Our Story
“At Nopa, we celebrate the land. At Nopa Fish, we celebrate the sea. Our focus is on sustainable sourcing, scratch cooking, simple preparations, and connecting our community to the waters that surround us. At Nopa Fish, you’ll find the best local seafood, welcoming hospitality, and a uniquely San Francisco experience. We’re honored to serve as the fish market in the Ferry Building and proud to be part of this beloved public space.”
- Chef Laurence Jossel
Our Story
The story of Nopa Fish began in San Francisco in 2006, when I co-founded Nopa at the corner of Hayes and Divisadero. From day one, Nopa was built on a deep respect for community, sustainability, and simplicity. We focused on sourcing from local farms and purveyors and fostering connections with the people who grow and catch our food. In April 2025, Nopa turned 19 years old, and our menu still changes every day, featuring simple, honest dishes made from ingredients rooted in Northern California’s seasons.
When the longtime fish market in the Ferry Building closed in 2020, it left a noticeable void in the heart of San Francisco’s maritime culture. An opportunity presented itself—not just to reopen a market, but to reimagine what a fish market and casual seafood restaurant could be: accessible, transparent, delicious, and deeply tied to the people, craft, and ecosystems of the West Coast. That vision became Nopa Fish.
Our fish case reflects the bounty of nearby waters with sustainably caught, traceable seafood that supports family-owned operations that unload their catch at nearby ports, including San Francisco, Monterey, and Bodega Bay. Our mission is to connect residents and visitors alike to incredible food sourced locally and ethically. We are excited to support local fishers, farms, craftspeople, and friends to provide guests with exceptional service and a uniquely authentic San Francisco experience.
Thank you to this talented group of craftspeople who contributed their unique, creative vision to Nopa Fish.
Georgia Hodges
Hand Made Tile Mural
Della Garcia
100 Ceramic Fish
Maren Caruso
Hand Painted Signs
David
Benzler
Hand Painted Signs
McCalman Co.
Branding and Design
Betz Sweeney
Community Tables
Georgy Avakov
Mosaic Blade Sign
Complete
Fabrications
Metal Fabrications
FARMS & FRIENDS
Acme Bread, Avalos Farm, Betz Sweeney, Brokaw Ranch, Brooks and Daughters, David Benzler, Della Garcia, Dirty Girl Produce, Eatwell Farm, Everything Under the Sun, The Falcon & The Filly, Frog Hollow Farm, Full Belly Farm, G&S Farms, Georgia Hodges, Georgy Avakov, Good Faith Farm, Green Thumb Farm, Heirloom Organics, Hudson Pacific Kaki Farm, Kashiwase Farm, Lagier Ranch, Lonely Mountain Farm, Maren Caruso, McCalman. Co, McGinnis Ranch, Monterey Fish, Nopa Farm, Corfini, Oya Organics, Pacific Gourmet, Riverdog Farm, Rojas Family Farm, Ryan Drake, Scott Family Olive Oil, Source Construction, Star Route Farm, Studio KDA, The Peach Farm, Tierra Vegetables, Tomatero Farm, Triple T Ranch, Twin Girls Farm, Two X Sea, Zuckerman's Farm