Nob Hill Cafe — Restaurant in San Francisco

A Hidden Gem in San Francisco – Nob Hill Cafe

While vacationing in San Francisco, our daughter Nina led us to an unforgettable little gem: Nob Hill Cafe. What a find! Tucked into a cozy corner of the city, this small café radiates a warm, home-like energy that immediately puts you at ease.

We were seated right next to the kitchen, which turned out to be a front-row seat to something magical. Chris, the chef, was a joy to watch—he crafted every dish with visible care, soul, and love. It felt like watching an artist at work, and the food reflected that devotion.

Every single dish was absolute perfection. My husband hasn’t stopped raving about the mashed potatoes—creamy, flavorful, and unlike any he’s had before. His veal was tender and beautifully prepared. I ordered the risotto and honestly, it was one of the best I’ve ever tasted—rich, perfectly cooked, and deeply satisfying.

And then came dessert… Their house-made tiramisu was simply next-level. Light, decadent, and just the right amount of sweet—this dessert alone is worth the visit.

Our waiter made the experience even better. He was friendly, attentive, and made us feel like we were being welcomed into a family kitchen. That kind of hospitality is rare and truly appreciated.

We’re genuinely sad to live all the way on the other coast, because if we were local, we’d be regulars. Nob Hill Cafe is a place we’ll always remember—and we can’t wait to...

Great experience. My wife and I went here on a recommendation from a friend that grew up in SF 30 years ago. Reviews were good so we gave it a shot. We got lucky and got Tue last table around 7pm so no wait, but we were by the door and so I witnessed a ton of people come up and have to wait a while. The place was packed with locals and tourists alike. Great smells and the side of the diner we sat on allowed my wife to watch the chefs work a bit. The menu was simple enough and I think most items were Italian. The waitress was a nice gal that offered to answer questions on the menu, which I'd have asked some if I didn't just want the lasagna. A wine menu on the back but we passed as we were just on a wine tour.

We got bread and water to the table promptly and our entrees arrived quick enough. And oh boy, what a treat. Lasagna was superb, hot, well balanced, and fresh parmesan and ground pepper were provided tableside. We skipped desert but neighboring table opted in and it at least looked good.

Both girls there were kind, smiling, and hustling. Water refills and the spot and just a...

This is a charming and beloved neighborhood cafe serving generous portions of Italian comfort food. It's family friendly and popular with both families with kids and with individuals dining solo.

I have to admit I feel the standard has declined somewhat since the pandemic. Pasta can be ever so slightly over cooked, flavors can be muted or dominated by dry herb, and on our last visit the foccscia bread seemed undercooked and the clam pasta was prepared with de-shelled chopped clams that didn't leave us with confidence the clams were fresh rather than out of a can. The staff were supremely attentive and comped the clam pasta when they noticed we didn't enjoy it much but I feel there's no need for the restaurant to cut corners so much on their comfort food classics as to create that kind of situation in the first place.

This neighborhood is incredibly competitive for charming Italian restaurants and while I appreciate their economical price point and comforting generous old fashioned style, I am hoping to see a return to a more careful preparation and attention to detail...