50 Best Italian Restaurants near South San Francisco

“Wonderful as always. We arrived at our 1;45 reservation when the server let us know the kitchen was closing at 2. It felt a little rushed, but we had no trouble getting the food and drinks we ordered, and we didn't feel “ pushed out the door.” The Burrata and heirloom tomatoes was a hit- seasonal and so tasty.“

“The largest sandwich I’ve ever had at a deli, love the garlic spread. Excellent sandwich!“

“Went there for date night. Between the food, the service and the atmosphere, we were both made to feel special. Thank you Buon Gusto!“

“WOW, porchetta sammie in the Castro? Ridiculously delicious, like you need to order. Not traditional italian porchetta slices of meat, but even better, chunky cuts of buttery tender goodness. Solid smoke aroma and taste without being overbearing. You get a slight tang of the vinegar mop, but again, not overbearing or distracting. We also ordered smashburgers and those were good, but for me the star was the pork.

I'd like to try the trio sampler or go full on into the pastrami on rye! I hear the pizza square is also pretty tasty.

Great addition to the Castro! Finally, great food options and Johnnie's is absolutely a destination! It's true passion people, when you love what you do (BBQ/Smoke meats), it shows! Keep the que going! Best in the city!“

“Been putting off this small but annoying issue with my oven for way too long. Finally gave them a call for some routine maintenance and they came through quickly. Diagnosed what was wrong in no time and had it fixed without any fuss. Feeling so relieved not to stress over it anymore!“

“Absolutely amazing experience! The pizza was so good, and the service was even better. The young gentleman Yacoub was incredibly helpful, friendly, and made us feel really welcome. I also love that they’re open late, perfect spot for those weekend nights. I’ll definitely be coming back again! Highly recommend! 🍕🔥“

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

“Amazing service and food!!!!“

“Exceeded expectations. Extensive menu. Highly recommended!“

“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.“

“Food and drinks were amazing. We had oysters, calamari, Caesar salad, lobster lasagna and hanger steak. For dessert we had the sorbet and tiramisu. The star of the show: the staff but specifically our server Maggie was also sooo amazing. We were celebrating a birthday and a farewell dinner and she made sure we had the best time! As a F&B manager, I love a good dining experience and this was it!“

“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.“

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

“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!“

“Amazing service and food!!!!“

“Such an amazing restaurant! This is how restaurants were before instagram. You come here for the delicious food and friendly service, then you come again. The octopus was a standout dish, served in olive oil where you can dip your bread. The menu is Italian focused on seafood, very authentic.“

“We were sat up the stairs in the corner, we loved it. It felt like a private corner to enjoy our really good food. We got the Cesar salad, bread, and chicken for 2. Everything was delicious. The chicken for 2 takes at least an hour so plan accordingly. We paid $142 total and that includes a mandatory 25% additional charge to your bill. So take that into consideration for your budget. Overall the servers, food, and atmosphere were all fantastic.“

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

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

“In July of this year we celebrated our 60 th wedding anniversary by booking their side room.for a dinner party. Carlos , manager , was so helpful in planning menu and each guests could order thatvnite with everyone menu. We had choice of 2 salads, 5 entrees and 2 desserts. Our guests all raved about food and service. There was a table with appetizers for guests as they arrived and presented so nicely. Couldn’t have been happier and we were not charged for the room which several other places wanted to charge for just room. My daughter in law was able to go over that Saturday morning to decorate and put all flower arrangements in the tables. It looked amazing. Can’t say enough good things about the evening. Good service the best ‘“

“Very solid and unassuming Italian restaurants! The rigatoni with pink sauce reminds me of the pasta from Aquarello, which holds two Michelin stars, but is much more balanced in flavor. Their polpo is super tender, and I have to say that their panne cotta is probably the best one I’ve ever had! Perfect balance in sweetness and texture. Will definitely come back!“

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

“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. ❤️❤️❤️“

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

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

“Great atmosphere, very friendly servers and of course Delicious Italian pizza😋“

“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 !!“

“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“

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

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

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

“(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.“

“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!🍷“

“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!“

“Awesome yummy food with a friendly atmosphere 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!“

“Great food and great service“

“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!“

“We had our grandmother's celebration of life. Staff was amazing. The restaurant is closed from 2:30 to 4:30 and we were able to rent out the entire restaurant during that time. The restaurant was large enough to accommodate all of our family and friends who came to celebrate my grandmother's celebration of life. The food was delicious and exquisite.“

“Positives were the little gem salad and really very delicious porcini ravioli. Margherita pizza was pretty good, maybe needed more cheese and sauce. Orecchiette pasta was very good, but needed maybe some more seasoning and sauce. Our server Kelsey B was excellent. Lovely ambiance and great value. For a small neighborhood restaurant, this place was really a nice dinner! Wish they had real cocktails, but just wine beer and low ABV, which I understand is the case sometimes!“

“My family gave them a try a coue weeks ago and this restaurant exceeded our expectations in every way. Friendly service, relaxed atmosphere, delicious food. Highly recommend 👌 👍 I have eaten in restaurants and homes from Milan to Catania and this place is on par with the best food I've had in Italy. We'll be back!!“

“Amazing food!!! Fantastic find in the heart of the city!!! Can’t wait to return!!“

“I'll start off with a shout out to the super friendly and helpful staff and how they manage fitting in parties of all sizes in the small dining room.

I loved the pasta. The spaghetti and meatballs were cooked perfectly and really showed off the fresh pasta, delicious meatballs and elevated sauce. I also recommend the corn ravioli as a well balanced and flavorful dish, and the grapefruit olive oil pana cotta. The lasagna was solid, expect many layers of pasta but not as much meat and not a must have for us.

Next time i think we could pass on the side dishes and sadly the garlic bread was not particularly amazing.

it's the pasta supply company, go for the pasta (and the dessert!). These dishes are perfect for sharing.“

“Fantastic red sauce, great eggplant parmesan special, good selection of wines at reasonable prices. A great addition to the neighborhood.“

“Great fun!!! Hosts and servers were super nice!!! Cocktails: YUM!!!“

“Exceptional food, memorable staff, with warm music“

“Delicious food, great drinks and amazing service.“

“Beautiful ambiance, attentive service, delicious food and drinks, and VERY memorable tiramisu. An all around excellent choice when dining out for a special occasion! Would highly 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.“

“The service was very friendly and attentive but not on top of you, so that we could have a great conversation. The food was delicious, the pasta tasted fresh. I was impressed by the two pastas that we ordered. We loved the interior of the restaurant. Lovely, off the beaten path. Overall, I'm coming back to try other items on the menu.“