Delfina Restaurant

Consistently delicious food year after year. Warm and friendly staff make you feel like you are at home. Don’t miss or forget about this neighborhood gem!

Great food: attention taken over every detail. For appetizers, we enjoyed the calamari over white beans and the ricotta sformatino, a kind of ricotta mousse. Mary's roasted chicken proved too much to eat, but we finished off the olive oil mashed potatoes easily. Lots of love for the bolognese and the rock cod over noodles. Duck was also a big hit. We almost ran the table on desserts: panna cotta, chocolate pistachio tart with candied kumquats, biscotti, and afogato all rocked. More lively than quiet--some raising of voices was needed to hear and be heard. Overall, a wonderful meal.

Very good food, the portion of calamari with white beans (appetizer) was overwhelming - more a main course - and tasty.
I was presented with my bill while eating dessert, without being asked if I would like coffee or tea. It is a reason to take 1 star off rating.

This is an extraordinary restaurant on every level.

My date was running 30 minutes late and we were on a short time schedule. Our waiter Took really good care of us. He brought date’s food right when he arrived. The waiter had to be reminded once about the check but also maybe we weren’t totally clear we were ready for the check. This was not a big deal. Overall wonderful experience, I totally recommend it. If you haven’t gone you need to go!

Always an enjoyable meal with great service!

Always a treat. Some of the best staff of any restaurant and food & wine spot on Been going there since inception and never disappointed. A SF treasure.

Everything was fantastic! The soup was so delicious - definitely start with that! The pastas are amazing and the steak and fries - amazing! Great wine, great food, great atmosphere and wonderful service - a terrific night!

Very yummy food, great friendly service. I had the ragu pasta that was as good as in Italy. The grilled calamari starter was delicious too.

Amazing food. Their attention to detail in flavors is outstanding. From the Wine pairings to unique flavors I never tasted on Gnocchi, to the dazzling flavors of their pannacotta. This place is truly a gem in the middle of the mission/Dolores area of San Francisco.

The service and food was really good. Our waiter recommended an Italian wine that was perfect for what I told him I was looking for. As with most SF restaurants, the portions were a bit small. Not sure why the trend for smaller portions persists but most people I know always complain about it.

Been there many times Service was fantastic food was delish. desserts were not. I told them and they appreciated the feedback as they were new on the menu. They of course offered to remove from our bill. Also music is loud but they were gracious to lower the volume. Just FYI Tartine bread is $6.50 and corkage is $$

We had a 5:30 reservation and the restaurant, we discovered, is not open until then. Having arrived early on a chilly day, the staff was somewhat haughty while telling us we couldn't come in early. After opening, once in, staff was very nice and accommodated us at the table we requested. Food was generally very good although cauliflower soup was milder than it could/should have been, too much cream overwhelming the flavor. Roast chicken was superbly cooked but the au jus was somewhat salty. The service was good but could have been much better, a lapse I find in restaurants where the system is that food is delivered by different people than the ones who take the order. No one person monitors needs and I had to get up and ask for condiments, annoying in a restaurant at this level. Perhaps such longstanding success leads to a little complacency? Still, a very good dinner for the most part.

Classic SF spot. Always great and super consistent.

Todo súper

Was bummed and surprised that I ordered a glass of red wine and when the bill came it was $29 (more than my meal) - the waiter should have warned me

Reliable warmth & class

Crowded space and load by bar but our server was fantastic and knew the mean we’ll and made great wine pairing.. Can’t wait for next trip To SFO

My boyfriend’s birthday! He loves Italian and he absolutely adored this meal. It was so delicious we couldn’t stop eating and came home extremely stuffed. Though the staff brought us out a candle and desert for feee without me asking. Very sweet wait staff and would definitely recommend for anyone looking to have a nicer lovely evening.

The Hannukah inspired dishes were all delicious! We tried them all and loved them.

Love the Hanukkah specials - especially the latkes. Duck fat!!! The ruggalah were small & needed more filling so the dessert plate was a bit disappointing. Great wine list. Our server was excellent & all of the other dishes were perfect - chopped chicken liver, smoked cod, calamari, & the Brussels sprouts. An annual event that I eagerly await.

The quality never slips over the years. You wonder how the spaghetti can be so awesome, but it is -- six people got four orders of it, among the many other things we ordered. The latkes were a hit, especially for some people who had never had them. Everyone loved the gnocchi fritto, could have had several more orders. The salad with ricotta and persimmons was lovely, a gentle note. I had the hanger steak and even though I order it MW, it's always luscious. Everything looks beautiful on the plate. But the most striking thing -- besides the food -- is the staff. They are so charming and funny and seem to love their jobs, but are always totally professional. That comes from the top.

Came to Delfina because it made a lot of list on “where to eat in SF.” Our food was good but the menu selection was disappointing. They were out of somethings and it was also a special Hanukkah menu. Felt like we missed out on their everyday menu.

Food was amazing and service exceptional!

Food was superb and special. The sea bass and gnocchi were over the top. Had not been for several years but will go back next time in San francisco

Servings are very small and server was being awkward however the food itself did taste very good.

Delfinas is just simply one of the best restaurants in San Francisco. Never had an average meal as there or incompetent service. Keep up the good work!

So good! A San Francisco classic.

The calamari / warm white bean dish is exceptional...probably never had more tender, tasty calamari in my life. There's a reason it doesn't leave the menu, they really have this dish dialed. Pastas are fantastic, really loved the flavors in the squid-ink tagliatelle. The hay & straw was truly satisfying and good (but not as stand-out as some of the other dishes). I like the atmosphere and it was refreshingly easy to book a table at a reasonable time on a weeknight.

This place never disappoints. Excellent food and attentive service.

The food was mediocre, the check was high. Not a good combo.

Quality ingredients, well-prepared. Great for foodies.

A disappointing evening! ☹️ It started with a mixed up with the bread order, then we waited for 1 hour for our pasta, only 2 out of 4 servings came to the table. It was a few more minutes before the other two arrived at the table. Our Primi were served but the brussels sprouts arrived when we were almost finished with our meal. Not sure if it was the kitchen or our server. Don’t think we’ll be back.

Food was just okay, one dish good, one dish so-so. Had to pay for bread when you order $11 butter
which didn't go well with the bread. Service at bar was very poor. Wine selection was limited.

I love the food but it’s always been too loud.

The food was amazing, especially the Brussel sprouts with hazel nuts!

Always a wonderful meal. Don’t eat here without having the panna cotta—Delfina has absolutely perfected this dessert. Sublime.

We have been there in multiple occasions but service very dodgy!!! Our server Lana was very nice. We ordered 2 bottles of wine and st a restaurant I don’t want to be pouring my own wine !! Where is the service. Food was very good though !

Over all it was a pleasant and delicious experience. The pasta were all very delicious and freshly made. The chicken was as advertised and just about everything we had was yummy. My only complaint would be the close quarters. We were practically sitting with the people next to us and should have just joined in their conversation since we heard every word as we sat two inches away from them. Understandable due to the popularity of the restaurant and in the end we loved our experience.

Beautiful simple room and very attentive service. Easy to see why it’s an institution. Hen ragu and roast chicken dishes both heavenly and well-executed. Not inexpensive but lovely for a treat.