Amarena

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1. j

   jollysf

   San Francisco

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Amarena is still rocking it! Pasta, perfectly al dente, sauces perfectly seasoned, plus great ambience, especially at the golden hour before sunset.
   

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2. V

   Vandi

   San Francisco

   9 reviews

   5.0

   9 reviews

   Dined on May 26, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   What a delightful find! It's a neighborhood gem in the Russian Hill area at the corner of Larkin and Green. We went to celebrate my nephew's bday. Turned out to be a lovely place. I'm afraid we were the noisiest people there, even tho there were only six of us. The waitress we had yesterday was great. She gave us excellent wine and food recommendations. We ordered the Arancini and Bruschetta to start with along with a lovely Sauvignon Blanc Venica Collio. Since we wanted to order family style and share, we got Ravioli di Zucca, Pappardelle al Cinghiale, Tagliolini ai Funghi e Tartufo, and the Gnocchi. All the dishes were prepared perfectly and we pretty much ended up licking the platters! We ordered a red wine with this - Primitivo-Primus, Podere, which turned out to be an excellent choice as well, esply with the Wild Boar Pappardelle dish. Then we had the Salame and a Savoiardi for dessert. Again turns out it was great. The service was excellent - they never hurried us but didn't neglect us either. The owner stopped by to enquire and was very gracious. I highly recommend this place and will definitely be going back.
   

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3. RC

   RebeccaC

   San Francisco

   9 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   9 reviews

   Dined on May 24, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Amarena's ambiance feels like you've been transported to a little Italian ristorante. It is homey, comfortable, and welcoming. It is definitely one of the best in the neighborhood. The handmade pasta is so fresh and has amazing flavor. I really enjoyed dining there with my two close friends. I could see how this restaurant would be good for a date night, too!
   

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4. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on May 22, 2023

   overall5food4service5ambience4

   The Golosi was delicious! And the service was the best!
   

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5. SD

   SummerDawn

   San Francisco

   13 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   13 reviews

   Dined on May 21, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Delicious from appetizer to salad to wine to handmade tagliolini. Grazie!
   

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6. DM

   DeniseM

   San Francisco

   6 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   6 reviews

   Dined on May 16, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Wonderful neighborhood gem with great old Italian restaurant atmosphere, superb, friendly staff who will hug you when you come in and unique pasta dishes that are dream worthy. My stand-out fave is the pacchari dell alpino. The madeira wine sauce slays! Excellent Italian wines at reasonable prices.
   

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7. A

   Allison

   San Francisco

   14 reviews

   5.0

   14 reviews

   Dined on May 14, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Have eaten here 5 times. Every time I give it top reviews.
   

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8. SJ

   SusanJ

   San Francisco

   12 reviews

   5.0

   12 reviews

   Dined on April 28, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Excellent food! I have taken lots of friends to this restaurant recently. Everyone has really liked their food!
   

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9. GD

   GraciousDiner

   Pittsburgh

   5 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on April 15, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   A true local treasure. As if countryside Italy is on your street. Paolo never disappoints
   

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10. AV

    AnnetteV

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Amazing food, wine and staff. A must for all of in the San Francisco area
    

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11. GO

    GingerO

    San Francisco

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on April 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3

    Fantastic meal, with outstanding service. Everything from start to finish was delicious.
    

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12. DM

    DeniseM

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on March 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Very fun restaurant. Great service. We love the wine selection and prices and the peccori pasta was so delicious.
    

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13. FB

    FoodieBen

    San Francisco

    18 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on March 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Had a wonderful night at Amarena. The food was delicious and at a great value. The restaurant was packed so the noise level was pretty loud. A bit difficult to hear but didn’t ruin our experience there. Alex our server was fantastic. She was very attentive and engaging. The rest of the staff were super friendly and helpful. We will definitely make many more visit to Amarena.
    

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14. LV

    LVSF

    San Francisco

    30 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    30 reviews

    Dined on March 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    What a lovely place, great SF/Italy ambience and superb food! First time for us and we will come again and again!
    

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15. AB

    ABCB

    San Francisco

    11 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on March 12, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience3

    Lovely neighborhood gem. Very friendly service, solid/well prepared food and a good wine list with reasonable prices. Tables are a close together and, when full, the restaurant is very loud. Parking is notoriously difficult.
    

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16. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Had a great dining experience here. The food was delicious and the wine paired with it so well. Will be coming back!
    

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17. SJ

    SusanJ

    San Francisco

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on March 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Milestone birthday dinner for a dear friend of mine. All eight of us had a fabulous time. Everyone loved their appetizers, entrées, and desserts. I come here frequently, often bringing friends. Always have a wonderful time and a great meal.
    

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18. BC

    BeckyC

    Washington DC

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on March 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Outstanding! Delicious Italian food and nice atmosphere.
    

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19. s

    scottsmack

    San Francisco

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on March 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Love this neighborhood spot with its authentic food, movely people and service, and genial vibe.
    

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20. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We had a lovely evening at this quaint and authentic Italian restaurant. A star of the show is the sauce served with the bread - a simple olive oil basil base with incredible flavor. We also got the ruccola salad, the meatballs, and the papardelle pasta - all made with fresh ingredients and bursting with flavor. Alessia, our server was kind and very diligent - we even got some recommendations for our upcoming trip to Italy. Can’t wait to be back ❣️
    

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21. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Alex was an amazing server! She was so nice and pleasant. The food was delicious and it was a great experience!
    

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22. EW

    EatWell

    San Francisco

    9 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    Cute, quiet neighborhood restaurant. The food was ok, but not particularly special for Valentine's Day. The Osso Buco was very fatty, the Sea Bass was fair. The tiramisu was fine, but only average. The staff was very polite and engaging and the restaurant was bit cramped.
    

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23. g

    grapegirl

    San Francisco

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on February 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Nice neighborhood restaurant. Very friendly welcome and service.
    

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24. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    I’d recently heard about Amarena but had never been - went with a few friends and wasn’t disappointed. The owner makes his way around to everyone and is friendly and welcoming. Our sever was Alessia and she gave us great service, menu suggestions and advised us to a great bottle of wine. This is a neighborhood gem!
    

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25. TI

    TomInWA

    San Francisco

    63 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    63 reviews

    Dined on February 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    I read a few of the 1 star reviews on Google. I have no idea what those people are talking about. This was a great find in a cool neighborhood. The service couldn’t have been more friendly, responsive, and timely. From the maitre d to the server… to the water and bread person… everyone was great! Food was excellent! My wife had the linguine and clams and I I had the butternut squash raviolis. Both were terrific. Definitely recommend this cozy little spot.
    

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26. m

    mikeh

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Many thanks to the Hilton Parc 55 hotel for recommending this outstanding restaurant. We had a fantastic meal, great service. Anytime we are back in San Francisco we will make a point to go back.
    

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27. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Amazing service and food!
    

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28. B

    Bloom

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    My nephew was in from NYC. Had a great meal. Service was attentive and friendly, suggested wine was delicious and the authentic Italian food hit the spot.
    

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29. LZ

    LisaZ

    Los Angeles

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on February 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The service was excellent, warm, inviting and gracious. The food was delicious. Best caesar salad ive had in years. The lasagna was so flavorful and robust - we split it and it was the perfect portion. Charming ambiance and a great neighborhood
    

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30. S

    Saundo

    San Francisco

    38 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    38 reviews

    Dined on February 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Very quant and cozy place that's great for a date. Service is friendly and inviting. Our server was an Italian woman with an amazing smile and accent. Food was delicious and decently priced.
    

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31. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Amazing! My favorite restaurant
    

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32. JJ

    JanetJ

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on February 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Everything is absolutely wonderful —service, food, ambiance!! You will love the delicious food & dining experience start yo finish!
    

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33. BC

    BobC

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 5, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    For a small neighborhood restaurant, Amarena is a great find. The space is cosy and welcoming . Friendly service and better-than-it-needs-to-be food makes it a place that I will return to. Lightly floured and ungreasy fritto misto, veal saltimboca, and eggplant with smoked mozzarella and tomato sauce were all very good and a smooth and silky panna cotta topped of a meal at a neighborhood gem. The lasagna looked great and is on my radar for my next visit. The other reviews are accurate - this place is worth trying.
    

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34. KR

    KatrinaR

    Phoenix

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Always an amazing experience!!!
    

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35. GC

    GracieC

    London

    30 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    30 reviews

    Dined on February 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Another delicious meal. Thanks, Paulo!
    

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36. TN

    TomN

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great Italian food at a nice neighborhood restaurant. Our table had seafood risotto, the lamb chops special, and veal scaloppini. All were fantastic.
    

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37. A

    Andrew

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Want an Italian restaurant that would actually seem familiar to Italians? Go to Amarena. The food and ambience remind me of the neighborhood restaurants I visited in Umbria and Sicily. Try the Osso Buco or the grilled octopus (if it is on special).
    

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38. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Portland

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Amarena is great neighborhood eatery, the owners/staff are friendly, the food is great, and the atmosphere is one our favorites.
    

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39. VS

    VeganSF

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on January 28, 2023

    overall4food4service2ambience3

    We always enjoy the food at Amarena and this was no exception. It’s so good! They were incredibly slow though with visiting our table for our order, bringing the order, then waiting to ask someone for utensils, and delivering the check. The ambiance of the restaurant is nice, but it is very loud. Not necessarily a bad thing if you’re with a group, but just depends on the vibe you’re looking for especially for a date night. We usually dine outside and this was our first time seating inside. I think because of the noise level, going forward, we will stick with the outside seating.
    

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40. PC

    PaulC

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Outstanding
    

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