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    Cesario's

    3.5 (633 reviews)
    ModerateItalian, Desserts
    Closed 11:30 am - 10:00 pm

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    CESARIO'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Intimate
    Classy
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Cesario's

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    Reviews With Photos

    Fettuccini with Linguine Pancetta Dinner
    Marilyn H.

    What a wonderful gem in this city of so many choices. One had the salmon, one had veal Parmesan and I had the linguine with pancetta, mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes . Seldom have I had such a tasty attractive meal. The waitress was kind and helpful. I would highly recommend this treat to your tastebuds!

    Tuscan Chicken Dinner
    Mallory D.

    Group of 6 walked in for dinner without reservations and was able to get a table on a Saturday night. I had the Tuscan chicken which was disappointing. The chicken was overcooked and very dry and the vegetables tasted like they were steamed in a plastic bag. The polenta was ok. Service was good and the waitress was nice.

    Lasagna
    Elisabeth K.

    DO NOT GO HERE IF YOU WANT ITALIAN FOOD. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Cute and cozy with all the normal decor from your usual Italian restaurant.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] But I'm thinking this is not a real Italian restaurant anymore maybe they have new management/ owners trying to hold their restaurant as an Italian theme and menu. The food was poorly done. Bland flavor, not worth taking home the food for leftovers. Wasted my $$$$. Table service was average to lacking. Kind or off-putting on the attitude of some staff. But seriously I could be ok with the service if the food was good. ---This place it was so bad that we went out to sushi afterwards bc was a waste of money and time in the city. Go here if you are desperate and you want to fill up on their dinner rolls - if u don't mind soggy sad food that it isn't Italian cuisine made properly and just want to enjoy people watching outside their windows. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Otherwise, if you wanted a romantic or cozy friend's dinner with real Italian cuisine then go someplace else.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Rosa A.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]Great views of San Francisco streets.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Charming old traditional Italian restaurant.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The carpet is a bit too old with that old carpet smell.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Server is great very personable. [[HIGHLIGHT]]One of those odd restaurants with bathroom in the kitchen with one stall.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Food was good, savory, worth the price.

    Ravioli Florentina Lunch
    Nikita K.

    Cesarios is a cute little Italian spot that I went to for a late lunch. The bread we got as a starter was too cold so we asked for warm bread and it was a lot better. The service was okay. The food was all plated very aesthetically. We ordered 3 main courses to share. The ravioli was really good and cooked well and had lots of sauce. The cheese on the eggplant for one of the dishes was too thick and unappetizing. For appetizer we got caprese salad and minestrone soup. The soup was very bland and I would not order it again. The veggies in it were also overcooked and mushy. For dessert we got tiramisu and limoncello mascarpone cake. Both were really good and came in good portion sizes in my opinion.

    Specials menu.
    Pablo R.

    I only tried their seafood specials. I liked them. The "paella" was miles away from a real paella, but I wasn't expecting it to be authentic either, so it didn't bother me. It was somehow creamy and very tasty. Kind of an in-between risotto and paella sort of dish. They were also generous with the amount of seafood. Left the place with a good feeling in terms of the balance between prices, quality and amount of food. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambience inside is cozy and the location of the restaurant is good, Lower Nob Hill.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I will come back.

    Polenta lasagna
    Gary L.

    What a delightful dinner I enjoyed at Cesario's, a small, quaint Italian restaurant a few blocks from Union Square. I was surprised how busy it was at 6 p.m. -- glad I made a reservation, as I took the last of the dozen or so tables. The menu had several of my Italian comfort food favorites, caprese and capellini pomodoro. That was the plan, yet I opted for the polenta lasagna to pair with the caprese. I love polenta, and the variation on a traditional lasagna was too tempting to pass up. Both dishes were delicious, and I couldn't resist trying the homemade tiramisu for dessert. I enjoyed the ambience as much as the food, and the waitstaff was friendly and attentive. Cesario's is definitely on my list to return to.

    Crème brûlée
    LaRaun C.

    Stopped in after a long day of walking through San Francisco and was met with friendly, attentive service. The food was delicious--while the Caesar salad isn't pictured, it was excellent. The chicken piccata was full of flavor with perfectly cooked noodles, and the crème brûlée was divine. The wine selection was a bit mid, but the ambiance gave classic old-school Italian vibes. I'd definitely stop in again next time I'm in the city.

    Didn't know this fee was included until after dinner.

    The food was good overall, but the service could use some improvement. The complimentary bread wasn't brought out until I asked, even though I noticed other tables received theirs right away. I also wish the health or insurance fee had been mentioned earlier, as it was added to the amount used to calculate the tip. It would be great if this charge were explained upfront to avoid confusion.

    Linguine Carbonara Penne Bolognese
    Audrey L.

    Good, Italian restaurant with great service. We ordered the calamari, carbonara, and bolognese. The carbonara was our favorite. Both pastas weren't heavily seasoned/salted. We had to add salt and pepper to our portions (which is better than our dishes being made too salty.) The ambiance is mellow, warm, and inviting. The service is prompt and friendly. Great place in Union Square to satisfy your Italian food cravings.

    Laurie S.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]Cozy little place with a lovely, classic ambiance.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We got a table without reservations on a Saturday night around 6:00, but it filled quickly after that. I ordered the Veal Piccata in a white wine sauce and enjoyed it -- the sauce was very flavorful.

    The comfortable booth with great ambiance
    Amanda N.

    This is my favorite spot for amazing authentic Italian food in San Francisco. They even have great gluten free options. Try the creamy tomato sauce it's divine!

    Limoncello cake

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    Review Insights

    4 years ago

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    1 year ago

    We had the fried calamari, Caesar salad, and pancetta linguine. Great food and a perfect balance between price and quality.

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    1 year ago

    Pear salad was amazing. As was the bruschetta. For dessert, the lemon cake was amazing as was the canolli.

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    2 years ago

    We made a reservation but they refused to take us, saying they were overbooked. They shouldn't let that happen. Very disappointing.

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    Business owner information

    Photo of Henry H.

    Henry H.

    Helpful 10
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    2 years ago

    Excellence with great service. The food was fabulous. This restaurant was recommended to us and we in turn recommend eating here!!!!

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Excellent food, ambiance, and service. If you visit them please try their lobster ravioli! Super recommended!

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    7 years ago

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    Page 2 of 16

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    Itria

    Itria

    4.3
    (442 reviews)
    2.6 mi

    absolutely incredible meal I could not recommend more…read more i came here for the second time and tried their tasting menu for our anniversary and every single thing was a impeccable. they started us off with some complimentary champagne and even had a non alcoholic version! the appetizers were absolute stars. each bite was so thoughtfully curated and the flavors of each complimented each other so well. you know everything is competitively delicious because we thought we knew which ones were our favorite but our order completely changed upon our second bite. different flavors and combinations shine the more you savor each app. the pastas were so delicious and the amount they give you is perfect. the service was also incredible and the interior is both so cozy yet elevated, perfect for date night! we ended the meal with their panna cotta which had a wonderful contrast of creamy with a delicious crunchy topping! i again simply could not recommend itria more and i will absolutely be back to one of the best dinners in the city!

    Came here for dinner and really enjoyed the atmosphere. We were seated at the communal table, which…read moreended up being a fun place to people-watch. The standing area next to the bar was also a cute spot to wait while our table was getting ready. Food-wise, we tried the crudo tasting while the other crudos were fine, they didn't stand out nearly as much as the scallop. The corn and mushroom pasta was very tasty, especially the sauce. We also tried the pesto pasta, which also had excellent texture, but the sauce tasted a bit more charred than I would have liked. Overall, I thought the atmosphere and dining experience were stronger than any individual dish. The communal seating and lively dining area gave the restaurant a great energy. I can see why this place is popular, and the tasting menu is a fun way to try a variety.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Glazed Lamb Belly w/ date mostarda, warm panzanella ($45)
    Glazed Lamb Belly w/ date mostarda, warm panzanella ($45)
    Crochette Di Patate w/ roast pork belly, fermented radish, calabrian chili aioli (3 pc - $25)

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    Crochette Di Patate w/ roast pork belly, fermented radish, calabrian chili aioli (3 pc - $25)
    Luisa's Restaurant

    Luisa's Restaurant

    4.7
    (184 reviews)
    2.4 mi

    My friend snagged a same-day reservation at Luisa's Restaurant for Saturday evening. This was…read moresurprisingly easy, considering we were a party of 6. The interior had simple decor and a swirl of little lights across ceiling. For drinks, we shared a bottle of Chianti, which was excellent. We also ordered a few appetizers for the table - Garlic Bread and Buratta. The Garlic Bread wasn't particularly memorable for me, but the Buratta was very tasty with the fresh pesto on top. I loved that most pasta dishes could be prepared with a choice of sauce, and ordered the Lobster Ravioli with Vodka Sauce. This was so tasty and surprisingly filling! My friends all enjoyed their dishes as well, including the Linguini Tuttomare, Penne Gorgonzola, and Chicken Parmigiana. Service was friendly and quick. Would happily return for more!

    Really solid Italian restaurant with surprisingly good gnocchi…read more Caesar salad: 3.5/5. To "anchovy" for my taste. Next time I will ask them to leave out the anchovies or pick a different salad. otherwise the salad was quite good. Spaghetti carbonara: 3.5/5. A solid version of this dish, but not exceptional. Great pasta, nice texture, but the meat could have stood out better. It sort of hid in the shadows. Gnocchi: 4.5/5. Since I make my own gnocchi this is a very high rating from me. Excellent texture and taste for this gnocchi and the vodka sauce complemented it really well. I would definitely have this again.

    Photos
    Luisa's Restaurant
    Garlic Bread
    Garlic Bread
    ORTOLANA PIZZA

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    ORTOLANA PIZZA
    Emmy's Spaghetti Shack

    Emmy's Spaghetti Shack

    4.2
    (989 reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$
    Outdoor seating
    Large group friendly

    Okay, so firstly I apologize, I did not take any pictures of the food. I was so dang hungry that I…read moreimmediately dug in to the shrimp scampi toast and the chicken parm. Both were chef's kiss great, and the portions were just right for two hungry people. Our server, Atilla, became my best friend. He was super attentive, very honest, and had a great sense of humor. My friend and I sat outside in the patio (we got there at 6ish), it was a nice day and we were the first ones to sit in there. Him and I like to talk over each other so I can imagine that when the patio is full, convos are the rage. Inside is super vibey, very dark, and decorated with nostalgic pieces. The price point is very generous, considering the portions and quality of the food. This is also a late-night spot, so either way, come hungry. I ordered the basil sweet tea (deep breath), and it was so refreshing and tasty. My bonus kid texted me after I got home to ask me of any dinner spots I would recommend and I IMMEDIATELY sent him my recommendation of Emmy's Spaghetti Shack.

    Me, my husband, and 2 of our friends came on a Monday for the "Monday is for Lovers" deal - $60…read more(CASH ONLY) for two appetizers, one entrée, one dessert, and a bottle of wine. Each couple did the deal and it was a perfect amount of food! You really can't find anywhere with this great of a deal - such a bang for your buck. We ordered the spicy caesar, cauliflower arancini, meatballs, and semolina garlic bread with sauce for the appetizers. I think the cauliflower arancini was my favorite out of the 4! It came out so fresh and the parmesan and marinara dips went perfectly with it. SO GOOD! For the main we did the rigatoni bolo bianco and chicken parm. Both were so good - I think the chicken parm might've been my favorite out of the two. The chicken was so flavorful. We ordered the house white for the wine, which went perfectly with our meal. It was light and refreshing. The meal ended with a peaches and creme panna cotta with some bread crumbs on top. SO DELICIOUS! Our waiter was amazing - it was our first time and he pretty much gave us the rundown on what he would get for first timers doing the Monday is for Lovers deal, which we ended up doing just that. He was so attentive and friendly. The ambiance was so cool, it felt like NY vibes in there - I loved it. This will definitely be a spot I'll take friends who are visiting out of town. Overall, I had a great experience!

    Photos
    VIBE
    VIBE
    Shrimp Scampi
    Shrimp Scampi
    Emmy's Spaghetti Shack

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    Arcana

    Arcana

    4.4
    (270 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$

    If you love plants you'll adore Arcana in San Francisco because it's a beautiful sanctuary of…read moreplants and cool vibes. Located in the legendary Mission District of San Francisco, this wine bar is a great spot to catch up with friends and enjoy small bites and yummy crafted cocktails. Their decor is very chic and I especially loved all of the hardware, glasses, tables, and benches. This place was styled by a great design artist. Even though the place was pretty packed and can be kind of noisy, I still felt very calm amongst all the healthy plants and loved the sophisticated 70s inspired glassware. Another great feature of this place is that you can buy most of the plants because they have some for sale so after a couple of cocktails, I was ready to redecorate my whole house with all the plants. I ordered a yummy Rose blend that was super crisp. Also enjoyed the Truffle Fungi! A delicious Shiitake and oyster mushrooms with parmesan and arugula on toasted bread. Their Spanish inspired potatoes were delicious with their dipping sauce. They have lots of gatherings there and DJ sets on the weekends. Lastly, a photographer would die to take pictures here. There is no bad shot as the design artist made sure every section of this cute wine bar was picture perfect. Loved all my photos and videos. I look forward to returning to this exquisite wine bar!

    Came here on a Saturday night after dinner for a girls night out. There is a cool photo booth…read moreoutside, which was high-quality and even gave you a video of your session. I love the decor of this space! It is definitely intentionally and tastefully decorated. Loved the lighting and plants. They had Lord of the Rings playing on the wall. The vibe is artsy, warm, a little dark, and overall a cool place to mingle. The bathrooms and tables were kept clean. I liked it that the DJ was live mixing. Getting a drink was fast and easy. The high top tables were a bit wobbly, so we spilled half a drink on there. The drinks are strong. I recommend going upstairs to sit instead if you want to hear your friends better. The tables are bigger up there too. The rooftop was closed off but I'd like to check it out sometime.

    Photos
    Downstairs
    Downstairs
    Arcana
    Arcana

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    Cesario's - italian - Updated July 2026

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