The cioppino is to die for! But beware of the portion. You need at least four hungry adults to finish it. All other dishes were at or below average. Wouldn't come again if it weren't for the cioppino. Also, there's this one guy (with the glasses who brings the dishes from the ground floor to the basement) who really needs to work on his attitude. He yells at customers when he thinks you're in his way and is so sloppy with the dishes. He was also obviously pissed when my friend asked for help carrying her stroller to the ground floor.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: The Best Damn Crab Cioppino with Seafood Enough for Two
Davi
I try to avoid giving bad reviews, but this was the worst pasta I’ve ever had. For it to be ready in 5 minutes, it must have been pre-made. We ordered fettuccine with bay scallops and penne with pesto and bay scallops. All were bad! The service was good tho
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 5
L BM
Cioppino is my absolute favorite & I make it very very good but I just had to try what lots of people call the best cioppino in San Francisco. We waited 50 minutes & got seated at the cramped counter. If you can make a reservation, make it. I think that's how you get a table...? The counter is right along the kitchen. From my seat I was able to witness the dish washing🤢 & cooking right in front of me... loudest restaurant I've ever been to. Ever. When I saw customers willing to sit outside on the sidewalk with people walking by I thought, "This must be the best soup on earth if it's worth all this!" The bread & butter was uneventful & the rest of the menu was not very enticing to me so I just ordered the cioppino. The soup was huge! Definitely enough for 2. The juicy crab was the highlight! The broth was very tasty & didnt just taste like tomato broth. The shrimp was tender & not chewy. Overall it was great but instead of warm buttery crusty bread for dipping, they put pasta in it! Abomination😂 Our waitress with the little bow in her hair was really sweet and attentive.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: The Best Damn Crab Cioppino with Seafood Enough for Two
Sanjiv Khullar
The food is good but the service and seating quality leaves a lot to be desired. Feels a bit like a tourist trap.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 2
Brock Wimberley
Delicious cioppino and good service.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: The Best Damn Crab Cioppino with Seafood Enough for Two, Risotto
Joanie Smith
Definitely a SFO vibe in the Little Italy neighborhood with friendly staff. Food was average and not worth the hype. It was packed on a Monday night so make a reservation if you have more than 3 in your party.
Good: Lobster ravioli and the clam chowder Cons: pasta isn't house made, fettuccine smoked salmon was bland, the halibut with the garlic and olive oil sauce was heavily over powered by the garlic.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Lobster Ravioli, Boston Clam Chowder
Bo Choi (Łö)
Great seafood place! Only complaint is that our stomach was a bit upset afterwards
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
ふじわらたくみ
Fair chowder and crab.
Hannah L
I thought the cioppino was alright (my first and last time having it, so nothing to compare to), although very generous with the seafood portions. Environment is cozy and wasn’t busy when I went around late afternoon. Pasta dishes looked solid though, would order for next time.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Rita Chu
We went to this restaurant early for our dinner as we finished our local tour at around 4:30pm. We ordered some fresh oysters and clams; also the cioppino. They are very fresh and delicious. The restaurant got very busy later. By the time we finished our food, we were presented with a bill without asking. We weren't asked if we wanted coffer or dessert. No doubt they wanted the table for the next seating... Otherwise, I would have given a 5 star rating for the service.
I have not been to this place for a while. Pretty disappointed with our favorite dish, Clam Steamers In Broth was way too salty than I remembered. The oysters were good. But the octopus salad was okay.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
David Qualls
If you’re looking for the best seafood in San Francisco, Sotto Mare is the place to go! The moment you walk in, you’re greeted with a warm, lively atmosphere that makes you feel right at home.
The Cioppino is an absolute must-try—packed with fresh seafood, rich in flavor, and perfectly cooked. Every bite was a reminder of why this place is so highly rated. The oysters, clam chowder, and seafood pasta were also exceptional, showcasing the freshness and quality of their ingredients.
Service was friendly and attentive, even during a busy night, and the overall experience was fantastic. Whether you’re a local or just visiting San Francisco, Sotto Mare is a must-visit for seafood lovers! Can’t wait to come back
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Oysters on Half Shell East & West Coast, The Best Damn Crab Cioppino with Seafood Enough for Two, Fish, Lobster Ravioli
Francesco Villa
Italian-American “fusion” cuisine. All very sincere and easy going. Low prices for San Francisco
Advice: forget about the wine list
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
ドンシクルカ
Alright.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Gary Lim
Food was good , unfortunately we were seated next to a very noisy and inconsiderate group . They were so loud we couldn't have a decent conversation .
The cioppino is to die for! But beware of the portion. You need at least four hungry adults to finish it.
All other dishes were at or below average.
Wouldn't come again if it weren't for the cioppino.
Also, there's this one guy (with the glasses who brings the dishes from the ground floor to the basement) who really needs to work on his attitude. He yells at customers when he thinks you're in his way and is so sloppy with the dishes. He was also obviously pissed when my friend asked for help carrying her stroller to the ground floor.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: The Best Damn Crab Cioppino with Seafood Enough for Two
I try to avoid giving bad reviews, but this was the worst pasta I’ve ever had. For it to be ready in 5 minutes, it must have been pre-made. We ordered fettuccine with bay scallops and penne with pesto and bay scallops. All were bad! The service was good tho
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 5
Cioppino is my absolute favorite & I make it very very good but I just had to try what lots of people call the best cioppino in San Francisco.
We waited 50 minutes & got seated at the cramped counter. If you can make a reservation, make it. I think that's how you get a table...?
The counter is right along the kitchen. From my seat I was able to witness the dish washing🤢 & cooking right in front of me... loudest restaurant I've ever been to. Ever.
When I saw customers willing to sit outside on the sidewalk with people walking by I thought, "This must be the best soup on earth if it's worth all this!"
The bread & butter was uneventful & the rest of the menu was not very enticing to me so I just ordered the cioppino.
The soup was huge! Definitely enough for 2. The juicy crab was the highlight! The broth was very tasty & didnt just taste like tomato broth. The shrimp was tender & not chewy. Overall it was great but instead of warm buttery crusty bread for dipping, they put pasta in it! Abomination😂
Our waitress with the little bow in her hair was really sweet and attentive.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: The Best Damn Crab Cioppino with Seafood Enough for Two
The food is good but the service and seating quality leaves a lot to be desired. Feels a bit like a tourist trap.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 2
Delicious cioppino and good service.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: The Best Damn Crab Cioppino with Seafood Enough for Two, Risotto
Definitely a SFO vibe in the Little Italy neighborhood with friendly staff. Food was average and not worth the hype. It was packed on a Monday night so make a reservation if you have more than 3 in your party.
Good: Lobster ravioli and the clam chowder
Cons: pasta isn't house made, fettuccine smoked salmon was bland, the halibut with the garlic and olive oil sauce was heavily over powered by the garlic.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Lobster Ravioli, Boston Clam Chowder
Great seafood place! Only complaint is that our stomach was a bit upset afterwards
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Fair chowder and crab.
I thought the cioppino was alright (my first and last time having it, so nothing to compare to), although very generous with the seafood portions. Environment is cozy and wasn’t busy when I went around late afternoon. Pasta dishes looked solid though, would order for next time.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
We went to this restaurant early for our dinner as we finished our local tour at around 4:30pm.
We ordered some fresh oysters and clams; also the cioppino. They are very fresh and delicious. The restaurant got very busy later. By the time we finished our food, we were presented with a bill without asking. We weren't asked if we wanted coffer or dessert. No doubt they wanted the table for the next seating...
Otherwise, I would have given a 5 star rating for the service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
I have not been to this place for a while. Pretty disappointed with our favorite dish, Clam Steamers In Broth was way too salty than I remembered. The oysters were good. But the octopus salad was okay.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
If you’re looking for the best seafood in San Francisco, Sotto Mare is the place to go! The moment you walk in, you’re greeted with a warm, lively atmosphere that makes you feel right at home.
The Cioppino is an absolute must-try—packed with fresh seafood, rich in flavor, and perfectly cooked. Every bite was a reminder of why this place is so highly rated. The oysters, clam chowder, and seafood pasta were also exceptional, showcasing the freshness and quality of their ingredients.
Service was friendly and attentive, even during a busy night, and the overall experience was fantastic. Whether you’re a local or just visiting San Francisco, Sotto Mare is a must-visit for seafood lovers! Can’t wait to come back
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Oysters on Half Shell East & West Coast, The Best Damn Crab Cioppino with Seafood Enough for Two, Fish, Lobster Ravioli
Italian-American “fusion” cuisine.
All very sincere and easy going.
Low prices for San Francisco
Advice: forget about the wine list
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Alright.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Food was good , unfortunately we were seated next to a very noisy and inconsiderate group . They were so loud we couldn't have a decent conversation .
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 4
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