It's like those Snickers commercials - you're simply not at your best when you're hungry. Immediate seating (and a former coworker's recommendation) is a reason to eat at a restaurant, but not necessarily the best one. I should have known better considering hardly any of my Yelp friends have reviewed this place! In terms of ambiance, Via Veneto seems to fit the Pac Heights neighborhood rather well. The décor is fairly nice and the dinner crowd seemed to be a little more well to do (probably from the area). At the same time, it wasn't a formal, stuffy sort of place given that a lot of people (including us) were dressed a bit more casual. - GAMBERI E CALAMARI FRITTI - Deep fried Shrimp and Calamari...$11.50 (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/via-veneto-san-francisco?select=mROok9JZx19AwvOJlI8FHQ#exauMW9svUldi7GeV0uUcQ) It was better than my entrée (which isn't saying much), but it was just okay overall. The aioli wasn't bad and I thought the shrimp were actually pretty good. However, the calamari was small, overcooked, and bland. - RISOTTO DEL GIORNO (Risotto of the Day with Bay Scallops, Sun Dried Tomatoes, Mushrooms, and Green Onions...A.Q. ($18.95) (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/via-veneto-san-francisco?select=mROok9JZx19AwvOJlI8FHQ#w-QtN9Kvlta-4RXzRkI0jw) Hearing "risotto and scallops" had me sold, but I missed the part about all of the sun dried tomatoes - so overwhelming! While there was a decent amount of scallops, the risotto had a sort of mealy texture and the taste of the dish as a whole was a bit off. Much like how the food looked good but ultimately missed the mark, the service was more of the same. Although the manager (owner?) was quite friendly, it took a while for them to take our order and we weren't given water glasses until our food was about to arrive. Nothing heinous, but worth noting. I've seen the desserts recommended a few times, but to be honest, if it's anything like my entrée, I'm glad I didn't bother finding out. read more

Via Veneto - Gamberi e Calamari Fritti - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

excellent staff, welcoming and delightful establishment, thank you for premiering my birthday night Rolando

I traveled all though Italy eating bruschetta, and this bruschetta was as good, or even better, than one I had there. We got the ravioli of the day which was cheese ravioli with pesto, and it was delicious and very al dente (which I loved, but my dad felt like it was too undercooked). Only complaint was that the pasta of the day didn't have a price next to it, and it ended up being like $5 more than all the other pastas on the menu. read more

Absolutely fantastic. Highly recommend the amazing environment and food. Truly recommend this amazing experience in San Francisco. Truly exceptional read more

Every time I pass by this restaurant it looks lively and smells amazing, so when I finally had a chance to stop in, I was very excited. My roommates and I came around 8pm on a weeknight and there were a couple of large groups as well as a few smaller parties - clearly a go-to spot for many. We ordered a bruschetta to start with, and then decided to share the Fettuccini Alfredo and Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina. The bruschetta was pretty standard and made for a great appetizer. The gnocchi was a little too chewy for my taste and the sauce was watery and didn't seem to blend very well with the dish. The fettuccini, however, was perfect. The noodles were al dente, and the sauce was just buttery enough. Most restaurant alfredo sauce is too heavy and creamy, but this one was light and authentic and felt like comfort food. I would come back just for that. The atmosphere is bright and relaxing, and the place, while classy, has a family-friendly vibe that makes it comfortable. read more

See all

One of my favorite Italian restaurants. The owner of the restaurant and everyone who works here are so friendly, authentic and awesome. Had such an amazing time here, both food, wine, and hospitality. Felt like we were in a family home. read more

The most delicious food I have ever tasted. Amazing service as well as a beautiful ambience. The servers were very kind and funny.

Excellent Italian restaurant tucked away on Filmore! Ordered the Gnocci and it was so so creamy and rich, definitely one of the best I've had! The ambiance is very nice too, seems like you are in Italy read more

Via Veneto - Gnocci Alla Florentina with Sparkling Rose! - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

These guys are awesome. The food is amazing, but the service is even better! They treated us like family and made the occasion we were celebrating one to remember. We'll be back again for more lobster ravioli and good times read more

Amazing food and great atmosphere! Food was top notch, service was incredible! Rolando was such a great waiter! Would absolutely recommend!

It's not like I've never been here before, but for Yelp purposes, I feel that one should know my most recent experience here. We came here for a debriefing work lunch and I was excited just to eat. Forget the ambience, I already know this place is considered foofy, but I don't go for the atmosphere, I go for my palate! Before lunch, I looked at the menu online because I needed to watch my calories. Ha, go figure. So I get there fantasizing of a caprese salad and I copy one of the doctor's entree and end up ordering a grilled salmon with tomato slices and basil. My mouth is watering. It was beautiful when it arrived. I had to take a picture. I mean, yeah, we all know what a nice salmon looks like, but come on, it was for Yelp purposes. It looked so beautiful paired up with the bright red tomato slices and the rich, green basil leaves, accented with a nice pop of yellow lemon! I squeezed the hell outta that lemon onto my whole dish, sprinkled some salt on those bad boys and ate like a sophisticated woman, all dainty and *ish because I needed to be professional. It was so nice taking in all the flavors of the fish and the vegetables. It was delectable. It took most of my energy not to scarf it all down, that plus there were only a few slices of tomato. If I were at home, those tomatoes would be gone in a split second. It was excellent; salmon was moist and beautifully seasoned. Heathy and delicious. Ah, I'm so proud of myself. The service that everyone talks about on Yelp (being that it's crappy and stuff), I didn't experience today. I was on radar for it because that's all I read on the reviews. Then again, the dental school is a major patron of the restaurant and since we had a reservation, perhaps we got special treatment? Whatever, doesn't matter to me. The food was good and I left happy! read more

Via Veneto - Salmon with tomato slices and basil - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

This is just a lovely neighborhood place. It feels like a family run establishment. We always enjoy the food, which is traditional Italian without any fuss. We love the service which adds to the authenticity and the appeal for us. read more

This place was killer! Rolando was the most hospitable server. Loved the ambiance and the food was top notch. Excellent neighborhood spot, strongly recommend!! read more

Food was so good but the service was incredible!!! The greeter was so friendly, the waiter was super attentive and the staff was just so sweet. They gave us a free bruschetta and made sure we had everything we needed. There was also no wait! A must visit in SF! read more

I've been living in the city for 7 years and the biggest mistake I made was not coming here until now! I admired the owner for keeping his business open during COVID with limited outdoor seating, and it was wonderful to get to finally dine inside. The food was AMAZING. Best Italian I've had in SF. We ordered the lobster ravioli which was unbelievable, the gnocchi, and the bolognese. The calamari and shrimp also amazing. All around great experience. Great family service as well! read more

This classic staple on Fillmore always delivers great Italian food, and surprisingly reasonable prices (unlike everything else in Fillmore). I highly recommend the tortellini, and my wife loves the gnocchi. But the best part is the diligent owner Massimo. He is always incredibly welcoming, very efficient, and makes you feel like you're with an old friend. Overall, great experience, good food, and reasonably priced. read more

Great service, great ambiance and even better food. Rolando is the man and really took care of us. Highly recommend this place!

Delicious pasta, but was underwhelming for the reputation. The tomato sauce was also underwhelming and a bit plain. But still the best tasting on the block for pasta. The fettuccine norma has delicious eggplant and more of it in the dish would be great. Has an old soul crowd inside so it's good for the sophisticated side of your date. Large seating inside. States that there's a $10 minimum per person but sharing is welcome. read more

Via Veneto - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Had a party of 21 people. Service was incredible. Massimo was awesome. We were outside and it started misting, he tried moving all of us inside if we wanted. But we held outside. The food across the board was great. Will definitely go back. read more

This place was everything I could've asked for a yummy dinner date :) It was hard to make a decision on what to eat because everything sounded so tasty but with the help of Rolando we were able to make all the right choices- house vaneto salad, both gnocchi options, and the crepes with expresso drizzle and his own tiramisu!! Wow if I could make everyone taste our food I would. 10/10 service too with cute outdoor seating and wholesome vibes from the staff. I will definitely be back here :) read more

See all

Maximo delivers every time. Owner/operator of the neighborhood gem for over 30 years. My husband and I used to come here regularly in the early 2000's and enjoy this Italian restaurant. Then we moved away and seldom come here again. A couple of months ago we were RE-introduced to this place. Tonight is our fourth time there since. Great pasta, delicious mains of veal cutlets, roast chicken and fresh seafood entree were reasons for us to keep going back. Honestly, from the bruschetta, fried calamari to desserts of tiramisu, crepes and panna cotta, every dish is delicious. And so reasonably priced that you know you can afford to come here often. The decor looks new and very pleasant. Oh, lunch here is every bit as good as dinner. I stand behind it. read more

So so stoked to find this place! It's our third time in about two months because it's that good. It's very affordable against the crazy SF prices, also around a lot of bars on Fillmore if you're a nightcap person! The staff is absolutely lovely, extremely kind, attentive, and funny. The food is FAST too, but don't think fast means careless...it's delicious. This is our new date spot for some amazing Italian food. Here is the petrole sole in a white wine and caper sauce, and behind is the rack of lamb in a port wine sauce. Simple yet extremely delicious for a incredibly decent price. They know what they're doing here!! read more

Via Veneto - petrale sole in a white wine caper sauce, and a rack of lamb in a port wine sauce. - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

Food is very good and prices are very fair for the Fillmore, which tends to be expensive. Servers are friendly and white tablecloths are a nice touch. I highly recommend Via Veneto for a good Italian meal. The dishes include all the standards, with nothing that stands out as original, but the restaurant offers a nice dining experience. read more

I was in San Fransisco for work/pleasure and was in hunt of a good Italian restaurant to celebrate my friend's birthday at. Via Veneto was recommended by my hotel's concierge, so off we went. Via Veneto is nestled away between rows of condos and apartments about a mily from the hustle and bustle of Union Square. It provides a quite intimate setting that separates you from the noise of downtown SF. When you initally walk in thre is a small upstairs seating area and open kitchen. When you decend down a rather steep staircase, you find yourself in the main dinning room, which is dimly lit with white table clothes an old Italian decor. We were seated right away and our waiter greeted us with fresh bread and oil and vinegar dipping sauce. We decided to share a few things. Below is what we tried -Soup of the day. Creamy tomato bisue-This was excellent. Creamy and rich -Beet Salad- Very good. Beets can be a bit overpowering, but this salad was great. -Caesar Salad- Tradition Caesar. -Traditional pasta with tomato cream sauce-I cannot remember the name of the exact dish, and endless menu searches didn't ring a bell. The best I can do is describe it as a traditional pasta noodles in a tomato cream sauce with spices. It was very good with tons of flavor. -Margarita Pizza- Very good, and just the right size to share -Tiremusi- Excellent and home made -Salted Carmel Gelato with espresso and biscotti-Probably one of the best desserts I have had to date Our waiter was friendly and attentive and provided excellent service all around. He comped our desserts and corkage fee when he found out we were celebrating a birthday. Not necessary but very nice of him to do, Overall I really enjoyed dinning here and would definitely recommend. read more

See all

Roxanne provided excellent service. Food was delicious and so happy we went with the poached pear dessert. Can't wait to come back!

The place we wanted to go for breakfast was way crowded, so we just happen to pass this place and it was open. We were hoping for more of breakfast food but it was close to lunchtime anyway. Overall, the food was good. Everything we had was good. The shellfish in our pasta were good size and the taste was good. The service was not bad considering there was only one person. But we might come back if in the neighborhood again. read more

See all

I am so happy I stumbled open this restaurant randomly one day. I moved not too long ago and found this gem and have already been twice. Both times ordered the same thing because it's that good!!!! Linguine with clams & bruschetta & red wine. The back patio is so cute but I haven't eaten there yet. Will be back soon!!!! Thank you!! read more

Great food, friendly, authentic experience. Particularly loved my gnocchi alla sorrentina!

Delicious food. Good cocktails. Great service in a sleepy neighborhood mainstay! 33 years in this location- there's a reason!

First time here and am impressed with the menu. They have an extensive wine list as well. Today for lunch I'm having Gnocchi alla Florentino. Gnocchi in white sauce with Gorgonzola. Awesome aroma and flavor! This is a definite yes ! read more

Via Veneto - Gnocchi alla Florentino - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Truly one of the best restaurants to visit here in San Francisco. My friends and I came here for a valentine's day dinner and not only did we enjoy amazing food, but the service and the people working here truly took amazing care of us and were so attentive during our meal. Calamari is definitely a must try and you need to try Rolando's tiramisu. You can taste the love and care that Rolando puts in his dessert. We absolutely love this restaurant and will definitely be returning. read more

Via Veneto - Rolando's tiramisu - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

The staff was very personable and friendly. Not the best Italian food in the city but the ambiance and the staff still make it a worthwhile stop! The back patio was great for our large group and very quaint. read more

Must have been an off night. Sunday? Holidays? Not sure. Service was seriously slow. Was seated without menus, took ~5 minutes to get attention from the hostess to get them. The one waiter took our order... 6 at the table...and the apps were okay I suppose nothing to write home about. Only thing one of the busboys was placing the appetizers and gave us the wrong ones. The entrees took longer than expected. And tasty... But unremarkable. I'm not sure I will make the effort to return read more

The food and service was FANTASTIC. Rolando and his team were so attentive and made us feel so welcome. We ordered the specials I had a spaghetti bolognese and my boyfriend had the risotto special and they were both to die for. We ended with the pear dessert which was refreshing and delicious. Overall a 10/10 experience and can't wait to come back when we're back in SF. Thank you for such a wonderful experience & thank you Rolando!! read more

Via Veneto - Bolognese - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Privately owned by the nicest Italian man who lives above his restaurant and waits on his customers. Nice mix of regulars and first time visiting patrons. Portions are moderate to large, and well-priced. You can get a massive bowl of pasta for $19. Wine menu is not overly expansive and they do have wines by the glass. I ordered a gin and tonic. The glass was 80% gin and was served alongside a small bottle of Mediterranean tonic, a nice touch! We ordered: Beef carpaccio. Beef was so thin and so delicious. generously topped with fresh grated parmesan and capers. We put a little garlic olive oil served with our bread on it for further flavor augmentation. Shrimp with marsala wine, mushrooms, tomatoes, and green onions. Served alongside a vegetable medley and well cooked flash fried potatoes. A lighter dish, but very good. Shrimp were very slightly overcooked but large and fresh tasting. The Chilean sea bass special. So good. Fish was so soft. You dont need a butter knife or a fork to cut it. You could use something as dull as a rolling pin and you'd still cut it perfectly. The sauce was lemon,garlic, white wine but very light. Not thick in texture or super buttery. Creme Brûlée. Pretty good but you could tell it was prepared in the morning. Great vanilla flavor but a little custardy. With a glass of wine, that gin with a side of tonic and all the food above, we escaped for just $85. I know it seems to be on par with other Italian restaurants in SF, but the personalized service made it very special. Would be happy to return and recommend this restaurant to friends. read more

I cannot believe I've never left a review for here yet. I am doing it now because I would be sooo upset if they had to resort to going out of business due to COVID 19. This is THE best Italian food in the city. Their gnocchi is to die for as is everything else I've tried here. If you want a cheat meal this is your guy! They do delivery orders right now too so please help me keep them in business and shop local :) love love love Via Veneto! read more

Impeccable service, delicious food, comforting environment and staff. A hidden gem for family style Italian in the city.

Quick Review: Authentic Italian, fast, great staff. SF is all about the trendy spots, don't let the decor or crowd fool you. The food is great and a must try. Food: App- Calamari with Shrimp ($12); Entres - Gamberi Al Vino Bianco ($19) instead of steamed veggies asked for Tortellini (+$2) Ambiance: traditional Italian Customer Service: Excellent, owner is friendly and they are quick! I love this place! I have been here a few times before but mainly for business lunches. It was date night again and It was funny first walking in because we were definitely the youngest people there. We got there around 8 and it was only a 10 minute wait to be seated, then slowly younger parties started strolling in. I typically order the same things after I know what I like but this time I wanted to try something new. Our server was great at recommending the seafood dishes. I was torn between the Gamberi and tortellini and our server said I could combine them without a problem! I wasn't sure how much it would cost but it was only $2 more. Great deal! The calamari with shrimp was also very good. I also really liked the bread because it's not the typical oil and balsamic, they do roasted garlic. My bf got the Sacottino (large pasta pouches filled with lobster) and shrimp and asparagus. His was good but I liked mine better. I like using the garlic as a spread and dipping it in the oil. I definitely recommend you try this place! read more

See all

Via Veneto has the best Italian in the city! The staff is so warm and personable and the food was delicious. The restaurant has a great old-world feel and great ambiance. Dont miss this gem! read more

Happy birthday to Massimo. So many customers came by tonight to acknowledge his birthday. I love this place on Fillmore Street! read more

Via Veneto - Massimo, the owner, with me! Love this place. Happy Birthday to Massimo! - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California