Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
oChef » Pasta Panino – San Francisco
Pasta Panino - San Francisco
Photo from Pasta Panino
Pasta Panino at a glance
San Francisco Castro District
- 🍝 Italian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 103 of the guests
#678 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#43 Italian Restaurant out of 122 in San Francisco
Good
8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
608
Reviews
82.7%
Satisfaction
Often praised
Frequently criticized
The restaurant Pasta Panino is an inviting Italian restaurant nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Castro District. You’ll discover a delightful dining experience, perfect for a casual meal.
Whether you’re craving classic pasta dishes or exploring delicious vegetarian options, this spot offers authentic flavors in a charming setting.
Overview: Introducting Pasta Panino
Good
8
out of 10
608
Reviews
82.7%
Satisfaction
83
negative
22
neutral
503
positive
What people like
What people don't like
Similar Restaurants in San Francisco
- Italian Restaurant
9
out of 10
out of 10
761
94.6%
- $$
- Mission District
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- 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
Verdict: Our expert take on Pasta Panino
Food (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 99% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark, boasting a 7.9 score and a solid 82.9% customer satisfaction. With 316 positive remarks out of 381, diners frequently praise the delicious pasta, flavor, and generous portions. Many appreciate the homemade Italian feel, making for a truly satisfying meal.
However, not every dish is a winner, with 56 opinions noting some misses. Concerns include lasagna being too salty or cold, issues with the texture of the pasta, and some finding the pesto gnocchi disappointing. A few even raised food safety measures as a concern, suggesting some inconsistency.
Food
381
Reviews
82%
Satisfaction
56
negative
9
neutral
316
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious homemade pasta
- Generous portions
- Rich flavors
What people don't like
- Inconsistent dish quality
- Texture issues
- Food safety concerns
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was great! It's a no-frills establishment that serves delicious food with good portions. I was impressed by the great variety of sauces.
- garlic breadI even had the chance to meet the head chef, or perhaps the owner – I didn't get a chance to ask. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal, which included the spaghetti, Cesar salad, and garlic bread. I practically ate everything, lol!
- portionsI couldn't find anything negative to say about the friendly and attentive staff. The food is delicious and the portions are generous. I especially LOVE the Caesar salad with anchovy filets (get the big one to share) and the spaghetti with meatballs.
- pastaThe food is sooooo delicious 🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼. The pasta (I added chicken as well) 🤌🏼 and the tiramisu 🤌🏼🤤 were the best I’ve ever had! There is also beautiful background music.
- FoodFood great
- Caesar saladInitially, I thought the first dish was my favorite, but each subsequent dish surpassed the last. We enjoyed everything we ordered, including the Pilpettes with Fried Polenta, Arancini, Caesar salad, Penne allá Norcina, Portabello & Shiitaki Ravioli, Gnocchi, Spaghetti con Polpette, and the Tiramisu. The tiramisu was a delightful surprise, being exceptionally light.
- Italian foodMy experience at this restaurant was a delightful surprise! Initially, I was unsure about an Italian restaurant in a location that had been a taqueria for decades, but I was completely won over by the delicious Italian food and the very reasonable prices. On my last visit, even the house red wine exceeded expectations; it was a delicious red to accompany the Italian fare.
- mushroom raviolimushroom ravioli which was also with pesto sauce , which was very tasty
- Tiramisuordered the Tiramisu to go and it was yummy
- calamarishared garlic bread and Calamari, and each ordered a different entree. Everything, every single dish, was perfect
Frequently criticized
- foodAlso, I do not like vegetables that are half-cooked. If I had been in the neighborhood when I discovered the food was subpar, I would have returned it. However, I live about 7 miles away and was already home.
- chicken MarsalaThe sauce was unlike any chicken Marsala I have ever had without the taste of Marsala wine
- garlic breadthe garlic bread is so tough I could not chew it! the worst ever!
- gnocchiThe gnocchi was grainy with a chemical aftertaste
- seafood pastaThe seafood pasta. The shrimps had their intestine in, there was a clam that was dead and rotten.
- Caesar saladThe caesar was with vinaigrette — almost no egg yolk in the sauce.
- Creamy Pesto Linguinepesto sauce didn't taste like traditional pesto at all
- Feeling nauseousFeeling nauseous after eating here.
- Italian foodThis is not Italian food.
- Penne alla NorcinaI ordered the Penne alla Norcina
If you're seeking a satisfying Italian meal with delicious pasta and generous portions, this place is often a great choice. Just be aware that while many dishes shine, there might be occasional inconsistencies in quality or flavor.
Service (8.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 76% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot really shines! With a fantastic score of 8.6 and a customer satisfaction rate of 88.2%, its clear guests are generally thrilled. Out of 119 comments, a whopping 105 rave about the experience, often highlighting the attentive and friendly waiter like Derek, who consistently provides excellent service.
However, its not entirely perfect. A few of the 8 negative remarks mention issues with a cashier or owner who ignored customers, and some even experienced a wrong order. While these instances are few, they suggest there's still a little room for improvement in consistency and customer treatment.
Service
119
Reviews
88%
Satisfaction
8
negative
6
neutral
105
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Attentive, friendly staff
- Excellent, quick service
- Personalized attention
What people don't like
- Ignored by staff
- Wrong orders
- Poor customer treatment
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this great small bistro style corner restaurant was wonderful. I enjoyed their nice classic Italian dishes, served by friendly staff with good service. The atmosphere and food were both rated a 5, and the service was also excellent.
- staffMy experience at this great small bistro style corner restaurant was wonderful. I enjoyed their nice classic Italian dishes, served by friendly staff with good service. The atmosphere and food were both rated a 5, and the service was also excellent.
- ServiceService was super friendly and attentive
- serversThe servers were also very attentive and kind
- serverhe is very friendly and a pleasure to have as our server
- DerekMy experience at this restaurant was exceptional. Derek made us feel like VIPs, providing outstanding service. The appetizers and lasagne were absolutely delicious.
- chef/ownerWe've had the same server several times, and he is very friendly and a pleasure to have. The chef/owner always greets us, is very friendly, and a skilled cook. Highly recommended!
- excellent serviceDerek’s attentiveness, excellent service
- ownerthe owner of the restaurant came over and explained the menu
- waiterThe waiter was attentive and fun
Frequently criticized
- serviceThe 1st gentleman who came in before received his meal. We decided to order to go since the service towards us was already so poor. The waiter then asked if we wanted water while we wait and still did not bring us any.
- cashierhe completely ignored me and started chatting with someone instead
- catered toThe waiter then asked if we wanted water while we wait and still did not bring us any. While writing this review, two other tables came in, 3 received water with another two eating, and we have just been observing how the white customers have been immediately getting catered to. I was originally going to leave a tip but after watching how we were not treated like everyone else, I decided to keenly extra money and write this review.
- customershe should learn to treat customers with respect
- managerour server told us they were the only manager in charge. Make sense of that
- ordermy order was wrong
- ownerhe gave me more attitude
Overall, the service here is a major plus, making it a great choice if you value a welcoming and efficient dining experience. While a few isolated incidents suggest minor inconsistencies, the overwhelming majority of guests leave happy, so it's definitely worth a try.
Ambience (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 39% of the guests
The ambience here generally hits the mark, with a good score of 7.7 and customer satisfaction at 76.8%. Many of the 43 positive opinions out of 56 total praise the welcoming atmosphere, often described as cozy and comfortable, with delightful homey vibes and a clean interior. The presence of background music and wheelchair accessibility also adds to the positive experience.
However, not everyone is completely charmed. The 10 negative opinions mention that the place can be quite loud or noisy, and some found the room to be cramped or poorly ventilated. A few customers also felt the decor could be nicer, with one noting it lacks atmosphere and felt more like a taqueria, and another mentioning the use of plastic glasses.
Ambience
56
Reviews
76%
Satisfaction
10
negative
3
neutral
43
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cozy, comfortable atmosphere
- Welcoming, homey vibe
- Clean and accessible
What people don't like
- Can be loud/noisy
- Cramped room
- Unimpressive decor
Often praised
- atmosphereatmosphere is just like a grandma’s living room, comfy, warm
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- placeThe place is on the casual side but don't let that fool you: it's first class
- additionNice new addition to the castro
- background musicThe pasta (I added chicken as well) 🤌🏼 and the tiramisu 🤌🏼🤤 were the best I’ve ever had! There is also beautiful background music. That’s it.
- cleanlinessclean and welcoming
- comfortableCozy, comfortable
- cozyCozy, comfortable
- cute little placewhat a cute little place this is
- entrancethe restaurant all on one level, it creates an accessible place
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereIt lacks atmosphere, the setting is still more like a taqueria
- decorDecor could be nicer
- floorFloor could have used some serious cleaning
- loudIt was a bit loud when we were there
- noisyit is pretty noisy
- parkingParking is not fun here
- plastic glassesthe plastic glasses
- restaurant in SFmy least favorite restaurant in SF
- roomHowever, the floor could have used some serious cleaning. With the COVID uptick, the very cramped and poorly ventilated room was uncomfortable. I wanted to like the place, but there are much better Italian places in the neighborhood.
- tablesonly tables they had were next to the kitchen entrance and near the restroom door
If youre seeking a cozy, welcoming spot with a homey feel, youll likely enjoy the ambience. Just be prepared that it can get a bit noisy or feel cramped, and the decor might not be everyone's cup of tea.
Value (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 40% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot really hits the mark! With a solid 7.5 score and a 75% customer satisfaction rate, guests frequently praise the good price, affordable food, and value for money. Out of 52 comments, a whopping 39 highlight the reasonable prices and overall excellent bang for your buck, making it a favorite for budget-conscious diners.
However, not every experience is perfect. A few of the 9 negative remarks mention being charged for an item I didn’t receive correctly or feeling that something was not worthy for that price. While these are isolated incidents, they suggest that checking your bill might be a good idea to avoid any minor disappointments.
Value
52
Reviews
75%
Satisfaction
9
negative
4
neutral
39
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great value for money
- Affordable menu prices
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Billing errors
- Perceived low worth
Often praised
- pricesMy experience at this restaurant was a delightful surprise! Initially, I was unsure about an Italian restaurant in a location that had been a taqueria for decades, but I was completely won over by the delicious Italian food and the very reasonable prices. On my last visit, even the house red wine exceeded expectations; it was a delicious red to accompany the Italian fare.
- priceWe enjoyed the Roasted Beet Arugula Salad, Capellini Pomodoro, and Creamy Pesto Linguine. The food was generously portioned, well priced, and came out fast. The flavours were perfect without being too heavy.
- valueif you consider the value so is everything else
- value for moneyThe great tiramisu was a definite highlight. Overall, it's a great value for money, and I will definitely be back.
- reasonable priceThe lasagna, however, was simply off the charts—not only packed with incredible flavor but also served in an impressively generous portion. For anyone seeking quality Italian cuisine at a reasonable price, this spot is a must-visit. Highly recommended!
- reasonable pricesgood Italian for reasonable prices
- affordabilityMy family and I had a lovely experience at this chill place. The food was amazing, and it was affordable. The staff were the loveliest I've encountered in a while.
- affordable foodAffordable and reliable food
- affordable menu priceshow affordable the menu prices are
- amazing pricesat amazing prices
Frequently criticized
- $12awful wasted $12
- $39 for 2 itemsI spent $39 for 2 items which if they had of been exceptional or even good this would be a different review
- San Francisco libationsA glass of Sauvignon Blanc for $5. 50 that was actually good is a refreshing change to the typically overpriced San Francisco libations. Welcome to the neighborhood.
- Uber EatsUber Eats charges restaurants up to 30% in commission
- billwe have to charge you for every plate we prepare
- customer feesas a customer, you pay a processing fee plus tip and delivery
- itemcharged for an item I didn’t receive correctly
- priceNot worthy for that price
- tipWhile writing this review, two other tables came in, 3 received water with another two eating, and we have just been observing how the white customers have been immediately getting catered to. I was originally going to leave a tip but after watching how we were not treated like everyone else, I decided to keenly extra money and write this review. 👎🏽
If youre looking for quality Italian food without breaking the bank, this place is definitely worth a visit. Most diners find the prices incredibly fair for the generous portions and delicious offerings. Just keep an eye on your order to ensure everything is correct, and youll likely leave feeling satisfied.
How are the prices at Pasta Panino?
You’re looking at roughly 30 per person – reported by 103 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 most guests land squarely in the $21–$30 bracket, there’s also a good number exploring options up to 50 $, suggesting a menu with both mid-tier and slightly more premium choices.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 103 reviews.
Comparing value for money against similar restaurants in San Francisco.
Considering it’s an Italian Restaurant in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It offers a good balance for diners looking for quality without breaking the bank, with options for those who want to splurge a little too.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Pasta Panino
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Hearty Italian Food, Great Experience
My experience at this restaurant was really good! I enjoyed the hearty Italian food and highly recommend it. It's one of the best places to eat in the Castro.
While the decor could be nicer, the food is great!
- Italian food9
- food9
- decor3
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
7
Tasty Lasagna, Lukewarm Delivery
My experience at the restaurant featured a tasty eggplant lasagna, which was also a huge portion. My only complaint is that the entree arrived lukewarm; it should have been piping hot. Overall, the food was great, but the temperature was a letdown.
- eggplant lasagna8
- portion9
- entree3
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
First-class casual dining in the Castro
My experience at this restaurant in the middle of the Castro was fantastic! The food was delicious, and the atmosphere was super friendly. While the place is on the casual side, don't let that fool you; it's first class.
They have great options for kids, and I highly recommend it for vegetarians. The atmosphere and service were both rated a perfect 5, and the food also received a 5-star rating.
- food10
- atmosphere10
- place8
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
6
Mixed Feelings on Pasta, Great Starters
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. While the garlic bread and wine were great, and the calamari was also good, I unfortunately didn't love any of the four pastas I tried. The atmosphere was excellent, rated a 5, and the service was decent at a 3, but the food quality, rated a 2, was the main letdown.
- garlic bread8
- wine8
- calamari7
- pastas2
- food4
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Delivery
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Amazing Pasta and Calamari Delivery!
My experience at Pasta Panino was exceptional, especially for delivery. I was absolutely blown away by the calamari; the batter was incredibly light, and the calamari itself was so tender. The portions were generous, which is rare for good calamari these days.
I also ordered the creamy pesto linguini with shrimp, and again, they were very generous with the shrimp. It was so delicious that I ordered a second portion! I admit I ate like a little pig, but as someone who orders delivery almost daily, this is hands down the best I've ever had.
While I might order sushi occasionally, Pasta Panino is now my go-to place for delivery. I did once order the garlic bread, and it was cold, dry, and lacked flavor. I believe garlic bread is best enjoyed fresh at the restaurant.
Overall, the food here is amazing. Many thanks, Pasta Panino! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- calamari10
- batter9
- portions9
- garlic bread2
What Pasta Panino offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Curbside pickup
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed inside
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Paid parking lot
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What parking options are available when you visit Pasta Panino in the Castro District?
When you plan your visit to Pasta Panino, you’ll find several convenient parking options. The restaurant offers paid parking lot access, and you can also look for both free and paid street parking nearby, making your arrival hassle-free.
What dining options and accessibility features does Pasta Panino provide?
Pasta Panino offers lunch, dinner, dessert, and counter service with seating. For your convenience, the restaurant features a wheelchair accessible entrance, ensuring a welcoming experience for all guests. You can enjoy a full meal or a quick bite.