I’ve tried their eggrolls, bahnmi sandwich, and vermicelli noodles with grilled pork! Everything was so good! The grilled pork especially has that perfect smoky flavor. I love Vietnamese food, and I’m so glad I found my go-to spot.

Mỹ Cảnh Restaurant is a wonderful place to enjoy authentic Vietnamese cuisine. The restaurant serves many delicious dishes such as grilled pork with rice, rare beef with lime, crab noodle soup, and crispy Vietnamese pancakes (bánh xèo). Each dish is full of rich flavors and truly represents the essence of Vietnamese culture. When you come here, you will not only enjoy the food but also the warm and attentive service from the staff. Every visit makes me feel like I am at home—just like when my sister used to cook for me. I haven’t lived close to her for nearly 20 years, but whenever I dine at Mỹ Cảnh, it brings back that same comforting feeling of home. Thank you to the team at Mỹ Cảnh for your heartfelt service and for always making me feel welcome.

Thomas Smery - Travel & Food

Authentic Italian delicacy Deli! Amazing sandwiches with a wide selection of deli meats and ham as well as cheese and pickled vegetables and salads. Very neatly organized and friendly service. Would definitely stop by again to grab a bite when exploring the neighborhood.

+1

CR Navarrete

Long-standing Italian deli that makes a delicious sandwich. Had the North Beach on my most recent trip, the counter service was friendly and the wait was reasonable. Lots of Italian grocery options too. No public bathroom (went to Caffe Trieste for that)

Yvonne S

Vising SF and had to try the sandwich. I waited for 30-40 minutes. Good thing that I got to chat with a nice woman behind me so the wait felt quick. I got the Lucca Special. It was really delicious. For the price of $16.25, it is a huge sandwich and totally worth it. Highly recommend!

Karen C

Wow, if you want to wait an hour go on a Saturday at 4! But after waiting an hour, the sandwiches we ordered were so worth it! The sandwich makers/meat slicers/deli professionals were super busy but still had time to help point out the wine I was looking for. I got the Luciano Special, I could only eat half, but the fresh focaccia and the salty prosciutto with the delicious mozzarella and hint of acid from the sun dried tomatoes and the lettuce helping to cut through the saltiness of the meat, I got one of the best sandwiches in my life. My husband ordered the sausage and pepper sandwich and devoured it, according to the noises he was making I had to assume he really enjoyed it. Im sure he mumbled something with a mouth full of sandwich declaring that the hour wait was worth it. Definitely a must stop if you are in Little Italy. It is San Fran, not the most budget friendly city but two sandwiches for $40 seems very reasonable especially for the quality that you get. If you love cheese they have a nice selection of those as well as other goodies available.

Afshin Afshar-Ghasemlou

Molinari Delicatessen is one of those places that defines North Beach. It’s been around forever, it’s usually busy, and it feels like it hasn’t tried to reinvent itself just to keep up with trends, and that’s a good thing. I’ve stopped here many times over the years to grab a sandwich to go, and it has always delivered. The atmosphere is classic old-school Italian deli, the staff keeps things moving, and even when there’s a line out the door, it goes faster than you’d expect. Let’s be honest, though, the reason people come here is for the sandwiches. My top picks are the Molinari Special Italian Combo, the Luciano Special, and the Grilled Focaccia Special, in that order. If you’re getting the Italian Combo, do yourself a favor and ask for it on gutted, toasted hard sourdough. And unless you feel very strongly against something in the sandwich, just say “with everything on it.” They’ve been making these sandwiches for over a century; they know exactly how to balance the flavors. The bread, the meats, the cheese, the oil, the vinegar; it all works. Beyond the sandwiches, Molinari also sells imported Italian goods, cheeses, salamis, pastas, olive oils, and wines, which adds to the experience and makes it feel like more than just a deli counter. But for me, it’s still all about grabbing a sandwich and walking out into North Beach with lunch in hand. It’s reliable, it’s satisfying, and it’s one of those places I’m always happy to recommend to visitors and locals alike.

Brian DeMassey

My son and I went there this morning to pick up stuff for a Christmas party. We were helped by a young man named Boone. He was very helpful and gracious with all my questions. Everything we tried was super good. I will definitely make a stop here part of our city Christmas traditions from now on.

Dianne Namgung

I could eat this every day. Generous portions, I got 2 meals out of the focacia prosciutto sandwich Friendly staff as well! I have a dairy allergy and asked for no cheese so they encouraged me to sub out cheese for another topping. We got there probably between 1130-noon, as we were leaving it started to fill up with the lunch rush!

Pinetree Meads

Excellent deli, wide range of in-house salamis and cured meats. Also a great wine and cheese selection. The staff are knowledgeable and will give as many samples as you’d like. I bought a hanging salami and also an Espresso liqueur, both delicious . If you need an Italian deli fix, this is the place for you.

tomer allalouf

My favorite spot in San Francisco for sandwiches. Been here a few times and it was great everytime.

Manuel Navedo

Came here because of the great reviews and it did not disappoint. Sandwiches were great with tons of flavor and huge! I had lunch one day and breakfast the next :) the shop inside is also a great spot to buy different products. We came here on a Friday at 10:30 am so line was non existence although pictures suggest this become a hot spot at times. There are no seating area so one has to seat outside and can be chilling at times. Plus there is no bathroom. Overall a great spot and will highly recommend to visit and try their nice sandwiches

+1

Loyes Diamonds

A Gem in North Beach! Molinari Delicatessen is an absolute treasure in the heart of North Beach, San Francisco. If you’re a fan of fresh, handcrafted sandwiches, this is the spot for you. Each sandwich is made to order with care, ensuring every bite is bursting with flavor. The selection of breads and rolls is impressive—focaccia, Dutch crunch, soft rolls—you name it, they have it, and every choice is top-notch. The variety of charcuterie meats, fresh toppings, and spreads is second to none. Whether you’re in the mood for classic Italian salami, prosciutto, or freshly roasted turkey, paired with their vibrant veggies and creamy spreads, the combinations are endless and always satisfying. Beyond the sandwiches, Molinaei offers a fantastic array of authentic Italian foods. Their in-house-made ravioli is a must-try—so delicate and flavorful, it’s like a trip to Italy in every bite. The store is also packed with other Italian specialties, from oils and cheeses to pantry staples that any home chef would appreciate. The experience doesn’t stop at the food. Grab a seat at one of the outdoor tables and enjoy a leisurely meal with a fantastic view of the Transamerica Pyramid. Situated in the bustling, vibrant North Beach neighborhood, it’s the perfect place to soak in the local vibe. Molinaei Delicatessen is a true gem. Great food, friendly service, and a wonderful atmosphere—it’s a five-star experience every time. Don’t miss it!

+1

The food is great. The service is acceptable. The staff seem to be always chattering in a language I can't understand, which means it's like going on an expensive vacation in Vietnam. It's a taste of the culture, but without that early 1970s angst of no support for that war. It's a refreshing break from the big box joints. Not everyone wants to risk this. I don't understand and get confused at times.

Service was great! Food was good. The wonton soup was okay.

NEW OWNERS continuing on with new attitude.. service & food is definitely up a notch or more! Posted on their menu “We use organic food ingredients and 100% non-toxic cleaning product, GLIM Super Alkaline Water” 2 favorites remains on the menu .. BUN BO HUE CRAB Soup with thick noods & $9.99 BanhMi

Great down and dirty Vietnamese on the edge of San Francisco’s Chinatown. The aesthetic is rough however the food is great, well priced and popular with locals. We arrived at just around 11pm and the place was alive and clearly popular. Food was tasty and a great find if you’re a seafood lover.

Tata I

This sandwich requires a full hour of patience before you even order. Once it lands, though, it’s huge- I ate it for two days, so the $20 price tag almost behaves. One star off for the attitude toward delivery drivers. Feed people, not egos!!!💔 I’d be back… just emotionally prepared

Natanya Nagy

Thank you for listening. We already placed an order. I have been a costumer of molinaris since I was one years old. They are the best. I now live in Arizona and my children in New Jersey and Tennessee. We love to send care packages from you to them. We try to send a variety of salami. You have made it so I can not longer do so. Everything is sold in large quantities. It seems that every few months you change your website and the ability to oder products. Two years ago you had the shipping cost twice as much as your product. We almost drove to San Francisco just to purchase salami. Then someone in your company fixed your website. They made it for families and small households, now it's messed up again. Do you not want individuals purchasing your products.

L

They ran out of focaccia at 3pm Take a number and wait to be called. When they call your number, order, then pay when you pick up Was still good with soft bread, but not worth the 30min wait. Cheese was still cold after the sandwich was toasted

+1

Jae Jun

Famous Italian deli spot in the North Beach neighborhood. Popular with both tourists and local residents. We ordered the 4 different subs, and they were all delicious - my favorite was the Molinari special. Prices were around $16 per sub, which is definitely big enough for one person. They cut it in half so you can exchange with your friend/family if you wanna try multiple subs. As you walk in, you’ll feel as if you were transported to Italy. The whole store is filled with imported food goods from Italy and it’s a great vibe that gets your appetite going. They also slice the deli meat in front of you for some cool showmanship. Make sure to grab a ticket as soon as you walk in, as they’ll call your number to take orders at the counter. The wait might be 20-30 mins depending on the day and time. If you are low on time, I don’t think it’s an essential spot to visit as I’m sure there are other lesser known spots with just as good subs.

+3

Stacey Butler

Service and patrons were excellent, and the atmosphere truly great, but maybe it's me but my sandwich was a bit bland, I had a meatball sandwich and renzo, my friend had the basil turkey sandwich and it was delicious. Parking not so good, take someone with you and U can drop them off 2 place or pickup order. Outside of that I will be going back.

+5

We had a Chow Mein special, grilled shrimp & beef bun and Vietnamese spring rolls. The quality of the food was good, but the portion size was quite small especially the Chow Mein came only with a very small portion of noodles and also bun dish was on the smaller side. Given that both dishes costs $17 each I was expecting at least a normal portion size. The interior looks worn out and in a need for an update. They also charge a surcharge for credit cards which was neither mentioned on the menu nor by the waiter. The service was okay expect that the waiter refused to close the door even though it was quite windy and cold outside. The waiter also tried to push me repeatedly to give 20% tip which was a bit annoying.

Johnathan B

After waiting 50-minutes, there were still 9 tickets in front of us so we gave up. Was cool to experience the buzz and see all the different ingredients and local characters coming in/out. Wouldn’t recommend unless you’re willing to wait a long time for an $18 sandwich - or you go at a time when there’s no queue.

Todd P

It was crazy busy at 2pm yesterday. We waited 30 minutes to place our order. Was it worth it? Not really. We ordered the Italian combo on Italian bread. That was a mistake. We like crusty bread but this was tough. Taking a bite required moving the bread back and forth to tear it off. The flavor was great but it should be for $18. People behind the counter were friendly and there are a few tables outside.

This placed used to be the IT place for crab noodle soup. Some would say, legendary even... back in the day. Sadly, in September 2025, we got the noodle soup with the crab and it was clear the crab was not fresh. Wife said, don't bother eating it and we tossed our crab to the side. I tried the pork blood, and even that tasted a bit off. This place went from #1 for this, to worst we've had in a while. There was a grand opening banner outside. We should have known. Our second dish, the crispy noodle wasn't too bad. The noodles were indeed crispy which met half the requirements. It wasn't great, but wasn't bad otherwise. Sadly, we will not be coming back.

Tables weren’t clean. They should disclose the credit card surcharge upfront. The “extra large” pho was actually the size of a regular pho at most places. Also, if you want the 10% SF resident discount, make sure to bring an ID with your current address. For reference, my final bill for a $16.xx something dish came out to about $21.something after adding a 15% tip, the credit card surcharge, and then applying the 10% discount.

Monty Griswald

Saw the large line and assumed the deli must be high quality and delicious. The interior looks lovely and traditional. But I bought the lasagna and other frozen foods. The price is obscenely high and the taste was the unfortunately the worst Italian I've ever had, worse than the generic stuff even in Safeway.

+1

Crab noodle soup, it’s so disappointed. I used to love this place for crab noodle soup. Food now doesn’t taste as good as before. We asked for crab meat no shell, they said yes then brought out 4 bowls and said sorry they are out of the crab meat without shell. Each bowl is $20 so not worth it. Never come back.

Parangat Bhaskar

Overrated. Food was okay (with a slight lean towards good, but nothing to go crazy about). It’s just another sandwich shop as far as I’m concerned. The real kicker however is the god awful slow service. It took us 50 minutes to get two mid sandwiches. Not sure how the place still stays open, but it’s a one and done place for me for sure. They’ve got this tiny red ticket dispenser hidden at the entrance, so easily missed. We stood in line for about 25 minutes before realizing they’ve got this silly ticketing system from the 19th century.