Flour + Water in the Mission makes the best pasta in San Francisco.

La Ciccia is a Sardinian restaurant in Noe Valley with excellent pasta. Be sure to make a reservation.

We can always rely on Cotogna in the Financial District for an excellent upscale Italian meal.

Che Fico, on the edge of NoPa, serves excellent Italian food in an impressively designed space.

An ambitious restaurant, and a good one at that. SPQR is making a run at the San Francisco pasta crown, mostly with ingredients we can’t pronounce.

Che Fico Alimentari in Nopa is a lot smaller and darker than its older sibling restaurant upstairs, but the Italian food is just as good.

A16 turns out some of the best pizza in San Francisco. The small plates are close to perfect, and you can actually get a reservation. There’s no catch. Just go.

Prairie is a contemporary Italian place in the Mission that feels like you’re eating in someone’s sci-fi fantasy.

Sorrel is an upscale California-Italian place in Pac Heights that’s designed to impress, even if they do everything a little too by the book.

Firenze by Night is super old-school Italian in North Beach - in the very best way.

Del Popolo’s pizza is just as good at their brick and mortar Nob Hill spot as it is from their roving truck.

Locanda brings great scene and good pasta.

Pizza is the main draw at Boot & Shoe Service, but it's also a great overall eating experience.

Just another great sandwich place — don't get spoiled.

The Italian Homemade Company in North Beach is a great and easy spot to drop into for homemade pasta.

Altovino is an Italian restaurant in Nob Hill perfect for a quiet date or a business dinner.