Highlights
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
oChef » Spiazzo – San Francisco
Spiazzo - San Francisco
Photo from Spiazzo
Spiazzo at a glance
San Francisco West Portal
- 🍝 Italian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $41–$50
mentioned by 88 of the guests
#883 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#64 Italian Restaurant out of 122 in San Francisco
Good
7.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
448
Reviews
77.7%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Italian Cuisine
- Great Service
- Pleasant Setting
Frequently criticized
- Parking Difficulty
- Loud Environment
- Payment Hassles
The restaurant Spiazzo is an inviting Italian restaurant nestled in the vibrant West Portal neighborhood of San Francisco. You’ll discover a cozy and romantic atmosphere perfect for any occasion, whether you’re seeking a casual meal or a trendy spot.
Known for its great dessert, this establishment promises a delightful culinary journey. You can enjoy a full dining experience, from lunch to dinner, with excellent table service.
Overview: Introducting Spiazzo
Spiazzo offers a delightful dining experience, often praised for its delicious food and attentive service . Guests frequently highlight the cozy atmosphere that makes it a pleasant spot for an Italian meal.
It’s a place where many find themselves returning for the consistent quality. However, some visitors have noted challenges, particularly with tricky parking in the area and occasional concerns about the noise level inside.
While the culinary offerings generally impress, these minor points are worth considering for a smoother visit.
Good
7.7
out of 10
448
Reviews
77.7%
Satisfaction
83
negative
17
neutral
348
positive
Spiazzo generally leaves a positive impression, reflected in its solid restaurant score of 7.7. This is supported by a good customer satisfaction rate of 77.7%, indicating that most diners leave content.
These figures are drawn from a substantial number of 448 customer observations, with 348 positive remarks outweighing 83 negative ones. Looking closer, the Service stands out with an impressive (8.1), closely followed by the quality of the Food (7.8).
The Ambience also contributes positively with a score of (7.1). However, the Value aspect registers as average (5.4), suggesting that while the experience is generally good, some find the pricing less compelling.
What people like
- Delicious Italian Food
- Attentive, Friendly Service
- Cozy, Warm Ambiance
What people don't like
- Challenging Parking
- High Noise Levels
- Payment System Issues
Spiazzo generally delivers a commendable Italian dining experience, making it a solid choice for those prioritizing well-prepared dishes and attentive staff. With a recommendation score of 8, it’s clear that many patrons find it a worthwhile visit, especially if you appreciate a warm, inviting atmosphere.
However, be mindful of potential parking difficulties and the lively, sometimes noisy, dining room. If you’re seeking a reliable spot for Italian fare and can overlook these minor points, Spiazzo is certainly worth considering for your next meal out.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Spiazzo
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 good score of 7.8 and a solid 80.4% customer satisfaction. With 221 positive remarks out of 275 total, guests frequently rave about the authentic Italian food, handmade pasta, and delicious lamb, often highlighting the generous portions and pizza as standout items. However, not every dish is a home run, with 44 negative comments pointing to some inconsistencies.
Concerns include overcooked pasta, dishes being salty, and occasional lukewarm food, suggesting that while many meals are great, some aspects of food quality could be more consistent.
Food
275
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
44
negative
10
neutral
221
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Italian dishes
- Delicious handmade pasta
- Generous food portions
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Overcooked pasta
- Salty dishes
Often praised
- foodMy order from DoorDash was wrong, but when I called the restaurant, they instantly corrected my order and had it redelivered within 15 minutes, with no hesitation. My food was delicious, as always. This is how a restaurant should be run!
- pizzaThe bruschetta was also nicely presented and quite good. We shared a tasty pizza with a crusty thin crust topped with artichoke hearts, mushrooms, peppers, and prosciutto. For the main courses, we enjoyed salmon, petrale sole, lamb shank, roast free-range chicken, and veal parmigiana.
- FoodBoth the pizzas and the pastas can be made gluten-free upon request. The food was excellent, and the atmosphere was also a highlight, receiving a perfect 5/5. The service was equally impressive, also rated 5/5.
- pastaThe pasta was al dente. Lots of calamari. Sauce just amount sweetness and spice.
- breadThe bread is always delicately tasty
- tiramisuall amazing and the lamb and tiramisu were really impressive
- Italian foodMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I found it to be the best Italian food in West Portal. We particularly enjoyed the handmade pasta, and honestly, everything from the foccacia to the tiramisu was absolutely divine.
- TiramisuThe Tiramisu is excellent
- lambI had the lamb and its glorious.
- lamb shankIt was the best lamb shank I've ever had in my life
Frequently criticized
- breadDespite the awful food, we left a good tip because the service was good. Even the bread was stale. We informed the staff about the food quality, and they offered more of the same.
- dishgave me a different dish from the I had ordered
- dishesall the dishes and appetizers we got were TASTELESS
- BolanesaBolanesa was over cooked unflavored joke.
- BreadBread was one of the saddest things to top it all.
- CarbonaraCarbonara was butter and bacon mess.
- Chicken Parmesanthe worst and most gummy Chicken Parmesan I’ve ever had
- Complimentary BreadComplimentary Bread was a bit dry
- FusilliThe Fusilli tends to be slightly undercooked
- Italian foodthe worst Italian food we have ever had
If you're craving classic Italian fare with generous portions, this place is definitely worth a try, especially for its pasta and lamb. Just be aware that while many dishes shine, there might be occasional inconsistencies in preparation or seasoning.
Service (8.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 71% of the guests
When it comes to service, this place really shines! With a solid score of 8.1 and a customer satisfaction rate of 80.6%, its clear guests often leave happy. Many of the 79 positive remarks praise the "waitstaff, " "friendly staff, " and "attentive" servers, often highlighting "exceptional service" and great recommendations.
It seems they go the extra mile to make you feel welcome. However, its not all perfect, as 16 comments point to areas for improvement. Some experiences mention slow service, rude staff, or even passive-aggressive service.
There were also a few instances where an order was wrong, suggesting occasional hiccups in execution. While not widespread, these are worth noting.
Service
98
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
16
negative
3
neutral
79
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Exceptional service
- Great recommendations
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Rude staff
- Order errors
Often praised
- serviceEach dessert was split for sharing and brought immense joy to our group. If you are in the area, this is the place to go for excellent food and service.
- staffThe Pecorino white wine was an excellent pairing for our courses. The staff was incredibly accommodating, especially considering our yeast allergy, making us feel well taken care of. This was an outstanding dinner that I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone looking for an authentic Italian dining experience.
- ServiceThe food was excellent, and the atmosphere was also a highlight, receiving a perfect 5/5. The service was equally impressive, also rated 5/5.
- serverOur server, Eric was great. Very pleasant, helpful and professional.
- waitstaffthe waitstaff are friendly and helpful
- Allythis amazing girl her name is Ally she was on point with everything
- ErikaErika is friendly, knowledgeable, helpful, and fun
- Filipina lady staffThe Filipina lady staff is wonderful.
- GeraldGerald was Helpful,Polite and Professional
- JohnnyJohnny who is super sweet and on top of everything!
Frequently criticized
- serviceAbsolutely superb. Service was very friendly, even if a bit slow at first. Would definitely recommend.
- serversthe servers will allow non-service dogs inside
- waitressShe then disappeared for about 15 minutes before coming back to take my order
- order was wrongmy order was wrong
- passive-aggressive serviceHorrible passive-aggressive service from male staff
- passive-aggressivenessThe passive-aggressiveness displayed by him to customers was appalling
- payment systemspayment systems refused a priori
- refundpromised to refund but ignored my emails
- servers nosesservers noses outside of masks.
- staffExtremely rude staff
Overall, the service here is genuinely a strong point, with many guests raving about the friendly and attentive team. While there are occasional reports of slow or less-than-perfect interactions, the overwhelming sentiment suggests you're likely to have a great experience. So, if good service is high on your list, this spot is definitely worth a try!
Ambience (7.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 44% of the guests
Youll likely find the ambience quite pleasant, with a good score of 7.1. Many rave about the atmosphere and interior after a recent remodel, often calling it a casual and very warm authentic Italian gem. With 40 positive pieces of feedback out of 58 total, guests frequently highlight the local, friendly atmosphere and pleasant music, contributing to an enjoyable dining experience.
However, customer satisfaction is a mixed 69%. Some concerns arise from the noise level, particularly street noise and close conversations due to tiny table arrangements. With 15 negative pieces of feedback, a few also mentioned parking difficulties and finding the restaurant space a bit tight, or the lighting not ideal.
The new layout' also received some mixed reviews.
Ambience
58
Reviews
69%
Satisfaction
15
negative
3
neutral
40
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Beautifully updated interior
- Warm, friendly atmosphere
- Pleasant music
What people don't like
- High noise level
- Tight seating space
- Tricky parking
Often praised
- atmosphereBoth the pizzas and the pastas can be made gluten-free upon request. The food was excellent, and the atmosphere was also a highlight, receiving a perfect 5/5. The service was equally impressive, also rated 5/5.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- neighborhood Italian restaurantMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. It's a cozy and nice neighborhood Italian restaurant. The menu is dependable for classic Italian pastas and entrees.
- remodelshe is on top of every detail ask her for anything and she will be happy to serve
- ambianceGreat ambiance
- ambienceWe tried the salmon penne and capellini with added chicken piccata, both of which were delicious and well prepared. While parking can be tricky and the street is noisy due to streetcars, the inside has a pleasant ambience.
- authentic Italian gema classic, authentic Italian gem
- casual and very warmcasual and very warm
- diningYou can't go wrong dining in
- dining experienceThank you for making our dining experience wonderful.
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereAtmosphere:2
- parkingfinding parking was somewhat difficult
- conversationsIt’s impossible not to hear other peoples conversations.
- dog friendlyThey are NOT dog friendly
- lightingLighting is a bit nauseating though
- new layoutThe new one Im like a foot away from table next to me.
- noise levelNoise level is high
- old layoutI miss the old layout.
- parking spaceSomewhat difficult to find parking
- restaurant spacerestaurant is tight and doesn't have a lot of space
If you're seeking a warm, friendly Italian spot with a recently updated interior, this place is worth a visit for a casual meal. Just be prepared for potential noise and possibly tricky parking, especially if you prefer more personal space.
Value (5.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 14% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot has some real bright spots! Many guests found it well worth the money spent, praising the reasonable prices and perfect pricing that make it a great value. The Happy hour Deal also gets a shout-out for being particularly appealing.
With 8 positive remarks out of 17 total comments, its clear many appreciate what they get for their dollar. However, the value proposition isnt always straightforward, leading to a somewhat average score of 5.4 and a mixed customer satisfaction of 47.1%. There are also 8 negative comments highlighting frustrations like feeling double charged or scammed, and unexpected extra charges to split a dish.
Payment issues, especially with credit cards, also caused significant headaches for some.
Value
17
Reviews
47%
Satisfaction
8
negative
1
neutral
8
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Offers great value
- Reasonable pricing
- Happy hour deals
What people don't like
- Payment issues arise
- Splitting dishes costs
- Can feel overpriced
Often praised
- pricesreasonable prices
- Happy hour DealHappy hour Deal $15 3-5pm
- cheaper than other placesMy experience at this Italian restaurant was largely positive. The pizza was good and notably cheaper than other places in West Portal. The pastas were fantastic.
- money spentWhile Insalata Mista was not shown, the overall dining experience, whether dining in or ordering takeout, was fantastic. Spiazzo is one of my favorite places to dine and is well worth the money spent!
- price pointYou can't beat this place even at a much higher price point
- pricingThe pricing is perfect
- valuemaking this place a great value
Frequently criticized
- $50.00spend 50.00$ for the worst Italian food
- PricePaid 130 bucks for something i could make for $30 at Safeway.
- cashThe payment systems refused credit cards, which is a major issue. If you're French, forget this restaurant or be prepared to pay in cash! 🤐
- credit cardsrefused a priori
- double chargeddouble charged my card two times
- pricecharged $23 for this dish that was poorly executed
- scam youthey'll scam you
- split a dishdon't ask to split a dish that's an extra 1$ charge
If you're looking for a good deal, especially during happy hour, this place might hit the mark with its generally reasonable prices. However, be wary of potential payment issues or unexpected fees if you plan to split dishes, as these can quickly diminish the perceived value.
How are the prices at Spiazzo?
You’re looking at roughly 41 per person – reported by 88 diners. That puts it in the $41–$50 category. For an Italian Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what people actually spend, we see a good mix. While the average hovers around 41$, a significant number of guests enjoy meals in the more accessible $21–$30 range, showing there are options for different budgets.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 88 reviews.
Comparing the value for money of this restaurant to similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for an Italian Restaurant in San Francisco. With options across different price points, it seems to cater to a broad audience, offering flexibility for diners.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Spiazzo
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Loud
7
Old Layout Missed, New Layout Too Close
I miss the old layout of the restaurant. The new layout has me feeling like I'm a foot away from the table next to me, making it impossible not to overhear other people's conversations. Despite the atmosphere concerns, the food and service were excellent, both receiving a 5-star rating.
- food10
- service10
- old layout2
- new layout2
- conversations2
Visit Type
- Family Dinner
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Accommodating staff and amazing bruschetta
We visited my 90-year-old uncle in May. He uses a walker, and the staff was most accommodating and kind. The mushroom and pesto bruschetta is almost worth the flight alone from Chicago.
Unfortunately, he has since passed away, but honestly, the dinner and evening we spent in your restaurant meant so much to all of us. Thank you.
- staff10
- mushroom and pesto bruschetta10
Price per Person
- $71–$80
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Authentic Italian Cuisine and Exceptional Experience
My experience at this restaurant was truly exceptional, on par with the authentic cuisine I enjoyed in Italy three months prior. We started with the burrata with fig and prosciutto antipasto, which was a delightful beginning. For our main courses, we selected two dinner special items that were expertly prepared.
To finish, we indulged in a dreamy, cloud-like tiramisu, a perfect end to the meal. The Pecorino white wine was an excellent pairing for our courses. The staff was incredibly accommodating, especially considering our yeast allergy, making us feel well taken care of.
This was an outstanding dinner that I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone looking for an authentic Italian dining experience.
- burrata with fig and prosciutto antipasto9
- dinner special items8
- tiramisu10
Price per Person
- $71–$80
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Superb Lamb Shank, Worth the Wait
It was 7 p. M. On a Saturday night and I had a hankering for a lamb shank.
Spiazzo came up in my search, so I decided to head over and take a chance on getting a seat, even though the number was busy. I got lucky and found a parking space just a few doors down, and upon walking in, a table was immediately available. A few minutes later, the waitress came by and said, "Let me know if you have any questions.
" She then disappeared for about 15 minutes before returning to take my order. I ordered a glass of the Pinot noir, the mussels, and the lamb shank. The Pinot noir arrived first and tasted suspiciously like a Chianti, but it was good enough.
The mussels had a nice flavor. And then the lamb shank arrived. It was the best lamb shank I've ever had in my life.
Absolutely superb. Service was very friendly, even if a bit slow at first. Would definitely recommend.
- lamb shank10
- Pinot noir7
- mussels8
- service4
- waitress4
Price per Person
- $61–$70
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
Guaranteed Great Food and Service
My experience at this restaurant was consistently excellent. I can guarantee great food and pleasant service with a smile. The atmosphere was also a highlight, contributing to a very enjoyable dining experience.
- food10
- service10
- atmosphere10
What Spiazzo offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
- Dinner reservations recommended
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Offerings
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Happy hour food
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Romantic
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere can you expect at Spiazzo, and what dining options are available?
At Spiazzo, you’ll find a delightful blend of romantic, cozy, casual, and trendy atmospheres, making it suitable for various moods. You can enjoy a full range of dining options, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner, all with comfortable seating and dedicated table service. Don’t forget to save room for their great dessert!
Does Spiazzo offer convenient service options and accessibility features for all guests?
Yes, Spiazzo provides flexible service options including dine-in, takeout, delivery, and even no-contact delivery for your convenience. The restaurant is also fully accessible, featuring a wheelchair-accessible entrance, seating, and restroom, ensuring a comfortable experience for every guest.
How does Spiazzo generally perform according to customer feedback?
Spiazzo holds a good overall restaurant score of 7.7, with customer satisfaction at 77.7%. Its Service (8.1) and Food (7.8) are particularly strong, while the Ambience (7.1) is also well-regarded. The Value (5.4) is considered average.
What do customers particularly enjoy about Spiazzo's offerings?
Diners frequently praise the delicious food , highlighting items like tasty pizza , al dente pasta , and impressive tiramisu . The attentive service from the staff also receives consistent positive remarks.
Are there any common concerns or drawbacks mentioned by visitors?
Some customers note tricky parking and a high noise level within the restaurant. There have also been occasional mentions of payment system issues , including credit card refusal or extra charges for splitting dishes.