Highlights
- Great dessert
- Great beer selection
oChef » Del Popolo – San Francisco
Del Popolo - San Francisco
Photo from Del Popolo
Del Popolo at a glance
San Francisco Lower Nob Hill
- 🍕 Pizzeria
$$
Price per Person $41–$50
mentioned by 125 of the guests
#1466 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#58 Pizzeria out of 115 in San Francisco
Good
7.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
669
Reviews
69.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Pizza quality
- Patio ambiance
- Attentive staff
Frequently criticized
- High pricing
- Sparse toppings
- Loud interior
The restaurant Del Popolo, a beloved pizzeria in San Francisco’s vibrant Lower Nob Hill, invites you to experience authentic flavors. You’ll find yourself in a cozy and trendy atmosphere, perfect for a casual dinner or a romantic evening.
Beyond the delicious pizzas, you’ll appreciate their great beer selection, making it an ideal spot to unwind and enjoy a fantastic meal.
Overview: Introducting Del Popolo
Del Popolo offers a memorable culinary experience, particularly with its highly praised pizza, noted for its exceptional dough and flavorful crust. Many find the food quality outstanding, making it a standout for Neapolitan-style offerings.
The inviting ambiance, especially the charming back patio, also contributes significantly to a pleasant visit. However, the experience isn’t without its drawbacks.
Some guests have noted concerns regarding sparse ingredients on their pizzas and occasional dough issues. The overall value proposition is a recurring point of contention, with several finding the prices quite steep for what’s offered, leading to a mixed perception of the dining cost.
Good
7.2
out of 10
669
Reviews
69.1%
Satisfaction
162
negative
45
neutral
462
positive
Del Popolo achieves a solid overall 7.2, indicating a generally good dining experience. However, customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 69.1%, suggesting some patrons leave less impressed than others.
This assessment is drawn from 669 customer remarks, with 462 positive observations outweighing 162 negative ones, painting a picture of a place with clear strengths but also areas for improvement. Diving deeper, the Food (7.4) and Ambience (8.1) stand out as strong points, consistently earning high marks from diners.
The Service (6.9) also performs well, contributing positively to the experience. The primary concern appears to be Value (3), which receives a poor rating, indicating that many guests feel the pricing doesn’t align with their expectations.
What people like
- Exceptional Pizza Quality
- Inviting Patio Ambiance
- Attentive Service Staff
What people don't like
- High Pricing
- Sparse Pizza Toppings
- Loud Interior Ambiance
With a recommendation score of 7.4, Del Popolo is certainly worth considering, especially if you prioritize excellent pizza and a pleasant outdoor setting. It shines for those seeking a quality Neapolitan-style pie and a vibrant atmosphere, making it a good choice for a casual yet refined meal.
However, be prepared for the pricing, as it’s a frequent point of concern for many diners. If you’re sensitive to cost or prefer a quieter indoor dining experience, you might find aspects less appealing.
It’s a place to enjoy the food and vibe, provided the value aligns with your expectations.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Del Popolo
Food (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 99% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.4 and customer satisfaction at 72.4%, diners are largely pleased. Out of 406 opinions, 294 rave about the delicious pizza, often highlighting the authentic wood oven and great ingredients, especially the fluffy crusts.
However, not every bite is perfect. Some of the 83 negative comments point to issues like burned edges on the crusts, occasionally sour dough, or scarce ingredients. A few also mentioned overly salty sauce, suggesting some inconsistency in execution.
Food
406
Reviews
72%
Satisfaction
83
negative
29
neutral
294
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Excellent pizza
- Wood-fired oven
- Fresh ingredients
What people don't like
- Burnt crusts
- Sour dough
- Scarce toppings
Often praised
- pizzaMy experience at Del Popolo was nothing short of extraordinary. The pizza here is so good that if I ever moved to SF, I would not allow myself to live within walking distance of this place because I would eat here every single day. I've never experienced pizza like this.
- foodhow extremely delicious the food was! The taste was out of this world!
- pizzasThe pizzas here are amazing, wonderful crust and good proportion of toppings.
- doughbc it’s not chewy at all even to the last bite
- cheesecakeit was really nice to just have a classic cheesecake and it was refreshing and tasty
- crustTheir crushed tomato "sauce" is the thing I'd been missing all my life as a pizza lover. Their crust is light and chewy and so delicious as to be unfair to other pizza joints. I've traveled all over the world (Italy included) and eaten pizza all over, and while a surprising place in Laos once knocked my socks off, Del Popolo was so good that I want to settle down and start a family with this pizza.
- toppingsMy experience at this restaurant was largely positive, centered around some excellent pizza. The dough was just perfect, and the toppings were tasty and plentiful. While I could have used a bit more pepper and mozzarella, it wasn't strictly necessary.
- Margherita pizzaI personally chose the Margherita pizza, and enjoyed that.
- food qualitybest Neapolitan pizza I’ve been able to find
- mushroom pizzamushroom pizza and it was pretty good
Frequently criticized
- pizzaWhile the pizza had a good char from the wood-fired oven, and the tomato sauce and cheese were decent, the overall quality and craftsmanship did not justify the price. It was probably the most expensive pizza I have ever had anywhere in the world. Additionally, as an international traveler, the tipping system in the USA is very confusing, with continuously varying suggested percentages based on taxes and fees included in the bill.
- cheeseOur pizza had a tiny tiny amount of cheese
- crusthaving that much water destroys the crust
- ingredientsthey are very spare with the ingredients like very very spare
- doughdough was unfortunatly underfermented and underproofed
- foodthe food was so average
- mozzarellayou would expect the mozzarella to be real
- pizzaspizzas as the burned edges and parts of the bottom are branded
- Caesar Saladmy main gripe was the Caesar Salad - overpowering lemon flavor
- Diet colaDiet cola was foreign, didn't like it
If you're craving authentic, wood-fired pizza with quality ingredients, this place is definitely worth a visit. Just be aware that some experiences mention minor inconsistencies like burnt crusts or sparse toppings, so manage your expectations for perfection.
Service (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 60% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark with a 6.9 score, showing a good effort from the team. Many guests, accounting for 71 positive remarks out of 109 total, raved about the friendly and attentive staff, with special mentions for servers like Ian and Jordan. The quick service, quality service, and the team's flexibility, even for last-minute parties, truly impressed many.
However, the customer satisfaction sits at a more mixed 65.1%, indicating some room for improvement. About 35 negative comments highlighted issues like long wait times, feeling rushed out, and instances of understaffed situations making it hard to get attention. A few experiences also mentioned uninterested waiters or poor customer service, suggesting inconsistency.
Service
109
Reviews
65%
Satisfaction
35
negative
3
neutral
71
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Quick, efficient service
- Flexible, accommodating team
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Feeling rushed
- Understaffed, inattentive service
Often praised
- serviceLaurent, the manager, was incredibly easy to work with and accommodating, always responding quickly, which gave me great peace of mind. The staff at Del Popolo are wonderful, and the service was excellent. They set up the space beautifully, even better than I imagined, and coordinated perfectly with our florist.
- staffLaurent, the manager, was incredibly easy to work with and accommodating, always responding quickly, which gave me great peace of mind. The staff at Del Popolo are wonderful, and the service was excellent. They set up the space beautifully, even better than I imagined, and coordinated perfectly with our florist.
- serverOur server was so nice and super sweet
- IanIan was very helpful and attentive the whole time
- JordanJordan is the best on the best!
- MichaelaMichaela, thank you very much for everything. You make my night!
- ServiceService:5
- attentive staffattentive staff who didn’t miss a beat
- dog friendlyThe spot is very nice and the back patio has a really cool feel, like an oasis in the middle of the city. The service was really good and very dog friendly. The food is the real star though!
- fast serviceincredibly fast service
Frequently criticized
- serviceThey also didn't have ranch dressing, and while I understand the argument that it ruins the pizza, I know what I like, and it seems like an easy enough thing to keep some in the fridge. The place also seemed understaffed, so it took a bit of time to get service. This wasn't a ding on the staff, who were solid, but rather a comment on not enough people working there, in my opinion.
- experienceOverall an unpleasant experience.
- reservationhostess said I canceled my reservation which I never did
- understaffedThey seemed a bit understaffed
- wait timeWe had a few minutes at our table before we were approached
- ServiceService:2
- brought us the billnos llevaron la cuenta sin nisiquiera pedirla
- customer servicePoor customer service
- customer treatmentSimply atrocious towards customers with a child
- get their attentionit was a bit hard to get their attention
Overall, the service here is a bit of a mixed bag. While many enjoy friendly, attentive, and quick service, be prepared for potential inconsistencies like longer wait times or feeling rushed, especially during busy periods. If you catch them on a good day, you'll likely have a great experience.
Ambience (8.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 60% of the guests
It seems the ambience here generally hits the mark, with a good score of 8.1 and a good customer satisfaction of 82.6%. Guests frequently praise the atmosphere, especially the patio area and rear outside deck, often describing it as a chic, romantic setting with a cozy ambiance and vibrant vibe. These positive remarks make up a significant 95 out of 115 comments.
However, not everyone finds it perfect. There are 11 comments noting concerns about the noise level, with some finding it very loud, and issues with uncomfortable seating like stools without backs. A few also mentioned lighting could be improved, particularly inside the main area, suggesting it might be too dim.
Ambience
115
Reviews
82%
Satisfaction
11
negative
9
neutral
95
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Charming patio area
- Cozy, romantic vibe
- Warm atmosphere
What people don't like
- Loud noise level
- Uncomfortable seating
- Poor indoor lighting
Often praised
- atmosphereI particularly enjoyed the Sangiovese. When the weather is warm, the patio out back offers a really nice atmosphere. The staff were consistently super friendly.
- ambianceDespite being super busy, leading to service being a tad slow, the staff were very friendly and the ambiance was amazing. I had a great experience with very friendly staff and amazing ambiance!
- patiothe patio out the back has a really nice atmosphere
- vibeThe vibe is perfect for a group or date night.
- back patioThe charred beans were delicious, and the potato pizza was a great mix of flavors. The food came out quickly, and the back patio was so nice! It had a great atmosphere.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- placeHowever, the price was truly exaggerated. The service was fast and attentive, and the place was nice.
- Awesome placeAwesome place
- ambiance insideThe ambiance inside is really great
- back patio atmosphereThis restaurant is a hidden gem in the middle of the city, conveniently located near Union Square. I particularly enjoyed the charm of the back patio atmosphere, which offered a peaceful escape from the city noise.
Frequently criticized
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:2
- atmosphereAtmosphere:2
- insideIt would have been too loud inside
- lightingthe place could use a little more lighting
- noise levelNoise level:Very loud, hard to hear
- place for Mexicanstal vez no sea un lugar bien visto para Mexicanos
- ratshuge rats passing by when eating at their patio
- seatingSeating can be challenging
- spacePretty uncomfortable space
- space near itit seems to get very hot in the space near it
If you're looking for a spot with a charming outdoor space and a generally warm atmosphere, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be mindful that some find the indoor noise levels high and seating less comfortable, so aim for the patio if possible.
Value (3 out of 10)
mentioned by 21% of the guests
When it comes to value, the positive feedback is incredibly sparse, with only 2 out of 39 comments touching on anything remotely good. One customer did appreciate the restaurants effort to refund the overcharge after an issue, showing some willingness to correct billing mistakes. However, the overwhelming sentiment, reflected in 33 negative remarks, paints a clear picture.
With a score of just 3 and customer satisfaction at a mere 5.1%, its evident that many feel the prices are expensive and a waste of money. Frequent complaints about mandatory surcharge and feeling overcharged highlight a significant disconnect between cost and perceived worth.
Value
39
Reviews
5%
Satisfaction
33
negative
4
neutral
2
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
What people don't like
- High prices
- Mandatory surcharges
- Poor value
Often praised
- $15 frozen pizzahappy $15 frozen pizza consumer when the pizza taste like it’s warmed up
- refund the overchargeThey did eventually contact me to refund the overcharge
Frequently criticized
- priceAs an Italian, I can say that this pizza is nothing but good; it only looks good. The dough was fine, but the quality of the ingredients is definitely not there for a very high price. For $24 plus extra taxes for a pizza with salame piccante, you would expect the mozzarella to be real, or the tomato not to taste like the cheap one from a supermarket.
- pricesfor these prices we should be able to enjoy the experience
- pizzasThe pizzas are very expensive.
- billpromptly handed the bill
- additionaddition vraiment salée
- expensivepizza is too expensive
- high pricesZu den sowieso schon hohen Preisen
- mandatory surchargea mandatory surcharge is added to all ordered items
- most expensive pizzait’s also the most expensive pizza I’ve had
- overchargedThey overcharged my credit card
If youre looking for good value, this might not be the place for you. The high prices and additional fees seem to be a major sticking point for many, often overshadowing the dining experience. Be prepared for a hefty bill that many feel doesnt match what's offered.
How are the prices at Del Popolo?
You’re looking at roughly 45 per person – reported by 125 diners. That puts it in the $41–$50 category. For a Pizzeria, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average is 45, its interesting to see that many diners spend less, with a big chunk in the $21–$30 range. But dont be surprised if some guests go for more premium options, as theres a good number spending over 60 $ too. Its a bit of a mix!
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 125 reviews.
A peek at how this Pizzeria’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering its a Pizzeria in San Francisco, and given the range of options available, we think the pricing feels pretty fair. Theres something for different budgets, which is always a plus!
Customer Reviews: what people think about Del Popolo
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Disappointing Pizza, High Price
My experience was disappointing. The dough was unfortunately underfermented and underproofed, which resulted in a lack of flavor and a thick, doughy texture. While the pizza had a good char from the wood-fired oven, and the tomato sauce and cheese were decent, the overall quality and craftsmanship did not justify the price.
It was probably the most expensive pizza I have ever had anywhere in the world. Additionally, as an international traveler, the tipping system in the USA is very confusing, with continuously varying suggested percentages based on taxes and fees included in the bill.
- char7
- tomato sauce + cheese7
- dough2
- texture2
- pizza2
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
7
Inconsistent Pizza Experience
My experience at this restaurant has been mixed. I've visited twice, and both times I ordered the Margherita pizza. The first time, the pizza was amazing.
However, on my second visit, the pizza was very dough-y. Despite having a reservation for my second visit, I still had to wait 15 minutes. While I would still consider coming back, I'm unsure why my two experiences were so different.
- Margherita pizza9
- pizza4
- reservation4
- wait4
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
2
Disappointing Pizza Experience
My experience at this restaurant was very disappointing. The customer service was poor, and the pizza was horrible. It was absolutely overloaded with tomato sauce and had hardly any cheese.
I ended up leaving half of the pizza because it was so bad.
- customer service2
- pizza1
- cheese1
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Takeout
3
Good Ambiance, Poor Pizza
My experience ordering a sausage pizza for takeout was disappointing. While the flavors were good, the pizza was so soaked in water that I needed multiple napkins to make it edible. This significantly destroyed the crust and the overall experience.
On a positive note, the ambiance inside the restaurant is really great. However, based on this experience, this isn't the place to go for good pizza.
- flavors7
- ambiance inside9
- sausage pizza2
- crust1
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
8
Good Pizza, Patio Recommended
My experience at the restaurant was positive overall. The pizzas were very good. While the fries were good, they were nothing special.
We were fortunate to get a table on the back patio, which I'm glad we did as it would have been too loud inside. The service was excellent, rated 5/5, and the food quality was also rated 5/5. The atmosphere received a rating of 4.
- pizzas9
- fries6
- back patio8
- inside3
What Del Popolo offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
- Dinner reservations recommended
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Table service
- Dessert
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Usually difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
- Paid parking garage
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Romantic
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
Do you need a reservation to dine at Del Popolo in San Francisco?
Yes, dinner reservations are recommended at Del Popolo, especially if you plan to dine during peak hours. You can make a reservation to secure your table and ensure a seamless dining experience in Lower Nob Hill.
Is Del Popolo in Lower Nob Hill accessible for guests with mobility needs?
Absolutely! Del Popolo is committed to accessibility, offering a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restrooms. You can comfortably enjoy your meal and the cozy atmosphere without any concerns about mobility access.
What is Del Popolo's overall rating and what are its strongest and weakest points?
Del Popolo holds an overall score of 7.2. Its strengths lie in Ambience (8.1), Food (7.4), and Service (6.9). The main area for improvement is Value (3), which is rated poorly by customers.
What makes Del Popolo's pizza stand out?
Customers frequently praise Del Popolo’s pizza for its exceptional dough and flavorful crust, often describing it as extraordinary and delicious. Many consider it among the best Neapolitan-style pizzas they’ve encountered.
Is Del Popolo considered expensive?
Yes, value is a recurring concern for many guests. Opinions indicate that the prices are often perceived as high, with some mentioning mandatory surcharges and sparse ingredients, leading to a feeling of being overcharged.