Portofino

So glad I discovered this place! My partner and I were originally going to eat at another spot (cotogna) but the vibes weren't it when we got there, so we switched and went to Portofino and boy are we glad we did! The gentleman who helped us with our order was so sweet and pleasant, and made sure our dishes were just what we were looking for. The sardines are a MUST try. They came out sizzling and delicious! I also ordered a pasta dish that was fantastic, and my partner had the lobster roll which she said was tasty also. The only critique I can think of is that the lobster roll would have been improved by being served in a sandwich style, as it came on almost a flat (but thick) piece of garlicky bread. We will definitely be back!

Seafood Heaven!Portofino Seafood Restaurant is a small, cozy place in the lively neighborhood of North Beach, San Francisco. It is located on Grant Street and has a welcoming, old-fashioned feel. Instead of using a website, they show their menu on a hand-painted board.When we visited a few nights ago, the owner, Frankie Gaetano Balistreri, greeted us warmly. Frankie, whom I've known for years, runs the restaurant with his wife. They have created a friendly and comfortable atmosphere for their guests. Their dedication to great hospitality is clear in every part of the restaurant, making each guest feel like part of the family.Our meal started with a tasty clam chowder, which set the tone for the evening. The chowder was rich and full of flavor, showing the quality of the ingredients. Following that, we shared a beet salad that was just perfect. For the main course, I had the Seafood Risotto, which was lightly tomato sauce based and filled with a mix of fresh seafood. My significant other chose the grilled halibut, which was perfectly cooked, tender, and juicy. Both dishes were fantastic, showing the skill of the kitchen team.To finish the meal, we shared a light and airy tiramisu. It was the perfect end to a wonderful evening. Portofino stands out among the excellent Italian restaurants in North Beach, especially for seafood lovers. The restaurant offers a variety of dishes that suit all tastes. Each dish is made with care and attention to detail, from roasted sardines to sole almondine. The cioppino, a stew with shrimp, scallops, mussels, and squid in a light, tangy tomato broth, is a must-try for seafood fans.Frankie and his wife have clearly put a lot of love into Portofino, which shows. Their passion for providing an outstanding dining experience is obvious, making Portofino not just a restaurant but a beloved spot in North Beach. Portofino Seafood Restaurant is the place to go for a memorable meal in a warm and welcoming setting.

First time here with my girls and we all enjoyed it. We had the raw oyster that's really fresh, their clam chowder is good, love their seafood pasta which is a must get, Their stuff avocado is also a must get, fried combo mixto was ok, combo seafood salad is ok and they offer free butter and bread. Their service is also good and fast. Definitely an enjoyable dinner. They offer outdoor seating too. The only thing I wasn''t too happy with was the lobster roll. It's was tiny pieces that looks like over stir fried tiny shrimps than lobster. Definitely I don't recommend that but the rest is good. I will definitely go back. Until next time.

We walked in for dinner. We chose to be seated outside due to the hot weather.Their menu offered a great selection of seafood and Italian dishes.We ordered a few items, and some were great, while others weren't as good. The service could have been better. However, I would come back to try their sandwiches.

Really lovely owner. Small but fun intimate interior. Fresh oysters, super reasonable prices for the city. Good variety on the menu

My boyfriend ordered the clam carbonara which was so freaking delicious I kept stealing bites. The service was friendly and they kept checking on us even though we were outside so we never had to chase them down. I ordered the spaghetti portofino and was disappointed with the shrimp. I think I would rather order something with prawns instead as it felt like something I could make with really cheap frozen shrimp. Taste was good though; just not worth.Raw oysters were delicious and not too expensive (3 bucks an oyster).

Came here on a Sunday night and it was fairly empty around dinner time. The vibe inside is very homely, and you can tell it's a small family-run business from the family members hanging out around the restaurant. The place has a lot of charm from the quirky decor inside and unfussy plating. It's a small place, so service can be a bit slow and it was hard to get any of the workers' attention at times -- they seemed a bit distracted. Our experience wasn't the best -- the door kept being left open so it was quite cold inside, which made the dinner less enjoyable because the food got cold very quickly. On top of that, some of the family members (?) in the restaurant were shouting at each other, which disrupted the otherwise peaceful environment a few times.The food was not bad, but overall flavor profile leaned towards pretty salty and greasy. They provided a ton of bread (basically each dish we ordered came with some form of bread) and all of it was very good! Especially the buttered toasted bread. But even the free bread was great.The lobster roll was yummy -- loved the flavor of the lobster especially, which went well with the buttered roll. The side of clam chowder wasn't the best I've had -- it was quite starchy rather than creamy. We also got the cioppino and crab carbonara. The carbonara had a great flavor but was quite heavy and oily, but I liked the addition of mushrooms to the dish. The cioppino had a really comforting flavor, and the calamari in it was fantastic. The crab didn't have much flavor unfortunately, which was a bit disappointing.

We started with the fried calamari, which was absolutely excellent--crispy and flavorful! For the main course, we ordered the Cioppino. The seafood was undeniably fresh, but I found the broth a bit bland, which was disappointing given the quality of the ingredients. Unfortunately, the service did not match the quality of the food. The restaurant was nearly empty when we were seated around 6:30 PM, so it was puzzling to experience a lack of attentiveness from the staff.

Oh my!!! I'm very picky with my calamari and this place has some of the best I've ever had!! I was obsessed could not stop eating it. I think it could be my new go to for lobster rolls. For $25 I think the dish was fairly priced and am highly satisfied with the flavor and quantity. At other places in the city this dish could easily go for $40. It's as buttery, did not fall apart when eating, and I'm not sure what the salad dressing was but I loved it. It was tart and a good balance to the buttery roll. My cousin came to visit from out of the country and was craving Fish and chips which is the main reason we decided to try Portofino. He was very satisfied with his dish. Adding this place to my city eats list. Loved it so much. The staff were very friendly and quick to help you when requested. I really appreciated it. It's a small spot but the decor really sets the vibe for the restaurant.

Food and service was great. I have returned multiple times since and will continue to in the future. Everything I have ordered has been good