The Stinking Rose — Restaurant in San Francisco

The Stinking Rose, a San Francisco institution, takes its name from the medieval moniker for garlic and lives up to it with unabashed pride. Nestled in the vibrant heart of the city, this restaurant has been a bastion of garlic-infused cuisine since its inception, drawing both locals and tourists alike into its warmly lit embrace. Its motto, "We season our garlic with food," isn't just a witty saying; it's a culinary manifesto that permeates every dish served here.

Walking into The Stinking Rose, one is immediately enveloped in an atmosphere that is part Italian trattoria, part eccentric garlic shrine. The decor, featuring garlic bulbs dangling whimsically from the ceiling and vintage Italian posters, sets the stage for a dining experience that is anything but ordinary. The air is fragrant with the scent of garlic, a precursor to the flavor journey ahead.

The adventure begins with their number one appetizer: garlic cloves roasted to perfection in a bath of olive oil. This dish is simplicity itself, yet it encapsulates the very essence of what makes The Stinking Rose special. The garlic, mellowed and sweetened by the roasting process, spreads like butter, offering a surprisingly delicate flavor that belies its pungent reputation. It's a testament to the restaurant's ability to transform the humble garlic clove into something sublime.

Then, there's the garlic-infused margarita pizza, a masterpiece straight from the wood-burning oven that further cements The Stinking Rose's reputation as a culinary innovator. The pizza, with its thin, crispy crust and generous topping of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, is elevated by the bold addition of garlic, infusing every bite with a depth of flavor that is both unexpected and utterly delightful.

The Stinking Rose's history is as colorful as its menu, having opened its doors with the aim of celebrating and elevating garlic from a simple ingredient to the star of the show. Over the years, it has not only succeeded in this mission but has also become a beloved landmark in San Francisco's dining scene. Its unique flair, from the garlic-themed decor to the inventive dishes, makes it more than just a restaurant; it's a tribute to the versatility and universal appeal of garlic.

Dining at The Stinking Rose is a sensory experience that goes beyond the palate. It's a journey through history, a celebration of culinary creativity, and a bold statement of love for the "stinking rose" that gives the restaurant its name. In a city known for its gastronomic diversity, The Stinking Rose stands out as a testament to the enduring charm and flavor of one of the world's most beloved...

If you like garlic, you will love this place

We first visited the Stinking Rose in 2002, since then we have visited it each time we have been back in the City. It is a delight to arrive and smell the garlic for about a block before you get to the restaurant. The phrase stinking rose is an old English title for garlic, and garlic is at the heart of this restaurant.

While fundamentally it is an Italian Restaurant, located in North Beach, the Italian section of San Francisco, its puns and images associated with garlic in all its forms is part of the charm. The uses of garlic dominate the location and its food..

We began with a lovely shared dish of Bagna Calda, this dish is made up of garlic cloves, oven-roasted in olive oil until they are tender and juicy. They are served with some wonderful focaccia of which we had two lots. As you eat you can feel the garlic get into your system. Even for people like us who eat a bulb of garlic in our meals 6 days out of every 7 on average, this is a lot of garlic, but that is not a bad thing.

For mains my partner opted for Gnocchi with a garlic, pork and beef sauce. The sauce was not excessively garlicky, but after the Bagna Calda, it might just have been a lighter version. The gnocchi was light and fresh and soaked up the sauce. The sauce itself had an intense depth of flavour. Very nice indeed was his final judgement.

I chose the Fettuccine with garlic, pork and beef ragu with garlic meatballs. The pasta was el dente and the rich sauce spread its way across the pasta. The meatballs had chunks of garlic running through them and gave another texture to the pasta with sauce. The meatballs were beef mince and provided a rich dimension of flavour. I certainly knew I had been eating garlic by the end of the meal.

My partner decided to have dessert, as it is not likely he will get a chance to have Garlic Ice Cream anywhere else. The ice cream was cold and the garlic taste seemed to come as a surprise given that most other ice cream flavours are sweet, but it was not off putting, rather it provided a cool and refreshing end to the meal without reducing the...

Wow 👏 what a spectacular sf staple. I went here on a Saturday night double date. The place was absolutely packed. Lots of energy, unique and entertaining decor, personable staff and lots of unique menu options. It was hard to chose from. I loved them all! Since we had another venue to attend and lots of night ahead, I chose something easy on my palate. A chicken garlic brie fettuccine Alfredo, and a crab smoked salmon crostini for an appetizer. The appetizer was simple but delicious. Small portions and hard to share. Other dishes ordered: Italian garlic pot stickers, a garlic prime Rib Eye, a Cioppino without crab, lasagna al Forno. Everything was hot, satisfying, had decent portions (not too big or little), and made everyone happy. I loved that my dish used dark meat from the chicken, and chicken skin which was unexpected and took it to another level. It blended beautifully with the brie. For the rib eye, he ordered it rare, which I think came out perfectly, absolutely tender, the right consistency, not over seasoned so you could still taste the quality of the meat. My fiance sent it back to be cooked more, which they happily obliged, but that was HIS preference and late realization that he didn't love rare steaks. They also let us switch to a large signature booth, very kindly. I believe since we were ordering lots of drinks, they were happy to keep us there longer! Haha. Restrooms were clean, with comical decor, that became a topic for discussion. Our waiter was quick, experienced, and great. The manager also stopped to talk to us. She was full of charm and charisma, and took awesome group pictures of us. As a garlic-a-holic, I'd definitely return! Thank you Stinking Rose for a great...