Rocco's Cafe

Came here with some friends before GDC. Good: - They had an easy reservation system. - The polenta and tomato dish was a good portion size, and I liked the texture of the polenta and how it came with bread and butter and jam as well - It's quiet so it's easy to talk and catch up with people here. Bad: - It took about 30 minutes to get my order and there weren't many others in the restaurant so it just surprised me. - The food was okay, it wasn't anything special and it was quite expensive. - Pretty dim place and it feels a bit run down ambiance Overall this place was an okay spot but wouldn't come again.

By Folsom and 7st. Good Italian place serving old favorites. I had a full serving of the Chicken Marsala, well made fresh rendition , served hot with a side of penne Marinara and Minestrone in the side. Clean place with a counter.

Rocco's cafe is a lovely spot. Main courses are spot on. The service is incredibly friendly, helpful, and fast. This really seems like a local favourite, and deservedly so. I came here a few times during my visit. The fried chicken is good, the beef sandwich is actually insanely juicy. Salads are flavoursome and fresh. When back in SF, I will surely revisit. Desserts unfortunately are not on the same level as the main dishes, but not much to complain about!

I went for lunch, and Rocco's has casual vibes and standard fare you would expect at an Italian spot. It looked like only one server at lunch, but there weren't too many diners and plenty of seats available, so service was still great. The soup I got looked like it had exploded a bit in a microwave with how the sides were dripping with slightly dried out liquid. It didn't affect the taste and I was fine with how it looked since it came out hot. The bread is nothing special, but I appreciated the generous amount of butter to go with it. The half order of the chicken parmesan was a lot for one person. The full order must be a sharable plate if the size of the half portion is anything to go by. It's a perfectly fine place for lunch if you're close by. I wouldn't go out of my way to get here.

A great place for authentic Italian food. The Chicken parmigiana was delicious, the atmosphere was perfect, and service was excellent.

This place is so wonderful, my beautiful wife I come here often now. It’s one of our favorite spots! The food is cooked to a high quality and each dish has a unique touch. The owner and staff are very attentive and friendly. The restaurant is also full of classic vintage, many of which are specific to SF. I highly recommend.

This place is a gem! The food is absolutely delicious—authentic Italian flavors with fresh ingredients and perfect seasoning. Every dish we tried was amazing, from the appetizers to the desserts. The staff is incredibly friendly and attentive, making the whole dining experience even better. You can tell they genuinely care about their customers and the quality of service they provide. I’ll definitely be coming back. Highly recommend if you’re looking for great Italian food in San Francisco!

Rocco's was very busy tonight. The restaurant was full. In spite of that our server Jesse was extremely polite and helpful, a tough thing to do under that kind of stress. I ordered drinks and fettuccine with clams and garlic cream sauce. It's the first time I've ever ordered a clam dish that actually had a lot of clams. What a delightful thing. It was delicious. The Ambiance was great, the food was great, and the service was great. Five stars all around. The only thing missing was someone playing a piano in the corner. I'll definitely be back.

the food is fantastic the location is historic the people are wonderful a real sf institution

Come for the Food, Stay for Jesse. If you haven't been to Rocco's Cafe yet, what are you even doing with your life? I stumbled upon this gem in San Francisco, and I think I may have just discovered the city's best-kept secret. The food? Amazing. I had the Joe's Scramble, and let me tell you, it was so good I considered ordering a second just to prolong the experience. But let's talk about the real star of the show--Jesse. This guy isn't just a server. He's a legend. Attentive, friendly, and dressed like he just walked off the cover of GQ: Italian Bistro Edition. I'm not saying I'm considering coming back just to see him again... but I'm not, not saying that either. Between the incredible food and Jesse's charm, I'm already planning my next visit. Honestly, I'd give Rocco's six stars if I could--five for the food and one extra for Jesse. Do yourself a favor and check this place out. You'll leave with a full belly and possibly a crush.

Came here with some friends before GDC. Good: - They had an easy reservation system. - The polenta and tomato dish was a good portion size, and I liked the texture of the polenta and how it came with bread and butter and jam as well - It's quiet so it's easy to talk and catch up with people here. Bad: - It took about 30 minutes to get my order and there weren't many others in the restaurant so it just surprised me. - The food was okay, it wasn't anything special and it was quite expensive. - Pretty dim place and it feels a bit run down ambiance Overall this place was an okay spot but wouldn't come again.

Came for late night dinner service and surprisingly the restaurant was still packed towards the end of the night. We were greeted immediately and got seated right away. The place was quite dim creating a relaxing atmosphere, which allowed me to fully immerse myself in the dinner experience and enjoy my meal. I also couldn't help but notice the array of photos and signed celeb posters scattered throughout the walls, giving it a true Italian restaurant feel. We were given a complementary basket of bread and butter after our server took our order. I ordered a half portion of the chicken marsala with fettuccine, which was still more than enough for myself. The sauce and ingredients complimented the pasta very well. My boyfriend ordered the clams in white sauce with fettuccine. Great portion of clams. Our server was friendly and checked in with us multiple times during the night. It seemed she was the only server that night, so big props to her! Overall, this is a great spot for authentic home-style Italian food. It's no wonder this spot has been featured for years!

This is a really cool space. There's a very good selection on the menu, the portions were well sized, and the vibe of the entire restaurant is friendly. The server lost track of us a little bit, with our cup of soup coming out right before the entree and no follow up to see how we were doing. We had to ask for the bill so we could leave well after we had finished. I feel like there was new staff that the server was looking after, so that could have been the reason. I look forward to going back.

I went for lunch, and Rocco's has casual vibes and standard fare you would expect at an Italian spot. It looked like only one server at lunch, but there weren't too many diners and plenty of seats available, so service was still great. The soup I got looked like it had exploded a bit in a microwave with how the sides were dripping with slightly dried out liquid. It didn't affect the taste and I was fine with how it looked since it came out hot. The bread is nothing special, but I appreciated the generous amount of butter to go with it. The half order of the chicken parmesan was a lot for one person. The full order must be a sharable plate if the size of the half portion is anything to go by. It's a perfectly fine place for lunch if you're close by. I wouldn't go out of my way to get here.

OK WOW! Came for a late brunch today and was totally taken aback by how delicious this meal was. The steak and eggs are the perfect way to jump into your day. The steak is marinated with balsamic and Calabrian chilis, DELICIOUS! Such a fabulous flavor combo, slight heat from the chili up against the acid in the balsamic made for a perfectly balanced steak. Eggs were sunny side up diner style and cooked to perfection. Sourdough baguette was crispy and came pre buttered (LOVE). And the fruit bowl!? When are there ever berries in a fruit bowl! I thought we were in a recession!? Service was really great as well. Water never went unfilled and my Diet Coke was crispy and refilled thrice. The decor is giving old school but not kitschy in a Mel's way, which I appreciate. Thankful I live a couple blocks away. I'll be back, Rocco's!

Although dated, and hard to find parking, it's a clean and fun atmosphere. Service was not over the top but got what we asked for and that's enough. The sourdough french toast with berries and whip was perfect for any french toast connoisseur. The frittata was probably one of the best I've ever had!

Great service- fast, friendly and efficient. The food was delicious and everything came out quickly. Highly recommended if you are looking for a place with both quality and speed. I definitely be coming back

was decent but didnt think anything too special. we wanted to try it as there were raving reviews + lots of generations to its name - but thought it was overpriced. surprisingly there was also barely anyone there on a friday evening for dinner time

Sometime in mid-January, I stumbled upon an IG post from a sandwich staple in my work neighborhood about the ownership and management change here. I was out of town for the following week plus so I didn't have an opportunity to check this out until early February. On a recent Friday morning, I decided to call and order lunch. When I asked for my 'usual' meal choice, I was told that it was no longer on the menu. Given this, the lady who took my order helped me to pivot to another similar item which happened to be the special for that day. I drove up around noon to pick up my order, finding a parking space just a few doors down. Bringing my takeout order back to the office, I started with a cup of minestrone (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=zjajoqO12AProDl0tSEuLw&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q). The portion is generous for a cup and paired very well with the sourdough bread that came with my meal. For my main meal, I had the clams over fettuccine in white sauce (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=WmjiPMm66x_e9HtyJxk6Dg&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q); it was a bit creamier than I like and, being fettucine instead of linguine, this is on the heavier side. The flavors were good and I could only finish half along with that minestrone for lunch. When picking up my meal, a young gentleman helped me with my order and was very cheerful, helpful, and enthusiastic in telling me about the menu and their hours. I believe that he is likely the chef and/or partner in the business. I am saddened that the menu is pared down some though the plus is that they are open late nights to catch the post bar crowd flow. I'm glad that the chicken Marsala is still there and disappointed that I was unable to get my linguine with clams in red sauce (add mushrooms). Being a neighborhood spot near my workplace, I will come in as things get less busy in the office. Thanks, Michael, for introducing me to the new rendition of Rocco's.

Stumbled upon this place while waiting for friends. The calamari and tiramisu is so good! The place is nice and cozy and the menu looks really good. Service is nice and helpful and lots of tables for groups. Portions are big and snooping around the other tables, the pasta looks amazing! Place closes at midnight too! Must come back to try more food.

I actually have eaten here many times. This is one of my favorite places to eat at. I decided to come back here onne more time. My food tasted great. The food came out nice and hot and was cooked to perfection. The service was very friendly and the ambiance of the place was excellent. I highly recommend eating here and do not forget your credit card if you come here because they don't accept cash . I wish I could give Rocos 10 stars.

My friend introduced me to Rocco's, and it didn't disappoint! The interior has pictures and other decorations that pay homage to the Italian restaurant, and gives the space a cozy feeling. Our server was very accommodating, and took our order promptly. I got the chicken parm, and it was cooked very nicely! The chicken was cut thin, and the pasta was perfect. The only thing that I would say is that I'm not sure that it's worth it at the price point of about $25.

Love this Italian place in Soma :) the calamari was good portion size. Really tasty and fresh and crispy. The eggplant parm was so tasty and cheesy. The shrimp omelette was such a delight and surprisingly so good with the marinara sauce. Didn't realize you get an additional pasta on the Side if you order an entree dish. The bowl of soup is included. Would definitely come back !!!

Great brunch spot. Very romantic and relaxed with a good selection of brunch staples. The signature dishes though are definitely a step up. Sourdough French toast with strawberries and cream and the crab cake Benedict were excellent. Everything was very filling so maybe a good place to split a meal and a side. The inside is super cute. Service is relaxed and friendly. The food is a little pricy but the quality definitely backs it up and it makes sense for the location. 3 brunch entries and two coffee drinks with tip was about $95.

This restaurant is so incredibly cute and charming. We came for brunch and we got the crab cake benedict and the strawberry French toast, along with a cappuccino. The benedict was very good. It is incredibly filing since the crab cake is fried, but you can definitely share it with two people. The strawberry french toast was excellent, and the cream on top was *chef's kiss*. The cappuccino was a nice combination with the meal. Really enjoyed our meal here and will be coming back for brunch again.

A great place for authentic Italian food. The Chicken parmigiana was delicious, the atmosphere was perfect, and service was excellent.

We've been coming to Rocco's for over ten years and love the consistency in the quality of the food. Brunch, lunch or dinner- the food is fabulous and the portions are big. Crab Cake Benedict for brunch is a favorite. A great place for large parties and the service is always prompt!

I'll just add my vote to any other comments about how great the sourdough French toast is. I was visiting from out of town for a chill vacay and decided to have breakfast here soon after I landed Friday morning. Service was great and nice comfortable spot. My first visit to Rocco's kicked off another great visit to the area.

Just your basic, pretty old diner with pretty average food. Ordered two scrambled eggs and a half ceaser salad. Everything was fine but nothing special. The salad had beans in it. Wasn't thrilled with that but I don't love beans. Also the place is a tad pricey for what you get. Service was good. Clean restrooms...

I could place to have a good conversation. They've definitely lowered the lights for evening service, which creates greater intimacy. New ownership in the owners, quite friendly and also the quiche it seems. The table services frequent and they do check in on you and are quite friendly they're happy to refill your drinks as well, the soul was great very light and the broccolini was perfect. My friend had the fettuccine with scampi and ate it pretty quickly, so he just had a smile on his face and had a nice glass of wine. A nice place to have a good conversation with a nice staff and owner And a main stay in the neighborhood now with the expanded hours. This is a go to the neighborhood and so glad to have it back.

What the heck happened? We were there at 6 on a Saturday and the place was dead and dark. Maybe they need more than five people before they turn on the lights? We've been going to Rocco's for probably 30 years and I've never seen it so empty. That should have been a warning. I've had better meatball sandwiches at Subway. Oh well. It was a good ride. Note to Scott: your snide comments to reviews are not exactly endearing. It's better to take criticism silently instead of coming across looking like a jerk.

Make sure you have dessert(s)! The staff is friendly and the ambiance has a great neighborhood feel.

My family and I have been making voyages to SF and subsequently Rocco's since I believe 2010. It's been a memorable and enjoyable spot since. We even named our beloved family dog of 11 years after the place, and hope to bring a picture of the old boy to hang up in the place soon. In honor of Rocco, the best boy on the planet, visit the best Italian restaurant on the bay. On a practical note, the service is personable and fantastic as ever, and the atmosphere can't be beat. Such a cozy, delicious gem that you shouldn't miss. Whether you're the only one in the place having an early bird dinner, or it's packed at rush hour, the service is exquisite, and they'll make you feel like family.

When I hear "Rocco" I used to think of the pet rock that Elmo had beef with but now I will think of this Italian restaurant. I will think about the warm and crackly bread that came with the whipped ricotta drizzled with chili oil and the pool of olive oil soothing the bite of crushed garlic resting at the bottom. I will think about the steaming shrimp gamberoni, the acidity of the tomatoes and the mildness of the mushrooms, the texture of the coated and sauteed shrimp. I will think about how every bite was perfect and took away the words in my chest. l will think about my how my partner bullied me into saying it clears maggianos. I know I can't even compare the two, very different vibes, but the most important thing to note is that rocco's fed me well and also gave me hope for the new eats I'll have in SF

Some days you will find this gem packed. And still, they are amazing. Friendly and to the point, good food and good service. If the kitchen is backed up, they warn you and work with you to get things out quick. Yet, the vibe is great and we all work together. So, their idea of a wait isn't bad, honestly. Other times, it's not packed and they are still amazing. The specials are always worth checking out, but don't be fooled away from the main menu. Some dishes stand the test of time and they are on this menu. I've not tried a steak here, but I can say that I might someday. Yep, it's a place to try it all. BE AWARE: They are NOT serving dinner for the rest of 2023. They just want some nice time at home. I love thus place and think you will too.

This is actually one of my wife's favorite places but due to Covid, it was almost forgotten. What triggered her to remember was when I asked her where do they serve her favorite pasta? Linguine vongole with a tomato sauce.. after some thought, Rocco's! We dropped in on a Saturday night and it wasn't too busy. Maybe a little more than half full. We were seated quickly and after I got settled in I recall fond memories. It's a photos of American culture. From Joe Montana to Farah Fawcett, it spans my youth. More importantly, let get to the food. Their selection from Italian to Burger made it hard for me to choose. I went for the special which was spinach pasta with prawns. My wife had the linguine vongole red which isn't common. This is one of the few places that have it on the menu which is the reason why we came. Love the food and ambiance because it's real!

My first few visit to Rocco's was October 2018 and it was amazing! I went back three days in a row during my San Fransisco stay. My most recent visit was 10/10/2024. I was a little taken back as the menu was different and was told by the waitress the owner changed. I came in for the meatballs and French toast from the old menu. BUT I stood in my seat and gave the place a shot. The ambiance was a romantic setting so take her!!! And that's the cleanest kitchen I have ever seen! You can watch them cooking your meal from almost anywhere you are seated! Our waitress was amazing! Shot out to her! Can't remember her name Knew the menu very well and gave great recommendations. I also noticed she spoke fluent Spanish and was great to the other workers. Love that! I ended up ordering the Creamy Lemon Ricotta Rigatoni and added some chicken per our waitress' recommendation. I was flabbergasted of how amazing it was! That fried breaded chicken I paired it with the Paysan Zabala Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc. Perfect!! I took a shot in the dark and asked our waitress if the French toast was on the breakfast menu and IT IS! She even gave me the breakfast, lunch and brunch menu to take a look at! Toward the end of our meal the chef approached our table and started chatting with us! To our surprise the new owner! Michael took the time to check on us and ask how the food was. The sweetest guy! And! And! He said he would've made the French toast for me if I would've asked! Michael challenged me with trying his tiramisu and another fabulous dish!!! Of course I had some great expresso with it as well! We have a few more days left here in San Fran BUT I plan on dropping back in if time permits! I did send some other co workers to Rocco's as well and they ALL let us know immediately at our morning meeting how great it was! Best of luck to Rocco's and its new owner Michael!

The meatloaf sandwich and fries are really good. I have to go back to try more. Character limit, have to write more. This is really just a note to myself to go back. It's a great hidden place :)

Their food is mediocre. Didn't give me a refund for bread I paid for, even after I called back and they assured me they'd refund it.

Michael and his partners took over from Don this year and have done a wonderful job filling his formidable shoes. They are constantly revising their menu to please their ever changing and evolving neighborhood clientele all while keeping up a very ambitious calendar that includes late night dining options. Having lived here 30 years I have seen many changes and can appreciate how difficult it is to maintain a high standard in such a dynamic and challenging business,, The bottom line is Rocco's fulfills a needed niche in our community. Delicious affordable dishes in an iconic SF atmosphere. Thank you Michael for all your hard work and being here.

Always been a big fan of Rocco's over the years but it's just different now. The burger has always been a great goto ... not so much now. Lacks seasoning, missing the sourdough roll they used to serve, (they use a different roll now) it's just an ok burger now and it's still $20. I placed a pick up order and the person behind the counter did not understand a single word of English. I could see my order sitting there getting cold for 5 extra minutes while I waited for the server to finish taking a table order. Oh well, all good things come to an end I guess. I think they still serve great pasta meals though???

Breakfast is so so. The chicken piccata was awfulllllll. The noodles way overcooked and the sauce was very watery from the noodles. Save your hard earned dollars and make it yourself or go elsewhere would be my advice. Just not good Italian food in my opinion Do better Rocco's

So happy this awesome neighborhood spot has a new Owner! Still some awesome classic dishes and the old tired items were happily retired! The owner and the staff are awesome. Grateful to have this near my Venue in SOMA. Mark E. Sackett TheBoxSF

Smells like garbage. Upon entering this establishment I was overwhelmed by the smell of trash inside the restaurant. The party I was with wanted to eat here, so I acquiesced. The service was kind of slow and the food was mediocre standard breakfast fare. My veggie omelette was bland. Again the overwhelming odor was gross! As I walked to the rear of place the odor was even stronger. The only place that didn't smell like S--t was the restroom. I would not recommend this place. I should have left.

Rocco's is THE BEST! I had a family celebration of fifteen people. The service was EXCELLENT. The food was EXCELLENT! Natalie, our server and her teammate were EXCELLENT! They were very attentive and on their A game. A huge shout out to Michael, the owner, he made us feel welcomed and made our accommodations very comfortable. The ambiance of the restaurant is very fun and family felt. I HIGHLY recommend this restaurant. S. Kapsas

Sizzler. That was in our young minds, the best place to get a steak! We were also there on many occasions for the "unlimited" all you can eat salad bar and would take chicken nuggets from the kids section! In our college years, We went to " Tad's Steak" on Powell St. We felt we were living the life! Rocco's is the place I go to around work to treat myself to a nice sizzling steak w/ mushrooms. For $28.95, you get a nice ribeye with a pile of mushrooms on top. It's oozing with flavor and juices. You can also get a side of plump raviolis or fries. Meatballs- housemade and it comes in two. By far, one of my favorite meatballs in the whole city! Nice, huge balls with texture and not dry at all. Your meal begins with complimentary bread and butter. But, you can request for the bread to be warmly toasted and also some olive oil and balsamic vinegar to dip it in. The owner, Don is around to say hello and talk to you on most days. Due to staff shortages, customer service is slow as expected. Parking can be difficult They have many other hearty Italian American inspired dishes for a satisfying meal.

Rocco's is one of those iconic places in San Francisco that everyone talks about. I'm so glad I finally got to try this place. We walked in and were greeted right away. The staff was so friendly. The decor of the restaurant was what first caught my eye when I walked in. It's so cozy and fully of so many memories on the walls. They brought bread right away and took our drink order. After contemplating over and over, I decided on the Chicken Marsala w/ a side of pasta. We also got a side of garlic olive oil to dip the bread in, highly recommend ! Our food came out pretty quickly and let me tell you. This was one of the best Chicken Marsala's I've ever had. It was so delicious and full of so much flavor. The pasta was a great addition to it. I will definitely be back to try more things.

On a lazy Sunday evening, I sat at Rocco's metallic copper bar watching the chefs at work and enjoying the old Italian family ambiance. The owner, friendly and very proud of his new venture, brought me an amazing tasting chicken Marsala - so delicious. I ate and enjoyed the old historic photographs and memorabilia on the walls. This is my new go-to quiet friendly Italian restaurant - I am a fan!!

The refreshed Rocco's is awesome! New chef-owner, updated menu, longer hours, and cute and affordable wine list! Service is warm, the chef is always there, and the food is better than ever. Long live Rocco's!

Walked in on a Saturday night for an early dinner and loved my time there! Fantastic menu selection with a real home cooked feel. The spiked Italian sodas were absolutely delicious and the French dip was a great portion with crispy fries. I'm excited to try the Chicken Marsala and Chicken Piccata next time! It immediately felt like a neighborhood place that I'd like to visit at least once a month.

I had dinner with a friend here prior to going to the theater. Our waiter was fantastic - attentive and very personable, without being over-bearing. All of the staff were great! The food was outstanding. We had caesar salad, calamari appetizer, and shrimp gamberino. I would highly recommend this cozy restaurant for dinner - I would definitely go here again.

What a tragedy. I guess the restaurant has changed hands. All the "old school" dishes have been replaced with a pared down menu of uninspired dishes. I am not sure what the new owner was thinking, but if he was going to reinvent Rocco's, a bit more imagination should have been brought to bear. In the hope of some remnant of the late, great Rocco's surviving, I order the Chicken Marsala (served over Fettucine - one if only two pasta choices) - not very good. He should have bought the recipes too. Once it was a regular stop. Not anymore. Service was good and fast - hence two stars, not one.

Just had dinner at Rocco's - and it was great. The Kale Caesar is a superb update on the classic. And the Shrimp Gamberoni is my new fave!

If you like to support places where they treat their employees badly, this is the place. I was eating at this restaurant and saw on many occasions how the owner of the place shouted and humiliated his workers. Very unpleasant moment, I do not recommend this place. Si te gusta apoyar lugares en donde traten mal a sus empleados este el lugar. Estube comiendo en este restaurante y mire un muchas ocasiones cono el dueño del lugar gritaba y humillaba a sus trabajadores. Muy desagradable momento, no recomiendo este lugar.

I don't recall every logging into any review site to take the time to write a review for a restaurant but I was so impressed with Rocco's yesterday I just had to do it! We were there for an early dinner after a show and had a great time - good food, great ambiance (and music!) and awesome attentive service. Very impressed! Would definitely go back and would recommend to friends!

Rocco's Cafe is a great to have in our neighborhood. It's only a 5-minute walk from our office - so convenient! I just place the order on-line and within 15 minutes my lunch is ready. I love their lunch menu, half-portions. It's just the perfect amount and no left-overs. We should all support our neighborhood businesses. Rocco is a San Francisco legacy business that we should all patronize.

Omgggg I was shocked by how good this place was! My friend picked this place out and I didn't bother To look it up so when my food arrived I was Already underwhelmed by the minestrone soup. But listen, that was probably the best minestrone soup I've ever had! After adding a little pepper and some pepper flakes I wished I had grabbed a bowl Instead! I'm also really picky about my Caesar salads and it turned out to be really tasty with some bread. I usually like to eat my salads with bread as like a tortilla and it was a 10/10. Would definitely return.