Highlights
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
oChef » Luisa’s – San Francisco
Luisa's - San Francisco
Photo from Luisa’s
Luisa's at a glance
San Francisco Mission District
- 🍝 Italian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 103 of the guests
#55 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#1 Italian Restaurant out of 122 in San Francisco
Excellent
9 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
761
Reviews
94.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Friendly service
- Authentic food
- Good value
Frequently criticized
- Slow service
- Uneven food
- Bad smell
The restaurant Luisa’s invites you to experience authentic Italian flavors right in the heart of San Francisco’s vibrant Mission District. You’ll discover a cozy and casual atmosphere perfect for a delightful dinner.
Known for its exceptional culinary offerings, you’ll especially appreciate the great dessert selection, making it a sweet end to any meal.
Overview: Introducting Luisa's
Luisa’s offers a generally positive dining experience, often highlighted by its friendly staff and a welcoming atmosphere. Many patrons appreciate the genuine warmth, with some even having delightful conversations with Luisa herself.
However, some visits have been marred by occasional service hiccups, such as delays in getting orders or the check. While the gnocchi and meatballs receive high praise, a few dishes have been noted for lacking flavor or being inconsistent.
Excellent
9
out of 10
761
Reviews
94.6%
Satisfaction
34
negative
7
neutral
720
positive
Luisa’s achieves an impressive overall 9 out of 10, reflecting a strong dining experience. This is further supported by an excellent 94.6% customer satisfaction rate, indicating that the vast majority of guests leave pleased.
These high marks are drawn from over 700 customer remarks, with 720 positive sentiments far outweighing the 34 negative ones. The restaurant particularly shines in Service (9.2) and Food (9), both receiving excellent marks for their quality and execution.
The Ambience (8.9) also contributes significantly to the positive impression, creating a pleasant setting. While Value (7.6) is considered good, it’s a slightly less prominent strength compared to the others, yet still contributes positively to the overall appeal.
What people like
- Attentive, friendly service
- Authentic Italian dishes
- Reasonable pricing
What people don't like
- Service delays
- Inconsistent food quality
- Unpleasant odors
Luisa’s presents itself as a solid choice for those seeking a warm, inviting Italian meal. With a strong 9.1 recommendation score, it’s clear that many diners find it a worthwhile destination, especially for its genuine hospitality and well-regarded main dishes.
If you prioritize friendly interactions and flavorful Italian staples, Luisa’s is certainly worth considering. However, be prepared for potential service lulls and understand that some dishes might not consistently hit the mark.
Similar Restaurants in San Francisco
- Italian Restaurant
9
out of 10
out of 10
420
92.9%
- $$
- Russian Hill
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Italian Restaurant
8.9
out of 10
out of 10
440
93.4%
- $$
- Russian Hill
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Italian Restaurant
8.9
out of 10
out of 10
378
92.9%
- $$
- Telegraph Hill
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Italian Restaurant
8.8
out of 10
out of 10
421
91.9%
- $$
- Nob Hill
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Italian Restaurant
8.8
out of 10
out of 10
733
92%
- $$
- Cole Valley
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Italian Restaurant
8.8
out of 10
out of 10
442
91%
- $$
- North Beach
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
Verdict: Our expert take on Luisa's
Food (9 out of 10)
mentioned by 99% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this place truly shines! With an excellent score of 9 and a fantastic 93.6% customer satisfaction, its clear diners are consistently impressed. Out of 451 comments, a whopping 422 rave about dishes like the "pesto gnocchi", "Tiramisu", "homemade pasta", and "authentic Italian food", promising a delicious experience.
However, its worth noting that a few of the 22 negative remarks mention some areas for improvement. Concerns occasionally arose regarding the bruschetta, pizza crust, gnocchi, and tiramisu, suggesting some dishes might not always hit the mark for every palate.
Food
451
Reviews
93%
Satisfaction
22
negative
7
neutral
422
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Italian cuisine
- Melt-in-mouth gnocchi
- Exceptional Tiramisu
What people don't like
- Inconsistent bruschetta
- Dry pizza crust
- Mushy gnocchi
Often praised
- foodA delightful surprise awaited us at the end when we met Luisa herself, who at 94 years young, shared her inspiring story and passion for the restaurant. We are already planning a return visit and will be recommending Luisa's to our friends for a perfect, no-frills night with excellent food, service, and atmosphere.
- gnocchiIt's hands down the best Italian place around, offering really well priced dishes. I particularly enjoyed the amazing gnocchi made by hand. They also boast an amazing wine selection and bake their own bread daily.
- tiramisuAnd the tiramisu. I was genuinely devastated today that I was full from dinner and didn't feel up to dessert, because it's so good. Please check it out - it's on a cute street and the vibe is the best.
- lasagnahad the lasagna and lobster ravioli, everything was very flavorful
- FoodFood:5
- Italian foodMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I found it to serve the best Italian food in the city. Luisa was an exceptional host, and I would recommend any of the items on the menu.
- pizzaWhile the gluten-free pasta was only penne, which is standard, it didn't detract from the experience. The pesto tasted incredibly fresh and immaculate, and the pizza had an amazing flavor profile across all its varieties. As someone who values the quality of gluten-free ingredients, I was pleased to find that this restaurant doesn't compromise on quality when removing gluten.
- meatballsEach time we've ordered something different and we've loved it. My favorites so far are the meatballs (tonight I proudly claimed for the first time that I think I would die for this meatball - not something I thought I would ever say before) and the carbonara, damn it's so good. The gnocchi with pesto also absolutely slaps.
- garlic breadmy frequently repeated dishes are the garlic bread (a must)
- wineIt's a very cute place, only 10 days old, but it runs pretty smoothly. The owner is adorable, and the food and wine were great. I had the bruschetta, papardelle alla bolognese, and the Chianti, all of which were good.
Frequently criticized
- foodVery average food
- Cesar saladThe Cesar salad looked like it had been prepared days before
- breadthe bread was reminiscent of store bought frozen take-and-bake white bread
- bruschettathe bruschetta was a lackluster and uneventful appetizer
- chicken piccataflavorless, underwhelming, lacked the sear all expect from this classic dish
- crustThick dry crust, tasteless, plane boring
- doughthe dough really not nice
- eggplant parmesanunder-seasoned filets of eggplant layered between an obscene amount of mozzarella cheese
- flavor/seasoningdisappointed by the lack of flavor/seasoning in the meatballs
- frozen foodfelt like they served frozen food
If youre craving authentic Italian flavors, especially pasta and gnocchi, this spot is definitely worth a visit. While a few dishes might be inconsistent, the overwhelming positive feedback suggests youre in for a treat.
Service (9.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 84% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot truly shines! With an excellent score of 9.2 and a stellar customer satisfaction of 96.1%, its clear guests are consistently impressed. Based on 174 positive remarks out of 181 total, the "attentive staff" and "excellent service" often highlighted, especially with "Luisa" and her "warm welcome, " make for a truly memorable experience.
However, a few of the 7 negative comments mention minor hiccups, like waiting for "water" or delays in getting "orders" and the "check. " While these instances are rare, they suggest theres a tiny bit of room for improvement in pacing, but they don't overshadow the overwhelmingly positive interactions with the waiter and team.
Service
181
Reviews
96%
Satisfaction
7
negative
0
neutral
174
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Owner Luisa's presence
- Attentive, friendly staff
- Personalized recommendations
What people don't like
- Slow order taking
- Delayed water/check
Often praised
- serviceThe ambiance, the food, the drinks, the service is excellent
- LuisaThe meatballs were also incredibly special; the sauce tasted just like it came right off my nonna’s stove. And, of course, Luisa herself is a gem. It’s an all-around great spot for home-cooked Italian American food that we’ve been missing in the Mission neighborhood, all at more than affordable prices.
- staffJust moved into the neighbourhood and Luisa’s has quickly become our new favourite local spot. We experienced excellent food and were greeted by super friendly staff, including Luisa herself! The food was a definite highlight, and the service made us feel very welcome.
- ServiceService & atmosphere were also great
- ownerIt's a very cute place, only 10 days old, but it runs pretty smoothly. The owner is adorable, and the food and wine were great. I had the bruschetta, papardelle alla bolognese, and the Chianti, all of which were good.
- Luisa herselfhad the privilege to meet and have a delightful conversation with Luisa herself
- serverThe ravioli was so incredible that we couldn’t resist ordering another round. Our server was delightful and knowledgeable, offering great recommendations that made our meal even more enjoyable. It was a truly wonderful dining experience, and we’ll definitely be back.
- waitergreat to chat with the waiter about his Sicilian roots
- SoniaSonia and the rest of the staff are so attentive also
- friendly staffthe only good thing about it was the friendly staff
Frequently criticized
- waiterOn top of this, it took a while to get our orders. We had to prompt our waiter a couple times simply to get the glasses of wine we ordered.
- checkwaited and waited for the check
- corkbroke the cork while opening the bottle
- ordersThe Cesar salad was okay, but not particularly crunchy. On top of this, it took a while to get our orders. We had to prompt our waiter a couple times simply to get the glasses of wine we ordered.
- waiter took orderwaited 30 minutes until our waiter took our order
- waterwaited 15 minutes until someone brought water
If top-notch hospitality and a personal touch are what youre after, youll absolutely love the service here. While there might be an occasional small wait, the overall experience is overwhelmingly positive and makes this place well worth a visit.
Ambience (8.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 64% of the guests
Customers are absolutely loving the ambiance here, giving it an excellent 8.9 score and a stellar 98.3% satisfaction rate! Out of 115 comments, a whopping 113 rave about the neighborhood restaurant feel, cozy vibes, relaxing atmosphere, and well decorated space, making it a truly inviting spot for any occasion. However, a couple of voices, just 2 out of 115, did mention a less-than-perfect experience.
These isolated comments cited an awful smell and questioned the overall styling and motif, suggesting it might not appeal to everyone's taste.
Ambience
115
Reviews
98%
Satisfaction
2
negative
0
neutral
113
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cozy, inviting atmosphere
- Relaxing environment
- Well-decorated space
What people don't like
- Awful smell
- Dated styling
Often praised
- atmosphereI had the best pasta and lasagna I've eaten in a long time. The restaurant boasts an excellent atmosphere, and all the food was simply spectacular.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- ambianceWe had to wave down another waiter for the check, and upon receiving our card back, we left, having spent a "nice" $100. I cannot recommend Luisa's; while the place is cute and the ambiance is nice, the service is bad and the food is tasteless. : (
- ambienceMy experience at this restaurant was truly wonderful. The authentic food, captivating music, and inviting ambience created a memorable visit. Luisa was an absolute delight, and her restaurant is a genuine treasure!
- experiencean absolutely amazing experience
- placeLuisa’s is a very warm place
- musicMy experience at this restaurant was truly wonderful. The authentic food, captivating music, and inviting ambience created a memorable visit. Luisa was an absolute delight, and her restaurant is a genuine treasure!
- noise levelQuiet, easy to talk
- restaurantrestaurant is a treasure
- vibeThe vibe is relaxed and cozy
Frequently criticized
- awful smellawful smell that permeated the entire place
- styling and motifcheap 90s wine bar was what they're going for!
If you're looking for a place with a warm, inviting, and cozy atmosphere, this restaurant is definitely worth trying. The ambiance is a major highlight, perfect for a relaxing meal or a special night out. Just be aware of the very rare mentions of an unpleasant smell or dated styling, though these seem to be isolated incidents.
Value (7.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 9% of the guests
When it comes to getting your moneys worth, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.6 and customer satisfaction at a good 78.6%, many folks are raving about the great deals. Out of 14 customer remarks, 11 highlight how the place offers "affordable prices, " is "reasonably priced, " and provides "outstanding value, " often noting its well priced for the quality.
However, not everyone is completely convinced, as 3 comments suggest theres room for improvement. Some felt that for the "price" they paid, the experience was "glorified" or simply "not worth the money at all, " indicating expectations werent always met despite the generally positive sentiment.
Value
14
Reviews
78%
Satisfaction
3
negative
0
neutral
11
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable prices
- Reasonably priced
- Outstanding value
What people don't like
- Not worth money
- Expected better for price
Often praised
- priceBoth seemed reasonably priced... at least until we tasted them
- pricesThe authentic Italian food, made with the finest ingredients, was excellent. The value is outstanding, as the prices are very reasonable. The service was excellent, with Luisa ensuring everything was perfect.
- valueThe value is outstanding as prices are very reasonable
- affordable pricesat more than affordable prices
- pricedreasonably priced especially for San Francisco
- reasonably pricedit's also reasonably priced
- well pricedReally well priced
Frequently criticized
- pricefor the price we paid, I expected a lot better.
- moneynot worth the money at all
If youre looking for a place where your dollar stretches, this restaurant is generally a great bet, offering good value for your money. While a few found it a bit pricey for what they got, the overwhelming majority agree youll find excellent, reasonably priced options here.
How are the prices at Luisa's?
You’re looking at roughly 40 per person – reported by 103 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For an Italian Restaurant in San Francisco, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what people actually spend, prices are quite spread out. While many spend in the mid-range, there’s a good mix of diners opting for more budget-friendly options and others going for a more premium experience.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 103 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels fair for an Italian restaurant in San Francisco. It offers options for different budgets, which is always a plus!
Customer Reviews: what people think about Luisa's
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
A Delightful Gem with a Special Touch
What a hidden gem! Our experience at this restaurant was fantastic. The food was delicious, and we were especially delighted to meet Luisa herself, who is 96 and still going strong!
Her personal touch made the evening even more special. The ambiance was fun, creating a great atmosphere for a night out with friends. We'll definitely be back for sure.
- food10
- Luisa10
- ambiance9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Incredible Italian Food & Wonderful Experience
My experience at this restaurant was incredible! I highly suggest trying the lasagna and the gnocchi with vodka sauce. Make sure to save room for the italian ice in a frozen lemon for dessert.
I visited with my parents, and my mom, who is Italian, had a wonderful time. We even had the pleasure of meeting THE Luisa, who is 95 and as fabulous as ever.
- lasagna9
- gnocchi with vodka sauce9
- italian ice8
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Delicious Italian with Cozy Vibes
My experience at this restaurant was wonderful! I enjoyed very tasty Italian food and the cozy vibes created a lovely atmosphere. The waiting staff was incredibly kind and accommodating.
I highly recommend it!
- Italian food9
- cozy vibes9
- waiting staff10
Price per Person
- $101+
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Large Group
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Terrible food, not worth the money
Our group of 10 had a very disappointing experience. The food was shitty and tasted like it was frozen. None of us enjoyed any of the dishes.
It was definitely not worth the money.
- food1
- frozen food1
- money1
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
A True Italian Gem in the Mission
My experience at Luisa's was truly exceptional. This Italian restaurant is a real jewel in the Mission. I absolutely loved my Lasagna Fiorentina, which I can honestly say bested many lasagnas I've had in Italy.
The bread is house baked and incredibly tasty, and the garlic bread, made from that delicious bread, was even better. It was wonderful to see Luisa herself at the restaurant, greeting customers and overseeing everything. She runs a tight ship, and it's clear her employees adore her.
I have fond memories of Luisa's when it was on Castro St. in the 80s, and it was a joy to reminisce with her. It's truly amazing that she's still going strong at 96!
- Lasagna Fiorentina10
- bread9
- garlic bread10
What Luisa's 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
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
- Restroom
Offerings
- Wine
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Table service
- Dessert
Service Options
- Curbside pickup
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Pets
- Dogs allowed
Parking
- Free street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
Do you need reservations to dine at Luisa's in San Francisco?
Yes, dinner reservations are highly recommended when planning your visit to Luisa’s Restaurant Wine Bar. While you can always try your luck, securing a table in advance ensures you can enjoy their delicious Italian cuisine without a wait, especially during peak hours in the Mission District.
Is Luisa's Restaurant Wine Bar a pet-friendly establishment?
Absolutely! Luisa’s Restaurant Wine Bar welcomes your furry friends. You’ll be pleased to know that dogs are allowed, making it a great spot to enjoy an Italian meal in San Francisco’s Mission District without leaving your beloved canine companion behind. Just ensure they are well-behaved.
How does Luisa's generally perform according to customer feedback?
Luisa’s generally performs very well, with an overall score of 9 out of 10. Customers particularly praise the Service (9.2), Food (9), and Ambience (8.9), while Value (7.6) is also considered good.
What aspects do customers particularly enjoy at Luisa's?
Customers frequently highlight the attentive and friendly service, often mentioning Luisa herself and her staff. Many also appreciate the authentic Italian dishes, with specific praise for items like gnocchi and meatballs, and the reasonable pricing.
Are there any common concerns or areas for improvement at Luisa's?
Some customers have noted occasional service delays, such as waiting for orders or the check. There have also been mentions of inconsistent food quality for certain dishes, and a few reports of an unpleasant smell affecting the ambiance.