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ZipPicks Awards
Best Family Friendly Pizza in San Francisco
Best Lasagna in San Francisco
Best Pizza in San Francisco
Best Italian in San Francisco
Master Critic Review
Palio
8.3
FiDi institution (est. 1990) serving wood-oven Roman-style pizzas alongside pastas in a polished dining room. Families appreciate the roomy seating, shareable pies, and kid-friendly classics at lunch or early dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita, Funghi (wild mushrooms, fontina), Siciliana (fennel sausage)
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: Wood-oven pies in a spacious FiDi classic dating to 1990.
Who should go: Families wanting sit-down Italian
When to visit: Early dinner or weekday lunch for easiest seating
What to order: Margherita, Funghi, Siciliana
Insider tip: Gluten-free dough available—ask when ordering pizza.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in the FiDi, but several paid garages are within one block—expect $6–$8 per hour on weeknights.
Dress code: Smart casual—jeans are fine, but most diners lean toward business-casual attire given the location.
Noise level: Moderate; lunch is conversational while dinner gets lively but manageable.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation, especially around 6–7pm.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait before noon; brief lines around 12:15–12:45pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several pizzas and pastas feature no meat, including the Margherita and Funghi pies.
Vegan options: Limited—can request cheeseless pizza or salads, but no dedicated vegan cheese.
Gluten-free options: Yes—gluten-free dough is available upon request, prepared separately from regular pies.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? It’s better suited for casual or second dates—comfortable and lively without being too intimate, great if you want good food without pretense.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially for lunch or early dinner; larger groups or peak hours should reserve ahead online or by phone.
Is it kid-friendly? Very—staff are accommodating, there’s plenty of space between tables, and the pizza menu appeals to younger diners; high chairs available.
Best For
Better for: A polished sit-down experience with consistently good service and wood-oven pies in a comfortable downtown setting.
Skip if: You’re looking for fast or cheap slices—Palio is more of a classic restaurant than a quick pizza stop.
Hours
Monday11:30am - 8pm
Tuesday11:30am - 8pm
Wednesday11:30am - 8pm
Thursday11:30am - 8pm
Friday11:30am - 8pm
Saturday5pm - 8pm
SundayClosed