrible. However, she could not immediately tell him that because he left out table and took a little minute to return. She ordered a blue drink instead. We completed just about all of our meal and she still did not get her drink. He finally returned to ask her if she so wanted it. That was crazy...of course she did. It then came and he apologized like twice. I was a bit annoyed because I felt like we were rushed out food and then lack of care for our drinks afterwards. I even said something to him about her drink and his excuse was the bartender is busy. That's not good enough though. I do not believe or waiter took the time out to ensure that we received our drinks in a timely fashion. My wife had the mango sundae for dessert and she said it was pretty decent. However, it looked a hot mess when it was brought. Cream was all down the side of the glass and the whip cream looked flat at the top. It looked lik it was already melting. Also, it did not even have much mango (Although the picture looks like it did, it was seriously not worth $12.99). Overall, I feel that we were somewhat robbed of top notch service and hot food. The restaurant is not super expensive, but i did expect so much more attentiveness, hot food, timeliness of drinks and a waiter that just acted like he cared. I feel that he lacked customer service.. maybe because he was overwhelmed.. but I still need to put what I felt in my review.

Sizzling Crab Legs
Chris N.

Franciscan is one of the last restaurants of the original Fisherman's Wharf dining landmarks to still be standing. Places like Alioto's and Fisherman's Grotto are all gone now. What I love about this place is the view of the Bay and its 2-hour validated parking. Great date night place and service. My party definitely liked their signature seafood dishes there but I probably made a mistake to get the burger which was just ordinary. Next time I'll try the garlic noodles which I heard was delicious with the grilled shrimp.

Tomato Salad
Kristina M.

We have been coming here for years. The food is consistently good, and the views are breathtaking. Today's service was not typical. The wait staff was running around feverishly and yet we were left unattended for long stretches. It appeared that they were understaffed. I would have appreciated knowing this rather than not having the service I've come to depend on.

Taisa H.

Best meal I've ever had. Muscles were steeling garlicky and tasty. Amazing dish with the. Pasta.

Cioppino
Rachel G.

What a great location and a beautiful view! Nice, quiet ambiance on a Thursday. We had to try the banana drink! It was yummy! I had the sea bass and veggies. It was good. The fish was tender and I chose the sun dried tomato and olive oil topping. There were several choices of how it could be prepared. There were eight of us and our waiter was patient and attentive - we were high maintenance because some at our table were a bit tipsy. Ugh. There is a good wine selection. And great drinks! Although we wanted peppermint schnapps as a holiday toast and they didn't have it. Darn. But we all had a great time and would definitely come back!

See all

2 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 days ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 10
Thanks 5
Love this 9
Oh no 0
Photo of Jamey H.
11
40
37

12 days ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Syd G.
110
740
1907

9 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

5 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

12 days ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Nola M.
203
450
1055

7 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Cindy W.
0
302
346

22 days ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Omar N.
345
587
2235

1 year ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

8 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Tressa L.
51
115
2

2 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Gail B.
0
72
365

9 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Fred F.
0
287
46

3 months ago

Very good service & food, great view. Parking is a little challenging in that area but it's worth it.

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 4
Thanks 1
Love this 4
Oh no 0
Photo of T T.
1
71
53

8 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Stephanie P.

Stephanie P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 58

Franciscan Crab Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Franciscan Crab Restaurant

We have reservations for lunch on Thurs. is it indoor dining?

The main dining room is indoor, on the 2nd floor. I didn't notice any outside seating, when I was there.

I'm visiting from Texas next week. Is it too cold for outside seating if I make dinner reservations for 8pm?

Yes it is!!!

Is this restaurant open now? I missed their food

Hi Jessy, San Francisco is still in the purple tier which does not allow indoor dining. The Franciscan Crab Restaurant only has a couple tables on the patio. Unfortunately, we are unsure when we will be able to reopen. Please check our website for… Read more

Do you have a happy hour?

No, we do not have a happy hour.

Is there a corkage fee?

Yes it's $9.

View All 7 Questions

You might also consider

The Boardroom - Cranberry Habanero Burger with Sweet Potato Waffle Fries

The Boardroom

4.1(514 reviews)
0.7 mi•Russian Hill, North Beach/Telegraph Hill
•$$

The food here was such a huge highlight of our San Francisco trip !! After a long day exploring the…read morecity we overestimated the amount of time we had to go grab clam chowder at boudins. What originally started as a disappointment became a huge blessing once we found the board room. Feet aching, sweaty, and tired we made our way to this bar. Immediately you could tell it's a local favorite, the ambiance was nice and a great spot to people-watch. There was a cup flipping event which was super fun to spectate, along side the rotating pictures of the bar's beloved pooches . We ordered 2 western burgers, 12 count bone-in wings (half bbq, half Hawaiian), and an appetizer of corn dogs, tater tots, bacon Mac & cheese bites, and mozzarella sticks. Later we also added boneless buffalo wings which were so tangy, well-seasoned, and HOT. The western bacon burgers were so delicious, crispy bacon, crispy onion rings, and some bomb.com bbq sauce. The wings were drowned in sauce (just how we like them) , the bbq was to die for and the Hawaiian had the perfect little kick of spice for our picky eaters. The appetizer platter was also fried to perfection, with the perfect crunch on the tater tots & corn dogs. The Mac & cheese bites & mozzarella sticks were perfectly cheesed, with an amazing cheese pull on the mozzarella sticks. Along with the food, my boyfriend and I ordered some drinks. I got a margarita and he got a Guinness. Both drinks were good, very standard and well served. The couple behind the bar were very funny and super kind to us being dazed after all the walking. On our way back down to SoCal my brother is still raving about the burgers, this is a MUST-STOP the next time we come up to San Francisco!!

Elevated Vibes & Exceptional Hospitality…read more The Boardroom is one of those rare spots that manages to feel both upscale and completely unpretentious. From the moment I walked in, I was struck by the sleek, moody ambiance dim lighting, plush seating, and a vibe that says "stay awhile." It's the kind of place where every detail feels intentional, from the curated cocktail list to the smooth jazz humming in the background. But what truly made the night stand out was Adam. He was an absolutely attentive, and incredibly knowledgeable. Whether it was recommending the perfect bourbon or just checking in with genuine care, Adam made us feel like VIPs without ever being over the top. You can tell he takes pride in creating a memorable experience. The drinks were expertly crafted (the smoked old fashioned was a standout and don't forget the espresso martini), and the small plates were just as impressive elevated comfort food with a creative twist. If you're looking for a place to unwind, a date, or just treat yourself to a night of great service and even better cocktails, The Boardroom delivers. And if you're lucky enough to be served by Adam, you're in for a five-star experience.

Photos
The Boardroom - Sick decor guys

Sick decor guys

The Boardroom - Grilled Chicken Club with Sweet Potato Waffle Fries

Grilled Chicken Club with Sweet Potato Waffle Fries

The Boardroom - The bar area

See all

The bar area

American Bites

American Bites

4.7(125 reviews)
0.8 mi•North Beach/Telegraph Hill
•$$

This is definitely one of those hidden gem in SF when you're craving Italian. Located in North…read moreBeach area with the entrance hiding in a small alley, the restaurant is bigger than we thought with both indoors & outdoors seating. The outdoor patio is definitely a blast for a summer day in SF, also converting to a free Tango class at 6:30 on Wednesday evening. We started with some special drinks as recommended by Ali, the most generous guy you've ever met. We got Japanese Artisan Gin Pomegranate Mint Martini and AB's Espresso Martini. They were so refreshing after we had to walk on some hills in 80degree weather in SF. After that, the appetizers we ordered came out with Caprese Salad & Mahmoud's Delicious Pork Ribs. The portion was huge for just appetizer. It's been a while for me to have that crispy baguette toasted with olive oil & vinegar, nothing could be better than that. The ribs were tender, the bonus point was definitely the sauce as it wasn't too sweet like the other places. You can't miss pizza in an Italian restaurant, so we ordered my favorite Crispy Prosciutto De Parma, Poached Pear. Prosciutto is my love so I'll just order it wherever I go if they have it on the menu. Super crispy, even though it's not as thin as I expected, I'd still order it again when we come back. It's served with a bowl of cheese powder and chili flakes so you can customize your pizza. The main entrees were definitely pasta and we just had our eyes bigger than our stomach. If you don't know what to order, ask Ali and he'll be more than happy to help you with all the recommendations, and even offer some alternatives for your pasta when the restaurant is not too crowded. My favorite was Pasta Dellacasa with Prawns added, mixing of all the sauces they have. It was so rich and I felt like no other pasta we had can be compared. They serve it hot and you can ask for as much cheese as you want for your pasta because they make it at the table for you. The place was really cool since the building was built over 100 years ago. Even the trees we were sitting next to are over 100 years old, which is pretty cool. You can even find the menu when the original place just opened, with pasta price ranged from $2-3.

This place is Awesome!! Kinda hard to find it great!! My daughter(22) and I went here for a mother…read moredaughter lunch date. Found it on Yelp and decided we had to try it. Pulled up and saw the Valet($18) sign. We know parking it hard to find in that area so we just parked. The sign is for American Bites and the restaurant next to it. Walked in which is totally hidden. I would have never known it was there. We are greater instantly and told to choose any seat. They have indoor and outdoor dining. We chose indoor. Looked over the menu and order a Tequila Sunrise with Don Julio Anejo. Quite tasty Went for the clam chowder appetizer... definitely 5 stars. Flavorful and creamy. I would come back just for that. Daughter ordered the Seafood Linguini with a cream sauce. The waiter kinda questioned it but made it anyway.. They added Parmesan cheese and cracked black pepper at the table. Everything came with a nice crusty bread I order the Ciopinno!! It was one of the best I ever had.. Added Parmesan and cracked pepper of course. Everything was 5star including the service we received. Left there and recommended the place to several friends.. I'll be back soon.

Photos
American Bites - Mahmoud's Delicious Pork Ribs (@joeynht)

Mahmoud's Delicious Pork Ribs (@joeynht)

American Bites - Pasta Delacasa (@joeynht)

Pasta Delacasa (@joeynht)

American Bites

See all

Red Window - Patatas Bravas

Red Window

4.1(345 reviews)
0.7 mi•North Beach/Telegraph Hill, Russian Hill

Came here for brunch and honestly had a great experience. The restaurant has a really vibrant and…read morewelcoming atmosphere, with colorful walls, unique chairs and both indoor and outdoor seating that makes the whole place feel lively and relaxed. For drinks, they offer a wide variety of cocktails, beers and even mocktails. I decided to go with a mimosa and it was honestly one of the best I've had in a while. You can tell they use fresh orange juice because the flavor was perfectly balanced, not too sweet and not too acidic. Food wise, I ordered the Spanish Burger and it did not disappoint. The burger was fresh, flavorful and clearly made with quality ingredients. It paired perfectly with the crispy fries. The staff were attentive, friendly and service was quick, which made the whole brunch experience even better. Overall, this is a great spot for brunch whether you're a local or visiting the city. I'll definitely be coming back.

Really feels like a hit or miss on the food…read more I have been to Red Window before, at the recommendation of friends, and was surprised to be disappointed by the all the food which came to my table when I dined here before. However, this time I went again with a friend who assured me the food is fantastic and I was a little bit skeptical but it turned out a bit better this time. We ordered a medley of food: the patatas bravas, the flatbread, the albodigas, the crispy paella balls and the crispy cauliflower. I was especially excited for the patatas bravas as I had tasted them before. They were the highlight of my previous time I had dined here. This time was no exception. Exceptionally crispy flaky and fantastic texture with the multiple layers. The crispy paella balls were also excellent, Very flavorful and what a nice slight crunch to their exterior. Unfortunately I was half disappointed by the rest of the food we ordered The flatbread was just alright, and I regretted we didn't do at least one of the add-ons for it as that likely would have improved it a lot. The albondigas were a lot to get through and I'm glad we were sharing the dish. They went well when paired with the other dishes as it was very one-note with getting through each of the meatballs. The crispy cauliflower had good flavor, but surprisingly were far more mushy than crispy. Red Window has a really nice spot on Columbus, great vibe and friendly staff each time I've visited. They have both interior and heated parklet /outdoor seating. However, the food really feels like there's a only a few standouts on the menu and the rest aren't really bringing more to the table. Peek at other reviews before you go to get an idea of the hits on the menu.

Photos
Red Window
Red Window - Tagliatelle Pasta

Tagliatelle Pasta

Red Window - Caesar Salad

See all

Caesar Salad

Sotto Mare - Best damn cioppino

Sotto Mare

4.3(5.9k reviews)
0.7 mi•North Beach/Telegraph Hill
•$$$
Outdoor seating
Family-owned & operated

Sotto Mare is one of those classic San Francisco spots that every seafood lover needs to…read moreexperience. If you're looking for incredible cioppino, this is the place. Their famous "Best Damn Crab Cioppino" absolutely lives up to its name--loaded with fresh seafood, rich tomato broth, and incredible flavor in every bite. It's the kind of dish you'll be thinking about long after the meal is over. Be prepared to wait, especially during peak hours. This place is extremely popular with locals and visitors alike, and the line is a testament to how good the food is. The wait is well worth it. A helpful tip: dress in layers. Seating can be limited, and you may find yourself dining on the patio, where San Francisco's weather can change quickly. Being prepared will make the experience much more enjoyable. Located in the heart of North Beach, the restaurant is surrounded by one of the city's best neighborhoods. The lively atmosphere, local character, and walkable streets make the visit feel like a true San Francisco experience. Outstanding seafood, a neighborhood feel, and one of the best bowls of cioppino you'll ever have make Sotto Mare a must-visit. No wonder the locals keep coming back

It was worth the wait to sit outside because indoors was too hot, stuffy and cramp…read more Do make a reservation if you have a big group. Came here for the cioppino and will come back again. Just be ready for that acid reflux!

Photos
Sotto Mare - Scallop saute

Scallop saute

Sotto Mare - Crecked Crab

Crecked Crab

Sotto Mare - Steamed clams and mussels is really fresh. And the portion is big!

See all

Steamed clams and mussels is really fresh. And the portion is big!

The Showdown - Boston 3 Way

The Showdown

4.2(126 reviews)
0.8 mi•North Beach/Telegraph Hill
•$$

Visiting from TX and found this place by accident. It reminded us of our hometown hang out spot…read more Everyone made us feel welcome as soon as we came in. Not just the bartender but the manager and the locals hanging out. The drinks were great and the company even better. They gave us some amazing recommendations for some local restaurants and they were all perfect! We will visit again if we ever make it back to San Fran.

I recently came to this bar with a few friends. One friend was a bit intoxicated and wasn't allowed…read morein, which was fine and not an issue AT ALL. While we were outside, we made friendly conversation with a bartender. I overheard another bartender come out for a cigarette and call him by name, so I jokingly used his name while asking if we could come in. At that point, the bartender became extremely aggressive, got in my face, and said, "Say his name one more f*cking time," repeatedly. I was genuinely confused and asked what she meant. Shortly after, a friend who was already inside came out simply to check on us and see why we were still outside. The bartender then told her to "get the f*ck out of my face" and instructed staff not to let her or us in, even though my friend hadn't done anything wrong. It was so confusing and extremely inappropriate. The behavior was unnecessarily hostile and disrespectful. This bar does not treat its customers with basic courtesy, and that bartender showed zero professionalism or customer service skills.

Photos
The Showdown
The Showdown - Strawberry lemonade boochcraft and delicata squash rings

Strawberry lemonade boochcraft and delicata squash rings

The Showdown - Pineapple Margarita

See all

Pineapple Margarita

Franciscan Crab Restaurant - seafood - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...