Highlights
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
oChef » Gialina – San Francisco
Gialina - San Francisco
Photo from Gialina
Gialina at a glance
San Francisco Glen Park
- 🍕 Pizzeria
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 46 of the guests
#1402 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#50 Pizzeria out of 115 in San Francisco
Good
7.3 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
323
Reviews
72.4%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Pizza quality
- Crisp crust
- Welcoming vibe
Frequently criticized
- High prices
- Loud atmosphere
- Long waits
The restaurant Gialina, a beloved Pizzeria in San Francisco’s charming Glen Park neighborhood, offers a truly memorable dining experience. You’ll discover a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere perfect for a relaxed meal.
Known for its great dessert, this spot also boasts an impressive wine list. Whether you’re looking for dine-in or takeout, Gialina provides delicious options, including vegan and vegetarian choices, organic dishes, and small plates, complemented by coffee, beer, and wine.
Overview: Introducting Gialina
Gialina often delivers a satisfying meal, with many patrons consistently praising the quality of its pizza and its perfectly thin, crisp crust. The service is frequently highlighted for being solid and attentive, contributing to a welcoming and family-friendly atmosphere.
However, some guests find the overall value to be a concern, noting that portions can feel small for the price. There are also occasional remarks about the dining room being a bit noisy, which can sometimes impact the experience.
Good
7.3
out of 10
323
Reviews
72.4%
Satisfaction
68
negative
21
neutral
234
positive
Overall, Gialina earns a respectable restaurant score of 7.3, indicating a good dining experience for many. This is supported by a solid customer satisfaction rate of 72.4%, suggesting that most patrons leave content.
These figures are drawn from 323 customer opinions, with 234 positive remarks outweighing 68 negative ones, painting a generally favorable picture. Looking closer at the details, Food stands out as a strong point with a score of (7.8), consistently receiving high praise.
Ambience (6.6) and Service (6.4) both register as average, indicating areas that are generally acceptable but have room for improvement. The primary concern appears to be Value (3), which falls into the poor category, suggesting that many find the pricing to be a drawback.
What people like
- Quality pizza
- Crisp crust
- Welcoming atmosphere
What people don't like
- High prices
- Noisy environment
- Long wait times
Gialina presents a solid option for those prioritizing good pizza and a generally pleasant setting. With a recommendation score of 7.8, it suggests a positive experience for many, especially if you’re seeking reliable food quality.
Be prepared for potential noise and consider the pricing, but the core offerings are often well-received. If you’re looking for a casual spot with a focus on well-made pizza and don’t mind paying a bit more, Gialina is worth considering.
However, if value for money or a quiet dining experience are top priorities, you might find it less appealing.
Similar Restaurants in San Francisco
- Pizzeria
9.3
out of 10
out of 10
34
100%
- $$
- Cow Hollow
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Pizzeria
9.1
out of 10
out of 10
186
96.2%
- $$
- Mission District
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Pizzeria
8.9
out of 10
out of 10
498
95.6%
- $$
- Russian Hill
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Pizzeria
8.8
out of 10
out of 10
263
88.6%
- $$
- Polk Gulch
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Pizzeria
8.5
out of 10
out of 10
549
88.3%
- $$
- Transbay
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Pizzeria
8.4
out of 10
out of 10
164
84.8%
- $$
- Silver Terrace
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
Verdict: Our expert take on Gialina
Food (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark, boasting a solid score of 7.8 and a strong customer satisfaction of 79.1%. With 167 positive comments out of 211 total, guests frequently rave about the delicious pizza, especially the perfect, crispy crust and creative toppings. Dont miss out on their exquisite meatballs and delightful desserts like the tiramisu!
However, not every dish is a home run. There are 30 negative remarks, with some diners finding the pizza occasionally mediocre, burned, or underbaked. Issues with the crust being too chewy or dry, and a few comments about stingy toppings or a disappointing sauce, suggest theres still a little room for improvement.
Food
211
Reviews
79%
Satisfaction
30
negative
14
neutral
167
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Perfect pizza crust
- Creative toppings
- Delicious meatballs
What people don't like
- Inconsistent pizza quality
- Chewy/dry crust
- Stingy toppings
Often praised
- pizzaWhile the pizzas were really good, with a thin and crusty bottom, the atmosphere was a bit noisy. On the plus side, the pizza came super fast. : -) Overall, the food quality was excellent, but the noise level detracted from the dining experience.
- foodThis has been one of my favorite pizza places in SF for almost 15 years, along with Little Star. The consistent, solid service and good food have kept me coming back! There is nowhere else that quite has the combo that the Atomica delivers.
- pizzasdégusté des pizzas parmi les meilleurs que j'ai mangé
- AmatricianaThe Amatriciana with tomato, pancetta, chilies, farm egg & pecorino is my favorite
- crustThe restaurant has a welcoming atmosphere with real people, and you can truly feel the pride of the employees, some of whom have been there for over 17 years! We tried four pizzas, and each was delicious, featuring a perfectly thin, toasty crust. The slices were light and crisp, making them easy to hold.
- tiramisuthe tiramisu was very creamy i loved it
- piesconsistently fully baked its pies
- FoodFood:4
- appetizersGreat appetizers too
- cheesecheese, toppings... every time.
Frequently criticized
- crustConsidering the price, the restaurant was very stingy with toppings. Furthermore, the crust was overcooked on all three pies. The sauce was also a letdown, seeming to have too much raw tomato paste and lacking brightness.
- foodThe food is not as good as it looks.
- pizzaThe last time I ate their food was at their location, and I loved their excellent attention. However, I was a little disappointed with the pizza because, from my point of view, it was a bit burned on the base and the edges, making it difficult to handle. This was the only detail because the meatballs were exquisite.
- Hindu Vegetarianswe are both Hindu Vegetation and don’t eat meat
- Margherita pizzaI am not a fan of their margherita pizza
- arugulaI don't like raw veggies (arugula) on my pizza
- base and edgesThe last time I ate their food was at their location, and I loved their excellent attention. However, I was a little disappointed with the pizza because, from my point of view, it was a bit burned on the base and the edges, making it difficult to handle. This was the only detail because the meatballs were exquisite.
- centerthe center was underbaked
- cheese crackercooled down into a cheese cracker
- deviled eggsdevils eggs out of a fridge were not very appealing
If you're looking for a place with generally fantastic pizza, especially known for its crust and creative toppings, this is definitely worth a visit. While there are occasional misses with consistency or specific elements, the overall food experience is highly praised and satisfying. Just be mindful of potential take-out quality differences.
Service (6.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 57% of the guests
The service here seems to be a bit of a mixed bag, with a 6.4 score indicating it's pretty average, and customer satisfaction sitting at a 59.7% mixed level. Out of 62 customer remarks, 37 were positive, highlighting a generally friendly and accommodating crew. Many appreciated the staff for being charming and funny, offering great service, and providing excellent attention, often noting quick food delivery.
However, 21 comments pointed to areas needing improvement. Some patrons experienced long waits and significant waiting time for both ordering and food, with a few finding the servers to be aloof or even rude. There were instances where staff seemed pretentious, making some feel judged or not well cared for.
Service
62
Reviews
59%
Satisfaction
21
negative
4
neutral
37
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Quick food delivery
- Excellent attention
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Rude staff
- Slow service
Often praised
- serviceThis has been one of my favorite pizza places in SF for almost 15 years, along with Little Star. The consistent, solid service and good food have kept me coming back! There is nowhere else that quite has the combo that the Atomica delivers.
- staffThe staff here are me favorite of any local restaurant.
- ServiceService:5
- NickyNicky, thank you for all the advise on what to order
- Ordering inOrdering in is a better bet
- Service by NickService by Nick was fantastic
- SharonSharon is awesome
- charming and funnyCharming and funny and remember me even though I don't eat out much.
- crewThumbs up for this place and it's crew
- dine inboth for take out and dine in
Frequently criticized
- servicethe service was a 2. The pizza had the right proportion of sauce to crust to toppings. As for our server (lady with the back tattoos) if a fly landed on her face, it would have died. She showed up to our table only when she had to. No hospitality no smiles just business.
- waiting timesignificant waiting time before we could even place our order
- womanThere are ways to tell people to politely step aside, and where to step aside to, without making them feel unwelcome. The short, rotund woman with short gray hair needs to learn how to direct and talk to people. As much as I like their pizza, I will not be frequenting Gialina again any time soon.
- cared forConsequently, we were cold throughout our dinner. I did not feel well cared for here 🙄.
- food took foreverfood took forever because of some mishap with the pizza
- front of the housethe front of the house refused our polite request
- hospitalityNo hospitality no smiles just business.
- long waitsdifficult, especially with long waits
- pick upDon’t offer pick up if you can’t talk to people
- pickup order20 minutes late in getting a pickup order out the door
If youre heading here, be prepared for service that can be a bit inconsistent. While many enjoy the friendly staff and quick delivery, theres a chance you might encounter longer waits or less attentive interactions. Its worth a try if youre patient, but don't expect consistently stellar service.
Ambience (6.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 41% of the guests
The ambience here offers a mixed experience, landing an average score of 6.6 with customer satisfaction at 66.7%. Many of the 30 positive opinions highlight it as a tiny place or a hidden gem, praising its neighborhood hangout feel and nice vibes. Guests often enjoy the decor/aesthetic and the overall intimate dining experience.
However, its not without its drawbacks, as 13 negative opinions suggest. Some found the atmosphere to be crowded and noisy, with tables that are tightly packed. A few also mentioned it could be cold or felt like an old and tired establishment, ' indicating the dine-in experience can sometimes be challenging.
Ambience
45
Reviews
66%
Satisfaction
13
negative
2
neutral
30
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Hidden gem
- Intimate vibes
- Clean decor
What people don't like
- Crowded and noisy
- Tightly packed tables
- Can be cold
Often praised
- atmosphereA charming old-school spot with real people
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- ambienceAmbience to Boot
- better memorieshad better memories about the atmosfera
- decor/aestheticDecor/aesthetic is minimal and clean
- dine-inmuch better for dine-in
- dining experienceGreat dining experience.
- dive barGood dive bar next door
- eveningit was a great evening for all of us
- family friendlyFamily friendly
Frequently criticized
- parkingIt's a good option when you're in the neighborhood. While traffic can be thick, especially after work, and parking is hard to come by, the restaurant is very accessible by public transit.
- tablesThe restaurant is family friendly and conveniently located close to mass transit, though parking can be somewhat difficult to find. The seating is plus size friendly, but the tables are tightly packed. Overall, a wonderful dining experience with excellent food and service.
- atmosphereAtmosphere was too bougie for what they provide.
- cleanlinessNot sure how clean it is
- coldSo we were cold throughout our dinner
- crowded and noisyit might ɓe crowded and noisy
- dine-in experiencethe dine-in experience can be difficult
- establishmentOld and tired establishment
- noisea bit noisy inside
- storefrontHowever, I'm giving 2 stars for the service. There was a very rude woman leaning on the counter who was clearly exasperated by patrons in the impossibly small storefront. If you offer pick up, you should be able to talk to people with some sort of politeness.
If youre seeking a charming, local spot with an intimate feel and dont mind a potentially bustling environment, this place is worth a try. Just be aware that it can get crowded and a bit chilly, so plan accordingly.
Value (3 out of 10)
mentioned by 5% of the guests
Looking at the value aspect, there arent any positive comments to highlight from the 5 customer remarks we reviewed. It seems customers didnt find much to praise in this area. Unfortunately, the overall sentiment is quite low, with a poor score of 3 and a poor customer satisfaction of 0%.
Many customers felt the offerings were simply too pricey and expensive , often describing them as overpriced for what you received. Based on 4 negative remarks, it appears portions were sometimes considered small or stingy given the cost.
Value
5
Reviews
0%
Satisfaction
4
negative
1
neutral
0
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
What people don't like
- Too pricey
- Way too expensive
- Stingy portions
Often praised
No positive aspects so far.
Frequently criticized
- priceConsidering the price, they were very stingy
- expensiveWay too expensive
- priceyMy experience was that the pizza was good, but it was on the small side and just too pricey. It was way too expensive for what it was.
If you're looking for great value, this might not be the spot for you. Many customers found the prices too high for the portion sizes and overall experience, so be prepared for potentially expensive options.
How are the prices at Gialina?
You’re looking at roughly 32 per person – reported by 46 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For a Pizzeria, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what people usually spend, most diners find themselves in the $21–$30 range, with a good number also in the $31–$40 bracket. This shows a nice cluster around the average, indicating a consistent mid-range experience, though a few folks do splurge a bit more.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 46 reviews.
How this Pizzeria’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels pretty fair for a Pizzeria, especially in San Francisco. It offers a solid mid-range option without breaking the bank, making it a good choice for a casual meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Gialina
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Large Group
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Awesome Gluten-Free Pizza Experience!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic. Sharon provided awesome service, and the pizza was absolutely delicious. I was particularly impressed that they were able to make me a gluten, dairy-free pizza.
I wish I was having it right now 🤤.
- pizza10
- gluten, dairy-free pizza10
- Sharon10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Fantastic Authentic Pizza Experience!
What a warm and authentic restaurant experience! We savored some of the best pizzas I've ever had. It was fantastic!
- pizzas10
- restaurant9
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
8
Novel Pizzas and Great Service
My experience at the restaurant was positive, featuring novel pizzas and great service. It's a good option when you're in the neighborhood. While traffic can be thick, especially after work, and parking is hard to come by, the restaurant is very accessible by public transit.
- novel pizzas9
- great service9
- public transit8
- traffic3
- parking3
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Gialina: Simple Quality Pizza & Salads
It's been years since I last tried Gialina, and I'm so happy that it's still around and delivering simple but consistent quality food. We enjoyed three dishes: a Caesar salad, a cucumber salad, and a pie, accompanied by a glass of wine. I personally think Gialina makes one of the best pizza doughs in SF; it's crunchy, super thin, and perfectly balanced with the toppings.
The Caesar salad with white anchovies is delicious and really gets your taste buds fired up for the main course. Give it a try; you won't be disappointed. Thumbs up for this place and its crew!
- pizza dough10
- Caesar salad9
- pie8
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Moderate (16–30 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Tiny Gem with Amazing Diavola Pizza!
My experience at this restaurant was excellent on all fronts! It’s a tiny place, so I do recommend calling ahead to see if they’re busy or just hanging out front if you’re willing to wait. Their diavola pizza is to die for!
- diavola pizza10
- place7
- service8
What Gialina offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
- Dinner reservations recommended
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Vegan options
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Organic dishes
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
Do you need a reservation to dine at Gialina?
Yes, Gialina accepts reservations, and dinner reservations are highly recommended, especially if you plan to visit during peak hours. This ensures you secure your seating and enjoy your meal without a wait.
Does Gialina offer options for specific diets or families?
Absolutely! Gialina provides excellent vegan and vegetarian options, alongside organic dishes and small plates. It’s also very family-friendly, offering a kids’ menu, high chairs, and a welcoming atmosphere for children.
How does Gialina generally score with customers?
Gialina achieves a restaurant score of **7.3** and a customer satisfaction of **72.4%**. Its **Food** (7.8) is a strong point, while **Ambience** (6.6) and **Service** (6.4) are average. **Value** (3) is a notable area for improvement.
What kind of food can I expect at Gialina?
Gialina is well-regarded for its **pizza**, often highlighted for its thin, crisp **crust** and consistent quality. Appetizers and desserts like the tiramisu also receive positive feedback.
What are the main downsides to dining at Gialina?
The primary concern for many is the **price**, with some finding it **expensive** for the portion sizes. Other common issues include a **noisy** dining environment and occasional **long waits** for service.