Nob Hill Cafe

I emailed the restaurant in advance about vegan options and they responded right away that they could come up with something for me just to let my server know. They made the pasta alla cecca vegan with a bunch of added veggies which was really good! They also made a gluten free dish for my friend which was delicious! They get busy pretty quickly even after opening, so arrive early and put your name on the waitlist. Loved the busy vibe inside! Staff was helpful and attentive

Food and service were top notch. The hostess was so nice and accommodating during the busiest time of night. I have celiac and they were extra careful with cross contamination of my gluten free pasta.

This was my third time dining here, and at some point I might order something different, but I love the foccacia bread and the veal piccata, which you rarely see on a menu these days. This is a small and cozy restaurant on the top of Nob Hill, which has few restaurants in the neighborhood, so it's a bonus that the food is so good and the prices are so reasonable (by SF standards). Our waiter Eamonn was lovely and attentive. Looking forward to our next visit.

Food and service were a 10/10. The food was delicious, seafood fresh, and even their bread was INCREDIBLE. Our server was the sweetest man! Overall it has such a great mom and pop feel to it that’s hard to recreate. Will definitely be back on my next visit to SF

Went for a celebration meal with friends. Had the best dinner and service as the staff were so attentive. Couldn’t recommend this restaurant enough great vibes, pasta and wine ! Great recommendation for an Italian restaurant in San Francisco.

Visiting from London and popped in for an evening bite. From the outside the place looked great and I was lucky to get a spot by the window to soak up the atmosphere. I got the carrot soup, gnocchi and Tiramisu which was all just a bit flat really and devoid of flavour. Quite disappointing really as I thought this neighbourhood joint might go along the way of restoring my faith in US grub. Anyway I’m sure it’s a grand spot for a glass of wine.

We were lucky enough to miss the crowds on a Sunday evening in between shows at Grace Cathedral. We were seated at a window table. Our server was delightful, helpful and very accommodating. We only had a 40 minute window to enjoy the dining experience, so our server suggested specific items that would work with our schedule. The Octopus carpaccio was delicious. The presentation was very appealing and the flavor combo was spot on. The Fig salad was delicious. I look forward to coming back and enjoying a relaxed full meal. Sorry, I don't have any photos because we dug in so fast.

Sunday was a very rainy night we put our name in for dinner and was told the wait was 40-50 minutes. The host was delightful walking in the rain, talking to customers, taking and delivering drink orders, going over and beyond a host’s duty he then offered the outside tables for dining. He wiped down the tables and chairs and we gladly offered to sit outside. Then we met our waitress Edith. Wow! This young lady hustled. She also had tables inside and had to continually walk through the rain (which at some points were absolutely pouring) to Serve her inside tables and bring us food and drink outside. She was pleasant, professional, calm, and truly cared about our dining experience. We all enjoyed our meals, the food was wonderful but it was the staff that Truly shined that night!!!!

Nob Hill Cafe is an excellent dining option for a night out with loved ones. It is a small and intimate restaurant with seating in close quarters, and the waitlist is always long during dinner, but the wait is very much worth it. The service staff is very attentive and kind, and they are eager to make good recommendations on what their favorite dishes are - these tend to be different for everyone! We got the olives as an appetizer, and these were bold and robust in flavor. They were not filling in the way that table bread is, but they were delicious and a great way of tying over our appetites as we waited for our food without getting overly full. I got the special of the day, a risotto with tomato sauce and sausage. I felt like the risotto was a bit undercooked, but it was delicious in flavor nonetheless and presented beautifully. The bolognese was also delicious. I love the intimate, dimly lit nature of the cafe and will definitely be back.

3.5 stars. Started with the focaccia, and it was very moist and yummy but they did not serve it warm which was a bit of a disappointment. Ordered the chicken parm, and the gnocchi bolognese. The chicken parm was mediocre, would not recommend. Too much cheese, the chicken is not breaded, tastes boiled. And the pasta is just okay. The gnocci bolognese was much better, good flavor (but needed some salt and parm). Also ordered the tiramisu, and it was very yummy but a bit too much cream. Overall, not sure if I would go again. Very cute ambiance though.

Service was great, food was mediocre. Came on a Sunday evening, didn't realize what an uphill hike it would be from Union Square. Rookie mistake! We arrived around 6 and were told it would be a 20 minute wait. They were spot on and the hostess was so gracious and came out every 5 minutes to update us. With two kiddos (6/9) that was extra appreciated. Food: No kids menu, but the margarita pizza is kid friendly. It was basic and delicious. Meatballs: surprisingly tough. Sauce was fresh and bright but meatballs were over cooked and not very enjoyable. Bummer. We left much uneaten. Gnocchi Bolognese: texture okay but flavorless, had to ask for salt. Disappointed. Focaccia: served room temp/cold. Good flavor but warm would have elevated 100% The service and atmosphere was very good, the food was disappointing.

Really great pasta place! Only issue is they don't take reservations and it's a really busy spot so you usually have to wait outside for a table. Luckily they serve you drinks while you wait!

Great place to go before concert at Grace Cathedral. We ordered the Pasta Bettola, A delicious hearty salad, and a pizza with anchovies. We will come again!

Loved this little slice of heaven. Celebrated my masters degree with family and absolutely loved the family Italian feel of this restaurant. We will be back

This place is so good. We came before a concert at the Masonic and put our name on the waitlist digitally. Then arrived and waited around 545/6 another 15 mins or so. We missed part of the opening act but that's ok. It was worth it and they did everything to make it a quick. Although I wish we had more time to take it all in. Service from the hostess to the server was friendly, attentive and kind. We had lasagna and spaghetti carbonara with our sparkling wine and peroni. The lasagna was sooo delicious. Both fresh, crispy and Al dente. A lot of places over do it and it ends up being soggy. This lasagna was perfecto. I can't wait to come back and more leisurely enjoy dinner or a meal. Cozy indoor and outdoor seating. Great place!

Decided to come by Nob Hill cafe as I heard it's a great local neighborhood staple! Overall, the food was decent but prices were not that cheap considering what was served. For example the caprese salad was $18 for what was shown in the photo (3 tomatoes and cheese). The pastas were a decent size however but pretty standard! The tables were also really cramped, I had to put my chair at an angle to sit at the table or I'd hit the people behind us. Overall a decent place for a quick bite and for some comfort neighborhood food.

LET ME PREACH THE GOOD WORD OF NOB HILL CAFE: the Penne Bettola is the pasta of your DREAMS. Creamy sauce. Chewy mouthfeel. Slightly spicy zing. From literally the first bite, I was already talking about coming back to eat it again. TRY THE PENNE BETTOLA!!!! The service was friendly and made us feel like neighborhood locals. There were families and couples alike dining together and made for the perfect dinner sport before a quick walk to the Masonic for a show. We also loved the Caesar salad, though we'd skip the chicken parm next time -- it was a bit greasy and didn't spark joy. The Penne Bettola, though? Now THAT sparked joy They don't accept reservations, and we waited about 10 minutes for a table for two. Not bad at all. The seating outside had heat lamps, though we were lucky and got a cute table next to the open kitchen. We loved watching them cook! This restaurant feels like stepping into a truly San Franciscan establishment. Looking forward to eating there again soon.

such a cute and cozy dinner spot in sf!! the night we came there was a birthday party inside the restaurant, so we chose to sit outside since there was no indoor seating available. our seating was covered and near a fire heater. my friend and I ordered for some pasta and wine and it was delicious. I ordered linguine alla vongole and loved the seafood paired with the lemon/white wine. garlic was a tad overwhelming, but still tasted great. we were pretty disappointed that they weren't serving focaccia bread that night, so we'll have to come back again in the future to try it.

Nob Hill Cafe is a quaint little cafe. The inside is tight but cozy. Service was nice. Food was was good but nothing outstanding. If you are in the area, it's worth trying but in my opinion, I wouldn't go out of my way to come here.

A cozy and romantic little cafe in the beautiful neighbourhood of Nob Hill. The dining room is very small, but they also offer a patio space. It's a popular spot! Our table of three arrived at 5pm opening, and there already was a small queue at the door. Expect to wait. Service was good - even though it was packed our waters were refilled and food served at a good pace. We were off to see a show at The Masonic, so we were concerned about timing. But it worked out perfectly! Do note the tables are small and they are tightly packed together - so the space isn't really accessible for wheelchairs or mobility devices. The one washroom is also too small to fit them. The food hit the spot! The Gnocchi Bolognese was the star that night! The most pillowy gnocchi ever. It was the crowd pleaser. We also had the Insalata Caprese (never seen it served with olives before... but was fine) and the Linguine Vongole (disappointed that the clams were tiny and not shelled. Flavour was decent but not what I'm used to from a typical vongole pasta). Overall happy with the first experience, and would love to try other things from the menu! Great spot for a date night or intimate gathering.

Beautiful cozy setting for a date night with my honey. The pizza and salad were fantastic with friendly service.

4.5/5 Service: came here for a quick pizza before an event close by. We were able to get seated on a friday 6pm outside right away. We ordered 2 pizzas and it took 20 mins to get the food, but the service was good in between. Food: pizza was veryy good! Fresh and very cheesy. Good flavor. Would definitely come back and check out the indoor ambiance when I have more time. Parking: street, not the easiest area, but was able to find something 2 blocks away. There are parking lots close by too but they're $50

Visited from RI. The east coast obviously has some good Italian food but the gnocchi bolognese was hands down the best pasta dish I have EVER had. The flavor was unbelievable!! The fettuccini pesto was also splendid and the pine nuts really topped the flavor off nicely with eat bite. Cute little spot and the staff was super friendly and quick. 100/10 spot.. I may just have to move here and become a regular

You know what makes a great Italian restaurant? No frills, quality food, and the small business charm. Nob Hill Cafe is a cute little Italian restaurant (yes, Italian...the name is very unassuming) that is right around the corner from Grace Cathedral. They have a solid menu with various antipastis, pastas, pizzas and desserts -- and a ton of daily specials. I believe our server Pablo named off almost 5 daily specials! Impressive. In terms of food, our personal favorites were the Penne and Focaccia. The penne had so much flavor: not too spicy, super creamy and the right amount of tang. Probably top 3 vodka pastas I've ever had. The focaccia was super fluffy and had a subtle rosemary flavor to it. The only thing preventing from giving this place 5 stars was the service, unfortunately. I believe there were only two servers for the entire restaurant. So getting our order in and eventually getting our check was a fairly long process. Additionally since the server was so busy, he ended up charging our table for two bottles of wine when we only ordered two glasses. An honest mistake but something that took away from the night. Nothing against the service, I just think the employees are stretched thin. Overall, a good place to check out if you're looking for authentic Italian cuisine.

By far one of my favorite restaurants in SF! The food is delicious, service is great, and vibe is wonderful. Especially on a summer evening. Would recommend stopping by oh won't regret it

I'm not exaggerating when I say my boyfriend and I have tried almost the entire menu here Food: amazing! my favorites are the pesto tortellini, Fettucine Al Pesto, and gnocchi bolognese. we also always get the house made focaccia to scoop up our extra pasta sauce Service: friendly and efficient! Ambiance: so incredibly cozy! It feels like you're eating a meal in someone's home in the best way possible

What a beautiful Italian restaurant. Their food is phenomenal, my mom and I got an order of the burrata, meatballs, and gnocchi. We got tiramisu for dessert and my mom got a red wine. It was my birthday and they brought out a delicious surprise desert that was so rich and decadent. This is my new favorite restaurant, I will be back here so often. The service here was absolutely wonderful. My server was great and spot on, we wanted for nothing throughout the entire evening. Thank you thank you thank you!

Came in a Tuesday evening around 6 pm and there was already a queue for a table. We waited for about 45min, but it's well worth the wait. You can also order drinks or walk around the street while you wait. The inside is small, with seating both outside and two sections inside. The food is BOMB and cokes out pretty quick, the caprese had a nice mix of basil, greens and mozzarella. The tortellini was incredible!! Cooked al dente and the pesto was oh so creamy! Highly recommend this spot for your Italian fix in Nob Hill.

Wait times on check in are not reliable and caused us to wait a very long time when apparently we were only 10 mins away from a table when we arrived. Disappointing as the food looked delicious.

Cute little family spot. Got margarita pizza with sausage and gnocchi bolognese. It was good. Would come back

Came here for an anniversary dinner, we were able to get seated for 2 without res since it was later (almost 9). Split the chicken parm and a pepperoni pizza, very filling. Quick service. Cozy spot, food wasn't anything to write home about. Chicken park is prob the most worth/popular

Hard no for me. Rude staff, food was meh and they couldn't be bothered to turn on heat. They reminded us twice within 5 minutes of being seated that we had to be out by a certain time for a party. Olive Garden has nicer staff. Try harder Nob Hill Cafe. Won't return!!!

Very nice stop, food and service was excellent, ambience; perfect for a delightful meal. Would have given it a 5star but no breads were offered with the meal

I love coming here it's a cute little cafe that offers delicious pasta. I usually get the creamy penne bettola with shredded cheese on top. When I'm not having that I get the pesto pasta but my favorite is penne bettola. They have a great wine selection to go with your pasta. Al's the service has always been excellent every time I have a been I have gone. I would recommend this place to everyone to check it out. They're not on doordash maybe not yet but you can order through Yelp and get it delivered.

I had the pleasure of finally trying this restaurant after passing by countless times. It's a true neighborhood spot, where regulars are warmly greeted by the friendly staff, who even made me feel at home despite my dog acting like a menace for a bit. As for the food, I opted for the spaghetti and meatballs - a simple yet satisfying dish. To end on a sweet note, I ordered their creamy and light tiramisu for dessert, and every bite left me longing for more.

I used to come here as a kid and it was great. Now not so much. The service was quite slow (they did say they were having a wedding tasting that night), and it was so expensive!! We each got, a glass of wine and an entree and it was $90!!!! That's a no.

Menu was concise but covered all the bases. Quality ingredients, good food. Service impecable.

Delicious food! Great service! Cute little restaurant. What a great place to catch up with friends. The food came out hot, we sat next to the kitchen and you can tell the pasta and pizza chef were passionate about their work. One of the best Italian spots in SF! I went around 7pm and I was seated right away (party of 3). Service was attentive And provided suggestions on the menu! What a cute little spot. Parking however, was a bit of a nightmare, its street parking and it was pretty packed, did multiple checked around the streets surrounding the place. Besides parking, this is a delicious spot!

Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance 5/5 I've met so many people that say Nob Hill Cafe is their go-to restaurant, and now I see why! Cute and cozy trattoria with wonderful service and delicious food. Most know for their Gnocci Bolognese and Penne Bettola (Vodka Sauce Pasta). Open 5-9 or 10 pm. Not a long wait around 5:00 pm but expect a 20-30 min wait after 6-6:30pm. Regarding the service, we ordered the meatballs (5/5) which comes with 3 and the chief was kind enough to give us a 4th for our group of 4! I also ordered the Petrale alla Mugnaia Special (Sole sautéed with lemon, butter, white wine, and calipers 4.5/5) and and the waitress was kind enough to substitute the side pasta for their delicious Penne Bettola (5/5). Wonderful service. Sole and Bettola were phenomenal. Our friends ordered the Gnocci Bolognes (4.5/5) and the Lasagna Al Forno (4.5/5). I'm not a Gnocci fan but tried a couple bites and it was wonderful. Will definitely be coming back to try the Carbonara, Pesto Tortellini, and homemade Focaccia bread!

-linguine allá vongole (good but lower on the flavor side, good with a white wine) - penne bettola (so much flavor, I preferred this one) - good place to get dinner before a show at the Masonic. - expensive!!

cute little spot! food was good, nothing too crazy but still satisfying. pretty good portion and meatballs were huge in the spaghetti

The Fettuccine Pesto was like so bitchen. And the guy who delivered it to my door was super, super nice. Major.

The best little spot in the Nob Hill neighborhood (albeit options limited). The pizza is underwhelming but the pasta is great and the focaccia bread is ELITE. If you live in the neighborhood or are staying nearby this should be your convenient local spot. You will be happy every time. (4.5 Stars)

A favorite neighborhood spot for so many in this area. Cozy & quaint with a simple menu of what they truly make shine- Pasta and Pizza! My hands down favorite thing to order here is the Gnocchi but the special this night peaked my interest so I went for it. That special was Porcini Ravioli and it was exquisite! My partner had the Lasagna after we both shared a Caesar and some house focaccia (a must). There's never been a dish I don't love here and the wait to be seated (they don't take reservations but do take out for those close by) is a clear indication that it's always a great spot to eat. The wine list is short and sweet as well, and for some reason when I dine here I feel the need to drink Chianti.

Came on a Friday evening and the restaurant looked pretty full. The staff is very friendly and gave us a list of recommendations and specials for the evening. My friend got Spaghetti alla Carbonara and I got the Risotto del Dia. For the day I went, it was risotto with chicken and asparagus. The waiter will ask if you would like cheese and pepper. The risotto was okay, I wish the chicken had more flavor. My friend's carbonara was flavorful and creamy. Maybe I'll come back to try some of their other dishes.

Consistently great food and service with a smile! You gotta try the focaccia bread. Try their daily specials.

Amazing. The cutest American Italian restaurant and great service. My fiancé and I just moved in across the street, we popped in last weekend tired from moving etc. and it was everything we hoped our new neighbor would be! The gnocchi was light as a feather and the red sauce was lovely. Not pictured was the wonderful and very flavorful caprese salad - they add red onion and balsamic which gave it an extra kick, highly rec.

Came on a Monday night around 7pm and it was still pretty busy. There was a 20 min wait to sit inside but we decided to sit outside to be seated right away, near the heaters, it was definitely still a bit chilly but with a jacket it was fine. We ordered the penne pasta with vodka sauce (9/10), it was flavorful enough and loved how there was garlic in it too! We also got a margherita pizza (7/10), it was just okay, could use more flavor and the crust was a tad bit dry. The wine paired very well with the pasta though! The service was amazing even though the food took awhile to come, it took almost an hour for it to come out.

Our group of 3 came here for dinner on a Friday night and there was little to no wait to get seated. The staff were friendly and welcoming, and they were kind enough to ask if we were okay with sitting near the window. Nob Hill Cafe makes use of its small interior to cultivate a warm, welcoming, and homey dining experience. While our group appreciated the no-frills nature of this restaurant, the food makes this place four stars. Our dishes were satisfying with healthy portion sizes - however, each was slightly underwhelming. The pizza was a tad dry and pasta dishes were watery. Regardless, the flavor was present and we definitely left very full at the end of the night. Nob Hill Cafe is worth the visit for their ambiance and service. Looking forward to trying other menu items in the future.

Lovely dinner in Nob Hill. We ordered focaccia to start and then had carbonara, pesto and penne vodka. They got one of our pastas wrong and quickly subbed it out for the correct dish. They gave us a free dessert because we had to wait for the corrected item. The chocolate ganache was delightful. Service was great. Highly recommend.

this restaurant was recommended to us by a manager at the ritz carlton but we were very disapppointed at the coldness of the staff especially the hostess. they were cold to the point of rudeness and acted like they were really miserable. christmas stress maybe, but they sure took it out on the 3 of us as customers. would never return and because i eat out in the city a lot i will spread the word. the food was decent but the cold service colored our enjoyment. never again!!

Service: 5/5 Michael (the owner I think) is incredibly welcoming, attentive, and hospitable. They were even willing to add chicken to my friends dish (he needed the brotein) Ambiance: small intimate interior - not good for large groups. Cute setup for a solo meal or date. Dim lighting after sun sets. The whole inside smells like you've stepped into an Italian home - the fragrances are amazing. They do have a few tables outside still. Food: 5/5 Meatball appetizer was seasoned perfectly with the right amount of sauce. Gnocchi bolognese- i don't know if there's a proper gnocchi texture, but I loved these pillowy silky ones! They were so tender they almost melted into the tomato sauce. Bits of meat add an umami flavoring to the crisp/tart tomato sauce. Linguine Alla Vongole- I'm usually not a fan of clams but this dish has me changing my mind! A nice balance of the sea clam with a bright sauce Tortellini dish (not pictured) with romano sauce - was really good and had (I think) nutmeg or a similar spice that paired perfectly with the light cream sauce. Spaghetti Alla Carbonara - alright this was my favorite dish. Creamy sauce paired with the smoke bite from the pork bits coat the pasta with this amazingly silk like texture. So much flavor but doesn't leave you feeling heavy. Would definitely order again. Everyone was left satisfied and we would definitely come back. Excited for brunch to start up and hopefully lunch to follow!!! Would recommend coming here for a solo diner or group dinner or date. Can't go wrong !

Amazing! Happened to be staying a couple blocks away on a business trip and decided to come check this place out. Was worried that I wasn't going to get a seat on Valentines day but only had to wait about 15 minutes! Even better, they let me taste a few wines and take a bottle out front while I waited. Loved that! My coworker went with the Lasagna and I went the Pesto Raviolis -- We both cleaned our plates and contemplated ordering seconds. Was SO good. If you're in the area, come check this place out. Staff is incredible, wine is delicious and the food is on point! Thank you Nob Hill Cafe for an amazing dinner tonight!

Delicious food in a cute neighborhood restaurant. I've been here a few times and am never disappointed. Get there early because they get busy. With that said, they do a good job of turning tables. Enjoy!

Such a neighborhood gem! Nob hill cafe is a deliciously authentic, warm, and inviting restaurant in the heart of nob hill. There arent many tables so make sure to book in advance or go right when they open like we did! All the food we ordered was delicious and they serve generous portions - we ended up with a decent amount of leftovers. Make sure to get the homemade meatball they were 10/10! Already looking forward to my next trip back to try more of their yummy pastas! - @discoveroverthere

I took my niece here for her birthday since she requested pasta and boy did it not disappoint. We ordered the lasagna, penne bettola and carbonara. All of them were 10/10. I think the lasagna stood out though. The service was great and the ambiance was nice since we were seated by the window. I would come again!

I came here on a weekend for brunch and had a wonderful time. There's tons of indoor and outdoor seating, which is great because the restaurant filled up pretty fast (we came right at opening). The restaurant was accommodating of dietary restrictions, and the service was extremely friendly and helpful. Our food came out quickly, and everything we ordered was delicious. I'll be back for their regular lunch or dinner menus!