50 Best Italian Restaurants near El Cerrito

“Such a great spot! The pasta is amazing, definitely some of the best I’ve had. Everything was delicious, and the owner is super friendly and genuinely cares about making everyone feel welcome. Great food and even better service. I’ll definitely be coming back!“

“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!!!!“

“My sister cannot eat gluten, so restaurant dinners usually mean she watches everyone else eat.
Here, the kitchen prepared gluten-free versions she could enjoy safely — and they tasted genuinely good.
A guest with restrictions should never feel like a burden, and this place makes sure of it.“

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

“Our waiter was friendly and helpful. The pasta is very good as you might expect but I think to be completely full, a couple should order a pasta per person and an entree to split. The citrus cake was amazing and the Gnochetti’s texture was also amazing. The tiramisu also looked incredibly good but unfortunately they sold out, so I’d definitely recommend the desserts as well.“

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

“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!“

“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!“

“Excellent service and great food!“

“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.“

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

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

“Having not been here for a long time, I decided to pay a visit to this well-established pizza joint. In the past, I recall Golden Boy being one of the best slice places in the Bay Area. The menu hasn't changed at all.

I ordered plain cheese and a slice of pesto. Despite a line of close to 10 people, the order was ready quickly. The staff definitely works efficiently.

The cheese slice was not great and seemed like it needed to be warmed for a few more minutes. The pesto was in fact, not pesto, it turned out to be a slice of combination that was cooked too long. The bottom crust of the pizza was too hard and crunchy.

Honestly, I'm disappointed in the quality of the pizza. I remember it being much better. Maybe it was just an off day?“

“Amazing service and food!!!!“

“We had a superb dinner at Rose's Cafe last night. All of the dishes we ordered were delicious, and the whole staff was extraordinary. Everyone, especially our server, Layla, made us feel welcome, comfortable and unrushed even though we arrived only twenty minutes before the kitchen closed (not on purpose, we were delayed arriving into SF). This lovely neighborhood eatery will be our go-to restaurant from now on while visiting our kids in SF. I enthusiastically recommend it !!“

“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. ❤️❤️❤️“

“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!“

“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“

“The lamb chops were phenomenal!“

“Great neighborhood restaurant. Attentive service, great food. We started with the frittura mista - calamari, prawns and zucchini lightly breaded and crispy. Served with a delicious slightly spicy marina sauce. One of the best I have had. Also had the beef carppaccio, very generous serving with perfectly sliced parmesan cheese and lightly dressed arugual with balsamic. Main course was buccatini amatriciana. Seasoned just right and a perfect portion size. HIghly recommend Amarena!“

“Awesome food and outstanding service“

“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!“

“Everything was wonderful! The food was delicious, and they have a great variety of options to choose from, including several dessert options. Emilian, our waiter, was absolutely excellent! The service was outstanding, everyone was very attentive, and he was incredibly kind and welcoming. We had a great experience overall and would definitely come back many more times. Highly recommend! 🇮🇹❤“

“Great food with awesome service! Definitely a San Francisco go to restaurant.“

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

“Lucia’s is our favorite pizza restaurant, and a fav in general. The owners and staff are super nice. And they really take food restrictions seriously. One of our family is celiac and so we started going for an amazing GF pies!! But everything is delicious. Reservations are always a good idea here. We even had them cater a milestone birthday party with their super cute wood-fired traveling pizza oven.“

“I ventured out here several times, as a recommendation from a friend, and it was so good! Their Cacio e Pepe with added grilled chicken— SUPER.“

“Exceptional food, memorable staff, with warm music“

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

“This is our first time and we are happy we booked to celebrate a joint birthday. The table setting is so cool, the music is lively, the team is pleasant, friendly and knowledgeable. We tried the recommended menu and the food was delicious. We will come back.“

“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.“

“Great food. Great experience“

“I recently dined at Da Flora and had a truly wonderful experience. The restaurant offers an intimate and charming atmosphere that makes every meal feel special. From the moment I arrived, the staff was warm, attentive, and dedicated to providing exceptional hospitality, creating a welcoming environment throughout the evening.

The food was outstanding, featuring fresh ingredients, authentic flavors, and beautiful presentation. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared with great attention to detail, showcasing the quality and care that go into the menu. I also appreciated the variety of options available, including accommodations for different dietary preferences.

The restaurant was impeccably maintained, comfortable, and full of character, making it an ideal place for a relaxed dinner or a special occasion. Combined with the excellent service and memorable cuisine, the overall experience exceeded expectations. I would gladly return and highly recommend Da Flora to anyone looking for outstanding food, warm hospitality, and an unforgettable dining experience.“

“During our visit to SF we were looking for food close to homemade. This was the place! Char-broiled chicken was very good, fresh made fried potatoes were absolutely delicious, not a regular “french fries”.
Service was excellent. Highly recommend the restaurant for casual and delicious food.“

“Delicious food and excellent service! Highly recommend!“

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

“(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.“

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

“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!“

“This was our first time here, but definitely won’t be our last! The pinsa was SPECTACULAR and you could tell a great amount of care went into each one 🥰. It was a phenomenal experience and we can’t wait to make it a staple for when we make it out!“

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

“Vodka penne (without smoked salmon) was one of the best we’ve ever had!! We get this every time we go. Their frutti di mare is also good, especially with their white wine sauce. Only thing to keep in mind is that the restaurant is on a busy street and cars often rev their engines passing by, which can be noisy if you’re sitting outside!“

“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.“

“Liked the outdoor seating option. It does get busy but some people got there at 5 without a reservation and we're seated (on a Thursday). They only take 5pm reservations. I think it's a great date night place. Fresh pasta tasted great. Just the right amount of sauce. The meatballs were a little dry. Focaccia bread was very good. Corn pudding was also nice. The reason for 4 stars was the chocolate cookies..... Just not good ....they seemed unsweetened. And just really sad looking. Next time just offer the shot of booze and don't bother with the cookies if you aren't going to put any effort into them.“

“Beautiful locale, cozy and delicious food.“

“My family gave them a try a coue weeks ago and this restaurant exceeded our expectations in every way. Friendly service, relaxed atmosphere, delicious food. Highly recommend 👌 👍 I have eaten in restaurants and homes from Milan to Catania and this place is on par with the best food I've had in Italy. We'll be back!!“