I've wanted to eat here for so long. Every time I passed by they were closed until last night. It's off the beaten path of North Beach which I prefer. There was way less foot traffic for sidewalk dining. I had the wild boar ragu with pappardelle and it was delicious. I loved the addition of the peas and the cheese. Service was good. Not overly attentive but just attentive enough. I docked them a star because they added fresh ground pepper to my dish before I had a chance to say no. Please wait one second for your customer to answer the question and if you're going to put anything on my pasta, make it freshly grated Parmesan! My friend and I shared the burrata appetizer and it was delicious. If I ordered that on my own, it would be a whole meal because it was so big. The pesto on it was delicious, as were the cherry tomatoes. All in all, a good time. I would definitely go back. So glad they were open and I was still in town to enjoy it. read more

On the outskirts of North Beach, this quaint restaurant gives the other Italian joints some stiff competition. Limited menu, but what they serve is really good. Perfect for whether you're hankering some shellfish or just want some comforting baked pasta. Pasta Nera Amalfitana: With so many Italian joints nearby focusing on cioppino, it was nice to find seafood put to a different use. The were 7 clams, 7 mussels, 1 super large shrimp and various octopus pieces in a light broth reminiscent of bouillabaisse. All set against such dark black squid ink linguine. It wasn't just a coloring gimmick, it tasted more ocean-y than regular linguine. This alone could fill up one hungry adult, without really needing other courses. Maccheronata Al Forno: I'm kinda addicted to lasagna for Italian takeout, but that's not served here, so baked pasta was a logical substitution. Turned out to be a great choice, more cheesy than most lasagna even. I especially liked how a good amount of the cheese was quite stringy. Though less fancy the pasta nera amalfitana, it was pure comfort! read more

Caffe Macaroni - Maccheronata Al Forno - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This was my second trip to Caffe Macaroni, and I will be going back. Stephanie and Mario are wonderful hosts -- make you feel "at home." The food was excellent, especially Stephanie's homemade dessert. The ambiance is cozy and warm. read more

This is a small, amazing, Italian place where I fell in love from my 1st visit. The owners were very nice and friendly. Typically, Italian dishes are not my 1st choice, but I would definitely visit this place as soon as I have a chance to visit SF again. I shared some dishes with my colleagues, and my main dish was Risotto Pescatore (seafood risotto) - I loved all of them!! I hope the owners are doing well until I visit the place again! They are lovely people! read more

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My coworkers and I went to Caffe Macaroni for a lunch a couple months ago, and wow, folks weren't joking about the low ceiling up the stairs! We were seated upstairs and were the only table there during our whole lunch. It felt very homey and cozy, and our waiter was really nice. We felt bad that he had to go up and down the stairs to get us what we need, especially when it came to extra plates for sharing, but we realized that there were plates nearby us so we grabbed from there too. We tried the following - Margherita Pizza Focaccia - my coworkers liked this one more than me. I wasn't a fan of it because the focaccia didn't have that herby taste. It was more like dry bread to me, but hey, maybe my expectations were higher. Other than that, the topping parts were good. Solid appetizer. Tomato Soup - a coworker ordered this and she really enjoyed it. It was nice and warm, rich in flavor. Ravioli - I love stuffed pastas. This ravioli isn't the best I've had, but it was really decent. It didn't really stand out unfortunately. Linguine di Mare - linguine pasta with various seafoods, including mussels and clams. This pasta was enjoyable. Great texture to the pasta and it came with a separate mini bucket to place the shells. Baked Pasta - looked so good! very cheesy and filled with good stuff. Panna Cotta - SO RICH! Thick, gelatinous, super creamy for a panna cotta. I really enjoyed this one. Limoncello cake - tastes just like limoncello. Sweet and tart, full of lemon flavor. Tiramisu - can't go wrong with the classic tiramisu. Espresso - comes in such an adorable lil cup. Delicious. A bit more generous with my review since the coworkers enjoyed nearly everything here compared to me. Great atmosphere, and we may be back for another lunch once we're able to! read more

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Covid-19 review for outdoor dining. I have no idea if they'll have heat lamps as it gets colder but it was ok with a thick jacket when we went. Sidewalk dining. Tables are spread out but the set of tables on the edge of the sidewalk are almost falling into the street by the bus stop. Food is still amazing and it's gotten better - I discovered the limoncello cake and cheesecake - those two desserts are to die for. I stick with my staple: Spaghetti Arrabiata (it's not on the menu but they'll make it) with extra of the garlic oil bread sauce. So good. A little spicy but so good. Also good is the baby octopus pasta. Everything really is good. To be fair, I think the appetizers are good, but nothing out of this world unique (but the ingredients are super fresh so yes it's super tasty, but if I have to allocate stomach space, I'm just being picky), so I usually don't order it and instead order pastas and desserts galore. Closes at 2 for lunch on Friday, kitchen last order 1:45 but we called ahead and one time they let us order on the phone to beat it and then let us sit well past 2pm. Probably not ideal but we appreciated it a lot. Super friendly service. Love it here. read more

Affordable authentic Italian in SF! It's a little bit cold sitting outside but the food does not disappoint. I love that this is a mom and pop Italian restaurant and a homemade pasta is amazing read more

Caffe Macaroni - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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When we go to San Francisco this is always a spot we hit for dinner. My son says it's his favorite Italian restaurant in the US and we'vevisited great places in New York, Boston and LA. The seafood carpaccio is a great starter and you can't go wrong with any of the pastas read more

Came on a Friday night to catch up with a friend. It's a small restaurant, so be sure to make a reservation. There's indoor and outdoor seating, all with good vibes. The staff is awesome - we immediately felt right at home. I've seriously paid twice as much for Italian food that wasn't as good as this!! An absolute treat. We asked for a bottle of a light red, and it paired with the food nicely! We all had a happy buzz by the end of the meal. We stayed way too long and they never rushed us, insisting we take our time as they started cleaning up the rest of the restaurant. The food was phenomenal. Everything was tasty from the garlic oil for the bread. The seafood risotto was lovely, and the pastas were cooked to perfection. We also got a squid ink pasta and eggplant Parmesan which we loved. Seriously, this review sounds so one-note but we just loved everything! read more

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What an awesome place - tiny as all get out so get there right at open or sit outside! Food was amazing and the owner waits the tables . I had the Ceasers Salad and Spaghetti and meatballs and both were awesome! Make sure you try the Tiramisu best I have had in a long time. read more

I love this place! Haven't been since pre-COVID but finally got a chance to return. I stopped by with my partner without a reservation and was able to get seated with a short wait time. The menu has dwindled down in size and I'm sure you'll be able to find something. I ordered the Pasta Nera Amalfitana - squid ink linguine with seafood - and it was sooooo good! My partner ordered the Maccheronata al Forno and that was super tasty as well. We also got the caesar salad, some wine, and white sangria. Finished our dinner with a shot of limoncello. Def check this place out! read more

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Top notch Souther Italian cuisine with only the best ingredients. They stay true to the original Italian flavors, while incorporating the soul of San Francisco into the atmosphere. I will go out of my way to come here again. The service was personable, considerate, and caring. I felt like both a member of the family, and the most honored guest. read more

My family and I love Caffe Macaroni! The food is delicious, authentic Italian food! Some of our favorites are the yellowtail carpaccio, fennel salad, parpadelle, and the gnocchi - chef's kiss! Oh, and the desserts!! Made fresh daily by Stephanie. Best panna cotta I've had in my life, pistachio cake, tiramisu, limoncello cake, and you can even make a special request of chocolate and sour cream cake - Stephanie's mom's recipe. The service that Mario, his wife Stephanie, and their staff provide is incredible. They treat you like family. The restaurant is small, but has the best ambiance. I love sitting inside and watching people as they walk by on Colombia street and enjoying my food and an aperol spritz. Try it, you'll love it read more

A 32-year-old gem in North Beach right on Columbus & Jackson. You feel like you're at a small cozy neighborhood cafe where everyone swings by like the Grand Central Station. I felt like I was on somewhere between the Godfather and Friends stage set. Stephanie and Mario, the owner and chef couple, need no introduction. You walk in, you're family and make instant friends with the next table. Quirky eclectic interior, pasta to perfection, dessert so good that even I ate them to the last bite although I rarely eat dessert. And I'm going back again to try other delectable dishes and hang out in this magical place! read more

This place has good review and tried it over the weekend. Looks like authentic Italian but the quality of the food was so-so and not fresh. We ordered take out: Bologna pizza, Rib eye steak and Linguini Di Mare. Rib eye steak was large but filled with fat. Linguini Di Mare was good mussels and clams. The noodles were rough and hard. Bread was hard. After the hard pasta, I didn't even touch the pizza. Just not good. read more

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Came with the bf for a casual Friday date night and loved it! Old school, traditional, and warm vibes. It was easy to make a res via Opentable 1 day prior. PSA on outdoor dining - the tables were pretty spaced out in a nice parklet area, and there were a few heaters. We ordered the below and it was the perfect amount for two people: - Halibut Carpaccio: 5/5 delicious! Very fresh fish and light, lemony sauce. Perfect appetizer. - Baby octopus pasta: 4/5 We had to order this since it's a pretty unique dish, and it was good! Loved that it had a bit of a spicy kick, although wish the seafood flavor was slightly more intense. - Pappardelle with beef & mushroom sauce: 5/5 Really good! Love the ricotta on top and noodle texture. - Tiramisu: 5/5 perfect end to the meal, not overly sweet and lovely coffee flavor. read more

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Outstanding! This is a gem. You will not find any place like it anywhere. Mario and Stephanie make you feel like family. The food is unmatched. Once upon a time there were family owned and Italian restaurants all over town. Even then Caffe Macaroni would stand out as exceptionally excellent. Today, no other place even comes close. I will return soon, and again... read more

Owner/chef was most welcoming and the food matched his personality. Sassy and plentiful.

Great food, staff and ambience. Pasta is so good. I crave it every so often and make my trips downtown.

In a city known for three major food types--Seafood, Chinese food, Italian food--finding an Italian restaurant that is very good should not be surprising. Caffè Macaroni is a small neighborhood restaurant owned and operated by a Neapolitan transplant who brings the best of his cuisine to San Francisco. The food was superb. No generic cooking here. Everything was expertly prepared in that way one gets used to traveling in Italy. This is a neighborhood place with lots of repeat customers greeted with hugs by the owner. If you are looking for the best southern Italian food made with locally sourced seafood and meats, don't miss Caffè Macaroni. read more

This is a super charming little restaurant with exorbitant prices for mediocre food. The first floor indoor seating is about five 2-top tables. The food is served out of small window from a tiny kitchen. The bread is average at best. Very small pasta servings priced at a whopping $24+ with a fair value of about $12.99. We had a nice time but likely won't return. read more

It's an unassuming place that transports you to solid Italian food and very intimate quarters (think shoulder to shoulder, if you sit inside, strangers becoming friends, even sharing wine - what can I say? I'm a friendly person to dine next to if you chat me up!) We are vegetarian and shared pizzas, pastas, dessert in our party. We can't wait to go back, bring our friends, and sit inside again. Definitely a neighborhood spot that caters to the thoroughfare of tourists and people who look up from their phones. Reservations recommended in advance for Friday-Saturday nights. read more

This place is an absolute gem! Real Italian food that is absolutely delicious. Each member of my party ordered something different and we all had to share because everyone's dish was that good. But the real reason to come is the service. Even though this was our first time there, the owner and his wife treated us like regulars. Such absolutely wonderful and warm people! I will return every visit to San Fran!! Two thumbs enthusiastically up! read more

I have so many mixed emotions about this place. I can see why it has great ratings but I can also see why it has some terrible ones. We walked up on a Saturday night with no reservations at about 930pm. There were only 2 other tables taken. The dining room itself is literally the cutest thing. It is tiny and cute and transports you to a whimsical place. Mario (the owner?) was standing outside to greet us but it seemed like he was upset we were coming in. I sat at the wrong seat and he yelled at me. We were trying to order and he would come to our table but not look at us. He would ask if we were ready but then he would walk away without listening to us. It felt very much like he was mad and didn't want us to be there. We never got waters, even though we asked for them and had to ask for the bread. The bread was terrible! Seemed older and was stone cold. The garlic oil was the saving grace. That oil was freaking delicious. We ordered the papparedelle and the linguini. Both were good but not stellar. There seemed to be missing some seasoning. Maybe salt. They just didn't have any oomph. Not great but not bad. The servers were basically ignoring us even if we had a request. Can I please just have some water? I wish I spoke Italian so I could know if they were talking about us. We wanted to get dessert but they turned the lights off to the display case while we were sitting next to it. Just rude. I wanted to like this place but it just didn't happen. read more

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We went to Cafe Macaroni for a birthday celebration. I ordered the special Lamb Meatballs and were not good at all. My friend ordered a pasta with seafood, she asked for Parmesan cheese and was bluntly told no by the owner. Also, the wine we ordered was not very good in the past. We had a very nice Chardonnay, but he didn't have it, what we did get wasn't that good. I will say the dessert was very good Unfortunately, I will likely not return. read more

This is a really small italian restaurant in North Beach/Chinatown area. While it looks small from the outside with about 4 small tables in the front where the kitchen is, I believe there's a back room that hosts more tables. I have yet to see that because they sat us in the front. I had the tortellini with pancetta and peas in a creamy sauce. This was my pick the day before a 15K race so I was carbo loading! The tortellini was delicious! Filled with cheese and beautifully al dente and dressed in a not so overwhelming or heavy cream sauce. The pancetta and peas were a perfect addition, adding additional creaminess and sweetness to this dish. They also start you off with a bread basket and a plate of olive oil with garlic solids inside. What caught my attention the most aside from the garlic themed decor is the owner in white. Judging by these reviews his name is Mario. There was a pup and his owner stopping by and Mario did not hesitate to welcome the pup by offering him a biscuit. It was so sweet. I love establishments that are pet friendly and cater to man's furry best friend too. This place was great and you can tell locals frequent this place, as the patron they sat next to me knew Mario and asked him about his kitchen remodeling. Will come back to try their other menu offerings! read more

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This is a definite occasion in which Yelp had half stars. Three seems too little for the experience but 4 seems a bit high. This is a sold 3.5 in my book. We were going to the speakeasy for the night so I looked for a reservation within walking distance with great reviews. According to Yelp this is a 4.5 so we were excited. We had a reservation and when we showed up we were surprised to see only seating for 10 people which were all taken. They told us it would be a few minutes. After freezing outside for a while and wondering how we were going to fit they brought us upstairs which we didn't know existed. The ceilings are low and the place is more than intimate. My wife thought it was a bit too claustrophobic for her tastes and would probably never go back. I saw the garlic oil and bread on Yelp and was excited to try it before our meal but ours never came. We asked the waiter for some and it ended up coming after our main course arrived. The service was overall slow and not super friendly (not bad, just not great). This theme seemed to carry over into the night. The food was all good, but not great. We had the: Pappardelle with ragu which was decent but the sauce was a little thin for me. It also seemed to be missing something (maybe a pinch of salt.) Ravioli was also good but nothing special. It was a red sauce with a drizzle of pesto on top. The red sauce also seemed a bit thin but it seems that this is what the place is going for. Chicken/gnocchi dish was just ok. My wife liked it but I thought the texture was off and the sauce was no where near the best I have had. I have tried several gnocchi dishes and this is one I would not go back for. All of the reviews previously were raving so maybe we had experienced an off night but since there are so many more places to try I would not come back to this one. read more

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My Favorite Cafe! One of my favorite things to do is to sit with the Mrs and a bottle of wine. We people watch, talk, eat incredible food, and enjoy life. The service is amazing- and the food can't be matched. One of the best things I can say is, they treat me like family. I couldn't recommend them higher. read more

Caffe Macaroni - Caffe Macaroni treating us like family - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

If you're looking for a classic italian dinner without all the frills at a decent price this is the spot. It's a great hole in the wall with limited seating. The owner is fantastic and you can tell he is really passionate about his food. The tuna carpaccio is to die for. Their baked pasta is a dream. Their cesar salad is perfect. read more

Five stars for how you treated our 12 year old & friend dining alone today. As a previous reviewer mentioned, the customer is 'king' here. According to our foodie-to-be son who made his own pasta two nights this week, it was some of the best pasta & cheesecake he's ever had. Certainly we need more kindness like this especially during these hard times. We'll definitely be back with the rest of the family read more

I love Caffe Macaroni! Though be warned that the restaurant is tiny and the tables are crammed together. I can clearly hear the table conversation next to us. The food is great though. My go to order is their seafood squid ink pasta. I've tried other dishes that I can't remember but I always go back to their seafood pasta. read more

"Good evening, would you like a menu?" "No thanks, can I get an order of panna cotta to go?" "To go? Why you no sit? Maybe have a cappuccino?" Couple sitting a few tables away: "You should sit." That little scene I experienced as I walked in to this establishment felt like I was back in Italy...the people, the hospitality... I sat. And enjoyed an order of panna cotta and a cappuccino. And chatted with Mario and the couple at the next table. And some other folks that came in. The panna cotta was tasty. Come in. Why you no sit? read more

Great food, great vibe. We feel like we're in Italy when we dine here. Chef Mario and Stephanie treat everyone like family.

Very cute neighborhood spot with friendly service and well executed home-y dishes. Wandered by without a reservation on a Saturday night, and was promptly seated outside. Service was good, and we enjoyed all the dishes we had tried! Their take on garlic bread hit, and for my main I had their rock cod puttanesca special - which was tasty and served piping hot. I would have enjoyed a bit more of a kick in the sauce, but otherwise - was just what I was looking for. I am a tiramisu snob and found theirs to be delicious. Get it Love the cozy neighborhood vibes here and the food is solid! read more

2nd time at Macaroni and it was even better than the first experience. Came here a week ago for my parents 35th anniversary. This time we sat at the downstairs section (I had previously booked a table) and Chef Mario was nice to converse in Italian with my dad, explain us the specials (You have to ask for it) and served us amazing pasta. My dad loves simple italian food that has a good homemade tomato sauce and he said the pasta was just like in Italy!!! Between the four of us we had: - Spaghetti baby octopus (from the specials) - squid ink linguini seafood (from the specials) - pappardelle bolognese ((from the specials) - spaghetti pizzaiola (from regular menu) - limoncello cake (MUST ORDER) and tiramisu All our pastas were just amazing. Fell in love with the baby octopus and got cravings now!!! Figured their best dishes are in the special menu but you have to ask what's in the special menu as the waiter won't bring it up ;) Their specials items are priced 25$ and up but oh so worth it! Their desserts are too good. In love with the limoncello cake, tiramisu and pannacotta (which we tried last time) so don't pass on dessert. This place has become my favorite italian joint in town and looking forward to introduce this gem to our friends as well. Viva Macaroni!!! A Presto! read more

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What can I say? This place is amazing! Sure, the name doesn't sound as "posh" as some other restaurants but the food here is through the roof amazing. I came here for a work outing and since all of us were fully vaccinated we opted to indoor dine. We had the entire upstairs floor to ourselves and man oh man the SERVICE we had despite being away from everyone else was on point. I started off with the halibut carpaccio and it was divine. Apparently, this special isn't around too often so if you come and they have it, you MUST try it! For my main, I had the rock cod special - it's lightly breaded and served on top of spaghetti with EVOO and Calabrian chilies. I think my colleague's salmon dish looked better but the taste of the fish & pasta was still very good! Finished off with some tiramisu and cheesecake. I know people rave about the tiramisu but I found it a little too alcoholic-y for my taste. Cheesecake was amazing. Mario, the owner, finished us off with some free limoncello shots. Yum. This place is so underrated and definitely worth your time! read more

Real cute place located in the shadow of the TransAmerica building. Everything we got was good. My only complaint is the pasta wasn't freshly made but that might be asking too much for a place this small. The flavors are incredible. I got the special which was a pasta with fresh sautéed sardines and a spicy tomato sauce. Fabulous. Deserts are home made and delicious. Service is great. Owner is personable and friendly read more

Fantastic experience! We just noticed this place off the street and LOVED it. Had great wine, pasta, and limoncello cake. The staff was so fun and we got to know the other patrons since the seating is so intimate. Highly highly recommend! read more

Caffe Macaroni - Pappardelle, puttanesca, and maccheronata al forno - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

It was one of the best meals in my life. The carpaccio was one of the best things I have ever eaten. It is owned by a beautiful husband and wife, and the wife, Stephanie, is one if the sweetest people. I could not recommend this place enough for a beautiful date. A bottle of wine and dinner here is enough to fall in love again and again. read more

Caffe Macaroni - The tiramisu and a cappuccino is the best dessert. Nothing needs to be added to the cappuccino; it is perfect. - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

I'll risk saying that this is one of the best Italian restaurants in SF. Came in for a late dinner with husband on a Sunday - ordered fresh anchovies as appetizer, chicken gnocchi with gorgonzola & pork belly with fennel. everything was delicious! They also keep the bread coming with a garlic and EVOO as much as you can eat! For desert, traditional tiramisu does the trick! I love this place and during COVID times it's been one of my best choices so far! read more