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Tosca Cafe

Italian Restaurant and Cocktail Bar$$$$
North Beach, San Francisco
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8.4/10
544
ratings
  • Stars
  • Stars
    The experts at Bon Appetit Magazine and Eater recommend this place
    • Bon Appetit Magazine
    • Eater
  • Tips
    Anton S.
    "Try the house cappuccino, the lumaconi, and the chicken marsala."(15 Tips)
    Eater
    "Now owned by NYC restaurateur Ken Friedman and chef April Bloomfield"(3 Tips)
    Ale
    "so the lumaconi and Brussel sprouts."(3 Tips)
    Serious Eats
    "April Bloomfield and Ken Friedman of The Spotted Pig in NYC"(3 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon118 Tips and reviews
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  • good for dates
  • april bloomfield
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  • Eater
    EaterOctober 11, 2016
    Now owned by NYC restaurateur Ken Friedman and chef April Bloomfield, the food and cocktails are top-notch. Best of all, it serves food til 1 a.m., and drinks til 2 a.m. Read more
    Upvoted Mar 9
  • Jennifer O.heart icon on user image
    Jennifer OrrApril 14, 2015
    The moscatini (octopus) was so good! The focaccia bread is awesome. The bucatini is delicious! Be aware that the cappuccino 1919 is pretty boozy, the white nun is a good alternative for a sweeter tast
  • Sandra C.
    Sandra CifoJune 29, 2019
    Wonderful service, good cocktails, focaccia , best pork sirloin I’ve had, great salads and the gluten free/ chocolate flour cake was all out of this world. Surprisingly amazing. Can’t go wrong here.
  • Kuo-yu L.heart icon on user image
    Kuo-yu LiangJune 12, 2018
    Terrific ambience and food, in the middle of bad food in North Beach. The trompeti pasta with morel cream was excellent, as were the Tokyo turnips and fried anchovies. The piano player a nice touch.
  • Joan L.heart icon on user image
    Joan L.January 7, 2023
    Inventive and delicious Italian food that leaves a lasting impression. The bar also serves up any kind of drink you want. I opted in for a negroni, perfectly mixed and delicious.
  • PureWow
    PureWowFebruary 23, 2017
    Order a big pasta dinner and save room for the famous house “cappuccino,” a hot chocolate with brandy, that nods back to Prohibition days. (Bonus: Tosca has been a favorite among celebs.) Read more
  • SFist
    SFistAugust 4, 2016
    The House Cappucino is made with chocolate, milk, armagnac, and bourbon. Even the regulars of the joint will admit that this version is an upgrade, a fitting and place-appropriate rehab of a classic. Read more
  • Sean S.
    Sean StenstromAugust 10, 2017
    There’s something magical about drinking at a throwback bar in North Beach that was reinvented and reopened to combine the best elements of the the original with the best food of the present day.
  • heat
    heatJuly 19, 2013
    This Art Deco bar is a cozy solution for the nightcap. A favorite to local celebs like Sean Penn, the drink specialty here is called the House Cappucino: Ghiradelli Chocolate, Steamed Milk, & Brandy.
  • olivier P.
    olivier PEYREOctober 13, 2017
    Come for a cocktail, stay for the food. Pick a seat at the bar or score a booth (mention you want a booth when booking). The best vibe/food combo in town. By the NYC Spotted Pig team.
  • Adrian P.heart icon on user image
    Adrian PhillipsMay 14, 2016
    Been here 5+ times
    One of my new favorite places in San Francisco. The pasta dish with the prosciutto cream and breadcrumbs is not to be missed. The carrots also blew my mind at how good they were. Cocktails. Amazing
  • Pamela C.heart icon on user image
    Pamela ChunFebruary 1, 2015
    Been here 5+ times
    Order off the cocktail menu for an unexpectedly unforgettable experience. Or ask the bartender to craft something just for you. The house cappuccino makes for a perfect nighttime toddy.
  • Jacob G.
    Jacob GyllenstiernaAugust 18, 2015
    Start with the minestrone and the chicken liver spiedino. Proceed with the mushroom polenta and lumaconi. Finish with the cannoli and a house cappuccino. 👍🏻
  • SFist
    SFistAugust 7, 2015
    Duck in here for some fantastic meatballs and foccaccia, a plate of stellar pasta, or just some of their excellent cold antipasti (and foccaccia). Read more
  • Earth T.
    Earth TerminalOctober 16, 2013
    We had a two top next to the semi open kitchen and had an excellent view of April Bloomfield working her magic. The food was excellent. Highly recommend the octopus and the pig tails in appetizers.
  • Brodie O.heart icon on user image
    Brodie OlmsteadDecember 10, 2016
    Perfect for date night - can't go wrong with splitting the chicken. If you don't have time for a meal, just stop in for the house cappuccino. Always boozy and delicious.
  • Eater
    EaterJanuary 6, 2014
    Experience hits on all levels, from the satisfying Italian food to the fun bar bites and cocktails to the deep Italian wine program. The only problem is getting in: Tosca doesn't take reservations.
  • Sydney M.heart icon on user image
    Sydney MNovember 20, 2017
    Must get the chicken for two under ricotta toast and the decadent chocolate cake! Perfect atmosphere for a date :)
  • Fiona S.heart icon on user image
    Fiona StripeJuly 30, 2016
    This was possibly one of my favorite dining experiences in SF. The pig tails, focaccia, trompetti, bucatini, chicken, carrots, beans and house cappuccino were sensational. The flavors were perfect.
  • Vinaya V.
    Vinaya VishwanathApril 26, 2019
    Been here 10+ times
    Cocktails are incredible. Order the chicken for 2 as soon as you order drinks. The chicken is to die for.
  • Amelia M.heart icon on user image
    Amelia ManiMay 29, 2014
    You have to order the roast chicken an hour in advance but it is WORTH it! Marsala cream gravy with bread soaked under the chicken and roasted garlic potatoes.
  • Serious Eats
    Serious EatsOctober 24, 2013
    April Bloomfield and Ken Friedman of The Spotted Pig in NYC revamped this classic North Beach bar and added a full restaurant menu.
  • Susan L.
    Susan LohJanuary 27, 2014
    Don't skip the veggies (salad and sides) - all very well done. They also have a fantastic cheese selection for either a first course or dessert.
  • SFGate
    SFGateJune 15, 2015
    The signature chicken with Marsala, where the whole bird is served with feet still attached, is an enticing entrée. Read more
  • Drewskiheart icon on user image
    DrewskiMarch 9, 2017
    Cavatelli was some of the best pasta I've ever had with pancetta and a significant kick. The whole chicken was really tasty as well.
  • Tasting Table
    Tasting TableOctober 10, 2014
    The bar panini sandwich is fantastic. Gruyère, ham and bay leaf: It's an awesome late-night snack for when you just want a nightcap. Read more
  • Washington Post
    Washington PostFebruary 13, 2014
    It cost $1.5 million to restore. Red leather replaced red vinyl, and the antique cappuccino machine sports a new interior. The new-old Tosca positively glows. Read more
  • Garry T.heart icon on user image
    Garry TanNovember 5, 2018
    The back room is awesome but did you know their is an upstairs that seats 10 too?
  • Kait G.
    Kait GaissMay 13, 2016
    Have heard a lot of great things about this place, and there's a good amount of interesting "history" within it: http://www.bonappetit.com/restaurants-travel/best-new-restaurants/article/tosca-cafe
  • Aleheart icon on user image
    AleNovember 19, 2015
    Best Cesar salad I ever had - tonnato eggs are great, so the lumaconi and Brussel sprouts.
  • Diana C.
    Diana CantuJuly 7, 2011
    Instant time travel--this place is authentic and letter perfect. Have the "house cappuccino" (no coffe in it) and bring quarters for the jukebox (Sinatra, Callas, Patsy Cline). Best date place in SF.
  • CITY GRIT
    CITY GRITAugust 1, 2014
    Don't downplay the food, but the cocktails just blew us away. And the bar is so cool that we wanted to make sure you stopped in for a drink if your meal dance card was already full.
  • Graham S.heart icon on user image
    Graham SiegelApril 11, 2016
    The meat board was a great snack. Cocktails are well made and the bar itself is a great place to kill an hour or three.
  • Staff Picks
    Staff PicksJune 27, 2014
    Like Gin? Head over to Tosca's to try the winning recipe of mixologist Isaac Shumway. The Cavalieri Negroni is said to be the cocktail of the summer. Read more
  • squeaselheart icon on user image
    squeaselOctober 8, 2014
    Been here 5+ times
    Well-made cocktails, atmosphere, delicious pastas - I don't know why so many SF people whinge and moan about the overhaul. Would you really rather it had been turned into another strip club?
  • Patrick W.
    Patrick WangDecember 20, 2014
    Crispy pig tail and any pasta dish. Be prepared for some pain to the wallet.
  • Prakash N.heart icon on user image
    Prakash NairDecember 22, 2016
    Hands down the best rotisserie chicken in SF. Don't miss their buccatini. Top 10 fav restaurants.
  • Daniel P.
    Daniel PearsonAugust 9, 2014
    I was so excited to try this spot after the remodel. I've been twice and both visits the service was disorganized and the food was over-salted. The cocktails and atmosphere are good for drinking only.
  • Emily K.heart icon on user image
    Emily KaneFebruary 23, 2016
    Some of the best carbs in all of California. Roll the dice and let the bartender create a surprise cocktail for you.
  • Carly S.heart icon on user image
    Carly SJanuary 7, 2017
    Been here 5+ times
    If you can't get in for dinner, go elsewhere and come back for a "Cappuccino" night-cap!
  • Ainoheart icon on user image
    AinoApril 19, 2014
    The. Best. Food. Ever. Worth the wait. Order the ribs with asparagus. You win't be disappointment.
  • SF BRAVO! CLUB
    SF BRAVO! CLUBOctober 19, 2011
    Known for their "House Cappuccino" - Ghirardelli chocolate, steamed milk and brandy- and their jukebox, this almost century year old bar is a must do!
  • Natalie M.heart icon on user image
    Natalie MJune 1, 2015
    Great for late night. Amazing service and solid food. I love the ambiance too!
  • SF Weekly
    SF WeeklyMay 24, 2011
    SF Weekly’s Best Of 2011 Winner – Editorial Pick – BEST PICK ME UPFreshly brewed espresso shaken w/Bailey's, Kahlua, vanilla vodka, & ice; strained into a cocktail glass; & topped w/3 coffee beans.. Read more
  • Carrie N.heart icon on user image
    Carrie NydenMarch 6, 2016
    Best negroni I've had. Great bartenders too!
  • The Tastes that Make the City
    The house "cappuccino" 1919 is the best cappuccino in SF, making our list of "The Tastes That Make the City: SF Edition." Read more
  • Eli I.
    Eli IstMarch 24, 2019
    Food is good definitely.... please expect small dishes, not american size. Maybe kids size:) wine was awesome! Beware tiramisu but connoli is way better. Tiramisu has no coffee in it.
  • Britta T.
    Britta ThreshieDecember 22, 2012
    Surprisingly busy on a pre-Christmas Friday night, but there is a live band and cheery faces. Definitely not a bar where you'll find Grumps.
  • Island Bruinheart icon on user image
    Island BruinMay 30, 2017
    Super expensive, but excellent service. Get the house cappuccino post-meal.
  • SEGA
    SEGAJanuary 5, 2012
    This place is classy, old-school San Francisco. The hot drinks are the thing to get here -- I like coffee with Bailey's. - Kellie, Community Manager
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