InoVino - Reviews

I highly recommend this restaurant for its good food and good atmosphere. I have been here a couple of times now and consistently enjoy the experience.

My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. On the positive side, the food and wine were good, and the service was also excellent. However, the restaurant is quite small, and the tables are very close together. This made the atmosphere loud and not at all intimate, which is a shame. Additionally, the lighting was a bit too bright. It's not a place I would recommend for a date.

Why can’t you give zeros? Inovino might just be San Francisco’s premier restaurant for anyone who enjoys being publicly humiliated by a host with a grudge. We showed up for our confirmed 7: 00 pm reservation, only to be told that—surprise! —it wouldn’t be honored because the host didn’t feel like working past 9: 00 pm. Apparently, the owners hadn’t staffed properly, so instead of handling it professionally, the staff decided the solution was to torch the customer experience right in our faces. Let me translate: at Inovino, your reservation is basically a polite suggestion, and your presence as a paying guest is viewed as an annoying obstacle to their workplace soap opera. Imagine spending your time getting ready for dinner, arriving on time, and then being told: “Yeah, nah, we’re mad at our boss, so you don’t get to eat here. ” It was less “hospitality” and more “petty meltdown in real time. ” San Francisco has world-class restaurants run by people who actually understand food and service. Inovino is not one of them. This is amateur hour in a city that doesn’t tolerate amateurs. Do yourself a favor and book literally anywhere else—unless, of course, you’re in the mood for a masterclass in how to alienate customers, sabotage your own business, and turn dining into a cringe reality show. Avoid Inovino. Unless your idea of a good night out is being treated like collateral damage in a staff tantrum, in which case—bon appétit.

My experience at this restaurant was truly wonderful. It's a hidden gem with a unique collection of wine curated by the owner. The warm atmosphere, friendly staff, and delicious food perfectly complemented the wine selection. The staff's recommendations were always on point, and the option for a 3oz pour made it easy to try multiple wines. We consistently find a bottle or two to take home, making it a place we love to revisit.

I came at 4: 45 for the happy hour which lasted until 5. When we sat down and asked if we could have the happy hour menu, they said it was too late. When we pointed out that it wasn't 5 pm yet, the waitress laughed and left. I then ordered a small wine and was charged double for a big glass. The waitress was quite rude and standoffish. I don't think I would come back here.

My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. Despite SF Eater's recommendation, I couldn't understand why it was praised. The wine selection by the glass was small and unusual, and out of the five wines we tasted, none were very good. The service was poor as well. While the tinned seafood was pricey, the meat charcuterie was the best part of the visit. I do not recommend this place, especially given the abundance of good wine options in town.

What a charming and cute hole-in-the-wall Italian spot! From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by a kind and attentive server, who was from Italy and made us feel incredibly comfortable and well taken care of. We started with delicious spreads of meats and cheese, nuts, and the most amazing pickled cauliflower, carrots, onions, and bell peppers with star anise. The stuffed squash blossoms that arrived while we were enjoying our board were a perfect accompaniment, served with a side of tasty marinara. For our main courses, we indulged in a lamb ragout, porcini and black truffle gnocchi, and a spinach/ricotta pasta dish. We were absolutely ELATED with every bite. To cap off the evening, we shared a delicious tiramisu, which was plenty for three, especially after tasting a considerable portion of the menu. The overall experience was fantastic, with great food, easy street parking, attentive servers, a broad wine selection, and terrific food! We will definitely be back!

My friend and I had such a great time here. Damiano really added to our experience with great service 👍. The food, service, and atmosphere were all rated 5/5.

My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's a great neighborhood spot in Cole Valley, offering some of the best charcuterie boards in the city. The staff is always very welcoming and willing to give suggestions on their selection of Italian wines.

My experience at this restaurant was genuinely the worst I've ever had. The service was absolutely dreadful; we were yelled at when we asked for the bathroom, and the same happened to my friend. We were ignored for about 20 minutes, even after waving, despite the outdoor area being small. The food was mediocre at best, genuinely awful. I strongly discourage anyone from going here.