Roma Antica — Restaurant in San Francisco

TL;DR: It was delicious — I’d definitely come back!

My sister and I visited this restaurant around 6 PM on a Saturday. We arrived right before the dinner rush, so we were seated immediately, which was great!

We ordered two cocktails, one appetizer, two pasta dishes, and two tiramisus to finish.

🍸 Drinks: 8/10 The drinks were good — not the best I’ve ever had, but still tasty and well-balanced. I asked for mine to be a bit sweeter toward the end of the night, and the staff were super accommodating, happily taking it back to adjust it. Great service!

🥗 Appetizer – Carpaccio di Polipo: 6/10 This was good, but probably not something I’d order again as I'd want to try the other appetizers. The flavors were light, and the octopus wasn’t chewy or overly fishy — nicely prepared overall. The arugula and orange paired well, and the portion (9 pieces) felt fair for the price. Our waiter recommended it since it’s a lighter starter (we were debating between this and the meatballs), and he was totally right — it balanced perfectly with our heavier main dishes.

🍝 Main Dishes

Coda Alla Vaccinara: 10/10 Absolutely delicious! The pasta texture was perfect, and the sauce was flavorful without being too too heavy. I’d 100% order this again.

Special Risotto (Mushroom Short Rib): 10/10 My sister ordered the nightly special, and it was amazing. I stole a few bites — the short rib was tender (not tough at all, which I always worry about) and the flavors came together beautifully.

🍰 Dessert – Tiramisu We ended with tiramisu, which came plated instead of in a cup like some of the photos online — but no complaints, it was delicious either way!

✨ Other Notes:

Portion sizes were generous — we both had leftovers! Definitely worth the higher price.

We didn’t try any pizzas, but it looked fantastic as it passed by to other tables.

We sat in the next-door seating area, which has a brighter, white-decor vibe compared to the darker, more formal main room. There’s also outdoor seating available.

Since we arrived early, our food came out quickly. Our server did mention that it gets busier later, and recommended putting in our main order early which was a smart move.

🙌 Service Shoutout: Huge thank-you to our AMAZING waiter, Tomas! He truly made our night. Friendly, funny, attentive, and just a great energy overall. He even noted that we’d be sharing dishes and had the kitchen split our pasta into two bowls ahead of time — such a thoughtful touch. We left full and happy, and his service was a big part of that.

Overall: Great food, generous portions, excellent service, and a lovely atmosphere. We’ll...

My girlfriend and I recently discovered a gem in San Francisco’s vibrant culinary scene, Roma Antica, located at the charming intersection of Chestnut and Scott Streets. This spontaneous visit turned into an unforgettable journey through authentic Italian flavors.

The ambiance of Roma Antica is captivating, with staff conversing in fluent Italian, creating an atmosphere that transports you straight to Italy. This immersive experience is complemented by their attentive and knowledgeable service, making every guest feel valued and well-cared for.

Our culinary adventure began with succulent meatballs, infused with the fresh aroma of basil and nestled in a rich, harmonious tomato sauce – a testament to the chef’s mastery in balancing flavors. The bruschetta was light, fresh, and crunchy, topped with the freshest tomatoes you’ve ever had. The pasta dishes were a revelation; my carbonara, with mezze maniche and smoked guanciale, was bathed in a luxuriously creamy yolk sauce, its al dente perfection reminding us what true pasta should be. My girlfriend’s choice, the amatriciana, was a delightful interplay of smoky, mildly spicy tomato sauce with onion and guanciale, offering a tantalizing twist to every bite.

A 2016 blend of Sangiovese, Merlot, and Cabernet, thoughtfully suggested by our waiter, paired exquisitely with our meal, elevating the flavors to new heights. The bustling energy of the restaurant, underscored by the lively Italian chatter of the staff, added a unique vibrancy to our dining experience.

The grand finale was a slice of heavenly pistachio cake, accompanied by a rich limoncello, a pairing that gracefully concluded our evening and was brought to us on the house by our waiter.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the entire team at Roma Antica – from the chefs to the waitstaff, and the owners – for creating a dining experience that was not just a meal, but a celebration of Italian culinary excellence. Their passion for food and hospitality shines brightly, making Roma Antica a must-visit destination for anyone seeking an authentic Italian experience in the heart of...

This is totally unfair and I totally disagree with only allowing a 5 star rating.

I should stop right now right now because this location deerves s. A 10 star rating.

Let us start at the end and work my our way back forward.

To start off they labeled the togo food for my wife and I as papa and mama. Not thar I I feel like a papa and mama but with our son and daughter-in-law getting married and doing the event at their location I gotta say they couldn't have handled it any better than any other location in the location in the world. We came in they sat us at a table and and immediately brought us a wonderful bottle of prosecco ! After sitting there for a few minutes they said if we wouldn't mind moving to their private dining room they would be happy to have us there. We said we would be absolutely pleased to move there.. The service was impeccable the appetizers were fantastic and the main course was incredible. The tyramisu could have not have been any better. AFTER multiple additional bottles of proseccoTHAT WERE Perfectly chilledAnd as delicious as the 1st oneThe groom was amazed with the great bread with balsamic vinegar and Olive oil.

The appetizers being the calamari and and the fried rice balls Suppli. Were both great. My. My wife had the Risotto with the black Truffle and it was unbelievable , it was creamy,earthy, cheesy and just plain delicious.The groom hadThe pizza//flat bread from their wood fired oven which had all the flavor of the mushrooms cheese and whatever else they used..The service was excellent. If you were looking for a special place for any occasion, i really could not not reckoned any other...