Best Italian Restaurants in SOMA
5 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Bosco
A wood-fired kitchen and handmade pasta program by a veteran SF team.
Notable Picks
#1
Bosco
8.7
New wood-fired Italian from The Absinthe Group (opened Sept 2025) with chefs Ryan McIlwraith and Kaili Hill. Handmade pastas, hearth-kissed mains, and a polished room deliver a modern, upscale SoMa date night.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lemon Spaghetti with Sungold Tomato, Chicken Tortellini in Parmesan Cream, Wood-Fired Pork Ribs (agrodolce)
What Makes it Special: A wood-fired kitchen and handmade pasta program by a veteran SF team.
8.4
Roman trattoria on Mint Plaza with house-made pastas and a steady sidewalk patio. Locals come for cacio e pepe, grilled octopus, and a civilized glass of Italian wine before shows or downtown events.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe, Grilled Mediterranean Octopus, Bucatini all’Amatriciana
What Makes it Special: Authentic Roman cooking with a true plaza patio setup since 2009.
8.4
The city’s pioneer of Roman pinsa—an airy, crisp oval pie—with charcuterie and Italian aperitivi in a brick-walled room. Mid-Market location stays consistent for casual dates or small groups.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pinsa Matriciana, Burrata with anchovy, Tiramisù
What Makes it Special: Authentic Roman pinsa with careful dough fermentation and toppings.
8.1
Open-air rooftop from the 25 Lusk team serving wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pies alongside cocktails and skyline peeks. Go for relaxed, shareable pizza with game-day energy a short walk from the ballpark.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita Pizza, Sweet Italian Sausage & Fennel Pizza, Foraged Mushroom Pizza
What Makes it Special: Rooftop, wood-fired pizzas with skyline glimpses near Oracle Park.
Worthy Picks
#5
Rocco’s Café
7.9
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Business Lunch Power Players
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Old-school Italian-American spot serving hearty red-sauce classics; the baked lasagna is a house standby with generous portions and reliable comfort. Since 1932, it’s been a casual SoMa fixture for lunch crowds and pre-event plates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagna, Chicken Parmesan, Braciole
What Makes it Special: Time-tested lasagna served in generous, satisfying portions.