Il Borgo

Italian restaurant · Hayes Valley

Il Borgo

Italian restaurant · Hayes Valley

1

500 Fell St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Photos

Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null
Il Borgo by null

Highlights

Handmade pasta, classic Italian dishes, cozy & authentic atmosphere  

Featured in Eater
Placeholder

500 Fell St, San Francisco, CA 94102 Get directions

ilborgomenu.com

$20–30 · Menu

Reserve

Information

Static Map

500 Fell St, San Francisco, CA 94102 Get directions

+1 415 255 9108
ilborgomenu.com

$20–30 · Menu

Reserve

Features

payment credit card
Tap to pay
reservations

Last updated

Aug 8, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@eater

Michael Bauer Tasted Evolution on Saison’s ‘Primal’ New Menu - Eater SF

"The bruschetta was 'crunchy and luscious,' the penne arrabiata was 'snappy,' and an excellent lobster ravioli in aurora sauce." - Andrew Dalton

https://sf.eater.com/2018/2/28/17062932/reviews-michael-bauer-saison-reserve-il-borgo-abehsa-ethiopian
View Postcard for Il Borgo

Camila G (Camzi)

Google
Once more at El borgo italian ristorante flavor never ever had disappointed. Always great taste, right on point. The environment is always friendly and inviting, the front person she's amazing so friendly and attentive, the cook will always have your foods made with lots of flavour. I had a great experience every single time I stop by to get a meal. Is hard to find places like this, small family owned with lots of flavour and tradition. 100% recommended

Chef Tony

Google
I was craving Italian i decided to try this place out. The best part was the atmosphere. I loved the old look and darkly lit dining area. Now, the service, which i think was the owner, was a little quiet. I had the gnocchi with meat sauce, the gnocchi was good, the sauce needed more flavor, and would have been way better with fresh parmesan. I also ordered a sparkling was a large bottle there is no way one person can drink that much water. Could have left the cap and I could have taken the rest home. I also ordered an espresso and tiramisu. This thing was huge, and way to much rum. The espresso tasted weird, not sure what kind of coffee they use, but it wasn't good. Not sure if I'll go back.

Yao Jiang

Google
The food is very hearty!! Restaurant is cute and cozy!! Such a hidden gem in this neighborhood

Joshua Yuan

Google
This restaurant is on a busy intersection but it doesn't get much traffic unfortunately. But that means it's always easy to get seated! The lady is friendly and the whole vibe is certainly very Italian. It's not very high end bougie, and is much more homie and casual in here. The pasta quantity is great and the food is pretty heavy. Come here with a big appetite and enjoy!

Jane Cat

Google
Very welcoming and cozy look with an amazing home cooked taste! Waitress is also very courteous. The nearby Italian restaurants overshadow this one, but I think it's definitely the best in the area!

Adeney Zo

Google
This place is everything! The decor is so cute and homey, I really felt like I was having a home cooked Italian meal. The lasagnetta was so mouthwatering, and our server was also really helpful and made sure we had a great night. Highly recommend!

Dee Beutel

Google
Always has gluten free pasta. Very nice. Inside atmosphere is charming. Great date spot. Prices are below average for the city but you can splurge on wine. I’m especially fond of the drip candles.

Sam Wallace

Google
There are plenty of trendy Italian restaurants in this area, but if you want a classic, head to Il Borgo. Good pasta, good prices, red checked tablecloths… this place has a charm that’s so refreshing for Hayes valley. Traditional, delicious food!
google avatar

Spenser S.

Yelp
Excellent trattoria style Italian food, felt just like being back in Italy! Very comfortable and intimate dining setting with friendly attentive service! We had gnocchi with pesto which was really a stand out, the pesto sauce was so good!
google avatar

Edoardo S.

Yelp
Truly revolting. We ordered a Napoli pizza and gluten free carbonara. Both awful. The carbonara was made with little piece of sausages and sat like a brick on the plate. I thought the pizza was acceptable but within ten minutes of leaving the restaurant I needed a bathroom immediately. I'm embarrassed that my Italian boss thought it was a good idea to take me here (I'm Italian). When we entered the place, it was empty and there was no music. I thought he reserved the whole place for our party, but I found out it was just empty... the waitress tried her best but it was unsalvageable.
google avatar

Andrew R.

Yelp
Great tasty pasta, cute Italian decor, and fast and friendly service. Nothing that really blew me away, and it's definitely on the pricier side, but definitely a solid option for some good pasta!

John G.

Yelp
The place was empty. I had a reservation but the lady said sit anywhere. I asked if there was a house wine. She answered, " we have bottles and glasses. Is this your first time in a restaurant?" Food was very average and very hot. I suspect it was microwaved to get to that temperature. After each bite, the server asked if she could take our plate away. Bread arrived after the entree. We walked home through Hayes Valley and saw lots of restaurants overflowing and with waiting lists. I wish I was in a waiting list...
google avatar

Riya A.

Yelp
No one told me the real Little Italy is in Hayes??? Kidding, but stepping into this restaurant really does feel like you're stepping into Europe (all they need to do is cover up the windows for true immersion because the SF outside does clash a bit with the quaint Italian street aesthetic within). My partner noticed that the Yelp reviews for this restaurant were really divided, but that the 5 stars ratings were raving about its authenticity, so we were really excited. The waitstaff was friendly and humorous. They weren't super educated on vegetarianism (no hard feelings, most places aren't) so we went with originally vegetarian dishes (eggplant pasta and the vegetarian lasagna) instead of choosing a meat dish with substitutions. We got complimentary bread, lots of it. The food itself was prepared really fast, was presented really well, had huge portion sizes (I was F U L L), and it was so so tasty too! Chef's kiss. And it ended up being surprisingly affordable for a "fancy" dinner date! Wold recommend the dishes we got if you like cheese/cream (lasagna) or a bit of a pleasant kick (eggplant pasta).
google avatar

Zachery T.

Yelp
I don't leave many reviews. This is THE place for classic, no frills, tasty Italian food. Small place run by an Italian couple. Comfort Italian at its best! Excellent pizza, fresh salad, tasty pasta and savory saltimbocca, all excellent. And they have dessert and espresso!! Great for a pre-show meal within 10 mins of the opera house.
google avatar

Iris P.

Yelp
I've walked by this place several times and finally tried it last night. It was deserted (my partner and I were the only patrons the entire time we were sitting there, which could be a pro or con I suppose depending on how you like your dining experience). The inside is cute and cozy! We got some focaccia for free (yay!) and ordered a bruschetta to start, which was really delicious - the tomatoes and garlic were super fresh and yummy. I got the pasta primavera and enjoyed it - I thought the noodles were cooked well and the sauce was tasty. My partner got the bolognese and felt slightly more bearishly - he felt that it was just okay. The staff was nice, and I think I'll be back if I'm looking for a quick and reliable dinner in the Hayes Valley area!
google avatar

Lucy L.

Yelp
The restaurant felt very authentic with the ambiance, set up and service. The menu had a good variety of pastas, salads and pizzas at a very good price in SF. Portion sizes were quite large and the pasta was cooked to a good al dente. Really enjoyed the service as well!
google avatar

Alice S.

Yelp
I really wanted to like this place because the owner/server was very friendly, this spot has a homey mom and pop vibe, and prices are pretty good for this area. Unfortunately, the food here was not good at all. I ordered the fettuccine primavera, which should usually be a fairly light pasta dish. Even the menu description stated "in a light shallot and cream sauce". However, there was way too much salty sauce completely drenched all over the pasta. Meanwhile, there were so few scraps of prosciutto in the dish that I almost missed it completely. Also, while I appreciated that the fettuccine was clearly homemade, it was sadly too overcooked and mushy. The two others in my group both ordered the gnocchi a piacere with pesto sauce, and they also thought their pasta was overcooked as well. One of them couldn't even finish the pasta because it wasn't palatable. It's quite a shame that the fresh homemade pasta here was ruined because all the dishes I tried were overcooked and drenched in too much salty sauce. For a better pasta experience at a similar price point in Hayes Valley, I recommend heading over to The Italian Homemade instead. A Mano and Doppio Zero are also better options if you want a slightly nicer but still casual dining experience in the area.
google avatar

Melissa S.

Yelp
Been here a couple times and loved both experiences. Very comfy atmosphere and friendly service. They're a little slow, but the food completely makes up for it. The artichoke ravioli is my personal favorite as I don't see it on as many menus in SF.
google avatar

Colin H.

Yelp
My wife and I had our first date here many years ago. We keep coming back even though now we have a baby. This is a family restaurant with the best spaghetti bolognese in all the bay. I get it every time and my wife gets the lasagnetta vegatali. Authentic Italian food I have not found anywhere else. Gratzi milli!
google avatar

Mary Anne K.

Yelp
The food was terrible and the service worse. I ordered veal piccata and spaghetti with garlic and oil. I received spaghetti with tomato sauce and a very small portion of the veal N m e

Rob M.

Yelp
Excellent Italian food, great service at fair pricing. This place is a find and a gem. Most of those giving bad ratings do so as a hobby and should be ignored.

Liam C.

Yelp
Wonderful cosy Italian restaurant.... Ordered bolognese and the pesto gnocchi... everything tasted fresh and flavorful... much better than local spot a-Mano, bigger portions and less than half the price
google avatar

T S.

Yelp
Best Milanese food I have ever had. Wow! Sad thing is Sergio has run this place the same for 25 years and he's going to hang up his apron soon. Order the il borgo salad(raddicio) then lasegnetta, and rack of lamb with a glass of Montepulcianno d'abruzzo. A hidden neighborhood gem in San Francisco. Don't miss it.
google avatar

Lety C.

Yelp
Came to this place before SF Jazz cause it's conveniently located near the venue. The gnocchi and home made bread were really delicious and the price was fair. Unfortunately I ordered two dishes that disappointed me: one was the lobster ravioli that the filling was not very fresh/tasty to me - shredded lobster was a little dry in the filling and sauce too acidic. The second quattro stagione pizza is weirdly set where you can only taste one ingredient per slice of the pizza - really not explained well on the menu. Service was friendly and i like the atmosphere overall.

Kharlo L.

Yelp
Best real Italian food tastes is like done and cooked by my Nona ! They are accessible for people with wheelchairs and parking is not an issue. Their pizza is the best in Hayes Valley.

S K.

Yelp
The atmosphere here feels like a small, old-school east coast Italian restaurant. Checkered tablecloths and all! The food is well-priced, freshly made, and it tastes delicious. The people who work here are always very nice, and the restaurant's location is perfect for the symphony.

Grace M.

Yelp
What a delightful restaurant! I am a native of San Francisco, and had never tried Il Borgo, but saw that it was on Open Table. I had the artichoke ravioli, which was tender and perfectly cooked. My companion had gnocchi, and she is Genovese descent and knows good gnocchi. The salads were crisp and generous, the bread was delicious, and the tiramisu was the best I have had. Service was wonderful by a beautiful blonde server from Italia. I give this restaurant two thumbs up and will definitely be back. Prices were reasonable, and the atmosphere was charming.
google avatar

Sarah P.

Yelp
Very reasonably priced Italian with solid basic quality food in a neighborhood where that can be hard to find these days. We enjoyed the caprese salad with fresh tomatoes and basil the most. The penne e funghi salsiccie was good and the artichoke ravioli was homemade with a night light and fluffy dough, though the filling was a little bland and hard to taste the artichoke.
google avatar

Shantel P.

Yelp
Probably should update their hours of operation. I was recommended this place from a friend and we were looking forward to eating at your restaurant. We walked in at 9pm on line and on yelp, hours are til 10. We were told they were closed. Chef/ kitchen staff seemed upset that we walked in.
google avatar

Tina H.

Yelp
I ordered the pizza quattro stagioni, which is an absolute insult to the pizza food genre. As you see from the picture, the ingredients are all in their separate sections and the pizza IS NOT FULLY COOKED. I'm actually shocked that the chefs let this pizza leave the kitchen and thought "this is a pizza we should serve to a customer" have they never seen a pizza in their entire lives? I'm super disappointed in the quality, especially since I paid $20+ for this sad, depressing meal. Would not recommend spending your money here
google avatar

Chase W.

Yelp
This establishment had the audacity to tell us they couldn't service pizza because "it's too busy and every restaurant is closed because of the New Years". We decided to get pasta after learning this. Minutes after, we were served our pasta. But.... noticed there were ants crawling over our plate and table during our time there. This is not a joke nor had we ever witnessed an infestation like this before. Be careful when you go here. 1 star deserving!

Danielle V.

Yelp
Love this cute old school Italian restaurant. This is the real deal. Great food. Homemade pasta. No pretense. Just a relaxed neighborhood spot well worth visiting.
google avatar

Alex L.

Yelp
Amazing authentic Italian food. Great portions and the staff are wonderful and friendly. It's been a local establishment for decades ... definitely recommend supporting this restaurant. Love the great pastas & thin crust crispy pizzas.

Mallory M.

Yelp
I live right around the corner from Il Borgo, and it is my favorite Italian spot. Very reasonably priced, cozy environment, with delicious food. It is one of my favorite date spots because the atmosphere is a bit quieter and off the beaten path. The staff is always so friendly and works to get you seated and fed quickly! I also love that they provide bread before the meal - something you don't see as much nowadays! I'll be back again and again!
google avatar

Jashan K.

Yelp
If you're looking for authentic Italian food, this is the place!! I've been to il borgo a few times with friends and had a pleasant experience every time. The gnocchi pesto is my favorite item on the menu. Do not let the "dated look" comments deter you from trying this place. There are plenty of aesthetically pleasing Italian restaurants in SF which serve less than mediocre food. If you're interested in having a no frills Italian dining experience - i highly recommend this place. I have also had great service all items I visited - the owner is very kind and warm. 100% recommend!
google avatar

Linda W.

Yelp
Nothing to recommend here: the place is run down looking with a dusty old box of Panettone on a shelf in the dining room, the front door propped open by the bench seat next to it - tough luck if you're seated there and want to sit closer than 3 feet away from the table. The music was blasting, although turned down when I said it was so loud I was getting a headache from it (and was ready to leave at that point but unfortunately didn't.) We ordered salads and a pasta. The mixed green salad was so salty it was inedible, and was never checked on how we liked it, which lead to an argument with our waitress when she came to clear them who said, "no one ever complained about the salad" and a bunch of other comments that seemed to say the chef made the salad from a mix and/or was somehow not responsible for it. We cancelled our order for the pasta which created another disagreement when she tried to serve it to us anyway, after poor service and insulting treatment. It appeared to be rotini, not the fusilli we had ordered anyway. I want to warn anyone who reads the good reviews and thinks this is a good place, it's not even passable. We went out of our way to go there and were beyond disappointed by every aspect of the "meal."
google avatar

Denise C.

Yelp
I saw this quaint restaurant on Fell Street. It's got a menu of Italian classics and it's easy on the palate in the United States. I had some bruschetta with tomato and had 4 pieces and fresh bread. With the events here, it's a nice that it was open and serving and had my dish outside at the table. It was quiet and I brought some home. Here's to restaurants.
google avatar

Surafel A.

Yelp
I have been a loyal customer for a long time at this place. but there is one thing bothers me whenever I came to eat, the Italian lady (owner) who always give a handwritten receipt at the end and pressure me to pay her in cash. i once went with my friends to eat and she did the same thing to my friend who was paying at the time. i went back today to grab my dinner and the lady gave me that stupid handwriting receipt again, although i was not happy about it, i just put my credit card wait for her to charge it. but she saw the credit card on the table and said "i told you we don't accept credit card less than $30" with an angry tone. i was disappointed and ask her if she can show me any written sign that aware customers about that and she replied "i told you before "i don't even remember discussing this with her before. i tried to make her calm down but she started to get irritated as if i did something bad or refuse to pay. i was a bit embarrassed by her act and tone at the time. at some point, i wanted to call authorities but i couldn't do it because ... i don't want something bad to happen to her or business. i tried to explain my self and teach her a lesson as much as possible while i was at the restaurant. i was not intended to argue with anybody, i was just wanted to have my dinner go home and sleep. she just ruins :( i would never come back to this restaurant again. if you are curious enough to read this ma'am:- you are wrong do not present a handwritten receipt for the customer, please !!!! you are wrong do not present a handwritten receipt for customer please !!!! you are wrong do not present a handwritten receipt for customer please !!!! you are wrong do not present a handwritten receipt for customer please !!!! you are wrong do not present a handwritten receipt for customer please !!!! you are wrong do not present a handwritten receipt for customer please !!!! you are wrong do not present a handwritten receipt for customer please !!!! you are wrong do not present a handwritten receipt for customer please !!!! you are wrong do not present a handwritten receipt for customer please !!!! you are wrong do not present a handwritten receipt for customer please !!!! you are wrong do not present a handwritten receipt for customer please !!!! you are wrong do not present a handwritten receipt for customer please !!!! you are wrong do not present a handwritten receipt for customer please !!!! you are wrong do not present a handwritten receipt for customer please !!!! you are wrong do not present a handwritten receipt for customer please !!!! you are wrong do not present a handwritten receipt for customer please !!!! you are wrong do not present a handwritten receipt for customer please !!!!
google avatar

Ashley L.

Yelp
It was.... okay. When one thinks of Hayes Valley and its trendiness, Il Borgo unfortunately would not come to mind. Il Borgo is dated much like its decor and interior. Don't get me wrong, I tried to like this place and having just moved down the street, I was excited to try the Italian spot as it gave the vibe of a rustic date night. Plus, their prices were reasonable. It was a Wednesday night and we were the only ones at the place start to end with the ocassional take out service. They served bread to start which was great and then we got the Bruschetta, Funghi Sausage (excuse my lack of italian) pizza and a Salmon entree. The bruschetta was delicious and I liked my pizza, although a little underseasoned for me. The toppings on the pizza were unfortunately sparse. I only looked at the images of other customers a few minutes ago and was surprised at how little i got. The salmon was half decent but giving them the benefit of the doubt, we should have tried the pasta, which looks like what they are famous for. The lady was friendly and spoke broken English. Enough to get along, have a few laughs and have our food on the way. If you're expecting something new, hip and full of flavor, I don't think Il Borgo is the place for you. One thing I notice about food in America, regardless of cuisine, is that it is all flavorful. Il Borgo reminds me of a nice homecooked meal that hits the spot jusssst right.... but also on a verge of completely missing it.
google avatar

Tiffany G.

Yelp
Home cooked Italian dinner in the middle of busy San Francisco. This place is lovely, great food and atmosphere.
google avatar

P K.

Yelp
Service was horrible. Owner seemed annoyed the whole time that she had to wait on us. Forgot to bring items ordered. Caesar salad was not in any way close to a Caesar salad. Just lettuce and some vinegar. Wine was cheap. No one in our party enjoyed the food. Run away from this place.
google avatar

JoAnn Y.

Yelp
The bread is homemade, as is everything else and is delicious. I recommend the lasagna and the fettuccine bolognese. The fusili is also good. The owner is from Milan, so the food is not the typical southern Italian we so often see.

Allison W.

Yelp
Great food and atmosphere! The waiters are really friendly. It is definitely a go to authentic Italian restaurant in San Francisco!
google avatar

Aneka T.

Yelp
The most salty food i've ever had. I took about 3 bites and so did my mother in law. This place needs to taste their food.
google avatar

benjamin p.

Yelp
If you ever wanted to travel in a time machine and taste Italian America restaurant food from 1976, here's your chance. Was it edible? Yes. Was it particularly good in any way other than the was SpagettiOs might be to some? Not really. Ok, it wasn't as bad as SpagettiOs but really, it wasn't particularly good either. This is a full 360 experience, complete with an atmosphere and shticky service straight out of the 70s as well. Yup, there are Chianti bottles encrusted with decades of dripping multi-colored wax, plastic red and white checkered table cloths, a hideous Tuscan-sequel mural, and recognizable Italian phrases as questions tossed in here and there by your server for extra authenticity. Not my idea of a relaxing dinner experience exactly. Also, it doesn't look as if anyone has cleaned the place or even the tables since the 1970s. The interior really could use a serious steam cleaning... or perhaps just an efficient, accidental kitchen fire. And in case you somehow overlooked the grime, a filthy life sized, stuffed Mickey Mouse slumped over on a chair in the restroom acts as something of a "filth punctuation" on the whole experience. These guys could really use to get out and see the world. Watching a few contemporary YouTube cooking videos or three wouldn't hurt either. In a word, I'd just say, gross! And no, I would never step into a place like this on my own accord, were it not trying to be polite to a couple of old people who really wanted to go there.

Kyleha E.

Yelp
This place is AMAZING!! Authentic Italian cuisine! Sergio is very nice and we love hearing about his stories. My family and group of friends come here every time we are in the city (it's been an ongoing 5 year tradition). It's a must stop place. The pasta is delicious!! Our favorite plates, which is hard to decide, is the lasagna and gnocchi. Coffee and Tiramisu are the perfect way to end your meal here! 10 stars out of 5!!! Please stop here and get some amazing Italian food.

Hailey B.

Yelp
I LOVE this place! Me and my friends have been coming here for over 5 years now and every time we are in San Fran we have to stop here. The gnocchi is amazing. Perfectly cooked and very tasty. The lasagna is one of my favorites on the menu. I will forever come to this place as long as it is here.

John D.

Yelp
A party of four dinned prior to the SF Ballet. The restaurant was poorly lit making it difficult to read the menu. The menu did not list a single glass of wine or prosecco and therefore we had to ask. The restaurant did not supply a detailed bill or second customer receipt, so I did not know how much we paid. The food was ok, but not special. My veal piccata was not tender. The table was not large enough to place dinnerware opposite our guests, so we had to stagger the settings. The "owner/manager" must have been having a hard day because he never smiled. It was not worth the nearly one hundred dollar tab per couple. We will not go back again.
google avatar

Alejandra R.

Yelp
Good pizza, good lasagna and good salad. The bread was fresh out and crunchy. Nice little lowkey spot in SF.
google avatar

Megan M.

Yelp
My BF and I just moved to the neighbor and have been eager to try out the restaurants in Hayes Valley. We decided to go out to eat for the first time in a long time due to the pandemic and we chose Il Borgo. We were able to eat outside though there is seating available outside as well. We were greeted by a friendly Italian woman who sat us right away (mainly due to us having dinner earlier in the evening). We noticed it was just her and one chef in the back. We started off with the mushroom and sausage pizza which was delicious and came out as our appetizer. It was a decently sized pizza for only $14. We then order the fettuccine Bolognese and spaghetti carbonara, two dishes my BF frequently make at home. They were both hefty portions which look amazing to the two of our hungry bellies. My BF loved the carbonara while I favored the Bolognese, both 4/5 IMO. The pizza took it home for me, especially for the price. This place is warm and cozy and I am just thankful to have a quaint place like this open during the pandemic. We will be back!
google avatar

Rachel K.

Yelp
Small quaint Italian restaurant in Hayes valley. Very home style decor and cooking compared to other restaurants in the area. We picked this place as it was the one place in Hayes that took reservations and we were going to be coming on a Saturday night. Since we had a reservation we were seated quick, but the place has very limiting seating so would make a reservation for sure. The menu has a good variety and is fairly priced. The complimentary bread was great although slow to come out. However they basically have one person doing all hostesses/waitress duties and one guy who cooks and takes occasional orders and delivers food. Basically a very small operation so be generous with service expectations. Although I was impressed at the attentiveness given this. The food was fine but nothing amazing. Everyone agreed that they'd had better but not too much to complain about given the price. I got the salmon entree which was good fish, just plain and came with a few broccoli and potatoes. The Gorgonzola gnocchi was a potent Gorgonzola sauce so be sure you like the cheese before ordering because it's not as subtle as other places. The actual gnocchi though were really good and melt in your mouth! Overall and ok place to grab a bite but probably would pick a new place if ever back in the area.
google avatar

Tarandrew J.

Yelp
The old lady is obviously jaded and the hospitality aspect long forgotten. We were one of three tables on a Friday night at 7pm if that tells you anything. I also don't think the menu has changed at all since I was last there in 2006. In such a powerhouse culinary city, you would think they would be more pressed to impress
google avatar

Massimo M.

Yelp
I must have driven by Il Borgo a million times over the years, always wondering about it, so I took the plunge and made it my 300th Yelp review - woot woot! I was a little apprehensive at first, reading Yelp review this place seems like it is bipolar, people either love it or hate it. The Italian lady is either warm and friendly or she is a raging lunatic, customer hating fury. I had an OK experience. Yes, service was slow and we needed to ask for things, but it was bearable. The pasta is al dente and the pizza pretty authentic, the food is indeed good, but I have had better in the price range. The wine is what I drink at home, so inexpensive and just fine for everyday meals, and the pours are generous. The place is not trendy looking and the ambiance is old style Italian American checkered table cloth type of thing. Which is fine, if I want fancy I know where to go. So, don't avoid this place because of the one and two star reviews, but I would not cross the sea to eat here. Would I come back? Sure, if I can park within one circle of the block I will. Ya feelin' me?
google avatar

Zita M.

Yelp
Lovely flavors in one of San Francisco's oldest privately owned restaurants. And yes this place is owned by an Italian man. The place projects a bistro / quick restaurant-stop vibe. Mostly locals come here. The building could use a revamp and the interior could use a remodel but the food is great despite the slow service. One will eat authentic Italians dishes. Don't look for low fat or gluten free. This is not the place for it. It's more like a place where an Italian grandma's secret recipes are being served. Will come back.
google avatar

Natalie F.

Yelp
A taste of Italy in Hayes Valley! I stumbled across this place when visiting my BFF in Hayes Valley. It was a Wednesday evening and we were one of the few people in the restaurant. I've been absolutely obsessed with this place since and recently took my boyfriend for a visit! AMBIANCE (5/5) It really feels like you are in NYC's Little Italy. So cute and authentic. Fairly small and intimate - an ideal place to take a date!! FOOD/DRINKS (4.5/5) Pizza is awesome! Gnocchi is pretty good too, and I am obsessed with the bread + olive oil/vinegar. We ordered two glasses of the Merlot ($8/each) and the legit fit almost a bottle of wine into two cups ... woohoo! Gotta love a heavy handed pour ;) I have not had the chance to try the dessert yet. SERVICE (5/5) Everyone is so friendly! The first time I came there was a lady who was Italian, and gave us great insight as to what to order / drink pairings. Both times I visited the service was first-class and very attentive. Woohoo! Extra + is this place is not too pricy! Will definitely be back :)
google avatar

Cj L.

Yelp
Best Italian in SF! Cute and cozy environment, amazing service and the food is perfect. Give them your business!!
google avatar

Jennifer K.

Yelp
Let's me first start by saying is you looking for service this is not the place. If you are looking for good food at a decent pride and don't mind crappy service this is the place. Came here with a big group today. Service was slow even at 8:30 pm. Took forever to get our servers attention to order wine and she did not advise on portions so after the first round of appetizers came out we had to reorder for a starving group of people. Caprese salad is meant for 4 and we had 7 people. Pizza we were short one slice since it came with only 6. Really??? Dinner was great. Portions were good and quality of the pasta dishes we all ordered you good. In fact 4/7 of us needed a doggie bag so we could eat some dessert. Now why two stars? Service sucks. No refills or how is everything. No help on what to order or portion sizes. We constantly had to ask for things from chili flakes and Parmesan that should come standard with pizza. Bread only came when we ordered two bottles of wine. So when our bill came we divided it by 7 with 18% tip and we forgot to include one person so our bill was a bit short. I get it we made a mistake but for the server to come and tell us in front of the whole table that we stiffed her was tacky. She could have said, hey the tip doesn't look correct do you mind rechecking instead of embarrassing the person who calculated it in the group. Tacky. No apologies and we left her extra tip in cash no less and then she was all flowers and sunshine trying to be nice. I don't like service that is crappy and then having the server ask for more tip shamelessly in front of a large group. If we made a mistake there are more graceful ways to ask. Would I come here again? Probably not. Food wasn't that good and the service def killed my appetite. I only came for a friends going away party and this was not how I expect my friends last meal in US before moving overseas would be. Thanks for killing our joyful mood and wonderful evening.
google avatar

Hani G.

Yelp
Lovely italian restaurant. If you lobe italy and italian food this is it. Beautiful and delicious. The owner is italian so he knows what's italian food. I love the vegetarian lasagnia.yum. I always get a fish to go as well for my tomorrow lunch at work. Prices are so reasonable. In Hayes Valley everything is expensive. So happy to have an old restaurant with good prices. I love the interior design and homy decor. I took my friends, they loved it too. Highly recommended.