Great food. Love every pasta they make.Unique desserts that taste 10/10.Amazing and lovely owners Steph and Mario. Super chill and easy to talk to.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood Pasta Dishes, Octopus, Tiramisu, Italian Lemon Cake, Parpadelle
Trent
Caffè Macaroni continues to be one of San Francisco's very best & most authentic Italian restaurants. Extensive menu, great food, very friendly staff, and a classic North Beach setting. You can spend a lot more to eat “upscale” pseudo-Italian food at places like Aquerello or Sorella. At the latter, the manager will tell you that you need to leave after an hour or so to make way for the next round of guests. Never mind that you're being charged a small fortune for the brief time you're there. Head to Caffe Macaroni!
doonhart
Our go to place in SF since 1990, love the food and the warmth and conviviality of owners Stephanie and Mario. Like being invited over to a close friend's house for dinner and the friend happens to source the freshest fish and produce, ands knows how to prepare it. Superb wine options. Great value.
Cole Crossen
We really enjoyed this spot. After walking by it many times we finally stopped in for dinner. The food is closer to what you would get in Italy than the normal Italian-American eateries in North Beach. Get one of the seafood pastas and a glass of wine. A taste of Napoli in North Beach.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood Pasta Dishes, Caprese
RebeccaR
My 12 year old and I had early reservation on Valentine's day while we were visiting for the week. What a charming place! The restaurant was intimate, with only about 10 seats inside, but about 16-10 out in the covered, heated "parklet" on the street. The owners were warm and welcoming, and the food was delicious. They didn't balk when my daughter requested just plain spaghetti and I ordered the linguini di mare, with anchovies as a starter. Tiramisu and the brownie for dessert with delicious wine, and this place is a winner. We'd go back again in a heartbeat!
TexasMD
Tiny space with almost no inside seating, but enthusiastic friendly staff. The foot was fantastic. I loved the atmosphere but it is cramped and I tell you all about our neighboring tables conversations. If I lived here I would be back frequently. Three of ate plenty, each had a glass of wine, and the bill was $160.
To eat here is to experience the antidote for a screen filled life. Besides the perfect food (baby octopus ragu, pizzacacia), the camaraderie the small restaurant creates with fellow diners, and the care Mario and Michelle take with every detail, leads to a memorable, genuine, experience. I would eat here every day if I could.
GeraldM
This is what a neighborhood, family, Italian restaurant should be: great food, warm & prompt service, humor, authenticity, and gratitude. The owners, Mario and Stephanie, are awesome and make you feel right at home! Have enjoyed the food, and their hospitality, for years and will continue to do so in the future.
Jan Bouly
A true gem of a place. Feels like you want into a living piece of history with a staff that’s the most wonderful and colourful cast of characters and fantastic food. Highly recommended!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Suzanne Pech
We loved everything about Caffè Macaroni - it is the cutest little restaurant with tons of charm, the service from Mario was perfect, and everything we ate was delicious. The tiramisu was the best we've had, and every entree felt fresh, delicious, and hearty. This feels like a hidden gem and we will definitely be back.
What a romantic little Italian spot! All in all we couldn't have asked for a nicer dinner experience. The wait staff were so friendly and the food was delicious. A distinctly different vibe from some of the more gimmicky/American style restaurants in the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Phil C.
This is the sweetest neighborhood restaurant on Columbus. The food is always great and Mario always makes us feel like welcome friends.
Karen J S.
Best Italian food I've had in ages. My friend and I shared a Pizzaccio (a cross between a pizza and a focaccia) with a fennel and sliced orange salad for starters. The Pizzaccio was crisp, light, and bursting with flavor, as was the delicate and refreshing salad. For mains, the owner, Mario, accommodated both of our specific wishes. My friend wanted spaghetti with clams (not on the menu). No problem. I don't like onions, but wanted a tomato sauce. They made a tomato sauce on the spot using fresh tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and basil. It was spectacular. I had it served over their fresh spinach and cheese filled ravioli. We couldn't have asked for more. The service was friendly and warm. Caffe Macaroni is a treasure.
Sightseer29965659603
Best Italian food I've had in ages. My friend and I shared a Pizzaccio (a cross between a pizza and a focaccia) with a fennel and sliced orange salad for starters. The Pizzaccio was crisp, light, and bursting with flavor, as was the delicate and refreshing salad. For mains, the owner, Mario, accommodated both of our specific wishes. My friend wanted spaghetti with clams (not on the menu). No problem. I don't like onions, but wanted a tomato sauce. They made a tomato sauce on the spot using fresh tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and basil. It was spectacular. I had it served over their fresh spinach and cheese filled ravioli. We couldn't have asked for more. The service was friendly and warm. Caffe Macaroni is a treasure.
Barbara B.
This cozy restaurant is the real deal if you want authentic delicious homemade Italian food. Their menu is extensive yet they will make any adjustment you need. I have been going for years and cannot understand how there isn't a line out the door because you cannot get better food, value or service anywhere in North Beach. Thank you Mario and Stephanie for this gem!
Great food. Love every pasta they make.Unique desserts that taste 10/10.Amazing and lovely owners Steph and Mario. Super chill and easy to talk to.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood Pasta Dishes, Octopus, Tiramisu, Italian Lemon Cake, Parpadelle
Caffè Macaroni continues to be one of San Francisco's very best & most authentic Italian restaurants. Extensive menu, great food, very friendly staff, and a classic North Beach setting. You can spend a lot more to eat “upscale” pseudo-Italian food at places like Aquerello or Sorella. At the latter, the manager will tell you that you need to leave after an hour or so to make way for the next round of guests. Never mind that you're being charged a small fortune for the brief time you're there. Head to Caffe Macaroni!
Our go to place in SF since 1990, love the food and the warmth and conviviality of owners Stephanie and Mario. Like being invited over to a close friend's house for dinner and the friend happens to source the freshest fish and produce, ands knows how to prepare it. Superb wine options. Great value.
We really enjoyed this spot. After walking by it many times we finally stopped in for dinner. The food is closer to what you would get in Italy than the normal Italian-American eateries in North Beach. Get one of the seafood pastas and a glass of wine. A taste of Napoli in North Beach.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood Pasta Dishes, Caprese
My 12 year old and I had early reservation on Valentine's day while we were visiting for the week. What a charming place! The restaurant was intimate, with only about 10 seats inside, but about 16-10 out in the covered, heated "parklet" on the street. The owners were warm and welcoming, and the food was delicious. They didn't balk when my daughter requested just plain spaghetti and I ordered the linguini di mare, with anchovies as a starter. Tiramisu and the brownie for dessert with delicious wine, and this place is a winner. We'd go back again in a heartbeat!
Tiny space with almost no inside seating, but enthusiastic friendly staff. The foot was fantastic. I loved the atmosphere but it is cramped and I tell you all about our neighboring tables conversations. If I lived here I would be back frequently. Three of ate plenty, each had a glass of wine, and the bill was $160.
To eat here is to experience the antidote for a screen filled life. Besides the perfect food (baby octopus ragu, pizzacacia), the camaraderie the small restaurant creates with fellow diners, and the care Mario and Michelle take with every detail, leads to a memorable, genuine, experience. I would eat here every day if I could.
This is what a neighborhood, family, Italian restaurant should be: great food, warm & prompt service, humor, authenticity, and gratitude. The owners, Mario and Stephanie, are awesome and make you feel right at home! Have enjoyed the food, and their hospitality, for years and will continue to do so in the future.
A true gem of a place. Feels like you want into a living piece of history with a staff that’s the most wonderful and colourful cast of characters and fantastic food. Highly recommended!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We loved everything about Caffè Macaroni - it is the cutest little restaurant with tons of charm, the service from Mario was perfect, and everything we ate was delicious. The tiramisu was the best we've had, and every entree felt fresh, delicious, and hearty. This feels like a hidden gem and we will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
What a romantic little Italian spot! All in all we couldn't have asked for a nicer dinner experience. The wait staff were so friendly and the food was delicious. A distinctly different vibe from some of the more gimmicky/American style restaurants in the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is the sweetest neighborhood restaurant on Columbus. The food is always great and Mario always makes us feel like welcome friends.
Best Italian food I've had in ages. My friend and I shared a Pizzaccio (a cross between a pizza and a focaccia) with a fennel and sliced orange salad for starters. The Pizzaccio was crisp, light, and bursting with flavor, as was the delicate and refreshing salad. For mains, the owner, Mario, accommodated both of our specific wishes. My friend wanted spaghetti with clams (not on the menu). No problem. I don't like onions, but wanted a tomato sauce. They made a tomato sauce on the spot using fresh tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and basil. It was spectacular. I had it served over their fresh spinach and cheese filled ravioli. We couldn't have asked for more. The service was friendly and warm. Caffe Macaroni is a treasure.
Best Italian food I've had in ages. My friend and I shared a Pizzaccio (a cross between a pizza and a focaccia) with a fennel and sliced orange salad for starters. The Pizzaccio was crisp, light, and bursting with flavor, as was the delicate and refreshing salad. For mains, the owner, Mario, accommodated both of our specific wishes. My friend wanted spaghetti with clams (not on the menu). No problem. I don't like onions, but wanted a tomato sauce. They made a tomato sauce on the spot using fresh tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and basil. It was spectacular. I had it served over their fresh spinach and cheese filled ravioli. We couldn't have asked for more. The service was friendly and warm. Caffe Macaroni is a treasure.
This cozy restaurant is the real deal if you want authentic delicious homemade Italian food. Their menu is extensive yet they will make any adjustment you need. I have been going for years and cannot understand how there isn't a line out the door because you cannot get better food, value or service anywhere in North Beach. Thank you Mario and Stephanie for this gem!