San Francisco City Walk – Italian Food Find 🍝✨

While exploring downtown San Francisco, I stumbled upon a hidden Italian gem: Sotto Mare (which I later learned means “under the sea” 🌊). It’s nestled in the charming Little Italy neighborhood near the Transamerica Pyramid. Even the sidewalks here are painted in the colors of the Italian flag 🇮🇹! We walked about 20 minutes south from Pier 39 — our car was parked near the Ferry Building at Pier 1, and we wanted to avoid backtracking. The detour was totally worth it. The restaurant is cozy — to the left is a bar and open kitchen, with guests chatting over meals; to the right, a row of small tables along the wall, mostly for two. We were seated outside by the friendly host, and on this sunny mid-December day, the weather was perfect for alfresco dining ☀️. Our server, a sweet-voiced blonde with a classic California accent, was warm and attentive. We ordered: 🍚 Seafood Risotto – The rice was cooked just right, each grain coated in rich, savory seafood broth. The squid was tender and sweet, and the clams and mussels were fresh and clean. 🍲 Cioppino (Crab & Seafood Stew) – Served with macaroni in the broth. Dipping the complimentary bread into the rich, tomato-based soup was heavenly! Though the ingredients were similar to the risotto, the preparation offered a different kind of comfort — a true treat for seafood lovers. #SottoMare #LittleItalySF #ItalianFood #Cioppino #SeafoodRisotto #SFCityWalk #HiddenGem #SanFranciscoEats #AlfrescoDining #FoodDiscovery