50 Best Italian Restaurants near El Cerrito

“We had a relaxed and enjoyable meal. The owner is warm and friendly. Personable service. Food was great. Especially enjoyed the pasta tossed in Parmesan wheel. Everything was top notch. And laid back. Sitting inside was great. Sat and the bar and she told us about her product and process. Will also be nice to return in wam weather and take advantage of outdoor seating. Unpretentious comfortable restaurant with excellent food & quality of product & service.“

“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.“

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

“Amazing service and food!!!!“

“I honestly don’t even know where to begin. From start to finish, it was the most mind-blowing experience I’ve ever had.

We met this beautiful, joyful woman named Luka, who was so kind. She sat us down at the bar, where we enjoyed some lovely drinks. They also gave us happy hour oysters, which were, of course, delicious.

Then we were seated at our table, where we got to meet the whole team. Each person individually welcomed us and attended to all our needs. Even the head chef came out personally, greeted us, and offered us items from the menu as a gesture of kindness—which, honestly, I don’t feel we even deserved.

The food was absolutely amazing. Everything was so delicious, and the flavors never clashed. I truly don’t have a single bad word to say. I can’t wait for them to receive their first Michelin star—they all deserve it.

I will definitely be coming back. Thank you to all the wonderful people for the hard work they put in—not just in bringing the food out quickly, but in doing so with love and care.

Thank you again.“

“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!“

“As always the chicken was fantastic. The only issue I have is for a party of three being assessed an automatic 20% tip on top of the standard SF 4% plus payment toward their benefits seems absurd as it does noting but foster poor service. The server seems to have been hiding most of the time as we found it difficult to order drink refills. Needless to say I would not add additional gratuity for the level of service we received. The business needs to simply increase pricing to cover the required SF benefits and not show it on the final tab.“

“Excellent service and great food!“

“Amazing service and food!!!!“

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

“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.“

“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!“

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

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

“We had such a wonderful experience celebrating my mom’s birthday here! From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere felt warm, elegant, and perfect for a special occasion.

Every dish we ordered was absolutely delicious. The pasta was rich and flavorful, the steak was cooked perfectly and paired beautifully with the cheese and sauce, and the seafood dish was fresh and well-balanced. Even the sides like the vegetables and polenta were done so well. And the desserts — especially the tiramisu and cheesecake — were the perfect ending to the meal!

What really stood out was the presentation and attention to detail. Every plate looked beautiful and tasted just as good as it looked.

The service was also excellent — attentive, friendly, and made the whole experience feel relaxed and special without being rushed.

Overall, this was the perfect place for a family celebration. My mom had a great birthday, and we’ll definitely be coming back again. Highly recommend!“

“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!“

“We’re visiting from out of town, and I came here with a friend who drove in from San Jose to spend the day with. We went on a Saturday for brunch, and we got the breakfast pizza to share with a side of bacon and roasted potatoes. The pizza and bacon were delicious, but the potatoes I would pass. I think they were over cooked and bland.

Also got a cafe au lait, and it was served in bowl! Super cute.“

“The owner and staff are amazing. They are actively walking around and making you feel welcome and like a regular. We showed up without a reservation and some regulars were happy to scoot over and make room at the bar. Food was great and we had a really great time.“

“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!“

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

“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!“

“(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.“

“Very popular, nice Italian restaurant in Divis that's a great choice for a date night or special occasion.

The restaurant is located upstairs with a rustic loft interior featuring hanging dried flowers and with a glass area with hanging meat. It's huge, with tons of tables, and was packed. We arrived at 6:30pm on a Thursday and managed to get a walk-in table for two, but every other table was full and even the bar was packed, so I wouldn't count on walking in. Despite being packed with close-knit tables, my friend and I were able to carry on a conversation without issue. This may be because we were at a booth at the back.

The menu features salads, handmade pizza, & handmade pasta. It's on the pricier side for Italian restaurants in San Francisco. The food was delicious, but the pasta & salad portions were too small (and we're two thin women!). The pizza crust was soft, fluffy, & delicious. The menu featured unique dishes with seasonal ingredients. Everything we ordered was delicious and I'd go back to try other menu items.

I'd go back here for a date night or a special night out, but it's too pricy to return to frequently.“

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

“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.“

“Awesome food and outstanding service“

“I loved that the menu happened to be all vegetarian when we went. The fact that they have a seasonal rotating menu will also definitely keep us coming back. The mushroom bolognese sauce was so rich and filled with umami. I didn’t take a picture of the saffron poached pears as I took it home to eat but I really enjoyed it - the flavors were very reminiscent of the Indian dessert Srikhand. There’s limited seating so it felt a little loud and crowded inside but I did enjoy the open kitchen concept.“

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

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

“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!“

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

“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.“

“Great atmosphere, very friendly servers and of course Delicious Italian pizza😋“

“Exceptional food, memorable staff, with warm music“

“Excellent value for money. Very good food, good service, nice location, great atmosphere. A very Italia - Italian restaurant (as opposed to Italian American) in SF. Caccio Pepe special was very good, sauce on melanzane parmigiano very delicious, simple Italian delicious, and torta della Nonna ❤️“

“Beautiful locale, cozy and delicious food.“

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

“Great food. Great experience“

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

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

“We had the sweet potato gnocchi, focaccia, Italian wedding soup, and the short rib pappardelle. Best Italian I've had in the states!! The gnocchi was so soft and the sauce was divine. The focaccia was crunchy and salty and the outside and so soft on the inside. And the best was the short rib pappardelle - the flavor had layers and left a hint of orange which was so delightful!“

“Delicious food and excellent service! Highly recommend!“

“This is a classic Italian restaurant with a lively atmosphere and excellent service. The portions are generous and the food is delicious. We ordered the classic pepperoni pizza, the classic cheese and bacon pizza, as well as the lasagna and carbonara. The pizzas were cooked to perfection, with a crispy and delicious crust. The pasta was cheesy and filling.“

“I went for my birthday with a group of friends last night, and everything was amazing! Our waiter Edgardo was attentive and gave great recommendations on what we should have for dinner. They even brought me a piece of the best tiramisu I’ve ever had and sang birthday happy birthday to me ❤️ I believe all of their pastas are handmade in house and you can tell. I had gnocchi with Gorgonzola and sausage. For appetizers, we had the calamari and shrimp, Caprese salad, & bruschetta. All delicious. Highly recommend this place! They also have a very nice outside area for sunny days in the city.“

“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!“

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

“Sodinis is probably my favorite restaurant of all time. The first time I came to SF on vacation 6 years ago me and my father loved sodinis the first night of our trip so much that we went back for dinner every day the rest of my trip. Now luckily, I live in this beautiful city and get to frequent this restaurant all the time! The second you walk in the host, bartender, and servers are giving you top notch service. The usual host there is the sweetest guy ever. Going to Sodinis feels like a warm family dinner, my pro ordering tip is to order anything on the menu that has the name sodini in it- regardless everything is amazing. Thanks Sodinis team for years of quality, hard work, and compassion toward your customers, this city loves you!“

“Went to dinner for my birthday! Had a delicious chicken a la parmigiana, a Peroni beer and for dessert, a slice of chocolate cake and some crème brûlée! 😋 Everything was so delicious! 👍🏼🥳“