NopavsAcquerello
Both restaurants are endorsed by expert reviewers. On balance, Acquerello is the choice of most reviewers compared to Nopa. Acquerello comes in at 92 with accolades from 14 reviewers such as San Francisco Chronicle, Time Out and Gayot.
Nopa
Concierge
Fodor's
Travel + Leisure
BlackBook
Rough Guide
Gayot
San Francisco Chronicle
Frommer's
Condé Nast Traveler
Zagat Show All Reviews
560 Divisidero St., San Francisco, CA 94108
From $30/night
Concierge "Wildly popular Nopa draws the city's youthful bon vivants for its rustic-urban cooking and inventive cocktails."
Fodor's "Wine lovers are happily satisfied here with the excellent list, and weekend brunch is one of the city's best." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Located near Alamo Square inside a simple building with a tile roof, Nopa is a favorite after-work hangout of Bay Area chefs." Full review
BlackBook "Pseudo blue-collar joint in warm warehouse/loft setting with ceiling fans, split-level seating, and ginormous windows."
Rough Guide Star
"One of the most heralded -and popular- restaurants in town, Nopa (so named for its North of Panhandle home in the Western Addition) is set in a cavernous, yet homey space."
Gayot14.0
"While the name sounds exotic, Nopa is actually short for North of the Panhandle, a nod to the neighborhood in which this bustling restaurant is rooted." Full review
San Francisco Chronicle3.0
"Much of the food comes from the grill, including a juicy grass-fed hamburger, or from the wood-burning oven that produces smoke-tinged calamari with cabbage, olives and aioli." Full review
Frommer's "A poster child for the current gestalt of the San Francisco restaurant scene Nopa combines seasonal “urban rustic” and “organic wood-fired” cuisine." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "Still wildly popular several years later, the restaurant draws the city's youthful bon vivants for its rustic-urban cooking and inventive cocktails." Full review
Zagat "This "innovative" Alamo Square bi-level boîte "always impresses" with its "locally sourced", "wood-fired" Californian dishes and "delicious artisanal cocktails."" Full review
Acquerello Concierge
DK Eyewitness Rough Guide Gayot San Francisco Chronicle Fodor's Condé Nast Traveler Zagat
goop
Where Show All Reviews
1722 Sacramento Street, San Francisco, CA 94109
From $82/night
Concierge "The beauty is in the details at elegant Acquerello, San Francisco's top contemporary Italian table."
DK Eyewitness "An exquisite wine list, a knowledgable waitstaff happy to recommend food-and-wine pairings, carved glass decanters, and fine linen set the stage for a truly memorable experience."
Rough Guide "Serving Italian fare unlike anything you'll find over the hill in North Beach, this celebrated, terracotta-toned restaurant welcomes polished crowds into its wood-beamed dining room."
Gayot15.0
"Named for the watercolors that line the walls of this intimate former chapel, Acquerello offers cooking that is anything but delicate." Full review
San Francisco Chronicle3.5
"For the meat course, the kitchen features Kobe beef, with tiny caramelized baby squash, a pad of potato puree and a green peppercorn sauce." Full review
i
Diners can choose three to five courses ($70-$96), which could include selections from the cart that displays 10 Italian cheeses and various house-made accompaniments; or a chef's tasting menu ($120) of seven published courses and a few spontaneous additions.
Fodor's "This true San Francisco dining gem is worth every penny." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler Editor's Pick
"But most impressive is the cooking. Flavors positively sprawl across the palate in such dishes as Parmesan budino, a custardy Italian-style soufflé served with a seasonal garnish." Full review
i
Reservations are essential.
Zagat4.9
"The experience is "best described as ethereal" say diners who "dress up" to get "pampered" at this "romantic" Italian in Polk Gulch." Full review
goop "Acquerello has been serving upscale Italian in Nob Hill for 25 years now—with excellent food and a decidedly grown-up setting, it’s exactly the kind of place you want to go to for special occasions." Full review
Where "This serene, urbane Cal-Med restaurant is housed in a former 1920s Mission-style chapel." Full review
