Italian food is one of the most revered and loved cuisines in the world. Hearty food, pizza, a variety of pastas, great wine, scrumptious desserts, and much more. There are many wonderful things about a quality Italian meal. The best Italian restaurants are not just in North Beach. Here are the top restaurants in San Francisco that serve Italian food to die for!
- Sotto Mare Oysteria & Seafood - 552 Green Street, 94133
Kaje Y/Yelp
Kevin W/Yelp A classic and popular restaurant in North Beach. This charming, nautical-themed San Francisco institution is popular for good reason. Sotto serves up big portions of Italian-style seafood & pasta. Try the bacon chowder and go for the $1.50 oyster specials on Mondays and Saturdays. Worth the wait!
- Franchino - 47 Columbus Avenue San Francisco, 94133
Elena P/Yelp
Tonya C/Yelp The owners are from Sarno, Italy and Franchino is still a mom and pop restaurant. All of the pasta here is from scratch, so it is fresh and super tasty! A big hit is homemade Gnocchi with red, white & pesto sauces. The wine here is well known too!
- Sociale - 3665 Sacramento St, San Francisco, 94118
Sociale Restaurant/Facebook
YueStudio Y/Yelp Specializing in rich, Northern Italian classics, Sociale switches up its menu monthly, always offering great pasta with freshly butchered cuts of meats. This cozy spot located at the end of an alleyway in Presidio Heights sees itself more as a “social club” than the hidden gem of a restaurant it is.
- La Ciccia - 291 30th St, San Francisco, 94131
Cassie L/Yelp
Thea D/Foursquare This intimate restaurant on the outskirts of Noe Valley is mostly only known by neighborhood locals. Expect delicately crafted and authentic Sardinian dishes with a specialized focus on fresh seafood. They also offer several Sardinian wines to pair perfectly with your meal.
- Aquerello - 1722 Sacramento Street, San Francisco, 94109
X.O/Yelp
Laura F/Foursquare Acquerello has offered an unparalleled Italian fine-dining experience in classic style. This restaurant seems to be overlooked, but still cherished. Expect contemporary Italian food in an elegant dining atmosphere, and great wine.
- Cotogna - 490 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, 94133
Michael U/Yelp
Lisa K/Yelp Cotogna describes itself as a celebration of rustic Italian cuisine. You can enjoy views of the open kitchen while eating delectable house favorites pastas as well as quality wine.
- Fior D’Italia - 2237 Mason St, San Francisco, 94133
Ann S/Yelp
Ann S/Yelp This restaurant will make you feel like you’re in old-school San Francisco. Opened in 1886, Fior D’Italia claims to be America’s oldest Italian restaurant. Today, it sits on the ground floor of the historic San Remo Hotel. Get authentic Northern Italian classics, including rich risotto, decadent linguine, and the never-fail Lasagna Bolognese.
- Piccino - 1001 Minnesota St, San Francisco, 94107
Stu F/Yelp
Ann S/Yelp This rustic yet elegant trattoria in the Dogpatch serves up seasonal, local, and organic Italian fare and thin-crust pizzas. The bright yellow exterior is immediately inviting, while the interior is bright and comfortable, offering a great ambiance to enjoy some gourmet pizza and a nice glass of wine.
- Delfina - 3621 18th St, San Francisco, 94110
Michael U/Yelp
Sharon L/Yelp You can’t go wrong at this fun place in the Mission. The Italian menu is simple and satisfying. The signature dish is spaghetti, but the pizza Napoletana and Panna are hard to resist.
- Venticello Ristorante - 1257 Taylor St, San Francisco, 94108
Markus Kalela/Flickr
Duke Of Frisco X/Yelp Enjoy classic Tuscan dishes. Better yet: everything here—including the breads, pastas, cheeses, and gelato—are made in-house. Situated atop Nob Hill, right along the cable car line, this rustic Italian restaurant feels authentic and homey too.
Have you eaten at any of these restaurants? Let us know. Share your opinions. If you’re curious about one of the featured places then check out The Mom & Pop Restaurant In San Francisco That Serves The Most Mouthwatering Home Cooked Meals.
Kaje Y/Yelp
Kevin W/Yelp
A classic and popular restaurant in North Beach. This charming, nautical-themed San Francisco institution is popular for good reason. Sotto serves up big portions of Italian-style seafood & pasta. Try the bacon chowder and go for the $1.50 oyster specials on Mondays and Saturdays. Worth the wait!
Elena P/Yelp
Tonya C/Yelp
The owners are from Sarno, Italy and Franchino is still a mom and pop restaurant. All of the pasta here is from scratch, so it is fresh and super tasty! A big hit is homemade Gnocchi with red, white & pesto sauces. The wine here is well known too!
Sociale Restaurant/Facebook
YueStudio Y/Yelp
Specializing in rich, Northern Italian classics, Sociale switches up its menu monthly, always offering great pasta with freshly butchered cuts of meats. This cozy spot located at the end of an alleyway in Presidio Heights sees itself more as a “social club” than the hidden gem of a restaurant it is.
Cassie L/Yelp
Thea D/Foursquare
This intimate restaurant on the outskirts of Noe Valley is mostly only known by neighborhood locals. Expect delicately crafted and authentic Sardinian dishes with a specialized focus on fresh seafood. They also offer several Sardinian wines to pair perfectly with your meal.
X.O/Yelp
Laura F/Foursquare
Acquerello has offered an unparalleled Italian fine-dining experience in classic style. This restaurant seems to be overlooked, but still cherished. Expect contemporary Italian food in an elegant dining atmosphere, and great wine.
Michael U/Yelp
Lisa K/Yelp
Cotogna describes itself as a celebration of rustic Italian cuisine. You can enjoy views of the open kitchen while eating delectable house favorites pastas as well as quality wine.
Ann S/Yelp
This restaurant will make you feel like you’re in old-school San Francisco. Opened in 1886, Fior D’Italia claims to be America’s oldest Italian restaurant. Today, it sits on the ground floor of the historic San Remo Hotel. Get authentic Northern Italian classics, including rich risotto, decadent linguine, and the never-fail Lasagna Bolognese.
Stu F/Yelp
This rustic yet elegant trattoria in the Dogpatch serves up seasonal, local, and organic Italian fare and thin-crust pizzas. The bright yellow exterior is immediately inviting, while the interior is bright and comfortable, offering a great ambiance to enjoy some gourmet pizza and a nice glass of wine.
Sharon L/Yelp
You can’t go wrong at this fun place in the Mission. The Italian menu is simple and satisfying. The signature dish is spaghetti, but the pizza Napoletana and Panna are hard to resist.
Markus Kalela/Flickr
Duke Of Frisco X/Yelp
Enjoy classic Tuscan dishes. Better yet: everything here—including the breads, pastas, cheeses, and gelato—are made in-house. Situated atop Nob Hill, right along the cable car line, this rustic Italian restaurant feels authentic and homey too.
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Address: 552 Green Street, 94133Address: 1257 Taylor St, San Francisco, 94108Address: 1001 Minnesota St, San Francisco, 94107Address: 2237 Mason St, San Francisco, 94133Address: 490 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, 94133Address: 1722 Sacramento Street, San Francisco, 94109Address: 3665 Sacramento St, San Francisco, 94118Address: 47 Columbus Avenue San Francisco, 94133
