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    Sotto Mare

    4.3 (5.9k reviews)
    PriceySeafood, Italian, Bars
    Open 11:30 am - 9:00 pm

    Sotto Mare Reservations

    Order Sotto Mare Takeout or Delivery

    Sotto Mare Photos

    Business Info

    SOTTO MARE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Sotto Mare

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    Reviews With Photos

    Afshin A.

    Sotto Mare was the choice for dinner with two friends who had never been there before and really wanted to try it. We made a reservation, but when we arrived, there was a minor mix-up, so we had to wait a bit. To their credit, the staff acknowledged the mistake and did their best to seat us as quickly as possible. We chose to sit outside, which made the wait a little easier. By the time we were seated, we were definitely hungry, so we started with a bottle of white wine to relax a bit. Our server, a very friendly lady with a great sense of humor, recommended the Fiano from Orsi Family Vineyards in Sonoma, and it turned out to be an excellent choice. We skipped appetizers and went straight for the main event. The four of us shared the cioppino, sea scallop sauté, and linguine with seafood, which our server also recommended. All three dishes were flavorful, well prepared, and more than enough for the table. Between the good food, the wine, and joking around with our server throughout the evening, we ended up having a really enjoyable dinner and a great overall experience.

    Maddy M.

    I was taken here by some locals who said it was an institution, so I was looking forward to checking it out. Ambiance is fun and casual, waitstaff is great. The seafood itself is so fresh and delicious, I just didn't love what surrounded the seafood. Risotto was forgettable, linguine was fine. Clam chowder was OK, needed some salt. The cioppino was tasty and great for sharing. Is it worth it to come and wait just for the cioppino? I wouldn't say so. Glad I got to try it though! Definitely a fun dinner with great service, just not the best meal in my opinion. If I were to come back, I would just get the cioppino and the bread and call it a day.

    West coast oysters
    Karina S.

    One of my all time fav spots in the city! Was super lucky to get a reservation for 8 the evening of, and was seated in the basement area which is always super cozy. Food highlights: - West coast oysters - Seafood cioppino (meant to serve 2, absolute must-try!) - Sea scallop saute (might be my personal favorite but I am partial to scallops) - Linguine with white sauce and seafood - Bread on the house :)

    Kimberly D.

    Idk why I haven't written a review yet, but Sotto Mare is a MUST TRY when in SF! My bf first took me here for one of our first dates to try their supposed "BEST DAMN CIOPPINO" and safe to say it lives up to the hype :) Been coming here since 2019 and we always bring friends and family visiting here to try it! They say it feeds 2, but we've always been a group of 4 to eat it and are pretty content with the serving size. Each person in a group of 4 can probably have 2 bowls each! I guess the only gripe for the cioppino is the shrimp, a bit chewy and rubbery, but all a side we've had a couple of their pastas and everything hit the spot! We're not huge risotto fans, but their risotto is tasty and isn't super mushy like every risotto we've had. Parking can be tough during prime eating times.

    The "Best Damn Crab Cioppino"
    Maneet G.

    My husband and I have been wanting to try their world famous ciopinno. We went on a Thursday around 2:30 and got seated right away! The restaurant is small but cozy. We ordered the ciopinno and house salad. We were given some lovely fresh bread and butter while we waited! Our house salad came out pretty quick and we were disappointed. The salad consisted of only shredded iceberg lettuce and 4 tomato quarters. The dressing was a thousand island one. It was a very simple salad and I was hoping for more variety. It certainly is not worth the $7. The ciopinno was the star of the show and arrive in a big bowl steaming hot! We loved all the seafood including oysters, clams, squid, crab, shrimp, and scallops! The tomato broth was so comforting and had a nice garlic flavor. I really enjoyed this dish and loved dipping my bread into the broth. Yum! All in all, Sotte Mare makes great ciopinno but their house salad is a miss for me next time!

    Fettuccine with Smoked Salmon
    Ariana A.

    Lunch time during spring/summer has the best vibes to enjoy the outdoor seating. My party of five came in a little after 11:30 so there was no wait. We ordered the crab cioppino, mussels & clams combo, risotto with seafood, and fettuccine with smoked salmon. This was more than enough food for five people plus there was complementary bread and butter that we got two baskets of. Our waitress was very nice and the food came out quite quickly. My favorite dish had to be the risotto, this came with mussels and calamari today (though it may differ as on the menu it says chef's choice). Our total before tax and tip was $161. The bathrooms had 3 stalls and were nice & clean.

    The "Best Damn Crab Cioppino"
    Rise G.

    After years of wanting to try this place I finally made it with a group of four on a Sunday evening. The hostess was very friendly. We were seated almost immediately, which was great because there were a lot of people waiting outside. However, we were seated in the basement, which wasn't the most pleasant atmosphere and a reason for my deducting one star; we were the first table to be seated in the space and the person setting up the tables around us was extremely loud and disruptive while he was slamming dishes and silverware down on the tables. The atmosphere was dark, quiet, and a bit dingy feeling. The service was friendly. We ordered the ciopinno and the full order of crab over linguine. The food was good and plenty for the four of us - we had leftovers to take home. I'm happy I got to check out the place but I'm not in a rush to go back anytime soon. I do recommend checking it out though if you are in the area and a seafood lover.

    The "Best Damn Crab Cioppino" yes it totally is!!
    Leila D.

    This place is hands down the best ciopinno in town! The menu says it feeds two, but I'd say it can easily feed four. It's a staple in San Francisco, serving fresh seafood, pastas, chowders, and even fish specials. Our server was attentive and on point, and we arrived before the dinner rush. I'll definitely be back for more when I'm in San Francisco.

    Bread and butter
    Gerald R.

    LENT 2026: FRIDAY THE 13TH - LUCKY CIOPPINO The first time I ate cioppino was four years ago during Lent on a Friday. The seafood of crab, mussels, and shrimp were delicious, but the broth was salty as a gout attack. I thought all cioppino tasted this. How did the Italians in San Francisco during the late 1800s survive eating this dish? I wanted eat at Sotto Mare for a while as I bookmarked this place. On Friday the 13th I worked in the office in San Francisco. At the last minute I decided to eat here at lunch for Lent Friday. Coming to Sotto Mare on Lent Friday was to "kill two birds with one stone". As Sotto Mare is known for the cioppino there was no other dishes to consider. The concern I had was the menu stated the cioppino was good for two people. So I decided not to get any appetizers. However my biggest weakness is bread. At Sotto Mare the crusty bread was served with butter. When the cioppino arrived I can see why this dish was good for two people. The bowl wasn't skimpy of seafood and broth. The seafood consisted of dungeness crab, clams, and mussels. I like there were only three types of shellfish. Too many types of seafood would overpower the broth instead of enhance. The broth was savory but most of all not salty. With the abundance of seafood and broth I choose to finish all the seafood. With the broth I dipped the bread in it. Is the cioppino served at Sotto Mare the best I ever had? I only had two cioppinos in my life. The cioppino I ate at Sotto Mare that Friday was better than the first one I ate four years ago. So if you have to eat fish on Fridays during Lent make an excuse for yourself to have cioppino at Sotto Mare.

    Nelson L.

    Wow. Simply. Wow. Probably one of the best Italian places I've ever been to. Service was good. Seating was tight. But vibes were excellent. Felt like you were in the best restaurant in town. We ordered the Cioppino for two and it was plenty. Tons of seafood. And unlimited bread to soak up all the flavorful goodness.

    Cioppino
    Julianne C.

    i had been wanting to try sotto mare for over a year, and i wish i had it sooner! i'm happy to say that it lives up to the hype and indeed has amazing seafood. they do not take web reservations, but it appeared that some people had called ahead to make a reservation. i'm going to try this next time! for a party of 3, we showed up at 5:50pm and were seated in the lower level at 6:00pm. the hostesses and servers were all super kind and knowledgeable. the interior is decorated with a lot of eclectic historical items and photos, showing the legacy and impact of sotto mare over the years. after ordering, your table gets bread and butter. you will also get a bib, which is a perfect photo moment! the clam chowder was thick and loaded with seafood. they don't skimp on the good stuff! the west coast oysters were delicious. i did find it slightly strange the red sauce didn't come with a tiny spoon, but i'll happily look past that. next, the risotto with seafood was loaded with seafood and very flavorful. in particular, the shrimps were super juicy and well cooked! last but not least, the "best damn cioppinno" had an accurate name! it was full of scrumptious seafood from shrimp, crab legs, clams, mussels, scallops, and more. the server told us that you can also choose to exclude certain types of seafood and they will accommodate and give you more of the others. for drinks, i got a bellini cocktail and it was standard. overall, i was stuffed and really enjoyed my meal at sotto mare. i will definitely be back and highly recommend it!

    Menu
    Sophia H.

    Delicious seafood restaurant! The cioppino had excellent flavor and dunking the complementary sourdough bread in it made it even better. Seafood was fresh and the portion is definitely enough for two or 3. The linguini was cooked well, but I definitely preferred the linguini in tomato sauce over the olive oil and garlic. The oysters were so fresh I could have eaten a whole dozen by myself. Service was very fast for a busy Sunday night. I know it's a seafood restaurant, but I do wish they had some non seafood protein on the menu for those that can't eat or don't like seafood. I also wish they had dessert, though we didn't have a problem going down the street to the bakery to pick up some local Italian pastries.

    Art G.

    We went here for a late lunch yesterday. The staff, food, prices, and sitting outside created a great dining experience. The sea scallop and shrimp combo was fabulous. The petrale sole portion was humongous and prepared expertly. Wine by the glass was well priced and quite ample. We need to go back.

    Whole Crab Diavolo Over Linguine, Risotto with Seafood, The "Best Damn Crab Cioppino"

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    Sotto Mare Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Sotto Mare

    How would reservations work for a party of 2? Should I arrive early to put my name down, call ahead, or just walk in?

    Hi Albert, Thank you for inquiry. Parties of 2 are on a first come, first serve basis. Depending on… Read more

    Is there bar seating?

    Yes they were kind enough to seat my friends and I at the bar.

    Is there valet parking for lunch on Saturday?

    Parking is not easy. I'd take Uber or Lyft. No valet. Saturdays in North Beach are incredibly busy.

    Hi, do you have a corkage fee?

    Yes, our corkage fee is $20.

    How to book a reservation?

    Call them but they only take reservations for parties of 4 or more.

    Is there gluten free menu? Thank you!

    Many items on the menu are gluten free.

    My husband is allergic to garlic, is he able to order the ccioppino without garlic? What about the clam chowder?

    Hi, Yes there is garlic in cioppino, it’s in the tomato sauce. We can make the cioppino without it.… Read more

    Can we make a reservation specifically to sit outside for dinner? Also, is it likely to be chilly in the evening at the end of July?

    You can request but it depends on your timing. Higher likelihood for an outside table if you get an early seating. SF weather is unpredictable especially summer months so bring or wear a warm jacket.

    Can i call ahead and put my name down?

    Yes - you are able to call ahead and put your name down for a reservation. As a note, Sotto Mare only reserves tables for parties of 3 or more. If it’s only 1-2 people, they will not reserve a table.

    Open Friday, Nov 24th? And can deliver on specific time?

    Yes we will be open on Friday, 11/24/23. Yes we can deliver on specific time.

    Do they take reservation?

    Only for groups of three or more.

    Will they be open for 4th of July?

    In observance of Independence Day, Sotto Mare will be closed on July 4th!

    Do they have a bar?

    They have drinks and wine.

    We plan to have dinner outside in July. Will we freeze? Are there outdoor heaters that will keep us warm?

    We had dinner outside in May, yes it is cold. Bring a jacket

    Is there outdoor seatin?

    Yes we have outdoor seating.

    What is the average waiting time to order?

    Depending on what you order, the average wait time is about 5-20 minutes.

    How far ahead in time should I call to reserve a table for 3 for a sat?

    2 day's

    One review said the cioppino comes with penne. is that true? also do they make cioppino for one?

    Yes! There's penne pasta under all the seafood. As for the smaller portion, I'm not sure...I only remember seeing the big bowl for 2-3 people.

    1st time visiting SF in Feb - how likely we will be to get a table on a Friday night for 2 while celebrating a BDay. Would like set plans but understand their will be await. Are Fridays extremely busy?

    I would definitely go very early. It's a very small restaurant with not much seating.

    Do they take reservations?

    Yes! When I visited, I managed to call and make a same-day reservation for 4 people.

    View All 74 Questions

    Nopa Fish - Fish and Chips - huge portion where it. Was perfect to share between two people. - fantastic fish and chips

    Nopa Fish

    4.5(111 reviews)
    0.9 miEmbarcadero, SoMa

    Came here with my sister and her friend for lunch during a trip to San Francisco and decided to get…read moretheir Fried Rockfish sandwich. The seating inside was a bit limited and taken up by other people, but there was an ample amount of seating around the SF Ferry Building (including outside) that we were able to seat ourselves at instead. I have to admit that my standards weren't high for this sandwich, but it genuinely tasted amazing. I have to say that it was probably one of the best sandwiches that I've ever had the opportunity to eat in all of California, and I'm unsure if I'll ever be able to encounter a sandwich that tops it. Overall, amazing. I'd happily come back here again during another SF trip, if I happen to be in the area.

    Wow! Nopa Fish in the SF Ferry Building deserves its high marks. We came here for an early lunch…read moreand loved our sandwiches. Simple, yet exquisitely prepared and delicious. I had The Rocky, a very large piece of fried, crunchy-battered rockfish on a bed of a delicious cucumber/ carrot/ ginger cabbage slaw served on Acme Milk Bread. Enough for two meals - if we weren't staying at a hotel. My wife had the open-faced Bay Shrimp & Egg Salad Sandwich, so beautiful that people walking by kept asking what she had. A great fish market, too, for those who live in the area. My only knock is that the nearly all-community seating area is small and less than comfortable. Stop by and grab lunch to go!

    Photos
    Nopa Fish - Inside Ferry Building

    Inside Ferry Building

    Nopa Fish - The Rocky

    The Rocky

    Nopa Fish - French fries

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    French fries

    Sotto Mare - seafood - Updated May 2026

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