Via Aurelia

Via Aurelia is a fine dining Italian Tuscan restaurant in the Mission Bay Area. The owners also run Che Fico. Via Aurelia takes its name from the historic road that traced Italy’s western coast to Rome. 4.4 on Yelp, 4.5 on Google
We had to try this hot spot. It was great to see how this neighborhood is taking shape. This restaurant is several months old and situated in a lovely spot. Lots of bar seating for those without reservations.

The food was well done and elevated over what you see in most Italian spots. Prices are not cheap but in line with top spots like this.
Service was exception and better than we expected. Clearly they are chasing a Michelin star.

Foodies should give this spot a try. It isn't as exciting as we thought. No regrets for coming. We've gotten our one and done. Arquet and Rich Table are recent spots we ate at and would go back. Delfina, Penny Roma, Cotogna are Italian restaurants we'd go back in a heart beat.

Safety Pluses - Online menu, Delivery services available, online ordering.

Food Review:
Bread was from Jane the bakery and includes a really dark olive oil and mushroom butter.

Mojito ($19) is expensive and just okay. Not very strong or sweet. 7/10

INSALATA DEL MERCATO INVERNALE ($26) Winter Lettuce, Carrot, Radish, Blood Orange, Olive is a carefully assembled salad with a neutral dressing. 8.5/10

CAPESANTE ($36) Sea Scallop Crudo, Jerusalem Artichoke, Sicilian Pistachio, Beech Mushroom looks interesting but doesn't have that big of a scallop flavor profile. 8/10

PICI ALLE BRICIOLE ($34) Hand-Formed Long Noodles, Jane The Bakery Sourdough, Roasted Garlic, Calabrian Chili are thick long eggless noodles cook just fine. Not a large dish. 8.5/10

MAIALE ($49) Crispy Pork Belly, Pork Cheek, Iberico Socreto, Roasted Apple, Pickled Mustard Seed, Guanciale, Pork Jus has pork done several ways, which made it more interesting. Portion size it not huge. 8.5/10

Overall - Very Good
Food - Very Good
Decor - Excellent
Service - Excellent
Value - Good

Would we come back - No

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Via Aurelia is one of the best dining experiences I've had to date in San Francisco, and, I eat out a lot! The decor and ambiance are stunning --so warm, so cozy, and so beautifully executed. I have not experienced this level of service in quite some time. It's' unique to be able to say that every single person from host, wait staff, manager, and all service providers were exceptional in their service. So efficient, so professional, so well-timed, executed, and so well received. The people who work at Via Aurelia are as warm and lovely as the decor and as exceptional as the food! Now, on to the food, wow! An elevated experience that makes you feel like you're in a 5-star restaurant. It was very well executed, absolutely delicious with unique and unexpected ingredient combinations that will delight and surprise you! The more I tasted, the bigger the smile got on my face. Don't miss the bread service to start and the Almond Gelato to finish. From beginning to end the experience at Via Aurelia was exceptional, I highly recommend you try it. And...even their valet was exceptional. We have already booked our next dinner and will be a returning customer for life. Well done!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Wow what an amazing dining experience! The cocktails were fantastic. My favorite was the Bitter Giuseppe. The food was also outstanding. We also loved the little surprises from the kitchen! Highly recommend the green garlic custard. We really enjoyed having the option to order a la carte. Additionally the service was excellent. We walked in without a reservation & were seated faster than our quoted time. I can’t wait to dine here again!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Food tasted pretty good. Tiny portions. Service alright. Won’t go back.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 3

Food and service were outstanding. It’s pricey, and the portions are definitely small, but overall worth it. I look forward to going back.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

From the moment you walk in, this place just gets it. The food is genuinely excellent — full of flavor, clearly made with care, and the portions are perfect to share. It’s the kind of meal that leaves you satisfied, not questioning your life choices (which is rare these days).

But what truly sets this restaurant apart is the service. Salvador and Isaías weren’t just great — they were on another level. Attentive without hovering, warm without being overfamiliar, and always one step ahead of what we needed. You can tell when someone actually enjoys taking care of guests, and that was absolutely the case here.

The space itself is beautiful, comfortable, and inviting — perfect for actually enjoying your meal instead of rushing through it. Everything comes together effortlessly: great food, generous portions, an amazing atmosphere, and service that genuinely elevates the entire experience.

This is the kind of place you remember — and the kind you recommend without hesitation.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Got the 5 course meal, every dish was amazing so many flavors. George was the best bartender. He made great espresso martinis, dirty martinis, and Via Aurelia martini. Best tasting menu I’ve had in awhile try it!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

6.5 worth going again

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great service and great food. I would happily recommend this place to anybody who is not sensitive to salt. dishes are well seasoned and the bartenders especially Eli are very much informed and recommend what you want. Try the Cinghiale, it's cooked well and the pasta is cooked to perfection.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I expect this place to be around for a long time - Mission Rock lucked out. Some of the most attentive and professional service I’ve ever had. Beautiful refined atmosphere but not overly stiff. Every dish was thoughtful and delicious - the green garlic custard was one of the best bites I’ve had recently.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

Another tasteless soulless San Francisco restaurant.

Food lacked balance, presentation was mediocre. The interiors felt cheap.

The beets dish is overly acidic from the pickling of the beets, and doesn’t have prominent components to balance. The velouté was good, but wasn’t especially.

Making a ragout out of wild hare and using it in a white wine sauce makes no sense whatsoever.

On the upside: the pasta itself was perfectly cooked and textured were solid.

Overall, I think the dishes themselves are just poorly designed. I was never very impressed by Che Fico’s food and this place is inline.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 2

Service: 3

I’m shocked! Our friends wanted to try this place in our neighborhood but there were no reservations. Since we live across the street, we decided to stop in to check. The place looked bustling and inviting, and the gentleman at the host desk was gracious in taking a few minutes to check for table availability. He apologized and told me he could put me on the waitlist if I provided my number.

An hour later, I get a missed call from Via Aurelia. I called back immediately after a minute and another lady (with an accent) answers. She spoke with an attitude and was very short in saying that they could seat the 4 of us at the bar. I asked how about table seating since that was what the gentleman host discussed with me. She rudely responds, “we’re full, do you want the bar or not.”

This is why this business won’t survive here. The staff at this type of establishment should not act like they work at a fast food joint.

Service: 1

I love your restaurant. I will travel from SJ to see the Valkyries play at 5:30 at Chase. I would love to have dinner twice a week at your beautiful delicious restaurant. A hot dog, Fries and a beer at Chase cost $50. I would much rather sit at the bar eating duck, seafood, or pasta having a cocktail, then walk to Chase. What do you think? Can you open earlier in the Spring and Summer? Love you!!

Susan Lacy

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great service and ambiance. Classy, quiet and relaxed. The food ate a bit salty.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

It’s tough that in this day and age especially in SF, there are new restaurants that do not have any vegan options.