Spencer Jin

The seafood soup was super hearty and everything tasted really fresh. It was a bit salty for me, but great with the bread, and the macaroni made it more than enough for two. A little black vinegar actually made it taste even better. The oysters were really fresh too — loved them!

Constance Shi

OMG three days after this meal I’m still thinking about it. Need to go back soon!!! The crab was fresh with tremendous amount of garlic, adding in flavor while also preserving the original flavor of crab. And the portion was perfect for one. It’s a tight place and the bar stool was not the most comfortable, but it made me feel like home. It was really nice to watch the chef cooking and very satisfying to see them put the food on the counter and hit the ‘Dingding’. Also, the waitress was really nice, made me feel like home. Will for sure come back soon.

Julie Vasileesa

Absolutely stunning seafood bistro!!! Excellent service from hostess to Fabbie! Great recommendation on the white wine Fabbie and thank you for your lovely and welcoming ways!!! Bravo to you!! The food was scrumptious. We ordered starters of octopus salad and shrimp cocktail salad which was refreshing and light. Then we had amazing linguini and seafood in a fabulous red sauce and the others had lobster ravioli in rose sauce. Absolutely a place you must try in San Francisco!!! 5 ⭐️and more!!!!

Manny Francia

Everything I hoped it would be. Solo-traveled to San Francisco for two days/one night, googled best seafood, and Sotto Mare was as one of the spots. Quick scooter ride there from Union Square, had to wait a bit because I didn’t make reservations. Worried because I got sat at the bar near closing time. Totally worth it. The Cioppini was worth the wait! The house salad was cheap and not worth taking up stomach space.

Lauren Barnes

Sotto Mare is definitely worth going to while in San Francisco, but be prepared to wait during peak times! We waited over an hour, but it was well worth it. If you have a long wait time, I recommend trying a slice of pizza from Golden Boy next door while you wait. I could eat the Crab Louis salad and Cioppino everyday, but the next time I go I want to try some of their other options because everything looks so good. The Cioppino is easily shareable with two people, packed with seafood, and wine glass pours are healthy, so I think it's a good value!

Viktoriia Zalian

We absolutely loved everything! We got the best Chioppino! It was cooked in front of us (if you sit at the bar table). For over $50 we got a massive portion and shared between two of us. The staff were friendly and caring. It was packed but it felt like rather a celebration than a random crowd. It was absolutely worth waiting in a queue.

Alexey Cherchik

We waited for more than an hour — but it was absolutely worth it! ⏳✨ The cioppino is truly the best in the city — rich, flavorful, and unforgettable 🍲🦀. Excellent wine list, huge seafood salad portions, and fresh bread with butter as a chef’s compliment 🥖🧈. This place is truly legendary! 🌟 If you’re ready to wait 40–45 minutes (or even more), it’s definitely worth it — a must-visit spot in San Francisco! 🍷🦞

+6

Caroline Chow

Lives up to the hype and worth the reservation or try for a walk in. The East and West Coast oysters were so briny and fresh and the clam was also deliciously tender. Cioppino was delicious and had so much good seafood. Our favorite was the crab which was pre cracked but we still wished it came with little crab forks or other tools to get all the tiny bits out. We left some deep hard to get bits behind. Bread was nice and crusty and perfect for staving off hunger pangs before our starters arrived and great for dunking into the cioppino broth. Friendly staff and hostess. Would recommend and bring out of town guests. Locals who live by are so lucky to be near this gem!

Jacob Celestine

Sotto Mare is a fantastic Italian seafood spot that absolutely delivers on its reputation. The atmosphere is bustling and lively, and the whole experience was top-notch from start to finish. What stood out immediately was the incredible service. The staff was genuinely friendly and great to talk with, taking the time to explain the menu and making us feel welcome. The restaurant has several seating areas, including a cool basement spot where we sat. Now for the food - I came here specifically for their famous "Best Damn Crab Cioppino," and it was, without a doubt, a masterpiece. As a huge seafood fan, I can say it completely lived up to the hype and is the one dish you absolutely must order. A couple of important tips for your visit: First, the cioppino portion is massive. We were a party of three and could barely finish it; it's perfect for sharing among a group of four or five. Second, they have a policy of not seating you until your entire party has arrived, so plan accordingly. For an unforgettable seafood meal with outstanding service, Sotto Mare is a definite 5/5. I would go back in a heartbeat and highly recommend it.

+6

Ali

BEST FOOD IN SF. The food was incredibly delicious. We went like a week ago and I still dream about it till now. We got the smoked salmon pasta (which was recommended to us) and it did not disappoint, my favourite dish for sure. We also got the Seared scallops, linguini with promodoro and shrimp and the main dish they’re know for which I forgot the name off atm haha. The service is also so good. Our server was so nice and joked around with us. She was very very nice.

+2

AICARDO JOSE ZAPATA CASTILLO

Sotto Mare was a recommendation that turned out to be spot on. It was our first time, and definitely not the last. The place is small, cozy, and full of charm, and the service makes it even better: the entire staff is incredibly kind and welcoming, making you feel right at home. We ordered the famous “Best Damn Crab Cioppino”, the menu says it’s for two, but honestly, it could feed three easily. The flavor was amazing, the seafood super fresh, and that sauce… perfect for dipping bread until the last drop. No doubt about it, next time I’m in San Francisco, Sotto Mare will be one of my must-stop spots. Highly recommended!

Kelly Wen

Second time coming here and the food is still as incredible as the first time trying it! The cioppino is so flavorful. The seafood tastes very fresh. I love dipping the (complimentary) bread in the sauces/broths as well. If you love to watch some (cooking) action and are a party of 1 or 2, I highly recommend sitting at the bar. I thoroughly enjoyed eating while watching the chefs do their magic in the open kitchen. They are super efficient, clean, organized, and great at multi-tasking. Super impressive to watch them cook the very food I'm eating!

+3

Sotto Mare, is legendary. To speak of it and write a review is expound on what so many others have done for so many years have been saying, " it's the best" ! The ambiance is relaxed, jovial, and t…

Excellent food and service, the wait was not bad for a Saturday afternoon. Going back on our next trip to San Francisco.

BEST CIOPPINO. \n\nThe cioppino is where this place shines. I'll be dreaming about this for awhile and will be back very soon. There's a TON of seafood - clams, shrimp, crab legs, squid. The sauc…

If you are a Cioppino lover, and I am, this is my favorite in the Bay Area. No reservations can be a problem, so you likely will need to wait for seating at the dinner hour unless earlier or later.

Finally got to try this place and it did not disappoint!!! Had the west coast oysters and half a crab. We also got the scallop and shrimp with veggies!!! Food was great and so was the service!!! Sm…

Delicious seafood, healthy portions, friendly service. Sotto Mare is nearly always packed, so we had to come right when they opened to secure a spot for lunch.\n\nDuring Christmas time, they decora…

If you are looking for a quiet intimate dinner you should look elsewhere. But, if you are looking for great food in a lively environment, this place is it and definitely worth the wait (about 40 mi…

The good was excellent and the service was great. You will love the atmosphere and the food is amazing. Ordered oyster and the seafood soup! Omg was a treat!

Walked in, started with oyster shooters—clean, cold, perfect. Then came the cioppino. They call it the “Best Damn” and they’re right. No letdown. Full stop. Yeah, it’s cramped. Tables tight, elbows …

Walked in, started with oyster shooters—clean, cold, perfect. Then came the cioppino. They call it the “Best Damn” and they’re right. No letdown. Full stop. Yeah, it’s cramped. Tables tight, elbow…

We came here this evening, and enjoyed it very much! We ordered grilled halibut, prawn sauté and chopping. Everything was great! The service was outstanding!

We came here this evening, and enjoyed it very much! We ordered grilled halibut, prawn sauté and chopping. Everything was great! The service was outstanding!

The restaurant is quite small and it was busy. At least last night, the best option was to eat at the bar. From start to finish, everyone there were super friendly and efficient. We started with a…

Omg !! If we hadn’t bumped into locals who were from San Francisco, whilst we were in Napa valley, then we’d have never been to this amazing little place. Be prepared to wait.. but let me tell you …

Small menu but excellent food at a reasonable price with friendly helpful staff. So good we visited twice in 4 days and had wonderful meals both times

Small menu but excellent food at a reasonable price with friendly helpful staff. So good we visited twice in 4 days and had wonderful meals both times

Small menu but excellent food at a reasonable price with friendly helpful staff. So good we visited twice in 4 days and had wonderful meals both times

The restaurant was very busy and the queue was long for patrons waiting for a table. We had a reservation and we sat down very close to our allotted time. We had a sidewalk booth with an overhead h…

Have been eating at this BEST seafood restaurant in San Francisco for years. Consistently fresh, delicious and fairly priced. Everything is well prepared and delicious. There are many imitators in …

Outstanding…food…outstanding service Two of us went tonight…$96 with tip for a great dinner of 3 oysters, scallop fettuccine, crab Louie…the service was genuine and avoided unnecessary flamboyance…

Best Cioppino I have ever had. Great atmosphere. Pager while waiting (Friday night) worked the whole block. Able to grab a drink at a local while waiting. Recommend the bar seating.

A decent Italian cuisine. Good fish varieties (daily changes). They are famous with Cioppino (i find their tomato sauce less flavored) so didn’t favor it. The prawn and scallop sauté is excellent; highly recommend it. Also oyster is great to start with. A couple of times, I tried their pasta dishes; especially the white sauce ones were better to me (again has less favor than usual but definitely not a heavy sauce).

Food was good but not great . Got the famous Cioppino . I feel scomas in fisherman’s wharf was better . I don’t like the fact that they have a 4% surcharge added to the bill to help play their employees. So I deducted 4% off of my 20% down to 16%

Colin Huang

Dining in the "Dungeon" of a North Beach Legend. ​ ​Stepping into Sotto Mare feels like stepping back in time. Housed in a building from 1919, it has that boisterous, chaotic, wonderful energy of an old-school Italian joint. We were whisked past the open kitchen and seated all the way in the back—a spot jokingly called "the dungeon"—but even back there, the charm of the place reaches you. ​The star of the show is the seafood. We dove into plates of clams and mussels that tasted like the ocean itself—sweet, fresh, and cooked just right. It’s a purist’s menu; concise and focused. (Warning: if you want fries to soak up that sauce, you’re out of luck—they don't do them here!) ​It’s not a flawless experience—parking is a battle, the check is steep ($25+ per dish), and if you want a martini, you’ll have to go elsewhere as it’s beer and wine only. But for a taste of North Beach history and some of the freshest catch in the city, Sotto Mare holds its own.

tuğçe merve kesat

While in San Francisco, we tried the local specialty, Cioppino, along with a side of risotto. The risotto was truly amazing — I definitely recommend it. However, I didn’t quite understand the Cioppino. It was very mild, and the spices and sauce didn’t fully complement the seafood. I ate it, but honestly, I couldn’t really taste much. We also had a glass of house white wine, which was good. For me, I’d rate the meal 4 stars. I’ve had better seafood elsewhere, but it was still a decent experience.

+5

Sotto Mare is one of those places you really want to love. The neighborhood is quaint and cute, and the old-school vibe is exactly what you want for a cozy Italian seafood night. They advertise the…

I LOVE seafood\n\nwe came on a weekend night and it was extremely packed. everyone was waiting for their table in front of the restaurant. once seated, it was still bustling. \n\nwe ordered the: \n…

I LOVE SEAFOOD\n\nwe came on a weekend night and it was extremely packed. everyone was waiting for their table in front of the restaurant. once seated, it was still bustling. \n\nwe ordered the: \n…

It was a busy Sunday evening, but thankfully we called in for a reservation ahead of time. Parking was crazy per usual but thankfully one person in the party arrived in time to let the hostess know…

We enjoyed the west coast oysters and the crab with pasta. The crab was good but the pasta was overcooked and there should have been more flavor infused in this dish. So I added some lemon, …

We enjoyed the west coast oysters and the crab with pasta. The crab was good but the pasta was overcooked and there should have been more flavor infused in this dish. So I added some lemon, salt…

We enjoyed the west coast oysters and the crab with pasta. The crab was good but the pasta was overcooked and there should have been more flavor infused in this dish. So I added some lemon, salt…

I had the seafood pasta. I was expecting more flavor from the marinara source, pecorino romano cheese and more seafood taste. The seafood combination included bay scallops and bay shrimp …

I had the seafood pasta. I was expecting more flavor from the marinara source, pecorino romano cheese and more seafood taste. The seafood combination included bay scallops and bay shrimp that are b…

We eat Ciopinno it like tomato soup Cook with crab, shrimp, squid (seafood soup). The taste it's unique. Also we ordered east oyster and west oyster. It's really fresh. The waiters is ve…

We eat Ciopinno it like tomato soup Cook with crab, shrimp, squid (seafood soup). The taste it's unique. Also we ordered east oyster and west oyster. It's really fresh. The waiters is very friendl…

Nice restaurant with an Italian flavor. The staff are helpful and cheerful. The menu is vast with many choices. The prices are reasonable, yet the amounts are a bit modest. I advise you to try it, …

Nice restaurant with an Italian flavor. The staff are helpful and cheerful. The menu is vast with many choices. The prices are reasonable, yet the amounts are a bit modest. I advise you to try it, …

MiMeuw

Came here because of many good reviews but left disappointed, perhaps my expectation was too high. Service is quick but the neither the host or server smiled at us once, the only one that did was the burst boy. The place definitely has a vibe but we just felt uncomfortable because everyone looked so tense. I had such high hope for their Best Damn Crab Cioppino, but i was so let down as you can obviously tast that everything in the bowl came out of the freezer, even had some foul tasting mussels. The Lobster Ravioli, we couldn't even taste any lobster 😭 the Sand Dab was actually quite good and was the saver of our lunch

+1

Have had this place bookmarked forever and finally went to see what the hype was about. Came around 5pm on a busy Saturday night and only waited 5 minutes for a table. We only got one thing to share,…

Have had this place bookmarked forever and finally went to see what the hype was about. Came around 5pm on a busy Saturday night and only waited 5 minutes for a table. We only got one thing to shar…

This is a very small place so make sure to book reservations or wait outside 45-60 min. My friend and I got dat at the counter in front of the grill which was cool to watch them cook. Service was p…

This is a very small place so make sure to book reservations or wait outside 45-60 min. My friend and I got dat at the counter in front of the grill which was cool to watch them cook. Service was p…

The risotto was the worst we've ever had. We had very high expectations due to the good reviews, but the disappointment was much greater. The risotto was severely overcooked, and the texture was mushy, almost like porridge. We politely asked the server for an al dente risotto and were brought a replacement, but it was exactly the same. This shows a complete lack of respect for the customer and that our feedback was totally ignored. We were extremely disappointed and didn't even touch the risotto. Another table behind us also complained about their risotto, and a staff member went over and offered them a polite apology, but we received no courteous apology whatsoever. We realized that good reviews don't always guarantee a good restaurant. The clam stew was also very, very bad. Those planning to visit, please take note.

A very disappointing experience. \nCioppino is not the best but actually close to the worst. No fish very limited shrimp or crab and a thin broth. \nI am embarrassed that tourists would come here and…

A very disappointing experience. \nCioppino is not the best but actually close to the worst. No fish very limited shrimp or crab and a thin broth. \nI am embarrassed that tourists would come here a…

A very disappointing experience. \nCioppino is not the best but actually close to the worst. No fish very limited shrimp or crab and a thin broth. \nI am embarrassed that tourists would come here a…

They say that it's "the best damn cioppino" in fact it is probably the worst I've ever had. Scomas in fisherman's wharf does have the best cioppino for a fact! The service at sotto mare was iffy an…

Don’t go there. One of the worst restaurant experience in my life. The waitress yells and offenses the guests for no reason. Food is pretty average. The pasta with sour cream and frozen seafood. Bu…

FOOD WAS GREAT, the staff and the host were nice too. BUT I had a very uncomfortable experience with one of the waitresses tonight. I initially checked in alone for a table of three because my husband was parking the car — which is normal in San Francisco. I clearly told staff I understood the seating limits and was fine starting at a table for two. About 10 minutes later, when my husband arrived and there were still multiple four-top tables open, I politely asked the host if switching was possible. Instead of listening, a waitress came out and loudly told me, “We don’t do that,” in front of other guests. The tone felt dismissive and unnecessarily aggressive. Being spoken to that way in public was embarrassing and disrespectful. I don’t know if it was a communication issue or bias, but the interaction left me feeling singled out and unheard. A restaurant can enforce policies without raising their voice or shutting customers down. Basic respect and professionalism should be the standard.