Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
oChef » Limoncello – San Francisco
Limoncello - San Francisco
Photo from Limoncello
Limoncello at a glance
San Francisco Civic Center
- 🥪 Deli
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 11 of the guests
#1468 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#14 Deli out of 18 in San Francisco
Good
7.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
57
Reviews
71.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Outdoor dining
- Great sandwiches
- Refreshing drinks
Frequently criticized
- Safety concerns
- Expensive menu
- Poor service
The restaurant Limoncello, located in the vibrant Civic Center neighborhood of San Francisco, is a delightful Deli that offers a convenient and welcoming experience. You’ll find it easy to access, thanks to its wheelchair accessible entrance, making it a great spot for everyone.
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a relaxed meal, this San Francisco gem provides excellent service options to fit your needs.
Overview: Introducting Limoncello
Limoncello offers a pleasant escape with its inviting outdoor setting, making it a comfortable spot for a meal. Many appreciate the substantial and flavorful main dishes, complemented by delightful beverages.
However, some experiences point to inconsistencies in staff interactions and concerns regarding overall value. While the atmosphere often receives praise, particularly the lovely outdoor seating and quiet environment, there have been notable issues.
Guests have occasionally encountered less-than-helpful staff and found certain items, like the Latte Macchiato, to be overpriced for what they received, alongside serious concerns about food safety.
Good
7.2
out of 10
57
Reviews
71.9%
Satisfaction
16
negative
0
neutral
41
positive
Limoncello presents a generally good picture with an overall score of 7.2 and a customer satisfaction rate of 71.9%. This suggests that most visitors leave content, though there’s certainly room for refinement.
The inviting Ambience (9.3) stands out as a clear strength, creating a pleasant environment for diners. The Food (7.7) also performs well, with many enjoying the offerings, particularly the sandwiches and Italian sodas.
However, the Service (5.3) appears to be an area needing attention, and Value (2.7) is a significant concern for some patrons. These insights are drawn from 57 customer observations, comprising 41 positive remarks and 16 negative ones.
What people like
- Lovely outdoor seating
- Tasty, large sandwiches
- Refreshing beverages
What people don't like
- Food safety concerns
- High pricing
- Unfriendly staff
If you’re seeking a charming spot with a great atmosphere and satisfying main dishes, Limoncello could be a good choice, especially for a casual lunch. The lovely outdoor seating and tasty sandwiches are frequently highlighted by visitors.
However, be mindful of the pricing and potential service inconsistencies. With a recommendation score of 6.9, Limoncello is worth considering, but it’s wise to manage expectations regarding value and service.
While many enjoy their visit, serious concerns about food safety suggest a need for caution before committing to a meal here.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Limoncello
Food (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 82% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.7 and customer satisfaction at a good 80.6%, many diners are thrilled. Out of 36 opinions, 29 were positive, highlighting delicious sandwiches, refreshing beverages like Italian sodas, and the overall freshness and harmony of ingredients.
It's also a great recommendation for vegetarians! However, there are a few areas that could use a little love. Seven negative opinions mentioned some specific drinks like the Latte Macchiato and hot chocolate falling short, or dishes being a tad too spicy for some.
More seriously, there was one concerning report regarding food safety and handling techniques.
Food
36
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
7
negative
0
neutral
29
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious sandwiches
- Refreshing beverages
- Fresh ingredients
What people don't like
- Food safety concern
- Specific drink quality
- Too spicy
Often praised
- sandwichesMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic for a quick and easy lunch. I was impressed by the lovely outdoor seating and the absolutely massive sandwiches. The delightful Italian sodas were also a great addition.
- FoodFood:5
- Italian sandwichMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It was pretty close to my favorite Italian sandwich that I had in North Beach 20 years ago. The server was very kind and helpful.
- Italian sodasI was impressed by the lovely outdoor seating and the absolutely massive sandwiches. The delightful Italian sodas were also a great addition. I'm so happy to have found such a convenient lunch spot so close to work.
- Italian sparkling lemon beverageItalian sparking lemon beverage
- Pomegranate & Orange San PellegriniPomegranate & Orange San Pellegrini. Both are so refreshing
- Raspberry SorbetRaspberry Sorbet... so refreshing
- Recommendation for vegetariansHighly recommend for vegetarians
- Rompiballe Sandwicheven if both sandwiches were very tasty
- Speciale sandwichSpeciale sandwich and made it spicy! ... everything tasted phenomenal!
Frequently criticized
- Latte MacchiatoLatte Macchiato we ordered costed 5 $ and were just a espresso Shot with a tiny bit of milk!
- San pellegrino brandbetter than San pellegrino brand
- food safetyfood poisoned due to poor food safety
- handling techniquesI ate here yesterday at noon and unfortunately, I got food poisoned due to poor food safety and handling techniques. My experience was extremely negative.
- hot chocolateThe hot chocolate were 6$, The size is fine but the powder was not fully dissolved and crumbs wäre swimming on top
- spicyWas a tad too spicy
- tastyIt's not tasty
If youre looking for a quick and tasty Italian sandwich or a refreshing drink, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be mindful of specific hot beverages and, if youre sensitive to spice, ask about it. The food safety concern is a serious outlier, but worth noting.
Service (5.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 64% of the guests
When it comes to service, some guests had a pretty good experience! With 5 positive remarks out of 11 total, many appreciated the kind and helpful servers, noting that service was fast and finding a table was easy. This contributes to a 45.5% customer satisfaction, indicating a somewhat mixed but not entirely negative picture.
However, theres definitely room for improvement, as reflected by an average score of 5.3. Several guests, making up 6 negative comments, encountered unfriendly staff, especially a young man behind the counter, and were confused by the lack of a drink menu or a locked kiosk. Long wait' times and early closing hours also left a sour taste.
Service
11
Reviews
45%
Satisfaction
6
negative
0
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Kind, helpful server
- Fast service
- Easy seating
What people don't like
- Unfriendly staff
- No drink menu
- Long wait times
Often praised
- ServiceService:5
- finding a tablewe didn’t have a difficulty finding a table
- serverThe server was very kind and helpful
- serviceService was fast
Frequently criticized
- drink menuwere confused, because there were no menu for the drinks.
- kiosktheir kiosk was locked up tight
- opening hoursopen till 6:00 pm, but at 5:52 pm
- staffthe staff is very rude
- waitI waited there for 30 minutes
- young man behind the counterThe young man behind the counter were not friendly or helpful when we ordered and were confused
Overall, the service here seems to be a bit of a mixed bag. While you might encounter a helpful server and quick seating, be prepared for potential inconsistencies with staff friendliness and ordering systems. If you're looking for consistently smooth service, you might want to manage your expectations.
Ambience (9.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 45% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot absolutely nails it! Boasting an excellent score of 9.3 and a perfect 100% customer satisfaction, its clear guests are thoroughly loving the atmosphere here. Based on 7 positive remarks, patrons rave about the beautiful atmosphere, the lovely outdoor seating, and how the quiet noise level makes it incredibly easy to talk, all set against the stunning history of SF.
Whats truly impressive is the complete absence of any negative feedback regarding the ambience. With zero negative mentions out of 7 total, it appears this establishment consistently delivers a delightful and highly appreciated environment for all its visitors.
Ambience
7
Reviews
100%
Satisfaction
0
negative
0
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Beautiful atmosphere
- Lovely outdoor seating
- Quiet noise level
What people don't like
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- areaThe server was very kind and helpful. The area was really beautiful to sit surrounded by the beautiful history of SF with city hall right there. I highly recommend to at least get a drink and sit at their tables if you're not hungry.
- atmosphereAtmosphere:5
- history of SFsurrounded by beautiful history of SF
- noise levelNoise level:Quiet, easy to talk
- outdoor seatingLovely outdoor seating
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If you're looking for a place with an undeniably fantastic atmosphere, this is it. The beautiful setting, outdoor seating, and quiet environment make it perfect for a relaxing visit, whether for a drink or a meal.
Value (2.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 18% of the guests
Hey there, food explorers! When we dive into the Value aspect, its interesting to note that out of 3 pieces of feedback, we didnt spot any specific positive comments about the pricing. With a score of just 2.7, which is considered poor, and 0% customer satisfaction, it seems guests didnt find anything particularly noteworthy to praise on this front, indicating a clear area for improvement.
However, the feedback we did receive, based on 3 comments, points to a clear concern: the pricing. Reviewers consistently mentioned things being very expensive! and that My main critique is the pricing.
Specifically, the gelato pricing starting at $5.99 was a point of contention, suggesting that many felt the cost didnt align with the perceived value.
Value
3
Reviews
0%
Satisfaction
3
negative
0
neutral
0
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
What people don't like
- Very expensive
- Gelato pricing
Often praised
No positive aspects so far.
Frequently criticized
- expensivevery expensive!
- gelato pricingThe gelato pricing starts at $5.99
- pricingMy main critique is the pricing
If youre considering a visit and budget is a primary concern, be prepared for potentially higher prices, especially for specific items like gelato. The general sentiment suggests that the value proposition might not meet everyones expectations, so go in with that in mind.
How are the prices at Limoncello?
On average, you’ll spend around 21 per person – from 11 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $21–$30 category. For a Deli, that’s mid-range, maybe slightly above.
The price distribution shows most diners spend in the 11 – 30 $ range, with a good cluster right around that 21 mark. This suggests a consistent offering, rather than a mix of super cheap and very premium options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 11 reviews.
This graph compares the value for money at this restaurant against similar spots in San Francisco.
For a Deli, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It’s not the cheapest bite in town, but it offers good value for a mid-range experience.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Limoncello
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Loud
1
Food poisoning from poor handling
I ate here yesterday at noon and unfortunately, I got food poisoned due to poor food safety and handling techniques. My experience was extremely negative.
- food safety1
- handling techniques1
Visit Type
- Delivery
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Takeout
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
2
Rude Staff and Long Wait
As a DoorDash pickup driver, my experience at this restaurant was marked by very rude staff. I waited for 30 minutes for my order, despite the store not being busy. The atmosphere was pleasant, rated a 5, and the noise level was quiet, making it easy to talk.
- atmosphere10
- noise level9
- staff1
- wait2
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Delicious Sandwiches and Great Service!
My experience at this restaurant was very positive. We ordered the Rompiballe Sandwich and The Milanese Sandwich. While both were very tasty, The Milanese Sandwich was our favorite.
It was incredibly fresh, and we appreciated the harmonious blend of ingredients. The service was fast, and we had no trouble finding a table. It truly felt like being in a nice sandwich shop in Firenze.
Thank you!
- The Milanese Sandwich9
- Rompiballe Sandwich8
- freshness9
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Refreshing Afternoon Snack!
I usually visit the other location, but since I live just one block away, I decided to pop by for an afternoon snack. I'm so glad I did! I enjoyed a Raspberry Sorbet and a Pomegranate & Orange San Pellegrini.
Both were incredibly refreshing. While I typically opt for a glass of red wine, stuffed hot peppers, and a cannoli, my choices today were perfect. Thanks, guys!
I'll definitely be back soon.
- Raspberry Sorbet9
- Pomegranate & Orange San Pellegrini9
- afternoon snack8
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Italian Sandwich Gem with Beautiful Views
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It was pretty close to my favorite Italian sandwich that I had in North Beach 20 years ago. The server was very kind and helpful.
The area was really beautiful to sit surrounded by the beautiful history of SF with city hall right there. I highly recommend to at least get a drink and sit at their tables if you're not hungry.
- Italian sandwich9
- server10
- area9
What Limoncello offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Service Options
- Curbside pickup
- Dine-in
- Takeout
FAQs
What service options does Limoncello offer?
Limoncello in San Francisco provides several convenient service options. You can enjoy a meal inside with their dine-in service, pick up your order with takeout, or even utilize their curbside pickup for maximum convenience.
Is Limoncello accessible and where is it located?
Yes, Limoncello is committed to accessibility, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance for all guests. You’ll find this charming Deli at 52 Grove St, 94102, right in the heart of San Francisco’s Civic Center neighborhood.
How does Limoncello generally rate?
Limoncello holds a good overall score of 7.2, driven by its strong ambience (9.3) and food (7.7), though service (5.3) and value (2.7) are areas for improvement.
What are Limoncello's main attractions?
Customers frequently praise Limoncello for its lovely outdoor seating and the quality of its massive sandwiches, often highlighting the refreshing Italian sodas.
Are there any significant concerns about Limoncello?
Some patrons have raised serious concerns about food safety and handling techniques, alongside observations of high pricing and occasional issues with staff friendliness.