yum zone 😋 alpha

Italian

Updated Based on analysis of 583 Reddit comments
  1. 1

    Cotogna

    Jackson Square

    Try the corn triangoli when it’s in season; one diner specifically recommends it.

    1. Italian: Delfina, Altovino, Collina, Cotogna, Del Popolo (Pizza)

    2. My best advice is go for a nice Italian restaurant (Cotogna or Perbacco or anything similar) but limit to one appetizer, two entrées and water if you want to stay under $100.

    3. Cotogna without a question

    Worth knowing

    • Multiple commenters raised availability concerns; one reported "they don't take resos for one" (branch unspecified).
    • Multiple commenters raised price and value concerns; one reported "There is no way they are getting out og Cotogna at $30 per person. Hell, they charge for still water." (branch unspecified).
  2. 2

    Seven Hills

    Russian Hill

    Try the meatballs and focaccia, which one diner praised, though they weren’t sold on the overall hype.

    1. seven Hills in Russian hill for Italian.

    2. We did Seven Hills for my birthday last year and it was amazing

    3. seven hills on Hyde is my go to.

  3. 3

    La Ciccia

    Noe Valley

    Try the spaghetti bottarga, which one diner called their favorite pasta in the city.

    1. - La Ciccia (great Sardinian food)

    2. La Ciccia comes to mind, 30th and Church; Sardinian food, which is maybe perfect - it’s close enough to mainland Italian to not be wild but it’s not something you encounter every day.

    3. It's very different from other Italian restaurants. The food is delicious and unique, seafood centric. For example we tried Bottarga, made from the salt-cured tuna roe, which I've never seen elsewhere.

  4. 4

    Original Joe’s

    For classic Italian-American cooking without surprise flavors, try the chicken parm and pasta.

    1. Original Joe’s for Italian

    2. original joes for italian american

    3. I believe it is that good! Especially if you like italian food.

  5. 5

    Sotto Mare

    North Beach

    Try the cioppino, an Italian-American seafood stew that gets frequent recommendations, though some diners prefer alternatives.

    1. Sotto Mare in North Beach! Best Italian seafood in the city! Fun vibe, sit at the counter!

    2. Sotto mare is a great Italian seafood restaurant

    3. If I could have just one casual meal in SF that was not too expensive and is unique to SF and Italian influenced I'd say Cioppino at Soto Mare

  6. 6

    Flour + Water

    For pizza, one commenter recommends the OG Bear; another especially recommends Flour + Water’s pizza.

    1. Flour + Water

    2. Flour + Water has/had one that I actually liked (I usually am not a fan).

    3. I also enjoy Flour + Water for Italian.

  7. 7

    Trattoria Contadina

    For pasta, try the Il Diavolo with spicy sausage; the house-made gnocchi is described as especially cheese-forward with blue-cheese cream sauce.

    1. Trattoria Contadina is family owned, 3rd generation currently. Definitely my “go to” for Italian, but as mentioned you need reservations.

    2. Trattoria Contadina for festive, family-run old school Italian.

    3. Trattoria Contadina

  8. 8

    Pink Onion

    For pasta, try the pistachio or truffle option.

    1. the pistachio or truffle pasta from pink onion

    2. Pink Onion has a dinner deal for $60 where you get one appetizer or salad, one whole pizza, one pasta dish, one dessert and if you're there on Wednesdays a bottle of wine. You could prob do 2-3 dinner deals for all 5 of you for $120 - $180.

    3. Pink Onion has a nice pizza pasta salad app combo (daily) and free bottle of wine on Wednesdays

  9. 9

    Roma Antica

    Marina

    The amatriciana gets a specific recommendation; a diner also praises the Marina location’s pasta and pizza.

    1. Roma antica

    2. Roma Antica

    3. Roma Antica

  10. 10

    Firenze by Night

    Try the gnocchi; one diner especially praises the vodka-sauce version, while another describes it as light.

    1. I also like Firenze by night for an old school 1980s Italian. Amazing vodka sauce gnocchi

    2. Firenze By Night I was gifted three day old pasta marinara. It was better than Joe’s.

    3. Firenze by Night is so great! Do not miss the Gnochi and Tortellini. Gnochi is the lightest I’ve ever had.