50 Best Italian Restaurants near South San Francisco

“Beautiful building inside and out, professional staff, serving classic Italian dishes. Made a friend's birthday special on his day. 😍 Come celebrate here, but -do- RSVP in advance! Especially if you have a large party and your eye on that fancy room in the back😉“

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

“First time customer of Espostos catering, found through a recommendation on Nextdoor and so impressed with the presentation, value, quality and communication. We did a somewhat last minute order for a big party and it was a success! Will definitely be returning again and again.“

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

“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!“

“I honestly don’t even know where to begin. From start to finish, it was the most mind-blowing experience I’ve ever had.

We met this beautiful, joyful woman named Luka, who was so kind. She sat us down at the bar, where we enjoyed some lovely drinks. They also gave us happy hour oysters, which were, of course, delicious.

Then we were seated at our table, where we got to meet the whole team. Each person individually welcomed us and attended to all our needs. Even the head chef came out personally, greeted us, and offered us items from the menu as a gesture of kindness—which, honestly, I don’t feel we even deserved.

The food was absolutely amazing. Everything was so delicious, and the flavors never clashed. I truly don’t have a single bad word to say. I can’t wait for them to receive their first Michelin star—they all deserve it.

I will definitely be coming back. Thank you to all the wonderful people for the hard work they put in—not just in bringing the food out quickly, but in doing so with love and care.

Thank you again.“

“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!!!!“

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

“Delightful food and service. Incredibly attentive host—always had enough water and the food came out hot and fresh with clear attention to ingredients and cooking method. Highly recommend the calamari appetizer, lamb tenderloin, and gnocchietti. Lamb tenderloin was perfectly cooked! The gelato flavors were extremely unique (goat cheese and fig, and rum raisin). Thanks, Cheryl, for having us!“

“As always the chicken was fantastic. The only issue I have is for a party of three being assessed an automatic 20% tip on top of the standard SF 4% plus payment toward their benefits seems absurd as it does noting but foster poor service. The server seems to have been hiding most of the time as we found it difficult to order drink refills. Needless to say I would not add additional gratuity for the level of service we received. The business needs to simply increase pricing to cover the required SF benefits and not show it on the final tab.“

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

“GREAT SERVICE! They made me feel like family! The owner Carlos is such a nice and friendly man and the bar tender Gio was the sweetest gal! Everyone was so kind! And the food!!! 🤤🤤🤤 So good!! Like…memorable! Highly recommended! The desserts were just as good! ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

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

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

“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. ❤️❤️❤️“

“We’re visiting from out of town, and I came here with a friend who drove in from San Jose to spend the day with. We went on a Saturday for brunch, and we got the breakfast pizza to share with a side of bacon and roasted potatoes. The pizza and bacon were delicious, but the potatoes I would pass. I think they were over cooked and bland.

Also got a cafe au lait, and it was served in bowl! Super cute.“

“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!“

“Flour + Water in San Francisco was very decent and delivered a solid meal overall. The food was well prepared, flavorful, and clearly made with care. It may not have completely blown me away, but it was a good dining experience and definitely a respectable spot for Italian inspired food in the city.“

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

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

“I had a great time celebrating Valentine's Day with a couple of friends. Our main plan was to attend the Sam Smith concert, so we stopped in for some pre-concert bites. The staff was incredibly accommodating, especially considering how busy Valentine's Day is for the restaurant industry. I always appreciate when servers help with recommendations, and our waitress was extremely helpful, suggesting delicious options even as we kept our meal light (we didn't want to be in a food coma during the concert!). Everything we tried was wonderful. I would love to come back and explore more of their menu. I definitely recommend this place!“

“(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.“

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

“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!🍷“

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

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

“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!“

“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!“

“Very popular, nice Italian restaurant in Divis that's a great choice for a date night or special occasion.

The restaurant is located upstairs with a rustic loft interior featuring hanging dried flowers and with a glass area with hanging meat. It's huge, with tons of tables, and was packed. We arrived at 6:30pm on a Thursday and managed to get a walk-in table for two, but every other table was full and even the bar was packed, so I wouldn't count on walking in. Despite being packed with close-knit tables, my friend and I were able to carry on a conversation without issue. This may be because we were at a booth at the back.

The menu features salads, handmade pizza, & handmade pasta. It's on the pricier side for Italian restaurants in San Francisco. The food was delicious, but the pasta & salad portions were too small (and we're two thin women!). The pizza crust was soft, fluffy, & delicious. The menu featured unique dishes with seasonal ingredients. Everything we ordered was delicious and I'd go back to try other menu items.

I'd go back here for a date night or a special night out, but it's too pricy to return to frequently.“

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

“The Tonnarelli al Nero di Seppia con Polpo was simply exceptional—easily one of the best pasta dishes I've had in San Francisco. The squid ink tonnarelli was perfectly cooked, with a wonderful texture and depth of flavor, while the octopus was tender, fresh, and expertly prepared.

Every bite reflected authentic Italian craftsmanship and a commitment to high-quality ingredients. The balance of flavors was outstanding, allowing the seafood to shine while complementing the richness of the pasta.

Beyond the incredible food, the service was warm, attentive, and professional. From start to finish, the entire dining experience was memorable.

If you're looking for outstanding Italian cuisine in San Francisco, the Tonnarelli al Nero di Seppia con Polpo is an absolute must-order. I'll definitely be back.“

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

“Consistently incredible food, consistently incredible ingredients for takeout dinners, consistently incredible and amazingly helpful and kind staff. I think this place knocks it out of the park, every time I come in I find something new to appreciate.“

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

“Exceptional food, memorable staff, with warm music“

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

“Delicious food, great drinks and amazing service.“

“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.“

“So delicious. We ordered the prosciutto with burrata, the fennel salad, pork chop, and ravioli. The ravioli was amazing, I don’t know how they got the favors mixed so well, but I’m not normally a huge ravioli person but this is by far the best ravioli i had in the city.

I’ll be coming back to this neighborhood gem!“

“The food was amazing, home cooking at its best! My whole family, including my picky eaters, loved the food!😋“

“Beautiful locale, cozy and delicious food.“

“Cute little Italian restaurant. Superb service and mouth watering menu!“

“Great food. Great experience“

“Great vibe and service! Outdoor seating is cozy and clean, lovely place to stop by for the midday bites, drinks and some casual chitchat. Loved the burrata crostini, calamari and salami pizza. Would love to go again and try out their dinner and lunch menu some time.“