Il Casaro Pizzeria
San Francisco
At a glance
Il Casaro Pizzeria, located at 348 Columbus Avenue in San Francisco, is an inviting destination for Neapolitan-style pizza enthusiasts. This eatery celebrates the essence of Italian cuisine with its specialized pizzeria and mozzarella bar. The philosophy at Il Casaro is rooted in offering accessible and affordable pizza, made with authentic ingredients sourced directly from Italy. The pizzas are crafted using caputo flour from Naples and San Marzano tomatoes carrying a D.O.P certification, ensuring top-tier quality and flavor. Each pizza is baked in a wood-burning oven, creating a crispy and thin crust that highlights the smoky nuances only a traditional setup can provide.
The menu also features a selection of fresh cheeses at the mozzarella bar, including mozzarella di bufala, fior di latte, and burrata. These cheeses are carefully selected and imported from Italy, complementing the pizzeria’s commitment to bringing genuine Italian flavors to its patrons. The atmosphere at Il Casaro is casual and rustic, designed to provide a relaxed dining experience. The restaurant features a beautifully lit space, with the wood oven as its centerpiece, adding to the warm and welcoming environment.
Il Casaro Pizzeria is an ideal spot for anyone looking to enjoy a delightful meal in a vibrant setting. Whether for a casual lunch or a dinner with friends, the restaurant offers a blend of quality food and a congenial atmosphere that suits both locals and visitors to San Francisco.
Reviews
Hands down the best pizza I’ve had since moving to the United States nearly a decade ago. We ordered the Quattro Formaggi and the Diavola, and both were downright mind-blowing. Truly authentic, delicious pizza. Highly, highly recommended!
Il Casaro Pizzeria was an absolute throwback to Napoli. From our Italian waiter’s impeccable recommendations to the vibrant, energetic neighborhood vibe, this spot checked every single box: busy, fast, fresh, and authentic. The carbonara was easily the best we’ve had since visiting Rome—finally, a kitchen that knows how to execute it properly. The Neapolitan Calabrese tasted just like what we remember from Naples, and wrapping up the meal with a classic espresso and an exceptional panna cotta was the perfect finish. Hands down one of the best pizza spots we’ve eaten at since Italy!
The food was amazing! We were there on a Thursday afternoon so it wasn’t too crowded. The vibe was great too. I love how the window was wide open so you can feel the air and the sun. The Margherita pizza was great. You can taste the tomato and the fresh basil. The crust was the right level of chewiness and fluffiness. The carbonara was PHENOMENAL!!! They cooked the guanciale just the right way, crispy with a hint of char, and they cooked rigatoni to just the right doneness. The egg also blended into the sauce perfectly. Just awesome. It was a great experience overall. I’m giving the service 4 stars only because the server was a bit pushy with getting us to order desserts. But other than that the service was great.
Everything was so good! Our waitress was super welcoming and helped us navigate the menu since it was our first time. Just a heads-up: the portions are huge. We were totally stuffed and still couldn’t finish everything—wish we had more room! We were so hungry at first that we forgot to snap a photo of the grilled calamari, but it was amazing. It’s done in the pizza oven, so it has that perfect char without being greasy like the fried stuff. I added the imported Burrata to my pizza, and it’s so perfect! Much better than the same thing I got from supermarket, so creamy and rich. The pizza crust was perfectly charred too, with a LOT of mushrooms and prosciutto. My partner originally said she wasn't in the mood for pizza, but she literally couldn't stop eating it lol. The Pesto pasta she ordered was also fresh and light, which balanced out the richness of the pizza. We ordered Tiramisu for dessert- it’s moist and light, not overly sweet (which is important) but packed with flavor. Also, I have to mention their Calabrian chilies!! Those little peppers are salty, fiery, and have that perfect fermented tang. They remind me so much of the pickled peppers from Hunan China.
Some of the best pizza in San Francisco! My dad works with Italians and they loved this place so I had to check it out. The dough is soft but not too thick. The pizza is cooked perfectly. Thryvhave a nice selection all day but if you want the classic marinara you can get that in the happy hour menu, which is 3 to 5. My girlfriend also liked their spritzer. For dessert we got the lemon sorbet and afagado which were both expertly made.
