Highlights
- Great wine list
oChef » Il Borgo – San Francisco
Il Borgo - San Francisco
Photo from Il Borgo
Il Borgo at a glance
San Francisco Hayes Valley
- 🍝 Italian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 66 of the guests
#538 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#35 Italian Restaurant out of 122 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
536
Reviews
83.2%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Authentic Food
- Great Service
- Charming Vibe
Frequently criticized
- Slow Service
- Loud Atmosphere
- Dated Decor
The Italian restaurant Il Borgo, nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Hayes Valley, invites you to experience a truly memorable dining occasion. You’ll discover a cozy and romantic atmosphere perfect for an intimate dinner or a relaxed lunch.
This charming spot is celebrated for its great wine list, offering a superb selection to complement your meal. Whether you’re seeking a casual evening out or a special celebration, Il Borgo provides a welcoming setting where you can enjoy authentic Italian flavors.
Overview: Introducting Il Borgo
Il Borgo offers a genuine Italian dining experience, often described as a hidden gem with undeniable Italian charm. This long-standing, family-owned establishment provides an authentic atmosphere that many patrons appreciate, feeling like a step into a small Italian village.
While it boasts a generally kid friendly environment and a cozy feel, some guests have noted the atmosphere can be quite loud, and the decor might benefit from an update. Despite these points, the restaurant maintains a strong reputation for its culinary offerings and warm hospitality.
Excellent
8.1
out of 10
536
Reviews
83.2%
Satisfaction
69
negative
21
neutral
446
positive
Il Borgo achieves a solid overall score of 8.1, reflecting a high level of customer satisfaction at 83.2%. This positive sentiment is drawn from 536 customer observations, with 446 positive remarks outweighing 69 negative ones, indicating a generally well-received experience.
The restaurant’s Food (8.1) and Ambience (8.1) lead the positive impressions, closely followed by Service (8.0). While Value (7.6) scores slightly lower, it still sits comfortably in the ‘good’ range, suggesting that guests generally find the pricing fair for what’s offered.
What people like
- Authentic Italian Food
- Friendly, Attentive Service
- Cozy, Charming Ambience
What people don't like
- Occasionally Slow Service
- Loud Dining Atmosphere
- Dated Decor
With a strong recommendation score of 8.2, Il Borgo is a compelling choice for those seeking an authentic, unpretentious Italian meal. It delivers on its promise of traditional flavors and a lively, family-run atmosphere.
If you appreciate a vibrant, old-school Italian setting and delicious food, this spot is worth a visit. However, if a quiet, modern dining room is your priority, be aware that the energetic atmosphere and classic decor might not be for everyone.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Il Borgo
Food (8.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 8.1 and a customer satisfaction rate of 84.2%, its clear many diners are leaving happy. Out of 311 remarks, a whopping 262 were positive, praising the "authentic Italian food, " "delicious homemade pasta, " "amazing tiramisu, " and "generous portions.
"However, not every dish is a home run, as 36 negative comments point out. Some found the food to be "bland" or "overly salty, " with specific mentions of "soggy pizza" and "small portions. " While the positives far outweigh the negatives, its worth noting these areas for potential improvement.
Food
311
Reviews
84%
Satisfaction
36
negative
13
neutral
262
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Italian food
- Delicious homemade pasta
- Amazing tiramisu
What people don't like
- Soggy, bland pizza
- Overly salty dishes
- Small portions
Often praised
- foodAs a neighborhood resident, I've been getting takeout from this restaurant for the past year. My experience has been very positive, with very good portions, efficient service, and delicious food. 😊 I highly recommend it!
- breadThe bread is freshly made in house and brought out piping hot
- pastaThis place is by far the best Italian you are going to get. Their pasta is to die for, with special mention to the Lagsaneta and the lobster ravioli. The tiramisu is SO good.
- tiramisuMy experience at this fantastic little neighborhood restaurant was truly wonderful. The food was delicious, especially the homemade bread and the tiramisu that is to die for! The price was well-justified for the quality, and the service was incredible.
- lasagnettaThe lasagnetta was something new and I’m glad I tried it
- Italian foodauthentic Italian food. Most places will advertise Italian food
- portionsMy experience at this restaurant featured genuine Italian food with decent portions and quality ingredients. The lasagna was delicious, but the tiramisu truly outshined everything else; it was so delicious it felt like an Italian grandma made it in the back.
- FoodThere was something charming about the décor, like the murals and Chianti bottles. The food and service also received perfect scores, making it a truly enjoyable visit.
- authentic Italian foodfood here as it is authentic Italian food
- carbonaraMy experience at the restaurant was a quick takeout with a friendly staff. I ordered the gnocchi and carbonara, and both were excellent, especially the carbonara. They also take good precautions for COVID.
Frequently criticized
- foodThe interior was beautiful and the service was great, earning a perfect 5/5 for both. However, the food sucked. The pizza was completely soggy and tasteless, and the lasagna had way too much cheese.
- pizzaThe waiter's service was minimal, only taking the order and grunting, with no further interaction. At 7 pm, we were told they had run out of pizza, which was a disappointment. The food taste and quality were just okay, falling below average for San Francisco.
- lasagnaLasganaeta tasted like something I could make at home
- Bolognesethe Bolognese was just a pile of meat
- bland foodgod awful bland food
- breadThe lasagna was delicious, but the tiramisu truly outshined everything else; it was so delicious it felt like an Italian grandma made it in the back. My only complaint is the bread; perhaps try a different bread.
- bruschettathe bruschetta was too overly loaded to eat
- chicken parmigianachicken parmigiana has mozzarella and no parmesan at all
- espressoThe espresso tasted weird, not sure what kind of coffee they use, but it wasn't good
- gnocchiGnocchi tasted like garbage
If youre craving authentic Italian flavors and homemade pasta, this place is definitely worth a visit, especially for their highly-praised tiramisu. Just be mindful that a few dishes might miss the mark on seasoning or portion size, but overall, its a solid choice for a satisfying meal.
Service (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 72% of the guests
Overall, the service here is quite good, with a solid score of 8 and a customer satisfaction rate of 80%. Many guests rave about the friendly staff, incredible service, and charming and friendly service, often enjoying a personalized experience. This positive sentiment is reflected in 84 positive remarks out of 105 total.
However, it's not all sunshine, as 17 negative comments point to some areas for improvement. Some diners felt rushed through their meal, experienced horrible service, or encountered an unpleasant tone from staff. There were also instances of notably slow service.
Service
105
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
17
negative
4
neutral
84
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Personalized experience
- Quick, great service
What people don't like
- Service felt rushed
- Unfriendly staff
- Very slow service
Often praised
- serviceAs a neighborhood resident, I've been getting takeout from this restaurant for the past year. My experience has been very positive, with very good portions, efficient service, and delicious food. 😊 I highly recommend it!
- staffMy experience at this restaurant was wonderful. It's a beautiful and cozy place with delicious food and friendly staff. The woman who greeted us was incredibly nice and attentive.
- ServiceThere was something charming about the décor, like the murals and Chianti bottles. The food and service also received perfect scores, making it a truly enjoyable visit.
- hostSergio and Mitra are incredible host
- ownerThis tiny restaurant is an institution to me, and it withstood the test of time as it’s been there for ever (at least 20 years!). The food is truly authentic Italian, as well as the owner. I will be back there for sure this summer with family and friends very soon, travelling back to SF from old Europe.
- ownersMy experience at this family-owned restaurant was wonderful. The owners are lovely, and the setting is cozy and quiet. I found the food to be very tasty and well-priced.
- waitressthe waitress was very friendly
- serverour server was also really helpful
- COVID precautionsI ordered the gnocchi and carbonara, and both were excellent, especially the carbonara. They also take good precautions for COVID.
- charming and friendlyMitra and her husband are charming and friendly!
Frequently criticized
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was defined by super duper slow service. The wait was so prolonged that we ended up walking out.
- bill on my tableThe woman attending me seemed in a hurry to close the establishment. I was the only one dining alone, and even though there was still more than half an hour until closing, she placed the bill on my table without me asking. When I mentioned I would pay by card, she told me to come to the register.
- closing the establishmentMy experience at the restaurant was quite unpleasant due to the service. The woman attending me seemed in a hurry to close the establishment. I was the only one dining alone, and even though there was still more than half an hour until closing, she placed the bill on my table without me asking.
- hostess/waitresshostess/waitress said I complained that my salad was so salty
- lady workingThe lady working laughed when I asked
- mealit felt so rushed
- pickup orderMy pickup order was sitting at a table with other people eating dinner. The lady working laughed when I asked why it was sitting on someone’s table.
- rushed throughyou kind of feel that you're rushed through
- serverthe server basically wanted to get us our food and be done with it
- toneme with a tone quite unpleasant
If you value a warm, personalized dining experience, you'll likely be very happy with the service here. Just be aware that a few guests have reported feeling rushed or experiencing slower moments, so manage your expectations during peak times.
Ambience (8.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 54% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot largely hits the mark, earning a good 8.1 score with a solid 83.2% customer satisfaction. Many diners rave about the genuine Italian experience, praising the cozy vibe, red checked tablecloths, and candlelit tables. With 79 positive remarks out of 95 total, its clear most find the atmosphere charming, intimate, and reminiscent of Italy, often enhanced by "Italian music.
"However, not everyone is completely swept away. A smaller group of 13 comments noted issues like "difficult parking" and suggested the "decor could use an update. " Some found the "atmosphere was so loud" it impacted their experience, hinting at a "run down atmosphere" in places.
While these are minor points compared to the overall positive feedback, theyre worth keeping in mind.
Ambience
95
Reviews
83%
Satisfaction
13
negative
3
neutral
79
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Genuine Italian experience
- Cozy, intimate vibe
- Charming, traditional decor
What people don't like
- Difficult parking
- Needs decor update
- Loud atmosphere
Often praised
- atmosphereBut it is still a genuine Italian experience. To me it is like when in a small village in Italy: loud, crazy, sometimes slow locals and…you’d better be acquainted to them. This tiny restaurant is an institution to me, and it withstood the test of time as it’s been there for ever (at least 20 years!).
- hidden gemSuch a hidden gem in this neighborhood
- AtmosphereMy experience at this old school Italian place was so much fun. I was a little surprised they weren't more crowded on a Friday night, especially since they accommodated our reservation for 10 and let us in one by one.
- interiorMy experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. The interior was beautiful and the service was great, earning a perfect 5/5 for both. However, the food sucked.
- kid friendlyWe enjoyed a great meal with great service. It's also kid friendly. We would for sure return when in the area.
- placeI always try to speak a few Italian words when I visit. I love the food and the quaint place.
- Chianti bottlesChianti bottles etc
- Italian charmblown away by its Italian charm
- Italian experiencestill a genuine Italian experience
- Italian family ownedItalian family owned
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereatmosphere was so loud we couldn’t even hear ourselves think
- decorThe decor could use an update
- parkingDifficult to find parking
- dirty cupswater as it arrived in dirty cups
- group dinnerNot very fun for a group dinner where we wanted to chat and enjoy a meal
- musicblasting Doors music
- parking spaceSomewhat difficult to find parking
- placeDespite the fact that it's not the most elegant place in town, the food is superb, and the service faultless.
- romance or vibrancyno romance or vibrancy
- updateCould use a really good scrubbing and update
If youre looking for an authentic, cozy Italian atmosphere with a touch of old-world charm, youll likely love it here. Just be prepared for potentially tricky parking and a lively, sometimes loud, environment that might not suit everyone's taste for a quiet night out.
Value (7.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 22% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark, boasting a solid score of 7.6 and a strong customer satisfaction of 84%. Based on 21 positive remarks out of 25 total, many diners found the food to be well priced and affordable, often praising the fair prices and portion size to price as a decent deal. It seems you get a good amount of food for what you pay.
However, it's not entirely without its critiques, with 3 negative opinions noting that portions are very small for the price and some feeling it was NOT worth the price overall. There was also a specific mention about a demanded tip, which is certainly something to be aware of.
Value
25
Reviews
84%
Satisfaction
3
negative
1
neutral
21
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Well priced food
- Great overall value
- Good portion for price
What people don't like
- Portions too small
- Value not worth
- Tip issues encountered
Often praised
- priceIf you're looking for a reasonably priced, home-cooked Italian meal, this is the place to go. The service was great, and the food was delicious.
- pricesThe prices are amazing
- PricesPrices were great compared to most in SF
- affordablevery affordable
- amount of foodGood amount of food for the price
- fair pricesfair prices
- portion size to priceportion size to price is certainly a decent deal
- price pointThe price point was refreshingly low
- reasonable pricingnice night out with reasonable pricing
- valueBEST value in Hayes Valley
Frequently criticized
- priceThe service lady was nice, and the atmosphere was good with a classic Italian aesthetic. Overall, it was NOT worth the price!
- tipDemanded tip ! Laughed because we only gave her a certain amount
If youre looking for a place where your money goes further, especially for a home-cooked Italian meal, this spot is generally a great bet. While a few found portions small for the price, the overwhelming sentiment is that youll find good value here, making it worth a try.
How are the prices at Il Borgo?
You’re looking at roughly 29 per person – reported by 66 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For an Italian Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average lands at 29, most guests find themselves spending in the $21–$30 range. However, there’s also a good spread, with some enjoying a lighter meal and others indulging in a more premium experience.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 66 reviews.
A look at how this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar places in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for an Italian restaurant in San Francisco. It offers a good balance for a variety of dining preferences, so you can tailor your meal to your budget.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Il Borgo
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Charming Ambiance, Delicious Food!
My experience at this restaurant was wonderful. The ambience was a definite highlight, with its cozy, “old-country” style decor. It felt intimate, especially with the candlelit tables.
There was something charming about the décor, like the murals and Chianti bottles. The food and service also received perfect scores, making it a truly enjoyable visit.
- ambience10
- old-country style decor10
- intimate10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Hidden Gem with Cozy Vibe
I really loved my experience at this place. It has a wonderful down-home, cozy vibe that's a rare find in San Francisco these days. There's no scene, just good food and friendly service.
You can walk in, order a glass of wine, and they'll happily bring you a generous pour with warm, fresh bread. We asked for some red sauce, and they served a homemade marinara that truly hit the spot. The entire experience felt super relaxed and easy.
We enjoyed it so much that we're already planning to return tonight 😂 It's definitely a hidden gem.
- cozy vibe10
- good food9
- friendly service9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Hidden Gem with Great Food!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's a true hidden gem with an unassuming exterior that hides great food. I had the best time with my friends, and the lasagna was great.
The service is attentive without being overbearing, which I honestly prefer. If you're looking for a nice night out with reasonable pricing, this is the place to come.
- hidden gem9
- lasagna9
- great food9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Delicious Pasta and Great Atmosphere
I went with my group of friends and had a great experience. The atmosphere was wonderful, and the pasta was very tasty. I also enjoyed their bread, which had a nice light crisp and was delicious.
The recommended dish, Fettuccine Bolognese, was a hit, and the vegetarian options are highly recommended. While the food and service were rated a perfect 5, finding parking was somewhat difficult.
- atmosphere10
- pasta9
- bread9
- parking space3
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Hidden Treasure with Amazing Ravioli
My experience at this restaurant was absolutely fantastic. I had the artichoke ravioli, which was hands down the best ravioli I've ever had. As an avid fan of Italian cuisine across the US, I can confidently say this place truly stands out.
The freshly made bread was superb, and the service was extremely fast. It's a genuine hidden treasure.
- ravioli10
- artichoke ravioli10
- Italian food9
What Il Borgo offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Table service
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- Curbside pickup
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Romantic
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere and dining options can you expect at Il Borgo?
At Il Borgo, you’ll find a romantic, cozy, and casual atmosphere, ideal for any occasion. You can enjoy table service for lunch or dinner, and delicious desserts are also available. For your convenience, dine-in, takeout, delivery, and curbside pickup options are offered, ensuring a flexible dining experience.
What beverages and amenities does Il Borgo offer?
Il Borgo features a great wine list, complemented by coffee, beer, and other alcoholic beverages. For your comfort, the restaurant provides a restroom and wheelchair accessible seating. You can easily plan your visit as Il Borgo accepts reservations, and it’s also a welcoming spot considered good for kids.
How does Il Borgo generally perform?
Il Borgo maintains a strong overall score of **8.1**, with its **Food** (8.1), **Ambience** (8.1), and **Service** (8.0) leading the way, while **Value** (7.6) also rates well.
What makes Il Borgo's food stand out?
Customers frequently praise the **authentic Italian food**, especially the **pasta** and **tiramisu**, noting generous **portions** and fresh, homemade **bread**.
Are there any common complaints about the dining experience?
Some patrons have noted the **atmosphere** can be **loud**, and the **decor** might feel a bit dated, with occasional reports of **slow service**.