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Acqua e Farina - Steakhouse in Hayward, California

Acqua e Farina

4.5 (1047 reviews)

22622 Main St, Hayward, CA 94541

Italian restaurant
American restaurant
Brunch restaurant
Family restaurant
Indian restaurant
Latin American restaurant

About Acqua e Farina - steak house in Hayward, California

Informal, family-owned mainstay with traditional Italian entrees, desserts & a large wine selection.

Customer Review Summary

Acqua e Farina is praised for its authentic Italian cuisine and consistently fresh flavors. The friendly and attentive staff contribute to a welcoming dining experience. Diners recommend trying signature dishes like Veal Saltimbocca and calamari, with many noting the appealing decor featuring murals that evoke an Italian ambiance. While some dishes received mixed reviews, the atmosphere is described as spacious and lively, making it a popular spot even during busy hours. Overall, the restaurant is considered a hidden gem with reasonable prices, good portions, and a strong desire from patrons to return.

Key Features

Service options

  • Delivery
  • Takeout
  • Dine-in

Highlights

  • Fast service
  • Great cocktails
  • Great coffee
  • Great dessert
  • Great wine list

Popular for

  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Solo dining

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Wheelchair accessible restroom
  • Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings

  • Alcohol
  • Beer
  • Cocktails
  • Coffee
  • Comfort food
  • Food
  • Hard liquor
  • Healthy options
  • Wine

Dining options

  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Dessert
  • Seating

Amenities

  • Bar onsite
  • Restroom
  • Wi-Fi

Atmosphere

  • Casual
  • Cozy
  • Romantic
  • Trendy

Crowd

  • Groups

Planning

  • Dinner reservations recommended
  • Accepts reservations

Payments

  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments

Children

  • High chairs

Parking

  • Free parking lot
  • Free street parking

Customer Reviews

Rating Distribution

4.5 out of 5
5
714
4
241
3
58
2
21
1
13
Based on 1047 reviews

jeff kritsky

3 months ago

One of my favorite spots to go when I'm in the area. Food is always consistent, and you can taste the freshness. The wait staff is very friendly and the restaurant is very clean.

Amanda Avalos

2 months ago

This hidden gem was so good. My best friends and I went for a birthday dinner and wow- service and food was excellent. I can’t wait to go back to have dinner.

Jeanne Strauss

This is my favorite Italian restaurant in the area, actually my favorite outside of Italy! I've been here many times and have always had great food and great service - hard to recommend any particular dishes because they're all delicious. I also love the murals on the walls in one room, designed to make you feel like you're on a street in Italy. I've brought friends and family here over the years, and everyone has enjoyed it as much as I do.

Cinde Salazar

1 year ago

Back again, but this time by myself on a Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in mid-June. The restaurant is rather full, but I had no problem getting the table for one. I was craving the Veal Saltimbocca all afternoon! This time I started with the beef carpaccio, and it was done so lovely with a little dollop of mustard on a basil leaf on the side. Light, refreshing, and so fresh! The Saltimbocca did not disappoint... truly authentic so delicious. To finish, since I'm a piggy today, the peach sorbet in a peach shell...just peachy and not too sweet...yummy!! My food server was lovely, professional and attentive; she has timed everything so perfectly. This place consistently delivers amazing traditional Italian food. I love it here!! _______________ Traditional authentic Italian dishes served by attentive staff. My second time here for dinner. Portions are good. Prices are decent. Service is excellent. Ask to be seated in the room with the murals that depict dining al fresco. The Veal Saltimbocca with their creamy polenta was absolute heaven!! My GF had the Calamari Piccata, which was equally delicious. Just talking about it makes me want to go back tomorrow!! 😍

Nikhil collooru

2 months ago

Pizza was very good. Pastas were good too. Overall it's a decent place.

Tiffany Phu

2 years ago

Overall great service, spacious restaurant, and quite a lot of people especially for a Thursday early dinner time. I will say this a bit more expensive than what I’m used to paying for Italian, but I get it. Lamb special was our favorite dish. Perfectly cooked and charred. Pesto chicken pasta we asked to add Alfredo sauce to make it creamy. Didn’t disappoint! Scallop and shrimp pasta special with wine sauce. This was just OK. Don’t recommend. Arugula salad was a small portion but tasty.

Crystal B

10 months ago

Daniel a fantastic waiter gave us time to review menu, so many delicious dishes and options. Caesar salad great share item with anchovies and special are top notch dishes . Shared a seafood pasta with clams,shrimps, mussels, and fish. Best lasagna, and last but not least cappuccinos and bread pudding for dessert with vanilla ice cream. 10+++ family owned support support

Ray Hwang

Our server Luis was fantastic. Not only was he kind, but also very considerate in many aspects - making sure we don’t miss the last order before kitchen closes, getting us an extra bag for leftover boxes before we ask, and etc. Small things but that make you feel you’re being taken care of. Food was great in taste, as well as in portion that makes the price very reasonable. Very satisfying from starting bread to calamari appetizer, main pasta dish, and tiramisu dessert. The only thing that I wish to be better is coffee - had espresso & americano, and they both were missing a bit of flavor. Still quite decent, but not the best I’d say. I’d love to visit again to try other dishes I wanted to have!!

Location

Contact Information

Hours of Operation

Friday 12–9 PM
Monday Closed
Saturday 12–9 PM
Sunday 3–8 PM
Thursday 12–8 PM
Tuesday 12–8 PM
Wednesday 12–8 PM

Price Range

$20–30