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My daughter considers this the Best gelato in SF & they have the widest range of flavors! Pick, taste, then order - they're authentically Italian, have coffees, sandwiches, cannolis and wines, too. Friendly service in a tiny cute deli that has lots of goodies!
I met up here with some friends for a mid-week hang and walk around North Beach. There were so many flavors of gelato available along the L-shaped counter that it was hard to settle on a flavor, but I eventually opted for a scoop of black cherry chip gelato in a waffle cone. It was really good, but I had to eat it kind of fast because the gelato was really soft, and it was hot outside, causing it to melt faster than usual. I made it to the last few bites before it started dripping so not bad. Funnily enough, I'd passed by Alimento countless times before but had never tried it. I'm so glad my friend organized our weeknight catch-up to come check out this spot.
I was on my way out of town while walking through Little Italy and I wasnt really hungry until I walked by like every spot and this place caught me when I saw someone eating this sanny with good looking bread. I walked past it and got like a block away and was like maaaaaan shiiiiiittt Im turning around lol. I went back and came to get a sanny and Im happy I did, I was planning on eating it on the walk. The place has a lot of choices like a regular deli youd find in the northeast. San Francisco has definitely the best Little Italy as far as choices to pick from and its really big and spread out. I had the Goodfella. Roast beef, prosciutto, salami, provolone and basil. I added the pesto and olive oil and replaced the provolone with fresh mozzarella. Best part was there was an old ass lady who made the sanny and she loaded it lol. The bread makes the sandwich and it was really soft and crunchy. Soo good. I 1000% recommend this place and I am sure she makes all the sandwiches the same!
This place had been my go-to for gelato in North Beach for years now. My top flavors have to be either stracciatella or lemon cookie :) Inside is always busy whether night or day, and they allow customers up to two samples of the gelato flavors. I've read that they also make sandwiches, which I would also love to try one day. When you pay at the register, they have all kinds of yummy European chocolate that you don't see at many places. The cannoli's are also so mouthwatering, and they have a variety of different kinds per preference. I've never enjoyed my gelato right out front but I see many people sitting down every time I've visited. They also slide their front window all the way open to create a more ventilating and welcoming atmosphere. Highly recommend for amazing gelato and other goodies :)
Stopped in here after a long walk around North Beach and this was the perfect treat to end the day! Got a cookies & cream gelato that was so good and reminded me of my favorite gelato from Dolce Spazio in the South Bay (still the better one but I'll take Alimento being a quick walk away)! My friend got the pistachio and said it wasn't that great though :( but some other flavors we sampled were good! Will absolutely be back to get an affogato!
I wasn't sure how to rate this place because I absolutely love the interior/aesthetic and the gelato was delicious BUT the service was just okay and I found an ant mixed into my gelato. It was just one little ant so it's no big deal but it made me feel "meh" about the experience. I would've given a 3 star rating if not for the variety of flavors they had and the quality of each flavor I tried. Here's my food rating for the flavor I chose: Coconut, 8/10 - my go to. i was satisfied that it tasted like fresh coconut.
We were in the city and wanted to get an authentic Italian sub without the long weight of the more popular spot. Alimento is small galley style shop that is a mix of a gelato spot, deli, coffee shop and convenience store that sells cigarettes and alcohol. Two of us got the speciale and one got the alpino. The sandwiches are flavorful and fresh although the bread did tear up the roof of our mouth. We also tried the gelato which was pretty but just OK. My wife had a Americano and it was strong and hot just like we like. Although the store had a good amount of traffic coming and going, we didn't have to wait very long to receive our lunch, which is what we were hoping for.
Came for an after-dinner treat! The whole store is narrow and long with walls boasting countless bottles of wine and two large freezers full of gelato and sorbet. There's a limit of 2 flavors for samples. I got excited about trying their Cardamom gelato, but the employee told me there wasn't any left and that was actually mint chip one, which was disappointing. The employee was very prompt and quick with helping me, which I appreciate. I got the Spumoni, and the medium was a generously filled cup. Texture-wise, it was a bit icy and hard for me, not as buttery and smooth as other places. The flavor was great though; I loved the chopped nuts in it. The Stracciatella I sampled was also very good! Definitely a good place if you want a variety of flavors to choose from.
Ordered the Mafioso sandwich and it was absolutely delicious. The ingredients were fresh, the flavors were well balanced, and the bread was perfect. You can tell they put a lot of care into their sandwiches. The deli has a great neighborhood feel, and the service was friendly. Definitely a spot I'll be coming back to whenever I'm craving a great Italian sandwich.
While walking to my chosen lunch spot, I kept noticing how many "new" businesses that weren't there between 2020 and 2022. I used to take my goddaughter, the furry variety, along this route and there were so many boarded doors and windows. As I walked, I took photos of places that piqued my interest. On my walk back after lunch, I decided to window shop at their gelato, especially after seeing Genevieve Y's (https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=_aSs5dSAabuwnXUGBPzASw) photo of spumoni that I saw a few days earlier. I saw an item that might interest her but another flavor caught my eyes. I tried the hazelnut brownie gelato (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=H1rySEB3-C5COE2aglmvSw), medium in a cup. She told me that the small size was not available. As she scooped my gelato, I wandered to the rear counter and saw another menu board (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=DNHu8CwQQL9Qwx97vfTQWg). I am saving this for a future visit in case something appeals to my stomach for a future lunch. I walked back to the front cashier area and she rung me up, offering seating in the back area in addition to the two sidewalk tables in front. I passed on her offer, paid for my gelato, and walked to my car. The hazelnut brownie was rich but the flavors seemed a bit muted and not bold. The brownie pieces didn't really stand out and the hazelnut didn't add much to it. I will probably try the lychee one next visit. The gal at the cashier was very nice and friendly, helping me with a smile throughout. It's great to see more businesses along this block open now, a stark improvement from the past few years.
Lovely gelato spot that stays open late in North Beach. They've got tons of flavors ranging from the basics like "cookies and cream" all the way to exotic options like "lychee". A scoop costs about $5. It's a well stocked store and deli as well. Hard to pass up if I'm nearby.
We got to sample some flavors beforehand which was nice. I got the cookie dough gelato, but it was personally too sweet for me. Mine was a medium size since they ran out of small sizes and it was plenty in quantity. I did like the cookie dough chunks though!
1 year ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
3 years ago
Best gelato I've had yet. Super creamy!!! Not much seating on the Columbus Avenue side. More seating on the Green Street side. Haven't tried their deli items or pizza yet but they look yummy. read more
1 year ago
4 years ago
Such a cute and authentic little gelato shop! This is a grocery market style shop that has the cutest little gelato bar inside! The gelato however was fantastic! I got the triple chocolate brownie I believe it was and it was to die for. The consistency was the thickest, melt in your mouth combination I have ever experienced. The best way I can put it is that the gelato felt rich and high end with how amazing the consistency was. Definitely a must try! read more
1 year ago
Great little spot for gelato in north beach. Tons of flavors to choose from and they are really quick. We had a big group of 8 and they got us in and out in 5 minutes. I got the triple brownie, really rich but delicious. They also have assorted candies on the walls and a couple tables outside. read more
1 year ago
It's disappointing to think I've lived in the area for over 11 years and never tried this place. All that lost time! It took a pandemic and a quest to try new lunch takeout joints for me to stumble upon it. But wow, the sandwiches are awesome. Very high quality ingredients and an expertly arranged combination of ingredients. Calabrese: This wouldn't have been my first choice just browsing the menu myself, but the enthusiasm this sandwich got on Yelp swayed me to try it. I am pleased to report that the wisdom of the crowd prevailed! Unlike many other sandwiches here, this only has one type of meat: hot coppa from Molinari's. However, it's a brilliant choice because it's sliced wafer thin and is packed with spicy and porky and fatty deliciousness. Plays perfectly with the soft pasty mound of fresh mozzarella. Simplicity is key. Also, the sun dried tomato spread gave it a little extra personality. And the bread was just right. Thought it'd be some soft Italian, but ended up being just the right amount of crusty in addition to the soft interior. Siciliano: This would have been my first choice based on the menu alone since it had mortadella (a favorite of mine) along with two other Italian meats. The cheese was provolone, which was a classic pairing to a bunch of cold cuts. Was also nice to have two different cheeses in my two different sandwiches; hate when Italian sandwich joints get formulaic with the basically the same sandwich configuration with different meat combinations. Same bread as the other sandwich, which worked very well with these cold cuts. It was the Italian combo I was hoping for and it exceeded my expectations! Cannoli: So I realize there are three great bakeries nearby along with various cafes that also have an array of tasty baked goods. However, when I saw a cannoli with candied orange peel, I couldn't resist! I love candied/glacé fruit. Even better, the inside of the shell was coated with dark chocolate. Halfway through eating the cannoli, I realized that was a brilliant design choice. You don't get melted chocolate on your hands and at the same time the inner chocolate layer protects from having the ricotta make the pastry shell soggy. Speaking of ricotta, the creamy sweet cheese with ample chocolate chips was just perfect with everything else going on here. read more
1 year ago
3 years ago
Awesome cannoli's I think i seen around 6 different flavors super crunchy definitely recommend alil pricey 6.99 ea Also a lot of flavors of Galato seen a lot of people getting that also lol seen them making espresso with alcohol read more
2 years ago
Happen to walk by this gelato store and absolutely fell in love with their gelato! I've never had such creamy and smooth gelato before. They also had flavors I've never seen!! They allow you to try as many flavors as you want without making you feel bad about it so I tried a few before I decided on a classic scoop of strawberry. Gonna definitely be back for their other flavors. Highly recommend checking this place out as your next dessert! read more
4 years ago
2 years ago
4 years ago
My wife and I have become Gelato hunters and we've tried just about every well known Gelato spot in the Bay Area over the last year or so from Marco Polo, Almare, Caravaggio, Gio Gelati, Holy Gelato!, Yersen, Lush and stumbled upon Alimento. I must say Alimento's Gelato is hands down our favorite and in my opinion the best Gelato in the Bay, out of all the ones we tried. They have the most Gelato flavors (40 or so) we've come across and their Gelato is very thick, elastic & creamy. If you are more into Sorbet, they have plenty of great Sorbet options too. For good measure, we also tried their regular and chocolate cannolis and they were fantastic as well. The Gelato price might be a little steep but not too out of the ordinary considering the shop is on Columbus ave in San Francisco and of course inflation. We didn't get a chance to try the Deli, the Espresso drinks or their cheesecake but can't wait to go back to do so because the Gelato (we tried hazelnut and strawberry) blew our socks off and we're confident the sandwiches and the cheesecake will do the same. Lastly, they are also a cafe, a deli, and a mini Italian Market for those interested in checking this place out for other reasons. read more
4 years ago
Alimento ice cream + Jack Early park is a great date idea on a hot day These were really good: Black cherry chip Hazelnut brownie Chocolate chip Sidenote:Great spot for people watching read more
4 years ago
Got room for dessert? I got a whole gelato room. (awful I know haha) We were looking for a place to get our fix on dessert, and Alimento just happened to be right there across the street from us. With all the flavors they had, it was so hard to make a decision, but luckily my friend gave some recommendations, and I loved it! It has been many years since I've been here, and glad to see it is still doing well. I got the strawberry honey lavender and lemon cookies. read more
3 years ago
One of the most underrated Italian deli's out there when it comes to the quality Sandwiches they make. The Service is always fast and consistent, the quality meat cuts are Grade A, and the cost is affordable for the quality you get in return. The bread is always fresh, the olive tapenade is by far my favorite spread I use, since I don't do mayonnaise or mustard on Italian sandwiches. They have great Italian sweets and sodas and also have a great gelato selection which is creamy and smooth like back in Italy. Ambiance of the business truly gives an Italian deli vibe with the colors of the flag presented everywhere and with the Salami's hanging on a string from a hook on the roof. I highly recommend this spot to anyone in the neighborhood. read more
11 months ago
I'm not a huge fan of gelato but thought I would give this place a try since I was in the area. I got the Stracciatella, which is a milk based ice cream with shavings of chocolate. The gelato was smooth and creamy. I would like to try the other selections in the future. read more
When you Yelp "gelato" in this area, Alimento comes up and so does a spot right across the street: choose Alimento. This place has lots more flavors to choose from, it's inexpensive, and the customer service is awesome. The gelato is delicious; I chose Black Cherry Chip in a dipped cone: mangia! We will definitely be coming back here for our next gelato fix when we're in SF again. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
Loved this place! We walked past this place and decided to go in because we were looking for a dessert place and Alimento had a ton of options for flavors! And they have unique flavors too! My boyfriend and I got white peach champagne gelato and chocolate brownie gelato. Delicious! Wish the scoops were bigger! No seating inside. A few small tables outside. read more
3 years ago
A must if you're visiting North Beach! Amazing sandwiches. Usually go with the Cubano but haven't had one I didn't love. Great service, the place is family owned. Highly recommend. read more
1 year ago
3 years ago
As a regular customer who frequents this establishment for their gelato, their customer service makes me question my loyalty to them. Every time you go in, it's hit or miss with the customer service. A majority of the time the staff just wants to get your money and get you out of there without one smile. They will barely acknowledge you and you usually have to wait for them to finish their conversation amongst themselves before they will help you. Not personable or kind and makes me want only give my business to Lush Gelato right across the street. If you're lucky, the employee will greet you with a smile and be friendly while helping you. Just recently came here around 9pm for a cup of gelato and was charged a debit card fee when I told them I was paying in cash. Do not go here if you do not want to get ripped off for random fees on top of their already pricey gelato. In regards to the gelato, it is pretty good when they give you enough to actually taste in your cup. Would recommend getting the fruity flavors here if that is to your liking! It feels like each time I go, the serving gets smaller and smaller even though I used to buy an extra large that comes with three scoops. They would give me reasonable scoops for two of the three flavors then the last one is like the size of a sample. Not worth it. Have been sticking with the smaller portion sizes hoping they will fill the cup with the right amount. Have been taking all my friends and family who visit to this place for over 10 years in hopes that the customer service will improve but I'm starting to lose hope. Love supporting local businesses, but cannot be giving my hard earned money to places where the employees are not consistent and the portions are no longer worth it. read more
3 years ago
Delicious!!! Obsessed, literally ordered from this place 3 days in a row while on my trip to SanFran and then ordered again just to take with me to the airport! read more
3 years ago
huge and delicious sandwich - make sure you add pesto and the spicy spread. The mozzarella was closer to burrata and so fresh. The shop also has some fun drinks and take to the park to enjoy. They also have some outdoor seating if you need. So good and no line at all during prime lunch on a Saturday. My new go to sandwich spot!! read more
2 years ago
I went with my friend in the evening and we got two affogatos. They were fantastic, and the restaurant lets you pick which gelato you'd like in it, as well as the number of shots. Very customizable and tasty. However, within a few minutes of my friend and I standing at the register waiting to order, a whole family cut ahead of us and the server helped them first --even though he'd been resting when we walked in. He also proceeded to give us our dessert, and then helped the family pay first. Overall, the food was amazing, but the customer service really left a lot to be desired. I probably won't come here again, especially that there is another dessert spot literally next door also offering affogatos and good homemade pastries. There is also no where to sit inside and the outside tables were covered in garbage. read more
5 years ago
I can only speak on behalf of the gelato because that's what I come here to get for years. They have 20+ flavors, and through trial and error, I've found that my personal favorite is Lemon Cookie. Tho recently they added a new Lychee flavor, which now I interchange between the two. They offer Italian sandwiches, coffee, and other desserts too, but I have yet to try them. Maybe one day! read more
5 years ago
Found this deli on Yelp while visiting San Francisco and turned out to be one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. The Speciale was packed with meat and veggies, but the olive tapenade and spicy pepper spread take it to the next level! My dad got the chicken pesto sandwich and my mom got kahlua almond gelato, which they also found delicious. Definitely worth the price, the sandwich portion is big enough to share for a hearty lunch. Came back the next 2 days to get gelato at night, espresso and chocolate is the best combo! read more
3 years ago
I was binge watching The Sopranos a few years ago and I kept craving Italian deli meats as Tony Soprano would eat them by the handful. Luckily I was living in North Beach at the time, so I had my pick of places to satisfy this craving. I remember being quite happy with the gelato here (especially the Grasshopper) so I decided to try their sandwiches. Welp, I was hooked. I found myself grabbing a sandwich here monthly and it was always The Speciale. Grab a sandwich here, make your way over to the park, and enjoy life. It's what Tony would have wanted. read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
VERY small shop with everything you'll need for a good day/night. They have a wide selection of wines, liquors, and beers. They have a little pharmacy by the register got some OTC meds, smoke items and more. The service was great! I believe the person that rang us up was the owner.. and he was very nice! They have two ice cream freezers with TONS of gelato options. Im a hazelnut kinda girl so that's what I got. Very smooth and not too sweet! Medium size was perfect! My friend got the basic chocolate gelato and she said it was on point! She also got the tiramisu and I tried my first cannoli! They do have outside chairs and tables but I think they are split between their shop and the other one to their right hand side. I also LOVE that their utensils are the disposable ones. read more
More info about Alimento
507 Columbus Ave
San Francisco, CA 94133
North Beach/Telegraph Hill, Russian Hill
Directions
(415) 296-9463
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