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Ideale

3.9 (895 reviews)
Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM
Updated 3 months ago

Ideale Photos

Business Info

IDEALE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Classy
Moderate noise
Good for groups
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Ideale

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Reviews With Photos

Spaghetti alla Carbonara

The food is really good. I ordered the burrata and bruschetta, and it had been a long time since I'd had such a great one, this was amazing. The carbonara was delicious, just perfect. The servers were very attentive and cared about every detail. You can also hear them speaking Italian, which adds to the authentic atmosphere. The prices were reasonable for San Francisco. This is one of the few places in the city where you can find classic Roman pastas. I'll definitely be back.

Evan W.

So much potential but something is off in the kitchen. I had been once before during restaurant week but something had changed. 5 stars for the service, ambience and menu. 2 stars for the bucatini. It came out hot and presentation was great, but the sauce was bland/soupy and lacking any real substance. I found myself begging for a salt shaker. This place is a good deal for the price and there are plenty of other options on the menu. If quality is what you're seeking perhaps spend a little extra and visit Mare E Monti

Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe
Sammi Y.

I ate here during SF restaurant week so keep that in mind. :) Ideale is a lively, Italian spot in north beach that's been around for a long time. The staff is super nice. Overall, the food is good yet not outstanding. The prix fixe menu of an appetizer, pasta and entree for $60 is well worth it, though.The portions are pretty generous. The cacio e Pepe was good, but the meat on top seemed a little strange. It tasted like bologna or some sort of deli lunch meat (sorry!).

Glass of wine
Lisa X.

We came back! A few months ago, we stumbled in for a drink and dessert. But this place made an impression on us so this time we came back for dinner. We had wine, two appetizers, a salad and two pastas. We love the calamari. Fresh and delicious. The burrata bruschetta was great as well. Pasta-wise, my friend likes her daily special pasta while I like my spinach pesto pasta. Also, we got the tiramisu to share again because it was yummy. When we first entered the restaurant, there weren't that many diners, but the place filled up fast. The outside dining room by the door was also packed due to a big birthday dinner celebration. On a side note, my phone battery was drained from my frequent use and I needed some charge so I can call a car later. I brought my charger but of course, it doesn't work when it's plugged, so one of the nice waiter/staff (sorry I didn't get his name) helped me out by charging it for me as we ate dinner. Really appreciate!

Chicken
Austin C.

The ambiance and service are fine. However, when my food arrived I almost laughed. The portion size is pretty ridiculous. I ordered the chicken. It's not an appetizer. Devoured it in about 4 bites and left the restaurant really hungry. To be honest, I could have eaten the same dish several times over. Oh and it wasn't cheap either. You can find far better value somewhere else but I can only speak to the dish that I had.

Dining room.

The food was fabulous. The service, though, was very very slow. The ambiance was relaxed. It was fun to watch passersby on a busy side street near Columbus St. in North Beach.

Bucatini
Rachel B.

Great food and service. The fresh pasta and bread was delicious and all the food was authentic and fabulous. Our server was very attentive and friendly.

Mixed seafood grill.
Lenore N.

This lovely cafe has an interesting menu with fresh salads, beautiful pastas, pizza and treats standard assortment of secondi. This is the third time we've been there for dinner and it was delicious. Staff is attentive but not hovering.

Thomas M.

Here's what they promised: "We will be having a very special dinner on Sunday, November 17th. It will be a fun, celebratory dinner with lots of food, wine... both included in abundance for $100/person." There was no "abundance" in the food and wine but a very real "abundance" of lackluster service. Here's what we got: flat tasteless semi-stale bread, mushy mushy mushy tomatoes, pears that were hard-as-a-brick-under-ripe (completely inedible), risotto that was so undercooked that the rice was as chewy as cardboard and watery beyond belief (and tasteless -- inedible AGAIN), and dessert for two on a single plate of these inedible things wrapped in plastic. Photos attached. $100 per person. Incredibly disappointing. And .... when it came to the "abundance" of wine....well, we had to beg for the tiny bit of wine that we got. Terrible terrible terrible experience.

Baba

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3 years ago

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Maurizio B.

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3 years ago

Very authentic Italian. The food and the service! A neighborhood favorite for us. Highly recommend.

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7 years ago

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3 years ago

The best dinner we've ever had in SF. Fantastic food and service. Make this a stop when you're in town.

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Maurizio B.

Thank you, Patti!

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Friendly service and delicious food. Been coming to Ideale for years, and will with pasta as yummy as this.

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Page 3 of 23

Ideale Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Ideale

Are they providing delivery anymore?

Are there any gluten free options? Also soy free/corn free dairy free?

It's basically a pasta place with lovely proteins. Don't know about gluten free but there are plenty of dairy and corn free dishes.

Are there gluten free options?

Yes, just ask for gluten-free substitutes!

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Visiting from TX and found this place by accident. It reminded us of our hometown hang out spot…read more Everyone made us feel welcome as soon as we came in. Not just the bartender but the manager and the locals hanging out. The drinks were great and the company even better. They gave us some amazing recommendations for some local restaurants and they were all perfect! We will visit again if we ever make it back to San Fran.

I recently came to this bar with a few friends. One friend was a bit intoxicated and wasn't allowed…read morein, which was fine and not an issue AT ALL. While we were outside, we made friendly conversation with a bartender. I overheard another bartender come out for a cigarette and call him by name, so I jokingly used his name while asking if we could come in. At that point, the bartender became extremely aggressive, got in my face, and said, "Say his name one more f*cking time," repeatedly. I was genuinely confused and asked what she meant. Shortly after, a friend who was already inside came out simply to check on us and see why we were still outside. The bartender then told her to "get the f*ck out of my face" and instructed staff not to let her or us in, even though my friend hadn't done anything wrong. It was so confusing and extremely inappropriate. The behavior was unnecessarily hostile and disrespectful. This bar does not treat its customers with basic courtesy, and that bartender showed zero professionalism or customer service skills.

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The Lucky Spot

The Lucky Spot

4.6(16 reviews)
0.1 miNorth Beach/Telegraph Hill, Russian Hill

Just popped into The Lucky Spot in North Beach with some buddies for drinks to watch Sunday night…read morefootball, and it quickly became our new favorite hangout spot! This place has that perfect North Beach neighborhood bar chill and welcoming vibe, like a classy dive where you can watch the game or just chat for hours. The cocktails are next level: tried a few that tasted like grown-up root beer floats and Orange Julius vibes, super creative and balanced without being too sweet. They've got solid classics too if you're not feeling adventurous. Walls are covered in cool local SF photos and art that make it feel proudly San Franciscan. Only street parking available but there's plenty of bus lines that drop you off in ths neighborhood & there's no food served onsite, but they brought in complimentary Golden Boy pizza for the game watch party which quickly went into my stomach after downing a few cocktails. Staff was friendly and on point, and it's great for locals or anyone wanting elevated drinks without the pretension. Perfect pre-dinner spot in North Beach or for a full night out.

LOVE THIS SPOT! From the cleanliness, location, ambience,…read moreand overall customer experience - this is now my go-to spot for watching sports, date night, night out with friends, and even a solo hang. I feel right at home when I step into this bar. Plenty of space and a huge bonus: dogs are allowed! Do yourself a favor and go visit one of the best bartenders in town, Ali. If it's your first time, it won't be your last.

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Petit Lil’s - Look for this sign.

Petit Lil’s

4.7(53 reviews)
0.2 miRussian Hill, North Beach/Telegraph Hill
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This place is on the martini trail for a reason! Try the junipero martini! I get it without the…read moreolive juice as I don't like my martinis dirty but if you do, I've heard they are great! My absolute favorite thing is that you are welcomed with a glass of mumm bubbly. I hope they never get rid of this. It really makes this place stand apart from all the other options in north beach and makes you (me) feel special. Everyone who works there is also so nice. Everytime we've gone we've been so warmly welcomed and had great conversations.

My friends and I totally stumbled upon Petit Lil's after a dinner nearby, and the holiday vibes…read morewere immaculate! With giant ornaments, Christmas tree foliage, pretty lights, and a movie projected onto the wall, the atmosphere was lively, fun, and cozy. As we briefly waited to be seated, I was pleasantly surprised when someone brought out glasses and poured us some complimentary champagne (and later refilled too!). We ordered cocktails at the bar and indulged in the oyster jubilee (buy 6, get 6 free from 10 pm to 1 am). The oysters were pretty fresh. The Pomegranate Nice with non-alcoholic gin instead of non-alcoholic tequila, Negroni Sbagliato, and Blood Orange Gimlet were solid. I didn't love the Aviation though because it was a bit heavy handed on the violet liqueur. But overall, I really loved my experience here!

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Tony Nik's Cafe - Cocktails, bartender's recommendations

Tony Nik's Cafe

4.3(343 reviews)
0.1 miNorth Beach/Telegraph Hill
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Such a fun place to grab a few drinks and truly unwind after a long day. This was my first time…read morevisiting, and I can confidently say it will not be my last. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere immediately stood out. The vibe is relaxed yet lively, making it a great spot whether you're stopping by casually or planning to spend a few hours enjoying yourself. The overall energy of the place made it easy to settle in and enjoy the evening. Everything felt welcoming and well put together, from the ambiance to the music and crowd. It's the kind of spot where you can have great conversation, laugh, and completely decompress without feeling rushed. The service was excellent from start to finish. The staff was attentive, friendly, and consistently checked in without being overbearing. Drinks were made well and delivered promptly, which really added to the experience. Overall, this is a great place to relax, enjoy well made drinks, and soak in a fun atmosphere. I would absolutely return and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a solid spot to unwind and enjoy a great evening out.

Tony Nik's isn't just a bar, it's basically a North Beach time machine. I first walked through its…read moredoors in the late 1990s after moving to San Francisco, but the bar itself dates back to 1933, opening right as Prohibition was ending. It was founded by Anton "Tony" Nikitovich and quickly became a gathering place for the neighborhood's Italian and Croatian communities, where people came to swap stories, argue politics, and enjoy a stiff drink after a long day. And honestly, that tradition carried on well into the years when many of us became regulars. I hadn't been back for a few years until recently, when I decided to stop in again. The bar wasn't overly busy, but a handful of neighborhood folks were sitting at the counter, trading stories over their drinks. It felt instantly familiar. Not much has changed since the early 2000s when I used to come here regularly, and that's exactly what makes Tony Nik's special. Step inside, and it still feels like a mid-century film set: tufted leather seating, a long wooden bar that's seen nearly a century of San Francisco history, and that iconic neon sign glowing outside. While much of the city has reinvented itself again and again, Tony Nik's somehow held onto its soul. It's a grown-up bar without being stuffy, no loud club music, no trendy gimmicks, just well-made cocktails, a classic jukebox, and an atmosphere that feels earned rather than manufactured. The bar stayed in the Nikitovich family for decades, and the current owners were wise enough to preserve both the name and the vintage character Tony originally created. It's one of those rare places that reminds you what North Beach used to be, and, thankfully, still is.

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Legacy North Beach Bar - Fortaleza Blanco w/ club soda ($18) + Ginger Beer ($6)

Legacy North Beach Bar

3.7(24 reviews)
0.0 miNorth Beach/Telegraph Hill

Apparently North Beach is the best 'hood in the city for nightlife...right now…read more IF I was still in my 20s, I would start the night off at Monroe for Battle of the Decades where drinks start at $1 at 5 pm and increase by $1 every hour until 10 pm. Nosh on zucchini fries at Original Joe's before bar hopping on Grant Ave. IF you like a diverse crowd with DJs spinning hip hop, a visit to Legacy is mandatory. We did a little weekend day drinking at Legacy and when we saw customers sporting their Frisco gear, we knew we were in the right place! Sorry but it's Frisco, The Sco, or The City, it's NEVER San Fran. For those who disagree, tell that to Mac Dre, Too $hort, and the Hells Angels. Plus, Herb Caen eventually took back his "Frisco" stance. Anyhow, after Legacy, I would move on to watch the midnight ballerinas on Broadway and end the night smashing faces with a Golden Boy! A slice of clam & garlic OFC. O T H E R N O T E S * Friendly staff. * Low-key, locals bar with lounge seating, vinyl lined walls, TVs, and projectors for game day. * No HH specials. * Crisp sound system with DJs spinning hip hop on Fridays and Saturdays. * Dog-friendly but obvs wouldn't bring my dogs here when it's crowded at night. * Clean restrooms. * Cc's accepted but there's a discount if you pay cash.

BFF wanted to stop her after dinner for her 50th birthday…read more I mean I grew up in NB my entire childhood. Love it love it love it but after COVID-19. Nothing has been the same. People are a bit rude and raunchy and don't respect the area for what North Beach stands for. Being in your 40's, it ain't the place really to be. To let loose, gotta have some drinks and blend in. It was bedtime for me. Still had to get home to our kids on the other side of the town way South. Music was cool but wasn't all that. Just came to celebrate and have fun, we did just that.

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Ideale - italian - Updated May 2026

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