Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
Cioppino is a tomato-and-wine seafood stew of Dungeness crab, clams, mussels, prawns and white fish, invented by Genoese fishermen in San Francisco's North Beach.
Cioppino was born in San Francisco. It dates to the 1890s, when Ligurian fishermen working out of Fisherman's Wharf would 'chip in' a piece of the day's catch to a communal pot, simmered with tomato, garlic, fennel and white wine. The name comes from the Genoese ciuppin, a fish stew of the home country. Bazzurro's, an early Italian room on Fisherman's Wharf, served it from the late 1800s, and Sotto Mare on Green Street keeps the standard now. The dish is Dungeness-led between November and June; outside the season, kitchens substitute King crab. Eat it with the bib, the fingers and a torn loaf of Acme sourdough.
4 editor picks for Cioppino in San Francisco, ranked by editorial score. All San Francisco signature dishes · Cioppino across every city.
Also in: Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Sotto Mare in San Francisco is the North Beach Italian seafood room that does the city's best cioppino, a 12-table room that takes a few reservations.
OrderThe cioppino for two; the kitchen's whole reputation in one bowl.
TipWear an apron, no exceptions; the cioppino is not negotiable on splatter.
Anchor Oyster Bar in San Francisco is a 22-seat Castro counter that has served Dungeness, cioppino and clam chowder the same way since 1977.
OrderThe cioppino in season, with a side of garlic bread.
TipNo bookings; arrive at 16:30 for the early seating or after 21:00 when the line thins.
Tadich Grill in San Francisco is California's oldest continuously running restaurant, opened in 1849 in the Financial District, still grilling over mesquite.
OrderSand dabs grilled over mesquite, or the Hangtown Fry at lunch.
TipNo reservations except for parties of six or more; lunch counter seats turn over fastest.
Scoma's in San Francisco is the 1965 Pier 47 seafood room at Fisherman's Wharf, with the Lazy Man's cioppino served from a 60-year-old family recipe.
OrderLazy Man's cioppino, with the shells pre-cracked by the kitchen.
TipReservations open 30 days out; the bar takes walk-ins from 12:00 and is the best seat for a single diner.
Cioppino makes more sense with someone from San Francisco explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Explore the history-rich restaurant scene of North Beach in San Francisco on a curated, multi-course food tour. Enjoy appetizers, an entree, and a dessert as you disco...
Guided tour · 3 hours
Discover San Francisco on our Secret Food Tour! Explore North Beach & Chinatown with 5+ tastings, from dim sum to Pacific-fresh pizza, plus hidden history, culture, an...
Guided tour · 10 hours
Leave San Francisco behind to immerse yourself in the peace and quiet of the Muir Woods. Join this guided tour to visit Sausalito and Sonoma, then enjoy two wine tasti...
