Where To Get Delicious Italian Food in San Francisco Restaurants

BY Usman September 24, 2022

San Francisco is a vibrant city with attractions for all tastes. In particular, the culinary scene is famous worldwide, with a wide variety of restaurants to suit all tastes. As a culinary aficionado visiting the city, I set out to discover an Italian San Francisco Restaurants with outstanding wine and, of course, pasta.

Top attention was also given to the dessert menu! Visit a few of these Italian eateries in San Francisco the next time you’re in The Golden City.

1. Acquerello : Italian San Francisco Restaurants

Italian San Francisco Restaurants

NEAR VAN NESS &, 1722 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Phone: 415-567-5432

The upmarket fine-dining establishment Acquerello exudes sophistication. The restaurant has gained notoriety in San Francisco over the past 30 years and has been awarded two Michelin stars.

The edifice is a stunning former church that is situated in Nob Hill near Lafayette Park. Acquerello takes pride in its extensive wine list and the seasonal cuisine served by Chef Suzette Gresham.

They even provide wine experiences that let you sample a variety of premium wines. The menu differs from that of a typical restaurant because the food changes with the seasons.

The chef surprised us with the Seasonal Tasting menu that evening. This menu offers a variety of choices.

Chef Gresham, however, pleased us that evening with Brent Wolfe’s quail, rainbow chard, elderflower, and strawberry vinegar.

2. Che Fico | Italian San Francisco Restaurants

Italian San Francisco Restaurants

838 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Phone: 415-416-6959

San Francisco’s Che Fico is a short distance from Alamo Square. While walking to eat at Che Fico, we passed historical sites including The Painted Ladies.

The informal Italian food they serve is the creation of David Nayfeld. This restaurant has an Italian and Californian fusion atmosphere.

The best of both worlds come together to provide a lively, urban setting in which to share fantastic food with friends. Pizza is a must-order when dining at Che Fico.

I choose the Margherita pizza supper, which comes with an excellent wood-fired Margherita pizza, a chopped salad, and a bottle of Lambrusco. Also worth trying is their excellent tiramisu.

3. Cotogna | Italian San Francisco Restaurants

Italian San Francisco Restaurants

490 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone: 415-775-8508

The rustic-chic Italian restaurant is situated on the corner of Montgomery Street and Pacific Avenue, not far from Fisherman’s Wharf.

Our dining experience at Cotogna was fantastic because of its distinctive patio seating and delectable Italian food! As a supporter of nearby farms, their menu is adjusted to reflect what is in season.

In-house-produced pasta, premium meats, and seafood that they roast in a wood-burning oven are however constants in their menu.

We began our afternoon with an item from the antipasti menu. Our first meal was their Asparagus Alla Fiorentina 18, and our second was a pizza with lamb sausage and wild ramp pesto.

The pasta menu was used for the third course. My friend sampled the tagliatelle with braised and smoked morel mushrooms, while I tried the raviolo di ricotta. We had a mascarpone dessert with strawberries to end our meal. I loved Dolci the best!

4. Fiorella

Multiple locations

My pals and I visited the San Francisco Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park before going out for brunch at Fiorella’s Sunset location.

The quaint Italian eatery exudes a stylish yet vintage ambiance. A charming black and white structure may be seen near Lincoln and 9th.

On the lovely spring day, we sat outdoors on their street seating, which felt only appropriate for breakfast in the city.

Fiorella has an excellent brunch menu. Most of the girls shared a Funghi Pie, a pizza topped with oyster and cremini mushrooms, rosemary, garlic, crescenza, and fontina.

I finished my meal with a Sunset Spritz. The tasty cocktail was the best way to finish off a great brunch!

5. BarZotto

1270 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Phone: 415-285-1200

On Valencia Street, BarZotto is a fantastic place to stop for a quick lunch when you are out and about. At the intersection of 24th and Valencia is a sweet cafe.

Booths and high-top tables can be found inside, surrounded by a variety of real timbers and numerous living plants.

The area is comfortable and appealing for a quick supper. There is a little bit of everything on their menu. Modern American-Italian tastes are created by preparing sandwiches, spaghetti, pizza, and salads.

When I needed a quick sandwich, I swung by BarZotto while I was out running errands. My meal was a steak sandwich. On top of two substantial slices of bread are thinly sliced, slow-roasted sirloin, pimento cheese, and onion straws.

6. Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack

3230 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Phone: 415-206-2086

It’s a terrific idea to swing by Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack for some delicious food and entertainment. On Mission and Valencia Street, close to Bernal Heights Park, it is situated.

Emmy’s offers a homey atmosphere that makes me think of a classic tattoo shop. Even the menu is made by hand, and there are pinball games and a picture booth.

The shanty is crowded with children and families eating their fill of pasta in the early morning hours. The music starts to get louder and louder as the night wears on.

During my Tuesday night visit, I ordered the traditional spaghetti and meatballs. Kids eat free on Tuesday nights, so when I arrived in the wee hours of the morning, it was packed with families!

I made a promise to myself to return and eat their well-known Mayan Style Prawn Habenero Risotto. The hot lemon sauce had an irresistible aroma.

7. Flour + Water

2401 Harrison St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Phone: 415-826-7000

My family and I watched my nephew play soccer at the John O’Connell Tech soccer field before moving across the street to Flour + Water.

At the intersection of Harrison and 20th Street in the Mission District, sits the modern-rustic restaurant. Fresh Italian food is served at this well-known farm-to-table café in a relaxed atmosphere.

Reservations are advised because it is frequently crowded with people eager to enjoy one of San Francisco’s hottest new restaurants.

We ordered the Amberjack Crudo from their beginning menu to start our meal. I chose the Chestnut Funghetti from their pasta menu as my entrée. The thick spaghetti was topped with chanterelle and trumpet mushrooms, nettles, and black truffle pecorino.

8. Molinari Delicatessen

373 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone: 415-421-2337

My partner and I stopped at Molinari Delicatessen for a quick meal after spending the day on Fisherman’s Wharf.

In close proximity to the Northern Waterfront and the Embarcadero lies the iconic Italian deli Molinari. Between Vallejo and Broadway on Columbus Street is where you may locate it.

They have to-die-for gourmet sandwich recipes. Additionally, you are given the opportunity to play chef and create the ideal sandwich from scratch!

The basil turkey special is my favorite item on their selection of gourmet sandwiches. On scrumptious handmade bread, a cold spread of turkey, fresh mozzarella, sweet bell peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil is presented.

9. Penny Roma

3000 20th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Phone: 415-826-7004

Near John O’Connell Tech High School in the Mission District is a place called Penny Roma. Their intersection, which is across the street from Flour + Water, is at 20th and Harrison.

In actuality, Ryan Pollnow and Thomas McNaughton, two chefs, own both restaurants. Although Penny Roma is just as trendy and lively as Flour + Water, it only serves supper from 5:30 to 10:00 p.m.

The eatery offers an amazing pasta menu along with a fine wine list. My mother and I spent the evening drinking wine at Penny Roma.

She started with a glass of their Artemis, Red Blend, and Damaged Goods because she loves red wine. Her first drink was so delicious that she immediately wanted another one!

I started with a glass of sparkling wine from Los Churchaquis Albarino Chappell since I appreciate variety. I finished with a glass of each of their red wines: De Fermo, Montepulciano, and Concrete.

10. Seven Hills

1896 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Phone: 415-775-1550

I accepted an invitation, and my date drove me to Seven Hills. Near Lombard Gardens in Russian Hill is where you’ll find the restaurant. The opulent structure with crimson doors may be seen near the intersection of Green and Hyde Streets.

The interior is equally opulent. A sophisticated lunch is put out with fine artwork in shades of grey, silver, and crimson. Italian food is a specialty of Chef Anthony Florian (Chef Tony), and his pasta menu reflects it.

I began my meal with a mixed baby lettuce salad dressed with balsamic vinaigrette and Parmigiano-Reggiano from Nantes.

I chose the Stemple Creek Spring Lamb as my entrée. It included young leeks, carrots from Nantes, braised artichokes, and began cauda Verde sauce.

11. SPQR

1911 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115
Phone: 415-771-7779

A premium, contemporary Italian restaurant is SPQR. It is situated next to Alta Plaza Park in San Francisco’s Lower Pacific Heights neighborhood.

This is a fantastic place to grab a bite after a day of sightseeing because it is close to Lafayette Park and the Painted Ladies.

A selection of dishes created by award-winning chef Matthew Accarrino is as aesthetically pleasing and authentic as it is delicious.

One Saturday morning while running errands, I came across SPQR and decided to drop by. I was fortunate because their coffee and doughnut business is only open on the weekends. For breakfast, I had a strawberry rhubarb rose donut and a steaming coffee.

12. The Italian Homemade Company

Multiple locations

San Francisco is home to three separate sites for The Italian Homemade Company. After seeing my brother perform a piano recital at The Kanbar Performing Arts Center in Hayes Valley, my family and I made a stop at the Franklin Street location.

The Franklin Street site is situated at the intersection of Franklin and Market Street, inland from Mission Bay.

The Italian Homemade Company is the definition of informal. They have a predetermined order, so take a seat. Everyone is welcome in the setting, and you are free to stay as long as you wish.

For dinner, I chose a flatbread sandwich. I ate the Grassonia Piadina, a flatbread sandwich loaded with handmade sausage, bell peppers, and onions. It was toasted, folded, and delicious. Their choices for creating your own spaghetti also caught my attention.

13. Trattoria Contadina

1800 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone: 415-982-5728

Traditional and genuine Italian cuisine is served at the charming, family-run Trattoria Contadina. On the intersection of Union and Mason, in the North Beach district.

Washington Square, the Coit Tower, and the Embarcadero are close by. I had the impression of being in the heart of Italy as I sat in the restaurant.

I had the impression that I was surrounded by Italian culture thanks to the white balcony that lines the restaurant’s top walls and the family photos that are posted throughout.

Their renowned bruschetta was my first course, and it did not disappoint. I then tried their unique Risotto Pesto. It had chicken, zucchini, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, spinach, and creamy pesto.

For your dinner at Trattoria Contadina, reservations are strongly advised because they get very crowded.

14. A16

2355 Chestnut St, San Francisco, CA 94123
Phone: 415-771-2216

I went to A16 with my sister for a quiet girls’ pizza night. A 16 is a few blocks from Crissy Field and the Palace of Fine Arts on Divisadero Street.

I only had to take a quick glance at the structure to know that I would adore this quaint small pizzeria. The structure is in keeping with San Francisco’s design and features both inside and outdoor hanging lights, living plants, and black accents.

They had a tonne of delicious pizza selections on their menu, but I always preferred Bianca pizza, so I persuaded my sister we should order that.

Fior di latte, basil, castelvetrano olives, Grana Padano, garlic, and chile were spread on top of the toasted flatbread dough.

15. AltoVino

1358 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone: 415-529-2435

When you enter this genuine Italian restaurant, you immediately feel snug and sophisticated. Intimate dining with loved ones is made possible by the chic atmosphere and decor.

Not far from Chinatown and the San Francisco Cable Car Museum, the restaurant is located at the intersection of Mason and Pacific Avenue.

The restaurant’s co-owners, Nick and Kelly, do a terrific job of selecting pasta dishes and wines that go well with each other. I chose the beef dish because I didn’t feel like eating the entire five-course meal.

I ate Porcini and Farro Stracci, a dish made of veal short rib and shank ragu simmered in Rossotti Ranch red wine, savoy cabbage, roasted winter mushrooms, Parmigiano, and freshly grated horseradish.

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