Baby back ribs was to die for. My daughter had her surprise engagement party here. Super cool manager and staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
G. Wagner
I hadn't been here for almost 20 years but recently remembered how much my wife and I loved it when we first started dating.
We went back this weekend for her birthday and it was maybe even better than we remembered it!
We both live garlic and our food and service were great!
With everything seemingly getting worse these days it is refreshing to see some places still doing a good job and taking pride in their services and quality cooking! 🍻
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Krissy Merolla
TOURIST TRAP. AVOID! Party of seven for a birthday- first they sat is up in a corner next to drink station at three two tops shoved into a corner, next our orders arrive- all except for birthday girls. Food bland even with all the garlic. Mashed potatoes stone cold. Sent back. New ones also cold. We waited 20 mins for bday girl dish to come out. After ten mins, we asked about it. Waited another ten for waiter to come back. Appetizer comes after the meals. No sorry. No acknowledgment. Not kid friendly at all (no kids menu or dessert). With so many other wonderful eats in North Beach, skip this one. Overpriced. Bland. Mediocre service. They’re counting on you to not know any better.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Todd Takaki
Love this place. The garlic relish is amazing and the view is why I always stop in here. 3pm to 6pm is the best time because of the sun.
Ethan Kensler
Returned today after 15 years. Food was amazing and even my picky teenager said he have the food an instant 10/10 and wanted to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Robert Suehiro
Gnoci too hard with too little sauce
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Matt Borofsky
Two people left before dessert and paid downstairs. They brought up the check and it still included the already paid for meals. They didn’t mention and it felt like they were trying to rip us off. Place feels cramped and crowded to boot.
On top of that, I have a dairy allergy and emailed up front about it. Was told anything could be made dairy free and I’d get good advice from waitstaff. Showed up for the birthday dinner and got no help from waitstaff navigating the menu. Everything came premade so they couldn’t just not add cheese or something. They didn’t know if the bread had butter baked in. I ordered ribs. They just dropped the two sides and gave me plain lettuce instead. Someone else ordered a side salad and it came fancy with onions, tomatoes, avocado. They couldn’t even give me that!? And no form of carbohydrate at all.
The ribs were good but utterly disappointing experience. Two thumbs down. Recommend avoiding this gimmicky restaurant.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
James Hegan-Smith
Interesting concept with the garlic theme. The pizza I had was pretty tasty. The service was a bit slow. We sat outside as we couldn’t be seated inside, it was fine but not ideal for more than a couple of people.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Ben Mettler
Loved this place since childhood. Still as great as I remember! Service is ten times better and a million times faster cooking! Impressive!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Daniel Mula
Super cool restaurant and bar definitely recommend this place if you’re in the area. The vibe is awesome.
Stay clear of this restaurant only if you’re a vampire. Otherwise, it’s a garlic spectacle!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sheriff Vosjeson
A far cry from what this place once was.
Nowhere near the original garlic food it was before. I've been coming here for over twenty years and this time is my last.
The food is mediocre. The gnocchi was sub-par. I ordered it with extra shrimp. This was an extra $9.99 for 4 small shrimp. A total rip off. Yes, the food has some garlic on it. But nowhere near what it once was. They used to be serve date-destroying, paint stripping, tree-killing garlic dishes. Now it's just mediocre american-italian food.
The staff is friendly, but they try to turn the tables so quick that you fell rushed.I was 1/3 into my starter and they showed up with the main.
The new place feel just fine.
This place feels like what happens when an investment company takes over and sqeezes out profit.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
Iyeshia Valentine
They have zero vegan options, and they don’t even try to accommodate. I went with a party and, being the only vegan, I did my research ahead of time. Yelp reviews said they could make a vegan pasta, but when I asked, the server was rude and dismissive. Very disappointing and honestly unacceptable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 1
Joy L
One of our favorite go-to restaurants in the city! The food never disappoints us. If it’s your first time there, don’t forget to order their Bagna Calda as an appetizer. Every other dish on the menu is equally delicious, each with its own twist of garlicky flavor. Yum!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Michelle Chan
After a long, meandering afternoon exploring North Beach and climbing up to Coit Tower with my discerning 13-year-old foodie, we stumbled into *The Stinking Rose* for a quick bite—and left with a memory worth savoring.
We ordered the baked garlic with warm bread and a bowl of mussels, and both dishes delivered exactly what we needed: comfort, flavor, and a little ceremony. The roasted garlic was mellow and rich, perfect for spreading generously, and the mussels were tender and well-seasoned, swimming in a broth that begged to be sopped up.
What truly elevated the experience, though, was the ambiance. We sat outside at one of their charmingly arranged tables—angled so both guests face the street, making people-watching feel like part of the meal. It’s a small detail, but one that speaks volumes about the restaurant’s thoughtfulness. The service was warm and attentive without being intrusive, and the staff made us feel welcome without rushing us, even though we were just there for appetizers.
The rest of the menu looked fantastic—playful, bold, and unapologetically garlicky. I’m already planning a return visit for a full dinner, ideally when I can linger longer and try more of their signature dishes. There’s something delightfully theatrical about a place that leans so hard into one ingredient and still manages to surprise you.
This wasn’t just a pit stop—it was a pause, a breath, a shared moment of joy between a mother and her son, archived in garlic and laughter. I’ll be back soon, and next time, I’m bringing an even bigger appetite.
Baby back ribs was to die for. My daughter had her surprise engagement party here. Super cool manager and staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I hadn't been here for almost 20 years but recently remembered how much my wife and I loved it when we first started dating.
We went back this weekend for her birthday and it was maybe even better than we remembered it!
We both live garlic and our food and service were great!
With everything seemingly getting worse these days it is refreshing to see some places still doing a good job and taking pride in their services and quality cooking! 🍻
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
TOURIST TRAP. AVOID! Party of seven for a birthday- first they sat is up in a corner next to drink station at three two tops shoved into a corner, next our orders arrive- all except for birthday girls. Food bland even with all the garlic. Mashed potatoes stone cold. Sent back. New ones also cold. We waited 20 mins for bday girl dish to come out. After ten mins, we asked about it. Waited another ten for waiter to come back. Appetizer comes after the meals. No sorry. No acknowledgment. Not kid friendly at all (no kids menu or dessert). With so many other wonderful eats in North Beach, skip this one. Overpriced. Bland. Mediocre service. They’re counting on you to not know any better.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Love this place. The garlic relish is amazing and the view is why I always stop in here. 3pm to 6pm is the best time because of the sun.
Returned today after 15 years. Food was amazing and even my picky teenager said he have the food an instant 10/10 and wanted to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gnoci too hard with too little sauce
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Two people left before dessert and paid downstairs. They brought up the check and it still included the already paid for meals. They didn’t mention and it felt like they were trying to rip us off. Place feels cramped and crowded to boot.
On top of that, I have a dairy allergy and emailed up front about it. Was told anything could be made dairy free and I’d get good advice from waitstaff. Showed up for the birthday dinner and got no help from waitstaff navigating the menu. Everything came premade so they couldn’t just not add cheese or something. They didn’t know if the bread had butter baked in. I ordered ribs. They just dropped the two sides and gave me plain lettuce instead. Someone else ordered a side salad and it came fancy with onions, tomatoes, avocado. They couldn’t even give me that!? And no form of carbohydrate at all.
The ribs were good but utterly disappointing experience. Two thumbs down. Recommend avoiding this gimmicky restaurant.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Interesting concept with the garlic theme. The pizza I had was pretty tasty. The service was a bit slow. We sat outside as we couldn’t be seated inside, it was fine but not ideal for more than a couple of people.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Loved this place since childhood. Still as great as I remember! Service is ten times better and a million times faster cooking! Impressive!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Super cool restaurant and bar definitely recommend this place if you’re in the area. The vibe is awesome.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Stay clear of this restaurant only if you’re a vampire. Otherwise, it’s a garlic spectacle!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A far cry from what this place once was.
Nowhere near the original garlic food it was before. I've been coming here for over twenty years and this time is my last.
The food is mediocre. The gnocchi was sub-par. I ordered it with extra shrimp. This was an extra $9.99 for 4 small shrimp. A total rip off.
Yes, the food has some garlic on it. But nowhere near what it once was. They used to be serve date-destroying, paint stripping, tree-killing garlic dishes. Now it's just mediocre american-italian food.
The staff is friendly, but they try to turn the tables so quick that you fell rushed.I was 1/3 into my starter and they showed up with the main.
The new place feel just fine.
This place feels like what happens when an investment company takes over and sqeezes out profit.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
They have zero vegan options, and they don’t even try to accommodate. I went with a party and, being the only vegan, I did my research ahead of time. Yelp reviews said they could make a vegan pasta, but when I asked, the server was rude and dismissive. Very disappointing and honestly unacceptable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 1
One of our favorite go-to restaurants in the city! The food never disappoints us. If it’s your first time there, don’t forget to order their Bagna Calda as an appetizer. Every other dish on the menu is equally delicious, each with its own twist of garlicky flavor. Yum!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
After a long, meandering afternoon exploring North Beach and climbing up to Coit Tower with my discerning 13-year-old foodie, we stumbled into *The Stinking Rose* for a quick bite—and left with a memory worth savoring.
We ordered the baked garlic with warm bread and a bowl of mussels, and both dishes delivered exactly what we needed: comfort, flavor, and a little ceremony. The roasted garlic was mellow and rich, perfect for spreading generously, and the mussels were tender and well-seasoned, swimming in a broth that begged to be sopped up.
What truly elevated the experience, though, was the ambiance. We sat outside at one of their charmingly arranged tables—angled so both guests face the street, making people-watching feel like part of the meal. It’s a small detail, but one that speaks volumes about the restaurant’s thoughtfulness. The service was warm and attentive without being intrusive, and the staff made us feel welcome without rushing us, even though we were just there for appetizers.
The rest of the menu looked fantastic—playful, bold, and unapologetically garlicky. I’m already planning a return visit for a full dinner, ideally when I can linger longer and try more of their signature dishes. There’s something delightfully theatrical about a place that leans so hard into one ingredient and still manages to surprise you.
This wasn’t just a pit stop—it was a pause, a breath, a shared moment of joy between a mother and her son, archived in garlic and laughter. I’ll be back soon, and next time, I’m bringing an even bigger appetite.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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