50 Best Italian Restaurants near El Cerrito

“Honestly the best tasting marinara and meatballs I’ve tasted outside of Italy.
Super selection of great European wines and very reasonably priced. On top of that, the owners of this cute little operation are the nicest people. What’s not to like ?“

“One of my favorite local spots. Tonight had the seafood ravioli with shrimp…delicious! Our server was Dolly! She made me a good Manhattan and gave me sweet dessert for my birthday. Thanks Dolly for the wonderful service.“

“Amazing service and food!!!!“

“Wow, what a great restaurant. As soon as we walked in we were greeted kindly by the hostess. She was so sweet and even checked in on us during dinner. Our server Joselyn was very helpful and attentive. She helped steer us in the right direction of what to order since everything on the menu looked delicious. The food was outstanding. The portions aren't super big but perfect which allowed us to order a few entrees. We started with the pan seared brussel sprouts, stuffed calamari, & roasted baby carrots. We then ordered the ricotta strangulet, pumpkin caramelle, braised short rib cappellacci, and the drunken mafaldine. Wow, everything was truly amazing and cooked to perfection. We didn't have room for dessert but our bill came with a tiny assortment of cookies which was the perfect way to end our meal. Thank you Sorrella, we will definitely be back to enjoy your amazing cuisine.“

“Great leisurely lunch with girlfriends. Staff was friendly attentive. The butternut squash ravioli was to die for! Nice ambiance (we sat outside). Enjoyed!“

“It had been at least a decade if not longer since I last visited Zuni Cafe and it felt just as it did all those years ago in the best way possible! Lovely ambience as always and great service. I raved about the chicken for months to my kids and although the bread salad was perfect, the chicken served was quite dry. Aside from that, we enjoyed a lovely afternoon at Zuni“

“Excellent service and great food!“

“My daughter took me and the hubby here for our Thanksgiving celebration since she couldn't come home (Sac) for actual Thanksgiving, we went to her. This was a night I won't soon forget! Having a nice meal with our daughter was a treat, the service was amazing and the food....OMG! Every bite of every dish I tasted was so so delicious! I can't get the butternut soup out of my head it was THAT good! We all ordered different food & shared bites with one another. This night was so enjoyable! Thank you, Sis & Thank you Mama Oakland!“

“Amazing service and food!!!!“

“Great atmosphere and delicious food! Outdoor dining, too!“

“Short wait on a Friday night for 7 of us. Really small place but the wait staff and owner very friendly and everyone was very happy with their meal. If I lived here I would go back.“

“I’m here for business from Canada. Was taken here for supper by a coworker. The quaintest little restaurant, the owner and his wife are just awesome. The food is gorgeous! And his limoncello is the best I’ve ever had. Will be going back before I head home. ❤️❤️❤️“

“The lamb chops were phenomenal!“

“It was our first time and the service was amazing. Our dinner was more than excellent, the grilled pork chops with sweet potato puree best ever tasted. Great selection in red wine and great atmosphere! Owners were there and were very welcoming and down to earth! 100% recommended“

“Had a luncheon @ Perbacco with my 9 coworkers and Manager to say “goodbye & farewell” to a retiring coworker and “welcome” to a new coworker. Started with a round of hors d'oeuvre’s. The thin sliced veal with a sauce and capers was delicious! The fried shrimp, veggies and olives/anchovies…also with a sauce was awesome as well. For my main, I had CRESTE DI GALLO - semolina pasta - wild mushroom ragu - spinach - ricotta salata. Our waiter was the best! I saved one of the sugar cookies from my deserts…Burnt Carmel Gelato. Mentioned it to our waiter and as we were leaving, I heard “Sir! Sir!” He brought me one of their meringue cookies to also share with my partner! I thought that was just awesome! Top notch food and customer service. We’ll be back!“

“Excellent food and service. My friends from NYC enjoyed their dinners as well. Will definitely be back!“

“My favorite thing here is the linguine with mussels. I never order anything else, so I can't really comment on the rest of the menu. My husband had the burger, which he thought was fine, and the couple behind us had the skirt steak which he wished he'd ordered. Wine and beer list is great.“

“The food was really good. The standouts were the Calamari Fritti, Caponatta, and the Cosacca. The Ruccola was the only dish that felt flat, but tasted fresh. Service was good and we luckily did not need a reservation. Would definitely return and it's recommended!“

“One of the most underrated restaurants in SF. Samuel took great care of us. We got the Rigatoni Vodka, pasta of the house and the Tagliatelle Bolognese, which were all awesome. The Caesar salad might be the best we’ve ever had. Oh and they had live music. Great meal, special restaurant. Will come back again and again!“

“The best Italian I’ve ever had. Great service great drinks as well.“

“Lovely friendly Italian wine bar and delicious restaurant. Fresh innovative salads, pastas and main courses. Highly recommended.“

“Went for dinner and had a great experience. Ordered a ton of dishes, all vegetarian, for a group of 5. My personal favourite was focaasio and pineapple pizza. Also loved the tiramisu at then end. Had a great vibe overall, and it's a good option for a date and frinds' group.“

“(Make a reservation)
We arrived at Capo’s around 7:20 pm on a Saturday and were told we would have to wait 40 minutes for a table.
As hungry travelers, we said thank you and as we were about to leave, the hostess finds a nook and sat us down outside. I appreciate the fact that she did us that favor.
There were no patio heaters, so if sitting outside or walking in during busy hours, expect to dine outside in the cold with no heat (during winter).

(The Staff)
It was a very busy night, but the staff did a spectacular job in checking in on us.

(The Food)
The appetizers come in a reasonably sized portion, we ordered the garlic bread with mozzarella and was given a complimentary dish of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
My partner ordered the meat lasagne and I ordered the rigatoni alla vodka with smoked pancetta. The food was really good, it’s unlike anything I have ever had.
Take in mind that the dishes do serve up to 2 people, on busy nights it make take a bit to get your food, and regular pizzas take up to 20 minutes to bake, deep dish pizzas take up to 45 minutes to bake (but they look like they are worth the time!)

(Conclusion)
I would have loved to sit inside, the vibe is really nice. If you are looking for authentic Italian food with a nice atmosphere and friendly staff, book a reservation at Capo’s.“

“Awesome yummy food with a friendly atmosphere and Great Service“

“Fresh, delicious. Some of the best brown butter & sage sauce I’ve had in a while.“

“Great Service and food. The waiter was amazing and recommended great wine and food“

“Awesome food and outstanding service“

“My wife and I went here for a Italian supper and wow was it good! Only good things to say about this place, and the best service we have had In years. We were very impressed!“

“You gotta love an elevated neighborhood pasta place. Their staff has always been nice and helpful. their menu (although it changes pretty frequently) is always good. It's also nice to have a pasta place actually offer gluten free pasta that is as good as their other pasta!“

“This place was one of the best highlights of our trip!! Real Italian food. The owners were real gentlemen. The way that they worked that restaurant was amazing. I was amazed by their food and service, both authentic. My friend and I had the best time. We would go again and again!“

“While visiting San Francisco for work, I had the pleasure of dining at Cafe Tiramisu, and it quickly became a highlight of my trip! From the moment I walked in, the staff was incredibly welcoming – Giuseppe and Christian went above and beyond to make me feel right at home. Christian, my server, recommended the lobster escargot, and I have to say, it’s one of the best dishes I’ve ever had! The Spaghetti Nero with house-made pasta and local seafood was equally outstanding. This family-owned restaurant prides itself on creating as much as possible in-house, and it truly shows in the quality and freshness of the food. As the name would suggest, the tiramisu was also top notch. The ambiance is warm and inviting, with both cozy indoor and charming outdoor seating. Whether you're looking for an intimate meal or a great spot to relax after a long day, Cafe Tiramisu is a must-visit. You won’t be disappointed! I will absolutely return anytime I’m in San Francisco.“

“Food is incredible and the service is second to none. Best place in the marina.“

“Best pizza in the Bay Area - Hands down - not even a contest. For not just me and my family but so many visitors I’ve taken to them. Oh - and the Cambrian chillies!!

Don’t overthink it - just go and you’ll be glad you did.“

“Beautiful locale, cozy and delicious food.“

“Kicking off the New Year with a meal at Serafina, perched atop Russian Hill, feels like coming home. This beloved neighborhood gem is where familiar faces gather and every dish is crafted with care. Known for its exceptional homemade pasta and decadent, house-made desserts, Serafina radiates a warmth you want to share with friends visiting from out of town. The journey up to Russian Hill—300 feet of San Francisco’s classic charm—only adds to the only in San Francisco experience. PS: One of the best gnocchi I've had outside NYC.“

“Great food. Great experience“

“Great atmosphere, impeccable service, friendly & welcoming staff. Most of all, great food. This is our second time and it didn’t disappoint. We’re visiting from SoCal in Orange County. Thank you!“

“I love this restaurant. Many years ago I was in Florence and had the best meal of my life at a tiny restaurant I randomly passed by - it was a gnocchi dish with a gorgonzola cream sauce topped with chopped fresh arugula. I never order gnocchi and really never order anything with cream sauce but MAN that was memorable. When I saw this on the menu at Bocconcino (sans arugula, sadly) I had to try it and it brought me right back to that meal in Florence. So. Good. My daughter orders the spaghetti with marinara at Bocconcino. And even something as simple as that is totally to die for there. Great environment and friendly staff too. Both times we ate here we arrived very early for a reservation and they were able to seat us right away. Will be returning soon!“

“The food was amazing, home cooking at its best! My whole family, including my picky eaters, loved the food!😋“

“One of the best tasting pizza I’ve tasted I highly recommend this place.“

“Delicious food and excellent service! Highly recommend!“

“Very nice portions and very friendly! Enjoyed the people and the food!“

“Great vibe and service! Outdoor seating is cozy and clean, lovely place to stop by for the midday bites, drinks and some casual chitchat. Loved the burrata crostini, calamari and salami pizza. Would love to go again and try out their dinner and lunch menu some time.“

“Been to Hotel Mac many many times and never ever been disappointed. The menu often varies with excellence across the board. Just celebrated my 70th birthday there. Wonderful evening in a great atmosphere.“

“If you like dark places to enjoy your meal- go! If you like great service- go! If you’re into gnocchi that’s like mamas-go! From start to finish all and all a great meal at a great value. And a very generous bartender/server. Thank you!“

“Hands down one of the best meals we’ve had in a long time. Everything was incredible; the Caesar salad, veal carpaccio, spaghetti and meatballs, manicotti, and that tiramisu to finish it off.

But honestly, what made the night special was Jennifer and her husband. They treated us like family, not customers. You can feel how much heart they put into this place. The food’s amazing, but it’s the warmth and hospitality that make it unforgettable. Can’t wait to come back.“

“When I can’t sleep, I remember the time I had dinner here and I miss the taste of this place.“

“Perfect Italian authentic restaurant when enjoying North Beach neighborhood for my friends birthday! I got us tickets to dear San Francisco, which is a wonderful show at Club Fugazi just 3 blocks away from this great restaurant! Paolo took wonderful care of us. His wine, suggestions and appetizer and entrée tips were the best! The pasta is homemade and very delicious and special. We tried the gnocchi with pesto, as well as a delicious braised meat, red sauce over fresh linguine. We also enjoyed the grilled (not fried) octopus. The tiramisu for dessert was perfect! I’ve been here before, and I will go back again and again for the service and authentic delicious Italian cuisine.“

“Exceptionally helpful & friendly staff cooking superb food in a very chill environment. A must visit in the city.“

“Very tasty and carefully seasoned. All dishes were perfection“