La Traviata

Love the intimacy and decor. Service was spot on, and the food was even better. Classic Italian dishes and a lot you can’t find anymore.

Lovely food and wonderful atmosphere in this classic San Francisco restaurant.

Arthur Glauberman

We landed at SFO from New York City at noon and friends had made a reservation at La Traviata where we had an absolutely fabulous diner later that day. We started with a delicious red wine from Italy and even before we began ordering anything, our server brought out warm bread that clearly had just been baked and our palates began to savor what we realized would be a very memorable feast. While lovely operatic music serenaded us, we enjoyed delicious appetizers followed by wonderful entrees. I had the Salmone ala Wixel: the salmon was prepared inside a parchment paper pouch and cooked with olives, tomatoes, garlic, and pesto. John, the owner and chef, brought the salmon, still enveloped in the parchment paper and placed a plate with carrots and Brussel sprouts in front of me and proceeded to open the pouch and gracefully place the salmon with all the seasonings on my plate. I have never tasted any salmon as delicious as this very unusual and tasty dish. I’m lacking in the eloquence to describe the salmon but urge you to order it and savor the salmon yourself! My wife loved the seabass and my friends loved what they ordered. We shared a few desserts that were also wonderful. While we were up at 5am to make our flight from JFK, we spent hours enjoying our dinner and felt incredibly fortunate to be dining in this gem of a restaurant!

Andrew Hardy

A stellar experience -- no exaggeration whatsoever. I took my partner out to La Traviata for his birthday, and it was incredible. I had the Veal Traviata, and my partner had the Al Tosca. I was blown away, and it was so delicious. The lights were dim, atmosphere was quiet and intimate with Italian opera playing softly, and you can't beat the impressive walls of framed photos of celebrities from back in the day. The staff treated us like family, and sang "Happy Birthday," and even brought us a plate of creme puffs for desert -- on the house. We will certainly be back, many times. I am so grateful to La Traviata for making our night so memorable.

Brighten Jiang (BESTTWO)

Cozy Italian spot that I’m guessing is family run+owned (the owner didn’t speak English). I came with a group that just went to the beach so we showed up in sandals and swim trunks but the staff was super nice about everything. Also fun fact our waitress told us: Keanu Reeves visited their restaurant and his picture is next to the back corner booth. The bread and butter was delicious. I had the tortellini with the special sauce; amazing flavor but wish there was something extra because it got repetitive to eat by the end. Leave some bread to scoop up the sauce!

Sasha

I had such a wonderful time at La Traviata! The staff were friendly, attentive, but didn’t rush my friend and I. The Tinta pasta was delicious and paired well with the Pinto Grigio. I will definitely come again!

Laura Rhea

Once you step inside, you are instantly transported from the (wonderful) chaos of Mission street to a peaceful, cozy restaurant that feels pulled right out of Italy. The lighting is low, the opera music gorgeous and servers very friendly and attentive. The food was authentic and delicious. The service was super fast, the bread they brought was straight out of the oven. The “sides” size of pasta was perfect for our two younger kids. The adults and teen had tortellini in cream sauce, gnocchi and pasta with mushrooms. Soooooo good.

YUE LI

One of best italian restaurants in town! The bread has a well-browned crust and the crumb is soooo soft! Alla carreras is a can’t miss. I dine in by myself, chef and the staff are so nice!

Art Siegel

Lovely food and wonderful atmosphere in this classic San Francisco restaurant.

Yann Mora

La Traviata was a terrific surprise for me and my wife. After trying to go to another restaurant in the neighborhood, which couldn't receive us as they were completely booked, we found La Traviata, whose servers kindly welcomed us (and some other guests who arrived later) even though it was close to 10PM. I had the Veal Parmigiana and my wife had the Gnocchi. My wife's (who is an Italian descendent, btw) first reaction was: "this sauce reminds my my grandma's​, I loved it!". Definitely recommend the place!

Ezra Graham

La Traviata is the kind of restaurant you won’t soon forget, no matter how hard you try. The decor is delightfully ambiguous. It sets the stage perfectly for the food, which takes bold risks. The tortellini was an adventure in textures, from the creamy sauce to the unexpected crunch of what I’m fairly certain was undercooked pancetta. And the tiramisu? A daring reinterpretation that left me wondering if anyone in the kitchen had actually tasted tiramisu before. The service was just as unforgettable. The staff seemed to embody the spirit of Italian opera: dramatic entrances, prolonged disappearances, and a sense of tragedy when the bill arrived. If you love a meal that gives you something to talk about for years (instead of something to enjoy in the moment), La Traviata is your place. Truly, a restaurant like no other; and let’s hope it stays that way.

Janet P

Such a gem! Real Italian in the mission! Italian music flooding your ears. Obvious "regulars" enter the restaurant eying their "usual" booth. They draw out the chef to speak with who engulfs them in traditional hugs and kisses! It was amazing to watch! The food.. oh my! Gnocchi was absolutely melting in my mouth. The tortalinni with the cheese was so rich. COME! EAT!

David Lovato

Very high quality Italian food in the mission!! A little hard to find but once you’re inside it’s a super nice white table cloth dinner spot, great for dates or dinners with family/friends. I recommend the burrata bread and the lasagna, but you can’t go wrong with anything here.

Tina Lane

Love the intimacy and decor. Service was spot on, and the food was even better. Classic Italian dishes and a lot you can’t find anymore.

If you like traditional Italian food and a nostalgic warm restaurant, you will be delighted. Delicious food and Opera...I was in heaven.

A Hidden Gem in the Mission — Truly Unforgettable La Traviata is one of those rare finds that completely blows you away — from the moment you walk in, to the very last bite. Tucked away in the Mission, this spot is not just a Check, Please! favorite — it’s a must-visit for anyone who loves Italian food done right. The ambiance immediately transports you — it feels like a classic Italian restaurant you’d stumble upon in New York City, warm and intimate, with just the right mix of charm and nostalgia. But the real star of the show here is the food. Out of this world delicious, deeply flavorful, and clearly made with love. We started with the minestrone soup, which was fresh and absolutely bursting with flavor — the perfect start to the meal. Then came the tortellini in pink sauce, which was hands down the highlight for me: rich, creamy, and perfectly balanced. The eggplant parmesan? Easily rivaled the best I’ve had in NYC or even Italy. To top it all off, the service was exceptional. Djion and his partner/wife were the most gracious, welcoming hosts — their warmth and attentiveness made the evening feel extra special. La Traviata is perfect for a cozy date night or a quiet dinner to catch up with friends. I can’t recommend it enough. We left already planning our next visit — because when food is this good, once is never enough.

My husband and I came in early on a Saturday for his birthday. We are visiting from our of town and he wanted Italian. I'm so glad we found this restaurant, because it was fantastic! We were welcomed warmly and the pasta was absolutely delicious! It was so good, my husband wanted to go back before we left town.

always well worth the drive to eat there! the owner is one of the most hospitable you’ll ever meet and the food/service is amazing!

Absolutely love this place. Anytime I’m meeting friends in the city this is one of our go to spots. It’s been here for ages and always serving up incredible food. I’ve recently tried their lasagna and it was delicious, I could order and eat an entire tray

Ece Jensen

If you like traditional Italian food and a nostalgic warm restaurant, you will be delighted. Delicious food and Opera...I was in heaven.

Tim Penner

always well worth the drive to eat there! the owner is one of the most hospitable you’ll ever meet and the food/service is amazing!

Yael Zheng

What a charming place. We recently dined at the restaurant for the first time to celebrate a milestone birthday and I am so glad we found this gem. Wish we had known it long time ago. From the minute we walked in, we felt transported to a warm and inviting neighborhood trattoria in Italy. The wall adorned with pictures of famous opera stars, the gorgeous stained glass panels, the mirrored wall, and fresh flowers on the table all added to the vibe. We loved the fresh baked bread. All the dishes we had were done to perfection and beautifully presented. My eggplant parmesan was the best I ever had with it being very flavorful yet not too heavy like many parmesan dishes. Finally the tiramisu and profiterole capped a perfect evening. Throughout the dinner the service was warm and attentive. We look forward to returning to this wonderful place.

Adam Jaber

Absolutely love this place. Anytime I’m meeting friends in the city this is one of our go to spots. It’s been here for ages and always serving up incredible food. I’ve recently tried their lasagna and it was delicious, I could order and eat an entire tray

Imran Khan

A Hidden Gem in the Mission — Truly Unforgettable La Traviata is one of those rare finds that completely blows you away — from the moment you walk in, to the very last bite. Tucked away in the Mission, this spot is not just a Check, Please! favorite — it’s a must-visit for anyone who loves Italian food done right. The ambiance immediately transports you — it feels like a classic Italian restaurant you’d stumble upon in New York City, warm and intimate, with just the right mix of charm and nostalgia. But the real star of the show here is the food. Out of this world delicious, deeply flavorful, and clearly made with love. We started with the minestrone soup, which was fresh and absolutely bursting with flavor — the perfect start to the meal. Then came the tortellini in pink sauce, which was hands down the highlight for me: rich, creamy, and perfectly balanced. The eggplant parmesan? Easily rivaled the best I’ve had in NYC or even Italy. To top it all off, the service was exceptional. Djion and his partner/wife were the most gracious, welcoming hosts — their warmth and attentiveness made the evening feel extra special. La Traviata is perfect for a cozy date night or a quiet dinner to catch up with friends. I can’t recommend it enough. We left already planning our next visit — because when food is this good, once is never enough.

Cozy, low lighting, very romantic. Its extremely intimate, be prepared to whisper. No dress code but expect to pay roughly $50 a person. The espresso was amazing. The desserts were great! Got the shrimp and scallops. Didn't disappoint. The gnocchi was just as good as the other reviews say! Overall a great hole in the wall.

Updated: 5/21/24 Took my Dad in since he was craving Italian and he had not been to this gem. He will definitely be back to say the least! La Traviata is the most hidden spot that will have you jaw dropped every visit. This visit I had the Tortellini and was shocked that I was shocked that it tasted so good! 10/10 ALWAYS It had been about a year since we came to this spot to eat and they have not skipped a beat! From the fresh bread to start and ending with Tiramisu you leave with a full stomach and a huge smile. Even the kids enjoyed their pasta! Bread: hot and fresh out the oven you just can’t resist. Great for getting the extra sauce. Prosciutto w/ Cantaloupe: second time having this dish and it was better than the first. The cantaloupe pairs great with the prosciutto. Lasagna: Rich and Meaty with a cheese pull down to the last bite. Just the perfect size portion. Gamberi: Let’s start with the shrimp on this dish!JUMBO SHRIMP and lots of them. The flavor of this dish was very authentic with the spices and portion size is perfect as well. Tiramisu: big enough to share, very moist and one of the best out there.

Al

Cozy, low lighting, very romantic. Its extremely intimate, be prepared to whisper. No dress code but expect to pay roughly $50 a person. The espresso was amazing. The desserts were great! Got the shrimp and scallops. Didn't disappoint. The gnocchi was just as good as the other reviews say! Overall a great hole in the wall.

Keena Middleton

Updated: 5/21/24 Took my Dad in since he was craving Italian and he had not been to this gem. He will definitely be back to say the least! La Traviata is the most hidden spot that will have you jaw dropped every visit. This visit I had the Tortellini and was shocked that I was shocked that it tasted so good! 10/10 ALWAYS It had been about a year since we came to this spot to eat and they have not skipped a beat! From the fresh bread to start and ending with Tiramisu you leave with a full stomach and a huge smile. Even the kids enjoyed their pasta! Bread: hot and fresh out the oven you just can’t resist. Great for getting the extra sauce. Prosciutto w/ Cantaloupe: second time having this dish and it was better than the first. The cantaloupe pairs great with the prosciutto. Lasagna: Rich and Meaty with a cheese pull down to the last bite. Just the perfect size portion. Gamberi: Let’s start with the shrimp on this dish!JUMBO SHRIMP and lots of them. The flavor of this dish was very authentic with the spices and portion size is perfect as well. Tiramisu: big enough to share, very moist and one of the best out there.

Pasta is quite good, but the veal is bad. $32 for some tiny, overcooked and under seasoned pieces of meat. Tasted kinda like a McDonald’s patty. If you don’t want protein, are you’re happy with some solid pasta and inexpensive wine, then this is your spot.

William “Bill” Owen

I was a regular at La Traviata back in the 80s, but I and most of our party of four hadn't dined at the restaurant in two decades, so we were eager to return. Atmosphere: The place still maintains its "old-school" appearance, with photos of opera stars and customers lining the walls and soft opera arias in the background that allows for quiet conversation. Food: unfortunately, our dining experience at La Traviata was mixed. Service: prompt, but unhurried. Wine: a serviceable, worthy glass of the house red was ordered by two of us. Bread: delicious homemade bread served with butter instead of extra virgin olive oil. Appetizers: delicious special focaccia with mushrooms; caprese salad was disappointing, with barely ripe large tomato slices instead of the heirloom tomatoes that are widely available in September. Mains: my eggplant parmigiana was divine, the 2nd best ever! Two veal dishes, scaloppini ai funghi and parmigiana, were deemed mediocre by two dining companions. Sadly, the fish dish, sogliole picatta, ordered by our 4th diner, was "soggy and its odd taste made it inedible". She notified the maître d' and we were not charged for that entree. Price: extremely reasonable, definitely at the low end of San Francisco restaurants these days. Summary: inexpensive Italian cuisine in the Mission, with several disappointments. I would return to La Traviata, but next time I'd stick to the eggplant parmigiana and perhaps would try one of the pasta offerings.