50 Best Italian Restaurants near Kensington

“My daughter and I love the Fried Sage Pizza and the Strozzapreti Bolognese and my twin grandsons love the Pepperoni Piza.“

“Amazing service and food!!!!“

“Wonderful restaurant with terrific food and service. We share the seasonal salad and the stuffed calamari to start. Both were excellent. My wife had a wonderful pasta stuffed with pea puree and in a pea sauce. I had a stuffed pasta with cheese. Both were exceptional. The olive oil cake finished the night. Fine wine list with many affordable offerings. We had a bottle of Arnie's and it was just right. The service is very attentive from the reception to the goodby.“

“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.“

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

“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!“

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

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

“Old times friends from Marin (2), San Francisco (1) and Contra Costa (1) meeting on the only weekday that very sadly, Zuni remains open. Thus tough commute home for most of us. Always the biggest and freshest selection of oysters anywhere. We ordered more than one round of multiple kinds of oysters. Beyond that a drink; everyone opted for a hamburger (which was unusual but of course very satisfactory) so this is not your usual review!; coffees. Outstanding waitperson. Note: We did make a rez (weeks before-earliest we could get was 1:30). It is clear that Zuni has been written up in tour guides and the number of obvious out-of-towners appreciating Zuni was huge and amazing. Lots of people in general. Lots. We all have been going to Zuni since it opened years ago and at least it has survived the pandemic and the lack of workers in the City. So many restaurants collapsed and so many no longer serve lunch or like Zuni are only open on one or two days. Pathetic.“

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

“Amazing service and food!!!!“

“Excellent espresso coffee, friendly service and a lovely brunch menu. I look forward to returning sometime for dinner. The chef’s were prepping a range of fresh looking ingredients and the smells emanating from the kitchen were beautiful!“

“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!“

“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“

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

“Went here with pizza lovers when the wait at Tony's was over an hour....

We were seated immediately. The dining room has a few smaller tables for 2 and 4 and one bigger high table.

We got 3 pizzas to share. They are 6-8 slices depending on the cut. Crust is good and thin and chewy but the toppings lacked some oomph. Not enough sauce, egg plant was a little off.... The star was the broccoli rabe.“

“The lamb chops were phenomenal!“

“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!“

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

“Everything was perfect: good wine, good food and great service. We loved their linguine vongole with the pasta cooked to the right al dente texture and the clams were fresh. We also enjoyed amazing service by their passionate staff. Just be prepared for a queue even on a weekday night.“

“Great find. If you're looking in North Beach for an excellent Italian food, good service and not too loud, this is a perfect choice. The menu is a mixture of traditional items and more creative, and all were good. The grilled vegetables app was tasty, not sure what seasoning they used. For my entree I had a special, polenta gnocchi with sausage and eggplant, also quite good. While many N. Beach restaurants are purposely loud and crowded, this one filled up, but there's comfortable space between tables and the sound isn't bouncing off a metal ceiling.“

“(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 food and outstanding service“

“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.“

“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. ❤️❤️❤️“

“Tomasso’s pizza is among the best I’ve ever had. Been coming here for 30 years.“

“Delicious food and excellent service! Highly recommend!“

“Very good food ...everything was really fresh“

“Volevo ringraziarvi di cuore per la meravigliosa esperienza che ho avuto nel vostro ristorante. Il cibo era assolutamente delizioso - ogni piatto era preparato con cura e si sentiva la passione in ogni boccone. Il servizio è stato eccezionale, caloroso e accogliente, e mi avete fatto sentire come a casa. È raro trovare un posto dove tutto è perfetto: la qualità del cibo, l'atmosfera e la gentilezza del personale. Tornerò sicuramente e consiglierò il vostro ristorante a tutti i miei amici. Grazie ancora per aver reso la mia serata così speciale!“

“It is such a beautiful little place. It has a cozy atmosphere. The food was fabulous. We had a party of 13. We had a wide range of delicious food. Lamb ..Chicken Filet Mignon.. Mussels .. Prawns... Sausage . with pastas spinach mashed potatoes green peppers it was all just so good. I totally recommend“

“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.“

“Delicious!! I got the ½ Dungeness crab, and it was juicy, flavorful, just wonderful. And the garlic bagna calda is always amazing.“

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

“We saw there was a long line and figured it must be really good? We got a slice of pizza and it did not disappoint! The pizza melted in your mouth and had so much flavor! We really enjoyed trying it!“

“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! 👍🏼🥳“

“Great food. Great experience“

“It was a very nice restaurant and the food was very good. The bread was good and the wine list was nice. My companions enjoyed the fresh made pasta. The servers were great, but I didn't think the waitress was informative about the wine list. The last third of our experience we were waited on my someone else, who was also attentive, I guess I'm not used to having the initial server just walk by us with no inquiry. We all thoroughly enjoyed our experience and would recommend to others.“

“Food: The pasta was fantastic! Tasted fresh and we enjoyed the mushrooms. The appetizers were just okay in my opinion- the grilled halloumi was not crisp and didn't taste fresh off the grill. If I were to go back, I would probably just stick to the pastas.

Service: waiting in line for a bit was understandable, but I agree with other reviewers that they felt understaffed. They didn't really check in on us after seating us, and they timed all the dishes to come out at the same time, which was difficult due to the small table (not everything fit easily on the table). They also charge a 4% fee to provide better wages and/or healthcare to the staff. However, all of the staff was courteous and friendly.

Atmosphere: we ate outside in their parklet, which was nice, although I wish their heaters were a bit stronger. The tables were very close together as well. I felt like I was a part of the conversations on either side of me because they were so close.“

“What a great find. We were in Berkeley for a show and booked this place by just looking up reviews and by proximity. The service and food was phenomenal. We had a very tasty wine, a gem salad, gluten free pizza and a dessert. It was the best gluten free pizza I've ever had. I can't wait to go back.“

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

“Craving a taste of authentic Italy without leaving San Francisco? Look no further! This friendly sandwich shop boasts high-quality ingredients and delicious options for both vegetarians and meat-lovers. The Tartufo Vegetariano is a dream for meatless eaters, while The Don caters to classic Italian flavors. Their customizable salads and perfect cappuccinos and lattes round out the perfect lunch experience. I can't wait to return and explore more of their menu! Excellent service, very kind people and good vibe.

Vegetarian options: Tartufo Vegetariano, Caprese, customize sandwich and salad. you can choose your greens, your bread, dressing, and cheese. Pastries and fresh orange juice

Dietary restrictions: plenty of options, you can also make your own salad.“

“Fior d'Italia hasn't simply relied on its well-earned title as the “Oldest Italian Restaurant”. It continues to deliver with dishes that uphold the highest standards of Northern Italian cuisine. We savored the Prosciutto Con Frutta di Stagione, Calamari in Cesta, Tortellini alla Panna, Risotto alla Piemontese, and Trenette al Pesto. Every bite was pure perfection. The ingredients tasted impeccably fresh, and the Tortellini alla Panna and Risotto alla Piemontese were nothing short of extraordinary. The moment you step inside, you're surrounded by walls tastefully lined with framed photographs, capturing generations of Italians who have worked and dined here. Dining here feels less like visiting a restaurant and more like being welcomed into a piece of Italian heritage and every bite reminds you why Fior d'Italia remains a true San Francisco treasure.“

“Exceptional food, memorable staff, with warm music“

“Loved the wine cellar seating, though no bartender that bar mid-week. Service was great, only slowed by the staff needing to go upstairs for everything. Veal was too salty; calamari and prosciutto with melon excellent. House pasta also excellent. Very fun.“

“Deliciousness for value and warmth for atmosphere. The host is always welcoming and service accommodating. New favorite place for life. 🤓“

“I'm on Columbus street because my old Army pal Joe Schlong needed some help installing a Crystatillian Retarder on a Beachfrat Balifoon he picked up from the Philharmonic, so I offered my help. It required the precision of a surgeon with skinny fingers and the ability to work between heartbeats, and that left me out so I enlisted the help of Mary-Joe Chipinski the retired Bomb Deactivater for the NYPD Bomb Squad who just happened to be in town for this weekend's Large Munitions Trade Show at the Cow Palace.. What luck! The Schlong was so happy he walked the half block over to Il Pillaio Restaurant and brought back some pretty amazing chicken dinners! 5 ☆☆☆☆☆“

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

“Just had my 3rd dining experience this morning and all 3 breakfast meals have been fantastic! As a person on the carnivore diet, I find it refreshing I can order an all protein meal and be completely satiated without paying an arm and a leg. Eggs were scrambled perfectly and the bacon was delicious. And who could have thought a simple burger patty could taste so good. Must be a magic griddle! Highly recommend! Oh, and service is amazing. My Americano was tasty!“

“Absolutely fantastic place, really friendly staff an absolutely excellent food had a really good experience“