The Stinking Rose - Reviews

My experience at this restaurant was absolutely wonderful. It's my most favorite restaurant, offering a truly Bohemian feel. The food was absolutely delicious, and I particularly enjoyed it. The atmosphere was also a highlight, contributing to a fantastic overall experience.

San Francisco offers a vibrant day and night experience, and as a foodie, I always enjoy exploring the city's culinary scene with friends. This time, we returned to our favorite spot, The Stinking Rose in the North Beach area. The ambiance there is lovely, perfect for enjoying a meal and then taking a stroll through the lively streets filled with music and laughter. I highly recommend making a reservation, especially if you want to sit outside and fully immerse yourself in the experience. I booked online, but a phone call with a patient approach or leaving a message on their voicemail can also work – it's quite humorous! We arrived on time and secured one of the last colorful outdoor tables. I ordered the Chicken Alfredo, and my friend had the same with shrimp. Our server, Jose, was incredibly kind and respectful, leading to an interesting discussion about tourism's impact post-COVID-19. It's great to see things improving, as the restaurant was very crowded on a Friday night. For parking, I suggest using a nearby paid lot to avoid the challenges of street parking. I wholeheartedly recommend The Stinking Rose for a memorable dining experience in North Beach.

My experience at this restaurant was truly centered around garlic-based cuisine, living up to its name. We thoroughly enjoyed every single dish served to us and were so impressed that we came back for more. The food quality was excellent, earning a perfect score. The service was also top-notch, receiving a perfect score, and the atmosphere was rated a 5 out of 5. While parking was somewhat difficult to find, the overall dining experience, especially the food, made it a memorable dinner.

I was so excited that the restaurant reopened. It had been on my ‘want to go’ list for a long time, and it was definitely worth the wait. The food was delicious, and the staff were incredibly friendly and attentive.

My wife and I honeymooned in San Francisco last year and, among the many places we ate, The Stinking Rose was our absolute favorite. The food was even better than the most upscale restaurants we tried, and the service was superior as well. I had the "sizzling garlic prime ribeye stake" and my wife ordered the sea bass; both were incredible – high quality, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. Our waiter, Jose, was exceptional at his job, being very attentive and pleasant. The Stinking Rose left such a lasting impression that we returned this year for our anniversary, bringing our whole family. We ordered the same dishes, and they were just as we remembered. It was great to see that the restaurant has maintained its high standards. Jose even stopped by to catch up after our meal. This place is a true gem in San Francisco.

My experience at this restaurant was largely disappointing, particularly concerning the food. The Italian potstickers were essentially frozen Trader Joe's potstickers, lacking any authentic Italian flavor in the filling or preparation. At $18 for just five, I felt this was an absolute scam and a misrepresentation to call it Italian. The "sizzling" ribeye was not even hot upon arrival. While the mashed potatoes tasted fine, their texture was poor, and the "garlic" had a bitter taste. The only positive aspect of my visit was the vibe, which was enjoyable.

My experience at The Stinking Rose was fantastic! We had a great dinner, and the food was amazing. The atmosphere truly felt like being in Italy, and the staff was so friendly. We enjoyed sitting upstairs on the indoor balcony, which was a real treat. It's good to know that outdoor tables are also available, so finding a spot shouldn't be too difficult. We even tried the garlic ice cream, and while I'm still unsure if it was the garlic or the steak, we loved it all. I can't wait to go back!

My boyfriend and I absolutely love this place. Despite the abundance of incredible food options in the city, we consistently return for their shrimp and mussel skillet, the Pt Reyes sauce, and the ambience, which is kitschy without being tacky. We highly recommend getting the bread and garlic dip, ordering the appetizer seafood skillet, and splitting a pasta. It feels privately owned, as the service has always been excellent and personal, rather than corporate.

After walking from Union Square through Chinatown and up to Little Italy, I bought my teen a custom ice cream sandwich. We then went to this place to sit outside and enjoy a cocktail. We were greeted and seated quickly. The issue arose only after my son asked for a spoon, when we were informed it was an issue to "bring outside food on the premises. " While I understand this policy, an offer was made to either throw away the expensive ice cream or freeze it, as the cookies were freshly baked. We opted to leave. I suggest being more flexible with tourists, as it wasn't a full meal and my son wasn't having a drink. It's unclear why it was such a big deal, but I've made a note not to recommend this place to friends and family. However, Original Joe's just down the way is awesome!

My experience at this restaurant was wonderful! We absolutely loved their food. The waitress was incredibly friendly and funny, which added to the enjoyable atmosphere. We would definitely go back there again.