Sotto Mare

"Yes, Scoma’s on Fisherman’s Wharf is a tried-and-true Italian seafood classic, but Sotto Mare is divier, more rambunctious, and ultimately feels more like a party we want to be invited back to, again and again. Tickets fly across the restaurant on a clothesline while staff grill scallops and plate humongous portions of linguine with clams from behind the bar. And life-sized swordfish, photos of past guests and city scenes, and other maritime-themed paraphernalia cover every square inch of the wall, in case you forgot this place is all about seafood. Ordering the cioppino (and wearing the plastic bib that comes with it) is non-negotiable here—it’s loaded with everything that swims, from crab legs and shrimp to mussels and squid, and so big you could practically fall in. Food Rundown photo credit: Carly Hackbarth The “Best Damn Crab Cioppino” This soup is packed with sea creatures—we wouldn’t be surprised if they started yodeling about dinglehoppers. If you’re coming here, you’re getting this. New England Clam Chowder This gravy-like soup is a mandatory starter here. It’s got a glossy finish, plenty of bouncy clams, and a menu disclaimer ensures that “Yes, there’s bacon in it!”. Use the free bread to mop up the dregs. Linguine With Manila Clams Slightly mushy and 85% cream, this is the kind of middling pasta you should expect from an old-school North Beach spot. Lean into it." - Julia Chen

"Locals and tourists swarm to Sotto Mare for an exemplary taste of San Francisco’s famous seafood creation: cioppino, an Italian American stew likely adapted by Ligurian immigrants in North Beach. It’s on nearly every table at this kitschy establishment, served in heaping silver bowls for two that brim with slightly spicy tomato broth, Dungeness crab, assorted Pacific shellfish, and some penne pasta thrown in for good measure. Other seafood staples like Louie salads round out the meal." - Dianne de Guzman, Eater Staff

"This very North Beach neighborhood restaurant, in a historic building with kitsch crammed onto the walls, has been run by several different Italian American families over the years and talks a big game. During the season, tie on a bib for crab cocktail, crab Louis, crab diavolo over linguine, or “the best damn cioppino in San Francisco.”" - Becky Duffett, Eater Staff

"Sotto Mare embodies everything we love about North Beach. The Italian seafood spot feels like a divey, rambunctious party revolving around seafood—it’s where to go for bowls of cioppino so big you could fall in, and giant portions of linguine with clams. Expect controlled chaos inside. Tickets fly across the restaurant on a clothesline, and every square inch of wallspace is covered by life-sized swordfish, slightly askew photo frames, and other maritime-themed paraphernalia. Throw on your requisite plastic bib, roll up your sleeves, and get to cracking those crab legs. " - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez

"Boston clam chowder reigns supreme at this kitschy Italian North Beach restaurant. The chowder is more like a gravy, with a glossy finish and a disclaimer on the menu reading “Yes, there’s bacon in it!” There’s free endless bread here, which is great if you’re someone who likes a carb mop for your chowder. Sit at the bar with your steaming hot bowl and pass the time counting the number of fake sea creatures on the walls. " - julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez