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!!!!“

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

“Overall, good Italian food by SF standards. Not every flavor hit - there was no "dry aged" taste in the beautifully-constructed timballo, and "red wine braised" malfadini tasted way too much like, well, red wine. But I'd still come by to try more items on the menu.“

“Excellent pasta! Freshly made! Great ingredients! The espresso and ice cream was amazing“

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

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

“(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.“

“Food is consistently good but without any creativity. Alaskan halibut was served with boiled potatoes, carrots and green beans. Tasty risotto and Classic Caesar salad. All done well but nothing out of this world.

Service was rather inattentive. Took a while to get servers’ attention to order and also to get the check. It’s amusing that restaurant automatically charges 20% for this type of service, regardless of the number of diners at the table. +5% SF mandate!

While the space is nicely arranged it was very cold upstairs (our experience at the restaurant was at the end of November). We had to put out jackets back on at some point. For a restaurant of this caliber I feel the heater could be turned on a little more.

Overall: somewhere between 3.5 to 4.0 for this experience“

“Excellent service and great food!“

“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!“

“Roast chicken is delicious!“

“The lamb chops were phenomenal!“

“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.“

“Best Gnocchi in the world!“

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

“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!“

“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!“

“I had an amazing birthday dinner at Bocconcino Restaurant! The food and service was wonderful. The staff and management were personable and friendly! Such a wonderful way to bring in the coming year! We will be back! Thank you!

Dietary restrictions: We had a gluten-free member of our party, and the kitchen and staff made sure there were options for that person, as well.“

“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. ❤️❤️❤️“

“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.“

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

“Delicious food and excellent service! Highly recommend!“

“I love this place in North Beach and have been multiple times. The staff are amazing too.

The majority of items on their menu are good, but their mushroom ravioli in cream sauce is phenomenal. 👌🏻 And I also really like their tiramisu.“

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

“Awesome food and outstanding service“

“After weeks of disappointing meals in this country, I nearly wept with joy at the first taste of the melanzane alla parmigiana at his restaurant. This is authentic, delicious and fresh Italian food, with perfect European (aka normal) sized portions, and the staff were so friendly.“

“We booked Lucia’s PIZZA TRUCK for a lawn party in the presidio and they were AMAZING. Easy to work with, great price, and all the food was so good, from salads and appetizers to wood fired pizzas. They were so gracious to make gluten free and vegan pizzas on request. Our guests loved them.“

“Amarena is a real local gem. Super cute, great food, great atmosphere. Walking in feels like stepping into a friend's cozy dining room, where the warmth of the atmosphere matches the warmth of the service. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel right at home while offering top-notch, upscale dining.

The food is absolutely fantastic. The fried calamari is a standout—crispy on the outside and perfectly tender inside. The sea bass is seasoned just right and cooked to perfection, and the orecchiette pasta is a flavor-packed delight. Every dish feels like it’s been made with care and attention.

The service is exceptional, with a genuine, friendly vibe that makes each visit feel personal. Big props to Paolo and Stefan for always being such a welcoming presence! It’s like having dinner at a friend’s place, but with all the perks of an amazing restaurant. Amarena is truly a special local gem where great food and great company come together effortlessly.“

“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“

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

“Il Pollaio: 27 Years and Going Strong!

I first walked into Il Pollaio 27 years ago, shortly after moving to San Francisco. Since that day, I have enjoyed their food, and my fondness for it has never waned. The standout dish here is the grilled chicken. They truly know how to do chicken right! I always recommend ordering the half-grilled chicken and salad special. It remains a fantastic deal. If grilled chicken isn't your favorite, you can't go wrong with their lamb chops or burgers, either.

Their salads are simple but satisfying. My top pick is the Combination Salad, which comes with beans. When it comes to soups, my favorite is the split pea soup, though their minestrone is also excellent!

The staff at Il Pollaio is wonderful. Over the years, I've seen many great people work there, but a few have been around for a long time, and they are exceptional.
Il Pollaio has been a constant in my life in the North Beach food scene for over two decades, and I can't recommend it highly enough for anyone seeking delicious and reliable meals in North Beach, San Francisco.

Vegetarian options: Limited vegetarian options are available.

Parking: It is not easy to find parking in North Beach, but there are paid public parking options near by.

Wheelchair accessibility: Wheelchair accessibility is not a problem here.“

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

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

“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!“

“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.“

“Delicious. And great service!“

“I travel to SF for both business and pleasure. Fior d’Italia never fails to impress whether I’m with colleagues, clients or family.

The food is amazing! I never miss a chance to order the Prosciutto Con Frutta Di Stagione. It’s a crowd pleaser to say the least. You can tell the pastas are made daily from scratch and the ingredients are top quality.

The staff treat you like family. They are helpful and engaging. I’ve had the same 3 waiters over the years which speaks volumes to how the restaurant treats its employees.

Such a wonderful restaurant located in a quiet yet very convenient area of SF. I look forward to my next visit as soon as I walk out of the restaurant.

Kid-friendliness: The kitchen accommodated even the pickiest of clients, my 8 year old daughter. They prepared her food exactly as requested and, much to my and my wife’s delight, she said it was the BEST meal of our trip.“

“Came by here for dinner - lovely restaurant tucked away with a truly lovely staff and excellent wine selection - woefully limited vegetarian and poultry options (I ended up with a pretty simple salad while my dining companions indulged in truly beautiful dishes with long-braised meats and crispy bacon) and quite expensive for what it is. Tiramisu was to die for.“

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

“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.“

“Exceptional food, memorable staff, with warm music“

“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, ambiance and service and wine list.“

“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!“