Tosca Café

4.7

160 Reviews

$31 to $50

Italian

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2 people

20 Mar 2025

19:00

Booked 24 times today

Great for creative cocktails
Neighbourhood gem
Romantic

A legendary hangout in North Beach since it opened in 1919, and even more so from the 1980's onward when Jeanette Etheredge took over Tosca. Locals including Willie Brown, Lars Ulrich and Francis Ford Coppola were regular fixtures, Hunter S Thompson wrote his column for the SF Examiner in the corner booth, Bono, Lauren Hutton, and Mikhail Baryshnikov played pool in the back room, singing Opera and drinking Tosca House Cappuccinos. When Restaurateur Anna Weinberg and Interior Designer Ken Fulk heard Tosca Cafe was closing they joined forces to save it. As the new owners and passionate fans of the original establishment their goal was to return Tosca to its rightful place as a San Francisco institution. As Mikey Rapin wrote in Bon Appétit magazine: “It’s the kind of joint Beats got bounced, Bono belted opera, and a bullet hole memoralizes the night an A-LIST actor disagreed with a rockstar's choice of music"

Dining areas

Additional information

Location
242 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133-4509
Phone number
(415) 986-9651
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service, Cocktail Bar
Hours of Operation
Dinner Tue–Thu 17:00–22:00 Fri, Sat 17:00–23:00 Bar Thu–Sat 17:00–00:00
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
None
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Private party facilities
We offer three distinctly unique private dining experiences at Tosca: Restaurant Buyout (up to 100 guests)Private Dining Room (18 guests)Chef's Lounge (8 guests) Please contact us for more information and to book your event. https://annaweinberghospitality.tripleseat.com/party_request/3262

Popular dishes

Pesto TagliatelleUS$28.00
basil, lemon, pine nuts
Lumache Alla VodkaUS$27.00
calabrian chili cream, pecorino, fresh basil
Spicy Shrimp TrofieUS$34.00
white wine, tomato sauce, breadcrumbs
Pappardelle BologneseUS$29.00
beef, parmesan, basil, chili breadcrumbs
Bucatini Alla GriciaUS$32.00
guanciale, black pepper, parmesan, pecorino

Secondi

Eggplant ParmesanUS$28.00
marinara, mozzarella, shaved parmesan
Seared SalmonUS$36.00
spinach & cherry tomatoes
Chicken ParmesanUS$32.00
buffalo mozzarella, marinara sauce, basil
Pork SaltimboccaUS$40.00
prosciutto di parma, garlic, sage
14oz C.A.B Grilled RibeyeUS$59.00
sauteed mushrooms, red wine jus

Contorni

Wild Mushrooms
shallot, green onion
Sauteed Spinach
lemon, butter, chili flakes
Broccolini
garlic & shaved parmesan
Crispy PotatoesUS$12.00
salsa verde

House Cocktails

That's AmoreUS$16.00
gin, blackberry, lavender, lime, sparkling
Buona SeraUS$16.00
vodka, pomegranate cranberry, cynar, beet, lemon
Mambo ItalianoUS$16.00
tequila, amaro, citrus, basil, black walnut bitters
Tosca NegroniUS$16.00
gin, campari, sweet vermouth
The HustlerUS$16.00
rye, sweet vermouth, amaro, orange
ParadisoUS$16.00
mezcal, passion fruit, lime, mandarin, black sea salt
House CappuccinoUS$16.00
bourbon, cognac, chocolate, steamed milk
Coldest WinterUS$16.00
rye, sherry, pineapple, rosemary, lime

Beer

Peroni, ItalyUS$9.00
Ballast Point, Sculpin IPA, San Diego, CAUS$9.00

What 160 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.7Service
4.5Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Tosca Café is a historic gem in San Francisco's North Beach, offering a "great traditional Italian experience" with "outstanding service." The ambiance is "classic, old-world charm," and the "truffle gnocchi" is a must-try. While the space can be "very loud," the "staff is super friendly," ensuring a memorable dining experience.

160 Reviews

J
Jonathan VIP
Baltimore4 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
A throwback to the way dining should be. Amazing service, delicious cuisine and a charming atmosphere. This is a “don’t miss” SF dining experience. 10 out of 10!
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D
Douglas VIP
San Francisco209 reviews
1.0
Dined on 9 March 2025
1. Overall 1
2. Food 4
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 5
I hate to give a negative review, but this seems to be the only way to provide feedback for a terrible experience. We showed up for the reservation on time, as did several other people. The restaurant was closed and there was no one to greet us. They later posted a note saying they had some water leak or something and had to close for the night. They never notified diners and have yet to follow up with any kind of apology. I’ve enjoyed this restaurant in the past (hence my review of the food) but that was the most unprofessional experience I have ever had at a restaurant.
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B
Brandon
San Francisco22 reviews
5.0
Dined on 2 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We love Tosca! They have delicious food and great service.
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L
Lee
San Francisco4 reviews
5.0
Dined on 2 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
It was a wonderful spot to spend my wedding anniversary. The vodka sauce and bolognese were delicious, as was the fresh pasta. The foccacia was the best I have had in a long time!
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M
Morgan
Los Angeles1 review
5.0
Dined on 15 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great service, location, and ambience. A little loud. Food was delicious with good portions but the Valentine’s Day limited menu was a bit pricey. Can’t speak to the regular menu prices/value
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M
Marcus
San Francisco3 reviews
2.0
Dined on 11 January 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 1
Way too loud for a social dinner. It would be better if the space had noise dampening.
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OT
OpenTable Diner VIP
San Francisco6 reviews
3.0
Dined on 1 January 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
dined in the back room for the first time, it was draft and quiet and i would say service was not as great. we were sat 15 minutes after our res but it was bye to be fair. great grey goose martini
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r
rosa VIP
Seattle4 reviews
5.0
Dined on 29 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Food was very tasty! Our waiter was fantastic! Did not ask every five minutes if 'everything was ok' and was attentive to our needs from a distance, simply wonderful not to be interrupted!! Thank you for the great evening!
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J
Jen
San Francisco27 reviews
3.0
Dined on 19 December 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 2
Way too loud. Love the old time feel. Good is ok.
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E
Emily VIP
San Francisco11 reviews
5.0
Dined on 15 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Tosca remains one of my absolute favorites in San Francisco. The space, food, service all excellent. The night we went was Santa Con (ooops) + a huge private birthday party in the back room so it was bonkers, but the team did everything they could to keep it going! Will go back soon.
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FAQs

Tosca Café is rated 4.7 stars by 160 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

20 Mar 2025

19:00

Booked 24 times today

242 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133-4509

Dining areas

Additional information

Phone number
(415) 986-9651
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service, Cocktail Bar
Hours of Operation
Dinner Tue–Thu 17:00–22:00 Fri, Sat 17:00–23:00 Bar Thu–Sat 17:00–00:00
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
None
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Private party facilities
We offer three distinctly unique private dining experiences at Tosca: Restaurant Buyout (up to 100 guests)Private Dining Room (18 guests)Chef's Lounge (8 guests) Please contact us for more information and to book your event. https://annaweinberghospitality.tripleseat.com/party_request/3262

Tosca Café

Make a booking

Dining areas

Additional information

Tosca Meatballs

Pesto Tagliatelle

Mushroom Gnocchi

Antipasti

Charcuterie PlateUS$35.00

Calamari & Shrimp Fritto MistoUS$22.00

Tosca MeatballsUS$24.00

House Favorites

Housemade FocacciaUS$15.00

Marinated OlivesUS$10.00

Composed Caviar BitesUS$11.00

Insalata

BurrataUS$21.00

Chicory & EndiveUS$18.00

PanzanellaUS$22.00

Primi

Pesto TagliatelleUS$28.00

Lumache Alla VodkaUS$27.00

Spicy Shrimp TrofieUS$34.00

Pappardelle BologneseUS$29.00

Bucatini Alla GriciaUS$32.00

Secondi

Eggplant ParmesanUS$28.00

Seared SalmonUS$36.00

Chicken ParmesanUS$32.00

Pork SaltimboccaUS$40.00

14oz C.A.B Grilled RibeyeUS$59.00

Contorni

Wild Mushrooms

Sauteed Spinach

Broccolini

Crispy PotatoesUS$12.00

House Cocktails

That's AmoreUS$16.00

Buona SeraUS$16.00

Mambo ItalianoUS$16.00

Tosca NegroniUS$16.00

The HustlerUS$16.00

ParadisoUS$16.00

House CappuccinoUS$16.00

Coldest WinterUS$16.00

Beer

Peroni, ItalyUS$9.00

Ballast Point, Sculpin IPA, San Diego, CAUS$9.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

How is Tosca Café restaurant rated?

Is Tosca Café currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Dining areas

Additional information