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Name: Lupa Trattoria
Address: 4109 24th St, San Francisco, CA, 94114
Telephone: (415) 282-5872
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.02

Lupa Trattoria

4109 24th St, San Francisco, CA, 94114

(415) 282-5872
Store is closed

Lupa Trattoria Menu

Antipasti

Intingolo Di Cozze E Vongole

Burrata Allo Speck

Radicchio E Caprino

Scamorza Ai Funghi

Prosciutto E Melone

Carpaccio Di Carne

Caprese

Intingolo Di Cozze E Vongole

Burrata Allo Speck

Radicchio E Caprino

Scamorza Ai Funghi

Prosciutto E Melone

Carpaccio Di Carne

Caprese
Insalate

Insalata Di Zucchine

Misticanza

Insalata Alla Cesare

Insalata Di Zucchine

Misticanza

Insalata Alla Cesare
Primi Piatti

Penne Alla Rugantino

Gnocchi Al Cinghiale

Ravioli Alla Modenese

Pappardelle Sugo D' Agnello

Fettuccine Tartufate

Bucatini Amatriciana

Tortelloni Alla Cardinale

Lasagna Alla Bolognese

Penne Alla Rugantino

Gnocchi Al Cinghiale

Ravioli Alla Modenese

Pappardelle Sugo D' Agnello

Fettuccine Tartufate

Bucatini Amatriciana

Tortelloni Alla Cardinale

Lasagna Alla Bolognese
Secondi Piatti

Agnello Al Balsamico

Tagliata Di Manzo

Galletto Alle Erbe

Anatra Al Marsala

Saltimbocca Alla Romana

Filetto Di Maiale Al Vino Rosso

Agnello Al Balsamico

Tagliata Di Manzo

Galletto Alle Erbe

Anatra Al Marsala

Saltimbocca Alla Romana

Filetto Di Maiale Al Vino Rosso

Healthy Meal suggestions for Lupa Trattoria

Antipasti

Intingolo Di Cozze E Vongole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Burrata Allo Speck [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Radicchio E Caprino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Scamorza Ai Funghi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Prosciutto E Melone [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carpaccio Di Carne [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caprese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Intingolo Di Cozze E Vongole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Burrata Allo Speck [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Radicchio E Caprino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Scamorza Ai Funghi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Prosciutto E Melone [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carpaccio Di Carne [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caprese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Insalate

Insalata Di Zucchine [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Misticanza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Insalata Alla Cesare [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Insalata Di Zucchine [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Misticanza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Insalata Alla Cesare [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Primi Piatti

Penne Alla Rugantino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gnocchi Al Cinghiale [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ravioli Alla Modenese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pappardelle Sugo D' Agnello [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fettuccine Tartufate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bucatini Amatriciana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tortelloni Alla Cardinale [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lasagna Alla Bolognese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penne Alla Rugantino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gnocchi Al Cinghiale [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ravioli Alla Modenese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pappardelle Sugo D' Agnello [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fettuccine Tartufate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bucatini Amatriciana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tortelloni Alla Cardinale [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lasagna Alla Bolognese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Secondi Piatti

Agnello Al Balsamico [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tagliata Di Manzo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Galletto Alle Erbe [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Anatra Al Marsala [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Saltimbocca Alla Romana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Filetto Di Maiale Al Vino Rosso [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Agnello Al Balsamico [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tagliata Di Manzo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Galletto Alle Erbe [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Anatra Al Marsala [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Saltimbocca Alla Romana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Filetto Di Maiale Al Vino Rosso [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Brittney B.

Delicious! I would go back in a heart beat. It seems like a sleepy restaurant, then you walk in and it's pack - which makes it a little louder than your average restaurant. It's great. The waiters have accents and everything you eat is to die for. Go. Now. For the Corkage Fee, go to SFCorkageFees.com !
(5)
Jesse S.

Great food, perfect service. Came here with my gf and cousin (who recommended the place), and I must say, this is one of my new favorite restaurants in the whole city. Absolutely no bad attitude with the waiters, the food came out quickly and was delicious, not overdone Italian, just down to earth good food like they make in the old country. Also, the portions are nice and big and I still polished off my veal. Literally, polished it. Really only subtracting a star because their wine cellar is right in the dinning room and looks like a dingy closet. Get that fixed up!
(4)
G F.

Can't believe I'd never been in here before. Neighborhood gem sums it up. The wait staff is great and the ambiance is romantic and not pretentious. Food is also yummy and reasonably priced.
(4)
Jeff P.

Perhaps I came to Lupa with expectations set too high. First, I thought it was a little more upscale than it is was was perhaps a little too overdressed. Second, the service was sloppy and intermittent. Our waiter frequently disappeared and our appetizer arrived with our entrees. I had the pork which was terribly overcooked and dried out. I won't be rushing back here anytime soon.
(2)
Helen F.

Yummy little place. Nothing tops my Aperto, of course and I had the ahi tuna instead of a pasta dish. The ahi was cooked to perfection. Mmmh. I dream of ahi. My friend's risotto was amazingly flavorful with great texture (not too dry, not too mushy), but seemed a bit overly buttery. I also recommend their house Pinot Grigio.
(4)
Juliet B.

We live right around the corner from here and somehow they can always accomodate a last minute reservation BUT it's still packed every time when we get there. The staff is SO friendly. We haven't lived in the neighborhood for that long and after only a couple times they recognize and greet us like old friends. I usually have the gnocci with boar meat and my husband absolutely loved the porcini pasta. The food is always good and everyone there is so nice. We love to go.
(5)
Gagan T.

Delicious food, open kitchen. Place looked like a home converted to a restaurant, especially since it's in a residential neighborhood. Service as friendly. We had fresh, delicious caprese salad. I ate a ravioli dish which was light, well seasoned: mezzelune di pesce (homemade half moon shaped ravioli filled with ricotta cheese Blu Nose bass and arugola in a pink sauce). Along with good food, it had a homey feeling. We would like to come back again.
(4)
Nelson C.

this place is off the hook. Had some friends in town... figured I wanted to try a new place since they were into good eats. Remembered Lupa and took a chance. The place looked pretty nice when we walked in so naturally I was concerned it was gonna eat my wallet too. Food was 5 star IMO. The prices were moderately high... but to be expected. All in all.... considering the romantic/high quality atmosphere + dinner the prices were actually reasonable. Would be open to going back... but more of an occasion type spot for me.
(5)
Chris I.

It seems that I have been returning to my old neighborhood with a frequency that Thomas Wolfe would chastise me for. (You can't go home again....) Last night I found myself walking into Lupa. I used to walk past this little eatery every Sunday morning on the way to Mass at St. Phil's. (Mom...I swear I went to Mass every week back then!!! I swear!!!) So how does a nice Italian boy not go into a local Italian restaurant after walking past it every Sunday morning for a year and a half? (This is not a rhetorical question. I am inviting you to answer.) The only answer I could come up with is that from the outside this place looks as tiny as Chris Daly's brain. How do you disabuse yourself of this notion? Walk in dummy! The restaurant is much bigger than it appears from the outside. It has a ton of tables that can be used like a Tetris game to mix and match combos. We had a table of four adults and one baby. Behind us was a hooooge combo of about 12 adults. Most neighborhood joints cannot handle large parties, but Lupa can. The menu is large enough to warrant multiple visits. What I was impressed with was the large selection of specials. Usually a local place has one or two per night. Lupa had four different entrees and three different ant-pasti. We started with the Scarmoza ai Funghi. Damn that was good. It is a huge portion of melted smoked mozzarella with a generous portion of mushrooms swimming in the cheese. Delicious. We also shared a salad special of artichokes and shaved romano. Good, but it paled in comparison to the other appetizer. For my main course I had the risotto special. It had small pieces of asparagus throughout and a generous portion of eight shrimp arranged in a circle in the middle. Very filling and very tasty. The bread that came in endless supply was soft, warm, and delicious as well. We all ate so much bread that dessert was not an option, so I don't know how good or bad their dolce is. We ordered a nice barbera for the table. Even though someone else ordered the wine, the waiter pegged me for paisan and brought the bottle to me. Thumbs up for keeping it in the family. My only complaint was that the wait staff had a heck of a time getting the division of the check correct. We actually had to tell them they had undercharged us. Several of them spoke more Italian than English. Since this place is a block away from St. Phil's, I'll extend some Catholic forgiveness to my swarthy Mediterranean cousins. Ever wonder why Rome ruled the world for a thousand years? Lupa is why.
(4)
Cindy M.

This is my favorite Italian restaurant in San Francisco. Given my husband's amazing Italian cooking at home, it's saying a lot that I love Lupa! It's just a cozy, unassuming little place with wonderful food and great service.
(5)
Miho O.

Somehow, i had nothing plan Friday night. I decided to discover new place (for me) my neighborhood. So I tried Lupa by myself. stuffs were very friendly. Atmosphere was very casual and home style. I ordered today's special for both antipast and entree such as Asparagus Fontina-Speck (asparagus with Cheese and Smoked Prosuito) and Spaghetto Pescatora. The foods were great, very fresh. Pasta was al dente. And I tried Terami Su for desert. It was good too. I will retun to Lupa with my friends or by mself again.
(4)
Lisa T.

Authentic Italian food is hard to find outside of North Beach. But even some of those North Beach restaurants make me wonder...(*cough cough* Pasta Pomodoro). However, Lupa is an undiscovered gem in Noe Valley that maybe I shouldn't even write or talk about --- no, no I won't be selfish. Lupa is a great place to get some real, authentic, yummy, good for my tummy Italian Food. I loved how I felt like I was eating dinner inside someone's house. Lupa has this..."Welcome to my home...I'm about to make you the best pasta you've ever had" feel. My boyfriend wanted something off the menu, I cannot remember the name, but it was a type of seafood pasta with pink sauce. When the server replied, "Yeah we can do that for you, just let us know," we knew that we were at a real, authentic Italian restaurant. None of that, carefully calculated 1 box of pasta, 1 bottle of sauce type place. Loved it!! My favorite dish at Lupa is the "Prosciutto, Pere e Mascarpone," which translates to Prosciutto, Pears, and Mascarpone. I will order this everytime!! Mmmmm... Recommendations: Lasagna Alla Bolognese Prosciutto, Pere e Mascarpone Spaghetti alle Cozze w/ tomato sauce (BF's special order)
(4)
Amin S.

the pasta with wild boar sauce was incredible
(4)
matt e.

Great place. Food was fantastic and service was great. It's well worth breaking out of your local neighborhood.
(4)
Keith R.

It's capable of greatness but limits itself to goodness. This attractive homey looking Italian bistro on the edge of the village in Noe Valley has tasty but largely unimaginative food. The Caprese salad had amazing home-grown heirloom tomatoes and basil but the mozzarella was stiff, bite-sized bocconcini. The pasta special I ordered had a delicious light tomato sauce with tasty mussels and clams but was a little under-seasoned. The lemon-white chocolate tart for desssert had almost no lemon and was sickly sweet. I thought the waiter was excellent but was annoyed by the Italian owner who fawned over the Italian couple at a neighboring table but mostly ignored me. This place needs to try harder if it wants to keep up with the increasingly competitve Italian restaurant scene in the South of Market neighborhoods.
(3)
G S.

Went there just for desert. The waiter gave us a desert menu and seated us. After a few minutes he came to take our order and told us they were too busy to just serve us dessert!!! How rude!! Why seat us and give us a dessert menu then?
(1)
Stephanie B.

My meal at Lupa was, by far, one of the top 5 Italian meals I have had in my life. I'm from the East Coast, so that is high praise coming from the land of authentic, old-world Italian cuisine. I'm not sure why someone wrote that the food at Lupa was bland. Every dish, from the fresh mozzarella, tomato and prosciutto appetizer to my wild boar gnocchi (absolutely heavenly), to my husband's mushroom and meat ravioli, to my father's "to die for" meat lasagna, to my mom's lamb bolognese was memorably delicious. This is not to mention the fabulous glass of Montepulciano I had and the incredible white chocolate lemon tart and tiramisu we all shared for dessert. I know that I will never forget this meal. It's already calling me back for more amazing italian food at Lupa. Oh yeah! I loved out Italian waiter and thought the service was excellent! You get it!
(5)
Sean C.

Very tasty Italian food - and right down the street from me. The cooking is kept very simple, but the ingredients are stellar and all blend together quite nicely. Easy place to chill - service is polite and pretty snappy as well. For all you portion size queens out there, you aren't going to get a Costco sized meal here, however I was comfortably full on a salad as an appetizer and a main course. Really, I consider this a pro since America is too fat already. Prices are a little higher than pomodoro, but the extra expense is well worth the meal - its very good food, and local too. Lack of screaming infants was a big plus as well! WTF is up with the logo? Are those guys seriously sucking boar teats?! That is hilariously weird.
(4)
Stuart g.

bad, bad, bad, so bad I'd consider returning to cafe gratitude rather than return here ( you should see my review of them) - now, im not a hater - there are plenty of restaurants ive given 5* for but this aint one of them From start to finish it was not good Our service took too long, the wine was terrible and I had the duck which I took two mouthfuls of and couldn't continue - undercooked and the whole ensemble was just shoddy and revolting, inedible I saw a lot of 5 star reviews here and am wondering if Im reviewing the same restaurant. Maybe I got a bad night but in the city of a thousand restaurants Im guessing i wont be back, oh well
(1)
Shad M.

Worst lasagna ever hands down. I don't care whatever stylistic aim you are going for, layers of unseasoned oily pasta with a small amount of meat sauce is not lasagna. Three strands of mozzerella and NO ricotta. Not just me, I saw another table had the same thing. Plus, $9 a glass of average wine is unacceptable in Noe Valley. With places like La Ciccia and Incanto not that much more expensive, why the eff would people go here and review it well? The wild boar gnocchi was almost passable for enjoyable fare, but my wife had that so she can write her own review. The one star is for the Italian waiter who knows that this place is crap and comp'd me a glass of wine after my disappointing reception of the food (dude, you know I'm not pissed because it took three minutes to bring my second glass of wine). Oh, btw $15 for this nonsense lasagna and I welcome the chef contacting me to discuss.
(1)
Mitzi C.

Great neighborhood restaurant -- walking by, this place is easy to miss and it looks a lot smaller than it really is. I'd guess it probably can hold around 50 or so guests at the same time. The bread is delicious and warm and comes with very tasty olive oil. This bread was my downfall -- I probably had 5 pieces and was too stuffed to finish my pasta. Bf and I shared the artichoke/fennel salad and the smoked mozzarella and mushroom appetizer. Both were very tasty. For my main, I ordered the homemade papardelle but substituted the lamb bolognese with the five hour wild boar ragu that came with the gnocci -- pasta was delicious. My friends ordered the lasagna, which they raved about. Prices are very reasonable (including the wine list). Good service as well.
(4)
David P.

Being just a short (& downhill) walk from my house I have become a semi-regular at this charming little restaurant. It's completely non-pretentious, solid-if-not-great food, homey - I usually try to snag a lower level table by the fire - and above all the service is wonderful . Other reviewers have covered the menu well but I just wanted to throw in my 2c for this great neighborhood fixture.
(5)
Marc L.

Finally an Italian restaurant with Italian people! Loved it! It's not a date spot. You'll find couples, families, and teens. The light is bright, it's not very quiet and there is some room. It's a family restaurant. The food was very good (homemade pasta ?) not overpriced and the service was molto buono!
(4)
David R.

Good classic Italian red sauce kind of place. the pasta is fresh, the service is excellent and friendly and the decor is warm and inviting. Very reasonably priced, it is a wonderful place to stop if you are in Noe Valley and looking for some Italian Comfort food.
(4)
Stacy M.

Delicious! Love the boar's meat gnocchi, yummy salads, great wine, cozy atmosphere and friendly waitstaff.
(4)
candice T.

delish! was very happy!
(4)
Chris S.

Wow. My wife and I joined some friends here for dinner a couple nights ago and we were astonished at the quality of the food, the amazing (but somewhat rare) combination of friendliness and service offered by our waiter, and our overall experience here. We ordered what turned out to be way too much food (but were glad we did) and we ordered strategically so that we could share and try more things (also glad we did!). Between the four of us, we ordered: . scamorza ai funghi (amazing melted cheese and sauted mushrooms in a ramekin - so delicious!) . insalata di spinaci (typical but excellent spinach salad) . gnocchi al cinghiale (regular potato gnocchi (vs. ricotta gnocci below), great texture, delicious sauce) . ravioli di zucca (not at all too sweet, as butternut squash ravioli sometimes tends to be) . saltimbocca alla romana (perfectly cooked) . a breaded sole filet from the daily special menu . homemade ricotta gnocchi with italian sausage, also from the daily specials (super soft gnocchi in an outstanding sauce) . for dessert, we all shared one panna cotta with fresh berry coulis (amazing texture -- I've never been a huge fan of panna cotta but am now a convert, at least as far as this one is concerned) . various espressos and teas along with our dessert With dinner we had a chianti that the waiter recommended, and we all agreed that it was exceedingly delicious and amazingly went with all of our food. I unfortunately don't have enough time right now to describe each individual dish, which I know would ultimately make this a more useful review, but everything was excellent. The one exception to this was the sole filet, which was still better than average, but is not something that I would write to mom about (although apparently I will write to the Yelp community about it). Besides this, though, the flavors were full and rich. Maybe a bit salty, but I seem to think the same thing about EVERY restaurant, so it's gotta be me, not the place. Anyway, I just checked and their website has their menu complete with fairly meaningful descriptions of the dishes so you can get more info on the dishes there. We loved our waiter because he was friendly and attentive, and also not afraid to make suggestions when asked. My wife, Karen, asked which of two main courses was better and the waiter unhesitatingly recommended one over the other (I can't remember which things), and although we didn't try the one he guided us away from, the one she chose was delicious. Our waiter (whose name I never got) made our experience more fun by occasionally good-humoredly joking with us. Never annoying or over the top, just low-key and fun. We hadn't seen our friends in a long time, so we ended up lingering a bit longer than we would have otherwise, and on this particular Saturday night, although the place was packed the whole time, we didn't seem to be keeping any hungry customers from getting a table, so they let us linger as long as we wanted to, and kept cheerfully refilling our water glasses until we left. Ultimately, when it came time for the bill, I actually gave a 30% tip. I don't usually get so hardcore on tipping like that, but I'm also not very often that impressed with the excellent combination of factors that led us to have a spectacular time. My only concern now is that next time I go back they'll have an extremely high bar to live up to!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Went back again on Saturday night, and this place kicked a** again. I definitely still give this place two thumbs up, and I'd give it more thumbs if I had more thumbs. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OK, so updating my review for a third time is bordering on being either like a psycho Yelp! stalker or a Lupa brown-noser. But I just can't help myself. We went back here again with new friends, and 1) I discovered that our favorite waiter's name is Stefano and 2) I realized why he makes our experiences here amazing. He actually watches what's going on and times his appearances accordingly. We were dining with friends who we hadn't seen for a long time and who had just gotten engaged. So lots of lively chatting going on at our table. Because I happened to be facing in the right direction, I noticed that Stefano always waited until just the right time to show up (waiting for a pause in the flow of conversation), never interrupting us except to bring the food that we had ordered (delicious as always, so much so that our avid cyclist friends even ate the fatty melted cheese dish!). Stefano's careful consideration to the timing of his appearances was so well executed, though, that I don't think my dinner companions noticed -- they just enjoyed themselves. His conscientious service really made our dinner wonderful, so much that I decided to risk my fellow Yelpers thinking that I'm a dope for updating my review a third time!
(5)
Galen W.

Lupa fulfills my fantasy of what my neighborhood restaurant would be like if I lived in Italy. The atmosphere is mostly low-key... sometimes too loud because of a party or children, but genuine and not hyped-up din. The service is friendly and human. Sometimes perfect. Sometimes flawed with strange waits. But, human. The food is very good, made when ordered, fresh, and interesting. We mostly do the pasta/risotto-type courses as entrees -- they very much sate the "Italian food fix" craving. A wonderful NEIGHBORHOOD restaurant. It's not a destination restaurant, but a very comfortable place. Yeah, it's good for showing off "a place down the street" to visitors from culinarily-deprived cities, but it's not a super-special dinner place. (And, not every restaurant needs to be that special!) Why we don't go back more often: they only service beer and kinda expensive wine. My crowd needs its gin and, although I'm a wino, I think that $36 a bottle is high for the cheapest choice.
(4)
maisnon ..

Finally! I've been meaning to stop by this restaurant for ages, and the stars finally aligned. I brought with me the little brother with food allergies. Eating out for him is often something of a challenge, but he was able to find multiple apps and entrees that worked for him (i.e. no fish, eggs, nuts.) I always keep an eye out - and there are a number of vegetarian options as well. I started with the spinach salad with goat cheese and candied walnuts. When I bit into my first walnut, I knew I would be back. Most places candy with sugar, but Lupa uses honey - divine!! At that point, I couldn't wait for my entree - fettucine with mushrooms, and it did not disappoint. A very "healthy" portion of perfect noodles and delicious mushrooms! I loved the atmosphere and ambiance - very warm, and unpretentious, coupled with a hilarious waiter. I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Yan L.

Woofing It Up! (3.5 stars rounding to 4 because it's in my 'hood) It's so nice not to have to make reservations at a great neighborhood restaurant! Initially, I was suspicious why we can always get a table, but after many visits -- usually during weeknights -- I am just happy to waltz right in for good food, good service at a good price. 3- course dinner for two with a bottle of wine around $100. Go back? Si! Place. Located on 24th Street between Diamond and Castro, you can easily walk by the low-key entrance of this narrow space, but just look for the image of the She-Wolf suckling Romolo and Remo (thus the restaurant's name) stenciled on the window. Once inside, you will find a split level dining area in warm hues, soft lighting, delicious smells and happy chatter. The upper level with a view of the open kitchen is my preferred area. Service. No host table or snooty receptionist to face, just a hearty "welcome" from whichever waiter -- and yes, they really are from Italy -- is around, who then grabs menus and invites you to choose a table. Generally friendly service, sometimes spotty when it gets busier. Full of Noe Valley locals and their visitors, it's a super place to relax, chat, dine, linger... not a place if you are in a rush. Food. Not to be missed is the daily risotto special. I have had many variations and have never been disappointed with the perfectly cooked rice with whatever ingredient is reflective of the season. One of the most memorable was on a cold, wet evening, when it was wild mushroom risotto with a drizzle of truffle oil -- OMG! thought I was in heaven. (Tip: it's way too rich to eat as a full course by oneself, so order it as one of your "primi piatti" maybe together with a salad and share it with the table.) All of the pastas are good and hearty; the meats are nicely done -- nothing fancy, but definitely tasty. Take the duck or the lamb: medium rare; generous portions; flavorful sauces; accompanied by a starch like mash potato or farro. But what makes the dish for me is the braised dark greens -- chard or rabe -- that just exude goodness and health. (The cornish game hen is good too but a little tricky/messy to eat on a date night. ) If you can manage it, try the warm apple struedel with honey or chocolatey profiteroles for dessert. Yum! Wine. The wine list has an interesting selection of Italian wines. I usually stick with a glass or a bottle of Argiolas (only $32), which is a simple but earthy wine from Sardinia. Bene appetite!
(4)
Richard L M.

Authentic italian Trattoria. I almost feel like I'm back in Rome if I ignore the poorly dressed locals. The staff is mostly Italian, and they know what they're doing. The food is very good. I've eaten everything on the menu and there is not one sour note. They don't aim for gastronomic heaven, but the food is very satisfying and consistent.
(4)
Masha G.

The food was not bad, not inspired: beef carpaccio - boring and flavorless; ravioli in brown butter and sage sauce with crisp garlic - delicious. Service - desultory. Nice pours of wine. The kicker came when my significant other caught a COCKROACH running down the wall beside her. Yes - she literally caught it - in her napkin; gave it to the server with an explanation; asked for a fresh napkin. He muttered something under his breath, gave her a fresh napkin, and that was that. No apology, no nothing else. Also - overpriced for what it is. I certainly won't be back.
(2)
Jim S.

Italian food in San Francisco that is authentic and delicious? Nooooo, it can't be! But yes! I am happy to say, this Italian boy loves Lupa! I love it so much that I've had my birthday dinner there a few years in a row. And why do I love Lupa? - Atmosphere - cozy and warm - Food - great soups, yummy gnocchi and pastas, great sides and main dishes - Service - incredibly wonderful Italian men offering attentive care - The bill - not bad! So go, and let me know what you think....
(5)
Iggy V.

Good date restaurant, interesting menu, good quality food, and there's plenty of it! Definitely on my top 5 list of Italian restaurants in the city.
(5)
James G.

This was the best meal we've had in a very long time. The service was amazing. Every course we ate was perfect. Definitely split courses. Get as many plates as possible. Portions are generous and exemplary.
(5)
Maximus L.

good food overshadowed by very high price for family friendly neighborhood restaurant that serves bread upside down so you don't notice it's burnt. ate a solid, but expensive meal in a pressured to leave 30 minutes.
(2)
Karen G.

The food was delicious and the server knew his wine because he made a couple of great wine recommendations. There's a fireplace, but it's in the entrance foyer, so it's not in the main dining area. Nonetheless it was a comfortable, unpretentious Italian restaurant and parking wasn't abundant but not too hard to find either so it all made for a really nice dining experience.
(5)
Kelly B.

Always extremely friendly and accommodating. Excellent food, authentic and at a reasonable price (for SF standards). Also they are wonderful with kids, infants to toddlers. This is our staple!
(5)
Remy-Anne V.

First off, I'm surprised they let me eat here. I must have changed my Open Table reservations 5x! lol. I had a very nice time here. Came to the city to hang out with a friend. We had the beef gnocchi and truffle alfredo... both very good dishes and I highly recommend them. Small, nice, warm environment and the fire place made the spot much better on a cold night. The servers were extremely nice and helpful. It was a little dim, but maybe it's their mood lighting. Although I wasn't blown away from the food, it was good and I would love to come back to try their other dishes.
(4)
Janice C.

The warm, casual ambiance of this trattoria is fitting for Noe Valley with its budding families and small group gatherings. Service was good but the average food made me scratch my head in confusion. Bread is very important in a restaurant. Theirs was hard and not warm. The bruschetta appetizers we had were okay, but not worth the $14 price. The tagliata di manzo has sliced grilled new york steak with herbs, cannellini beans and arugula salad. Perfectly prepared steak, but I needed to sprinkle some S&P on it. The agnello al balsamico was much better: grilled rack of lamb with balsamic reduction, mashed potato, baby carrots and broccoli rabe. I love Italian food but I think I'll stick to my go to restaurant in North Beach.
(3)
Armin P.

Great family run real Italian place. Always love to go there !
(5)
Rhonald N.

This place was the best Italian place I've been to in San Francisco. You may have to review your commute lines if you haven't been there before but it's simple enough. The mushroom fettucina was so good. I'm glad I tried this place out. It's a small hole in the wall, outside of the Union Square area, and at the south end of the Castro District. I recommend you make reservations as this place gets very popular especially for dinner. I'll be here again and take my friends with me when I fly back up to San Francisco.
(5)
Robert L.

Delicious! Really, really delicious. Lovely wait staff, a bit warm by the fire, but very cozy and comfortable. Went with some great old friends, had a nice bottle of wine and my meal was fantastic. Started with a caesar salad - good, but not extraordinary. However, my main course was another story. Had the pan roasted duck breast in a marsala sauce, farro and grilled asparagus. It was done to P.E.R.F.E.C.T.I.O.N. Truly. Hats off to the chef and staff of Lupa. I'll be back for sure!
(5)
Angry B.

Very average food. Not sure why the restaurant is rated so high. Food was greasy and limited flavor.
(2)
David H.

Food was good. Nice atmosphere. My main complaint was they sat us right in front of a couple who were sitting on the same side of their table and facing us. We might as well have been at the same table. It's not the best Italian in Noe, but it's not the worst (Haystack)
(3)
Erik H.

I was lucky enough to score a reservation at 7:30pm on Valentines Day, and I'm glad I chose this place. My girlfriend loves Italian food, and we were both pretty satisfied. The host and waiter were super accomodating, and it's not as small on the inside as it looks on the outside. Very quaint, and cozy. Pasta was delicious, and just a little small on the portion size but not underwhelming. I'd definitely come back.
(4)
Mushroom K.

My first experience came here with my friends on Saturday night. It is a warm & cute place. The service was great! Food was so delicious. I would come back next time.
(5)
Denise L.

On my free time, I like to stuff my face. No really, I'm serious--if I could, I would gorge myself on different types of food 24/7. That being said, I generally don't like going out to eat Italian too much. It's not that I don't like Italian food, I absolutely LOVE it, it's just so hard to find Italian restaurants that serve quality-Italian food that satisfies. Anyway, Lupa Trattoria was a great little gem (thanks Tina)! The food was amazing, and our waiter told us that their mozzarella is actually imported from Italy. I'm swooning, and I need more of that mozzarella in my life! It's literally melt-in-your-mouth goodness!!! All of the entrees were amazing as well, though the truffle sauce for my mushroom Fettucine (Fettucine Tartufate) did seem to be a bit too overwhelming towards the end of the meal--I have no complaints about the any of the dishes. My friends and I each sampled everything amongst us, and the general consensus was that everything was incredibly good! The house special was tortelloni (stuffed with duck, and some other ingredients, but it was SOOOO GOOD). Unfortunately, we had no room left for dessert. But, hopefully next time I can manage to order the panna cotta--it looks heavenly in the other reviewers' pictures! The only reason why this isn't a 5-star review is because we weren't offered any bread, at all--even after being seated for 45 minutes. Everyone around us were given bread and it wasn't until we asked for it (twice) that we finally got it. I think the busboy/bread person (not our waiter) was a bit overwhelmed that night. But our great waiter definitely made up for it. Definitely do try this place out--even if you've been carb-free since 2003, this place is worthy of a visit!
(4)
Edward L.

This is some good Italian. This is probably my 4x here. Speaks for itself, at least for me. Always nice to have a reservation as they aren't a big joint, and can be full on a busy night. OpenTable makes it easy. It's got a nice Italian, candle-lit atmosphere. You can be dressed-up if you like or you don't have to be. You'll never feel out of place. Started off the with mussels/clams. Mussels - definitely cooked right with all of them opening. Not the most amount for $13, but it does the job. The spicy tomato broth (not spicy) is all right. I like white wine cooking for my seafood. I feel like this tomato broth was not too special, but you can imagine using the bread to dip in is always a nice touch. Next up pastas! I usually get the Fettucine Tartufate. Absolute truffle magic! Aroma is trufflicious. I feel like one of the those truffle sniffing pigs. So many mushrooms too! If you at all like truffle, you gotta try this. If you've never had truffles, you gotta try this. If you hate truffles or are allergic, probably not a good choice for you. Also had the Risotto special (what kind..? Truffle of course) - this one wasn't as great. I don't think the truffle sauce and rice go that well together... Of course desserts: Creme brulee - Pretty standard fair. Had the nice caramelization on type with the soft, custard below. I liked it. Panna cotta - Amazing! It had raspberry drizzle on top. All I can say is that Lupa, you could probably ditch that. The Panna Cotta itself has the right taste and texture. Rolls down the pharynx elegantly. I loved it. Come here if you like Italian. I'll be back for a fifth.
(4)
Stefanie C.

I came here because it was conveniently located near an errand I had to run. My friend and I were quickly seated in the crowded main dining area, though we could have chosen to be isolated (intimate) by the front window. The service was spectacular. Our food always arrived quickly, and the waiters were all very attentive. The food, on the other hand, was average. We started with the Burrata and Speck ($13) and the Caesar Salad ($10) and I must say... that was probably one of the worst salads I've ever had at a restaurant. I was also looking forward to having the Fettuccine Tartufate ($17) after reading about it online. Homemade fettuccine with porcini, shitake and oyster mushrooms in a black truffle sauce. DELICIOUS-SOUNDING!! Not really. In fact, it tasted better when I took the leftovers home and microwaved them the next day. My friend ordered the risotto that was on the special menu, but perhaps I'm just a fan of creamier risotto and not dry risotto made with huge grains of rice that look like orzo pasta. I'm very glad that the service made up for the food, but I would probably not come back here again. If you decide you want to give Lupa Trattoria a spin, you probably do not need a reservation since we came here on a weekend and there was plenty of seating.
(3)
Quoc N.

I'm giving them 3 but it could've easily been a 4 if not for some minor things. There was no early dinner crowd as we were able to get a table right away a little after 6pm. When they gave us bread to start, it was cold and I thought this might be trouble. My biggest pet peeve is cold bread. Can't restaurants at least throw some heat on and warm it up a tad? I mean really, it takes like 15 seconds to give customers the illusion that it's freshly baked. They also gave us a platter of virgin olive oil without balsamic vinegar to dip but my request for some was quickly accommodated. The rest of the meal was actually quite delicious. After I got over myself, I ordered the table three entrees to share; the pork chop, the spaghetti with seafood, and the ravioli with ricotta cheese and spinach. All three were decent but the pork chop stood out for me. It was succulent and not overly cooked. The white wine sauce added tremendous flavor and the bitterness from the brussels sprouts cut through all the richness. My only minor complaint is about the seafood in the spaghetti dish. It looks like they gave me the children's seafood edition because all the clams and shrimp were miniature. I would've like a little more fish and less shells, if you catch my drift. Service was decent as our waiter did check up on us throughout the meal to make sure it was to our liking. We ended the night with the tiramisu to share and when is tiramisu a bad thing? Never. So we inhaled it, paid our check and left to explore the rest of Noe Valley.
(3)
Jimes T.

Came here for mine and my girlfriends anniversary. The service was great, the food was good and the overall vibe was very Italian and authentic. The neighborhood is very nice, slightly quiet but peaceful. We took a stroll down 24th street from the restaurant to the Mission and continued our night on Valencia Street.
(4)
Anna Y.

My boyfriend took me here on one of our early dates. He works in the area so he eats here frequently. One of the things I like coming here is the ease of parking. There's plenty around! We came by on a weeknight so we didn't wait very long even though we didn't have a reservation. We ordered a bottle of wine. Their reds are delicious! You can never go wrong with any of them. We got a pinot. We started with a caprese. The tomatoes and mozzarella are both so fresh - they all melt in your mouth after 1 bite. My BF had the grilled steak with herbs, cannellini beans, arugula salad - he enjoyed this very much. This is his signature dinner here every time he comes. I had the Pan roasted duck breast in a marsala sauce, farro and grilled asparagus - OH. MY. GOD. The Marsala sauce over the duck breast - great combo! It was sweet and savory while the meat was soft and delicious. I was happy with every bite! For dessert, of course we had the panna cotta. Super yummy! The right balance of sweet and tangy. I can have another plate if I could. (But my hips can't take it. lol) Overall, our dining experience is so relaxed and yet so good. The staff are all attentive with filling up the water and wine. We went back here again last night and again, another great dinner experience. I won't get tired of coming here! Really great stuff!
(5)
Nguyen A.

It's a comfortable and nice place to dine and take your family to a fancy meal. No RSVP needed but if you come busy hours its recommended . We order the their special , taste excellent . Services are supreme. Can't go wrong .
(4)
Jane K.

3.5 rounded up. Stumbled upon Lupa Trattoria by happenstance while trolling for some Italian food on a recent trip up to SF. We were just glad to bolt into a warm space on a particularly frigid night, but Lupa serves up an unassumingly good dinner. The entrance area is lit with a wood-burning fire and the space opens up into a larger-than-expected dining area. The restaurant is cozy, quaint, and is a good place to come with friends, family, or a date. We started off with the Crostini Sampler (a special that night) and it was a hit. The crostini was good and crusty and the high-quality mozzarella was warm, milky, and just chewy enough. There were 3 varieties: sweet red bell pepper, sautÃ©ed mushrooms, and prosciutto. Of the three, the mushrooms had the most flavor, but I liked prosciutto the best. The table got 3 pasta dishes to share family-style. The special of the night was a Spaghetti di Mare-- mussels, clams, and shrimp in a light tomato-based sauce. The Pappardelle Sugo d'Agnello featured homemade pappardelle in a lamb bolognese and the Fettuccine Tartufate served homemade fettuccine with porcini, shitake, and oyster mushrooms in a black truffle sauce. All the homemade noodles were outstanding in texture and doneness-- ribbon thin and just the right amount of chew. The pappardelle in lamb bolognese, in particular, was really great. The fettuccine dish was bursting with a lot of mushroom and truffle flavor, but the dish became a bit too heavy and one-note after a while. The seafood spaghetti was perhaps my least favorite-- the sauce was under-seasoned and the shellfish was overcooked. Would pass. Service was spotty throughout, but overall, I enjoyed my wonderfully carb-y meal. I don't know if I'd make a return visit and found comfort in this homey restaurant.
(4)
Rachel L.

This place needs a serious service improvement. Upon sitting down we were asked within seconds whether we were ready to order. Every other 2 minutes, we were reapproached and asked again. Each time with increasing urgency and disdain. I'm sorry but being rushed is the opposite of what I'm looking for when I go out to a nice dinner. It was clear they were trying to get our money and get us out the door rather than caring if we enjoyed our experience. Food was good but nothing amazing. I got the lasagna and it kind of reminded me of a lasagna you might get at a cafeteria. We also got an odd bean and bread appetizer that was very bland. While the place itself was quite cozy (as is all of Noe Valley), the rushed and gruff service left a bad taste in our mouth. Definitely won't be back.
(2)
Fannie S.

Tabletop bread = good but a bit on the chewy side. It's crusty on the outside, and very soft and moist on the inside. Served with olive oil. Crostini misti = (Crostini with warm mozzarella and either sweet red bell pepper, mushrooms, or prosciutto, two of each). It was very delicious, and perfect amount of food for two. Lasagna = delicious!! Bolognese sauce indeed! Homemade lasagna pasta, FTW! The pasta was so delicate. We split the lasagna, and it was just the right amount. (It's plenty for one person.) Service = friendly. Attentive. Not cloying. :) Points for allowing casual wear in a full service restaurant. :) (It's nice to have options!) We saw the recommendations for desserts, and the table seated next to us only had dessert and left. We'll need to return for dessert.
(4)
Regina D.

Open at 5:30pm and filled by 5:32, you better make reservations at this local restaurant that serves authentic Roman on every plate. The caprise was a great appetizer to compliment the bread and olive oil that readily appeared on the table. For the first plate, the gnocchi with wild boar sauce lives up to every yelp review. For the second plate, the pan seared duck breast was cooked and sliced as if it were succulent medium rare marinated beef. I was pleasantly surprised. And the pan seared tenderloin wrapped inconspicuously with bacon was rich. It'll leave you stuffed like a burger would but without any guilt. Finally, you'll want to complete your Roman experience with coffee or espresso paired with a light and shareable dessert at the end. Otherwise, plan a siesta. The service was great and the atmosphere was romantic yet family friendly. Large groups celebrated birthdays and families brought in well behaved children. Call ahead for a reservation or show up just before opening to begin your culinary escape. The dishes were beyond reasonably priced for the experience and quality of food. You could easily triple your entire bill if this were located anywhere else in the city. Worth the drive or hop off the metro!
(4)
Gabriela W.

Penne alla rugantino. Penne, kalamata olives, caramelized onions, olive oil, romano. I order it every time. It's a celebration. Your mauf will thank you. Tiramisu. Your soul will applaud your choice. Family-style restaurant nestled in the heart of Noe. Good service. Ditch overrated spots like Poesia and head here for authentic Italian comestibles. Do it.
(5)
Saminda W.

Lupe Trattoria feels as if it were lifted outside of a small town in Italy and dropped in the middle of Noe. There's a bustle to the modest dining room, and you feel the brisk tempo as you sit down. It is decorated sparingly, just lots of warm brown wood and mustard walls with very few pieces of art. It's intimate and cozy without being dull. The menu is equally simple but quite good, two pages filled with about two dozen creations. I had the tortellini alla cardinale, filled with ground beef and pork and smothered in a pink cream sauce littered with chanterelles, peas, and prosciutto. It was excellent. The other standout was the penne alla rugantino, drizzled with warm olive oil, caramel isles onion, sun dried tomatoes, kalamata olives and Romano cheese. It was slightly better than mine; buyers remorse. The others were very good if not superb. Prices were affordable and great for the quality. Service was pretty good as well, very family-style. Highly recommended.
(4)
Cindy W.

As soon as we stepped into the restaurant, We were seated right away after I told them our names on the reservation so we actually didn't wait at all. The service was great. The server(s) kept coming to our table and checking on us and also pouring wine into our glasses when it's low. We had the pear and cream cheese wrapped with prosciutto on top of salad to start and it was a pretty interesting dish. I had the truffle fettuccine with mushrooms and my friend had the lasagna. The fettuccine had a lot of mushrooms and doesn't have much of the truffle taste. I tried a bit of my friend's lasagna and it tasted just like a sloppy joe. It's tasty if it's a sloppy joe, but a little off for lasagna. Last but not least, we had the lemon with white chocolate tart for dessert. I'm not a sweet tooth but this dessert was actually pretty good. It's not too sweet and u can taste the white chocolate along with the lemon taste.
(3)
Sindy T.

came here on a friday night for dinner at 8pm. my company is italian and he said this place is one of the best/authentic italian in the city! street parking was surprisingly easy to find; maybe because many stores were already closed by the time i got there. ambiance: 5 stars i love how warm and cozy the restaurant felt once i stepped in. it's not very big, but the lighting and decor were perfect for a semi formal/casual dinner. you can dress up or down at this place. i saw families with kids, couples on first dates, and an old man eating alone. Service: 5 stars the host and the waiters were extremely friendly and funny. they all looked really happy and smiled the entire time. they must love working there! i was a little early and the host chatted with me and made some jokes about how i should be careful about italian men, even though he's italian himself :) food: 5 stars overall, i love how the dishes were simple, but tasted genuinely fresh, flavorful, and GOOD. nothing fancy and pretentious like some of the small-portion modern cuisines. i let my company choose everything since he's italian and had been here before. Lupa is known for traditional roman food. In fact, Lupa stands for female wolf, and legend had it that the founders of rome were raised by Lupa. BURRATA E SPECK: the mozzarella was extremely creamy and it could melt in my mouth. perfectly seasoned along with bacon and arugula. CARPACCIO DI CARNE: their carpaccio is to the best i have had this year! BUCATINI AMATRICIANA: this is a traditional roman dish. i would not have ordered it if it were not highly recommended by my company, and it did not disappoint! it was absolutely DELICIOUS!! simple, but very tasty. the tomato sauce is probably the best i have had ever.
(5)
J. L.

They take reservations but don't seem to know how the reservation system is supposed to work so expect to wait regardless (on a weekend night)! This is a place more for families or friends rather than dates but it's ok for Mr. Man and I since we have already passed that try-to-impress stage. Didn't care much for the decor but liked that the wait staff all wore a tie. Though I didn't think it spectacular, I still quite enjoyed the food - all the dishes we ordered were simple, flavorful, straightforward, and well- presented. If you aren't an alcoholic (wine) drinker you're left with choices of canned Coke products, and Pelligrino. Doh!
(4)
Nova P.

We walked up and down 24th street and finally settled on this neighborhood Italian eatery. This was the first sit down restaurant I dined in as a new SF resident. When we walked in around 530 for dinner it was pretty empty, but by the time we left it was buzzing. You can't go wrong here with fresh bread to start, decent menu selection, reasonable prices, friendly customer service, and not to mention the deliciously generous wine pour. My friend and I both selected items from the special menu. I ordered the Carbonara (it's not on the menu, but you can request it from the kitchen), and my friend ordered an equally delicious seafood pasta entree. There seemed to be a number of regulars that our server was chummy with. We left Lupa happy and satisfied.
(4)
Jamil M.

This is a classic trattoria, for when you're in the mood for non-fusion, non-California, non-$200-for-two Italian. You can usually get a table on short notice too. But the reason to do so is the sauce. Their base tomato sauce is absolutely delicious. I need to ask them next time what's in it. Service is Classic Italian home style, and definitely worth return trips. Must haves include the burrata, the tortelloni, the bucatini, and the seafood spaghetti special.
(5)
Leo M.

Coffee is hit and fresh. Great big items for dessert. The Tiramisu tastes fresh and unlike the mushy versions of other places. The ladies fingers aren't completely soaked and unnoticeable. However, it is missing a bit more rum. The chocolate almond tarte is absolutely amazing. Fresh and moist and a great soft bite littered with crunchy almond bits. And the gelato is a great combination.
(5)
Melanie B.

Growing up in an Italian family, eating freshly made pasta & homemade sauce, I'm not easily impressed by Italian food. It's always the last choice on my list when it comes to dining out because nothing tastes like Nonna's food.Well this is definitely my new favorite Italian spot!!! Its very cozy & inviting! The service was fantastic & the food was fresh & absolutely delicious! Oh & the bread tastes just like Nonna used to make ;)
(5)
Vince E.

Lupa is excellent. Come try their pastas which are made fresh at the restaurant. Had the mushroom pasta, which sounds simple enough, but was excellent. However their entrees don't disappoint either. Their bacon wrapped pork loin was perfectly cooked and served with a nice bed of chard and polenta. Overall an excellent place for some excellent food
(4)
Teiki K.

Great place. After eating here last night for the second time, this place has officially become my favorite Italian restaurant in San Francisco. I've had their beef carpaccio, duck breast and NY steak, all of which were top-notch, albeit a little small for my American appetite. The staff is on par with their food. During both of my visits, they were very attentive, funny and friendly. The atmosphere and decor are warm yet versatile, well-suited for intimate date nights and large groups alike. Fair prices round out this great place that will be my go-to Italian place in the City going forward.
(4)
Andrew K.

A nice relaxed italian spot. Halibut was nice. Cozy, romantic, with a good menu. Food was tasty. They split it all up for us. Totally recommended.
(4)
Amy M.

This place is fantastic! I've been looking for an authentic Italian restaurant in the city and nothing in North Beach ever felt right. Lupa Trattoria feels just like your Grandma's kitchen - warm, inviting, and the food is delicious traditional Italian! We had the Risotto special and Lasagna - both were hands down, the best in the city. Service was fast and wine was good (and not overpriced). Would definitely recommend going - we'll be back for sure!!
(5)
D G.

This is unfortunate. I couldn't enjoy the food here because they were trying so hard to rush us out. The manager was friendly but the rest of the staff was running around with their heads cut off...and for no reason! There were plenty of waiters and the place wasn't even full. I was in mid bite and got asked if they could take our plates. It's very rare for me to complain but I just wanted to enjoy my meal. The food itself is great but I still expect to have the experience of dining out.
(2)
Nicole J.

Amazing food! Great atmosphere. Serving sizes are enough to share. Boyfriend and I shared a salad, appetizer and entree plate. The wine was delicious. The place is a little warm but great food, very happy.
(5)
Rudy R.

Best restaurant we've even been to in San Francisco, hands down! 'nuff said!
(5)
Mister K.

It was good. I thought it would be better though. I had a salmon, and yes indeed, it was cooked perfectly. Somehow it didn't seem "Italian" enough - perhaps my fault for ordering it. It was a well-prepared piece of seared salmon plus a salad. Next time, the pasta. The service has kind of an arrogance about it, but whatever. We were served well.
(3)
Ranna Z.

I've been here 5 times already in the last 4 months. It's my go-to for friends coming from outside the city; the simple menu, great italian waiters, good selection of wines, and the casual atmosphere are perfect for catching up. My favorite thus far is the Fettuccine Tartufate. Truffle sauce and three of my favorite types of mushrooms + the recommendation of the waitress (both times) is pretty hard to beat.
(5)
Lauren B.

Consistently great all around - good well made & well served Italian food. Thankful to have Lupa as a neighborhood staple!
(5)
K G.

This place is gross. Unclear when these reviews are from or if they were purchased in some far away land. Place is extremely dirty, smelly and stained furniture with food all over the floor. Food is mushy oily and uninspired - we literally gave back 2 appetizers and 1 main dish untouched, they said and asked NOTHING Ofc charging us for everything. Looking over to the open kitchen only to see no chef but 3 kitchen Staff - not surprised.
(1)
Esther A.

I've tried several of their dishes: gnocchi, bucatini with pancetta, the black truffle fettuccine, the lamb sugo pappardelle and they were all fantastic. And you definitely get bang for your buck. Recently I had their day's special, a risotto dish and although delicious was only able to eat half and had to pack the rest to go. Service was spot on. Our server was warm, likable with a nice Italian accent to boot and orders brought promptly to our table. If you have kids, Lupa is extremely kid-friendly. They were very patient when a mother and her three kids (all with extremely loud voices) were dining in and one of the children spilled their glass of water not once but twice all within 10 minutes of being seated. Once the spillage was made one of the bussers were immediately there with towels to wipe it down without giving them a stink eye which some of the other diners nearby them did. How embarrassing. Many will automatically think North Beach if they're seeking traditional and authentic Italian food. But for me, Lupa offered a better experience with superior dishes than their North Beach counterparts (at least the ones that I've been to) minus the tourists and large crowds. 5 stars all around for me.
(5)
Chris H.

Absolutely loves it. Wine, dinner, and service was wonderful. My wife and I had a wonderful night. I'm a tough customer and this place is worth every dime.
(5)
Baron C.

This is a place I walked by all the time, but never gave much thought to, until a visiting friend from New York wanted to take us there, as it was his favorite italian restaurant in SF. It's good, hearty, italian comfort food done in a cute place with a welcoming but not overly smarmy atmosphere. The dishes can be heavy on the cream and I wouldn't want to know how many eggs and slabs of butter were sacrificed to make my tortelloni, but I haven't regretted a single meal there. They also score points for being cool with kids. Good date spot but also works for families.
(5)
Jess C.

San Francisco neighborhood version of Olive Garden.
(2)
Laura C.

The food here was okay, not great but edible. I really liked the prosciutto but the carpaccio was disgusting. It wasn't sliced thin enough and it felt like we were chewing slabs of raw, juicy meat. The pastas were not cooked right and one of my dining companions thought they tasted like Chef Boyardee. Very generic and bland. The servers seemed angry that we were the only table sitting in the bottom half of the restaurant, even though they sat us there. They basically threw our stuff down at the table. This city is filled with so many great restaurants, why waste your time on a mediocre one?
(3)
Andrew H.

Great, quality Italian food, but a handful of details left me feeling a little disappointed. The pappardelle was great, but the service was passable and rushed. Getting wine and meal recommendations was a struggle, and some of the standard items you would expect were just not there. Fresh ground pepper was substituted for ordinary table pepper, and the bread was not fresh and a bit tough.
(3)
Kris L.

Date night w/ A last night (Saturday night). A had just gone here (for the first time) this past Wednesday night, loved it, and wanted to go again with me. Although we decided pretty early that we were going to make a date night out of it, A didn't check until we were about to leave the house (at about 5:30pm) whether there were any reservations available. There weren't. The earliest available reservation wasn't until 9:00pm. We decided to head out there anyway since it was early and just hope for the best. If we couldn't get in, there are plenty of restaurant choices in Noe Valley to choose from. Luckily for us, when we got to the restaurant, the host was hanging outside and cheerfully opened the door for us. We told him we didn't have any reservations, which he seemed completely and totally shocked about, but he said he would look and see what he could do. At this time, it was about 5:50pm and there were only about 4 or 5 tables occupied. I'm guessing most of the tables were reserved. He found us a cute little table next to a window where we could see a little fountain. Our server was excellent and constantly stopped by to see if we were ready to order or to make suggestions. We started by sharing the Insalata di Zucchine which consisted of thin shredded zucchini soaked in a truffle oil topped with some cheese and an olive crostini. Super yum and flavorful. But I LOOOOOVE truffle oil. Just cook anything in truffle oil and I'll probably love it. Except asparagus. I probably wouldn't love that. Even if it were soaked in truffle oil. Asparagus and I do NOT get along. Speaking of asparagus though, for my entree, I picked the Anatra Al Marsala, which was a pan roasted duck breast in a marsala sauce, farro and grilled asparagus. Yup, I picked a dish with asparagus. I didn't want the asparagus, but the rest of the dish sounded delicious. Lucky for me, A loves asparagus, so he ate mine (which he said was delicious for you asparagus lovers out there). The duck was cooked a perfect medium rare and the farro was delicious. I've never had farro before, but it kind of reminded me of brown rice, but fluffier and definitely not as hard. I can't remember the name of A's entree, but it was basically spaghetti with seafood, i.e., mussels, clams, calamari, shrimp. He said it could've been a little bit spicier, but that was just a personal preference. He's not crazy about mussels and/or clams, but he still ate them and said they were delicioso! We shared the profiteroles for dessert. I recommend getting this. There are four on a dish and the chocolate sauce smothering them is absolutely YUMMY! Definitely make reservations because lots of people were getting turned away while we were there and the restaurant was packed. Price was about $80. including tax/tip and one glass of wine.
(4)
Cindy L.

I've been to this place for the past 3 years, and it has been consistently great food. I brought my friend here this past week and he doesn't like Italian but loved the food.
(5)
Chris C.

Great food, cozy place and really professional service. The waitress is AMAZING ! :)))))
(5)
Kaitlyn L.

Genuine, traditional, lovingly made Italian. Everything we had was made in-house from scratch, and the wine list was also fantastic. Very attentive and personable service as well. Great date night experience! Don't miss the tiramisu!!
(5)
Heather R.

The pears and cheese wrapped in prosciutto is quite good and so is the lasagna. The place itself is quite nice looking and cozy.
(4)
Nasrin N.

This was our first time eating at this restaurant. It's a small place in Noe Valley. The food was very good. We ordered 4 plates: halibut, veal, lasagna, and lamb. We liked the food. Portions are on the smaller side. Overall a very good environment. It's a bit noisy so it's hard to have conversation going. Service was Ok. I will go back there again.
(4)
Trishan A.

Fantastic meal: wild boar gnocchi, crostini, mushroom fettuccine, and the duck was fantastic. Only warning is that the smoked mozzarella with mushroom appetizer is so rich you need four people to share it; but it's delicious, practically meaty it's smoked so well. The waiters were actually Italian or they faked it really well. Treated my son (2 1/2 yrs) great though it's not designed for kids (i.e. no coloring place mats & crayons)
(5)
Mario D.

Everything was great..pasta and antipasti were fantastic..do not miss the desserts...profiteroles are fabulous..we will come back very soon!!!
(5)
Grace G.

Food was delicious, service was spot on and ambiance was fun! I had the lasagna, but next time want to try the ravioli!
(4)
M. N.

Amazing experience today with my boyfriend. We had made an appointment at 7 p.m., and it was not that crowded. We were immediately welcomed by the man who look like a store manager, and then was immediately asked for what we wanted to drink by our waiter. Great service already. We ended up ordering the Bharata cheese appetizer, mushroom fettuccine, and the salmon main dish. Every single dish was delicious. It came on time, in the right order, and everything was fresh, hot and amazing. It has really been a long time since we have had such an amazing experience at a restaurant. Thank you! We will definitely be back!
(5)
Lauren S.

Lupa Trattoria is a friendly and casual neighborhood italian restaurant with some really amazingly good food. I had the Halibut and my friend had the risotto and both were well prepared and delicious. I will definitely add them to my stable of reliably good neighborhood spots.
(4)
A S.

Bullshit reviews. The food is terrible. Chef Boyardee makes better Italian food. Giorgio Chiellini is better Italian food. Avoid!
(1)
M L.

Nice place, excellent food and good service. Tried the burrata appetizer which was really good and two different kinds of pasta. Both were tasty. Gelato was a nice final touch.
(5)
Tami W.

Super tasty, welcoming and nice waitstaff, decent prices, and you can usually get a table without a problem.
(5)
Vicki L.

Fun staff, cozy and fun vibe, amazing house made bread! Order the pork dish.
(4)
Marie E.

First time here for dinner. Cute little place. Friendly staff. We had a salad first & it was good. My daughter & I shared the Halibut along with a pasta dish. My son ordered their seafood pasta dish. I liked my Halibut, but have to say it was the smallest piece of Halibut I've ever had! It was grilled well & very good. I also liked my pasta dish too. Nice flavor - bit too salty. The only thing I won't order again would be their desserts. It was just fair. I would come back & try other menu offerings.
(3)
M W.

I got the gnocci in a meat sauce and it was very yummy. My boyfriend got the tartuffe and it was loaded with mushrooms. He thoroughly enjoyed it but that's not for me haha the waiters were really nice and it's a cute romantic place. I would recommend it!
(4)
Lisa R.

We've been here a few times now and enjoyed every dish. Very comfortable atmosphere and attentive, friendly servers. Italian is always a bit pricy, but this place is not as pricy as many and feels like a good value for the portion sizes and high quality. Also the desserts are all made in-house and I've loved every one I've tried - all are totally worth the calories, so save some room for dessert.
(4)
Mary D.

I wanted to like the place, I really did. Hubby and I went out for our date night and the place has a nice look and atmosphere, but a little too casual and that should have been my clue. We were the first people there, but the place filled up quickly. We asked for water when we sat down and were ignored by the guy lighting the votive candle and then our waiter came over a few minutes later and again, we asked for water. He brought us water and a loaf of BURNT bread! with a very pedestrian and flavorless plate of olive oil. Why would you let a charred loaf of bread out of the kitchen to serve your diners unless you just didn't care? The menu looks good, but don't be fooled. I was hungry so I ordered an appetizer of pears with mascarpone cheese wrapped in prosciutto, on a bed of greens. I didn't want to believe it, but the pears were from a can! and I was finding dried, dead stems of parsley everywhere in the salad which was dressed in with the same tasteless olive oil and what tasted like distilled vinegar dressing. My main was the gnocchi with "wild boar" ragu and my husband ordered the special of seafood pasta. The gnocchi came from a package and so heavy you could build a cabin with them. The "wild boar" ragu was so salty, it was all I could taste and I could not taste wild boar, at all; actually, all I could taste was salt. Hubby's dish was ridiculous...over cooked shrimp and calamari which tasted frozen and old. Actually, all of the seafood tasted frozen. Our waiter asked how everything was and my husband told him exactly what was wrong with his dish. If you want to know, don't ask the question then make disgusted faces at the people who give you an honest answer! We've read that if something is wrong, tell the people so they can make it right. I don't think the owner or the chef want to make it right because they will always have the neighborhood locals to fool. Heard a guy behind us say Lupa is his favorite restaurant. He should go out more... Will not come back. Next time Olive Garden would be better...
(1)
Kurt C.

I was looking for a nice place to have dinner with my wife while in San Francisco for a few days. This fit the bill: nice ambiance, but fairly casual. It's a pretty tight fit inside, so I recommend making reservations to ensure you have a seat. I actually called to move ours up an hour, and they were fine with that. The food was awesome. The portions were very generous, and the prices were pretty reasonable. Our server was very friendly as well.
(4)
Jane L.

I came here New Year's Day with family and it was one of the only places with reservations still available on a short notice. Parking was relatively easy for us as we were early. We had reservations for 6:30 and walked in at 6 and were seated immediately. For the apps, we had the mussels & clams and the melted smoked mozzarella cheese with the sauteed mixed mushrooms. The mussels and clams were pretty fishy tasting. Nothing too special. I was actually expecting the mushrooms to be sauteed together with the cheese, but it was a round dish with the melted mozzarella on one half and the sauteed mushrooms on the other half. For the entree, I had the tortellini and when it came, it was absolutely drenched with sauce. I began to regret not going for a run that morning. The tortellini was good overall, but the sauce was too overwhelming and I was feeling so full. One of my family members got the fettuccine with the mushrooms and I wanted to eat hers instead since the sauce wasn't that thick and I love mushrooms. I got a taste of some of the specials that my family ordered. There was a chicken that was seasoned well, though the white meat was a little dry for my taste. The ahi tuna entree tasted great. And the pasta with the seafood was pretty standard. The service was great. Our waiter kept returning to check on us and refilling our water jug. The food was standard, although some of the sauces were a little overwhelming
(3)
Zander K.

Stefano and his team at Lupa do a fantastic job bringing you the authentic feel from Roma. Great homemade pasta!
(5)
V H.

Food was just so-so. Atmosphere was cozy
(3)
Andrew P.

Amazing!!! The gnocchi in wild boar sauce was fantastic. And the waiter was very helpful in pairing the dinner with wine. Best Italian restaurant I've been to in a long time.
(5)
Lucky L.

On my third visit to Lupa, I used a Bloomspot certificate. Immediately upon presentation of the Bloomspot certificate, service diminished. The sign posted at the front door specifically for Bloomspot guests sets the tone: "As specified on your certificate we will NOT honor Bloomspot if you made a reservation thru Open Table or do not have a printed copy" The Bloomspot treatment ended my relationship at Lupa. In the future, I will have my Italian dinners at Ristorante Bacco while in Noe Valley. Will miss the White Chocolate Lemon Tart a wee bit; but I'll get over it.
(2)
Jose S.

100% reliable... everything is always tasty and the service is great ... they have a large menu big on meats and pastas with vegetarian options... great place to bring parents or out of town visitors if you live in Noe Valley. I really love this place
(4)
Howard C.

Excellent food & service at a great price point. Wine list is reasonable & good selection
(5)
Mike P.

This place is always great! Lasagna is fantastic, as is the fettuccine with mushrooms and truffle oil. If you are looking for homemade pasta this is the place to go. Desserts are all super good.
(5)
Melissa C.

Love this little Noe locals Gem! Service is fabulous, food fantastic! Love the staff!!
(5)
Curt E.

A great neighborhood restaurant in Noe Valley. We started with the burrata e speck which was heavenly; I never knew mozzarella could taste this good. My dining partner ordered the fettuccine tartufate that was fabulous. Complex flavors with an underlying black truffle sauce--a sauce so easy to ruin--in this case perfectly prepared. I had the pan roasted pork tenderloin that was also excellent, however the longer I lingered over the dish, the more dry it became, until by the end of the meal it was impossible to finish.
(4)
Joe M.

Very friendly and very authentic Italian restaurant. Cheerful greeting on a Saturday night. Got the table by the window because we arrived before six. Very attentive wait staff. Fabulous crusty Italian bread with olive oil brought to the table quickly. Baby spinach salad with goat cheese and nuts was a good start. Loved my gnocchi with wild boar sauce but it seemed a little bit salty. Wife liked her Cornish hen. Really seasoned nicely with herbs and served over Brussel sprouts, and sliced roasted potatoes. Glass of Primitivo wine was nice. Affordable.
(4)
Gabriela A.

Wonderful service and delicious food!
(5)
Kalev R.

Went here for dinner with a friend based on the menu and ratings, but unfortunately the food and service didn't live up to the expectations. The food was mediocre, and the service was almost non-existent. Would not come back.
(2)
melissa r.

Called ahead about 6:30, and they had plenty of tables (however this was on a Monday evening). Just a tip: no bar area, but we had no issues sitting immediately. We started with the prosciutto wrapped pears with mascarpone. Very light and delicious. They did not skimp on the prosciutto! For dinner we shared the saltimbocca...and it was drenched in a butter sauce. We cleaned out plate. The veal was not overcooked and very tender which can be hard sometimes to find. Will definitely return to this restaurant on future San Fran trips!
(5)
Jason B.

Go wild. Gnocchi with a five-hour braised wild boar sauce is one of the best dishes of the year. Let me repeat. Gnocchi with a five-hour braised wild boar sauce is one of the best dishes of the year. Do not pass this up. You'll marvel at the flavor in each bite. The succulent sauce pairs perfectly with the potato dumplings. You'll fight over the last bite. Unless you have an attentive and friendly server who proactively splits the dish into two. Nice move. Amazing dish. Second best was the spaghetti with shrimp, mussels and other seafood. Plenty of pasta. Decent amount of seafood. Nice light tomato sauce. I wanted more wild board. Hen on a bed of spinach was a distant third. Too oily. More effort than I wanted to give getting the meat off the bone. And I wanted more wild boar. Restaurant was quite busy for it being early on a Sunday night. Or maybe this is how Noe Valley rolls. Bet they have a lot of regulars. Bet they keep coming back to go wild.
(4)
Kelly W.

Yum. I've lived in the neighborhood for over 5 years and never walked inside. I've been missing out! The quality food is fresh and delicious, the service attentive and enjoyable and I will return with my family very soon. I'm a fan.
(4)
Candace D.

Was SO great that we went back twice in one week. The food and service are excellent (waiter remembered my allergies and what I ordered- they even made me something off menu!)! Mussels and clam starter- the light tomato sauce is our favorite. Gnocchi is INSANE Bolognese- my husband is a bolognese snob and said its one of the best he has had Spaghetti with seafood- my favorite! Service- so warm and inviting...super attentive! This place is a gem in Noe!
(5)
andreas s.

We love this place. Everyone is super friendly and the place is cozy. With a fire place, open kitchen, great food, and an ever warm welcome, this has been our favorite family spot for the past years.
(5)
Marichelle M.

Walking in I immediately felt like I was home. Well, my home away from home -- Italy. Lupa reminded me of the small, cozy restaurants which were family owned. Restaurants whose primary purpose was to make good food and to make the customer feel happy. We were greeted warmly by the owner. Our waiter, like the owner, was italian. The menu was simple, and the specials were truly specials. You know this because they ran out of one dish. The wines are imported too. We opted for the gnocchi and the risotto specials. Mi piacci! I felt like I was sitting at the Segnora's table once again. Lupa is truly a neighborhood gem. It is far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Parking is easy if you look, and the prices very fair. Just remember to make reservations. It's cozy for a reason.
(5)
Nicolas E.

We had not been back in almost a year, hoping it had not lost its excellence. No fear, Lupa was even better than before. Began with Scamorza, followed by Galletto and Saltimbocca......and of course a bottle of Gavi. Clean, fresh, authentic and a pure joy. The staff is simply the best. We will be back every month.
(5)
Monica G.

A little pricey for the quality of the food. The salad I got was fresh and everything, but nothing too special. The "soup of the day" was very salty and felt like it came out of a can. A lot of the food tasted salty honestly. Meh.
(2)
Annalise F.

Lupa has been on my list of "to trys" for quite awhile now. I made a 7:00 p.m. reservation for Friday night for my Dad, boyfriend, and myself. We arrived at 6:45 p.m. and were promptly seated. Lupa has a very cozy, "at home" feel. Our server was friendly and attentive, as were the majority of the waitstaff we interacted with. We ordered a bottle of white wine- $32. This struck me as ridiculously steep. Then again, I typically don't purchase bottles- just a glass! The men both ordered Caesar salads and I tried the Broccoli soup. Burnt my tongue pretty badly- but I'd rather something come out of the kitchen pipping hot as opposed to luke-warm. It wasn't at all like how our server described- and although good, it didn't "wow" me. The bread and olive oil they serve is amazing. One of the two must be infused with something, because it has great flavor. My dad ordered the Tortelloni. He seemed to like it quite a bit. I didn't care for it. I'm a texture person, and it didn't "gel" with me. I ordered the Bucatini Amantriciana. For a split second, I felt like I was back in Rome. However, another Yelper mentioned it reminded them of Campbell's tomato soup- and that ruined it for me. (I proceeded to eat it all, but I couldn't get Campbell's out of my brain!) The boyfriend ordered the seafood special and loved it. I tried a bite, and it really was quite delicious! If it wasn't for the clams, mussels, and calamari, I'd order this too! Lupa is a great place to grab a bite if you happen to be in the area. But I wouldn't travel across town (again) for the food. Firenze by Night still gets my vote for best Italian in San Francisco.
(3)
Veliero M.

We keep on coming back since the food is so good, the services is quick and very pleasant and the atmosphere is very nice!
(5)
Jory S.

Fantastic meal in all regards! Portions were plentiful, service was warm and genuine, prices were fair, menu was inventive, and best of all-food was flavorful and delicious!
(5)
Elysha R.

Love this place! Great food, great service, great atmosphere. Very autentico!
(5)
Sherman L.

the perfect neighborhood italian restaurant, which to me means great homemade pasta without any "fusion" going on.
(4)
Tracy C.

It was a rainy evening and I was in the mood for Italian food in a cozy restaurant. Lupa Trattoria was perfect. The inside is cozy but not fancy. The service was excellent - attentive not pushy. The warm bread was fresh and delicious. And the Lasagna Bolognese was the absolute best and the portion was very generous. Tender delicate homemade lasagna noodles with plenty of tasty meat sauce. The dessert menu had many of my favorites but I was too full to indulge. Love this place! Would frequent and take guests here.
(5)
Cindy H.

Great little Italian place in Noe. Fresh made bread and seriously the olive oil is amazing. Butternut squash ravioli was excellent with fried sage leaves on top, flavor was a little on the sweet side for me. My boyfriend got the lasagna which was excellent gooey, cheesy, goodness. While the butternut ravioli was very good, the lasagna was spot on. For dessert, we shared the white chocolate lemon tart: was like a slice of pie with white chocolate bits on top, would have liked a bit more lemon flavor. Overall great service, fairly quiet on a Tuesday night, food came out quickly. Will come back to try the five-hour braised wild boar gnocchi!
(4)
Danielle G.

This place is great. I've been coming here with family since before it was Lupa and it was called 'Little Italy'. Same great atmosphere and delicious food. Be prepared it is on the more expensive side but well worth it if you are looking for a great family night out or date spot. The service is always great and the food is extremely consistent.
(5)
Nicole O.

Love this place. It's nice to dine at an Italian place with Italian people working there! Feels authentic and like you're in Italy. We started with a bottle of pinot grigio which was very fairly priced. We also had the prosciutto, pear and mascarpone appetizer which was delish and I had the special soup which was carrot and ginger. The soup was very good. I had the fettucine tartufate and my man had the lasagna all bolognese. Both were very tasty and we each had some leftovers which we'll enjoy tonight. The complimentary bread and olive oil was good as well. This may be our new local Italian place!
(4)
Marian S.

Oh my sweet baby Jesus. GO HERE. I had the butternut squash ravioli, my friend had the pork and polenta. Both were to die for. The wine was great (I just asked the waiter to bring me his favorite) and I want to bathe in their profiteroles. Plus, not crazy crowded on weeknights, the ambiance is super warm and romantic and the staff treated us spectacularly. Enjoy!
(5)
D W.

You can't go wrong w/ any of the pasta dishes. They're all as authentic to Roman fare as you can get, afaik, in California.
(5)
Amritasri R.

The staff here are very nice and conscientious about your dining experience. Definitely a return visit. Thank you for serving the birthday cake that we brought in.
(4)
Brian L.

Underwhelming. Food is pretty good but nothing special. It's a little pricey for what it is. Nice ambiance. I've heard many good things from others, but it just didn't strike me as anything special. Wait staff seemed a little sour, as I recall.
(3)
Mike H.

A Bloomspot deal was the tipping point to get me to nearby Lupa, finally! Why have I been wandering across SF when a good restaurant is within walking distance? You'll always find solid and inspired Italian food in a warm environment with personable and efficient service. I didn't even realize how much I prefer that at times to the American service method, which borders on solution selling into a large enterprise in its impersonal nature. The gnocchi in a boar tomato sauce was tasty as split opener. My girlfriend liked the tortolloni with beef and pork more than I, though we agreed the sauce was great, as were the prosciutto and peas. The veal scaloppine was subtle and quite good, along with very buttery mashed potatoes and well-flavored Swiss chard.
(4)
Michael G.

Outstanding service, relaxed but professional atmosphere, and excellent dining. Fantastic pastas regular and special. We had a lovely special Insalata Belga (endive) that was very delicious, and their tiramisu is also tasty. Extraordinary wines by the glass with generous pours. Wonderful. Ho vissuto in Italia per un bel po' ed anche lavorato nel campo dei ristoranti, alberghi, turismo in Toscana, Veneto, Sicilia, Sardegna, Piemonte, dunque conosco qualcosa del cibo italiano. COMPLIMENTI A TUTTI!!!!
(5)
John K.

Made a reservation for 8pm on Opentable. Arrived at 8. Was not seated by 8:15. The other couple waiting was offered wine. They didn't ask us if we wanted to order a glass. Completely ignored. Will not be back. Liked the food last time.
(2)
S S.

Went for Dessert ONLY. Left unsatisfied. Who puts Hershey's Syrup on Tirami Su? Gross. Way to ruin it. Also, they had NO dessert wine. Their gelato was not great, I've had better in a mall.
(2)
Jennifer L.

My search for great Italian food in the Bay Area is over. Came here for dinner. Definitely has a classy romantic atmosphere. Good solid Italian food.
(5)
G C.

While the room was crowded (small place, tables very close to one another and it was full), the service and the food were both outstanding. We came here at the recommendation of a co-worker and I am glad that we did, LUPA has quickly become our Italian spot of choice when the stomach calls for it. We started with RADICCHIO E CAPRINO (roasted radicchio and goat cheese in a balsamic vinaigrette) and CARPACCIO DI CARNE (beef carpaccio with arugola, capers and shaved parmiggiano), both were fresh and excellent. For our mains we both had pasta, RAVIOLI ALLA MODENESE (homemade ravioli filled with ricotta cheese and spinach with fried garlic chips in a brown butter and sage sauce) and BUCATINI AMATRICIANA (straw shaped pasta with caramelized onion, pancetta and Romano cheese in a tomato sauce), these dishes were rich, inviting and scrumptious. For dessert we had espressos and shared PANNA COTTA which was sublime. My only complaint is how packed it can get in LUPA, its not the place to go for a quiet, intimate meal but it's a minor complaint for me, the food speaks volumes and we will go back again and again and again!!!
(4)
Susan S.

One of the friends I went to Lupa with loves genuine European-born waitstaff and restaurant owners but despises the cheek-kissing that sometimes comes with them. Lucky for her, Lupa is the total package: charming, attentive Italian waiters who keep their lips to themselves. Also, the food was really good. I was immediately struck by the cozy and warm atmosphere here. The fireplace was particularly welcome on the cold, rainy night as we waited for a table. The bread was warm and chewy--superior to most restaurant bread. My duck was good, if not memorable, but the pasta dishes got rave reviews all around. And the latte was possibly the best latte I've had in a restaurant. (Restaurants usually can't beat cafes when it comes to espresso, since they tend to invest in less expensive espresso machines).
(4)
Vivian W.

I really liked this trattoria! I came here with a friend and really enjoyed it. The ambience is cozy, our server was so sweet and courteous, the menu looked really enticing, and when our food arrived, we loved our dishes. I ordered a fettucine with porcini, shiitake mushrooms, and truffle oil. Really tasty. My friend ordered a penne with sundried tomatoes sauce and it was also delicious. I'm not usually a big fan of Italian wines but I ordered the Barbera d'Alba and enjoyed it. All in all, I'll be back!
(4)
Arielle G.

Since moving to the area a year ago, this has become my favorite neighborhood gem and favorite go-to Italian. I've not tried a dish I didn't like but my favorite is their homemade Papardelle with lamb bolognese sauce. AMAZING!
(5)
Audra S.

Solid Italian. Fresh, fast and fairly priced.
(4)
Thomas D.

I just found my favorite Italian restaurant in San Francisco. Lupa is a quaint and unassuming trattoria on 24th Street in Noe Valley with excellent service and very good food. Because it was our first time there, we decided to order a lot of food so that we could sample many dishes and flavors etc. Drinks: Peroni- beer (my favorite Italian beer--always psyched to see it offered on menus) Montepulciano d'Abruzzo- wine by the glass (hearty and tasty) Antipasto: We split a very fresh and tasty spinach salad that was dressed with a light raspberry vinaigrette, walnuts and goat cheese. Primo Piatto: We split the Bucatini Amatriciana which was $15.00 It's a straw shaped hollow pasta (like a thick spaghetti noodle) with caramelized onion, pancetta and Romano cheese in a tomato sauce This would have been enough for a main course. It was seasoned beautifully. The onion/pancetta combo was perfectly partnered with a rich tomato sauce. Secondi Piatti We ordered separate main courses and shared everything. The Saltimbocca alla Romana was $21.00. It's veal scaloppine topped with sage and prosciutto in a white wine sauce with mashed potato and swiss chard. This is going to be my order again the next time I am at Lupa. What a wonderful dish! Saltimbocca literally translates to "jump in the mouth" and that's what this entree did! We also ordered the Filetto di Maiale al Vino Rosso which was $19.50. It's a pan roasted pork tenderloin wrapped in smoked bacon, mashed fried polenta and swiss chard Again, this was an entree that made both eyes and mouth water. The wine reduction glaze was very good. Dinner started with warm, crusty bread to be dipped into a delicious olive oil . When desserts were offered we really didn't have any room left--but, I did order the Torta di Limone (white chocolate/lemon cake) "da portar via" ( to go)! Lupa is a great find. Dinner came to $110.00 after taxes.
(4)
Matthew B.

Ordinary food, indifferent service
(2)
Scott M.

Perfect little neighborhood spot! Excellently prepared Italian comfort food, combined w/ superior service make this spot a must see in SF if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle and have a nice meal in a cool little restaurant. It was hard to filter through all the FAKE ass reviews in this city, so I wanted to try to offer a real one. This place is great from beginning to end. Great prices, great food, great service. I will be back. Yes I am a real person and NO I was not paid for this review. I just enjoyed my meal and service and the fact that the waiter watched my backpack while we 4:20'd on the stoop in between dinner and dessert. Grazie!
(4)
Dilly M.

Went here the other night after visiting with friends in Noe. This restaurant was a nice find. The menu had plenty of options to select from. Went with the lamb ragu which was delicious. Good wine selection as well that was reasonably priced. A must try if you are in the area.
(4)
Bob L.

Stopped in on way home from the airport on a cold Thursday night. Sat near the kitchen where it was warm and the flavors were wafting over the counter! Wonderful ambiance! Then the bread was delivered with the wonderful flavored olive oil, a nice glass of primitivo wine for my wife and I and were ready to order. She had the veal special and it was immaculate! Tender, and flavorful. I had the lasagna and it was superb. Homemade noodles that melt in your mouth, a bolangaise sauce loaded with meat but not at all heavy. The service was superb, the ambiance was warm and friendly, and the food was spectacular. The comparable in my opinion is the Yellow Bar in Florence Italy. If you go there, ask for Sergio! Great job Lupo Trattoria!
(5)
Michael B.

The portions seem to have been reduced lately, trending with most restaurants. For example, I ordered the TORTELLONI ALLA CARDINALE, paid about $17, and got 8 tortellinis for takeout. After picking up two meals that felt less than 1 lb and paying $35, I just cannot see the value. Perhaps many restaurants in the city are just getting squeezed with their leases and need to find ways to save a buck.
(2)
Jennifer J.

Took my mom here for Mother's Day. Made a reservation and got our table for two - no problem! It was not too crowded and the atmosphere was very cozy. The man who seated us was extremely welcoming and nice. We ordered the veal and the risotto (with mushrooms and Italian sausage) to share between the two of us. It was delicious and we had risotto left over for me to have for lunch the next day. The only small beef I have is that it was a little pricey, but compared to some of the places in San Francisco, the bill wasn't too bad. We wanted to order either the tiramisu or panna cotta for dessert, but we were too stuffed. Street parking was not bad. We parked a few blocks away, so it was nice to take a walk through Noe Valley after we ate.
(4)
CJ G.

A casual, neighborhood Italian trattoria, Lupa serves up decent Roman-inspired fare at reasonable prices Tucked in an unassuming, small storefront not far from the corner of 24th and Castro, Lupa is the creation of Stefano Coppola, a native of Nemi, a small town outside of Rome. He leverages the skills he gained at his family's restaurant to create some very delicious and authentic Italian dishes. While the menu is filled with ingredients common to Roman-style cooking, it is definitely influenced by the bounty of fresh produce available in the Bay Area. Served on a bed of spicy arugula, the burrata with Tyrolean speck ($12.75) was good, but not quite as creamy and soft as it should be. Insalate misticanza ($7.75), a mixed salad of organic, young lettuce with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar was fresh and tasty. Rich and savory, the gnocchi al cinghiale (potato pasta with wild boar, $16.00) was a perfect dish to warm diners on a cold summer evening in The City. Servers are Italian through and through--welcoming and warm. The Italian-centric wine list is well priced with a sufficient, but not overwhelming, number of selections available by the glass and bottle. The only downside was the lack of a sparkling option by the glass. An Italian restaurant without a Spumante or Proseco by the glass, what gives? Acquerello need not be worried: Lupa is not (and is not intended to be) a fine dining establishment. Lupa is a good example of what it was intended to be: an enjoyable, affordable, homey choice for a casual Roman dinner.
(4)
Skye W.

BOooooo. Just realized I could have opentabled this... Anyway, onto the review: My bf took me to Noe Valley to wander and explore, he got an awesome haircut at Honeycomb Salon and we stumbled upon Lupa for dinner. The restaurant was pretty empty when we first got there, but during the course of our meal it filled to about 50%. Crowd was mostly dates, one table of 4 girlfriends chatting it up, and one table of a dad and kid. The waitstaff I encountered was one straight up italian dude and a mexican. So yes authentic ...sort of Food: They brought bread and this delicious olive oil. I shared the endive arugula salad with my bf. They brought this out on two plates- how considerate. I got the mushroom fettucine, which was a huge portion and I only ate half. The homemade pasta was really good, but at the same time lacking a little something I just can't describe. It's good but just doesn't compare to delfina pasta. My bf got the parpadelle with lamb, was yummy as well. Service is good and food is good. I love me some pasta.
(4)
Miguel S.

Excellent option for Italian in the interesting Noe Valley area. Everything from the lasagna to ravioli to halibut to risotto (with shrimp) was tasty & impressive. Nice desserts as well, plenty of beer & wine selections. Service was wonderful.
(5)
Shirley N.

Came for dinner tonight with 2 other couples, of one friend who comes often saying the pasta is very good here, but meat dishes so so. So we stuck with a pasta dish. This was my second time here, but can't recall what I had before. Hubby and I shared a Caesar salad, and we each had our own pasta dish. I had the tortellonni and hubby had the spaghetti primavera special. We each enjoyed our dishes. Good portion sizes of food. If I had a con about my entree - sauce described as pink sauce. It was very creamy. Reminded me of vodka pasta sauce. And the pancetta were strips where I was picturing pancetta bits (like bacon bites). Fresh bread basket with a small plate of olive oil brought to the table. No bread plates. We went with the flow. We shared a bottle of wine. 4 of us had coffee after our meal, and we all shared two desserts, the white chocolate lemon tart and the profiteroles. White chocolate shavings on the lemon tart and freshly made profiteroles topped with melted chocolate. One of the better ones I've had. Great service since our friends are regular customers. Dirty dishes cleared promptly, and water carafe refilled frequently as was coffee. Tab came to $240 inc. tax & tip.
(3)
Hailey C.

Not mind blowing Italian but it does the trick. Solid pasta dishes in a quaint Noe spot.
(3)
Michael C.

In general I think this is a pretty decent italian restaurant, but nothing really stands out to me. The bucatini, lasagna, and parpadelle are all a bit above average and worth a try, though everything is pretty pricey here.. The decor and the service is definitely above average and it's relatively easy to get a reservation even just a couple of hours before. Overall I'd rate this place just a bit above average. A dependable neighborhood place that I can count on.
(3)
Dave T.

Here is the deal. I am a dipper. Every time I go to a restaurant, why have butter on the bread when you can dip the bread in one of their sauces? Do this with the pink cream sauce! OMG! Heaven. Great mom and pop place with home cooked food.
(5)
Kimberly C.

This is one of the most coziest feeling restaurants I've ever been to. I loved the fireplace at the entryway and the lights of the restaurant. It is definitely larger than what it appears to be from the outside. Onto the food... Must note, I've only been here once. I ordered the fetuccine tartufate- 4* dish- mushrooms and truffle oil with fresh noodles. It was a larger portion than expected which is great. I rarely get to eat fresh made pasta, but from what I noticed, it has a more solid texture or "bite" than the dried pasta. That was different for me and I didn't really care for it, but don't worry, I will learn to appreciate (like coffee) the taste of better, higher quality food items. The medley of flavors with a hint of truffle oil and assortment of mushrooms were delicious- it did not make me miss meat. Now onto my cousin's dish- tortelloni alla cardinale- was disappointing. There must have been old cream because the sauce had a gross sour taste to it. The portion was a lot smaller than my order and for the $16, I would expect a few more pieces tossed in. She finished eating before I was halfway. She mentioned that the tortelloni was good, but I tasted it too and that sauce was unappetizing...therefore giving this restaurant a current three star review.
(3)
A. M.

good food wine place was cute great service
(4)
Jess L.

Oh man this was good. Not a very big place but it gave it a cool cozy feel. The waiter that helped us was really nice and informative. I was told by my girl that they make all of their own pasta for the most part. I had one of the specials which was a pasta in some kind of pink sauce with Italian sausage and red peppers. It was good. I would return for sure but I was just in town for the weekend!
(4)
Szu H.

Lupa's customer service really rocks. The owner and the waiters are so attentive and just make you feel right at home as soon as you walk in the door. I've been there twice in the past month. The second time was with a group of 20 and they were so accommodating. The waiters are also great at recommending dishes if you're having a hard time deciding. The dish I found most YUM was the seared ahi which unfortunately isn't part of their daily menu. I just happen to get lucky that first time I went and it was a special of the day. I've tried their duck, seafood risotto, and gnocchi but my favorite is still the ahi. As for the appetizers, I probably enjoyed the Scamorza Ai Funghi which is a smoked mozzarella with sauteed mushroom, the most. Ooh and for dessert, you should really try the profiteroles. One order is enough for two to share, unless you're one of those who has a major sweet tooth.
(4)
Thomas S.

After living in San Francisco for 3 years, I've been on a mission to find a decent Italian place. I grew up close to an Italian neighborhood so I know Italian food. This ain't no Stinking Rose! Excellent service, great ambiance, and perfect for a date.
(5)
Paul C.

Just average!! Could have been worse, but also could have been a lot better. Had a "special", but have honestly made better at home. Prices should probably be $2 or $3 lower for what you're getting. Oh, and I wish they would not take away plates until the last person in the group has finished eating! (But this seems to be standard in SF)
(2)
Tiffany W.

I take my food seriously and I THOROUGHLY enjoyed every bite at Lupa from apps to dessert. Before I even left the restaurant, I was looking forward to my next visit-- and I can't wait! Made a reservation for 4 on a Thursday night-- didn't seem necessary although halfway through our meal the entire restaurant was full. We were a little late to arrive and the host/server(/owner??) wasn't bothered! Carafes of water on the table-- and never a moment when it was empty. House rosemary-infused high quality olive oil and fresh baked crusty italian bread. Wine or beer offered, but not pushed! Love that! We started with the special celery root and fennel soup-- amazing. It doesn't sound all that exciting but the soup came out beautiful, layered with flavor, and hot! All for only $7-- and large enough for two. We also started with the Pear & marscapone wrapped in proscuitto served with some greens & olives lightly tossed in a vinegarette-- simple and delicious, again, big portion-- suitable for sharing. With our appetites pleasantly wet, we ordered the lasagna, pappardelle with lamb bolognese(2 orders) and the tortelloni with pink cream sauce, peas and proscuitto. Every dish was mouth watering! The fresh, house-made pastas make all the difference. The bolognese had intense and perfectly cooked lamb-- I could eat the bolognese by itself its so good! The lasagna was on point-- no frills but delicious all the same, a classic take! The tortelloni-- a huge plate, stuffed full of beef and pork.. with a pink sauce that I believe is a similar to a vodka sauce that has depth! Portions were just right here! I have a feeling almost every menu item is as delicious as the next. After such a perfect meal, we couldn't leave without dessert. We ordered the chocolate tarte and the creme brulee. The creme brulee lacked in sweetness for my personal taste but was creamy and crisp-- a surprising raspberry buried inside. The chocolate tarte had vanilla gelato, a raspberry coulis and almonds baked inside. The star of the desserts, I'm sure-- one bite was not enough. So many tortes are extremeley rich, but this was perfectly balanced! When the restaurant filled up the service slowed down a bit, but every staff member was busy and happy to do whatever we requested. I don't mind waiting a bit longer when it's obvious the staff are busting their butts to make customers happy! It's hard work you know! Plus-- I think we all need to learn to calm down and enjoy the company and the food, no need to rush from here to there so often. SO GLAD THIS IS IN MY Noe Valley NEIGHBORHOOD!!!!
(5)
Alex S.

As far as Italian goes in the city, this is as good as it gets. You don't have to go to north beach to get good Italian. Go here, get great service and delicious food.
(4)
William L.

I am no big fan of Italian food but boy was I blown away by the most excellent food AND service at this place! This is now my go-to place for Italian as the BF just looooooves Italian food. Go there and try for yourself!
(5)
Amy K.

OVERALL: 4.5 FOOD: 4 SERVICE: 5 AMBIANCE: 5 VALUE:: 4 Italian food & ragazzi without the North Beach gimmicks, shenanigans or price$. It's easy to do, but don't overlook the simple red doorway amid all the salons, cute cafes, and niche boutiques on 24th. Open those doors, and you'll find a modern but cozy interior (fire place!!), lively conversations, laughter, lovely smells (truffle oil, garlic, rosemary, oh my!), and the beginnings of a memorable meal. Tongue-in-cheek (but earnest) service, inviting menu & winelist, beautiful bread (strangely, one of the highlights!) & homemade pasta. Ordered the tortelloni (perfect texture, hearty meat stuffing & creamy pink sauce), which was satisfying...but paled in comparison to my girlfriends' mushroom fettucine (truffle oil!!) & lasagna (mmm!). CrÃ¨me brÃ»lÃ©e was the lowpoint--seemed not fully set, and wasn't entirely convinced by the folded in raspberries. Guess I'm more a fan of the plain jane version--straight up vanilla. Server threw in a complimentary limon tart--delicious light crust, white chocolate & subtle custardy filling--bonus! Great find! Right up there with Capannina ( yelp.com/biz/capannina-sâ€¦ ).
(5)
Laurence N.

Our experience started based on a Bloomspot certificate that we had bought. The certificate sated that the expiration date was Saturday Sep. 8th. I called to make a reservation for Friday the 7th and was told that if I looked at the fine print on the certificate, it was not valid on Friday and Saturday nights. After complaining to the owner about having the expiration date on a Saturday, he reluctantly agreed to allow us to use the certificate at FACE VALUE, not the 50% discount amount. When we arrived with our small service dog, we were treated like we had leprosy! The reservation was for 7:30, and they made us wait 15 min -- even though our table was vacant. They then seated us in the highest traffic area of the restaurant and I was told that I could not have my schnauzer sitting on my lap, but that she had to be on the floor -- where there was literally no room. I asked for a small bowl of water for her and after the waiter ignored the request for 10 minutes, I poured some from my glass into my hand to give to my dog. At that point, the owner came over and berated me for doing such a thing in a restaurant (that really was more like an Italian cafeteria! ) With such obnoxious treatment, abrasive atmosphere, and food that looked like the local pizzeria when I was growing up in the suburbs, WE LEFT! We walked up the block to Diamond Street and over half a block to Ristorante Bacco, where they happily seated us with our service dog, the atmosphere was great, and the food was wonderful! Whether or not you have a service dog, take my advice and avoid Lupa and go to Bacco instead -- you will be glad you did!
(1)
Ezequiel R.

I feel sheepish! My last review could not be more wrong about this place. Tonight, my friend who comes here all the time, convinced me to try Lupa one more time. I decided why not (he was paying!) I had the special "Salmon" and my friend got the Halibut. Man o man were these dishes absolutely delicious!! The salmon was grilled perfectly and the potatoes had a lot of flavor. The only concern I had was with the spinach being oversalted. Everything else was fantastic. I guess the point of this story is sometimes it's worth it to try a restaurant twice : { P
(4)
Monica R.

If you ever want to make an Italian laugh, just tell them you are "fame da lupo". It totally cracks them up, and makes you endearing to them, I have no idea why (good tip if you're trying to make out with one!) Anyway, it pays to be hungry like a wolf when coming to Lupa. Your tummy will be well rewarded. The service is great: the waiter remembered us on our second visit. We found a fantastic valpolicella by the glass (Nikolas). The bread is good (the crumb is a little too gummy for my taste) but dear Lord the olive oil is delicious! I would drink it up with a straw if they let me. The pastas are fantastic. Once I got a mushroom truffle cream which was delicious if a bit too truffle-y. But last time, oh man, I got the special mushroom in tomato sauce in fettuccine and I nearly died from joy. One of the best pastas I've ever had! Rich, sweet, fresh. I'm officially an addict. Mr Mo gets the fish usually and snarfs it up. There are plenty of vegetarian options. Desserts are fine, but I'm usually too stuffed from the bread/oil and pasta to enjoy them much. And the price is right: $50-60 for two for all I described above. This is definitely now our go-to neighborhood Italian joint!
(5)
diane s.

I haven't been here in a long time. So glad I came back. The service was excellent as was the food. We had two appetizers, entrees and a dessert. Everything was very fresh and flavorful.
(4)
Jacob R.

DAMN!, Luppa was TIGHT yo!!!1 That was some bomb ass Italiano cuisine. The mussels were off the hook, son. And the bucatini was da bomb! I ate that shit up stat. Next time I need an Italian restaurant in the mission, It's all Lupa. SERIOUSLY . . .. TRY THE BUCATINI AMATRICIANA
(4)
Catt G.

This is a good restaurant. The food is cooked well and the service and atmosphere are perfect for a comfortable dinner. All of our apps were tasty: we got the specials of the evening plus the carpaccio and a couple of salads to start -- really, they got it all right. Dinner was the risotto, lasagna, steak, and a pasta with lamb meat sauce -- and all came out piping hot. The only reason I can't give more stars is because the entrees were a little plain tasting. However, this is the style of Roman food, I believe, so its nothing the restaurant is doing wrong. If you have too much California in you and want vegetables or greenery thrown around or lots of herb-y stuff (I kinda do) then it might seem a slightly heavy as well as almost one-dimensional. But I did eat it all.
(4)
Aaron H.

Make sure you get reservations before heading to Lupa, this place is almost always packed. They have amazing pasta dishes- the tortellini and the paparadelle are particularly good. For dessert, go with the tiramisu.
(5)
Lisa R.

A few weeks ago, I was in Rome with my boyfriend. As we dined with the locals at some of the most amazing restaurants in the city, we couldn't help but exclaim, "This tastes exactly like that dish at Lupa!" What a joy that our favorite Italian restaurant in San Francisco serves food just like the Romans in Italy!
(5)
Andy B.

My girlfriend of 45 years and I sat down and it was an instant duo of "We are back in Firenze". Great atmosphere, Owner greets you and makes you feel right at home. Two glasses of cheap Italian red, one order of a marvelous order of Prosciutto, Rucula,and Mozzarella (Burrata e Speck) salad was a fabulous start. The Gnocchi al Cinghiale was superb but - she found a full Cayenne pepper with her lips. What in hell is a hot pepper doing in Italian Food? This was a no-no and a bad moment that ruined her palate for the rest of the evening. Caro Stefano; are your galley hands playing practical jokes? The flourless Chocolate Cake was fabulous. Impeccable service by truly friendly personnel. Last - this is not a $$ restaurant. With tip and all it was just shy of $100. For this Texan; that is far more $$$$
(4)
Lisa L.

Good Italian outside of North Beach? Is it POSSIBLE? It is. A total neighborhood place - not too busy but still a packed house. We arrived 45 minutes late, no thanks for Luxor cab for never showing up after calling them multiple times and even trying to order the cab online. Beau U and Jon H decided it would be a good time to make fun the iPhone users for a failed attempt at ordering a cab. A table had our name on it in the corner near the kitchen. It was perfect. We ordered the beef carpaccio and fennel and blood orange salad to start. The fennel salad wasn't that great but the beef carpaccio was just right. We had the gnocchi, paparadelle, tortellini, and fettuccine. The gnocchi was a little doughy for my liking, but Beau enjoyed it. The fettuccine was SUPER buttery, but still savory. I didn't try the tortellini but I had the paparadelle - fabulous. The wine was good and the bread was even better! It tasted like home made and the olive oil made the bread that much better! Dessert. We never save room for dessert but when in the Company of food lovers - we ALWAYS eat dessert. A white chocolate lemon tart and profiteroles... and all was calm in the world! The perfect way to end an evening. If you are looking for a good Italian place, away from the crowds and trendy people in the city, this is your place!
(4)
JM G.

Friendly neighborhood Italian. The food is really solid. The owner and servers are great. Great local place to support.
(4)
Paco R.

A nice Italian restaurant in Noe valley, with a friendly atmosphere. They accommodated us promptly with no reservation (we arrived early). The food was excellent - I had a veal scaloppini that was divine. Others in my party had carpaccio and pork and were also great. The menu selections are good and and he cuisine seem authentic. The desserts are okay - I had a panna cota that by itself was not as flavorful and a bit dense, but was good. On the expensive side with appetizers costing over $10.
(4)
Molly J.

Let me start by saying that the food was very good - no complaints there. The service on the other hand was disappointing. It was my friend's 30th birthday and we chose Lupa because of the great reviews and we assumed that since it was a smaller restaurant they might do something special for her birthday. We told the waiter about the special occasion and he shrugged it off with a comment about his own age. We watched the wait staff sing happy birthday to another table but at the end of our meal the only thing we got was the bill. I'm never one to complain about service but some gelato with a candle in it would have been nice - just some acknowledgement that it was her birthday. It was a disappointing dining experience.
(1)
Roberto R.

First,the food is amazing.i tried gnocchi ,and it was amazing .the ambiance is nice (good to take friends or to go on a date).I took my parents and brother for fathers day,they're reaction was the same,just amazing.the waiter was really . deserts are a thing there too,i tried the torta di cioccolato, and it's amazing.I really recommend this resturant!
(4)
Daniel G.

Last Sunday my wife and I came to Lupa to celebrate our 42nd wedding anniversary. Our first visit. My comment to my wife when it was over was that this was the best restaurant meal I've ever had. We began with prosciutto e melone. I don't normally like prosciutto but this just melted in my mouth and the melon was perfectly ripe and sweet. Next we shared insalata alla Cesare. Again, very tasty. My wife had gnocchi al cinghiale and I had ravioli alla modenese. Usually I avoid gnocchi because it's too mushy but tasting hers- it was perfect. And the boar sauce I loved. My ravioli was delicious. The homemade dough was not too thick. The flavors I loved. Desert was shared white chocolate lemon tart and creme brulee. Both fantastic. We'll be back. Thank you, thank you for a very fine meal.
(5)
Mark And Judy W.

We are no strangers to Italian dining, but this was Hands down one of the best meals we've had. Food was fresh, well seasoned, incredibly delicious and left us wanting more. For two people, we ordered: lasagna alla bolognese, gnocchi al cinghiaile, saltimbocca alla romana (veal) and filleto di maiale al vino rosso (pork). We washed it all down with a nice bottle of red. We've dined at italian restaurants in 5* hotels before, and most of the time, they are overpriced and portions are small. When we left Lupa, we felt satisfied that we'd just cosumed a good honest italian meal, minus the frills and pretentiousness. The ambiance was cozy and we didn't wait long although the place was busy. The quality is exceptional for the price. Although It is out of the way for us, we are planning our next trip already
(4)
Priscilla T.

I should've been more persistent and demanded to come here sooner than yesterday. Warm fuzzies all over just thinking about my dining experience. +Service: fantastic, fun, friendly +Ambiance: fireplace, cozy, rustic +Food: I love the variety, not too overwhelming, but something for every taste The fennel and artichoke salad was perfection. The toasted bread slathered with garlic, fava beans, and topped with cheese: delish. Ravioli with brown butter, sage, and garlic was better than the lamb bolognese pappardelle (slightly disappointing in texture, but very good in flavor). Try out your (crappy) Italian here...they won't make fun of you. It's fun :)
(4)
S O.

Cute place with excellent homemade pasta. Service was good.
(4)
Laurent L.

Wonderful Italian restaurant. The seating is on two different levels. The upper level overlooks the seating below, which makes for a cool effect. The wait staff was also very friendly. Had the prosciutto-wrapped pear appetizer, amazing. Also the duck entree and the lamb bolognese. Everything tasted great, and the pasta was nice and fresh. Portions were generous, and the price was right. Would definitely come here again!
(5)
Calvin C.

GREAT food, rightly priced. Not too busy for a Friday night. Service could have been slightly better.
(4)
Judy M.

I rarely have time to write reviews unfortunately but I'm making time to write one for this fab Italian restaurant!!! We just finished having our 2nd meal here in the last few weeks and both times, the food was really damn good. My husband had the housemade fettucine w/mushrooms and black truffle sauce...this dish was out of this world and rivaled some of the food we had during our honeymoon in Italy. I had the tortelloni w/pink sauce which was amazing too. Last time we had the lasagne and bucatini which was so flavorful and cooked perfectly as well. Most of the wait staff and the owner (who was there tonight) seem to be Italian which lends the restaurant a more authentic vibe...loved hearing all the Italian spoken between the staff. And the service tonight was superb...our waiter was a guy w/a soul patch and small ponytail from Genova. He was incredibly attentive, without being intrusive, and was really wonderful with our 3 yr old son too. The last time we went there, we had a different server, an older gentleman whose service was very efficient but not as warm. And all the busboys were super friendly too and paid special attention to our son as well. The decor is casual w/lots of dark wood and a very neighborhoody feel which we appreciate even though we don't live in that 'hood. For the price point, the cuisine is really excellent with very complex flavors.This place could be the best Italian food I've had in SF and I'm a native w/incredibly high standards:) And maybe the best kept secret about this place is that there are no lines out the door here, even though it's right in the heart of Noe Valley. I highly recommend this restaurant if you want some really yummy, authentic Italian food!
(5)
eric s.

Been here many times over the years, and good....but last night was the worst. Arrived and the upstairs dining area smelled of STRONG (toxic?) detergent. Who could enjoy the food with that smell? We asked to be seated downstairs by the door. Dinner looked ok until the roach arrived on the wall next to our table. YIKES! and then a few hours later I found myself hovering over the toilet with food poisoning ..likely from the special "shrimp" pasta dish. Maybe it was bad coincidence since I have eaten here before without incident. Just saying......
(2)
Dan W.

Lupa has great pastas and excellent service. It's a nice option for Italian, and being up in Noe Valley it doesn't get the same rush as places in the Mission.
(4)
Soma C.

I am snobby about Italian food having lived next to the Italian border in Germany for a few years. This food is amazing, authentic, my favorite Roman restaurant in the city. Service is charming too.
(5)
phil h.

Two words that make me weak in the knees - homemade pasta. Any good Italian restaurant worth it's weight in macaroni should make great homemade pasta. My pappardelle with lamb bolognese sauce? Pretty damn great. The tortellini and orecchiette also received high marks. Service was friendly and efficient, the space welcoming and homey. My only minor complaint is that while Lupa is a great place for authentic Italian food the way grandma used to make it, there's no way she would have charged $50 a person (which is what we spent for one app each, one pasta each and one bottle of mid priced Italian red split between the three of us) But if you're in the 'hood and craving some fantastic homemade pasta while not on a budget, give Lupa a shot!
(4)
Alex P.

Great experience. Good food, professional and warm service. The best gnocchi I had in a very long time (with conpliments to the chef).
(5)
Janet C.

4.5 stars for the FETTUCCINE TARTUFATE (homemade fettuccine with porcini, shitake and oyster mushrooms in a black truffle sauce) PAPPARDELLE SUGO D' AGNELLO (homemade pappardelle with lamb Bolognese sauce) was also really good but not as good as the mushroom fettucini. RISOTTO ASPARAGI E FUNGHI was good too but the fettucini tartufate still wins. BUCATINI AMATRICIANA (straw shaped pasta with caramelized onion, pancetta and Romano cheese in a tomato sauce) looked and tasted like chef boyardee. Yeah, it was that bad. Service was lackluster. Restaurant was a little somber. Food here is good if you're in the neighborhood, but probably not worth a trip otherwise.
(3)
K V.

3.5 stars If I were rating the service, I'd give Lupa 5 stars without any hesitation. Our server was awesome! He was attentive and knew what we needed before we even asked. All places should offer service this amazing. However, I usually review a restaurant based on its food. And sadly, the food was disappointing. Our appetizer, mussels and clams in a tomato broth, was decent. But our pastas were mediocre at best. The lamb pappardelle really needed some sugar because it was too tangy. The mushroom fettucine was lacking in flavor. Sorry Lupa. But thanks for the great service!
(3)
Gianguido G.

I was at Lupa last night. We did not wait to be seated (Monday evening.. quite dead). I started with an antipasto of grilled radicchio and goat cheese with balsamic. Very good and well prepared. My friend order the carrots ginger soup, very good also. Portions were quite big for an antipasto. For my main dish I ordered Orecchiette pasta with Eggplant and tomatoes mushrooms sauce and ricotta cheese. Not bad. The pasta was perfectly al dente and very good quality. Portion was once again very very large (I had it boxed afterwards). Jason ordered the pork/beef tortelloni which I did not taste but according to the speed the dish disappeared... they were good :) I drunk a glass of Primitivo red wine.. I really like it.. and it was of acceptable quality. Service was fast and accurate, maybe a bit too attentive ... but maybe it is because the place was quite empty. Good job over all. The shop is central to Noe Valley... two steps from the 24 bus stop or the 38. We decided to get there as we did not feel like cooking at home.. good decision!! Not incredibly cheap but not even too pricey. In line with Noe's price tags. Good for a quiet week day dinner if you do not want to look around too much. Good flavors, central Italian... well.. with of course the Californian twist :)
(3)
Brandon R.

This place isn't your average italian restaurant. It had some cool menu items, the service was great, and the dishes all sounded very interesting. That being said the reason I can't give it more than 3 stars is because the food was a little bland, there was something lacking from each dish that could have made the whole thing amazing. I got the seared tuna, and I was surprised by the portion. It was a large slab of fish! I will give them that. But just because it is a lot of food doesn't mean it was great. They seared the tuna perfectly but didn't give anything out of the ordinary in terms of complimenting the tuna. My sister got the mushroom pasta (all types of mushrooms in a cream sauce with truffle oil). It was surprisingly bland... I don't know how but it was. My mom got the lamb bolognese pasta which was good, but again very bland. The main problem with this place is that they don't go out of the ordinary. They serve great food, but I don't think that there dishes are any better than any other good italian restaurant I have been to.
(3)
Sarah B.

Unremarkable Italian food. Decor is decent, service is good. Lasagna is a bit tasteless, but sufficiently cheesy and edible with a bit of salt.
(2)
Mike P.

I'm so glad I decided to make the trip to this amazing Italian restaurant. The food was out of this world, and the staff was incredibly friendly.
(4)
Erika v.

I have a client that always recommends restaurants to me, and he never lets me down. So when my parents were coming to town to visit and wanted to take me and my Italian boyfriend out to eat they suggested we would take him to an Italian restaurant. Uh-oh the pressure was on. For about the 15th recommendation being spot-on, I knew there was no chance of it being bad. As soon as we walked in, we felt at home. It is very quaint, and right down the street from where I live. The four of us all had different meals and each one of us were extremely pleased. I had the gnocci dish that was to die for. Definitely will be going back as this will be a neighborhood favorite! Thank you Lupa!
(5)
Quynh-An P.

I came here the other night with the boyfriend and two friends of ours. The boyfriend and I ordered the carpaccio to start and I ordered the gnocchi with wild boar sauce and he ordered the linguine with mushroom. Our friends ordered a ravioli dish and the other ordered a vegetarian pasta dish. All was fantastic and we scarfed it down quickly and happily. I could not stop eating the bread though. It was so crusty and crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside. I couldn't stop eating it...and I finally asked the waiter if it was baked in house or where they purchased their bread. I was pleasantly surprised to hear that they baked their own bread. Fantastic! Not only is the food delicious, but the break was great. A few minutes later the waiter drops off at our table a loaf of fresh bread wrapped in a plastic bag and said "for you to take home." I was beyond thrilled! I think this may be my new Italian go-to place. It was so inviting and the waiter was great. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience.
(4)
Silvia S.

5 stars for consistent good food and great service!
(5)
Too M.

I won't return. Went with friends, and was very disappointed. This is not a good restaurant. I had the green salad to begin with, which was kind of nice - you know greens and olive oil - but I did fins 3 rotten leaves in my plate. Long time since it happened to me in any SF restaurant. very disappointing. For my entree I had one of the specials a blue nose bass with potatoes and spinach. The portion of the fish was very generous - but also the amount of bones in the fish. I expect the chef to take the bones out - when ordering a fillet of fish. Also the fish tasted like previously frozen - though I can not tell it for sure - because it was cooked/fried so heavily that the taste of the fish - what somewhat of a mystery. For desert we shared the chocolate flour-less cake, it was nice, nothing special. So nothing was really good, service was nice, but other than that. I really didn't enjoy, and just waited for dinner to be over.
(2)
Jessica T.

We received the worst customer service from the manager. He was terribly rude. Our group will never return. We went in with a bloomspot deal. We spent above what was required for the deal. When we went to pay, we were told that we couldn't use the deal with an opentable reservation. Why...I have no idea. Frankly, I think they did it to trick people into making a reservation and then not being able to use their coupon. When we were told we could not use the bloomspot, I asked to speak with the manager. He said it couldn't be used with opentbale and the bloomspot. I asked him to cancel the opentable and use the bloomspot. He refused. I asked if it was because he was unable to do this, or just unwilling. He said "UNWILLING" and walked away. It was so rude and without justification. He could have easily made an exception, or at least been friendly about it. Instead he has lost our business forever.
(1)
Robert S.

Great food. Great service. The noise level was so loud that it was hard to converse with the person next to you yet alone the person across the table! This is a serious issue that the owners should resolve.
(4)
Elise C.

Went to Lupa last night for a Mother's Day dinner. The Burrata Allo Speck was our favorite appetizer that we ordered! It consisted of Arugala, Speck, and the most delicious fresh mozzarella that I have ever had (and that is saying a lot!)! The best entree that we chose was the gnocchi with wild boar sauce. I would definitely go here again! The owner and staff were very attentive and nice as well. I recommend making a reservation, as it seemed to get pretty crowded around the dinner rush.
(4)
Byron L.

Came here using Bloomspot $25 for $50. Luckily I had a discount because the food really was just okay. With the discount, it is worth it I think. Ordered a fish, soup, beer, and some pasta. Paid aorund $60 including tips. I'll come back here only if I have Bloomspot.
(2)
Denny L.

Great Italian food. Asparagus risotto was fantastic!
(4)
Jade W.

Another gwu meal and hands down the best one so far. Granted I didn't get to talk with the people on the other side of the table because the restaurant was pretty loud. The food service was great, very attentive and professional. Antipasti: amazing melted cheese, with bacon fat and mushrooms smeared on bread. I was in heaven! roasted radicchio with goat cheese Primi piatti: Orccheiette with eggplant - my favorite papradelle with lamb bolognese - great secondi piatti: cornish hen - kinda small to be shared with 8 people pork tenderloin - was great, again small for 8 people dessert: panna cotta - wanted a little sweeter lemon tart - wanted a little more lemony tiramisu - great but didn't shake my world Overall I would def go back! a great date place or family style dinner with amazing food, romantic and authentic Italian ambiance and service was top notch!
(5)
David K.

Food was delicious (really), service was a bit off but the owner/manager guy totally won us over. Basically he swung by the table towards the end of the meal and asked how things had been. Service had been OK but uneven and we were all joking about the distracted-seeming waiter and the guy who kept trying to clear food we were still eating when owner/manager guy came by. He heard this and just jumped into action. Apologies were made, multiple free deserts appeared and we were all just floored by his responsiveness. Because of this (and because the food itself had been really nice) we all left with a real glow. We'll be back. As for the food, pastas were wonderful as was a seared halibut special. Wine list is reasonably priced and the bread was a treat - moist dense Italian bread with crispy crust served with olive oil. The space is nice without being too formal. And given that prices are reasonable, food good and portions are generous Lupa is easy to recommend.
(4)
Nadia N.

I finally got to back for a celebratory dinner. Lupa definitely lived up to all the other times I have been here on special occasions. The food is wonderful and the service is immaculate. I had the gnocchi in the wild boar sauce absolutely delicious and my friend had the buccatini and she had the whole plate and said it was the best pasta she has had. The desserts are again to die for with the tiramisu and the panna cota the reason why us girls didn't have a starter. This is probably one of the places that I know will be always consistently good.
(5)
Ryan T.

If you're looking for a cozy little Italian restaurant, Lupa might be for you. Delicious tortellini. Sierra Nevada in bottles.
(4)
Dana R.

Went on a Tuesday night for my boyfriendÂ´s birthday. They were very accommodating to our 9:30 reservation though all of the other patrons had cleared out at about 10. We were greeted by the owner, and well attended to by the staff: perfect timing on appetizer, bread, and entrees, wine glasses refilled in a timely fashion! Cozy spot complete with fireplace, but definitely spacious enough for a group!
(5)
Mary S.

Excellent food and service. The lasagna was fantastic - thin sheets of light pasta balanced with an amazing sauce - just the right balance. Perfect portions and a good selection of well priced wines.
(5)
Regina B.

I went to Lupa with minimal expectations and left feeling that this is my favorite restaurant in Noe Valley so far! I've only lived in Noe Valley since August... but most of the restaurants have just been average in my opinion. From the moment we walked into Lupa, I was impressed. From the outside, it looks much smaller than it is. It has an old world charm that is very inviting! My roomie and I went for it all and ordered carpaccio di carne, an endive salad, gnocchi in a braised wild boar sauce, mushroom fettucine with a black truffle sauce, and finished with the profiteroles! EVERYTHING was fresh and delicious. The salad came out on a chilled plate and was perfectly dressed. My biggest pet peeve is when you take a salad and drown it in dressing where everything gets soggy. Not the case at Lupa! The gnocchi was some of the best I've had... and I've had a LOT! :) The braised wild boar sauce was full of flavor and was definitely something that simmered for hours. My roomies fettucine was ridiculously flavorful with whole cloves of garlic and a variety of wild mushrooms. The profiteroles were light and airy... but not too sweet, which was perfect for someone like me who usually passes on dessert anyways. OH, and the service... You will never want for anything. We had 2 or 3 people constantly at our service. Hands down... Make it a point to try this gem! You won't regret it!
(5)
Brian L.

I've been meaning to eat more Italian food but prefer not driving all the way out to North Beach to eat at some gimmicky restaurant filled with tourists. Thus, I find myself hitting up Lupa in Noe Valley. While Lupa doesn't master one thing, it is the jack of all trades. Lupa has an excellent all-around game: the food is better than good, service is on point, ambiance is warm and comfortable, and the check doesn't hurt your wallet... true value... I ordered the fettuccine tartufate. The homemade fettuccine with porcini, shitake, and oyster mushrooms in a sauce of black truffle oil and cream made me cream! The pasta was fresh and cooked to a perfect al dente. The sauce was delicious without being too heavy and the combination of gourmet shrooms provided the earthy taste I was looking for and the black truffle oil is an automatic upgrade. My girlfriend ordered the pappardelle sugo d' agnello. Just like the fettuccine, the pappardelle was homemade and cooked to perfection. the lamb bolognese sauce was delicious! Although I haven't eaten a lot of pappardelle, this was easily the best. I will compare every pappardelle I eat in the future to Lupa's. All I can say is that Lupa is legit. Great food, good service, and reasonable prices will have you coming back for more.
(5)
Derek T.

Charming staff. Authentic feel. Very good food. Been there four times and have yet to be disappointed. One comment is that it can get noisy at the inline two-person tables at the middle of the mezzanine. If you have guest with tough hearing, ask for a corner. All in all, Lupa is one of those: "that one really good italian place in " sort of places.
(5)
Robin L.

I appreciate the affordability, good taste, warm atmosphere, kind service, and available seating of Lupa -- this despite the fact that my friend claims he got food poisoning here and now refers to it as "Lupus." My friend is strange and sometimes cannot be trusted. I've eaten here a number of times and have always had a good experience. Since it's a little further up from Noe's main strip, and a bit inconspicuous in front, the restaurant gets mostly local regulars -- which is great, because it's not often crowded when I come here. It has a homey feel and kind of reminds me of the Chow or Park Chow restaurants, with a hearth, lots of wood accents, but cozier and less frenetic than those places. The food is reliably good Italian fare -- braised oxtail pasta is good, the mushroom pasta I always love, the caprese salad is very satisfying, and there are nightly specials that always sound appealing. I'd say it's a few notches up in comfort, food, and Italian comfort food than Pasta Pomodoro down the street. Nice for a quiet, cozy dinner with friends.
(4)
Amabelle S.

Ok, ok, ok. Everything we ate here was ok. Except the tiramisu, which was a little less than ok. The waitstaff was friendly towards my daughter and me.
(3)
Camilla G.

I love this place so much! As soon as you walk in your already get a homey traditional Italian vibe and the staff is super friendly. The food is amazing! So far everything I've tried has exceeded my expectations. The lasagna is my favorite! It's just layers and layers of pure amazing. And it has the perfect proportion of sauce. The portions are pretty generous so that's something to keep in mind because it will be so worth it to save room for dessert. The tiramisu is so delicious and it just melts in your mouth. This tiramisu is so good that it made me a lover of tiramisu and this is coming from someone who never liked tiramisu. This place has become a family favorite! I would definitely think about coming here at least once a month
(5)
Poppy C.

Solid neighborhood restaurant. Probably not great for food snobs but all mid tasters should have a pleasant meal. I had a nice carpaccio and rack of lamb. Everything tasted good (not spectacular but I don't expect Gary Danko here). The waiter had to move us because they were anticipating a very large (maybe 16 or 18 people) party and our two top was right in the middle. This was after we ordered but before any food showed up, he explained they had made a mistake and was very sorry to ask us to move. It wasn't a huge deal, we moved halfway across the room and he provided us two free desserts for our trouble. Probably not a place worth driving all the way across town for but should be neighborhood standby.
(4)
prachi v.

Having seen pappardelle several times on tv and movies recently I was craving some in the worst way. I found Lupa via Yelp and away we went. Warm and inviting, the restaurant instilled confidence in us, diners. We were quickly seated. Service may be considered slow but I'd like to say leisurely. Our waiter was funny and patient and attentive (when he was there) and great over all. The food...I had the best dish!!! Pappardelle Tortufino or something....home made pappardelle with black truffles and mushrooms. The portion was decently sized and t had enough for lunch tomorrow. And so I got relive the wonderful dining experience. The bill was about 25 per person, no drinks just one appetizer.
(4)
Dor C.

the beef carpocvio was delicious. we had the shrimp spaghetti and it was good but not amazing. then the mushroom pasta was pretty intense. every bite was infused with mushroom. the service was great, but i don't think I'll come back
(3)
Jane N.

Great ambiance. Can be casual or a little more dressy depending on what kind of dinner party you're having. Came here twice, both times for birthdays. They're good about keeping replenishing your wine. Their rack of lamb is gooood. But not very filling. Marty had the ravioli, it didn't disappoint. The food is always good, the service always quick and friendly, and it's near Bliss bar =)
(4)
Jacqueline M.

Went to Lupa for the first time and it is fan-fricken-tastic!!!! Even the olive oil served with the bread is amazing! We had Caprese which was pretty much the best I've ever had, Gnocchi with braised boar, a sausage, pepper and pink sauce pasta nightly special and they were seriously amazing! Service is great and very nice atmosphere! LOVE!
(5)
Jeff H.

My date and I had a great time. I would recommend this. Great fireplace. Wine list so so but all of the pasta dishes and salads tremendous. Bread was tasty too. Wait staff very efficient but too efficent. Got the impression they wanted your table as soon as you were done eating your last morsel. I had the gnocchi. Outstanding.
(4)
Sam Z.

Went to this place on the recommendation of a friend who had been. The food was very impressive, as was the service. Attentive but not pushy. We had a fennel salad, gnocchi, and risotto. The salad was perfect, crisp and fresh. The gnocchi were surprisingly light and we basically just scarfed them down. I went mostly for the risotto, and it did not disappoint. Highly recommended. Everything was huge, you can easily split an entree here and still be full. They also make their own bread, and it made me feel like I was visiting the home of a chef and they were sharing their heirloom family recipes. One of the best Italian places I've been to so far in the city, and very affordable for the amount of food.
(4)
Carolyn K.

Why do my friends ask to go back to Lupa? Why do I feel like I'm in Roma when I'm there? Maybe it's because my meals are delicious, hot (or cold depending on what I'm eating), well-presented by great servers. I've had two dinners here over the past six months. Both were on the mark and the service was great. The restaurant was busy but we were seated on time. I'm going back again for great pasta, fish, meat, a good wine list -- and delicious desserts!
(4)
Kanishk P.

Romulus and Remus grace the red entrance of this beautiful restaurant. Perhaps it was the company that I was with, but the evening was incredibly romantic and elegant. Was it the restaurant or was it the girl? I don't know. Loses one star for the maitre d' who interrupted us twice or thrice to ask if we were done. Amazing food.
(4)
Matthew L.

I've been here twice now and I have to say this place is great. The service is wonderful, the specials have never been less than fantastic, and the price is right. If you're looking for great italian, look no further.
(5)
Donny D.

I was ashamed that I was under-dressed when I ate hear. It wouldn't hurt to have a button up shirt with a collar in this place. The restaurant is kind of small, but it is really, really nice inside. So the dishes are a little pricey, but you get what you pay for. We had excellent service. I'm a cheap bastard, and I felt like I was five-star dining but was able to afford it. I ordered some kind of stuffed ravioli, and then had some chocolate cake with ice cream. Worth every penny. The location is also cool. I'm not from the area, but it's in a residential, hilly part of town. Night-time ambience here is awesome. I'd come back.
(4)
Rick R.

Very pleased with my visit. Reserved through Opentable after reading reviews. Very casual and comfortable environment. Great food. Had the Lamb. fantastic presentation. Need knowledge of Italian wines. Would definitely return. Parked up street in San Francisco. Wow!
(4)
Lauren M.

The GNOOCHI! Need i say more? Well, I have no doubt that I could close my eyes, point to any item on the menu and be so pleasantly surprised with how amazing it is. Every time I go to Lupa I make sure everyone gets a different dish so we can all share because everything is so DANG GOOD! But my absolute favorite dish has got to be the Gnoochi.... absolutely amAZING!
(5)
Art A.

My 200th review! Wohoo!! Went here last night w/some friends and my partner and it was de-li-cious! Came in w/ a bottle of wine, not knowing if they accepted BYO or their corkage fee.. and they gladly took our bottle and opened it. :) Well, before that.. I walked in and ran into a co-worker and her father (Bill Russell-Shapiro of Absinthe)! So that was cool. Anyway- the pace was perfect.. the food was great.. very well seasoned (maybe a little too much- but damn good). I had the butternut squash ravioli- devine like candy and my partner had the ground lamb pasta dish- omg- also delish! Our friends had the truffle "pasta" and the steak and they were thrilled. We didn't have dessert at the resto, instead opted for dessert wine at their place post din. But everything was fannnnntastic! A hidden gem in Noe!
(4)
Kristina R.

What a charming, unassuming little place! I've passed by it many times before without a second glance, thinking it was another tapas bar or some such nonsense. Much to my surprise, it's a full-fledged Italian restaurant, complete with flirty waiters that speak in accents that make everything taste that much better. Cool beans! I ordered the fettuccine with 'shooms and a creamy truffle oil sauce...I ate every last strand of noodle and I may have licked the plate. I don't remember after my food coma. But it's all good because I am sure it was TOTALLY non-fat and devoid of all calories. Serious.
(4)
David D.

Lupa is a small storefront with a surprisingly large interior. Lupa is a neighborhood joint that serves some OK italian food, with good service, and reasonable prices. I started with pappardella with lamb sugo. The pasta was properly al dente and the sugo was bland. Even a dusting of cheese and pepper failed to liven the plate. But it was filling. Pork tenderloin came with some fried and bland polenta and spinach, which was fresh and nice. Again the plate was somewhat bland. The pork was moist but needed something not provided by the dark wine reduction that surrounded it. Overall, pretty good. Especially if you are in the neighborhood.
(3)
MacGyver N.

Good food and nice servers. The pasta with lamb meat sauce and risotto were great! The bread wasn't impressive. We went with a big group and we had a great time. The only complaint was that it was so hot inside the restaurant!! We were there on a Saturday that happened to be hot for SF standards. We were placed towards the back near the kitchen. I was sweating my balls off throughout the whole meal...the entire restaurant felt like a sauna..very warm. Overall food is good and I would go again..on a cooler day.
(4)
Yvonne Y.

I'm a sucker for fresh pappardelle so theirs rocks with the lamb bolognese. Huge portion so there's no room to try out their dessert. Friendly, attentive staff and since it's in the neighborhood, I would go back when I crave for Italian. The daily special pappardelle with creamy mushroom sauce was too creamy, therefore, 3 stars.
(3)
John F.

Service is ALWAYS amazing, food is superb! Great location & atmosphere. Try the lamb bolognans - to dye for.
(5)
Sylvia N.

I really want to like this place. The cozy decor, the attentive servers, the authentic feel...it all screams, no, whispers longingly in my ear: "please like me, mi amore." But something about the food we ordered was off its mark last night. The goat cheese, walnuts, and baby spinach salad had barely any raspberry vinaigrette dressing. I could taste hints of berry, but it was a reach; it was more like eating plain spinach. My dish - the risotto with prosciutto and asparagus - sounded awesome on paper, but when it came out there was something hearty missing from the sauce. It was decent enough but I was expecting something spectacular, especially when it's drizzled in black truffle oil. My bf had the pork tenderloin with polenta and chard, which also made our mouths water when we read it off the menu. The tenderloin was soft and juicy, the polenta and chard were great, but again the sauce was lacking. Perhaps too tangy and acidic. Maybe I'm still having Thanksgiving flavorgasm nostalgia, but I was hoping for some hearty, mouth-watering gravy-like sauce bathing the pork tenderloin ever so gently... Ah well, next time we may come back and try this pappardelle that everyone raves about instead.
(3)
Duncan W.

the nicest people ever!. Food is incredible. Never had a bad meal. Brought my friend from Rome and she said it was better than some of the food she has eaten in Rome and just as authentic. Highly, highly recommend it.
(5)
erica s.

I love love love Lupa! The food is delicious and everyone is so nice and welcoming. My favorite dishes include the halibut and salmon. It is an awesome place to frequent because the menu is always changing and everything is delicious. They have great vegetarian, pescatarian and meat dishes.
(5)
Min M.

My wife and I love this little restaurant! Our favorite server is the nicest, most helpful Italian server I've ever had! He not only helped us get gluten free alternatives in preparation, but he was very sweet to my family and always remembers us! The food is great as well. The appetizers are fantastic and always fresh. The only thing i would love to see is more vegetarian options. My wife usually has the same two dishes. Ambiance is great though it is a little smaller inside so reservations for groups are best. Would love to see a more extensive wine list but appreciate the recommendations on the list. It would be nice if more wines were available by the glass rather than having to order a full bottle for a nice wine.
(4)
tonya m.

Randomly found ourselves on 24th street. Never heard of this place before. We were pleasantly suprised at how cozy, friendly, mouthwatering everything was. The salmon special and the halibut special, were piping hot and generous portions. But it was the ravioli in brown butter and sage, that we shared for the starter was something dreams are made of. My only negative was the condition of the bathroom, and the light switch being outside and around the corner. Can''t wait to come back.
(5)
Maria A.

I love Soulful places. Ah, Lupa. As a part-Italian who grew up in a family that made homemade wine every year and stirred pots of tomato sauce for two-and-a-half hours (and yes, you Must Stir, or it will pop on your arm like a firecracker), I understand the pains necessary to create Authentic Quality Sauce. There must be a little buff man in back with some Dedication, because Lupa's sauce is sop it up, lick the plate good. The mussels in particular are drenched in this sauce, which makes me happy. Know what to order. A definite must: fettuccine tartufate. Best thing on the menu, by far. That and a glass of the smooth and sexy Bardolino, and fuggeddaboutit.
(5)
Bronwen K.

We rented a house for 4 nights in Noe Hill (so much better than a hotel room) and this restaurant was recommended by the home owners. We had a romantic dinner there our first night. We were really just looking for something easy but this turned out to be an entire experience, and a wonderful one at that. The restaurant is totally unassuming, we weren't even sure it was open, but once inside and seated by the fireplace, it felt like we had landed back in Italy. The food is reasonably priced, absolutely delicious, generous portions without being overwhelming, and the service was fairly good. I recommend the Bruschetta to start and the Panna Cotta to finish. We left in a veritable haze of joy after the experience. This would be one great little place for a wedding proposal or an anniversary dinner. Definitely more a local place than a tourist restaurant. It's a new for-sure stop for us whenever we're in San Fran.
(5)
Rob D.

It's always great to find an Italian restaurant in this town that isn't one of the overly-hyped North Beach catastrophes. Had some friends in town yesterday who had a meeting in Noe Valley, and needed a place to go at the last minute. All of my usual Noe Valley places were booked up, and Lupa had a table for 4 ready to go - grabbed it. (Score one for OpenTable on Android.) The sun was dropping and it was turning into one of those windy, blustery SF nights - walking in the unassuming door of Lupa, we were instantly greeted by a roaring fire (ok, gas powered, but I'll take it) and the smell of fresh pasta. We ordered a great bottle of dolcetto for a great price, and dug in. I haven't had fresh pasta in months, so I tried their pappardelle with lamb bolognese - simple, and perfectly prepared. Although the service was genuine and attentive when they came to the table, it was pretty hard to grab their attention when you needed them - but I can probably just chalk that up to a full house that night. Good stuff, all in all...
(4)
Jeannine L.

Lupa is a fabulous restaurant to dine with friends. Among our delicious dishes were tortellini with pink sauce, veal with prosciutto and fungi pasta with truffle oil. Extremely attentive staff. My friend couldn't leave until he shook the waiter's hand. Good times - we ended up staying 2 hours! I won't hesitant to go back to Lupa and try another dish. Grazie Lupa!
(4)
J L.

Lupa has some tasty food, but I rarely go here anymore because of the attitude of the staff. Even if you're the only table there on a weekday and they should be happy to have your business, they treat you like you're not worth their time if you don't order a full course (meaning an appetizer, entrÃ©e, dessert, wine, coffee, etc.) They also have some weird hours, so call to check if they're open first if you want to go. I give them an A- on food, but a C on service.
(2)
Greg C.

My favorite Italian restaurant in Noe Valley. The owner Stefano and his staff are always warm and welcoming. The food is amazing. I love the bread . . . crispy crust and velvety texture on the inside. A little dab of rosemary infused olive oil. I have to stop myself from filling up on bread. To start, I particularly love the burrata and speck as an appetizer. I normally skip the entrees and go with one of the pastas as an entree in order to save room for dessert. I always leave room for the white chocolate lemon tart. Delicious.
(5)
Sabrina R.

Awesome....great food, great service...what more could u ask for... Appetizers were light and refreshing...Wine selection is great...Servers knew exactly what they were talking about...and had great recommendations! Main course was great we ordered almost everything off the small but variety filled menu...great for sharing... Most memorable dish was the ravioli...mmm...mmmm....good! Desert was great too, but so stuffed could barely eat it.... Try this place..I will be back....
(4)
Josh G.

Lupa is my favorite italian restaurant in this amazing city. It's even that much better that you don't need to go anywhere near north beach and the ridiculous amount of tourists that surround that area. My girlfriend and I have been to Lupa probably 10 times now and we will continue to go back again and again. Everything we have ever ordered there has always been delicious and cooked perfectly. From their appetizers, to their meat dishes to homemade pasta dishes (their homemade lasagna is award winning), we have never been disappointed. Also from the owner to the servers to the bussers, everyone is super attentive and personable. They do a terrific job at making the diner's experience everything it can be. Just an amazing restaurant all around. Thank you Lupa for everything!
(5)
chloe b.

I've been here twice and loved it both times. the Italian waiters are cute and friendly. The place it warm and welcoming with a fire roaring in the fireplace. so inviting during a cold summer SF day! Stick with the pasta here. they are really good. had the duck the first visit and it was just ok but the pastas where yummy. can't wait to go back again and try one of their other pasta dishes.
(4)
Eric A.

I didn't think this restaurant was that good. I have definitely had tastier italian. I do admit that they have a great variety of entrees. Atmosphere was nice, it was a bit warm, a bunch of us were sweating while we ate.
(3)
Jillian R.

Great neighborhood gem. Went on a Saturday night and it was packed. Thank goodness for reservations. We had wine to start. They bring you a basket of great bread and the most out-of-this-world EVOO for dipping. Seriously, the bread is merely a vehicle for the olive oil and yet, the bread is wonderful too. I love good olive oils and this one is stupendous. Apparently, it is infused with rosemary, garlic and chili pepper. Leaving the heaven of this, our group had salads and the fungi fettuccine, pasta with sun dried tomatoes, and the gnocchi. We all raved. For dessert, I shared the gelatto. One member of our group had the lemon tart with white chocolate. I can't tell you about that because he would not share! Ha! We liked the attentive but not obtrusive wait staff. The only complaint I have is that the tables are a bit too close together - so much so, that you may be bumped as people come and go. But you know what? The food will bring me back. Job well done, Lupa.
(5)
T S.

This food was not good. I ordered the Lasagna, and it was quite bland. I tried eating the leftovers the next day and was even more disappointed. My friend ordered a steak dish and was equally disappointed. I don't plan to revisit.
(2)
Jess K.

We drank wine, ate bread and delicious Italian food and all around had a relaxing and nice experience here. We called ahead and just had to wait for a few minutes to be seated. I had a pasta dish with Italian sausage which is one of my favorite foods ever. One of my friends had a dish with a lot of mushrooms in it and I just generally hate the smell of cooked mushrooms, especially in a reduction type setting. I was able to ignore it though and just focus on the deliciousness of my meal. It was a bit expensive for what it was but the atmosphere is nice and the meal was well worth the price overall.
(4)
Sam P.

Very good housemade southern Italian style pasta. Service was great and attentive. Dining room is fine (that's where they lost a star). It was a bit empty the night we went (Tuesday night is the likely reason). Definitely worthwhile in my mind and I would go back for a great plate of pasta.
(4)
Annie c.

great neighborhood italian restaurant with very reasonable prices. the pasta is the star here. cooked perfectly with great sauces. generous portions we came early during the week for dinner. bread just came out of oven and was just how i like it - crusty on the outside and moist and warm on the inside we started with mozzarella and heirloom tomatoes with olive oil - the tomatoes were super sweet and juicy GNOCCHI AL CINGHIALE - Homemade potatoes dumplings with 5 hours braised wild boar sauce - gnocchi were light and fluffy. sauce was well seasoned BUCATINI AMATRICIANA - Straw shaped pasta with caramelized onion, pancetta and Romano cheese in a tomato sauce. very different from the gnocchi but very tasty sauce we had the tiramisu - not too sweet which is a good thing. our waiter was attentive but not intrusive would definitely go back.
(5)
Lena N.

how disappointed with this restaurant or I chose the wrong night to come here. we had the veal with wine reduction and the pork with bacon, neither of our dishes were good. we couldnt even finished our meal, although our appetizer mussels with the tomato sauce was good. the main courses were so disappointed that we decided to have the dessert somewhere else. why I couldnt have a decent meal like most of the reviewers?
(1)
Genie M.

We came here Saturday night before heading across the street to a birthday at Bliss Bar and I am oh so glad we did. What we had: Delicious beef carpaccio Palate pleasing broccoli soup (not heavy cream based!!!) Melt in your mouth gnocchi (I am PICKY about my gnocchi and I know the difference)! The sauce was the absolute highlight here....delicious wild boar Can't forget the great wine selection! Both the atmosphere & service get a 5 here. You really do feel like you are in the heart of Rome. There were more tables with conversations being held in Italian than there were in English. It made for a really authentic feel. I will absolutely be back the next time I venture out to Noe Valley!
(4)
A A.

What the F! I didn't think my search for a casual Italian restaurant would ever stop in this hell hole city. Finally we came across this gem and it was perfect. I was skeptical walking in cuz it wasn't full, and looked like a chain. However, I was wrong and the pastas were very good. Homemade as well!!!! Wine, 2 mains and a desert for $50...yup this is a local go-to easy din place finally.
(4)
cherry l.

I love Lupa! After a year of living in SF, I've been searching for an Italian restaurant that will cure my craving of good a pasta dish. My boyfriend took me to Lupa for my birthday and I fell in love with it. My favorite is the Fettuccine Tartufate, love it! Their salads and appetizers are good as well. Honestly, I haven't had anything that wasn't good at Lupa. Definitely must try.
(4)
Nancy S.

I really can't think of anything less than good to say about Lupa. We had a girls' night dinner there, everyone running there after work, and we all relaxed immediately. Warm, friendly greeting and service, a quickly served glass of wine. Varied Italian menu, mostly standards, but some good color and creativity as in the broccoli soup and the mixed bruschetta appetizer. Every dish was good, I had the spaghetti with clams and mussels - well cooked, al dente pasta, simple sauce, fresh seafood.... a good solid loaf of country-style Italian bread, that was refreshed several times. Prices are quite reasonable, not cheap, but the value is definitely there. AND they take reservations!! Yay! I foresee Lupa becoming a regular for my friends and family.
(5)
RÃ©mi C.

Great restaurant in noe valley. Not expensive. Pasta are delicious. But the room is small and noisy.
(5)
Dom L.

Just finished my wife's birthday dinner here. Overall our table of seven enjoyed the experience. FOOD: Antipasti to share: 1)Vongole-mussels and Manila clams in a tomato broth - nice size portion (we each had 3 or four pieces), mussels and clams were tender and juicy, broth was great for dipping the bread. Small deduction for temperature-it wasn't hot enough. 2)Burrata-Daily special salad with arugula, fresh creamy mozzarella and prosciutto- super fresh and delicious. A delightful dish and again, good size portion. Entrees (I tried some from everyone and the rest were duplicates): 1) I ordered a daily special entree - pan seared ahi tuna on a bed of spinach and potatoes. The tuna was perfectly cooked, lightly seared on the outside and rare on the inside. It was a tad bit salty, but still delicious. A little too much olive oil on top for my taste, but hey its an italian restaurant so what else should be expected? Overall a good dish. 2) My wife ordered the Spaghetti alla Pescatora - seafood (clams, mussels, calamari, shrimp) of which I ate half. A big portion, seafood was fresh and sauce was tasty. Again a minor gripe for temperature-wish it came a bit hotter. 3) Fettucini with crab-I just had a small taste of it, but the pasta seemed well seasoned and perfectly cooked. 4) Tortelloni with beef and pork- tasty filling and the cream sauce was good. Desserts: Tiramisu - creamy and delicious, although we all noticed that a portion of it was much sweeter than the rest. Somehow the sugar was mixed improperly but I must say that the part that wasn't overly sweet was very good. Chocolate Torta - nice flavor and consistency. Profiteroles with chocolate - divine, perfect little cream pastries with chocolate drizzled on top. Service: Our waitress was sweet and hard working, but seemed a bit overworked. Seemed like she was covering too many tables and was running around quite a bit. Didn't know if the place was understaffed or just hectic. Had to asked the busboy several times for more bread and water. One time He refilled one bread basket while neglecting the other (obviously meaning our table had two). Overall I would just say that service was at the 15% tip level, meaning just ok/average. I think if they hired one more busboy, it would help a lot. Last minor gripe - I always have extra affinity for restaurant that serves their bread warm. Unfortunately this wasn't one of those restaurants. Overall I would give this place somewhere around a 3.5, but since we all had a good time, I rounded up to a 4.0.
(4)
Krissy M.

Lupa, I love you. Is it the homemade bread and pasta? Perhaps... Could it be the amazing and ever changing specials that surprise and delight the palate? Could be.. I wonder if it's because your divine Italian waiters who romance the pants off of the clientele? I sure do like flirting with Italian waiters.. Maybe it's because you have the best paparedelle, the most amazing bucatini amatriciana, the creamiest tortelloni alla cardinale I have ever tasted? Yep, that's probably it. Lupa, I love your food, I love your waiters. It's always a pleasure visiting with you.
(5)
Melissa M.

I happen to live in Mission Terrace, so it's close by, which was the original draw to Lupa. I was starving by the time I got there, and everything on the menu looked delicious--different from your run-of-the-mill Italian place. I ended up ordering the tortellini with pork, beef, and pancetta in a vodka sauce. It was delicate and delicious. My dad got the risotto and my husband got the lamb tagliotelli. Everything was fantastic! Aside from my beloved Franchino's in North Beach, this was my favorite Italian meal in SF.
(5)
Rick A.

Great service, very good food. I live a few blocks away -- I will be going back
(4)
p w.

Solid neighborhood Italian restaurant. Decent selection of salad's, pasta's, entrees. I tried several and all were good but not great. Not a destination place, but definitely worth eating at if in the neighborhood.
(3)
Us And J.

After everything I'd read and all that I'd heard I was really excited to try this place. Unfortunately it didn't live up to my expectations. Went on a Friday night and thank goodness I'd made a reservation (on Opentable.com just 30 minutes before we arrived!) because there were many on the list waiting outside and we were taken in right away. There were 2 adults & 2 preteens in our party and we were seated at a 4-top right by the open kitchen counter. It was a lively atmosphere and exactly what I'd expected in that respect. Simone (male server, not sure of spelling) was busy but attentive. We ordered the scamorza ai funghi appetizer (melted smoked mozzarella with mix sauteed mushrooms) and it was a small crock of cheese of molten cheese with a smattering of mushrooms - tasty but not worth the $12 price tag; 3 pasta dishes - gnochetti special with rock shrimp & asparagus, ravioli special (sorry not memorable enough for me to recall) and risotto special with shrimp & calamari - and all three looked - pink & creamy - and tasted the same; and the veal scaloppine, which looked and tasted like pork and had to be cut with a knife. For dessert there were 2 gelatos (1 all chocolate & 1 vanilla & cherry combo) both were creamy & delicious, and an order of profiteroles. I prefer my profiteroles with a bit more "crunch", these felt and tasted like they'd been filled long before they were served. We ordered a couple of glasses of "house merlot" and I must say it was quite good, perhaps the best thing on the menu! Unfortunately despite asking several times we never found out what it was. Perhaps a busy Friday night was not the best time for a first run and I know some people LOVE this place, but in all honesty I'd rather take by $150 and go somewhere else. But, if you must go MAKE A RESERVATION! Like I said, I made it 30 minutes before we went and we were seated immediately.
(2)
Sean L.

Lupa serves up some excellent Italian food...our six top ordered from a variety of dishes, and everything was cooked perfectly and was incredibly good. I ordered the Gnocci alla Romano and it was fantastic. All their pastas are freshly made onsite. The bluenose bass was also delicious and cooked properly. I'd def. go back to Lupa!
(4)
Jennifer H.

After some last minute holiday shopping, my tummy was growling for some Italian food. I knew exactly what I was craving. LUPA!!! Awesome service and delicious rustic food. Started off with: Intingolo di Cozze e Vongole - Prince Edward Island mussels and Manila clams sauteed in a lightly spicy tomato broth. Let's just say there was not one drop of the broth left in that bowl. Mussels and clams were awesome. Bucatini amatriciana - straw shaped pasta with caramelized onion, pancetta and Romano cheese in a tomato sauce. He was doubled over with fullness, but slurped every single al dente pasta and spooned up the last bit of sauce. Magnificent! Fettuccine tartufate - homemade fettuccine with porcini, shitake and oyster mushrooms in a black truffle sauce. If you love love love mushrooms and truffle sauce, you will die and go to heaven after eating this dish. Total bill came to $40. This place is great for a date, girls night out, birthdays or big groups. Food comes out piping hot, pleasant and attentive service. It's a must try.
(4)
Paul F.

Love this Noe Valley neighborhood Italian place! They do an awesome job with grilled meats - the duck is very good and the rack of lamb is terrific. Many of the meat dishes are served with a little bit of intensely flavored sauce - absolutely delicious. The atmosphere feels authentically Italian. If you just want a plate of spaghetti, save your money and head for Pasta Pomodoro. For a formal Italian dinner (with prices to match) go to Bacco, but for something in between, great food in a casual atmosphere, you can't do better than Lupa.
(5)
Valerie D.

Mussels and clams were amazing. So good, I started eating the broth like soup! Lasagna was delicious, yummy caesar salads and I got the special of fettucini w/ baby scallops, which was tomato based. Tasted even better the next day. Not expensive. Around $18/ entree. Cozy ambiance, good for a date or spending time catchng up with friends.
(5)
M M.

Loved the food. Wow, authentic and good portions, etc. Service was fun and good.
(4)
jennifer b.

We had a magnificent dinner tonight at this restaurant. The butternut squash ravioli was so tasty. It melted n our mouths. I had the seared ahi tuna with roasted potatoes and Brussels sprout special, OMG it was fantastic. Cooked to perfection. We ended the night with the flour less chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream. It was rich, tasty and not heavy. We left the restaurant happy, satiated, but we not not feel bloated or overwhelmed.
(4)
Vivian B.

We had a lovely family dinner here - 2 adults, one 5 year old and one almost two year old. Food was delicious - lots of classic Italian dishes but better than I can make it at home. Great service - helpful, attentive and nice to the very messy baby. We especially loved the cozy, neighborhood feeling of the restaurant. We will be back - either with the kids, or for a romantic dinner just for the grown-ups.
(4)
Katy M.

Lupa is one of those neighborhood gems that you're so happy to have in your hood. The food is delicious and authentic - I dream about the Tortelloni Cardinale between visits, and all the pasta we've tried have been fresh and tasty, along with the fish and beef dishes - and the service is warm and accomodating. Simone, our favorite waiter, is our son's hero - there's a stuffed cat in our household whose name has recently been changed to "Simone" in his honor. Nice selection of wines by the glass and reasonable prices make for a great Noe Valley evening out. Kid-friendly but easy to avoid the small humans if that's not your bag. We look forward to many years of regular meals at Lupa.
(5)
Eric M.

My wife and I were visiting from Jersey Shore. There are a lot of very good Italian restaurants in NJ. That being said, Lupa's was the very best. The area is very nice, easy parking meters that take credit/debit cards...no change needed. Parking is free after 6 pm. We got there a few minutes before 6 pm. We ordered a very nice bottle of Italian wine. The waiter and staff were top notch. The food was excellent. We ordered appetizers, entrees and desert. Everything was spot on. I highly recommend if you are in San Fran to stop in, relax and enjoy the meal.
(5)
Alan R.

Lupa's a refreshingly different dining experience in a neighborhood (Noe Valley) that is full of hoity-toity, prixy fixy bullshit eateries just waiting to shake money out of your wallets. The prices for some dishes can be a bit high, but they do not wax exorbitant, and there is a relieving, broad range of prices. This stands in further contrast to other restaurants in the vicinity, where my memory recalls me consistently paying more, oftentimes for less food. Enough focus on thriftiness, and Noe Valley. I had a carrot ginger soup that was perfect the cold rainy night I had it. The rest of my meal left me quite satiated. I think this is a solid choice for any Italian food afficionado. I echo some comments below that the atmosphere can be either casual or more formal, but whichever you prefer at the moment, Lupa will exude a cozy and intimate feel. There's plenty of space in here so you can bring a larger troop with you, too. And I disagree with some below comments about the wait staff; our server was very friendly and prompt, and was especially attentive and apologetic over the wobbly table we were seated at (which proved to be barely a nuisance anyways). I was there on a rainy Tuesday night, so I have no idea what it's like on a more crowded night, but, as I said, the space is large, and the kitchen is visible, so I feel like the staff can handle the nitpickers out there. In short, it's def worth a visit, and I'd go here again!
(4)
susan a.

I have found a new favorite- only trouble is they are not in my neighborhood so I will have to schlep to get there, but it's worth it. We arrived very late one Saturday night after a 3-hr movie and they seated us without any problem. We ordered family style and shared everything which they split and had the most amazing fettucine with a tomato mushroom sauce. IT WAS INCREDIBLE! The bomb! We started with the proscuitto, pear and marscapone and it was delicious. I guess some people haven't had a great experience here either with staff of the food, but we found everyone just attentive enough without being overbearing, friendly and welcoming. Given the food was amazing and the prices very reasonable, I know I will be back. Can't wait to return.
(5)
Paul K.

The food is good here. We went to Lupa with a couple of friends. They had been there before and raved about the place. I usually shy away from Italian restaurants. especially after my trip to Italy 5 years ago, as most Italian restaurants in the US are bad, over priced (for bad noodles) and generic. Lupa was a pleasant surprise. The pastas tasted fresh, soft, flavorful and not over-dressed. The sauce is simple, straight forward and freshly made almost like it is in Italy. We shared 3-4 appetizers which were all solid. The pasta with wild boar sauce (I think it was the Tagatelle) was outstanding. It reminded the same pasta dish we had in Florence. On the whole, I would say the pasta is solid there. Closest I've had to Italy, but not as flavorful... Other items are good, but do not stand out. This is definitely one of the better Italian restaurants I've been to.
(3)
Natalya B.

Delicious Italian food
(5)
Katie C.

Lupa is supa dupa cute-ah! I came here the other night to have dinner with my roommate and the waitstaff was so friendly and attentive - we felt right at ease and trusted that we'd be taken care of. We grabbed a seat right in front of the window and were impressed by the Polenta, the freshness of our Spinach + goat cheese salad. and the tastiness of my Mahi Mahi + asparagus dish, and my roommate's Fettucini + Mushroom + Truffle Oil concoction... Mmmm.... so good! Lupa is tucked away in the super charming Noe Valley neighborhood (a nook in the city that I don't visit often enough) and provides for a great, mellow, Italian experience. Such a great spot!
(4)
Celine T.

We came here on a quest for Italian food redemption, after an awful dinner last week at another SF Italian eatery (that's for another review). Lupa was fantastic. Reservation was easy to get, place was casual, food was top notch. Great for kids, the children at the table were treated very well, and we saw other families with kids of varying ages. What we loved: - The really fruity olive oil they poured for bread dipping: super tasty and complex -- The mushroom pasta: Very umami. Excellent. Wish we'd ordered this for the adults, instead we had to watch the little boy at our table scarf most of it down (what can we say, he loves mushrooms). Our plaintive "can we try some, darling?"s were met with laughing dismissals, though we managed to sneak some when he wasn't looking. -- Wild boar pasta. Mr. T. adores meat-sauce pastas, and it's the yardstick by which he judges Italian restaurants.... he said this was one of the better ones he's had. Rich, thick sauce, really good on a cold Noe night. We'll be back.
(5)
Kai H.

People keep asking me about italian spots in the city, and its amazing how many times I recommend Lupa. Very authentic fare the pastas a delicious, slightly larger portions than you will find in italy but well made. The service is great and generally its not a crazy mad house like so many places in SF. I have never been disappointed here, and you can go down the block to Blissa Bar for a drink before or after and round out your evening.
(4)
Jenny J.

I went to Lupa for the first time this past week and was delighted! Both the service and the food was great. All at a very reasonable price. I had a delicious refreshing baby artichoke and fennel salad to start followed by an equally delicious plate of the tortelloni alla cardinale. I also tried my friend's white bean soup ( heaven! ) and his incredibly rich flavorful rigatoni alla carbonara. I may have to order this for myself next time. I wasn't that wowed by the dessert. I will have to try another one on my next visit.
(4)
Shelby C.

Must try the Fetuccine Tartufato....The best pasta dish I had! Great service, warm atmosphere...a definite repeat!
(5)
Tom Z.

A great neighborhood Italian restaurant that you would be lucky to live near. I liked everything we tried. Very good tortolloni, And excellent duck and pork dishes. Wish I had tried the Ahi tuna special and the mussels as they also both looked great.
(4)
julie q.

I live right across the street from this restaurant and I love this place. The food is fantastic and authentic. The service is wonderful. We take all guests here and for all special occasions. Our friends who live in North Beach come here to eat. Good prices, great wine, wonderful atmosphere!!
(5)
Bird B.

all i can say is i'm kicking myself for not having come here SOONER (the entrance is rather non-descript and easily missed). this place is truly a find. atmosphere is very casual, but there's a cutenesss/coziness about the place. all the waiters are italian and very charming and funny. the food is really really good from the apps (pear and proscuitto salad, caesar, soups) to the amazing pastas (gnocchi in 5 hr braised wild boar sauce, the lasagna, OMIGOD THE LASAGNA,) and really satisfying entrees (lamb chops). i couldn't believe the prices either. so "cheap" for san francisco. have recommended to friends who all echo the same joy for finding a nice italian resto and wondering why it's not more well known.
(4)
Kerri L.

Lupa always entertains me. The food is delicious and the dessert is wonderful. However, it's the lively staff that makes this place an experience.
(3)
Alex B.

A hidden secret in Noe Valley, well, not so hidden after I'm talking about it; Lupa is an excellent place for a cheap meal with the quality of an upscale restaurant. With a very friendly Italian staff, and an open kitchen where you can see them cooking your meal right there, Lupa makes you feel as if you were having a meal at your italian relatives' house. The Lasagna is divine; the Tortellini is magnificent, everything I ever tried there was superb. Definitely a place I visit regularly.
(5)
Clear P.

Love this place! Been there couple times and still the best italian restaurant I have been to. The food was excellent and service was friendly. The lemon tart was the best.
(5)
Kathleen M.

This place is fantastic! Went to celebrate my anniversary with my boyfriend and was overwhelmed with trying to find a nice Italian place to go to. But we found it! Fantastic butternut squash and mushroom ravioli with super friendly service. We'll be back!
(5)
Jon G.

not the best, not the worst. pretty cozy.
(4)
Iche S.

I will much rather go to Olive Garden than come here again. Its way overpriced.
(2)
Lucienne D.

Well, well, how nice to pretent we're back in Rome! The adorable Italian staff greets us at the door with an unpretentious-let's get-down-to-mangia air about them. Real Roman waiters aren't exactly famous for their friendliness so this was a welcome change. The gnocchi...oh, yes! This is how to make them...tiny, light, and doused with truffle oil. No hand grenade sizes and dollops of sauce. The pasta was the message, here. Loved the salad of blood oranges and shaved fennel. Again, lightly dressed, not drowning. Veal saltimbocco, a Roman staple, was tender and moist. I recommend it highly if veal is your thing. If you're into red-sauce places, you'll be disappointed. This is the real article, straight from Lazio. Go here, now.
(5)
john b.

Been to Lupa a couple of times. The food is the real deal, and so are the people who work there. I'm a fan of their Bolognese sauce and the vino selections that are nicely matched w. their menu offerings.
(4)
Margaret S.

I love this restaruant!!! They truly have the best Lasagna I have ever had. The noodles are paper thin and melt in your mouth. I have been there several times and each time and am charmed by the staff all over again!
(5)
Tony D.

Great authentic Italian trattoria food. Prices are reasonable. Wait staff is charming.
(4)
Beth S.

Wanting to check out someplace we'd never been, my living companion and I dined at Lupa on Friday night and were appallingly disappointed. First of all, we never even meant to go there in the first place. We were looking for Firefly, couldn't find it and gave up. So we wandered into Lupa after checking out the menu and were (relatively) promptly seated right in the middle of the small space. They didn't have the wine we wanted, but the very charming waiter guessed out next pick and already had it in hand. I have never sent back wine in my life. I feel unqualified to do so. But Friday night was the closest I've ever come. We both took sips and not wanting to sound like a bitch, I kept my trap shut. Mikey, however, instantly said, "I hate this wine." But we did nothing about it, so that's our fault. We decided to begin by splitting the pear and prosciutto and I practically broke my knife cutting into this thing. The pear was so far from being ripe, I'm amazed it entered the kitchen, much less made it onto an actual plate. My mom does this thing, where she'll stick an unripe pear in the microwave for 30 seconds and suddenly, unripe fruit is edible. You guys, I wanted to pop this shit in the microwave. There were literally 5 pastas on the menu that I thought sounded AMAZING, so I asked the waiter for a recommendation. He steered me to the pappardelle with lamb ragu (I know. Sounds so good, right?), but didn't seem that excited by anything. I could rave about pastas till the cows come home, but this guy wasn't into it. The pappardelle was WAY too al dente. I know it's all sophisticated and shit to have pasta that's perfectly done, and overcooking this delicate carb is a cardinal sin, but I'm talking crunchy, folks. And the ragu wasn't even that hot. Mikey's pork was really boring and dry, and while he likes his sauce, I hated it. Both of us agreed, tho, that we are either getting really, really picky or this was a crappy dining experience. Bad wine, deadly pears and crunchy pasta? Seriously? We went home and made martinis...
(2)
Trevor G.

Great food, fast and friendly service. I ordered the mushroom risotto special, with a Fennel and artichoke salad to start. Both were well prepared with great flavors. I would recommend lupa to anyone.
(5)
John A.

My wife and I live a few doors from Lupa and really take for granted the fact we can stop in whenever for dinner without driving . At first we used to overlook it as a top Italian in Noe/Mission district since Lupa was so close, must be convenience bias we figured. However, we found ourselves truly preferring the pasta dishes here while sitting in other restaurants (many with much higher prices!?). Whenever we host out-of-town friends from NYC or Boston, Lupa never fails to please. Try the lasagna or tortelloni, my favorites!
(4)
Matt W.

Very good food and service! Worth a visit; I'll be back.
(4)
Merri L.

Lupa is near my house and I've wanted to try it, but never got around to it. Actually, I don't eat italian all that often, I have to be in the mood. I was finally in an italian mood, and my friend jay who loves italian was visiting, so yay perfect time to try it! We called ahead and made a reservation; it was Saturday evening around 8 or 9, I think. It was hard to get someone to notice that we had arrived...no one was coming over to the door, but once they did notice we were there, we were seated right away. It's cute and cozy and not too large inside. There were a lot of specials... I had one, an ahi tuna spaghetti dish. Very yummy. Jay had a pasta dish with pieces of lamb or something in the sauce, which was good but not as good as mine. J had the veal, which he said melted in his mouth. The only thing is, it was tiny. Mine was large. The bread served at the beginning was tasty too, although we never got plates to put the bread on, from what I remember. I think overall, they were slightly short staffed, but a tasty italian place minutes from my house gets the thumbs up from me! :)
(4)
Andrew N.

I ate here last night with a friend as I wanted to try something new and the reviews here seemed positive. I made reservations and after making the mistake of trusting MUNI we had to rush in the rain to get there exactly on time, only to find out that the reservation seemed not to matter and we still had to wait almost 30 minutes. The restaurant is nicely decorated and pleasant to eat in. I ordered the 'Tortelloni d'Anatra' - it was okay but I wouldn't order it again. It didn't have much flavour and my friend said that his meal was also kind of bland. I have to mention that the bread we were served was completely black on the lower half. It also seemed odd that when I ordered a Sprite they brought it to me in a can - next to the nicely arranged food it just seemed out of place.
(3)
Hilary R.

Maybe not the absolute best Italian food I've ever had, but it's very good, especially for a casual neighborhood spot. Love the delicious, fresh, warm bread they bring while you're waiting for your food! This is one of my go-to places for a dinner out with the parents or a spontaneous "let's go grab a bite," but I've also seen people on dates here, and it seems like it would be good for that too.
(4)
z x.

Hmm, somehow I thought this place would be incredible based on its low profile and neat logo (I know...). The atmosphere inside was kind of cheesy, reminded me a little bit of some place in an airport. The wine selection was very good and the waiter recommended an interesting white wine that I never heard of. According to him, people tend to always think Pino Grigio when they think Italian white wine, not realizing that there are a ton of other interesting alternatives. I had carrot-ginger soup which was great and then something else which I can't remember now. The food was probably ok, but not terribly memorable...
(3)
HsuMeow L.

I liked this place. We didn't make a reservation but we liked what we saw on the menu, and we walked in to see if there was table available. A very charming waiter with Italian accent came to greet us and seated us right away. While we were waiting on our order, we were a bit worried b/c for a Saturday night at 7pm, there sure wasn't many people. Thank god we were wrong. Three of us had the carpaccio, truffel risotto, duck breast, and veal, and they were all very declicious. The carpaccio was just alright, standard dish, can't go wrong with it unless they serve lunch meat (seriously, a restaurant did that to us once in ITALY!! Can you believe it). Truffel risotto had a very cheesy taste, and personally I love the aroma and taste of truffel, so I loved it. Hubby's duck was pretty good too, it served with barley as rice and broccli leaf. The duck sauce had a special flavor, very tasty. My veal was very good. Even though I was expecting a big chunk of veal chop on the plate, and it turned out to be 2 or 3 thin slices of veal, it was still very good. It also has very flavorful sauce all over the veal, and it served with mashed potato and kale. Even the mash potato was very good. It was very milky and buttery. The environment was comfortable. You can be casual or dressy, very flexible, and the waiters were all very nice and friendly. I would love to give it a 5-star cuz overall it was a great experience, nothing negative about this place, but I thought it would be unfair to the other fansy-smancy places where I also had great experience with well-known chef's creations. Therefore I gave it a 4.
(4)
Christophe B.

Absolutely fantastic restaurant. I went here with a group for a friend's birthday and it was a wonderful dining experience. The food was all amazing! Our server had such charming personality and was extremely helpful with suggestions, descriptions, and was overall very accommodating to us all. I would absolutely recommend the pan roasted duck breast. It was so flavorful with an excellent sauce. It came with delicious rice with a complementary citrus flavor and grilled asparagus that was to die for. I literally savored every bite. Easily one of the best meals I've ever eaten. The prices are definitely reasonable. And with the excellent service we received, I cant wait to come back here. I should mention that it is a rather small place, so you may want to make a reservation to avoid a long wait.
(5)
A D.

OMG! I love this place. Just the bread alone is enough to keep me coming back. Everything was delicious the staff was great. The ambiance was so very warm and inviting.
(5)
SF P.

Tasty rack of lamb ...
(4)
Casey D.

Lupa is wonderful. I had truffle fettucini and my dinner companion had a rack of lamb. Both were so delicious and perfectly cooked. Our waiter was a wonderful, enthusiastic italian. He made us feel so welcome, gave a great wine suggestion and even told us some great stories. I can't wait to go again.
(5)
Baochi N.

Hands down the best dish here is the homemade pappardelle with lamb bolognese sauce. It's a simple, well-balanced dish. The first time I had it, I was blown away. The taste of fresh pasta is as perceptible as that of fresh seafood and this dish had it. The second time I sampled the pappardelle, it packed less punch but I still enjoyed it nonetheless. Other pastas I've tried include: - The penne with carmelized onion, sundried tomato, kalamata olives and romano cheese. I thought the pasta was overdressed in olive oil and after a few bites, I got sick of this dish. - The homemade gnocchi with rock shrimp and asparagus in light tomato sauce had a lot of potential. The shrimp was very fresh, and the sauce was tasty. But I was horrified to discover that half of the gnocchi (potato-based pasta dumplings) was overcooked, resulting in a mushy texture that was unpalatable. I've tried two salads from the appetizer menu, both of which were disappointingly mediocre: - The caesar salad was overdressed and served chopped rather than my preferred form factor with whole romaine leaves. - The thin julienne sliced zucchini salad with truffle oil and shaved parmigiano cheese served with olive paste garlic crostini is a bit strange to me. The julienned zucchini is not bad although somewhat forgettable but the accompanying olive paste crostini is a mismatched partner. The two items just don't seem to belong together. From the secondi section of the menu, I've sampled the pan roasted pork medallion, an aggressive recommendation from the charming waiter. He insisted that everyone who has ordered this dish from him has thanked him profusely. So I complied. Indeed, the gorgonzola sauce (and I don't even like blue cheese), mashed potatoes, and endives are excellent companions to the hearty piece of pork, but the pork itself was overcooked and thus dry. I've tried one dessert item: the lemon tart, which was tasty although not something I would order again.
(2)
Maya G.

Went to Lupa for the first time last night and had a wonderful dining experience! We made reservations, but things were busy and they took a while to seat us - no worries because we got *free* glasses of champagne! Friendly and attentive service all around, amazing food with seasonal selections and very reasonably priced. The dishes were on par with meals I had in Italy - fresh pastas, flavorful sauces, wonderfully seasoned meats. The ambiance is also great with a fireplace on the bottom level and a nice view of the kitchen up the stairs. I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Michelle P.

Lupa is always a consistently good neighborhood dining spot. The owner often greets guests at the door--very nice touch. Service is attentive. Food is very good. . . my favorite is the black truffle mushroom pasta plate.
(4)
Leeron k.

OK food, but they are very rude. You can get better food without the attitude elsewhere in Noe (e.g. incanto or bacco).
(1)
jon p.

I go here when I am craving good pasta. Reasonable prices and decent service.
(4)
liz p.

we've been going to lupa since it opened. it's the best kept secret in SF. totally fabulous, great value, and lovely people. a true neighborhood gem.
(5)
CINDY K.

When my sister invited me to be her date for a wedding reception at an Italian bistro by Castro & 24th, I was stumped. I knew that corner well, I used to work for Cotton Basics back in college, and I couldn't recall any such place. But we pulled up to a stretch of 24th that I hardly recognized. There was Lupa, a small, dark, split level restaurant. (****Note: the rest of this review is skewed since my evening here revolved around a special wedding party of ~30 people.****) There's something to be said about the company making the meal, for this was one of the most delightful meals I've had in recent memory. The FOOD - I loved every bite of it! Our first course was an antipasto platter w/2 prosciuttos and a salami, green olives and mozzarella balls. I had several thin salty-great slices wrapped around a bit of their crusty bread. 2nd course was a spinach salad w/raspberry vinaigrette, caramelized walnuts and goat cheese. I cleaned my plate w/hardly any dressing left - sign of a well dressed salad! Then came a 3rd course ravioli in a tomato sauce w/roasted whole garlic cloves. I pretty much cleaned that too, even the roasted-til-they-were-sweet-mild-and-soft-garlic cloves. Then the main courses arrived...at the beginning of the evening the waiter gave us a choice of lamb chops or a salmon steak. My sister selflessly took the salmon while I had the lamb (we both LOVE lamb). But of course we shared. They were BOTH soooooo good. Medium rare lamb chops with a nice rim of fat, wilted spinach and a balsamic reduction, and the salmon baked to a tender meltyness with haricot vert, both meats & veggies resting on a mound of buttery mashed potatoes. There was a lot of wine, champagne and Italian-speak flying about the elevated back half of the restaurant, where our party's long tables were splayed out. We ate, talked, walked around, ate and talked some more for 3 straight candlelit hours! Turns out the groom (and most of the guests) is from Italy, and friends with the owners; hence their willingness to host this reception. However, it was noted that they became friends cuz Lupa was the most authentic food he'd come across, food that reminded him of home. All the staff were very nice, cheerfully filling glasses and joking with the guests (in Italian, which I don't understand, but whatever). I'll save going all 5 stars til I've dined here a few more times, and since mine was not a typical evening at Lupa. But if an authentic Italian experience is was your looking for, swing on by.
(4)
Colleen M.

Good solid Italian food. Love the Orecciette alla Norma. Wasn't completely excited about the wine, but I always come away feeling full! Desserts are also good -- but I never have enough room left.....
(4)
Hal B.

This is a good, basic restaurant. Everyone enjoyed their meals, the wine selection was good and our waitress was nice. The fire is great, the ambiance is "Italian" and so was our waitress! I highly suggest you give this place a try.
(4)
Maria F.

I hate giving a bad review to a local place that seems to be authentically italian- which is the only reason it gets two stars, but 'm sorry the only time i came here the service was not very attentive(even though it was late) and the food i got was average. On top of the that something happened that I wouldn't normally have noticed, but happened to catch this time. The waitress charged my credit card an extra dollar! I know what you are going to say- you are cheap maybe you made a mistake. I had been checking my bank account balance online the following week and saw that the charge was 30 and went back and checked my receipt which was 29. Yes my table only ordered one bottle of wine and all had cheap pasta, but please. I could have understood if you couldn't read my writing and mistook a five as a six or something like that, but she had to mess up two numbers. A dollar isn't a lot, but if I thought she had earned the extra dollar I would have given it to her. Also integrity is entirely underrated! It is very possible this has happened to me at other places, but I haven't caught them. With as many restaurant as there are in San Fran I will not be back anytime soon. This was months ago- so maybe the waitress is no longer employed with them...
(2)
Patrick S.

Not to be that guy - that NYC-snob guy - but Lupa is one of the few restaurants I have encountered in SF that would have held its own in the West Village in Manhattan. Star of the menu: the gnocchi. It is just out of this world. It may be a hike to Noe, but the food and atmosphere (open kitchen, rustic, escape) will make you glad you did it.
(5)
Josh M.

I'm kind of torn. I feel like Lupa's somewhere between a 3 and 4 star choice. The excellent and fresh pasta is made in-house and the sugo was rich and very flavorful. The setting is decent, it's priced right and it's open when you want it to be. Nothing that really knocked my socks off, and maybe not the very best Italian in town, but it's a solid Italian standby that's worth a shot if you're in the 'hood.
(3)
Katherine P.

LOVE it! Lupa is a great neighborhood restaurant with a TRUE Italian feel. The staff is amazing and the food is consistently great. The ambiance is really warm and welcoming, it feels like you're walking into a home. I am addicted to their Tortelloni alla Cardinale, the flavor is just amazing!! I also love their Prosciutto, Pere e Mascarpone appetizer, it has such a fresh taste.
(5)
Sarah B.

Molto bene! Tasty Italian comfort food, nice neighborhoody ambiance, friendly and efficient service. This is a pleasant little restaurant, perfect for those nights you don't want to venture far from home or want a comfortable, cozy meal with friends.
(4)
Dan B.

My review is much like that of marie T's, except + 2 more stars (as an aside: why only give 2 stars to a place you refer to as "excellent," "great," and "wonderful?"). Tina E found this spot while scouring Yelp and we were not disappointed. In fact, we really liked it. OK, so it ain't fancy to look at, but isn't there some saying about not judging a book by... anyway, the review is all in the food, dude. I got the butternut squash ravioli with the fennel salad. It was nearly dreamy. Nearly. I have had better pasta, but not in SF in recent memory. Ravioli was plump, but not too big, and the skin wasn't too thick either. A little salty on the outside (a good thing) and nice and soft and sweet on the inside (OK, maybe too much info there, but it was too tasty not to describe a bit). Three of us shared desserts: Tiramisu (pretty standard), apple strudel (warm fruity goodness w/ a dollop of ice cream), and the white chocolate lemon tart (...oh my... so good!). As far as service goes, we entered better than we left. We had 7pm reservations and were seated in a great spot immediately. For every awkward staffer, there's a nicer, friendlier one at your service. As the night wore on, the entryway got a bit stuffed, and we were given our check before being asked if we wanted coffee or tea (which we didn't, so it was fine). Overall, we liked and we'd return to sample the gnocchi and the four other desserts we couldn't fit into our stomachs tonight!
(4)
rachael s.

thin thin thin homemade layers of pasta with cheeses between and delightful sauce, yum. everything else was good too, but the lasagna captivated my affections.
(5)
ginger H.

My friend and I decided to go to Lupa's last night because of all the great reviews. We were both very excited to have some great Italian food but we were sorely disappointed. The service was horrible, the waiter only came to give us the menu and the check. He did not check on us once. He even gave us a snobby look when we decided not to order dessert. The food was below average--the tomato sauce in the mussels and clams appetizer tasted like pizza sauce and the pasta was really oily and lacked flavor. I think I could have gotten better service and pasta from Olive Garden. It was not worth my time and money.
(1)
Gourmet G.

A true neighborhood trattoria with very good Roman-style food, friendly service, a cozy interior, and reasonable prices. Start with the bruschetta with fava beans, continue with a fennel and artichoke salad, then dive into an order of tortelloni in a rich, creamy mascarpone sauce. If you can manage it, finish with a cup of strong espresso and a lemon tart, because fruit will help you justify all the fat and carbs you ingested before it.
(4)
babsie g.

Yum! The best Italian restaurant in Noe/Mission. Hearty, heavier cuisine. Perfect pastas. Great homemade breads. Friendly Italian owners.
(4)
e w.

we had a fantastic first experience at this neighborhood in our new 'hood. service was excellent, food was wonderful, we will be back. what a gem.
(5)
Alison C.

Delicious fresh pasta and house-baked bread to die for, served by cute Florentine waitstaff. A great neighborhood restaurant. I would recommend pasta over their meat/fish entrees, as these are less consistent.
(4)
Sven S.

This little trattoria nestled right in the heart of Noe Valley has the vibe of the ol' mom n pop owned restaurants in Northbeach back in the day. I really enjoyed the polenta with goat cheese and the burnt sweetened butter sauce..!!!!!! Damn...sooooooo good, and the pork chop smothered in a porcini mushroom sauce...!!!! Just listen to me, I sound like a snooty yuppy import. But I have to say one thing, that when you eat at a place like this, be prepared for a tasteful experience. My only negator's about this this joint was the fact that when there's kids running around, it can tend to be quite loud. And also they need to fix the draft coming thru the doors a bit. But all n all, good authentic Italiano food.....!!!! Try there Creme Brulee'....aww damn you'll need a wheel barrel to escort your tongue outta the place, and I liked the wine selection, short but good..!...Svendle gives this 4 stars...!!!! Cheers and enjoy..!
(4)
Joe B.

Well, I had my hopes after reading some of the reviews of Lupa. I showed up with three friends on a Friday night at about 8:00 p.m. We only had to wait twenty minutes for a table, which seemed quite reasonable. There was a crowd outside that looked to be waiting longer, but hey, Friday night, right? We ordered two appetizers. There was a carrot-ginger soup that was a bit thick and not very flavorful, though it did have two or three buttery croutons that were incredible--I would have gladly eaten a bowl of them. The fennel and blood orange salad was fine, but again, not much flavor there. We had four entrees, three of which were pasta. A strangely unseasoned seared swordfish that was overdone (how do you overcook something that's seared?), served over bland potatoes and wilted spinach, though my dinner companion was pretty happy (he's not picky, lucky guy). Pappardelle with lamb bolognese sauce; the pasta was a bit more al dente then I like, and the sauce was good but again, bland. The lamb in the sauce was great, tender and flavorful. The pasta was nicely coated with the sauce, but there was not enough to soak up even a corner of the tastily chewy ciabatta-like bread that the waiter was kind enough to refill after we demolished the first basket. The penne (or some kind of tube-shaped pasta) with carmelized onions, olives, and sundried tomatoes was unexciting, and again, too chewy, a.k.a. al dente (yes, I know that al dente is not mushy, but it's not supposed to be hard to chew either). Why sundried tomatoes? They're kind of dated, and they went out of style because they don't play well with other ingredients. The butternut squash with sage ravioli was way too sweet--the sage was crispy and delicious, but just couldn't balance the sugary ravioli filling, and the ravioli was overcooked, in an odd contrast to the other pasta dishes. All of the portions were very generous--after the soup, I could only get through about half on my dinner, and they packed up the rest for me. Two of the three glasses of wine we ordered were really enjoyable, a crisp Pinot Grigio, and something cabernet-like that was big but very smooth (wish I'd paid attention, but I wasn't drinking). The chianti was a bit chewy and sharp, not great. At around $7-9 per glass, I thought the wine was kind of pricey, but boy were those glasses full. No one needed a refill. There did not seem to be any non-alcoholic drink options on our menu, except tap water or Pellegrino. Bummer for me. Desserts were huge and extremely good. The flourless chocolate torte with walnuts, toppped with vanilla gelato and raspberry sauce was perfectly balanced and addictive, and the profiteroles were perfect--delicately chewy pastry, amazingly creamy custard, and a nicely bittersweet drizzle of chocolate all over the pastry. Heck, I don't even like profiteroles, and I was smitten with these. Two desserts were more than enough for four of us. The desserts pretty much saved the meal. Service was fine, with an Italian waiter and a chef coming by consistently and often, and in that somewhat friendly but slightly diffident manner that I find in the servers at many Italian restaurants. (Guessing that's a cultural thing.) They let us sit at the table for at least forty-five minutes after we finished eating, no rush to turn over the table, though at that point, no folks waiting either. It was really a pleasant place to just sit and chat. The women's bathroom was icky. Bad lighting, not very clean, and piles of paper towels just left out on a ledge. Not what you'd expect from a mid-range restaurant. The ambiance was relaxing, a little loud, but somehow cozy as well. Later in the evening, the music came on, and was too loud, and not good (or memorable--soft rock?) . We got to sit by the front window, and I really did enjoy the window bench with extra pillows for back support. That's at only one table--we pretty much lucked out. Overall, the food was unexceptional and slightly overpriced. I got the feeling that, given the inconsistency of the doneness of out dinners, the folks in the kitchen were either overworked or a little careless--probably both. Lack of distinct flavor was a reoccurring problem. I'm puzzled as to why someone would give Lupa more than three stars. Perhaps if they're Noe Valley residents who like to walk to their neighborhood restaurant, and have fairly authentic-seeming but tragically underseasoned Italian food in large portions. OK, and killer desserts. I get the importance of that. And a quality wine list, which matters to a lot of people who aren't me. Since we only had one entree and three pastas, I would entertain the notion that the other non-pasta entrees were more exciting. But if the pasta isn't good, I'm not going back to find out. (I really miss Ponte Vecchio on Valencia and 23rd. Killer food, a charmingly diffident yet very sexy Italian waiter/proprietor, and great prices.)
(3)
Michelle J.

I used to frequent Luna Rossa, a great Italian bistro in Russian Hill. It disappeared to Noe Valley one day and changed its name to Lupa. I travel all the way across town for their ravioli in brown butter now, and it's well worth the trip. All their desserts are good, but the white chocolate tart and tiramisu are transcendent. The wait staff are all Italian, and very friendly. It's a great place to test drive your Italian lessons before that trip to Italy.
(5)
Tabatha Y.

I went there for Valentine's Day last night. It is a cute little neighborhood restaurant and was pretty good. I ordered the pappardelle with mushroom and sausage (which cost around $11 and was pretty much the cheapest entree on the menu). I think I agree with the other reviews saying that this place is "hit or miss" because, although my dish was great, the other things we got didn't seem worth the price (but by Noe Valley standards, I guess it's about right). My date and I ordered two appetizers, I had pasta, he had tuna, a bottle of white wine, a basket of bread, and panna cotta for dessert yet we were still a little hungry after the meal.
(3)
Jane M.

I have mixed experiences here. Previously I've felt very rushed. BUT, there is a new maitre' de - and he is AWESOME. Totally scored us a great table and checked-in to make sure the meal was okay. Felt taken care of. BUT, we order the crostini misti appetizer - mozzerall cheese topped with various toppings and it was all kinds of mediocre and my tuna was way overcooked - I asked for rare and it wasn't even remotely pink - it was completely cooked thru. So, LOTS of potential, but consistent food and service will add stars.
(3)
Robert G.

static.px.yelp.com/statiâ€¦ star A disappointment. I read reviews and looked at their web site without visiting in person. Walking into the reasonably clean but frayed-around-the-edges environment was a let-down. It has a large large menu, and the food was "adequate" in quality and in substantial portions. Service was good on a Sunday night, but only one other table had diners. There was so much loud talking by the kitchen staff and clanking of pans, that I had to ask them to reduce the noice so that we could talk easily at our table. (We were seated right next to the kitchen partition.) I regreted taking my guests there when there are so many better options in the city. None of us are likely to return.
(2)
Pamela B.

Lupa's is one of my top three restaurants in San Francisco. I have been going there for over two years now and have had only one "average" meal. My favorite is the lamb; is out of this world. It has light spices that bring out the wonderful smoky flavor and is always cooked to perfection. The duck is another favorite, always succulent never gamy. I love the pears, prosciutto and mascarpone cheese, if I ever get married, I want Stephano to make these for my wedding! My boyfriend always has the fish, and even though I am not a fish lover, it is always succulent, well spiced, fresh and delicious. Did I tell you about the staff? Simone and the newest addition John Marc are a delight! Half the fun of going to Lupa's is feeling like you have just stepped into a delightful Italian restaurant in some romantic part of Italy. Stephano always makes us feel at home and Simone and John Marc add to the ambiance with their flirty Italian banter. The staff always makes us feel like we are part of the family. Simone knows his wine list and has made some terrific suggestions. The atmosphere at Lupa's is sweet and romantic with a flickering fireplace. And I didn't even mention the desserts! If you have a limited entertainment budget, make sure it makes the evening an event. Go find out for yourself what a culinary gem Lupa's is, and oh tell Stephano we said hi!
(5)
Ann F.

This is a great neighborhood restaurant. I just had (12/9) a dee-licious asparagus and crab fettucine in light tomato sauce. It was a special, so get there before crab season is over. We started with a mushroom crostini, also very solid. So is the wine list. The only small complaint I have (which to many is a blessing), is that we were in a time crunch and it took a while for the waiter to bring the bill. On another night I would have appreciated lingering at the table and not being rushed out.
(4)
Midori S.

Love Lupa! A menu you really want to order off of. Charming Italian staff that make you feel like family. Warm, neighborhood atmosphere. Awesome mid-priced Italian food, which is not as easy to find as you would think in this city. Love the speck antipasti, the bucatini amatriciana, the tortelloni. Our veggie friends love the eggplant pasta dish.
(4)
Suepattra M.

A warm unassuming family run neighborhood trattoria in Noe Valley. Everything we had was wonderful. A lovely spinach salad tossed with just the right balance of oil and vinegar in our vinaigrette. A perfectly cooked penne served with Italian sausage, funghi and cream sauce. I ordered the special fish of the day: a grilled wild Salmon marinated in lemon and garlic served with chard and beautifully whipped potatoes (that's Italian? Guess so!) The salmon was so perfectly cooked and flavored I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Seriously, the goosebumps of pleasure appeared immediately. Lovely place. Why not 5 stars? While the service was good, we had to wait nearly 10 minutes just to order our wine. And it was not super busy. I want to be able to order my wine right away, so that I can peruse the menu and figure out what will complement my meal. Or perhaps plan my entree around the other wine I want to have.
(4)
Andy F.

Just awesome. I love this place. It's a bit of a splurge though. But you get what you pay for.
(4)
Greg L.

Before I rate a restaurant, I like to try it at least twice to check for consistency of food and service as well as menu variety. Having lived in Italy and eaten at many trattorias and ristoranti, Lupa gets a solid 4-star rating and is, frankly, one of the better finds in the Bay Area. Both visits to Lupa over a 6-month period between 2006 and April 2007 were memorable, with emphasis on fresh food prepared simply and consistently. The ambience has the feeling of a neighborhood trattoria -- neither pretentious nor too utilitarian. The service is efficient with an Italian attitude -- which is to say, friendly, a little hurried, but with emphasis on the food. Both times, the waiters were attentive and spoke back and forth to the chef who's in plain view of the tables. Sometimes they may appear to be arguing...but really they are just discussing little details in a typically passionate Italian way. The chef wants it just right. The pastas are excellent, and we particularly enjoy the fettucine with mushrooms and black truffle oil. This is a great dish to share as a first course. On our last visit, I had fresh grilled wild salmon served on a bed of chard that was slightly underdone (the way vegetables should be) and then lightly sauteed to perfection -- I also asked for asparagus as a substitute for the potatoes -- which they gladly accomodated. My wife enjoyed mussles and clams in a light tomato broth. The bread is very good too and is great dipped in the olive oil. Overall, the prices and portions are a good balance, making Lupa a good value for a consistently enjoyable meal in San Francisco. The only reason Lupa doesn't get 5 stars is that the service is not refined and the atmosphere isn't upscale like some more pretentious places in the City. But that's not what Lupa is all about....so don't expect refinement it if you dine here. Rather, expect efficient service with focus on good Italian cooking, prepared with a minimum of fuss and emphasis on fresh ingredients, a little olive oil, salt and pepper to taste. We went out of our way to return to Lupa...and will gladly do so again. Oh, and save room for dessert -- they have a nice selection that varies from time to time. Simple but good. Grazie, Lupa!
(4)
micaela r.

i really liked this neighborhood italian spot. the baby artichoke and fennel salad was more like fennel with some sprinkles of artichokes. i would have preferred the opposite ratio, but the flavors were good and refreshing. the pastas were really good. my grandma's mushroom fettucine with truffle oil was the best of the table -- the homemade noodles alone were wonderful. my mom's creamier version with sausage and papardelle was also good, but a bit on the rich side for me (the homemade papardelle were amazing though). my seafood pasta came with a ton of seafood for the price and a decent sized portion of linguini. this dish would have been way better with the homemade noodles of the other dishes though. the place was crowded at 930 on a saturday night and a bit too loud for my liking. overall, good food, good service, and a few blocks away from my sister's house = i'd go back when staying at her place.
(4)
Avid E.

I had a really hard time deciding whether I should give this 3 or 4 stars. I've been here quite a few times and have always had reasonably solid meals. That said, however, I've never been terribly wowed. I think the cuisine is good and for the price, I might even argue great. The setting is really nice, it's a small cafe with really a really attentive wait staff. If you are driving to this place, I definitely recommend making a mental note of the street number as the first time we were looking for it, we couldn't find it!
(3)
Sean F.

Delicious, authentic, Italian cuisine. The stuffed ravioli dishes are my personal fave. But everything I've tried here (including off of friends' plates) has been delightful. And my picky Italian roommate highly approves of this place too.
(5)
Mr. G.

A cold burst of wind blew me into Lupa where a warm fire and cozy interior decorating created a welcoming homey feel. The staff was very welcoming in that Italian way, and I felt comfortable rather quickly. The food was decent, probably a good rendition of Roman fare. The staff was similarly amicable, but probably over-stretched, as they didn't spend much time at our table, and seemed very hurried the whole time. Despite the comfortable surrounding, this may have contributed to the fact that I left Lupa in under two hours (too fast for a meal over 100 bucks!). The menu was a little short, although that can be charming, as it makes you think that Lupa put a lot of thought into their dishes. I don't recommend the fennel and blood orange salad, but the asparagus appetizer was delicious. Other than that, I would give the food three stars (it was good, but expensive). In the end, Lupa gets 4 stars for creating that illusive warm & welcoming atmosphere, and offering friendly service. Good place for a date if you like northern Italian food (although if you really want to impress, try Firefly first).
(4)
Sebastian T.

We've been a fan since this chef was located on Nob Hill and the room was called La Luna Rosa. Yes, the food is fantastico! The appetizer selections are all wonderful. The pork and pollenta dish is extraordinary, as are the wide array of homemade pastas. The scalloppini melts in your mouth. And, of course, the deserts are real guilty pleasures! Lupa, though, has more than just good food. It has a quality that is difficult to describe - an authentic, welcoming, friendly environment that almost makes you feel like you are eating at the home of a favorite uncle. The owner takes the time to greet his guests, shake their hand and have a chat. The wait staff warmly engages diners, without being intrusive, and the overall service is very good. Lupa's atmosphere is up-to-date and comfortable, without being overdone, and it seems to draw a diverse clientele who are "in the know" about good San Francisco dining. "Cross table conversations" are not uncommon. In short, this is a great restaurant that is exactly what people are referring to when they say San Francisco has so many fine, hidden neighborhood dining experiences. We've been back many times, as a couple or with a group, and will hopefully return many times more.
(5)
Erin C.

the first few times we went to lupa, we had an amazing experience each time. the appetizers and pastas were excellent, and the wine was good as well, but the thing that really made the experience for us was our waiter - i can't recall his name, but he was funny, fun, and attentive, and kept us coming back. the last time we went there, however, everything seemed to go wrong - we brought our own bottle of wine, which the hostess opened and gave to another table, and even though she made up for it by letting us choose any wine we wanted from the list, it was hard to get past that rough start. we also had to wait 25 minutes for our reservation, which was unfortunate because we had my cousin in from out of town, and were ready to sit down when we got there. all in all, however, this is one of the best places to go for italian on this side of the city - it sure beats the bang out of dealing with north beach, particularly on a weekend.
(3)
Sandra R.

Service: We were seated right away (I made reservations online beforehand). Waiters were friendly, not too chatty, and quick. We had a few waiters tend our table, they were quick to bring what we ordered and clean the table as needed. Food: I ordered the Homemade fettuccine with porcini, shitake and oyster mushrooms in a black truffle sauce, and my husband ordered the Homemade pappardelle with lamb Bolognese sauce. The food was delicious, and the pasta tasted fresh and had just the right texture. We both enjoyed our meal very much. Ambiance: The place is small, and intimate, but not too romantic. It is casual and feels like you're having a dinner with a lot of relatives around. Overall, good service, food, and ambiance. Will definitely go again.
(4)
Sara W.

Traditionally, I'm not a big fan of Italian food-- but this is an exception. The hole-in-the-wall Noe Valley restaurant transforms the entering foodies into an Italian delicatessen filled with beautifully spoken waiters ready to aid in selecting menu items and pronunciation. The homemade pasta and rich sauce makes sharing the meal difficult but if you enjoy the mouth-watering pear/prosciutto/marscopone appetizer and fennel salad, you'll surely be fulfilled. Delish.
(5)
Barca F.

Disclaimer: Not really an Italian food fan, in general. Pretty underwhelming experience, really. Ambient temperature inside is surprisingly cold despite the restaurant's attempt to shield the cold with a curtain in front of the door...One in our party simply kept their coat on throughout dinner, a bit odd for a restaurant eh? A pet peeve I have in restaurants now is the fast paced bussing of your table that somehow has attained acceptance these days...Rather than a focus on the cuisine or helpfulness, a premium, apparently, has been placed on seeing how quickly they can bus your table during dinner...If nothing else, it was very disturbing to have people continually ask to take our plates away as it made for an unpleasant experience. Apparently, it's not part of restaurant culture these days to be able to enjoy your meal in peace without feeling rushed out the door after having arrived. As for the meal, it'd be one thing if it impressed but it was very underwhelming. Lasagna was very mediocre and the Linguine special was lacking any real flavor. Creme brulee was also a big disappointment. We came with some big expectations based on yelpers but left feeling very disappointed...Starting to wonder if there are any decent restaurants in Noe Valley at all
(2)
Nicole T.

I must have walked by Lupa hundreds of times over the past few years and it still confuses me how I never noticed it existed it? Well, I'm glad I did because I have stumbled upon something good. Hungry on a Friday night and not knowing where to go, a friend suggested it and we showed up on a whim not thinking we'd need reservations. We were wrong. The place was very crowded and people were waiting to be seated. As we walked in and looked around we were approached by the greeter who asked what the name of our reservation was. When I told him we didn't have one, he apologetically informed us that they were full with reserved tables. I must have look sad, or hungry or both because he told us to wait a minute and he would be right back. He returned with a big grin and cheerfully let us know that he was going to take care of us. Immediate points because it was raining and we were hungry. From that point on it kept getting better and better. I ordered the butternut squash ravioli's and they were delicious. My then boyfriend ordered salad and a pasta dish with meat and he gobbled his up as well. The service was excellent and the servers were all very friendly and attentive. When one of the servers noticed we hadn't gotten a 2nd glass of wine we ordered, he brought it out on the house. I liked that it wasn't brightly lit yet at the same time it almost felt sort of festive or lively. While it was perfect for a couple, I probably wouldn't bring my kids there to eat.
(5)
Elena L.

Very good pastas, and the service was good. Good price too!
(4)
Kalista W.

Enjoyed a drizzly Saturday evening dinner with friends at Lupa. What a cozy and welcoming little restaurant (fireplace was on)! Our meal started with the carpaccio...good, but nothing to write home about. For my main course, I had the Fetuccine Tartafute - mushroom fettucine with truffle sauce. I was very impressed with this dish. The homemade pasta definitely tasted fresh, like it was just rolled out and shaped that morning. Sauce was light and fragrant and went really well with the earthiness of the mushrooms. Panna cotta for dessert was also enjoyable. Service was excellent, too. A great Noe Valley gem for sure.
(4)
Mai S.

I actually want to give Lupa 3.5 stars, but warmth of the staff and atmosphere give it a slight nudge towards 4 stars. Immediately upon walking in, the server came and greeted us and gave us a warm welcome. Oddly they don't have a hostess, but maybe that's a good thing. I really liked the atmosphere - nice, simple, elegant Italian restaurant that felt casual, cozy, but not bumping elbows. Our family shared a couple of appetizers to start - Bruschetta w/White Anchovies and the Beef Carpaccio. The bruschetta was very tasty even though I'm not the biggest fan of anchovy. The beef carpaccio itself was ok, but the accompanying arugula was very fresh and delicious. A few of us shared salads and tried the fennel and blood orange salad and also the caesar salad. The fennel salad was very different, but quite tasty. I really enjoyed the juicy blood orange. The caesar salad was very classic and had a good anchovy taste. For entree, I had the Fettuccini Tartufate. Their homemade pasta is really good, and the combination of different mushrooms with black truffle sauce was delicious! However, I must warn you that it is a very heavy dish. If I had known it would be so rich and heavy, I probably would've ordered something else. But if you enjoy mushrooms and truffle sauce, it is definitely a quality dish. I also has a bite of the Tortelloni alla Cardina which was also pretty good, and the grilled rack of lamb was very tasty. Throughout the dinner I felt that service was very good, and our server was friendly and made our evening very enjoyable. He even remembered that a couple of us had been here before! Are we done yet? No, of course not. Can't leave without dessert! We ordered a Tiramisu and trio of gelato for the family to share. When our server brought out the dessert, he also gave us the white chocolate lemon tarte on the house! How can you not be happy about free dessert? The Tiramisu was pretty good, although I prefer my lady fingers to be a little bit more soaked, but still a great way to finish an Italian meal. You can't really go wrong with gelato, and the white chocolate lemon tarte was very different and delicious! Overall I had a very enjoyable dinner and I never felt rushed or cramped. You could almost forget that you're in SF and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of Lupa. I definitely wouldn't mind going again!
(4)
Gary G.

The service was really good and they made no complaint of us staying late. The food seemed average though. I had the lasagna which was rather bland. But the pear wrapped in prosciutto is very nice. Four people and wine ~ $65 each.
(3)
Elias D.

Fantastic food and superior service made a really fun night out with friends. Food is worth every penny!
(5)
J G.

Great food. My family enjoyed their meals. If I had to mention a negative I'd say I wish they had a better selection of wines but the wine I had was good. :)
(4)
Frankie F.

Last night my boyfriend and I were invited to Lupa to join another couple for dinner. They live in the area and frequent Lupa on a regular basis and had been raving about the food and service. So we had to check it out for ourselves and...drum-roll please...it's a 5!! Right when you walk in you feel the warmth of the restaurant. We were immediately greeted by the charming wait staff. The restaurant has lower and upper seating. We started by splitting the Spinach salad with Raspberry vinaigrette, walnuts and goat cheese, which was perfect. The waiter, Fabio, split the salad on two plates without us even requesting so! The couple with us split the soup Du jour which was a bean soup, ab fab! We also shared the insalata di zucchine tartufate, $8.75, thin sliced julienne zucchine salad with truffle oil citronette and shaved parmiggiano...Incredible. For entrees I had the tagliata di manzo, $20.50, Sliced grilled New York steak with herbs, cannellini beans, arugola and tomato salad. My boyfriend had the saltimbocca alla romana, $18.50,Veal scaloppine topped with sage and prosciutto in a white wine sauce with mashed potato and swiss chard. The portions were perfect, the price was unbelievable for the quality and taste of the food. Everything was clean and flavorful! I also had a taste of the Risotto, and Ahi fish, all to die for! Now my favorite part, dessert! We had the lemon white chocolate tarte and the apple strudel with a scoop of vanilla gelato. My only complaint, I would have liked the strudel warm, but we did have a late dinner and everything else was perfect. You can pick any occasion to go to this restaurant, a celebration or just a dry Sunday night. Enjoy!
(5)
John M.

Food is good, and the service is good. Nice neighborhood Italian restaurant.
(4)
Zack K.

Excellent food and good service. Desserts were the weakest part of the meal. Great wine list with the exception of no dessert drinks- a pretty big oversight for an authentic home style Italian eatery. Will definitely return. Tighten the desserts and offer a grappa or moscato for 5 stars.
(4)
Chris B.

Tortolloni alla Cardinale is Fantastic! Excellent service and not too busy for a saturday at 8pm. Reasonable prices for the area and quality. I'd go back.
(5)
Tobius M.

Been to Lupa a couple of times and it never disappoints. The service is always wonderful. They refill drinks before the glass is empty and are extremely friendly and courteous. The owner even comes by toward the end of the meal and chats. Even shared some wine with us on one occasion. The food is delicious but I have to admit i get the same thing every time........the Lasagna. Best Lasagna in The City. The bread is always warm and soft and comes with a delicious olive oil. The wine list is adequate and reasonably priced. Got the Creme Brule for desert and was satisfied. Not the best I ever had but still really good. The space is kind of small but cozy. The customers are wearing everything from suits and ties to tee shirts. I would recommend something in between. We will come back again and again.
(4)
maria c.

Food sucked, had shrimp pasta and the shrimp were so over cooked it was redic, risotto was super crunchy and not cooked and sauce tasted like spaghettios! prices were fair for portion size but man chef sucks
(2)
Nicole H.

I finally went here last night after living in Noe Valley for over a year, and it was definitely worth the wait. It's better than any place I've been to in North Beach. Lupa is a very cute restaurant. I love how it has two levels. It gives it a more "intimate" feel. We had excellent service throughout our meal and were impressed with all of our food. I had the tomato and bread soup, fettuccine with mixed mushrooms and truffle oil, and the fennel and blood orange salad. All 3 dishes were fresh and tasty. The portions were generous as well. There is a decent wine list. The "wines by the glass" portion is rather limited (that's why I gave it 4 stars) though and I thought that what they did offer was just ok.
(4)
Laurel M.

Lupa is probably my favorite restaurant in our new neighborhood (Noe Valley) We've eaten there several times, the food is always delicious, they have a good wine selection (even the one time we just had a glass of wine it was good) the ambience is cozy and the service is great.
(5)
Matt M.

Rigatoni was al dente. Lasagna bolognese was second only to my mother's. I NEVER order pasta when I go out, but when I talked to the owner on the phone I had a good feeling. Sauces were amazing-all dished perfectly balanced. In short, everything was, preciso! My mother is Italian and I grew up with real Italian cooking. This is some of the best Italian food I have had in the US. If you want REAL Italian then go! Not white washed, and reasonable prices.
(5)
Keau K.

I've been to Lupa twice now and I had an outstanding first experience and a so-so time the second time. I love it that almost everyone there is from Italy and I never have a problem getting a reservation. The staff is friendly and the restaurant is a tucked away in sleepy Noe Valley. On both occasions I was in a large party and everyone else enjoyed their meal, so that's definitely a plus. Unfortunately my piece of pork that I ordered was overdone and really dry. I sent it back (who wants to eat dry pork?) and it came back underdone. I didn't want to be "that guy" so I ate around the undercooked portion. I understand that people are taught to eat their pork well-done (dare I say overcooked?), but my meal was ruined because the piece of pork was overdone. Will I go back? I think so.
(3)
char l.

Everything was delicious. We split a salad, which was quite large. The portions were good. Would go again and refer friends and family to try this restaurant in the Noe Valley.
(5)
Eva W.

Lupa is my favorite restaurant in San Francisco! I have brought anyone and everyone there and no one has ever complained. The staff are so friendly and knowledgeable of the menu/wine. I have literally tried almost everything on the menu and have never had a bad meal. Its usually not too busy if you go early so it is a wonderful place for good food and conversation with friends. LOVE LOVE LOVE!
(5)
Leigh D.

My favorite restaurant in SF.
(5)
Bob M.

The service here is always excellent! The food is truly authentic. On this occassion I had family in town and with them 3 small kids. All went well until we left and I let a diaper bag hit our neighbors glass and it fell into their food. A small disaster but the neighbor's reaction was akin to my pouring wine over his head. I asked the manager to please allow me to buy their dinner but the manager refused, insisting that he would take care of it. This small treasure is a class act.
(5)
Caitlin E.

I was up in SF and craving Italian food after a long day of wine tasting, so we decided to check out this local place. It had great reviews on yelp, so I was looking forward to trying it out. Plus, it had gnocchi, which is my favorite!! So we get there and they seat us right away (even though we were almost an hour late for our reservation bc of a very shoddy cab app). I got the caprese salad and gnocchi al cinghiale. the caprese was the best caprese I've ever had! Heirloom tomatoes and mozzarella balls, and delicious basil, oils, and spices. The gnocchi was a little disappointing tho. The sauce has a 5-hour braised wild boar in it, so I was anticipating a lot of flavor. I've never had wild boar before so maybe there isn't much flavor, but it was very mild for my taste. I wish i would have gotten an arrabiatta sauce or something. My friends got the Pappardelle Tortufino--which she loved--and the raviolli--we decided the best dish of the 3. The service was a little off at first, but our waiter was a cool guy...got us a cab while we were paying the check and everything. Overall, a good experience. But if you like spice, stay away from the gnocchi.
(4)
Ravena F.

5 stars: 1. Best panna cotta in town. 2. Excellent service & owner - including remembering us from previous visits & occasionally comping us a dessert or glass of muscat. 3. Warm, cozy environment that makes for very comfortable dining. 4. Extremely reasonable prices for truly excellent food. 5. Gorgeous Italian waitors who are always charming, including during the morbidly embarrassing moment when my grandmother insisted that they sing something in Italian (because she'd "never met an Italian who couldn't sing.").
(5)
Ramona L.

The Decor is really pleasing. From the outside it might be hard to see. But the location is located across the street from Barney's Burger on 24th Ave. The food is really tasty and the staff seems to be very nice. The location is just a little hard to find.
(4)
Mike L.

We had my 50th birthday party here in February and it was great! Stefano Coppola is a very talented chef and everything turned out delicious! I highly recommend Lupa for a birthday celebration or just a delicious dinner. Either way you cannot go wrong. The prices are reasonable too.
(5)
Tony H.

I have been going to Lupa since it first opened. Every meal has been a joy. The food is wholesome and inexpensive and the staff is always extremely friendly, attentive and relaxed. My particular favourite is the lamb Bolognese pappardelle. The saltimbocca and risotto specials are also always good. They have a basic, but great wine list too. A previous reviewer described it as a "hole-in-the-wall". I am not sure what restaurants they usually dine in to think this. THe place, like the food is simply and tastefully decorated - warm hues to bring the best out in the home-style Italian food and wine. My one simple criticism is that they only have one high-chair. It's Noe Valley after all!
(5)
Spoon G.

Lupa is a nice Italian trattoria in the heart of Noe Valley. The owner is Italian and has run a few restaurants in North Beach. The food quality is excellent, and the recipes are straightforward, authentic Italian dishes. You will not find spaghetti and meatballs on the menu. Some of the standout dishes include the saltimbocca ala romana, speck and burrata, risotto and all of the pasta dishes are tasty. If you are used to going to Pasta Pomodoro down the street, try a pasta dish here and you will be hooked. The staff are always friendly, and the chef will often come out to your table to chat about your meal.
(4)
Daniel S.

I recently strolled around the corner to Lupa after opting to avoid the 1-hour wait at Contigo. It was my second time there, and the food was as it was the first time - just OK. One thing I noticed is that Lupa is a lot busier now than the first time I went. Could they be the happiest about the long line at their new "competitor" on the block? hmmm...
(3)
Danny H.

Picked this place on a walk by, and was quite happy with it. Excellent specials (tomato soup, spinach salad, prawn risotto). Great ingredients. Killer fettuncini with mushrooms. Charming Milanese waiter with this exchange: Me: I'll have the Insalata di Spinachi... Fabio: You should have the caprese. Me: Nah, I've had a lot of caprese; kinda tired of it. Fabio: I tell you what, if it's not the best caprese you've had in your life, I'll buy it for you. Me: You know, I lived in Napoli. Fabio: Insalata di Spinachi it is.
(4)
T H.

The best home made pasta I have ever had! in a restaurant! The mushroom pasta is to dream of. The owner is great, service nice, a neighborhood gem and worth a visit if you live out of the area.
(5)
michele g.

me: How's your dish (the gnocchi)? boyfriend: Great. The sauce can be difficult to nail down and this sauce is solid. me: What do you mean? boyfriend: It's very hard to not get a fresh tomato sauce from quality ingredients looking so orange. The canned stuff makes it look red..etc, etc.. That was nice to know about the pasta sauce & when I tasted it I knew what he meant - flavorful saucy goodness . All the dishes we ordered were great. I especially loved the fennel and artichoke salad with lemony dressing. The fennel was shaved into long strands that looked like pasta with thin pieces of artichoke tangled in. I was still talking about how good the salad was after the dinner! Overall, excellent place for great food in a cozy atmosphere.
(5)
Jess M.

Warmth. My entire experience there can be summed up by that one word. I was enveloped in warmth the moment I stepped behind the front door/curtain and into this charming and endearing neighbourhood Italian restaurant. And it wasn't until I stepped back out into the chilly, autumn night that the warmth dissipated... Both literal and figurative, warmth emanated from the fireplace, the hostess/waitress, and the incredibly comforting homey appeal of the interior. I felt like I had just walked into my Italian friend's dining room, which happens to be outfitted to seat 50 or so of their closest friends. This feeling was enhanced after I was greeted by our oh-so-amiable waiter, complete with the Italian accent. He was kind and helpful and clearly loved the food he was serving, and just so very pleasant. Thanks to him, I ordered the most delicious fettuccine with mushrooms galore in a delightful truffle sauce. I took my first bite, and that was it. I knew I had found a near-perfect place, and more than that, I knew I would be back again to experience the joy of the atmosphere and the food. With an entree like that, I couldn't just stop. There was no question about it - we were ordering dessert. And when I discovered everything was housemade??? And I thought I was hooked before, but now I was beyond beyond reeled in! The white chocolate lemon torte was... light, with a mousse-like consistency, and lemony. And the white chocolate managed to remain innocuous (keep in mind, I don't like white chocolate, but I just LOVE lemon that much, to order such a dessert...). As we were enjoying our dessert, the restaurant was clearly closing up and the staff was having their dinner. But in no way were we made to feel rushed and unwanted. And when we left, our waiter even stood up from his table, where he was enjoying his undoubtedly delicious dindin, and shook our hands as we made our way to the front door. Lupa is such a lovely find. I'm glad I had the opportunity to dine here, but I'm sure it's only the first of many.
(5)
Adam P.

The wine and the food were both excellent. With a truly expansive menu and number of specials I had a hard time choosing what to eat. Our waiter was awesome and quite a pleasure. A definitely worthy dining experience. 3 people ate for 70 bucks (this includes 2 glasses of wine at 9 bucks a glass)
(5)
allan a.

Excellent wait staff. Friendly and helpful. Nice rustic atmosphere. Food was fabulous. Veal scallopini, gnocchi good choices. Definitely coming back.
(4)
Phillip D.

First restaurant review! I have very mixed feelings about this restaurant. The service was stellar; the ambiance was great; the wine list was simple but everything I needed. But the food...just so-so. I had the crostini with a variety of toppings including parma ham and wonderful marinated mushrooms; but isn't the ciabatta supposed to be crisp and crunchy? Ours was simply warmed up and very chewy. We ordered the lasagna and the penne with mushrooms. Our waiter assured the lasagna was superb. It wasn't - structure was poor, it was a loose mess, the tomato sauce was seriously under spiced and it was just overall bland and disappointing. Also, parts of the dish were much warmer than others, which meant it came to my plate straight from a microwave. The penne on the other hand was really decent, with excellent mushrooms and great olives. It was seriously al dente though. Overall, nice neighborhood restaurant, but I wouldn't travel across the city to visit it again.
(2)
Jiajia C.

For people who don't live in the neighborhood, (I suppose) it is rare that they'd travel all the way to Noe for pasta. So it says a lot when I drove back to Lupa on a rainy night (forsaking my North Beach restaurants which are 5 minutes away from me, on foot) with sisters because I craved their fettuccine tartufate to the point of madness. The hand made fettuccine was cooked to al dente, with shitake, oyster , and porcini mushrooms in cream sauce. It really was the freshest pasta with a nice chew and the most fragrant sauce. Sister ordered spaghetti with meat sauce, and the same can be said with her dish--- al dente, perfect texture, and just the right amount of tomatoes without overpowering the dish. I highly recommend this place for its down-to-earth, no BS pasta. They take those familiar dishes to the next taste level without being too fancy--- therefore a great deal for customers.
(4)
ashley n.

Nice place to relax and enjoy an awesome meal. Great service and incredible food. Enjoy the feel and the amazing atmosphere. Enjoyed some lobster ravioli that was so yummy as well as the spinach salad with candied pecans and a n ice vinaigrette. The desert was good as well. Have a torte with vanilla gelato, great ending to a fabulous meal. I would say everyone in our party was happy and totally satisfied. Great prices for SF as well. Check um out, you won't be disappointed!
(4)
Jorge E.

what can i say that the other almost 200 reviews have not? this place a perfect. great great food, incredible service and cute as hell. very nice place for a quiet inexpensive night out. this hood is a bit far over the hill for me but Worth it for this place. and yeah, the stereotype of the Noe Valley baby carriages a plenty are true.
(5)
Ting A.

i had the fortune of living in italy for about a year. since then, i've pined and salivated for authentic italian cuisine. admittedly, i've somewhat avoided going to italian restaurants over the years for fear that my expectations will inevitably be let down by poor substitutes. since then, i've had to let all of you down, in the nicest possible manner: sweetie, i'm sorry, but you just don't tickle my tongue like they did in italia. the olive oil for the bread was great. the brand/kind of olive oil used in any dish certainly makes a difference. the mussels were pretty good. the tomato broth was a nice touch. the tortelloni could've used a bit more flavor. the meat inside didn't seem like it had much taste at all. the rack of lamb was ok. the balsamic reduction was too vinegary. the white chocolate lemon tart would've been really good if it wasn't so sweet. i wish i could rate the service separately b/c the waiters were very attentive and friendly. mi dispiace, lupa. i wish we could've met under more exciting circumstances.
(2)
diana t.

Wonderful neighborhood place with authentic but non-pretentious feeling. I can't believe I have never noticed it, even though I've walked past it many times. 4 of us went on a Monday night. Our reservation was honored on time. Good service. The place filled out pretty quickly, but we were still able to eat leisurely and hear each other during conversation. Dishes I recommend from our table: (we had some repeats) gnocchi al cinghiale - good gnocchi & very flavorful sauce fettuccine tartufate - REALLY fresh fettuccine. The mushroom/truffle aroma was so delicious. I loved it! even better when I had the leftover for lunch. Definitely recommend when you're in the mood for some simple, no-fuzz good roman italian food.
(5)
Christine M.

Sure, Boyfriend and I occasionally spend $50 on wine. That is, on 24 bottles of Two Buck Chuck. But our evening at Lupa was one of those occasions when family foots the bill and *poof* away goes the ask-for-more-bread-because-it's-free mentality. No holds barred. This particular evening saw Boyfriend's benevolent uncle take us to Lupa, after realizing that Bacco was closed for renovation. We were immediately impressed by the authentic Italian staff (so much so that I wanted to reach out and touch one in awe, but Boyfriend controlled me) as well as the menu. The food was amazing, the wine was delicious... even the constant shouting among cooks and waitstaff in Italian was endearing. I'll definitely be returning... someday.
(5)
Kimberly G.

So far, the best Italian restaurant I've found in San Francisco...seriously! This place is the real deal! I've spent a lot of time in Italy and am usually disappointed when we eat at Italian restaurants in the U.S. I was shocked to discover authentic Italian dishes at Lupa -- in Noe Valley (not North Beach). My favorite in the Gnocchi Cinghale (wild boar sauce)...a dish you don't often find over here, but is always on the menu in the fall in Italy. So tasty! I love that all the waiters are Italian...gives it such an authentic feel. Definitely come here for a tasty Italian dinner...don't waste your time trying to find parking in North Beach.
(5)
Kevin M.

Had dinner here with our friends, Min & Max, and loved it! Very friendly service and great food. We started with the buffala di mozzarella (divine) and then I had the lamb bolognese fettucine (excellent). I'll definitely be back to this cute and relaxed place when I need some excellent Italian food.
(5)
Matthew B.

Ignore the four-star review on this one. There is absolutely nothing to recommend this boring trattoria. I had the caprese salad and lasagna bolonese. The caprese salad was absolutely lifeless -- the only flavor to be experienced was a mild salty flavor. The lasagna tasted like it was out of the box -- absolutely flavorless as well. Moreover, it was a warm day, and the bottle of red wine brought to the table was too warm. It should have been chilled slightly before being brought to the table. All in all a disappointing experience. In a city full of interesting restaurants, there is no reason to go here.
(1)
Michael E.

Pretty good pasta and carpaccio.
(4)
Stellah D.

Charming.... but sometimes average. Lupa can be hit and miss. Though hardly a destination spot, if you are having an authentic italian craving in Noe Valley, and Incanto is full, Lupa is not a bad place for a plan b. lupatrattoria.com
(3)
Melinda C.

Good experience overall. We shared the baked mozzarella and proscuitto for our appetizer, and the cheese was fresh and gooey. My carbonara (that night's special) was the right mix of creamy and smoothness. Creme brulee was only okay (too egg-y). Cute ambiance. The service was friendly but a little slow. We came on a Tues night, and it was pretty empty (there were maybe two other tables besides us). Not sure if that is indicative of weekdays as a whole.
(3)
Ken p.

The flavors are great, very much reminds me of my mother's cooking, I'm not kidding you. I wish the interior was a little more refined, but i understand in kid friendly Noe Valley, it has to be that way. The main dishes are the stars, the Cesar salad is great of you like anchovies, I sure do! Desserts, pass up, not the best. Though the last time I ate there, people raved about the panna cotta. The wine list is a good mix, also, would like to see 1/2 bottles. But really, these are nit picks. Ate there if you want rustic Italian.
(4)
Neal P.

Love it. Live in the neighborhood and been going here for years. Always great food with dependable service. Can't get enough of the Pan Roasted Duck and the Veal Scaloppine with sage and prosciutto. Good vibe walking in with the fireplace and warm colors. Keep it up.
(5)
Garrett B.

Lupa is the number one Italian food restaurant in my book. This place is simply amazing. From the food to the service, everything is top notch. Every dish on the menu is simply amazing, you can't go wrong! After trying about everything my favorite dish has got to be the gnocchi with the sausage, and the other gnocchi with wild boar coming in second. Be sure to save room for dessert because the tiramisu is mind blowing! Amazing eats for a great price. If you're an Italian food coinessuer don't sleep on this place, it will blow your taste buds away!
(5)
Ann P.

This is a wonderful charming italian restaurant that serves excellent italian food. The real deal. My only gripe is that you can't book them on OpenTable. Other than that, they are great!
(4)
Kev B.

I had dinner here last night at 7pm and I now understand why the place was 90% empty. My appetizer was a very unappealing bowl of molten/congealed mozzarella topped with pile of sauted mushrooms, all swimming in oil. My wife tried the Carpaccio, which was average at best (for great Carpaccio head to Osteria in Palo Alto). For main course I had the tuna special. Lukewarm served on a stone-cold plate. Service was good humored but fairly useless, especially considering how empty the place was: drinks failed to arrive, multiple servers attempting to take our order, no cutlery, etc. All this came to over $100, then I'm rewarded with multiple trips to the bathroom on my return home (no kidding). 2 stars is probably on the generous side. Checked out their cleanscores.com rating and I see they have a history of Major Violations, including serving "certain food that is not hot enough or cold enough"...now they tell me.
(2)
Jenice M.

went here for the second time tonight, great again. It's the perfect neighborhood place. The food is awesome, and the prices aren't too outrageous. The service is nice too, very attentive but not ass kissy. Would make it a regular place if I could afford it more often. Last time I was there our server suggested a wine that was probably some of the best wine I have ever had. Both times had the panna cotta for dessert and it was amazing.
(5)
mark f.

My fiancee and I were hungry for Italian but didn't want to go out. We ordered takeout from Lupa; it was in ready 10 minutes. I had the fettucine with mushrooms, and she had the bucatoni. Both pasta dishes were excellent, and they threw in almost a whole loaf of Italian bread. We'll look forward to dining in some day. Update: We did take the opportunity to dine in some time later, and while the food remained excellent, I can't say the same of the service. Our waiter didn't just disappear, he actively ignored us for almost 45 minutes, while catering to the every whim of a larger table nearby. Did we do something to annoy him? I don't know, I just got angrier and angrier as the night wore on. Needless to say his tip was minimal. The experience turned me off from this restaurant for good. I hope it was an isolated incident, but I have to drop my review from four to two stars for the abysmal service.
(2)
Bonnie R.

Delicious and perfect in every way. For me--this is a 10!! The food was authentic, flavorful and reasonably priced. My girlfriends and I went there on a whim for a friends birthday and we are so glad we did. Friendly service and fast.. The spinach and goat cheese salad was perfect. The Arugula with **FRESH** Mozzarella was absolutely divine. All you heard from our table was "mmmmmm" "oooooh" "aaaah" "yummmm" It reminded us of the Herbal Essences commercial.
(5)
who k.

the menu reads well. the place has ambiance. the waiters are attractive and oh-so-italian. va bene. but the food... highly unimaginative flavors. the fresh pasta was good - i could tell it was homemade - but the meals lacked flavor. hint: Vicoletto in north beach does a wild boar gnocci worth taking notes from. the boar needs to be braised in some sort of a red wine something or other. or something. it was so absolutely disappointing. it looked incredible. the gnocci was really well made. but the rest was a total snooze. Lasagne was the exact same story. Salads were good. so is the bread. for whatever that's worth... and to me, that's not worth over 50 bucks.
(2)
Joanna S.

I really enjoyed Lupa. We walked in on Saturday night and were seated immediately. They then brought us bread and olive oil, which is always a huge plus for me. We had the fennel salad, which I am not sure that I liked in taste, but thought it was interesting and at least different. I ate the gnocchi and my friend got the ravioli. I thought that both were excellent. We were stuffed and very happy at the end. Yum!
(4)
Courtney Y.

I had my birthday dinner at Lupa last night with 4 of my friends. Service was excellent, the wait staff warm and friendly, and the food was very good. As the birthday girl, our waiter was particularly sweet to me. I'm nursing a hangover, so I apologize in advance for writing this review in list format. Let's get straight to the important part: - The mushroom risotto special was just as good as previous reviewers have mentioned. It was not overcooked as is so common in other restaurants. - I had the antipasto that consisted of mixed sauteed mushrooms and a puddle of melted smoked mozzarella. Am I embarrassed to spoon melted stringy gobs of cheese into my face? Hell no. I recommend piling the cheese and mushrooms onto a piece of their lovely bread. I also recommend sharing this dish, it was a bit too much for one person, although I ate it all anyway. - Salad is large portioned, so definitely share between 2 people. - A standout menu item is the fettucine with mixed mushrooms and truffle oil. Wow. Their pasta is amazing. - The bread is really good, be careful not to overindulge while you are waiting for your appetizer and entree, or you'll end up stuffed. Yes, I said appetizer AND entree. You will want to order more than one dish, it would be criminal not to. If you eat like a dainty bird, then split your antipasto or salad with someone else. Also, if you eat like a dainty bird, you are not eating out with me. Ever. - Ambiance is a bit loud, but not overly so. It was full on a sunday night and mostly families. Lighting is warm and flattering, suitable for a casual family dinner or a romantic one. - There is this one guy who brings the shaved parm and black pepper grinder to the table... omg he is hot. omg omg he also has an italian accent. - Service is excellent, but encourages a long leisurely meal. We were there for a bit over 2 hours. Did not feel like a long time, but if you are making plans after dinner, opt for leaving lots of buffer space between your meal and your next destination. It is worth it to sit back, relax, and enjoy a big comfort-carb plate of pasta and a bottle of wine and lots of good conversation. - If you live in the neighborhood or regularly visit this restaurant, they recognize you, get to know you, and treat you like family. This is the kind of restaurant you want to come back to again and again. I cannot stress enough how amazing service was at Lupa. The attentiveness and sensitivity of the wait staff were on par or better than the most expensive restaurants in the city.
(5)
Alanna C.

I was mostly unimpressed with Lupa. I got the lasagne, which tastes meh with too much greasy meat and bland cheese--plus the sauce wasn't that great. My boyfriend had the halibut on roasted potatoes with spinach. It was way greasy, but the flavor was ok. Best part of the meal? Ever-refilled bread basket with delish homemade bread, crusty on the outside, chewy on the inside. But the service was just ok, and we both decided that next time we want Italian food, we should make it at home.
(3)
Kristal L.

Love Lupa. It is in our hood so we checked it out. Service was superior. Our waitress was so sweet. We had a great bottle of wine, 2 entrees and 2 apps and we walked out spending $140. We will definitely be back. Oh and the ambiance is cute too, nothing fancy, but cool.
(5)
SF N.

I am Italian. When I want Italian food, and I can't go to my parents house, I go to Lupa. I went to Lupa once a couple of days before I went to Italy for 3 weeks, just to get me primed for my trip. The saltimbocca is bad-ass!! When I was in Rome, and had saltimbocca, it made me realize how truly authentic Lupa really is. When I got back to San Francisco I went back to Lupa. I am going to Lupa next week. I will probably go to Lupa the week after that. Do you sense a trend folks? Spend the extra cash and get a bottle of wine the beautiful waitress recommends. Capisce?
(5)
Joe M.

Love the homemade bread and pastas - great service too and the flurry of frantic Italian conversation between the staff. Had the blood orange and fennel salad the other night - it was the best!
(5)
Somer P.

YUM YUM YUM! How often have you gone out for Italian food and found your meal too heavy, or covered in thick flavorless sauce? This was not the case at Lupa, where the food was AWESOME. The ambiance is warm and welcoming, and the service was great - our waiter was super friendly and joking with us during the entire meal. I ordered the lasagna, which was the best I've ever had. The noodles were so thin and light, and the sauce flavorful but not heavy. So good! We had the profiteroles for dessert, and they were to die for!
(5)
Neil F.

Lupa was excellent. Four of us went there for dinner on a Friday night and enjoyed most of our food. The appetizers were excellent, especially the crostini and the polenta. We shared our four entrees,requiring extra places, which can be a fine balancing act on a mid-sized square table. All the entrees were terrific. We left some room for dessert and had the tiramisu, which was superb. The profiteroles were a bit disappointing. The chocolate sauce they used tasted like store bought cheap stuff. It would have been better without the sauce completely, especially since I accidently bumped my left sleeve against the top of it and wound up wearing some of it on my light blue shirt. I would go back again on a weekday when the parking is less competitive and the noise level is a few decibels less.
(4)
OKAY O.

This place was excellent and affordable. We were debating going back to Firefly-- which is certainly tasty but when we saw the logo in the window, we were convinced that Lupa would be it for the night. The could've used help with the heating but the room was open and comfortable. It's family-friendly but there were plenty of couples piling in. The waiter was excellent and of course, good service makes a difference. I haven't a clue how they got our food out so fast, but it was speedy. I had the rack of lamb with baby carrots, mashed potatoes, and balsamic reduction. They were able to cook something up for my vegan partner with very little warning and she was quite happy with it. I'd certainly go back! I had the exact same dish at Firefly for about 6.00 more! It's a winner and I hope word of mouth helps them along!
(4)
Jennifer C.

I just enjoyed an amazing meal at Lupa last night with my family who were visiting from out of town. The ambiance is warm, cozy and welcoming. The food is flavorful, unique and cooked to perfection. We're not an easy family to completely satisfy when it comes to meals out, but none of us had ANY complaints, and that's pretty miraculous!! As an added bonus, the owner/manager was very nice and welcoming. Also, we were the last ones there and they did not try to rush us at all :) We will definitely be returning!
(5)
Link N.

Nice family restaurant. Went early at 5pm on a Sunday. The started getting in people quickly. Good pasta. Very friendly service. Would go again.
(4)
Scott A.

A solid four stars. The service was fairly good. The food started out very good, however I really do see some room for improvement. I had the lasagna which did have good flavor, but it was a bit too greasy and the layers were much too meager. I would certainly recommend it though. I do know that the owner was out of town the night we attended. Not sure if that would have made a difference or not, but one never knows. The atmosphere was fairly nice. Dessert didn't really move me all that much. I will go back for seconds though. I think it would be a nice place to take a first date.
(4)
betty t.

I loved my experience here! Everything was solid. The food stands out on its own; perhaps as the best Italian food I've had in the city so far. I felt like I was at a friend's house for dinner, the service was so friendly and warm. The food was superb and delicious. I would give this place 5 stars were it not for the fact that I did have a few drinks prior to dinner that evening (I'd feel more confident giving straight 5 stars if i knew none of it was influenced), and the dessert left just a little to be desired.
(4)
mi m.

Lupa is great! A secret gem. The chef/owner can usually be seen in the kitchen creatting wonderful dishes. The salads are great. Simple and flavorful, which amazingly, many restaurants find difficult to do. Much of the pasta is home made and delicious. I recently went with some Italian friends who raved about how great and authentic everything tasted. They can not wait to go back. They were very impressed. The service is very good.
(5)
N B.

I went here in search of Noi, a restaurant I used to frequent when I lived in the neighborhood. The service was really great. It was that sort of experience that makes you feel like you're joining someone in their home for dinner. Really warm. But let's talk about the food. I had the spinach salad with candied walnuts and goat cheese. Sizeable, but a little overpriced for what it was. Then came the rack of lamb, which was really tender & tasty in a balsamic reduction. It came leaning against a huge dollop of mashed potatoes...and a huge heap of...more spinach. I really wish my server had steered me away from having some spinach before my spinach, and suggested something else. If you're a tiramisu lover, skip the tiramisu and have some other dessert. Trust me on this one. In this case it seemed like they were going for quantity, not quality. I hope they work on this. I gave them a higher rating than I would have other restaurants simply for treating me like such a goddesss when I was there. I'll try it again and hopefully the whole experience will really wow me.
(4)
Karen J.

All I know is, these guys work hard. The owner is a hands on Italian who buys fresh ingredients daily. He is doing what he loves and that comes through in the food. Cute litte location in Noe Valley. Yummy!
(5)
Barbara M.

We love Lupa! Our friends introduced us to Lupa last year...even though we live in the hood and they don't! We love it and go whenever we go out. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is wonderful, the owner and staff are welcoming. It's perfect. I don't understand why they alsways have room...but I'm not complaining!
(5)
Maya S.

This was a hard one for me. The food was very very good. But food is really only a part of the experience when you eat out. (I am of course, preaching to the choir here.) Their pastas are home-made. They have some creative salads. The bread was like really good crack (or so I would imagine.) The main problem was the service. Everyone else seemed to have great service. No such luck for me. I can handle slow food. I CAN'T handle almost getting hit in the face with a plate...twice. I kept having to duck so the waiter wouldn't careen the dish right into my nose. But maybe even worse was when my mother-in-law (visiting from out of town) tried to order. The waiter interupted her and said "OK, why don't we start with someone who IS ordering an appetizer. Poor thing, she looked so hurt. No one messes with my mom-in-law! Yes, I am willing to give them another chance, because that gnocci was so damn good. But I will refuse to sit in THAT guy's section, grazie very much!
(3)
Rach C.

It's your average italian restaurant with decent food but subpar service so we won't be returning. First, we had a reservation for 6:45 pm and arrived on time, but despite all the open tables, we weren't seated until 20 minutes later b/c our party wasn't "big enough" for those tables. The waiting portion wasn't a big deal but we expected the waitress to be just a little warm/friendly, especially given the inconvenience the restaurant imposed on us. And I'm not talking anything out of the ordinary...just a smile here and there would've made the experience much more pleasant. But she was cold and didn't crack a smile once -it was your "all business, what do you want to order?" attitude. By the time we were done with our meal, we sat around for another 20 minutes waiting for her (she didn't check on us once) and it finally hit her that we were finished with our meal, she eventually came over. We asked to have our leftovers back and after she brought the boxes back, she set down a couple of dessert menus on the table and abruptly left, without asking whether we even wanted dessert or explaining anything on the menu. We weren't interested in dessert and were ready to go home at that point, but we were neglected yet again and had to eventually flag down the busy boy to ask for the check. Again the food was decent. We started with the mussels and manila clams in a tomato based broth and the mascarpone and pear wrapped in prociutto which were both tasty, but nothing spectacular. For the entrees, we got the pasta special - spinach fettuccine with dungess crab meat and the gnocchi with wild boar, both in a tomato based sauce. The gnocchi was your standard gnocchi but the fettucini was delicious and cooked to perfection. I would've given it 4-stars if the service wasn't so terrible but instead of 1-star it gets 2-stars for the decent food.
(2)
Kate T.

Yum...great fresh pasta and friendly service -- it's an neighborhood gem :)
(4)
ambi V.

Good food , attentive service. However, they should pay attention to calories in their offerings --perhaps offer some healthy choices with minimm fat and salt...
(4)
Donut Cak e.

Handsome place. It probably would have been a little quieter if not for a birthday party of 8 seated next to us, but that's a Saturday night for you. Carpaccio was very good and so was the generous Insalata Belga served that night. Date loved his spinach salad and his papparedelle sugo d'agnello which they kindly substituted with fettucinne. BUT... my gnocchi was gummy. Which really surprised me but won't hold it against them since I only ordered it because of sauce-splash-control. Service was attentive with just a little reserve which is perfect especially on a date. And our waiter looked like Justin Theroux!
(4)
Christina C.

Made a spontaneous decision to try Lupa. Was very happy I did. Had the steak with spinach....very yummy and cooked to perfection. Also had the fennel and blood orange salad, very good. The best thing was the melted cheese and prosciutto. The prosciutto was basking in a bowl of melted cheese. That was utterly amazing. Glad Lupa is not too far from me.
(4)
Bill A.

Wow. this is as good as it gets. This is probably the best Italian food since my trip to Northern Italy a few months ago. The course presentation was almost exactly the same as the restaurants I have eaten at in Rome, Cesenatico, and San Marino. The Prosciutto - the same! Good stuff. I would go here again for a quiet loooong dinner (from what I could tell it wasn't too loud, but I was there during the week).
(5)
Marjorie G.

I can't say say enough great things about this place. Service was superb and friendly. Definitely a great place to bring a date. It's a neighborhood restaurant with a uptown feel. For the light eater, try the butternut squash and sage ravioli. It's a simple dish with wonderful flavors.
(5)
Tony A.

Gradisco questo posto abbastanza una punta! La pasta molto buona, i piatti principali, devine. La lista del vino abbastanza buona. Andr indietro! Godere! (I like this place quite a bit! The pasta is very good, the main courses, devine. The wine list is good enough. I will go back! Enjoy!)
(4)
Daniel H.

A few friends and I checked out Lupa and liked it a lot. The lasagna bolognese was tremendously excellent and we loved our waiter, who was the only guy working but still had time to chat. We think he was Italian ... and he looked a little like Robert DeNiro. A true joy to tip. I think that the wine list could be a little more expansive, and they could perhaps offer more by the glass. But that's the only thing I would improve upon. The neighborhood of Noe Valley is a delight and Lupa is one of its gems.
(4)
Morgan B.

I ate here with my roommate and her mom and I can't stress enough how wonderful the food and wine was. Our waiter was terrific and had a great sense of humor, and the kitchen was very accommodating when we asked them to make us a pasta primavera that was not even on the menu! It was delicious! They were very friendly, the atmosphere was very comfortable, and most importantly the food and drink were delicious!!
(4)
Chad K.

I'm from New York, so I'm very, very skeptical of Italian food. But, Lupa is good and consistent. We usually get a few pastas and share, and always pleased. It's nothing outrageous, and I wouldn't invite guests from Italy to join me. But, I can usually get a table, and the room is comfortable...and it's nearby
(4)
NAEL K.

IF u want a real italian experience try LUPA its the best , u will love STEFANO the Owner as welll very friendly .
(4)
Mariangela S.

Finally tried Lupa after a few years of passing by but never going in for a meal. A casual dining room - no white table clothes, but warm colors and friendly chef/owner who greeted us at the door. Great bread which we nibbled on while selecting our appetizers including: traditional Bruschetta (tomato season not quite there yet) which was tasty, grilled radicchio with caprino (goat cheese) - delicious!!, and shaved fennel and artichoke salad with mint and grana - good but did not need the truffle oil which masked the mint and other flavors. Risotto alla Mantovana with prosciutto, taleggio, and asparagus was perfectly cooked and pungent with the cheese, Bucatini alla Amatriciana was good - way too big a portion - the sauce definitely needed more of a kick, and Fettucine alla Boscaiola was very good but didn't blow me away. Server was great - recommended a wine that was not on the list that we loved, and overall the service was prompt and excellent.
(3)
a g.

We had excellent service and dinner here. The place is very quaint and cozy. We made reservations, and when we left there was a line out the door! If your in the mood for a good Italian dinner with a down to earth flair then this your place. Great change from North beach. LOVED IT!
(4)
Kenny D.

I would have to say that this is my new favorite Italian restaurant in San Francisco. I ordered the bucatini amatriciana which was as authentically Italian as you can get. I was very impressed. I spent a semester in Rome a few years ago and this is the first restaurant that I've been to since I've been back that gave me the distinct feeling of being back in Italy.
(5)
Charlotte L.

This place was great! I love italian food but only when it's GOOD italian food --- not your greasy unflavorful boxed spaghetti style! This place did not dissappoint. The meal started out strong with their delicious homemade bread and yummy olive oil (got to have good olive oil). We split a caesar salad and then I had a olive sun-dried tomato that was really a cut above the norm while my husband had delicious fettucine with meat sauce. The pasta is homemade and the sauces had great flavor. We enjoyed the meal with a whole bottle of wine and were pleasantly pleased how reasonable the bill was. I'd recommend this for a date, a family meal or a group of friends.
(4)
Gracie B.

It was saturday night. I had spend the entire day shuttling on the BART between the City and East Bay looking for a place to live with no promising outcome by 9:30. I got back to the coworker's house where I was staying, starving from having eaten junk all day (I think that's a common theme in my reviews), thinking I want italian food - and lots of it. My 2 choices, it seemed were Pasta Pomodoro and Lupa. And I think I made the best choice. I walked the 3 blocks up to the restaurant, was promptly seated, and quickly chose my meal - spinach salad, gnocchi and a glass of chardonnay. My food came at a good pace and the service was great. My gnocchi with shrimp was delish and filling. And despite feeling like I was going to explode, I got the white chocolate lemon tart. Oh. My. God. More importantly, everyone was sooooo nice. I think that's what sealed the deal on me defintely moving here after 5 years on the East Coast. The staff was super nice and attentive, even though I was sitting by myself. And the people at the table next to me kept offering me parts of their meal (as if I didn't have enough of my own), wine, and conversation. Then....I forgot my credit card and didn't hear them come after me. I went back the next day and the host and staff remembered me. That was enough for me - not having a home yet be darned...the people in SF are nice, I thought. The only thing holding this back from 5 stars - the price. My salad, gnocchi, wine and dessert were about $50 after tip. eeek! That's a tolerable price for a good meal,...but it wasn't that great.
(4)
Swarup B.

not bad but not overly great either. we're still on the search for some really good italian that is not trattoria contadina or acquerello. aperto is pretty good but has a pretty small menu. so we thought we hit gold when we came across lupa. it's a cute lil restaurant w/ nice service. unfortunately, the food was just OK. for starters, she got caprese and i got roasted radicchio w/ goat cheese. the caprese was OK w/ the mozzarella being decent. my radicchio dish wasn't all that bad but there wasn't enough of the goat cheese to counter the bitterness of the radicchio. for mains, i got the wild boar gnocchi and she got the spaghetti w/ a pink sauce. my gnocchi was pretty good w/ the gnocchi itself being quite light and the wild boar sauce not being too gamey. the spaghetti was at best semi-decent. she took the pancetta out of the dish which i guess could've helped but it seemed that it wouldn't have mattered. at this point, we decided to skip dessert and call it an evening. we perused the dessert menu and didn't find anything interesting. i would like to come back for gnocchi but the other options don't seem that enticing.
(3)
Thomas R.

Maybe not the fanciest or most hip Italian restaurant in town - but definitely one of my favorites. This is just a wonderful neighborhood restaurant...good ambiance...great food...friendly staff (always willing to talk soccer with me when I come in). The first chance that the wife and I have to go out together post-baby (by ourselves), this restaurant is our first stop.
(4)
courtney w.

I love this little taste of Italy. The owner and head chef is extremley talented and he is out on the floor greeting tables much of the time. I have never been disapionted and the deserts are always a must!! A place I know I can always take family and visitors for a great meal! Thanks Steffano and staff!!
(5)
Matt R.

Another stop on my quest for good Italian! The place has a warm, comfortable vibe you can't fake. The two-tiered dining area is flanked by a fireplace by the door and an open kitchen at the back. Warm colors and dark wood predominate. It looks elegant from the outside in a Nuevo Noe Valley way, but the inside has the sort of "neighborhood restaurant" atmosphere I crave, without the loud suburbanized version you see in a lot of mommy-daddy 'hoods. Homey and classy. With very Italian waiters. The food was warm and comfortable, too. Not the segregated flavors of Cal-Ital, but the slow-cooked, somewhat mild blend of flavors, colors, and textures I was craving. A spinach salad with ricotta had a perfectly emulsified dressing, and the walnuts I rejected weren't missed at all. The gnocchi al cinghiale was the best I'd tasted since Norcia, with the gamey pork stewed "for five hours" into a buttery and rich sauce. Filletto di maiale presented a small medallion of tasty pork loin, cooked a bit well done, but coated in a wonderfully sweet and savory sauce and paired with silky (not at all bitter) Swiss chard and panfried polenta wedges that seemed like a cross between buttered popcorn and Texas toast. Everything had that well-cooked, well-blended, well-composed smoothness of flavor and texture you don't always see in local cuisine. Cook the food damnit! A long conversation with the server about driving around Central Italy helped connect the food to previous experience, and helped me appreciate it more. Dessert? The tiramisu was spectacular, substituting zabaglione for mascarpone to make the whole thing just a little gooier, in a good way. Phew. A nice selection of wines by the glass helped complement the meal. I don't spend as much time in this 'hood anymore, but if and when I do (or nearby), this will be one of the places I go to for real Italian comfort food. I add a fifth star for the overall satisfaction with the experience. The appetizers stay at $10 or less, the pastas at $15 or less, and Secondi range mainly in the high teens to low $20s. Not bank-breaking prices, and well worth it for the atmosphere and taste. Update: I've returned, and that cinghiale is still excellent. This is the most Italian place I've found in the Bay Area so far in attitude, atmosphere, comforting food, and service (yes, that's a slightly backhanded compliment). I'm bumping to five stars just because the whole experience has been repeatedly great--a rare thing for local restaurants.
(5)
Kelly C.

This is my 2nd time to Lupa. We dined there about a year ago and it was average in quality but good service and pleasant atmosphere. I took friends there last night. I will never go again. Waiter was aloof and disinterested, and my meal came with crostini with an olive tapenade. The crostini was burnt, charred in fact, and its powerful taste ruined the otherwise nice flavor of the tapenade. When I asked my waiter about it, he brought me an untoasted piece of bread with the tapenade on it and said, "they are all like that." All three meals were marginal, including my pork, and my friends' pasta dishes. Though I like to support my neighborhood restaurants, I will never eat there again. They have not earned my respect and therefore have not earned my business. The behavior of the waiter was unappealing and unprofessional, and the food is overpriced and underwhelming in flavor or creativity.
(1)
beth l.

My name is Lupa.... Went here for the first time in about 3 years, last week, and wondered why I had waited so long. Oh yeah - I no longer live in Noe Valley. No, seriously - for some reason, I had just completely forgotten about it. No specific reason other than poor memory. But I'll remember it for next time, for sure - totally casual but nice ambience, friendly staff (all smiles), delicious and relatively inexpensive food, they didn't laugh or roll their eyes when we asked if we could have a couple of entrees and even a salad split for us before they came to the table, the wine menu was decent enough, and it was crowded but not too loud to talk. Very chill, neighborhood place. Ah, I miss Noe Valley sometimes...
(4)
Happi Y.

I give it 3 and a half star, above average. I ordered the tortelloni (had a good balance of creaminess and salt) and my partner ordered the veal. Both entrees were above average, but I would not order again nor crave for. I enjoyed and would recommend the prosciutto, sautÃ© mushroom, and roasted red bell pepper on bread appetizer. Also the torta di cioccolato satisfied my chocolate craving. It had the right amount of sweetness.
(3)
Jenna W.

Lupa is my favorite place to eat in the city! Between all the friends I've taken here over the past year, we've probably eaten everything on the menu and never been disappointed. The staff knows me by name and remembers my favorite dish, if I see them around Noe Valley they stop and say hello. This place is the crown jewel of Noe and everyone should go here to satisfy their cravings for wonderful Italian and a homey atmosphere.
(5)
Fern W.

We have enjoyed several dinners at Lupa. - Food: Excellent, especially the pear and prosciutto appetizer and the delicious lasagna (which, btw, is big enough for two). - Ambiance: Nice. - Service: Speedy, but VERY perfunctory. Where's the warmth, the smile, the minimal conversation? It's such a contrast with the terrific food - and the Italian culture! The contrast baffles us.
(3)
Alex C.

It's always a pleasant experience coming here. With all of the fuss about brave, new cuisines and fusion food trucks in San Francisco, it's nice to be able to take refuge in the familiarity and warmth of a place like this. There isn't a lot of natural light, but something about the space makes it feel cozy and personal, like your favorite aunt's kitchen. As a soup of the day, there always seems to be a satisfyingly uncomplicated vegetable purÃ©e like cream of broccoli. The pastas come out piping hot, and maybe it's the lighting, but the tomato and pepper-based sauces always have a deeply ruddy glow. The service is professional and prompt. If I were to voice any complaints, I'd have to say that the menu being written entirely in Comic Sans makes me sad.
(5)
Bruce B.

I felt rushed as soon as the waitress finally came over after we were seated. I don't know if it was arrogance or just bad service. They didn't even take the drink order and wanted to know if we knew what we wanted for dinner. The only genuinely friendly person seemed like the owner. The food was so-so and there was no salad or sides that came with the entree. Maybe I'm not a sophisticated diner, but I won't be back.
(2)
Antonia T.

Great neighborhood dinner spot. Yummy, but not exciting. Somewhat overly - attentive service, but that is better than the inverse. (And why does every restaurant clear plates before all people are done eating?)
(4)
Jack R.

I should have saved my plane fare to Italy and just come here instead. Rome and Florence are overrated anyway. Too many rude people, old cobblestone roads, and overpriced mediocre pasta. Not so here. Here, at Lupa Trattoria their Fettuccine Tartufate (Homemade fettuccine with porcini, shitake and oyster mushrooms in a black truffle sauce) is one of my favorite pasta dishes. Flavor wise, it tasted better than the $300 white truffle pasta dish I had in Rome near the Pantheon, and the similar priced black truffle one in New York. This one is only $16.00.! What a bargain. It's oily, yes, but that's because it has truffle oil so expect it to be. Their Caesar salad is just okay. Their pasta is what I've always had, and to be honest, I've only tried their pasta with lamb meat sauce, or their lasagna. All of which are consistently good, but hands down their Fettuccine Tartufate is the best. Sure there's no Roman Coliseum nearby, or Trevi Fountain to throw your loose change into afterwards. But you're paying for pasta; tourist staples are something different altogether. I'm saying 4 stars because the service has been hit or miss the 5 times or so that I've been here.
(4)
Nan H.

In a nutshell: Professional service and hearty Italian menu nestled on a quaint street - would be perfect for a first date, but children fit in equally well in the cozy atmosphere. The Great: Impeccable service - We had an attentive and friendly waiter who was able to point to wine and menu recommendations. They were also gracious enough to aid us in surprising my good friend for her birthday with a cake from Tartine, which they presented after finishing dinner (and sang!) then served for us. For dinner I had the Lasagna Bolognese which was heavy (obviously) but incredibly delicious and not too cheesy. Garfield would approve. My boyfriend had the Linguine with Mussels in a Spicy Tomato Broth which was also delicious, although I only got one bite because it was gone before I could sneak some more. The Not-so-great: This is obviously not a reason to write this place off, but I was bothered by their menu written in all caps Comic Sans font. It was easily legible, sure, but the font and style of the menu did not say "great Italian food" to me, and I think they are selling themselves short on that front. All things said and done, I would definitely eat here again and I would look forward to doing so.
(4)
Clarisse V.

Lupa is my go-to Italian restaurant in San Francisco. I have been here several times, dragging different groups of people with me each time, and I have not once been disappointed by the food or the service. This place is amazing! I have *tried* to order different things from Lupa, but when it comes to the pasta dishes, I cannot help but come back to one thing--the Fettuccine Tartufate. I could wax poetic about this dish all day and night, because it is--hands down--my absolute favorite pasta dish of all time. If you love creamy, rich pastas and decadent mushrooms even half as much as I do, there is no way you would regret ordering this dish. It is. So freaking delicious. I have had the Pappardelle Sugo d'Agnello, the Lasagna Alla Bolognese, and the Galletto Alle Erbe as well. All excellent dishes. But all pale in comparison to the amazing Fettuccine Tartufate. For dessert, the Panna Cotta and the Profiteroles are lovely, the CrÃ¨me BrÃ»lÃ©e was decent, but the Torta di Limone steals the show. Mind you, I am not big on white chocolate. But damn. This thing is gooooood.
(5)

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Address : 4109 24th St
San Francisco, CA, 94114
Phone (415) 282-5872
Website https://lupatrattoria.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :5:30 pm - 10:00pm
Mon : 5:30 pm - 10:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Italian Cuisine

The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.

Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.

If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.

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Lupa Trattoria

4109 24th St, San Francisco, CA, 94114

Lupa Trattoria Menu

Antipasti

Insalate

Primi Piatti

Secondi Piatti

Healthy Meal suggestions for Lupa Trattoria

Antipasti

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Kelly B.

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Armin P.

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Mushroom K.

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Fannie S.

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Nova P.

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