Amarena

2162 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94109, United States
+1 415-447-0441
$$$ Italian restaurant
(739 Reviews)
Price Range $30–50

Nestled in the heart of San Francisco, Amarena serves as a charming culinary haven for lovers of traditional Italian cuisine. With its inviting ambiance and delightful offerings, this restaurant has quickly become a cherished spot for both locals and visitors alike.

Stepping into Amarena, you're immediately greeted by an atmosphere that beautifully balances elegance and comfort. The dim lighting sets a romantic tone perfect for date nights, while the warm, friendly service makes it an excellent choice for gatherings with friends. Patrons often comment on the genuine hospitality of the staff—offering recommendations with enthusiasm and treating every guest like family.

The menu here is a true testament to the Italian culinary tradition, with a wide selection of dishes that will tantalize your taste buds. Start your meal with the INSALATA DI RUCOLA CON PERE E PECORINO, a refreshing arugula salad elevated by the sweetness of fresh pears and the savory notes of Pecorino Romano, all perfectly enhanced with balsamic vinaigrette for just $14. For those who crave something hearty, the POLPETTE DI CARNE—meatballs served in a rich tomato sauce ($18)—is a must-try, as are the lightly fried FRITTURA MISTA featuring calamari and prawns (available for $21). Don’t skip the heavenly BURRATA (also $18), which showcases creamy mozzarella drizzled in fragrant basil oil, served with juicy tomatoes and arugula.

Of course, no Italian meal would be complete without pasta, and Amarena excels with a variety of offerings. Guests often rave about the butternut squash pasta and smoked prosciutto options, each masterfully crafted to provide a burst of flavor in every bite. “We ended up ordering four different pastas and sharing it—10/10 recommend,” says a satisfied customer, further solidifying Amarena’s reputation for exceptional taste.

Complement your dining experience with one of their carefully curated wines. The extensive selection includes delightful whites like the PINOT GRIGIO DOMINI VENETI from 2020 (a steal at $12.50) or the sophisticated ETNA BIANCO TORNATORE from Sicily for $65. Each glass is the perfect match for your meal, enhancing the flavors and rounding out the experience.

As you dine, you’ll likely find yourself swept away by the genuine touch of Amarena's owner, Paulo, whose personable nature shines through in every detail. Patrons frequently praise the attentive service, noting how the team goes above and beyond, even tailoring dishes to meet dietary restrictions without losing the authentic Italian essence.

For a delightful and flavorful evening that feels like a special occasion, Amarena is your go-to spot. Whether you're stopping by for a casual meal or a special celebration, prepare to be delighted with each carefully crafted dish and the warm, inviting atmosphere that welcomes you like an old friend.

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers kerbside pickup
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Serves great dessert
Has great wine list
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Serves happy-hour drinks
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Romantic
Trendy
Crowd
Good for groups
Planning
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Paid street parking
Openings Hours
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Monday

5:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Tuesday

5:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Wednesday

5:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Thursday

5:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Friday

5:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Saturday

11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

,

5:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Sunday

11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

,

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

739 Reviews
Katie Lerner

16 Sep 2025

Wonderful service and the food was absolutely perfect! We ended up ordering four different pastas and sharing it (10/10 recommend) We each had a different favorite but they were all really good. Solid portion size, the wine options were good and the desert wine was the perfect finish! This will be my new go-to

Victoria Fox

23 Aug 2025

This place was lovely!! The ambience was very classy and the staff was super friendly! All the food we had was absolutely delicious! Started off with a delicious fresh bruschetta and salad with pears! The butternut squash pasta and smoke prosciutto pasta were cooked to perfection and the chicken was packed with flavor. Highly recommend!!

Marian Maile

28 Jul 2025

The owner Paulo is very sweet and personable. His staff is attentive and kind. Stefano is one of the severs and so amazing. You can’t do wrong here, it’s delicious and feels like home.

Alexandra Huides

27 Jul 2025

Excellent food, and the octopus was amazing! Truly Italian vibe! Staff were super nice and kind too! I can’t believe I lived in the neighborhood for 3 years now and never been here! And they have the gluten free pasta, so we’re definitely becoming regulars!

Margaret K

08 Jul 2025

Came for my second happy hour and again very pleased with my experience! Pictures attached are from both visits. From 5-6pm, 30% off one pasta and one drink is a fantastic deal especially because their pasta is extremely well made. Everyone working there is very helpful and friendly with great recommendations and have ties to Italy it seems. I sat outside my last time alone with a book, wine and pasta and was so pleased. Will be a go to spot for me!

Carmen Augusto

25 Jun 2025

Charming traditional Italian spot—we went with friends and sat outside, which was lovely. I have a dairy sensitivity, and while the restaurant isn’t really set up for dietary restrictions (they stick closely to how dishes are traditionally made in Italy), they were still very accommodating. They prepared the baked eggplant without cheese and offered salads without dairy, which I really appreciated. That said, if you have a dairy issue, this may not be your go-to place. The food was delicious—every pasta dish we tried was flavorful and well-executed. We also ordered the house bread with olive oil , which was nice, though I wish the bread had been a bit fresher. I probably wouldn’t return , but overall, the food was good .

Noam Siegel

11 Jun 2025

It is a lovely place. Me and my partner sat down outside and they moved the table for us just to make sure we were in the sun. Service is great and they’re amicable and friendly. We had a spritz and a Lager and didn’t stay for the entrées, but the bread and carpaccio appetizers were amazing. Would come again.

Arkajit Dey

08 Jun 2025

This place has been on my list to visit for a while and it did not disappoint! Very attentive service and nice ambience with dim lighting. And the food was delicious. I had a nice squash ravioli and the arancini. There’s also an extensive wine list. Definitely go check it out!

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