Had my 26 person wedding dinner in their upstairs private dining area! The atmosphere is perfect and rustic, very private. The service was great and the food was fantastic!! I took a risk not knowing what they would be serving us until the night of, as they make seasonal menus that are frequently changing, but everything was delicious. So happy that we chose this as our dinner venue

Penny Roma has consistently impressed me with its trendy vibe, outstanding food, and exceptional service. When my husband and I recently chose to host a small gathering in their event space, Mac, their director of hospitality, truly exceeded our expectations. He took the time to walk us through all the available options and helped us customize our event to perfectly match what we were looking for. I should have written this glowing review much sooner – Penny Roma and their team absolutely deserve the recognition!

So delicious. We had the group set mine which had 10 different small dishes family style.

Each dish is amazing. Highly recommend Albacore tartare, Marinated beets and Fior di latte gelato(much love). For pasta, it never goes wrong here.

+3

Favorite Italian in SF. Stylish decor, friendly staff and easy to find parking as well. We got a few appetizers and every pasta on the menu. Can be tough to get a reservation but Resy is your friend here. Would highly recommend it!

Lovely place with delicious food and the service is top notch. One person in our party was not feeling well so our server actually went next door to Flour and Water to get her a canned probiotic soda.

+1

Wine o’clock next doors at Flour and Water Pasta Shop - Good sandwiches and many goodies selections at night have delish dinner at penny. If you natural wine person make sure this shop is in your to-go list. I have Half day layover in San Francisco and decided to spend sometime here with nice wine selection. Highly recommended!

+1

Penny Roma marries the former Central Kitchen's fresh, market-driven California cuisine to the fresh-made pastas from sister restaurant Flour + Water (which is currently closed for renovations). We loved the old Central Kitchen restaurant: the decor/ambiance is almost identical, and if you liked Central Kitchen's food, you'll find a lot to like here too. Food: The marinated squash & mushrooms were delicious although it might have worked better as a hot (versus cold) appetizer. The foccacia was crunchy and bursting with flavor. The tonnarelli cacio e pepe had a delicious sauce, although the pasta was a bit thicker & chewier than what you'd get in Rome. The seared trout was deliciously fatty and well-prepared, on some super-fresh greens with interesting accompaniments. Fregola Sarda was the only slight disappointment of the night; the flavors of the saffron and seafood were a bit overpowered by something acidic (vinegar?). Finally, the pomegranate and bay leaf sorbet was an outstanding dessert: the bay leaf complemented the pomegranate perfectly, adding an almost herbal minty-ness. Dietary restrictions: for a place with a heavy pasta emphasis, there are a fair number of gluten-free dishes (and dairy-free, with a few minor modifications) Kid friendliness: we brought our 5 year old, and although there is no "kids menu", they made a half-portion of pasta for him (he loved the cacio e pepe, although I suspect many kids would also like the bolognese), although his favorite thing was the foccacia Prices are reasonable considering the quality of the ingredients & cooking Getting in: book ahead (reservations open 2 weeks beforehand), sign up for last-minute openings on Resy, or arrive early for a walk-in spot (we arrived at 5 PM on a Sunday, and were 2nd in line for the 5:30 opening)

+4

The pop-up sister to flour and water, you’ll find some familiar dishes here in a slightly more informal setting. The pasta dishes are sized for easy sharing (which I recommend) so you can try as many of the unique pasta dishes they feature here as possible. The staff is very knowledgeable and can happy suggest perfect pairings for every course.

Dinner was great, and I absolutely loved the citrus & avocado salad and the polenta cake. The service and decor was great as well!

Farm fresh flavors emanating from culinary expertise of the chef quite aptly summarize the Californian fare served at Central Kitchen. Would recommend getting as many larders and vegetables as possible with 1-2 large plate meat options. For a party of 5 we got— Larder (Baked cow milk cheese), Vegetables (Figs and Prosciutto, Little Gems, Creamed Corn), Pasta (Mushroom Tortellini), Large Plates (Half Roasted Chicken, Pork Loin, Smoked Duck Breast), Dessert (Chocolate Custard, Melon and Plum Sorbet, Peach Ice Cream). Can confidently recommend each one of them. Note that portions are small and Larders and Vegetables are best shared between 2-3. For a wholesome meal with wine pairings expect to spend around $70 per person.

+3

Loved this place, delicious and great atmosphere. It was the first time I have panna cotta with olive oil, not sure if I loved this but definitely worth try.

This meal was insane. Order the hamachi, focaccia, and the prosciutto to start. My main was the tortelloni and butternut squash — absolutely fabulous. The rose was spot on.

+6

This place was good. They also have one (off menu) vegan option.

Penny Roma features freshly made, rich pasta and Italian dishes, beautifully presented. It was the first time we visited Penny Roma and we were fortunate to get seated as walk-ins. Our server made excellent suggestions, which we followed and we were glad we did.

+2

The food is fantastic and dynamically changes with the seasons. The staff is the perfect blend of friendly and professional, even surprisingly kind.

+6

I give this place five star rating for tag fast service , interior design, and pretty much every aspect except the food . This is definitely not the best pasta I have had . But my companion for this dinner had a fish and it was descent . The whole experience deserves 5 stars and therefore the rating . The pasta could be improved . But overall from staff , to décor to ambiance - great

+6

The establishment offers exceptional food, service, and ambiance. While prices may be slightly higher, the quality justifies the cost, making it a must-visit destination to savor its outstanding menu selection.

+3

My visit to Penny Roma was exceptional. The pasta and appetizers were delicious and fresh and the kitchen accommodated our requests graciously. I have to praise Jessica who was simply amazing while serving us—she was attentive, knowledgable about the food/drinks, very kind and delightful to chat with. Dinner at Penny Roma was excellent!

Service was amazing, Food was incredible. We were two, ordered two pastas and two salads (Plin, Mushroom paperadelle, Roasted Beet Salad, and Arugula Salad). Was more than enough. The paperadelle was unique, had an awesome texture and insanely good sauce. Be sure to order the Plin.

Wow! The food here is amazingly good! I had the Dinner Party tasting menu, which was phenomenal — every dish was delicious, made with care, and super tasty. This was the best meal I’ve had in quite some time. *****

A high end eatery living up to its expectations. When it comes to freshness and quality of the pasta, it surely doesn’t get any better. Each bite tasted as if the pasta was freshly prepared. The servers however take the crown. Super friendly, very attentive and made excellent recommendations. Started with the Leek Arancini, each ball just melts in your mouth. For the meat eaters the Agnolotti dal Plin was my favorite. Decadent sauce and a hearty meat in every bite. For the vegetarian folks, the Rigatoni Arrabiata was simply divine. The ricotta cheese added a creamy flavor to the mildly spicy pasta. Of course for the mains the half chicken was amazing. The bread underneath the chicken and sauce is where the flavors all settle. Definitely a place for those special occasions or just to treat yourself.

+1

From the folks at Flour and Water, this is a their slightly more casual spot, but no less delicious. The decor has a great open airy feel and the service was excellent. Will definitely be part of the rotation.

+1

Fantastic experience, delicious food, lots of Italian wines, and cool atmosphere. Tuna tartare with pistachios is a must! Pasta was incredible. We shared the steak to finish. Highly recommended!

I had an amazing time at Penny Roma. It was super busy for a Tuesday due to an event at a nearby bar. Even with how busy it was, several wait staff took time to luck after us, the food was unreal, we started with the halbut and trout, then moved on to pasta, Cavatelli, Agnolotti and nightly special were had. The pasta here is fantastic, perfect texture and flavor. The only letdown was the chicken. It was overdone, but really flavorful, you could tell that if it wasn't dry or would be a really good dish, we ended up incorporating it with pasta to get the sauce in the bowl and that worked out well. I will be coming back for sure.

+3

We thoroughly enjoyed ALL dishes with the chef sampler menu—and the chef accommodated one member of our party who is vegan…such a treat. Appetizers, drinks, pasta, pork chops—so good 🙂

+4

Our favorite restaurant for creative pasta in San Francisco. Agnolotti del plin is a must-have for every meal here (in our family) and we complement with one of the seasonal pasta specials and a meat. Penny Roma always hits the spot.

+6

Great service, good atmosphere, a bit cold after they opened the ceiling. Awesome beef steak and great pasta. I wish there was a bit more variety on desserts.

Had an amazing dinner at Penny Roma! The pasta was fresh and flavorful, and the young lady who served us was so kind and attentive. The warm, lively atmosphere made the whole experience feel special. Definitely a spot I’d love to return to!

Came for a date night with my fiancée. We started off with the focaccia and teh arancini di funghi. Highly recommend the arancini. For mains, the rigatoni cacio e pepe and the gnocchi di zucca and both were equally as delicious.

Best Italian food I've tried! The focaccia and pesto vegetarian pasta were absolutely delicious, other dishes we tried were marvelous too!! Highly recommend this place if you visit SF!

A great experience over all, had a chance to get a couple of the home made pastas and they were delicious!

Okay Penny Roma, we see you 👀 As the little sister of Flour and Water, we were recommended this place after our walk-in at Flour and Water proved unsuccessful. And I’m so glad we decided to give it a try! Excellent food, sexy and sophisticated vibe, and attentive service made for a great night. For as great as the food is at Penny Roma, the real charm of this place is definitely the space. With lofty ceilings, tons of plants, an open kitchen, and spa-like water feature in the waiting area, this place is an ultra-modern garden with a decidedly sophisticated feel. The dining room is separated into two main areas — one in the garden, and one next to the kitchen — although the one cautionary spot is being seated at the bar counter in the back (which unfortunately we were). The large drawers of silverware are immediately behind the seats, which means that the night was filled with the consistent clashing of the silverware (a small price to pay, but would be worth avoiding if possible). Be prepared for an expensive meal, but one that lives up to all of its potential. We thoroughly enjoyed everything we ordered, from the buttery focaccia to the bright tuna, but the star of the main stage was 100% the mushroom pasta. Get. The. Mushroom. Pasta. I’m still thinking about it weeks later — the perfect balance of hearty umami and chewy noodle. The service was attentive, almost TOO attentive if you can believe it — in the space of 15 minutes, three different waiters approached us asking to take our order. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good problem to have, but it did get a bit old having the same conversation over and over (“we already ordered”). By the end of the night, we counted interactions with six different servers! 😂 we liked the friendly, collaborative style of the staff, but probably didn’t need to be asked about dessert four times. Otherwise, the service was flawless! Keep in mind that the dining room can accommodate groups of 6 or less, but groups of 7 or more must book their private room and prix fixe family style menu. This place is ideal for a party of 2-4.

+4

I recently got married and wanted to host a small and intimate dinner celebration for around 30 guests. I originally was interested in the sister restaurant, Flour + Water but the maximum capacity for seated dinner is 14 guests. The event manager, Mac, referred me to Penny Roma's The Upstairs, with the maximum capacity of 32 guests, and sent over menu and pictures of the event space. Mac and his team set up the balloons exactly how I want it and I also added my own floral arrangements when I got to the space. Overall, I am very satisfied and happy that I had the dinner celebration here! For the event space, it comes with a set menu of table snacks, a couple of appetizers, pasta, meat, salad, and lastly dessert. The portion of the food is plenty for each guest. Our favorite dish of the day was definitely the halibut crudo, it was really fresh and was a great started to the meal. I also really enjoyed the pork chops, it was really tender and the flavor was not overpowering. Tip: for the menu, you can work with them to customize and they will do their best to fulfill it! I highly recommend The Upstairs for private events, it is intimate and I love the industrial design and open windows of the space. I also enjoy the food there as well.

+3

Wonderful vibes. Pasta was truly delicious! As was all the crudo in the beginning. We did the Dinner Party Menu, which is chef’s selection, and it was perfect. Everyone got to try a bite (and go for seconds and thirds of their favorites) in a meal served family style.

+6

The pasta here is delicious! So many different options that you can pick from. We ordered 5 different pasta for a group of 5 and shared all, and I think I loved the eggplant pasta the most. (I don’t remember the name) Highly recommend if you’re craving good quality Italian pasta!

+1

This has definitely been some of the best Italian food we’ve had in the Bay Area. The menu is flexible with a solid range of options to order from that feel authentic and modern. Cannot say enough about the atmosphere - from the interior design to the music, you feel transported to culinary heaven. The staff was so friendly and accommodating. We had reservations for a late dinner that we were hoping to move up, they said they’d let us know if something opened up and they stayed true to their word! We got in earlier at the bar and it did not take away from the experience at all. Don’t forget to get some vino!!

+3

We love penny Roma for their great atmosphere and simple but well executed dishes. Don’t pass on the arancini or agnolotti. Hard to get a reservation. Both times we went we walked in right at 5:30 and sat at the bar (2 people). We love the view from the bar!

+2

Penny Roma is my favorite restaurant in SF. While they don't have my favorite single dish in the city, the overall average is super high. Definitely get the pastas. I came on Tuesday night 4/9/24 7:30 with a reservation and was seated immediately. We ordered the SF restaurant week menu and were absolutely blown away. You get everything on the menu. It's super high value and we left very full. The pork chop portions are huge, maybe too much so, which is a crazy thing to say. We ordered the foccaccia bread as extra ($10) and it was super warm, fresh, pillowy. Great for mopping up sauce though again you're gonna be so full after that most people can skip it. Service was impeccable and very warm. Really appreciated that they provided meat knives for the pork chops after they saw us struggling without us asking for it. Total with SF restaurant week, orange soda, and the extra foccaccia bread with tax and tip came out to be ~$110

+4

Went here for date night with my fiancé! We chose the tasting menu which was a shareable family style meal. We were a little concerned, being two dudes, that we wouldn’t have enough food with “shareables”, but ended the meal feeling comfortably full! Service was great, staff was amazing and kind and the ~vibes~ are great.

+3

Fun and energetic atmosphere. Lots of great options on the menu. Best to go with a big group so you can order a bunch of items (like we did). Interesting flavors on some of the pastas but overall a good meal and experience!

This place was a nice surprise! We had their Chefs sampler dinner, and it was a great selection and variety of their different dishes. There is definitely more food than you need to eat. Will definitely be back again. They even accommodated the one vegan we had in our party of 4.

+6

This place is great. Can't say anything bad about it. Presentation was meticulous and clean. Ambience was modern but not too loud. Flavors were wonderful. You can't go wrong with any of the raw seafood dishes. If you are OK with sushi type of food, then these are just added flavors in Italian style since it looked like they used sushi grade halibut/tuna. Pastas are what you really want to go for. We got hangar steak and it was alright, but pasta Tonnarelli Cacio Pepe was so cheesy and rich, Tortellonia al Pesto was fragrant and refreshing, and lastly the meatballs (Polpettine) was a good balance with chili and tomato sauce. Highly recommend to try here but make reservations. I saw several walk-ins getting rejected.

I emailed the staff ahead of time asking about vegan options and their response assured me that they regularly accommodate this request and I had nothing to worry about. When I arrived I asked the server about this and they gave me several options to choose from - I ended up going with what I believe was the mushroom rigatoni Bolognese. It was simple but delicious! The portion size was also bigger than I would have expected as I think some of the other entrées were smaller. The vibe inside is very cute! Staff is definitely very friendly and attentive.

Tucker

Got the prix fix menu and it was an absolute slam dunk; while I have nice things to say about everything, they Do Not play about their crudo here, wow! Glad I ignored other reviews saying their pasta was too salty/heavy because I thought both their ravioli and fettucine alfredo were superb. If I'm really plucking hairs, our server did not really know how to talk about wine, but the bottle we got was excellent, so! I loved the space, and the ambience felt refined but not stuffy. Would definitely make a return.

James Bui

Ive been to this restaurants a few times. Love their chef tasting menu here . It has around 7-9 courses. Everything from appetizers, salad, pasta, sashimi, fish are all so fresh and yummy. You can taste the freshness and natural sweetness from their ingredients. I would highly recommend doing the chef tasting menu instead of order on your own. There was no single bad item in their chef tasting menu, everything was really delicious! The waiting staff were so nice and friendly. The vibe and decoration in side the restaurants were also very nice, and relaxing.

+6

Melissa Eisner

Amazing spot for an Italian meal. We ordered 2 pasta dishes and 1 started for 2 of us, and it was more than enough food. I loved the beet and ricotta salad, the beets were so fresh and the sauce gave it the right amount of zing. I loved my tortellini dish, it might have been a special, but it was light and fresh, and the fresh corn brightened it up. The service was great, the right amount of attentiveness. And I loved the decor and the vibe. Highly recommend!

Christy Gatchell

This restaurant is super charming and the thing that stood out the most was service. The team there is attentive and on top of their game the food was absolutely excellent. we got the halibut and the beet salad several pasta dishes. The brussels sprouts were absolutely 10 out of 10 and a great wine selection.Must dine here!

+2

Ugo C

Great place, excellent fresh pasta, amazing food, relaxing vibes and nice staff. Good for lunch and dinner. Ps: Try the agnolotti…

Christopher Chung

Top quality Italian served in fashionable surroundings. A buzz stemming from the well-executed flavors, post-industrial interior, and smartly-dressed clientele. House-made pastas, excellent. Appetizers are at the highest level of execution. Quality vegetables and proteins are all too apparent. Perfect for a fun date to impress

+4

kiran

Penny Roma in the Mission District of San Francisco is one of those restaurants that immediately feels inviting the moment you step inside. The space is bright, airy, and thoughtfully designed, with high ceilings, soft lighting, and a warm buzz from the open kitchen. It manages to feel both stylish and relaxed, which makes it perfect for date nights, celebrations, or a casual dinner where you want great food without stiff formality. The ambiance gives you the sense that you have stepped off the busy Mission streets and into a quieter, more intimate pocket of the city. The service at Penny Roma is consistently attentive and well paced. Servers know the menu thoroughly and are happy to guide you toward dishes based on your preferences. They explain ingredients, recommend wine pairings, and take the time to make sure you are comfortable and well looked after. Even when the restaurant is busy, the staff remain calm and collected. There is no sense of being rushed, and they check in often enough to feel cared for without hovering. It feels like the type of hospitality that is confident and effortless. The food is the true highlight. Penny Roma focuses on classic Italian dishes that are elevated by exceptional technique and high quality ingredients. The pasta program is clearly the star of the menu. Every pasta shape arrives perfectly cooked, with sauces that are deeply flavorful yet balanced. The Tortelloni di Zucca is one of their most loved dishes. The filling is silky and slightly sweet, and the brown butter sauce adds richness without overpowering the delicate squash flavor. It is one of those dishes that makes you slow down so that you can savor each bite. The Tagliatelle alla Bolognese is another standout. It is hearty and deeply satisfying, with a slow cooked ragù that coats the noodles perfectly. The flavors are layered and robust, and the dish delivers exactly what you expect from a classic Bolognese. If you enjoy pasta that leans toward comfort food, this is a must order. For starters, the Amberjack Crudo is bright, fresh, and beautifully balanced. The clean flavors of the fish pair well with olive oil, citrus, and a bit of heat. It is a refreshing way to begin the meal and a good counterpoint to the richer pasta dishes that come later. The focaccia deserves its own mention. It arrives warm, with a tender texture and a crisp golden crust. It is excellent on its own or used for dipping into leftover sauce. Although most dishes are consistently excellent, there are occasional notes from diners who find certain sauces slightly heavy. Penny Roma is especially suited for couples, small groups, and anyone who appreciates handmade pasta prepared with care. It is less suited for those who want extremely experimental or ultra light dishes, as the menu leans traditional and generous. Street parking can be tight in the Mission, so arriving early or using a rideshare can make the evening smoother. Overall, Penny Roma delivers a dining experience that feels warm, satisfying, and thoughtfully put together. The combination of ambiance, service, and beautifully executed pasta makes it one of the stronger Italian options in San Francisco. It offers comfort without being basic and elegance without being pretentious. If you are looking for a place where the food is consistently delicious and the atmosphere enhances the experience, Penny Roma is well worth a visit.

+6

Savannah Belk-Talton

My friend and I walked in on a Monday night without a reservation & only had to wait 15 minutes for a table. We enjoyed their natural wine and the incredibly generous, delicious tasting menu. We couldn’t believe it was 9 or so courses for $84. Every course was unique, fresh and so good. I was impressed with the homemade GF pasta as it looked the same as the regular pasta! The corn cavetelli was a memorable dish. And the gelato at the end was the perfect finishing dessert.

Sandeep Tata

It's a bit noisy, but the food is fantastic and the service is excellent. The "dinner party" menu is an excellent way to try a bunch of different things from the kitchen. The wine pairing is reasonably priced and generous.

+1

Sarah S

Handmade pasta and wonderful ingredients makes for a great night out in elevated casual space. The servers are so kind and thoughtful. The focaccia is crispy outside soft inside, a bit too salty imo but still very addictive because the OLIVE OIL. I love their choice in olive oil. I wish they sold it. Lets get onto the food. Their seasonal pasta dishes can’t go wrong. And I have dreams of their chocolate hazelnut cake.

+6

marcy liner

My wedding dinner in the private dining space, The Upstairs, exceeded my expectations. The room was gorgeous on a rainy evening. They allowed us to customize the space with flowers, play our own music and add treats to the table. The staff was super friendly and attentive. They were flexible with night-of requests like rotating seats part way through the meal and helping us plan and execute toasts throughout the evening. Also in a city like San Francisco the price felt very fair given the quality we experienced. I highly recommend this space for private events.

+1

Amazing bread and tasty appetizers served in a modern farmhouse. Our friends did the tasting menu and loved it, we will next time.

Tasting menu was pretty good. Their Yellowfin Tuna with fermented chili aioli was so goood. Everything else on the tasting was nice but not great.

The gnocchi and agnolotti were amazing. Unfortunately the Cacio e Pepe and cannelloni were just ok. We were also really looking forward to the arancini after having the Flour+Water version, but these were just ok. They looked pretty but fell short on flavor. We loved the little gem salad. It was balanced well with sweet, sour and salty flavors. This is a real pretty restaurant and service was good, but I would definitely go back to Flour+Water next time.

+2

Cute spot for a date night. The food was delicious. Would recommend the corn arancini and spinach raviolini. The cacio e pepe was too cheesy and heavy in my opinion and so I didn’t enjoy it as much. For desserts, the olive oil cake was light and spongy paired with stone fruit.

+2

easily the best agnolotti del plin i’ve ever had, all the food was presented beautifully, service was great. they did make us wait 20 mins after our reservation time which was a little annoying.

+5

Loved the sweet corn arancini, it was so good! We wanted to get a second order. We loved the Cappelletti di Zucchini. Surprisingly, we didn’t like the Farfalle con Polpettine. Our server was okay, wasn’t the most friendly. Didn’t bother changing our plates or checking up on us to see how every thing was.

The food is ALWAYS fantastic. I'd give it a 10. One of the few places I keep going back. That said, the staff is and has always been San Francisco arrogant and hard to interact with. Example: one person comes to table. "Are there any allergies or things you don't eat" three of us "cilantro" She finished getting our order and we re-remind her, not cilantro. "Yes, that's why I asked " huge eye roll. Of course, first dish, cilantro (was not on description) Ordered a bunch of courses, asked if they could course them; crudo, antipasto, pasta, etc... and not drop them all at once. "yes, of course we do that" big eye roll from the guy. You guessed it, out comes 4 things at on the table. Look, fine if you don't do it orake mistakes but easier to take without the eye rolls and incredulity at having asked the question. The e needed new management since they opened. Hard to say that because they are full every night, but it's the amazing food and I will keep going back. Oh and get the flat iron steak. It was fantastic

+6

This was a great place for a date night. The portions were smaller than we expected but everything was delicious. The papardelle was tasty but we felt like they could have been more generous with the mushrooms or “Funghi.” Even the broccolini portions felt scant. The citrus avocado salad was bright and tasty and the cacio e Pepe was cheesy in the most perfect way. Overall everything was tasty but we wished there was slightly more of everything that were highlights of the dish.

Penny Roma offers a unique dining experience in San Francisco's Mission District. From the street, you're greeted by a quirky charm - a cabinesque entrance with a neon green sign that sets the tone for a fun, vibrant evening. Stepping inside, the atmosphere takes a dramatic shift. A small water fountain trickles by the entrance, setting the mood for a more whimsical space. Dim, low-hanging lights cast an inviting glow over the high ceilings, adorned with cascading plants and creeping vines. The seating area near the entrance is particularly delightful, with a relaxed, almost fairy tale vibe thanks to the abundance of greenery. The service at Penny Roma was top-notch. Attentive and friendly, our server was knowledgeable about the menu and happy to answer questions. My only suggestion for the staff is that they should give groups some time to settle in. 3 of us went to Penny Roma for dinner, and while 2 of us were waiting for our friend to arrive, our server stopped by twice to ask us if we were ready to order. The only downside to the lively atmosphere is the noise level. It can be hard to have a conversation at times, especially with larger groups. I found myself having to ask my friends to repeat themselves on a couple of occasions. Now, on to the food! My friends and I tried Penny Roma's SF restaurant week menu with mixed results. The Yellowfin Crudo (cured olive, orange, chili aioli) was good - fresh and flavorful. The Citrus & Avocado (toasted hazelnut, fennel, mint) was a bit of a head-scratcher. While alright, it felt more like a deconstructed Mexican fruit cup dusted with Tajin seasoning, not quite what I expected from an Italian restaurant. The true star of the appetizers was the Prosciutto San Daniele. The combination of smoked dates and creamy jersey cow mozzarella was phenomenal, adding unexpected complexity to the dish. The Spinach & Chard Pansotti (salsa di noci, toasted walnut, marjoram) was also a winner. The generous amount of toasted walnuts added a delightful crunch, and the spinach and chard filling weren't overpowering. The Rigatoni Arrabiata (san marzano, garlic, chili flake, ricotta) was decent, a classic arrabiata execution. The Grilled Pork Chop (blood orange relish polenta, fava beans) was a bit of a letdown. The cook was uneven, with some areas dry and others perfectly cooked. The polenta side dish was also disappointing - there wasn't much of it, and it didn't quite complement the pork chop. The Wild Arugula (parmigiano, cannonau wine vinaigrette) was a simple but satisfying salad (I didn't try it, but my friend did, and she liked it). We ended the night on a high note with the Polenta Cake (strawberry, whipped cream). This dessert was absolutely delicious! The perfect amount of sweetness, a light and slightly crunchy polenta cake, and fresh strawberries with whipped cream - a delightful way to cap off the meal. Overall, Penny Roma is a fun and lively spot with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients. The noise level can be a bit much at times. While a couple of dishes fell short, the attentive service, unique atmosphere, and some truly fantastic dishes make it a 4-star experience. Just be sure to save room for the polenta cake!

+6

Carmen Augusto

Went here for dinner with three friends — we made a reservation a few weeks ago, and it was absolutely worth it. The restaurant has a beautiful interior design — warm, elegant, and perfect for a relaxed evening out. We ordered three pasta dishes, the chop ribs, and shared a bottle of wine. Every dish was delicious, but the pasta really stood out. I have a dairy sensitivity, and the staff was incredibly kind and accommodating — they made me a dairy-free gnocchi with tomato sauce that was amazing. They also served all the other pasta dishes with cheese on the side so I could still enjoy them. The halibut was another favorite — perfectly cooked and full of flavor. Overall, a wonderful dining experience with thoughtful service, amazing food, and a beautiful atmosphere. Highly recommend!

+5

Amelie Sen

Really enjoyed sitting in the shop and watching the pasta being made fresh by hand — such a nice touch and definitely adds to the experience. The dishes themselves were delicious, though the portions ran on the smaller side. Tried a few of the wine pairings by the glass, but they were just okay and didn’t stand out. The menu is a bit limited as well. Overall, I’d say it’s slightly overhyped, but still a tasty spot worth trying if you’re in the mood for fresh pasta.

Shone Mathew

The food was good. I normally don't like chicken, but the chicken here was really good with a char-grilled taste. Around $120 per person without drinks.

+7

Gardner Rees

Came here for a date night for the ambiance. It is a beautiful spot--incredibly well designed. Unfortunately, the food was just not very enjoyable. Besides the crispy potatoes and stone fruit with Scarpetta, everything else was pretty not great. The "focaccia" was incredibly crumbly, breaking down into sand in my mouth and leaving the table crumby. The cacio e Pepe wasn't terrible but also a little grainy and over peppered. The shrimp ravioli was very strange but that might just be what that dish is like. Finally, the music was very very strange. I've never been to an Italian restaurant with Drake's Nokia blasting so I can barely hear myself think. Anyways, cute spot but strange music and mediocre food does not justify the price.

Stelios Serghiou

Disappointed but would return. Great ambiance and service. The beef carpaccio had excellent flavor and a standout crunch, and the focaccia with fried rosemary was also very good. Pastas were cooked perfectly al dente, but the cacio e pepe was too cheesy and the amatriciana too thick. Next time, I’d skip one of the two and try the pork chop instead. Desserts, especially the olive oil cake, looked tempting, but we were too full after the heavy sauces. Attire: smart casual. Perfect for a date including a first date, but too casual for a festive occasion.

Charles Laurent

The tasting menu was excellent overall, outstanding quality and freshness throughout. But the chocolate cake was a real letdown. It tasted like something out of a box: dry, with barely-there cream and a flat yuzu dressing. It felt completely out of place compared to the rest of the experience. Was there no pastry chef that night, or was it simply a mistake?

Jae Jun

Came here for a birthday dinner and it was a good time. Pastas were what you would expect, simple but delicious. We ordered the the rigatoni arrabiata, cacio e Pepe, mushroom Arancini (our favorite) and the broccolini. We didn’t end up finishing as every dish besides the arrabiata was very fatty and heavy. Great price as the bill came just under $100 (pre tip). The atmosphere is great for a romantic dinner. Parking is also a bit tough to come by as it’s street parking.

I ordered the duck that was pretty good and the carrots dude dish which was also pretty good. But I think that this place is a bit too pretentious for me. It's way over priced for what you get, my friend didn't like his dish at all.

Good service. The tuna, potatoes, arancini and the agnolotti were very good but the focaccia, ragu and the salmon were very mid.

The place is a nice urban feel restaurant right in the mission, my daughter suggested we had her birthday here as the place has the word Roma and we are from Rome originally so why don't gives it a try... This one did not live up to the expectations at all. The food is wayyy too salty American style. Too greasy too. I had the puntarelle alla romana which is a indivia salad, not real puntarelle which in fact i never found those vegetable here in the states not even at farmer market... But fair enough in here they call it that way. Lacked the main Roman ingredients of garlic and vinegar plus there was way too much salt as well as per my tonnarelli cacio e pepe, they were tasty but too salty. The agnolotti alla pin where greasy but tasty and too salty, the pasta is good but the filling was meh. The tagliatelle alla Bologne were good. Good pasta good sauce. We also ordered the chicken al mattone, it was nice and juicy and good portion. The focaccia was soft but pretty standard, nothing like rustic focaccia i would expect. The prosciutto plate is what it is, you cannot for wrong with that one. The wine we ordered were not great. My red was so acidic and bad i had to ask my partner to give me his glass of sparkling one just i couldn't swallow mine down. I was born and raised in Italy and we are real foodie like we travel the world to find best food. This place is way too pricey for the quality of the food. And not that Italian at all. Putting Italian ingredients together does not make for a great Italian meal. I do not recommend at all. The 4 of us plus 2 glass of wine only no desserts was way over 300 dollars plus tips

Finally got a chance to visit Penny Roma. We have been a fan of the flour&water team since we moved to the mission.So as we walked in, I loved the restaurant design, the layout and the ambience that they created from the space! On the food, it was good but not a wow. Had the prosciutto san Danielle and focaccia bread to start with, which I didn’t know what to make of it because the focaccia didn’t taste like one and a bunch of salt and pepper topped on it. For main got the agnolotti dal Plin which was amazing. And also got the the swordfish which was well cooked and perfectly seasoned along with the greens. We will definitely need to give it another try to see if we missed out on any of the other amazing dishes but for now my experience was just ok, I didn’t have the smiles walking out ;/

Food was good but felt super rushed. Didn't love check was brought 30 seconds after desert was served as I was taking my first bite, no breathing room between courses.

Overall, the place was nice. Having said that, I wouldn’t go again. The reason being two fold. One, for the price we paid, I don’t think the quality of the food was the best. Secondly, I ordered the steak which I was looking forward to, but to my surprise, the gentleman who took the order, did not enquire how I wanted it cooked and when questioned said it is served rare. That was something I was not happy with but thinking that their preparation was served that way for a reason, I politely requested him to at least make it medium. Two things went wrong moving forward. One, the steak did not arrive till the rest of the party at the table was done with their meals. And two, the steak was rare and that was to the way I like my meat. Hence the review and my rating.

Honestly don't get why this has Michelin recognition. I thought it was good but nothing out of the ordinary especially for the price tag. The tomato sauce for the pasta had some heat, pasta cooked al dente. The focaccia was oily on top of dry but light. Grilled chicken was driest thing ever, flavor good but way overcooked. The melon salad was fresh, I had it without prosciutto which adds salt. The olive cake was pretty dense and a bit sweet.

+1

We came here because of the reviews and I do not agree with most of them. This place is mediocre at best. The vibe and industrial decor is cool, but there is no climate control (it was freezing!), the music is annoyingly loud (it was really hard to have a conversation) and the music selection belonged more to a club than a restaurant. Service was not good. We got food before wine and our plates never got changed. Food was ok: great cacio e pepe (both texture and taste!), ok albacore crudo and really mediocre bolognese (it was surprising to see the difference in quality of the pastas, this one tasted like premade sauce and was not tasty) Finally, the wine: my gf got a glass of the red wine “pasta sauce” and it was almost bubbly (reminded us of a natural wine). I order the Chianti and it was overly tanninic, didn’t enjoy it. Total check was $150 with tip. When you add all of this, overall dining experience was not good and I really don’t get the hype. I will not come back.

As an Italian, I always appreciate when I find a restaurant that gets close to the flavors I grew up with. At Penny Roma, the taste was genuinely spot on… but you can definitely feel the weight of the new Trump tariffs on the portions. Let’s just say the kitchen seems convinced nostalgia should be served in bite-sized elevations. This isn’t a taste of Italy, this is what happens when the plates get value-engineered.

Jefferson Lin

This was somewhat of a disappointing experience. The service we received was fairly barebones for the experience paid for. This was also my final reminder that cacio pepe literally tastes the same everywhere and it tasted basic here. The best dish was the shrimp ravioli and the hanger steak was decent. We should’ve went to our usual State Bird for higher quality dining and this was not it. The ambiance was decent but nothing special. We did like that Anthony Bourdain candle in kitchen though lol. Won’t be back.

Did not enjoy our night at all. The food was average or below average. We brought a cake to celebrate our friend’s birthday. The waitress asked for a “cutting fee” of 7$ per person! Most restaurants provide some sort of dessert on the house if it’s someone birthday and make a show of it. These guys wanted to charge us 40$ just to cut and bring out the cake we brought ourselves. We felt it was a cheap act and unnecessary. The atmosphere was nice though.

Four of us ate here in late 2024 for a friend's birthday. The food was decent, but for whatever reason our waiter had a bee in his bonnet. His explanation of the menu started with an attitude, he never checked back in with the table so we had to find a different server to let the restaurant know we were missing an entree, and he tried to clear dessert plates while folks were actively eating. For what its worth we are quick eaters and I know we had not overstayed our reservation. Maybe he was called in suddenly? Guy genuinely did not seem interested in working that night.

Pretentious and underwhelming. We had heard this was a great place to go. The food was disappointing and mediocre at best. This includes all courses. The wait staff pushed the caprese salad as excellent. It was not. The cacio y Pepe, tortellini a la Norma, and chicken were all very bland and of weak quality. The Sangiovese Chianti was cheap tasting. The desserts — olive oil cake and tiramisu — were not good. The clientele were yuppie tech workers. Decor was decent but otherwise this place had no character and no inspiration in its dishes.

We waited three weeks for a reservation at Penny Roma and were so excited to celebrate a few milestones, but left genuinely disappointed by the service. Our server was cold and dismissive, especially toward my husband. No check-ins, no follow-up on our drinks (a soda never came, and I gave up on ordering more wine), and we felt like a burden just for being there. The food was fantastic, but the vibe was off. We skipped dessert and left early. We normally tip well as we both worked in restaurants during college and know tips are shared, but this was the first time we considered 18%. That says a lot. We got better service at the Flour + Water pizza shop last week. We’ll be going to other F+W restaurants, or Cotogna, instead next time, where customer service actually matters.

The feast of 7 fishes was really good and worth the money for the quality of food, but leaving an experience like that still hungry is very inconsiderate in my opinion. We kept joking about asking if we could buy more pasta after we were finished but also thought it was insane that we would even desire more or have to buy more after dropping 500$ for 2 people to eat a prix fixe “family style” Italian meal lol… definitely the first Italian Christmas Eve I ever left and had to find somewhere to buy a cheese burger (because at that point where else can you even get food on Christmas Eve). Excellent quality food though. And excellent service. But I’m not a big guy I shouldn’t be hungry after that with so much thought and intent put into everything it’s weird to me this isn’t the highest consideration. This place really moves like a fine tuned machine otherwise, quite impressive. But again pretty inconsiderate.

Milad Asgari

I visited this restaurant recently to celebrate my birthday. While the food was ok, the atmosphere was loud as we were sat next to the kitchen, the service felt a bit underwhelming for a milestone event. We had noted the birthday on our reservation, but there was no acknowledgment from the staff throughout the evening. In a competitive dining scene where small gestures are standard for celebrations, the experience felt somewhat impersonal. I hope to see a more attentive approach to guest milestones in the future.

Staff at the small shop by the entrance is amazing! Waiters are friendly and attentive. Food is great. Sadly, a great experience can be ruined by one person: the rude hostess. She should really receive an intense training in customer service.

I should have known better than to eat pasta outside of my own kitchen or NY/NJ. The tooth/texture of the pasta was weirdly and unpleasantly hard, but not in a chewy al dente way, or even an undercooked way. To add insult to injury, all the seafood dishes were fishy. The sauces would have had decent flavor but for the fact that they were insanely salty. Tax is calculated including the bullshit SF-restaurants-don't-want-to-raise-prices-or-pay-living-wages surcharge. In addition, that fee is higher here (6.5%) than other restaurants on this block, let alone most of the rest of the city.

Showed up because my friend raves about it. Had some wine - saw a rat go into the kitchen and I left. I remember that about a year ago people were striking this place, I wonder if it was because of the rats… Plenty of great Italian food in SF, no need to go to this ratatouille place.