The Best Italian Restaurants in San Francisco
Nobody should be surprised that San Francisco is home to some of the most authentic Italian fare outside of the boot-shaped peninsula. After all, the North Beach neighborhood is the most-visited Little Italy in the entire United States. Nowadays, Italian eateries can be found all over San Francisco, as the Mediterranean climate and plentiful bounty of Northern California allow for the creation of Old World dishes with local ingredients. But where are the smartest, savviest diners eating out? Welcome to the Tastemaker 20. We’ve pulled data from thousands of restaurants to find the top spots for Italian food in San Francisco among OpenTable's most expert, seasoned diners. You'll find everything from historic neighborhood dives to white table-clothed splendor, all vetted by the types of tastemakers who know the best spots around the city. Impress your friends and family and score a table; we wish we could join you.
| Restaurants: | Jackson Fillmore Trattoria, Venticello, Pane e Vino Trattoria… |
|---|---|
| Price Range: | $$$ - $$$ |
| Cuisines: | Italian… |
| Neighborhoods: | Pacific Heights, Nob Hill, Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio… |
For 2 people today
Jackson Fillmore Trattoria
$$$$·Italian·
Pacific Heights
- Neighborhood Gem
- Casual
- Authentic
A Pacific Heights local favorite since it opened its doors back in 1985, the Jackson Fillmore Trattoria is a cozy and classic Italian food restaurant with a large wine list. Expect…Read more
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$$$$·Italian·
Nob Hill
- Good for a Date
- Neighborhood Gem
- Romantic
Hidden away up on Nob Hill and sporting Bay views, Venticello does Northern Italian with flair in a homestyle setting. Besides knock-out Neapolitan-style pizzas—think pear and panc…Read more
Pane e Vino Trattoria
$$$$·Italian·
Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio
- Authentic
- Neighborhood Gem
- Casual
Located in bustling Cow Hollow, one of San Francisco’s most boutique-filled areas, Pane e Vino is a neighborhood Northern Italian style restaurant with a pleasant back patio perfec…Read more
Francisca's
$$$$·Venezuelan·
Mission
- Creative Cuisine
- Tasting Menu
- Fit for Foodies
Run by a husband and wife team and using all farm-to-table ingredients, this Italian-Venezuelan restaurant is a Mission District hit with a distinctive angle. A modestly priced fou…Read more
North Beach Restaurant
$$$$·Italian·
North Beach
- Authentic
- Good for a Date
- Special Occasion
Serving authentic Tuscan cuisine in the heart of the North Beach neighborhood since 1970, the North Beach Restaurant is a landmark in San Francisco’s dining scene. Visitors can cho…Read more
Lupa Trattoria
$$$$·Italian·
Noe Valley
- Neighborhood Gem
- Authentic
- Cozy
Located in the quiet Noe Valley neighborhood of San Francisco, Lupa Trattoria focuses on the cuisine of Italy’s most famous culinary destination itself: Rome. All breads and pastas…Read more
Americano Restaurant - Hotel Vitale
$$$$·Italian·
Financial District / Embarcadero
- Happy Hour
- Scenic View
- Bar Seating
Situated inside the Hotel Vitale on the San Francisco Embarcadero waterfront, the Americano Restaurant does authentic Italian fare over sweeping bay views. Standout items here incl…Read more
Barbacco
$$$$·Italian·
Financial District / Embarcadero
- Fit for Foodies
- Casual
- Good for a Date
A financial district culinary hot spot, Barbacco does both small and large plates from different regions of Italy that are served at long communal tables where getting to know your…Read more
Capannina
$$$$·Italian·
Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio
- Neighborhood Gem
- Authentic
- Cozy
Focusing on the Southern regions of Italy, Capannina is a Cow Hollow area neighborhood mom and pop restaurant that has a strong local following. The Genovese-style ciopinno, made w…Read more
La Briciola
$$$$·Italian·
SOMA
- Business Meals
- Cozy
- Neighborhood Gem
Homey and hidden away in the South of Market area (SoMa) in a modest storefront, La Briciola does Tuscan and Piedmontese food that has garnered it critical acclaim. The menu splits…Read more
Original U.S. Restaurant Unione Sportiva
$$$$·Italian·
North Beach
- Authentic
- Neighborhood Gem
- Casual
A true North Beach historic culinary landmark, the U.S. Restaurant has been serving up authentic Sicilian fare to the crowds since 1890. Classics that have stood the test of time i…Read more
Scala's Bistro
$$$$·Italian·
Downtown / Union Square
- Good for a Date
- Special Occasion
- Casual
A Union Square area dining institution since the 1990s, Scala’s Bistro combines traditional country-style Italian recipes with the freshest of California produce. Wood-fired pizzas…Read more
Il Borgo
$$$$·Italian·
Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
- Neighborhood Gem
- Authentic
- Cozy
Unpretentious despite its posh Hayes Valley location, Il Borgo sports checkered tablecloths and handpainted walls that harken back to the Italian countryside. The portions of handm…Read more
Corso Ristorante
$$$$·Italian·
Berkeley
- Neighborhood Gem
- Fit for Foodies
- Good for a Date
Located right on Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley, Corso Ristorante focuses on favorites from the Tuscany region of Italian as well as creative modern fare. The housemade lasagna, layer…Read more
Il Posto Trattoria
$$$$·Italian·
Napa
- Neighborhood Gem
- Casual
- Good for a Date
One of the stand-out Italian options in wine-soaked Napa Valley, Il Posto Trattoria does Old World classics in a casual setting. Mains here are mostly handcrafted takes on Italian …Read more
Bellanico Restaurant and Wine Bar
$$$$·Italian·
Oakland
- Neighborhood Gem
- Fit for Foodies
- Special Occasion
A restaurant and wine bar located in the Oakland Hills, Bellanico is popular for its creative tasting menus, which include wine matches, at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Besides th…Read more
Gravity Bistro and Wine Bar
$$$$·French·
Palo Alto
- Good for a Date
- Casual
- Happy Hour
Famous for its extensive selection of vintages from across the globe, Gravity in Palo Alto also does both light bites and full plates of authentic Italian eats with a modern twist…Read more
Portola Kitchen
$$$$·Italian·
Portola Valley
- Casual
- Great for Outdoor Dining
- Great for Lunch
Located in a natural and rustic setting just outside of Palo Alto, the Portola Kitchen fuses California ingredients around Italian traditions in a bright open kitchen. Wood-fired p…Read more
VIA UNO Cucina Italiana & Bar
$$$$·Italian·
Half Moon Bay
- Authentic
- Kid-friendly
- Fit for Foodies
Sporting live music on the patio on weekends and intimate dining the rest of the week, Via Uno (Highway One) is a Half Moon Bay favorite well worth the scenic road trip to get to. …Read more
Osteria
$$$$·Italian·
Presidio Heights
- Neighborhood Gem
- Fit for Foodies
- Special Occasion
A lively Presidio Heights area neighborhood bistro, Osteria hosts live music during the week and specializes in Northern Italian cuisine. Starters like prosciutto with melon are me…Read more
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