50 Best Italian Restaurants near South San Francisco

“First of all, it's just fun to eat in an old bank that has retained the sensibility of the former occupant, while still making it acceptable to diners. The food is delicious and the service is outstanding. The only thing that fell a little bit for me was the Caesar salad salad, because it didn't quite have the taste that I was expecting. But the pasta and the fish that I had were great. The cappelini Pomodoro is special. The service is always outstanding. It's convenient to park and convenient to get to. Check it out.“

“Went there for date night. Between the food, the service and the atmosphere, we were both made to feel special. Thank you Buon Gusto!“

“First time customer of Espostos catering, found through a recommendation on Nextdoor and so impressed with the presentation, value, quality and communication. We did a somewhat last minute order for a big party and it was a success! Will definitely be returning again and again.“

“The largest sandwich I’ve ever had at a deli, love the garlic spread. Excellent sandwich!“

“The nachos with carne asada and a michelada! That is a perfect meal.

Vegetarian options: There are vegetarian and seafood options.

Kid-friendliness: We come with our grandkids and the staff is welcoming to us.

Wheelchair accessibility: There are no steps and the restaurant is at ground level.“

“Speedy's Pizza & Grill is a great spot for anyone craving delicious pasta and pizzas in South San francisco area. Their pasta dishes are well-prepared with rich, flavorful sauces and perfectly cooked noodles. The pizzas stand out with their generous toppings and a crust that strikes the right balance between chewy and crispy. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or enjoying a relaxed meal, They offers tasty, satisfying options at a good value. Friendly service and a casual atmosphere make it a go-to choice for pizza and pasta lovers.“

“Amazing service and food!!!!“

“Wow, what a great restaurant. As soon as we walked in we were greeted kindly by the hostess. She was so sweet and even checked in on us during dinner. Our server Joselyn was very helpful and attentive. She helped steer us in the right direction of what to order since everything on the menu looked delicious. The food was outstanding. The portions aren't super big but perfect which allowed us to order a few entrees. We started with the pan seared brussel sprouts, stuffed calamari, & roasted baby carrots. We then ordered the ricotta strangulet, pumpkin caramelle, braised short rib cappellacci, and the drunken mafaldine. Wow, everything was truly amazing and cooked to perfection. We didn't have room for dessert but our bill came with a tiny assortment of cookies which was the perfect way to end our meal. Thank you Sorrella, we will definitely be back to enjoy your amazing cuisine.“

“everything about the restaurant, from the heated outdoor dining, people who work there, the food so deliciously great especially the one that prepares and cook it, THE CHEFS, amazingly incredible they are and not so pricey above all.“

“Truly authentic Calabrese style Italian cuisine takes us back to Nonna’s kitchen“

“Great leisurely lunch with girlfriends. Staff was friendly attentive. The butternut squash ravioli was to die for! Nice ambiance (we sat outside). Enjoyed!“

“Food was very tasty and well prepared, staff attentive and responsive, ambience is perfect“

“It has been many years since we were at La Ciccia.  it has always been one of our favorite restaurants. My wife and I chose to go here on our anniversary. We were very happy that the restaurant was bustling, the service was excellent, and the food was delicious and unique.“

“Amazing service and food!!!!“

“It had been at least a decade if not longer since I last visited Zuni Cafe and it felt just as it did all those years ago in the best way possible! Lovely ambience as always and great service. I raved about the chicken for months to my kids and although the bread salad was perfect, the chicken served was quite dry. Aside from that, we enjoyed a lovely afternoon at Zuni“

“I’m here for business from Canada. Was taken here for supper by a coworker. The quaintest little restaurant, the owner and his wife are just awesome. The food is gorgeous! And his limoncello is the best I’ve ever had. Will be going back before I head home. ❤️❤️❤️“

“Food was amazing! Great atmosphere and friendly attentive staff!“

“My favorite thing here is the linguine with mussels. I never order anything else, so I can't really comment on the rest of the menu. My husband had the burger, which he thought was fine, and the couple behind us had the skirt steak which he wished he'd ordered. Wine and beer list is great.“

“It was our first time and the service was amazing. Our dinner was more than excellent, the grilled pork chops with sweet potato puree best ever tasted. Great selection in red wine and great atmosphere! Owners were there and were very welcoming and down to earth! 100% recommended“

“(Make a reservation)
We arrived at Capo’s around 7:20 pm on a Saturday and were told we would have to wait 40 minutes for a table.
As hungry travelers, we said thank you and as we were about to leave, the hostess finds a nook and sat us down outside. I appreciate the fact that she did us that favor.
There were no patio heaters, so if sitting outside or walking in during busy hours, expect to dine outside in the cold with no heat (during winter).

(The Staff)
It was a very busy night, but the staff did a spectacular job in checking in on us.

(The Food)
The appetizers come in a reasonably sized portion, we ordered the garlic bread with mozzarella and was given a complimentary dish of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
My partner ordered the meat lasagne and I ordered the rigatoni alla vodka with smoked pancetta. The food was really good, it’s unlike anything I have ever had.
Take in mind that the dishes do serve up to 2 people, on busy nights it make take a bit to get your food, and regular pizzas take up to 20 minutes to bake, deep dish pizzas take up to 45 minutes to bake (but they look like they are worth the time!)

(Conclusion)
I would have loved to sit inside, the vibe is really nice. If you are looking for authentic Italian food with a nice atmosphere and friendly staff, book a reservation at Capo’s.“

“Lovely friendly Italian wine bar and delicious restaurant. Fresh innovative salads, pastas and main courses. Highly recommended.“

“Excellent espresso coffee, friendly service and a lovely brunch menu. I look forward to returning sometime for dinner. The chef’s were prepping a range of fresh looking ingredients and the smells emanating from the kitchen were beautiful!“

“Had a luncheon @ Perbacco with my 9 coworkers and Manager to say “goodbye & farewell” to a retiring coworker and “welcome” to a new coworker. Started with a round of hors d'oeuvre’s. The thin sliced veal with a sauce and capers was delicious! The fried shrimp, veggies and olives/anchovies…also with a sauce was awesome as well. For my main, I had CRESTE DI GALLO - semolina pasta - wild mushroom ragu - spinach - ricotta salata. Our waiter was the best! I saved one of the sugar cookies from my deserts…Burnt Carmel Gelato. Mentioned it to our waiter and as we were leaving, I heard “Sir! Sir!” He brought me one of their meringue cookies to also share with my partner! I thought that was just awesome! Top notch food and customer service. We’ll be back!“

“My husband and I enjoyed our dinner very much! He had the Paparadele and I had the beet salad and pizza. They were both delicious! We definitely will be going back!🍷“

“The food is absolutely stunning. Everything is fresh and the flavors mix amazingly“

“I have had several 5-star meals here over the years, but tonight’s was very disappointing. The server splashed wine when pouring it then didn’t wipe the glass (so it dripped every time I picked it up), the arancini were mushy and hard to pick up, and of my 3 half pasta servings (a delightful thing they offer at the bar for solo diners), one was overcooked and another so undercooked that I sent the dish back. Hoping that tonight was just an off night on execution, but I expected (and have had here) much better“

“Awesome yummy food with a friendly atmosphere and Great Service“

“From start to finish, the service was stellar. Everyone had warm smiles and welcomed us in. Food was incredible. We sat at the bar and witnessed all the food being prepared. We got the papperadelle and red snapper special. DELICIOUS! The team is hard working. Great local place to support.“

“GREAT SERVICE! They made me feel like family! The owner Carlos is such a nice and friendly man and the bar tender Gio was the sweetest gal! Everyone was so kind! And the food!!! 🤤🤤🤤 So good!! Like…memorable! Highly recommended! The desserts were just as good! ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“The food here is always exceptional. Dishes are very creative and flavorful. Wines and deserts to pair are also great. Though the service is lacking for the experience you're paying for. Our waitress came to check only once besides taking our order. The water pitcher was frequently empty and drinks took far too long to arrive. This restaurant could be great with more waitstaff and better training, but right now it's just good.“

“Always a hit! You are welcomed like family!“

“Great food and great service“

“Ofena is exactly the kind of neighborhood spot you want — warm, welcoming, and delicious. We were treated so well (thank you!) and loved the focaccia, especially the mortadella. The gnocchi with duck prosciutto was rich and perfect, and the pork chop was cooked just right. The creamy polenta is a must — silky and comforting. Peas salad kept things bright, and the arancini were crispy and cheesy. Loved the martini with a focaccia garnish — such a fun touch. Service was thoughtful but relaxed, which made the night even better. Can’t wait to come back for more food and cocktails.“

“Great food!! Service was fantastic. Consistently good!“

“Amazing food!!! Fantastic find in the heart of the city!!! Can’t wait to return!!“

“The best pasta and sauces in San Francisco. Authentic Italian cuisine! Highly recommend. Father and son team are amazingly warm hosts!“

“My wife and I went here for a Italian supper and wow was it good! Only good things to say about this place, and the best service we have had In years. We were very impressed!“

“From the moment we walked in everyone was so kind and attentive. We had the beet salad: light but delicious and fresh,
Pappernelle Pasta with Oxtail was simply pneominail (melted.in my mouth), sausage pizza (very flavorful)
Worth the visit and loved chit chatting with Chantel!!“

“Great fun!!! Hosts and servers were super nice!!! Cocktails: YUM!!!“

“Great atmosphere, impeccable service, friendly & welcoming staff. Most of all, great food. This is our second time and it didn’t disappoint. We’re visiting from SoCal in Orange County. Thank you!“

“Fantastic red sauce, great eggplant parmesan special, good selection of wines at reasonable prices. A great addition to the neighborhood.“

“It's great to see specialty shops like these. Pasta is what they focus on and specialize in. The restaurant part of the store let's us taste their pasta properly and perfectly made. It's also a reference on how the pasta is prepared. Try it, like it, but it and make it at home! Awesome pasta and variety.“

“While visiting San Francisco for work, I had the pleasure of dining at Cafe Tiramisu, and it quickly became a highlight of my trip! From the moment I walked in, the staff was incredibly welcoming – Giuseppe and Christian went above and beyond to make me feel right at home. Christian, my server, recommended the lobster escargot, and I have to say, it’s one of the best dishes I’ve ever had! The Spaghetti Nero with house-made pasta and local seafood was equally outstanding. This family-owned restaurant prides itself on creating as much as possible in-house, and it truly shows in the quality and freshness of the food. As the name would suggest, the tiramisu was also top notch. The ambiance is warm and inviting, with both cozy indoor and charming outdoor seating. Whether you're looking for an intimate meal or a great spot to relax after a long day, Cafe Tiramisu is a must-visit. You won’t be disappointed! I will absolutely return anytime I’m in San Francisco.“

“The food was amazing, home cooking at its best! My whole family, including my picky eaters, loved the food!😋“

“Beautiful locale, cozy and delicious food.“

“Delicious food, great drinks and amazing service.“

“Excellent food every time we have been… will be back. Everything is great on their menu. 🥰 Tonight we had guest from Montreal, celebrated Mother’s Day and our 23rd Wedding Anniversary! We couldn’t be happier to eat at Vespucci. Manuela and Francesco feel like my southern Italian family. Warm, welcoming, good food and wine and genuine conversation. Love them.“

“Non-American pizza and pasta with very reasonable pricing;

Since we just waked over from the farmers market at the ferry building we ordered margarita and calamari as a light lunch for 3. The pizza dough was perfectly light and puffy with a thin crispy crust + hint of firewood and paired perfectly with the freshness of the tomato basil and mozzarella. The calamari was slightly tough in texture but the dish in general was still excellent. Really loved the vegetables since they carried so much flavor and umami from the olive oil and calamari!

We were seated outdoors and the server very kindly rearranged the tables so we’d be in the shade (tysmm!) the people indoors were watching football and it was so cheerful to see them cheering (and singing) after Real Madrid scored a goal;

Loved the atmosphere loved the food and it’s a place we’d definitely come back to visit again!“

“My friend & I loved the food at Serafina - it was just our waiter that made the experience less positive. We had a reservation, ordered multiple dishes & wine. But he chose to rush us through courses; asking about the next course before we even took a bite of our appetizer & even taking my bread plate mid morsel-to-oil-dab. My friend finally made it obvious by saying, "don't worry we'll get out of your hair soon" & only then did he snap back into reality & mumble that , "you don't have to leave so quickly" Really sir? You weren't even full & it seemed like you were RUSHING to get us OUT of the restaurant ASAP. I understand we're all human & everyone can have "a day" but ... totally changed the experience for us.“

“Very nice portions and very friendly! Enjoyed the people and the food!“