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    Sotto Mare

    4.3 (6k reviews)
    PriceySeafood, Italian, Bars
    Closed 11:30 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Sotto Mare Reservations

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    SOTTO MARE ATMOSPHERE

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

    Recommended Reviews - Sotto Mare

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    Reviews With Photos

    The Bar
    Leo K.

    I had an absolutely wonderful lunch at Sotto Mare in North Beach. I started with a crisp glass of Pinot Grigio, followed by warm bread with beautiful virgin olive oil and a cup of rich, comforting clam chowder. My seafood linguine in a creamy sauce was outstanding--fresh, generous seafood, perfectly cooked pasta, and a sauce that was flavorful without being too heavy. Every part of the meal was excellent, from the quality of the food to the welcoming, classic San Francisco atmosphere. Five stars all around. Sotto Mare is a North Beach gem and a place I will gladly return to.

    Nicole L.

    I love Sotto Mare. We came 3ish years ago for the clams and 3 years later I'm still loving the clams! Whenever I'm in the area I will make the effort to eat here! The service is fast and efficient~ the shop is small so where they can sit us is where I will eat lol I think we ate 20 clams and 6 west coast 4 east coast oysters (to us east coast did taste better, they were bigger and sweeter)

    East Bay oysters (I wish we got more)
    Jasmine M.

    Great customer service, great food, great vices! A very busy restaurant because it's that good! It can get a bit loud because it's tight inside the restaurant but they do have outdoor seating. 10/10 East Coast oysters. I tell my partner that the smaller the oyster the better the taste. The red sauce they provide with the oysters make it better. Beautiful taste without the sauce also! 7/10 Lobster Ravioli. They give you a huge plate with large raviolis. Cooked perfectly! The star flavor is obviously lobster but I wish there was something else that heighten the flavor. My partner did say that it was hard to distinguish between the pasta and the lobster. We came 30 min before closing (I know I'm sorry) but when we asked for a table, they were unsure but advised us to check in again at 8:50. We hung out at the bar next door -- and honestly the whole block was a vibe because everyone was out!

    Dominic B.

    Finally made it to this institutional SF restaurant after over nine years living here. They don't take reservations, but you can arrive at the door and book one for later in the day. It's very busy so I recommend arriving early if you want to be sat right away. We wanted to sit outside because it was a beautiful day so we put our name down to come back in an hour and went to a nearby bar for drinks. - clam chowder - solid clam chowder and something nice to start with, but was maybe the weakest thing we ordered. Not necessary. - clam pasta - wonderfully cooked clams, but I did think the pasta itself could use a bit more salt - seafood risotto - assorted seafood, cooked with rice. Personally, I felt like it was a bit salty, but the seafood was very perfectly cooked. - cioppino - you're basically see this on every table. It serves two people. Loaded with seafood as well as some penne. Robust flavor with plenty of bread to enjoy the sauce with. Seafood was cooked exceptionally well. Crab was pre-cracked so it was easy to eat. Overall, a really solid experience. There's a reason so many people like it. I felt like they were both tourists and locals visiting. I personally don't think I need to go back, but I would definitely take someone who is visiting here.

    Octopus Salad
    Raquel M.

    What can I say about this delicious restaurant in North Beach first time ever trying it and the food was delicious. We started with octopus salad that was fresh and delicious with a lot of red pepper, peppers and yellow peppers and then we had fresh oysters that were so delicious The West Coast were more meaty. and the East Coast were a little bit more delicate we shared a risotto with fresh seafood that was out of this world highly recommend..

    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.

    Bay Shrimp Cocktail
    Camille P.

    The food was incredibly flavourful, perfect portions and fresh ingredients which is obviously key in a seafood restaurant. The service was fast and friendly and we did not have to wait very long to be served which was nice. The restaurant is a long hall shape so it can be tight and intimate but that's SF so no surprise there. Decor was fun, very coastal and Italian. Definitely would go back to try their signature dishes next time as well!

    The "Best Damn Crab Cioppino"
    Kay L.

    It was worth the wait to sit outside because indoors was too hot, stuffy and cramp. 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!

    Cioppino & Scallop Sauté
    Huy P.

    Came to Sotto Mare for a birthday celebration and here are my thoughts: FOOD: Cioppino (8/10): The broth was mildly bland and a bit more watery than we expected, especially considering all the hype. I wouldn't call it the best cioppino I've ever had, since I've definitely had better, but I did enjoy the seafood in the dish. The portion was very generous and could easily feed two people. Surprisingly, it tasted even better as leftovers the next day, after the flavors had more time to develop. I'd honestly recommend getting it to-go and eating it the next day if you can. You'll also avoid the 2-3 hour wait if you don't have a reservation. Scallop Sauté (10/10): DELICIOUS! The scallops were perfectly cooked, and the garlic sauce was rich, flavorful, and packed with flavor. I'd definitely come back just for this dish! East Coast oysters (9/10): definitely tasted sweeter than the West coast. West coast oysters (10/10): Had a creamier texture which I really liked, but both oysters were delicious with the cocktail sauce and Tabasco that came with it. SERVICE: Definitely make a reservation for groups of 3 or more to avoid a long wait. The staff could be a bit quicker with seating guests, but the service was good overall. AMBIANCE: The restaurant had a fun NY like vibes and was surrounded by lots of other food places that are worth trying. Guests can sit indoors or outside. We were seated indoors in front of the chefs which was a bit hot but still fun to watch them cook. Overall, Sotto Mare was a fun place to celebrate a birthday. I probably wouldn't return specifically for the cioppino, but I'd definitely come back to try some of their other seafood dishes.

    Christin C.

    We ordered the clam chowder, seafood risotto, pasta, and cioppino at Sotto Mare. The seafood seemed fresh and the flavors were good. One critique was the overcooked pasta.

    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 :)

    Combo Louis
    Anthony W.

    An overdue review for Sotto Mare. I went specially for their "Combo Louis." It didn't disappoint. The portion was huge with fresh crab and shrimp. I would say that portion could feed three people as an appetizer, and two people as a complete meal. The clam chowder was excellent as well. That was my first time, but it won't be my last. I have to come back for the petrale sole. Check them out if you haven't been.

    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!

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    24 days ago

    Good cioppino. Not near as good as two years ago. Skimping a little on seafood but still ok.

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    Sotto Mare Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Sotto Mare

    How to do the reservation?

    You have to call them for rezzies. Leave a vmail and they'll return your call.

    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… 

    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.… 

    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.

    View All 75 Questions

    Sabella & La Torre

    Sabella & La Torre

    3.4
    (1.1k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    STOP. DROP. EAT…read more This place is an absolute gem. Food: We started with the clams and mussels, and they were phenomenal. Do yourself a favor and soak every last bit of that broth up with the bread--you won't regret it. Don also surprised us with complimentary scallops, and wow... next-level fresh. Some of the best seafood I've had. Drinks: Hands down the best margaritas I've had in California so far. I also watched Don make a Bloody Mary, and it was like watching someone craft a work of art. Every ingredient was intentional, and you could tell it was made with genuine care. Service: This deserves to be at the top because it's what made the experience unforgettable. Halfway through our meal, I realized my incredible bartender was actually the owner. Don is one of the most humble, genuine, and welcoming people you'll ever meet. His sons and daughter all work in the restaurant, and there's even a photo on the wall of his great-grandfather smoking a cigar while cooking crabs. This isn't just a restaurant--it's generations of family, tradition, and passion served on every plate. You can feel the heart behind this place the moment you walk in. Thank you, Don, for the outstanding hospitality, the amazing conversation, and a meal we'll be talking about for a long time. We'll definitely be back.

    (3/5) I've been coming to this restaurant for many years,…read moreand this was the first visit that left me disappointed. Overall, the food was good, and the service was okay. However, the clam chowder tasted much more like potato chowder than clam chowder, with very little clam flavor. The bread was served warm, but it quickly became chewy, which made it seem like it had been heated in a microwave rather than baked fresh. What stood out the most was the condition of the restaurant. It looked run-down, dated, and, unfortunately, not very clean. After many years of enjoying this place, this was the first time I noticed how much it seems to have declined. I hope management takes the time to refresh the restaurant and improve the overall cleanliness because it has always been one of my go-to spots, and I'd like to see it return to the quality it once had.

    Photos
    Bathroom
    Bathroom
    Calamari :D
    Calamari :D
    Clams and muscles

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    Clams and muscles

    Sotto Mare - seafood - Updated August 2026

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