50 Best Italian Restaurants in San Francisco

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

“everything about the restaurant, from the heated outdoor dining, people who work there, the food so deliciously great especially the one that prepares and cook it, THE CHEFS, amazingly incredible they are and not so pricey above all.“

“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.“

“Lovely evening at La Ciccia. We came here almost two decades ago, before having children. It was nice to be back. We loved the appetizer of bottarga and celery salad, and the dessert of ricotta and marmalade. We liked but weren’t awed by the lamb steak and the squid ink fregola, but that might be a matter of taste. Service was exceptional. Grazie mille per una serata speciale!“

“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!“

“Food was very tasty and well prepared, staff attentive and responsive, ambience is perfect“

“Excellent service and great food!“

“The best pasta and sauces in San Francisco. Authentic Italian cuisine! Highly recommend. Father and son team are amazingly warm hosts!“

“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😋“

“It's been a classic in SF for so long for a reason. This is a must visit. Book early or you will not get in. If you fail to get in look up their sister restaurant penny roma, also incredible. The best deal here is the tasting menu. You 100% get your money's worth and get to try several off menu items. I live a 2+ hour flight away and I'll always try to get a table when I visit.“

“Amazing service and food!!!!“

“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?“

“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 !!“

“Great food!! Service was fantastic. Consistently good!“

“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. ❤️❤️❤️“

“Food was amazing! Great atmosphere and friendly attentive staff!“

“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!“

“Always a hit! You are welcomed like family!“

“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“

“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!“

“The food is absolutely stunning. Everything is fresh and the flavors mix amazingly“

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

“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! 🇮🇹❤“

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

“Delicious food, great drinks and amazing service.“

“Great team of real Pros! Husband Chef, Wife Wine Steward & Saul, my friend, Front of House…Outstanding!“

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

“Truly authentic Calabrese style Italian cuisine takes us back to Nonna’s kitchen“

“My husband and I enjoyed our dinner very much! He had the Paparadele and I had the beet salad and pizza. They were both delicious! We definitely will be going back!🍷“

“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.“

“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.“

“Great food. Great experience“

“Great food and great service“

“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!“

“(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.“

“Delicious food and excellent service! Highly recommend!“

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

“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!“

“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!“

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

“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.“