Sotto Mare

Great seafood and pasta restaurant! We called 1 day ahead to reserve a spot; it'll be hard to get in without a reservation. The place was very cramped and busy, but from the quality of the food I can see why! Service was okay. Complimentary bread was tough on its own, but you can dip it in your pasta sauces/soups after you finish and it tastes so good! Oysters and clam chowder was okay. Lobster ravioli wasn't my favorite, but the sauce was great. I would definitely recommend getting the smoked salmon fettuccine because the salty salmon contrasted great with the creamy sauce and pasta! Portion sizes were also surprisingly great and my group of 3 were full from sharing these dishes. Overall, if you're in the area and craving seafood or pasta, I would definitely recommend checking it out!

Great seafood restaurant—definitely worth a visit. The food was excellent and the service was good. However, the wait time was incredibly long, so I highly recommend making a reservation if possible. It is always packed. The seating arrangements could also be improved, especially for the price you pay.

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!

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.

Good seafood at reasonable price. $2 oysters were fresh. Clams on half shell also nice. Portions are huge. Crab Louie is a mountain of lettuce with lots of fresh, crab meat. Clam chowder was solid but didn't stand out. Overall i enjoyed the meal.

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.

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!

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.