Piccolo Forno
Experience authentic Italian dining in San Francisco. This highly-rated 4.7-star restaurant offers delicious pizza and pasta. Discover your new favorite spot.
Casual neighborhood trattoria with Italian classics & espresso in colorful, contemporary quarters.
About Piccolo Forno
Nestled in the heart of San Francisco, this Italian eatery is a beloved local gem, boasting an impressive 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 2000 diners. The $$ price range makes it an accessible choice for a delightful meal. Diners frequently praise the fantastic quality of the food, with specific mentions of exceptional pizza dough and sauce, as well as a standout lasagna and bolognese. The service is noted for being both fast and exceptionally polite, contributing to a welcoming dining experience. With outdoor seating and the capacity to accommodate groups, this spot is well-suited for various occasions. It's a place where the authentic flavors and attentive service come together to create memorable meals.
Restaurant Analysis
Restaurant Characteristics
This restaurant has been analyzed using our formula-based system to help you understand its key features and match it with your dining preferences.
Price Range (Moderate)
Moderate pricing ($$) - Mid-range restaurants with good value
Meal Time (dinner)
This restaurant primarily serves dinner. Based on opening hours.
Group Size (Groups Welcome)
Welcomes large groups and families. Great for group dining.
Atmosphere (Outdoor)
Al fresco dining with outdoor seating
Dining Style (Flexible)
Flexible options. Reservations available but not required.
Features & Amenities
This restaurant offers: Outdoor Seating, Beer, Wine, Coffee, Family Friendly, Groups Welcome, Reservations
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Why Travelers Love Piccolo Forno
Sourced from recent guest feedback and verified reviews.
This place was fantastic. When there are so many solid options for Italian in this area, piccolo doesn’t disappoint. My wife has a pine nut allergy and they were confident in making sure she didn’t get cross contamination. We got pepperoni pizza, dough is amazing. Pizza sauce is top notch. Lasagna was so good. The bolognese was what dreams are made of. Food was excellent service equally matched. Will totally visit again. Underwhelming flavors, not a fan. Service: 10/10 fast and super polite and friendly Food: taste wasn’t it, entry bread w vinegar had no flavor. The pastas all lacked flavor except the gnocchi one. Tiramisu was nice and fresh we liked it a lot. Pizzas weren’t a favorite. Overall: wouldn’t come here again, do to the food taste. Otherwise service is so nice. Not really impressed. I’d rather have bread and olive oil with just a crack of pepper instead of vinegar. The pizza was pretty basic and drizzled with too much olive oil, though the crust had a nice crisp. The pesto pasta was very plain, nothing special—same with the cheese ravioli. At least the coffee was very good. Prices weren’t too bad for the area.
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Recent Reviews
William I.
November 9, 2025
This place was fantastic. When there are so many solid options for Italian in this area, piccolo doesn’t disappoint. My wife has a pine nut allergy and they were confident in making sure she didn’t get cross contamination. We got pepperoni pizza, dough is amazing. Pizza sauce is top notch. Lasagna was so good. The bolognese was what dreams are made of. Food was excellent service equally matched. Will totally visit again.
YAYA F.
June 9, 2025
Underwhelming flavors, not a fan. Service: 10/10 fast and super polite and friendly Food: taste wasn’t it, entry bread w vinegar had no flavor. The pastas all lacked flavor except the gnocchi one. Tiramisu was nice and fresh we liked it a lot. Pizzas weren’t a favorite. Overall: wouldn’t come here again, do to the food taste. Otherwise service is so nice.
Maeve D.
September 19, 2025
Not really impressed. I’d rather have bread and olive oil with just a crack of pepper instead of vinegar. The pizza was pretty basic and drizzled with too much olive oil, though the crust had a nice crisp. The pesto pasta was very plain, nothing special—same with the cheese ravioli. At least the coffee was very good. Prices weren’t too bad for the area.
Brittany V.
August 19, 2025
My husband and I ate here on a whim while visiting San Fran and we are so glad we did. The food, the service, and the atmosphere were all perfect. Our server was funny and charismatic and all the food we had was fresh and delicious. We truly enjoyed our experience here and have vowed to come back next time we are in town!
Lawrence T.
August 5, 2025
Everything was perfect: good wine, good food and great service. We loved their linguine vongole with the pasta cooked to the right al dente texture and the clams were fresh. We also enjoyed amazing service by their passionate staff. Just be prepared for a queue even on a weekday night.
What to Expect
Features and amenities that make Piccolo Forno special
Outdoor Seating
Beer
Wine
Coffee
Family Friendly
Groups Welcome
Reservations
Practical Information
Everything you need to know before you visit
Payment Options
Parking
Accessibility
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Transportation Tips
Excellent public transportation with cable cars, buses, and BART. Walking is perfect for exploring neighborhoods, and ride-sharing services are widely available.
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