Roma Antica

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 San Francisco.

Plenty of seating inside, plenty of seating on the sidewalk within the screened off area, with ample outdoor heating too, and what you think is going to be a regular Italian place. And yet, it's not regular at all! The food is exquisite. I had calamari to start and some skirt steak, medium rare, to follow. The calamari outstanding. The steak, the best piece of skirt I've ever tasted. The wines by the glass or bottle are seriously nice wines. The service was wonderful, friendly, knowledgeable, and engaging. This is a restaurant of the highest level, operating in that chilled out Californian way that suits this whole area around what is the wonderful Chestnut Street. Just superb.

Visited SF for a mini vacation with my boyfriend & we ate here as our last dinner in the city. We absolutely LOVED it here & will definitely be returning if we visit SF again. The Italian good was the best I've ever had & keep thinking about the gnocchi I had for dinner plus the limoncello spritz. I will say the service can be hit or miss for you depending on quickly you can be impatient. We did come on a Friday night & the location seems to be POPPING as weekend dinnet spot because all the next door resturants were packed (& these are small buildings). My boyfriend & I quickly got seated however luckily to an open spot at the bar. This was extremely fun overall because our bartender was exceptionally entertaining to watch. He was very interactive & vocal with us & it was hilarious. When we finished our meal he gave us a bonus shot & had some hurrah. But because it was a Friday night, servers seemed to be a little scattered & overwhelmed. They did manage to play it off by being extremely friendly & entertaining.

I love the vibe here. Full of energy in this place. It can get loud so I would say it’s best to go here with friends than with a date… unless it’s a weekday when there’s less customers. I used to love their eggplant croquettes but it changed since the first time I had it (2021). But the rest of my party said their food was excellent. But what I recommend the most is the espresso martini! If you’re a coffee lover, you’d love this. It was kind of my “dessert” that evening. It tasted like a coffee ice cream. I loved it.