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Welcome to Norcina

Norcina, located in the heart of San Francisco, is a vibrant homage to Italian culinary tradition with a contemporary twist. This women-owned Italian eatery specializes in artisanal pasta and pizza, boasting a menu that beckons with fragrant dishes like Rigatoni Alla Norcina and the decadent Pistacchio Pie. Every meal is crafted with care, using premium ingredients such as San Marzano tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella. With a focus on inclusivity, Norcina offers a welcoming space for all, including outdoor seating and ADA compliance. Whether you're dining in or enjoying takeout, each dish promises an unforgettable experience that delights the senses.

LOCATIONS

Welcome to Norcina, a delightful haven for pasta and pizza enthusiasts, nestled in the heart of San Francisco at 3251 Pierce St. This women-owned establishment has redefined the Italian dining experience by blending authentic flavors with a modern twist.

At Norcina, every dish tells a story, celebrating the richness of Italian cuisine. The menu is a carefully curated selection that appeals to all tastes, with highlights such as:

  • Pizza: Experience the traditional Margherita, featuring crushed San Marzano tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, and fresh basil for a classic touch. For the adventurer, the Nor-Sting-Ya offers a spicy soppresata with roasted garlic and hot honey, intriguing your palate with its bold flavors.
  • Pasta: Indulge in the Rigatoni Alla Norcina, where Italian sausage meets porcini and walnuts in a creamy sauce, creating a luxurious dining experience. Don't miss the Black Pepper Bucatini 'cacio e pepe', a simple yet refined dish highlighting the robust flavors of Pecorino and black pepper.
  • Secondi: The Chicken Milanese, accompanied by roasted lemon and charred artichoke, is a celebration of textures and tastes, all expertly paired with a rich talleggio cheese sauce.

Norcina embraces inclusivity, offering amenities like wheelchair accessibility, gender-neutral restrooms, and outdoor seating, ensuring everyone feels welcome. Their commitment to sustainability is reflected in their use of compostable containers and plastic-free packaging.

With options for takeout and delivery, Norcina brings the Italian bistro experience right to your home. Moreover, their inviting atmosphere and moderate noise level make it a perfect spot for gatherings, whether for a casual lunch or a special evening out.

As a food reviewer at Restaurant World, I feel that Norcina is not just a restaurant; it’s a community space where flavors flourish and connections are cultivated. Their attention to quality and detail is evident in every bite, and I can't wait to return for more culinary delights. Whether you’re indulging in a slice of pizza or savoring the rich flavors of their pasta dishes, Norcina is a must-visit culinary destination in San Francisco.

For reservations or inquiries, reach out to them at (415) 654-2542. Enjoy a taste of Italy at Norcina!

START YOUR REVIEW OF Norcina
Lisa W.
Lisa W.

The food was amazing, customer service was equally amazing, and I can't get over Angelo's dog Frankie. Such a good boy! The pasta and pizza were DELICIOUS! I will definitely be back!

Steph L.
Steph L.

We went when the restaurant had just opened so there was plenty of seating but the restaurant is on the smaller side. The Duck Agnolotti pasta (with morel mushroom I think) blew my mind. There was so much depth in the flavors. It was both savory with hints of lemon zest but the zest was not overpowering. The duck was fried pieces of duck which slightly disappointed me but the sauce itself was amazing. It was also topped with leaflets of perfect crisp Brussels sprouts. We also got the Rogatoni which was equally savory. Would definitely return to try more dishes. Haven't been to a pasta restaurant this good in a while. It is walking distance from the palace of fine arts as well as the presidio area if you wanted to take a stroll after

Ezekiel Y.
Ezekiel Y.

Food is great, ordered a few different pizzas and various pastas. Enjoyed every dish thoroughly. Only issue for me was space; tables & general restaurant didn't have much space. Bad for groups, great for dates.

Nike M.
Nike M.

The food here was so good and the staff was so nice awesome customer service. I recommend you make reservations ahead of time.

Pam M.
Pam M.

I love this neighborhood gem for casual Italian pastas, pizza & cocktails. My friend was visiting from NYC & said that he was in the mood for pasta & I thought of Norcina for their variety of menu items. I called ahead to make reservations which was easy. They have bar seating, window seating & some dining tables & outdoor parklet & I like to sit at the bar, chat with the bartender, watch him make cocktails & watch the guys assemble the pizzas. We had the duck liver toast & I can't believe that I've never tried it before. Fluffy duck liver is piped onto toasted bread & topped with carmelized onions in a balsamic vinegar reduction. Yum (if you like liver or pate). We also had the burrata, which is served over some cooked vegetables (zucchini), a bit different from the usual arugula or tomato slices but still yummy. My friend ordered the spaghetti with clams and I had the Dungeness Crab Tagliolini. The pastas were the perfect portion, not too heavy & were delicious. For dessert, we shared the tiramisu (my favorite) & Earl Grey Boudino. The tiramisu is perfection, light, fluffy & delicate. The Earl Grey Boudino reminded me of a panna cotta, very mild in taste, smooth texture, not too sweet & pretty good. For drinks I had the flight of spritzers & friend had beers. Excellent service & conversation from Jackson, our bartender.

Jared D.
Jared D.

I have always loved Norcina. Ever since they first opened I have been a constant customer. Their whole menu is always fantastic. The service is nice and friendly and the ambiance is beautiful inside the restaurant and the outside tables as well. One of my favorite dishes has been the corn caramelle and my fiancés favorite is the truffle raviolo, but everything is great. The pizza has a great rustic feel with beautiful char. The grilled octopus is plump and hearty. The salads all hit their marks. I can't wait to come back to see Kaitlynn and her dog and Angelo and have whatever new they are cooking up.

Andrea H.
Andrea H.

We took the in-laws here for a little Thanksgiving eve dinner. It was perfect for the task at hand! This restaurant is small and cute. The mom/pop, neighborhood charm is strong here. The menu offered enough for all, even the slightly picky eaters. We sat at a tall table for 4 and the front door remained open the entire time we were there. It was a chilly evening, so it would've been a little bit more comfortable if the door was closed. Nonetheless, we enjoyed the ambiance. Our food came out quickly and plated very lovely. The portion sizes are generous and I think we all brought leftovers home. This restaurant would be perfect for a date or a small group dinner. It will remain on my list of cozy Italian restaurants, no doubt!

Abigail A.
Abigail A.

Super delicious and busy neighborhood italian restaurant - The spritz fights were very fun and beautiful. We also got the burratta, wings, and bucatini. I would order everything again. Service was very good. It was fun for a date night or dinner with friends. Make a reservation because it was very busy. Can't wait to come back and try more things.

Aadya V.
Aadya V.

Norcina was an incredible time -- food, ambiance, service, and all! It's a pretty little restaurant off Chestnut street, with a huge heated patio and a cozy interior. We came in for a group lunch and tried a little bit of a lot of things, and each of them was awesome. For food, we got the corn caramelle (5/5), the zucchini blossom pasta (4/5), and sausage rigatoni (4/5), the funky funghi pizza (5/5), and the pistachio and mortadella pizza (5/5). Really, everything was quite delicious. The corn caramelle was sweet and savory, and the brown butter added depth to it. We also loved the burst of local cherry tomatoes in the dish. The sausage and cream rigatoni was also tasty and not too heavy, and the zucchini blossom pasta was unique -- but I thought could have done with some more salt or a bit of a kick. It was really the pizza that stole the show for us. The funky funghi was loaded with confit garlic, a variety of savory mushrooms, and crispy kale bits. The pesto on it took it over the edge. The pistachio pizza was super creamy and perfectly balanced too -- it was salty mortadella and pistachio bits, but was also creamy because of the sweet pistachio cream drizzled on top. They were really generous with the toppings and the crust bubbly and salty and soft. If you step inside the restaurant, you can see the chefs diligently making the pizza in their beautiful pizza oven. I also loved the strawberry spritz, and being able to experience the open kitchen while enjoying their drinks and food rounded out the visit. This place is perfect for groups because they can accommodate large parties at short notice -- and perfect for girls night because of the huge selection of drinks and apps! Would highly recommend!

Evelynne L.
Evelynne L.

My friend and I came here at around 7pm on a Tuesday night, since we walked in without a reservation there were only certain seats available such as green table outside (not close to a heater) and bar seating inside. We decided to sit outside since it was a nice day. We ordered the meatballs as an appetizer and the meatballs itself were huge and delicious! It's great with the sauce but by itself I felt like it tasted slightly dry and the focaccia bread was sadly a little hard and not fluffy. We got 3 pastas to share: - tagliatelle bolognese - rigatoni alla norcina - corn carmelle The tagliatelle was pretty classic and standard but it was very tasty. The corn camelle was very interesting. I've never had pasta like this, the filling was very cheesy corn and I thought it was very creamy and tasty. The pasta pillow on the outside was a little hard, I wish it was cooked just slightly more. And my favorite of the night was the rigatoni!! This pasta deserves a 10/10. It was creamy, it was cheesy, the Italian sausage was homemade I'm pretty sure because some of the pieces were very large chunks and the pasta was al dente. We also got the classic spritz flight to share and my favorite was the grapefruit one.