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Tosca Café, San Francisco, CA

Tosca Café

4.7
4.7
159 Reviews
$31 to $50
Italian

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2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 11 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

Menu

Antipasti

  • Charcuterie PlateUSD 35.00

    prosciutto, salamet, parmesan

    • Calamari & Shrimp Fritto MistoUSD 22.00

      tartar & spicy cocktail sauces

      • Tosca MeatballsUSD 24.00

        pork, beef, spicy tomato sauce

        House Favorites

        • Housemade FocacciaUSD 15.00

          butter & pesto

          • Marinated OlivesUSD 10.00

            celery, citrus & rosemary

            • Composed Caviar BitesUSD 11.00

              Insalata

              • BurrataUSD 21.00

                heirloom tomatoes, pesto, grilled levain

                • Chicory & EndiveUSD 18.00

                  radicchio, lemon anchovy vinaigrette

                  • PanzanellaUSD 22.00

                    mozzarella, red onion, tomatoes, croutons

                    Primi

                    • Pesto TagliatelleUSD 28.00

                      basil, lemon, pine nuts

                      • Lumache Alla VodkaUSD 27.00

                        calabrian chili cream, pecorino, fresh basil

                        • Spicy Shrimp TrofieUSD 34.00

                          white wine, tomato sauce, breadcrumbs

                          • Pappardelle BologneseUSD 29.00

                            beef, parmesan, basil, chili breadcrumbs

                            • Bucatini Alla GriciaUSD 32.00

                              guanciale, black pepper, parmesan, pecorino

                              Secondi

                              • Eggplant ParmesanUSD 28.00

                                marinara, mozzarella, shaved parmesan

                                • Seared SalmonUSD 36.00

                                  spinach & cherry tomatoes

                                  • Chicken ParmesanUSD 32.00

                                    buffalo mozzarella, marinara sauce, basil

                                    • Pork SaltimboccaUSD 40.00

                                      prosciutto di parma, garlic, sage

                                      • 14oz C.A.B Grilled RibeyeUSD 59.00

                                        sauteed mushrooms, red wine jus

                                        Contorni

                                        • Wild Mushrooms

                                          shallot, green onion

                                          • Sauteed Spinach

                                            lemon, butter, chili flakes

                                            • Broccolini

                                              garlic & shaved parmesan

                                              • Crispy PotatoesUSD 12.00

                                                salsa verde

                                                House Cocktails

                                                • That's AmoreUSD 16.00

                                                  gin, blackberry, lavender, lime, sparkling

                                                  • Buona SeraUSD 16.00

                                                    vodka, pomegranate cranberry, cynar, beet, lemon

                                                    • Mambo ItalianoUSD 16.00

                                                      tequila, amaro, citrus, basil, black walnut bitters

                                                      • Tosca NegroniUSD 16.00

                                                        gin, campari, sweet vermouth

                                                        • The HustlerUSD 16.00

                                                          rye, sweet vermouth, amaro, orange

                                                          • ParadisoUSD 16.00

                                                            mezcal, passion fruit, lime, mandarin, black sea salt

                                                            • House CappuccinoUSD 16.00

                                                              bourbon, cognac, chocolate, steamed milk

                                                              • Coldest WinterUSD 16.00

                                                                rye, sherry, pineapple, rosemary, lime

                                                                Beer

                                                                • Peroni, ItalyUSD 9.00

                                                                  • Ballast Point, Sculpin IPA, San Diego, CAUSD 9.00

                                                                    Last updated: 29 December 2024

                                                                    What 159 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.

                                                                    159 Reviews

                                                                    1. Douglas VIP

                                                                      San Francisco209 reviews

                                                                      1.0

                                                                      Dined 7 days ago

                                                                      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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                                                                    2. Brandon VIP

                                                                      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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                                                                    3. 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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                                                                    4. 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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                                                                    5. 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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                                                                    6. 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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                                                                    7. 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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                                                                    8. 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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                                                                    9. 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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                                                                    10. Ronald

                                                                      San Diego19 reviews

                                                                      4.0

                                                                      Dined on 15 December 2024

                                                                      1. Overall 4
                                                                      2. Food 5
                                                                      3. Service 5
                                                                      4. Ambience 3
                                                                      Great food and service - but the place is LOUD. If you hope to converse with your dinner companions we suggest you take a sign language course prior to your meal!

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                                                                    FAQs

                                                                    Tosca Café is rated 4.7 stars by 159 OpenTable diners.

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

                                                                    Make a booking

                                                                    2 people
                                                                    7:00 pm
                                                                    Booked 11 times today
                                                                    Google Map for Tosca Café

                                                                    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
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