Cioppino's
Seafood restaurant · Fisherman's Wharf ·

Cioppino's

Seafood restaurant · Fisherman's Wharf ·

Italian seafood eatery serving cioppino & pasta on Fisherman's Wharf

Cioppino's by null
Cioppino's by Eater - Lists + Maps
Cioppino's by null
Cioppino's by null
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Cioppino's by null
Cioppino's by null
Cioppino's by null
Cioppino's by null
Cioppino's by null
Cioppino's by null
Cioppino's by null
Cioppino's by null
Cioppino's by null
Cioppino's by null
Cioppino's by null
Cioppino's by null
Cioppino's by null
Cioppino's by null
Cioppino's by null
Cioppino's by null

Information

400 Jefferson St, San Francisco, CA 94109 Get directions

$$

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Restroom
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Dinner reservations recommended
Cozy

Information

Static Map

400 Jefferson St, San Francisco, CA 94109 Get directions

+1 415 775 9311
cioppinosf.com
@cioppinosf

$$ · Menu

Reserve a table

Features

•Restroom
•Accepts reservations
•Popular for lunch
•Popular for dinner
•Dinner reservations recommended
•Cozy
•Trendy
•Family friendly

Last updated

Dec 14, 2025

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@infatuation
132,805 Postcards · 3,235 Cities

20 Iconic Dishes That Define SF - San Francisco - The Infatuation

"Cioppino was invented in North Beach over a century ago, so it's a requirement for this guide. The Italian soup is at its best at Tadich Grill—the oldest restaurant in California. The FiDi spot does cioppino in hot tub-sized servings. Every order comes with buttery garlic bread for the sopping and a heavy punch of tomato. Not to mention a busload of shellfish like crab legs, shrimp, and mussels." - julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez, patrick wong

https://www.theinfatuation.com/san-francisco/guides/iconic-san-francisco-food
Cioppino's
@eater
391,482 Postcards · 10,994 Cities

Every Restaurant In Vancouver with a Michelin Star | Eater

"An established, heavyweight restaurant in the city's dining scene that was widely expected to receive greater Michelin recognition but was ultimately listed only as a recommended restaurant." - Nikki Bayley

https://www.eater.com/23429021/vancouver-michelin-star-restaurants-2022
Cioppino's
@eater
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Classic Foods and Cocktails Invented in the San Francisco Bay Area | Eater SF

"While this Italian-American seafood stew resembles some tomato-based cousins served around Northern Italy, cioppino is definitively native to San Francisco for one main reason: a true version has to be made with Dungeness crab and Pacific shellfish. The biggest contingent of Italians who immigrated to San Francisco in the late 19th Century were from Liguria, where they made a similar stew called ciuppin, but legend has it that fisherman around North Beach had a community tradition of carrying an empty pot around to their fisherman brethren when they came back empty-handed from a day on the water. Friends were expected to toss in anything extra they might have, resulting in a catch-of-the-day stew, and they expected the same on days when their catch was dismal too. The modern version, according to Saveur, comes from Genoese immigrant Giuseppe Bazzuro at his eponymous SF restaurant, ca. 1850. And like the Provencal French version, bouillabaisse, cioppino is best served with grilled bread. Beyond North Beach haunts like Sotto Mare, you’ll find good versions at Tadich Grill and Woodhouse Fish Co." - Jay C. Barmann

https://sf.eater.com/maps/food-drink-inventions-bay-area-san-francisco
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Cioppino's

Brian S.

Google
This was an excellent choice for a late lunch. In the fisherman’s wharf area, this place is central to a vibrant waterfront district of San Francisco. The food was very good and the wait staff were very attentive. We would recommend it to people visiting this area.

Morgan C.

Google
We stopped here just for a beard bowl of clam chowder! I am happy to say it was so tasty and the bread bowl was perfect crispy in the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. Would definitely recommend a quick stop to enjoy! Perfectly warm on a crisp day.

greg K.

Google
I hate eating in a tourist trap kind a place like fisherman’s wharf, my wife and I just completed a vw bus tour and we were hungry. This place is awesome, they did not skimp on any thing from the quality or service. The appetizer to the entrees, I felt the love of quality throughout. The service was prompt and friendly. I would highly recommend.

Anil S.

Google
Bring your appetite! And get the Cioppino! It's exquisite! Perfect for a cool San Francisco evening. The portion is big enough for two to share, but you won't want to. You will want to savor every bite and soothe your soul. Our servers were friendly, attentive, responsive to our needs and efficient. I will try come back whenever I return to San Francisco. Walking past the other diners, the pizza and pasta dishes looked delicious. What a gem of a restaurant! Thank you! Update: Cioppino's was so good we returned the next night! Part Two was just as delicious!

Miguel R.

Google
Amazing dinner at Cioppino’s! We had the roasted crab, cioppino soup, and fried prawns, all absolutely delicious. The restaurant is beautiful, and our server Rodrigo gave outstanding service. Highly recommend!

Lauren F.

Google
Got the grilled salmon. Very delicious. Service was great. Great location in fisherman’s wharf. We got there right when they opened and we were served very quickly - can’t speak for other times of the day.

Jack H.

Google
With a group of 7 the hosts were very easy going and quickly moved tables so we could sit outside. The appetizers came out quickly and were amazing. The garlic bread was perfect! All of the main dishes were delicious. They even gave us sodas to go and waiters were attentive.

G

Google
Visited San Francisco for the first time staying opposite the restaurant at the Argonaut. Popped in and ordered the clam chowder in a bread bowl, fried King prawns and a scampi linguini. Fog craft beer and a lemonade. The chowder was stunning as was the main courses which were quite large portions. Friendly staff. Worth a visit just for the chowder.
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Kevin G.

Yelp
When I'm in the City, I make a point to go to a different restaurant just to try the crab....and Cioppino's is the best by far! Granted, you don't have to walk far to find a restaurant serving crab on the Wharf - but the way Cioppino's prepares their roasted garlic crab is delicious. The bacon wrapped shrimp was pretty good also. Nice jumbo prawns with crispy bacon. The service was pretty good and the price point was fair being you are in the tourist district. Although I didn't appreciate the $4.50 for a small cup of hot tea (hot water and tea bag).
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Keith R.

Yelp
WOW FACTOR: Yes. Great location and good service. HAVE AGAIN: Excellent blackened snapper (reminded me of blackened redfish in New Orleans). Good garlic cheese bread. Clam chowder needed more clams - just ok. NOT HAVE AGAIN: I didn't care for the cole slaw. Also, I really dislike the 4.9% S.F. Mandate fee.
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Cauê H.

Yelp
I went to this Italian restaurant with my mom and the food itself was fine, but the service was terrible. When we first arrived, it took almost 10 minutes for the waiter to even come to our table and take our order. We ordered pineapple juice, and when he brought it, he accidentally spilled it all over my mom -- and didn't even bother to clean it up or apologize properly, he just walked away. Later he asked if we wanted fettuccine with shrimp or chicken. We said yes, but he never mentioned there was an extra $20 charge for each option. When the bill came, it was $83 before tip, and the waiter rushed me to pay without even giving me time to look carefully at the receipt. Only later I realized that those "options" he offered were actually extra charges. In the end, with tip, I spent $100 -- way more than what we expected. Overall, very poor service and misleading charges. I don't recommend this place at all.
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Eileen M.

Yelp
Everything and everyone was amazing. I wanted crab and I got it!!! Elmer P took great care of me. Nadia the manager was cheerful and greeted me with a smile!!
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Allen L.

Yelp
Great prominent location on the fisherman's wharf right on the water but a bit of a tourist trap. Options for dining inside or outside. Open relatively late, we had dinner around 9pm and they were still fairly busy! Seafood Risotto was good! Clam Chowder in a bread bowl and the Fish & Chips is pretty typical here and a popular choice all over the wharf. Many restaurants here have a similar menu.
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Bill A.

Yelp
Looking for the place to put your feet and during some good margaritas on the rocks this is the place. Got the special of the day avocado toast with a soft boiled egg. They also had other nice happy hour specials so if you are down on the fisherman wharf nice place to drop in and have a happy hour special of food or drinks. Just down from the troll car stop bay side. One of the guest said the meet all's on the happy hour were some of the best he has ever had. Nice staff very family oriented restaurant.
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Tom H.

Yelp
Cooppino's is right near the wharf and close to the hotel I was staying at. Flew in and was looking for a quick bite. Assumed it would be a tourist trap based on location but really enjoyed the food and service. Would be back for sure.
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Beatrix H.

Yelp
we were looking for a restaurant that specifically had pasta and fish&chips, so we were happy to come by! we did note that drinks are a bit pricy with a soda being $5. but our food came out so quick, and our server was very accommodating and would check in frequently. the french fries were a good consistency (crunchy on the outside and soft inside) and we were big fans of the bread!
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Dorcas K.

Yelp
Great location in Fisherman's Wharf (which has become filled with tacky tourist shops). It has a broad menu so something for everyone. Can accommodate big groups. The good: Seafood Fettuccini was tasty with a light tomato / cream sauce. You could taste the seafood, though there wasn't much of it, and it was seasoned well. The OK: Penne with grilled chicken - pretty basic, but filling and good. The bad: Seafood Risotto. This dish was 100% tasteless. Really. It had no taste at all - I couldn't taste the seafood or any seasonings. I bit into a shrimp and it had no taste at all, nothing, zilch, not salty, not anything. That tells me that they have a bit pot of risotto bubbling away on their stove and all the flavor has cooked out. Or that they microwaved it. It was the weirdest thing - no taste at all to the whole dish. A $35 bowl of no taste. Stay away from the Seafood Risotto. Next time I'll try to the other restaurant down the street that starts with "Cap..." - they have fresher seafood that you can actually taste.
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Jennifer T.

Yelp
We stumbled upon this place while walking the SF wharf area on Valentine's day. Somewhat expected needing to wait but we were seated immediately. I got the Cioppino as I saw it on another table as we entered. Taste was good. It is a sort of tomato stew of a bunch of seafood items in it. I opted to have my crab shelled for me so I wouldn't need to struggle with that as I ate. Of course the dish looks more impressive for pictures if you leave the crab whole. It goes well with the toasted bread that comes with it. Nothing foodgasmic but good. The carbonara was good. I took a bite off that plate to taste it. Our server was friendly as was the hostess that seated us. I would not mind coming back.
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Shawn C.

Yelp
Great place near Fisherman's Wharf, but just far enough that's it's not a total zoo. I stopped in for a birthday lunch, and ordered the fish & chips. The batter on the fish was over seasoned, and the fish was a bit mushy so, can't say I'd recommend it. I'd definitely come back again and try something different. Lovely spot to sit outside and people watch. Staff were friendly and attentive.
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Shirley M. F.

Yelp
11/28/2024: Happy Thanksgiving, Peeps Around The Planet! Meeting BF and Family before heading home. BTW: Ironically, Cioppino's used to be a different venue and different restaurant in the 1990's. Everything has drastically changed. FYI: When entering Cioppino's, the olfactory senses float into scintillating, wafting aromas of fresh garlic, squid, seafood, marinara sauces, etc. . . . Oooof~If I wasn't hungry , I'll definitely undergo an inhalation session; however, I inhaled a barrage of turkey and a gargantuan servings of sides just two hours before arriving at Cioppino's! As Ahnold Szwarzenegger has proclaimed, "Ah'll BE back!"
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Amy R.

Yelp
A nice Italian seafood place between fisherman's wharf and Ghirardelli square. As a solo diner I walked right in and sat at the bar and was immediately greeted. Overall the service was good and bartender checked in and made sure all of my needs were met throughout my time dining. There were a couple of TVs on around the bar so I was able to watch the football game that was on too. As a whole, the restaurant had the decor of a nice Italian eatery. I had the sangria to drink, it was pretty average with all of the other sangrias I've had in my lifetime. I ordered the seafood fettuccine since I was craving both seafood and pasta. The pasta was nicely cooked and the mussels were open and easy to eat. The clams I had to work a bit more with. There was plenty of salmon throughout the dish but the downside was the lacking of shrimp and I thought the tomato cream sauce was a bit bland. The dish as a whole though did satisfy my craving but nothing blew me away. They did offer some bread and butter prior to my entree. Despite the average food experience I would come here again. They had lots of things on their menu and seeing some of the other dishes come out to dining patrons, I'd be willing to try something else.
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Jennifer G.

Yelp
They are known for their cioppino - hence the name. The sauce is very good and the seafood was cooked just right but it was incredibly skimpy on the seafood. 3/4 of the dish it came in was the sauce. While it was good, it was not worth $53. The other people in my group liked their pasta. dishes.
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Lawrence L.

Yelp
My buddy took me out for my birthday dinner at Fisherman's Wharf. We picked this place because the exterior atmosphere looks charming and cozy. Of course I had to have the famous clam chowder soup to start off the evening. I added cheese garlic bread (delicious) with my fettuccine & meatballs (noodles were a bit bland), & guzzled down the Alcatraz amber beer. Overall, wonderful dinner, great service, and cozy atmosphere. I live in the city, but felt like a tourist
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Rick I.

Yelp
Came in for dinner on a Thursday evening after touring all day. I'll start by saying that if you have a shellfish allergy, do not order anything fried as its all cooked in the same oil. Due to that, I ordered the linguini carbonara and my wife got the cheese tortellini. Food came out very quickly. The carbonara had real thick pieces of guanciale, very creamy and yummy. The tortellini was made with three colors pasta, also very delicious. For dessert, we had their homemade tiramisu which was fantastic. Only thing I'd say is that I felt they were trying to turn tables quickly, even though there was no wait.
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Bry H.

Yelp
We sat outdoor, it was nice to see the tourists walking around. Servers were very nice and attentive. However, we don't feel the cioppino is worth $49. Taste was good but portion is small; not enough seafood for the price. Willing to come back and try other dishes though. But for now, 3/5.
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Joel G.

Yelp
We have strolled by this place dozens of times over the years. It has a large outdoor patio which is great for mild weather and a good sized interior and bar for the cooler evenings. The place feels just right, not too big, not too small, feels like a mom and pop place. The menu is vast and there is a good choice of wine (and other beverages) to pick from. There are many restaurants where I struggle to find one or two items to choose. At Cioppino's there were at least 6 items I easily could have ordered. Even though fish items are dominant (obviously), I choose the burger with bacon just because I felt like it. It was juicy and delicious and the bacon had like a smoked flavor. The fries were spot on as well. My partner had the breaded prawns which were plentiful and delicious. They had that nice crunch when bitten into. We came in early for dinner due to our schedule before it got busy. The highly spirited server was insanely attentive coming by often to offer more water or drink refills and making sure we were doing OK. Given all the retaurant closures along the Wharf, Cioppino's is a survivor and now we know why. Will definitely be back.
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Kevin M.

Yelp
This is my first visit to this establishment. It's in Fishermans wharf. I dined outside on a beautiful day on April 21, 2025. I was seated immediately, Staff was friendly and accommodating. The menu is extensive. I went for fish and chips, which is always a favorite of mine to try wherever I travel. The food was absolutely perfect. The fish was light and airy, and had a nice crispy Edge. The fries were nicely done. I enjoyed Guinness with it. I think the prices are reasonable, given the location. I added one extra star for the quality of the people watching in this rather special location. The menu looks extensive, there will be a lot more things for me to try when I return.

Nick A.

Yelp
Honestly, this place is as mid as mid gets. I asked my hotel for a food recommendation and they suggested this place. Couldn't have been more basic. Not trying to be rude but I work in the hospitality industry and was hoping for a better recommendation/experience. The food was plain with little flavor. The two beers I drank were the best part. The bartender was a nice guy though.
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Irene C.

Yelp
Mon night dinner at 630 was pretty busy but there were seats available The food came out super fast Casual place, good low key without having to dress up Food was delicious Cioppino feeds 2! We could barely touch our platter The tiramisu was delicious & I actually don't like tiramisu but I enjoyed this one. The rum was not strong. The top layer of cream is very rich. The bad: servers were so busy, we had to flag our server down for water refills and check.
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S R.

Yelp
Went here with a large group of they were able to accommodate us and the location is so convenient to everything touristy. We were all a bit skeptical that the food would be ok and the service would lack but not the case. The food was great. I got the clams with a side of bread. Everyone got pasta and pizza and we had no leftovers. Two of our guests have severe allergies and the staff accommodated it wonderfully even when we did bring up a concern. Overall recommend if you are in the area. Lots of choices to eat, service is good and food is good.
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Ray O.

Yelp
Food, service and Ambiance was very nice. Still took us even with no reservation and the place got packed shortly after we got our food. Waiter was very efficient, fast and all requests were handled quickly. No room for deserts but will definitely make room the next time I come here, and YES! I will be back!!!!
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Helene W.

Yelp
Fabulous. 4 of us raved over the food. Cioppino was the best. Our waitress was so pleasant. Prices were reasonable. Thank you very much for a great dining experience. We shared 2 appetizers and the Cioppino which was delish! and plenty of fish and sauce for all of us. Shared a apple tart, yummy and just perfect for ending our marvelous meal. What a find! Highly recommend this restaurant on right on the water. Perfect!!!!
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Shanette M.

Yelp
Service: Nice, friendly and very professional. As soon as i walked in i felt welcomed. Food: The food was good. I enjoyed the pasta, and my friend enjoyed her fish. The alcoholic drinks are watered down and overpriced. Ambiance: Very clean.
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Patrick O.

Yelp
It's been a while since we were there but the Calamari appetizer I shared with my wife still stands out as one of the most amazing I ever had. We were "Grazing" from restaurant to restaurant ordering drinks and appetizers from one place and then moving off to try the wares at another. At Cioppino's we ordered the Steamed Clams $20 and of course the Calamari $19. I think that squid was so fresh it must have been swimming in the ocean that morning because it almost melted in your mouth it was so fresh and tender. It was a little pricey but hey, we were on vacation mode so the cost was incidental to the yum factor. We will hit that one up again when next we return to San Francisco.
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Monique M.

Yelp
Came in with a large party. We tried to make reservations ahead of time but we were advised that they have a limit of 8 people per reservation. So once we got there, we were seated at two separate tables of 8 people each. We ordered drinks. The staff was nice. But then shortly after the manager came by and offered to move us into a separate dining area which would be able to accommodate the whole party together. We were very pleased about that. The food came out great. Lots of flavor. Again staff was just amazing. We had a wonderful experience and plan on returning again
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Adam B.

Yelp
Me and my girlfriend's family were looking for a place to eat lunch in Fisherman's Wharf and we were recommended Cioppino's by a friend. Cioppino's was a really nice restaurant. The service was incredible and the atmosphere was really cool. The reason I give the service and incredible status is because our waiter was so on-top of things. He would consistently come back to refill our waters, he took our empty plates almost immediately and he didn't make us wait long for when we were ready to order. Again, very good service. The food was also very delish! I was a little disappointed that they didn't give complimentary bread for the table, as that's usual for an Italian restaurant, but I won't hold it against them. What I got, was the "Shrimp Aurora". It was, again, really tasty. From my personal experience, I would give this restaurant 4-stars. I give it that because I think it was good Italian food, but I think there's better out there, more authentic Italian. I would consider this simple Italian food. That being said, I would recommend Cioppino's if you're looking for Italian food that hits the spot but also isn't crazy fancy and too expensive!
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Jacey D.

Yelp
Stopped here after a long travel day and it hit the spot. Delicious cheese tortellini and prawn cocktail! Loved the easy going music that paired with the wharf ambiance. Service was great and we enjoyed a late lunch.
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Aaron

Yelp
Excellent service. I highly recommend many visits. Specially with the reasonable prices
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Mira C.

Yelp
Tried this spot for the first time with my boyfriend because we heard that the clam chowder was good. We shared the bowl and both said the chowder was a solid, but the bread bowl was a bit stale. The carbonara that I ordered had pretty big pieces of pancetta which was great and overall portions for the pasta were worth the price. Recommend this if you love something savory! The seafood fettuccine was also super flavorful. Service was friendly and quick and overall the ambiance was casual! This is a great spot for larger parties as well
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Salina X.

Yelp
We ordered one Garlic Dungeness Crab, Cioppino, and Fisherman's Platter to share between three people. It was a lot of food. The crab was good. The fisherman's platter was great. This was my first time having cioppino and it was just ok to me. I just don't think cioppino is something that I really care for generally speaking.
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Nicole T.

Yelp
We were in the area on a Sunday night with a group of 12 of us. We were looking around for a restaurant, knowing this area is full of tourist and mediocre food. We choose this restaurant and was pleasantly surprised with the ambiance and spacious restaurant. We were seated in 2 tables that were next to each other fairly quickly. We ordered: Fish and chips - tons of fresh crispy fries and nicely battered fish, very crispy and full of flavor. Highly recommended Clam chowder - nice creamy broth. Recommended Clams and linguine with white white sauce - always a hit or miss with me, but this was also really yummy, sauce was savory. Recommended as well. Seafood risotto- probably my least favorite of the entrees. Fried Calamari - so crisp and tender All desserts were wonderful! We were pleasantly surprised, during the meal, we kept complimenting the dishes and how surprised that the food was good for a 3.7 star rated place
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Shelby C.

Yelp
I had high hopes for Cioppino, especially since they were able to seat our party of seven immediately without reservations (which made sense after tasting the food). The friendly staff was a nice touch, but unfortunately, that's where the positives ended. The food felt mass-produced and lacked the quality I remember from previous visit years ago. The cioppino was a disappointment--I've definitely had better elsewhere. The rest of the dishes tasted bland, reminiscent of a hospital meal: no salt, no flavor. On a brighter note, the cheese pizza was surprisingly decent. It's hard to mess up a classic like that. The place has a large dining area and a pretty big bar. But overall, this place was decent in the past, and it feels like it's fallen off significantly. I doubt I'll be returning anytime soon nor do I recommend.
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Jiansen W.

Yelp
AMBIANCE Cioppino's, aptly named after it's invention of the classic San Franciscan seafood stew, is a seafood restaurant in San Francisco's historic waterfront, Fisherman's Wharf. SERVICE Staff were friendly, attentive, and helpful with recommendations for a party of 10+! FOOD 5/5 ROASTED SHELLFISH MEDLEY (garlic butter shellfish heaven and envy of the table): Dungeness crab legs, Jumbo shrimp, clams, and mussels roasted in garlic and extra virgin olive oil. Served with garlic pasta
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Desiree W.

Yelp
Everything was amazing ... Food , Drinks and service I definitely recommend this restaurant if you're in san francisco down by fisherman's wharf, Absolutely delicious. And it's a short walk from all the attractions and a beautiful view of the san francisco bay
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Kamryn G.

Yelp
Meal was okay; the cioppino was good but not worth the price; the crab cakes tasted fresh but overcooked/tough to cut; we also ordered garlic bread and the pear salad which were pretty good. The service was really sweet but went MIA often. It's very touristy; lots of families. It was fun but probably don't have a reason to come back
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Tatyana H.

Yelp
Everything was wonderful from the ambiance, food quality and service! My Mom, Grandma and I visited Cioppino's for the first time since I was visiting from La. We love some good Italian and seafood, and that's exactly what we got! Food was amazing, from the quality of cheese in the tortellini, the perfect crisp on the fried fish platter, and the creamy white sauce in the Alfredo. And let's not forget about the music !! Just brought me back and we reflected and bonded over memories and old movies ( Lifetime LOL) the songs would in. Our Server Vicente L was absolutely spectacular. Handsome man, nice smile, good aura and does his job swiftly! I genuinely love when a server knows when to visit you and comes in just at the perfect times. Overall great experience and when I come back to visit, this restaurant will for sure be one of my first stops back ! We had a great time, Thank you Cioppino's !!
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Anthony P.

Yelp
My wife and I decided to rate the local clam chowder while we were visiting San Francisco and the warf. Cioppino's clam chowder was not as good as Boudin oyster restaurant's clam chowder. The reason for the bad review was actually for Cioppino's calamari. We actually finished our soup and about 10 minutes later we received the calamari. It tasted a little overcooked but the actual calamari was very tender. With that being said, the plate as well as the batter were soaked in oil. It was like they cooked it, forgot to bring it to us so they dropped it in the oil to heat it up again. When it got to the table it was slightly warm at best. Sorry Cioppino's, the visit was not what we thought it would be. Not worth the $20
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Alyssa Y.

Yelp
Husband absolutely wanted cioppono when we were in town and cioppionos was two blocks from where we were staying. We went in a mid week evening and had no issue getting inside seating. Service was excellent. Kids got pastas and husbands and I split a cioppoino. Splitting for two was the perfect amount. It was all tasty and super fresh seafood with just the amount of spice. Serving sizes were large so recommend splitting or planning on taking some to go, which might it be ideal if you are visiting the city. Prices matched the touristy location but weren't outrageous. One note is that we did often see people dining outside and there is a lot of foot traffic walking by and we also noticed a car club gathering next door in the weekends. Their high nose level of music and car engines might not be for everybody so take that i to consideration if you are there on a weekend afternoon/evening. Overall, solid choice for Italian in the area.
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Joshua L.

Yelp
My wife and I were craving pasta for our last night in SF and were pleasantly surprised when we stumbled across Cioppino's. We were seated quickly despite it being a busy Friday Night. The staff were friendly and helpful with my wife's wine pairings. That being said service was a little slow but I mainly attribute that to how busy they were. We started with the fried Calamari which was amazing. Flaky with just the right amount of chew. I had the seafood fettucine while she had the Alfredo with salmon. Both dishes tasted great and my only knock was the Alfredo that for a pasta dish to not include any protein it felt a little more on the expensive side.
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Monica N.

Yelp
decided to eat here for a late lunch because i was looking for outdoor, shaded, dog friendly seating. the hostess and waiter had outstanding service. they were both very friendly and attentive. i asked if they had dog friendly food and the waiter suggested the grilled chicken, confirming that it was unsalted. my food came out quick and tasted fresh. thank you for a lovely dining experience, and accompanying me and my furry friend!
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Darryl D.

Yelp
I ordered their speciality Cioppino it was a disappointment. I could tell the seafood wasn't fresh. They placed a cold crab on top so the crab didn't absorb the flavor of the soup. And for a large bowl of soup, they gave you only two slices of bread if you wanted more, you'd have to buy a side order of their bread.
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Sammi Y.

Yelp
The food is good here - calamari is perfectly cooked and crunchy yet light breading. The Louie salad has a variety of seafood and is really fresh. Clam chowder is worth a try. The cioppino has a good amount of seafood and great flavor. How does it compare to sotte mare and woodhouse? Sotto mare has the most seafood yet the flavor is a bit watered down; woodhouse is top notch all around ... cioppino's is solidly right in between. The restaurant is very large so you can definitely get a table even on a weekend but I still recommend making reservations. Just to note - there's no real water view but you can still see the ships. Service is good but the staff has large areas to cover so not the most attentive. Overall, I recommend checking it out!
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Mychel E.

Yelp
I'm surprised this place only got a 3.7 rating on yelp! I rely heavily on yelp reviews since they have proven more trustworthy and accurate than company websites and Google so this place wouldn't have been on my radar if it had not been recommended by a fellow foodie! The place opens at 11am and we arrived at 1130am (we're early birds!) we were greeted and quickly seated (inside next to a window, favorite kind of spot!) our server was kind and attentive. Not really talkative but that was great since we were hungry and not in a chit chat mood anyways. The ambiance is casual, welcoming and open. The place looks and smells clean walking in. The smells from the kitchen (which is open) were delightful. I ordered the Cioppino since this place is known for it and I'm given to understand that it's "uniquely San Fransiscan". I love seafood and I love soup. This dish is both! It's described as "lusty and flavorful" and I would have to agree! My cioppino came out piping hot with two toasted slices of sourdough. There was tons of seafood in it: fish, Dungeness crab legs (out of shell is $6) mussels, clams, snapper, shrimp and calamari was plentiful in this soup and everything was perfectly cooked. Nothing too chewy. The only thing I wished for is colder weather! I haven't tasted much else from this place but based on the Cioppino dish alone I would definitely recommend this place. PS- the bathrooms were clean too!
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Isabella C.

Yelp
The service here is great. They sat our large party quickly and the food arrived fast and hot. The restaurant itself was clean and nicely decorated. It's right on the wharf and a 2 minute walk from the argonaut hotel. However the food itself is pretty plain. It's not bad, but it's not good either. Had to add a lot of salt and pepper to our plates. It's expensive but think of it as paying for convenience and a nice clean place by the water vs paying for the foot itself. If you need somewhere to eat after getting to your hotel, this place will take care of you quickly.
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Sue R.

Yelp
Fantastic food and excellent service. Although I am a local, this place never fails to impress. Went with some out-of-towners and they loved it too!
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Crystal C.

Yelp
We came here for my daughter's sweet 16 lunch ordered an appetizer of garlic fries they were really good. Could you use some more garlic and a lot more cheese and maybe melt the cheese if you like cheese if not, then it was the right amount of cheese, but it was not melted. I ordered the fish and chips and they were so good fresh tasting. The fish was delicious and the fries were crisp and so good. The birthday girl ordered linguine and meatballs and her Besty ordered the kids linguine. They were the same exact portions so if you can get away with ordering off the kids menu do it because it is the same portion you can look in the pictures they even have a kids linguine with meatballs. It's a little bit more I think that one's $22 instead of the eight but the portion sizes are the same the plates look different but the portion size is exactly the Same. I also ordered a margarita and it was very strong. It was $15 I don't usually drink so I guess for somebody who likes to drink it is worth the buck that you pay but I am a little buzzed and it's probably because I don't drink so that should tell you how strong I got margaritas and yes, I finished it even though I didn't like the taste of it. The servers from the host who shot us to our server awesome. Awesome awesome. So kind so sweet. They even celebrated my daughter on her birthday. It was a special treat and we appreciate it. I've been coming to Cioppinos for years they never disappoint. They are always fresh fast on points. I definitely suggest you try this out for a lunch or a drink or a dinner. They have clam chowder bowls that are really really good and the bread will come from the sourdough company if you know what that is you know that is dang good sourdough.
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Rodrigo C.

Yelp
Great place to have lunch around Fisherman Wharf. The linguine with clams was delicious. Our server was attentive. Restaurant for sure had an Italian American vibe which was great. The soup and Bloody Mary were not that great. Next time I will try the original Cioppino