Panta Rei
Low prices are the draw at this North Beach people-watching spot.
(510) 343-6143
431 Columbus Ave
(at Vallejo St)
San Francisco,
CA
94133
37.7989
-122.4081
Neighborhoods: Northeast, North Beach
Reviews & Ratings for Panta Rei
65 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 65 reviews
Worst Meal in San Francisco
by sportsfansf
March 22, 2009
This is without doubt one of the worst Italian meals I've ever had. It's clear that this place is meant to draw in tourist that don't know any better. What really stands out for this place is the food, and it is tasteless! Nothing seems homemade-the Caesar salad had a totally canned/jared dressing that was thick and piled on; a pesto pasta dish had absolutely no flavor at all (it was even a bit watery); a bolognese pasta tasted liked it came right from a can of 'Chef-Boy-R-Dee.' Beyond the poor food, the place is pretty dirty, from the stained menus to them wiping the tables down so that all the bread crumbs and other table scraps slip and stay stuck between the cracks of the adjoining tables. Forks are not replaced so prepare to mix and match your starter with your entree. And not once did a waiter come by a table (we watched 5 around us including ours) to check in and see if everything was OK. Most of the staff huddled at the bar area being social, texting rather than paying attention to people eating. It's clear that this is a tourist trap to say the least. I might have expected this is Rome where I've experienced mediocre restaurants located near tourists sites, but here in S.F. It honestly makes The Olive Garden a dream destination. I only wish I read some reviews before going. Nothing personal or against the folks that work there but way too may other places in the city to eat at. Save your money and take your taste buds somewhere else..that is unless you like bland food.
- Pros: Friendly Staff
- Cons: Tasteless Food; Mediocre Service; Dirty
Good Food, Loud
by joedrucker
March 16, 2009
Had dinner on a Saturday night. The food was good. Very simple italian dishes and the ingredients tasted fresh. My wife and I had a really good meal, reasonably priced.
This is not a romantic restaurant. House music playing in the background and the restaurant was very busy. In my opinion this would be a good group dinner place or dinner before a night on the town.
- Pros: Good Food, friendly service
- Cons: Loud
Panta Rei Cafe by Cathy H. at InsiderPages
Contributor
February 14, 2009
This restaurant has great Italian food. I really enjoy their raviolis and spaghetti and homemade spaghetti sauce, Servers are very friendly and professional. Prices are pretty good.
So so?
by CSMobileUser
December 18, 2008
The atmosphere was great but food was so so... it could have been better,The atmosphere was great but food was so so... it could have been better.
Great quality by Jennifer M. at InsiderPages
Contributor
June 12, 2008
Panta Rei Cafe has some of the best italian food around. I went there and got a delicious filling meal for a great price compared to other restaurants in the area.
Upsettingly, the cafe is usually crowded. But if you can wait, its worth it.
north beach festival by M H. at InsiderPages
Contributor
November 26, 2007
went there this year and had a good experience. my friend caught they eye of our server and we were well taken care of. we waited for our food for all of 5 minutes, seriously! they food was so good. we all had raviolis and my other friend had a salad. she said it was very good. they brought us a dessert, on the house. made it that much yummier! cheers to the guys at panta rei..
AMAZAINGLY DELICIOUS! OVER the TOP SERVICE!
by ibsonia
November 13, 2007
Panta Rei has the best representation, presentation, and quality that I have ever experienced. Hands down the best Itallian food and service. I recommend this restuarant to anyone who enjoys high quality food, wine, good music, and over the top service. The Tiramisu is the BEST!!
- Pros: A Place for Anyone to Enjoy!
- Cons: I wish there was one in San Diego
Super authentic!!!
by matthadoll
September 30, 2007
I can't say enough great things about this restaurant! Very crowded for Saturday dinner, and very lively. I noticed that some people gave negative reviews for that sort of atmosphere, I on the other hand, enjoyed it. Many of the service members are actually Italian, including the cute hostess. It was a little difficult to get in on Saturday night, but definitely worth the wait. Atmosphere was very much like a trendy Italian restaurant on Ostiense or near Ponte Milvio in Rome.
The food was delicious and amazing! Haven't had such authentic Italian cuisine since I've been back. Even though they were bursting at the seams busy, the restaurant still allowed me a custom order for my favourite dish - Penne al arrabiata. It tasted just like a homespun trattoria in Rome! They have a good mix of "Americanized Italian" food, as well as some very surprising authentic choices like the Fettuccine Cinghiale (boar).
I read a few of the negative reviews: Don't pay attention to them! The food and experience of this restaurant is fabulous and exactly like the newer hip restaurants in Italy! So many of the other places in No. Beach just staff their restaurants with Hispanic people and call themselves authentic Italian. So disappointing! The pasta is fresh al dente, that does NOT mean undercooked like soggy-melts-in-your-mouth-American pasta. The waiters will not dote on you and interrupt your meal every freaking five minutes to ask if you need another inch of water, if you'll absolutely die cause you don't have a lemon wedge perfectly perched on your glass, or give you cheesy grins and ask you (for the umpteenth time) if everything is alright. Uninterrupted meals are more valued in Italy than in the States, I suppose.
Yes, that is olive oil drizzled on your bruschetta and pasta... Italians pour it on everything, deal with it. It's not grease, and your health will probably struggle more with margarine than olive oil.
- Pros: Non-encroaching wait-staff, actual Italians in North Beach, delicious food
- Cons: Difficult to park.
A Good Ladies Night Out Spot
by josechan
June 20, 2007
If your looking for a good ladies night out location, this is one for you. I have been there a few times now, and every time, we are always seated promptly even though it may seemed packed from the outside. Once seated, the bruscetta is amazing, try it! All their pasta is homemade and you can definitely taste the difference. Try the salmon ravioli, it seems like a different mixture of flavors, but they end up being incredible! (that's my favorite dish) They have a good wine selection of moderately priced wines, which is nice, so you can enjoy the wine and not worry about breaking the bank. And lastly, the main reason why this is a great destination restaurant for ladies night out, the male servers are pretty nice to look at!
Best Italian Food, Great Atmosphere
by liz41590
May 18, 2007
My friend and I discovered this restaurant about 2 years ago when we were parousing through San Francisco's North Beach area. The gnocci is to die for, the calzones are the size of your head, and just about anything will please even the pickiest eaters appetite.This restaurant has a great ambiance, and the food is outstanding. If you are looking for a romantic, delicious place to eat, I would deffinatley reccomend this restaurant.
- Cons: Parking is a little hard to find on the street, but there is a parking garage up the street where you can usually find a spot.
