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Cafe Zoetrope, San Francisco, CA

Cafe Zoetrope

4.6 (310)
$30 and under
Italian
916 Kearny Street, San Francisco, CA 94133

Make a reservation

2 people
10:00 PM
Booked 11 times today

About this restaurant

  • Charming
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
Taking its name from the production company of legendary film creator Francis Ford Coppola, Café Zoetrope in San Francisco, CA is tucked into the landmark Sentinel Building. A European style café, it offers authentic Italian fare in an unforgettable setting. It also serves up wine from Coppola's vineyard to work perfectly with the dishes.

The menu at Café Zoetrope is perfect for a family or group of friends, including shareable starters like the picatta tray full of cheeses and meats. There are many large and amazingly fresh salads, panini sandwiches and impressive house specialties at Café Zoetrope. Plenty of pasta options along with pizza and calzones keep things casual, and there are many fun cocktails to savor if you prefer.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Pizzeria
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 12:00 pm–8:00 pm Fri, Sat 12:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Lidia Valledor
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Neighborhood
    North Beach
  • Cross street
    Columbus Ave.
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 310 people are saying

Cafe Zoetrope reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Cafe Zoetrope is a charming destination nestled in the iconic Sentinel Building, owned by legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola. Guests praise the "excellent cuisine" and "attentive service." The Italian-inspired menu features "superb food" and "best wine in the city." It's a "must-visit" for film lovers and food enthusiasts.

310 Reviews
  1. Ian

    San Francisco1 review

    3.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Had a lot of gnats flying around the food sitting in doors.

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  2. Karen

    Hawaii1 review

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    My husband and I celebrated our 25th wedding and we had a wonderful dining experience. We will return. We can not say enough good things about our experience.

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  3. Sandy VIP

    San Francisco39 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    This was my second visit, the food is excellent, It is also individually prepared - be patient

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  4. Gwen VIP

    San Francisco261 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 12, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great SF Restaurant Week destination. Interesting Asian staff in a North Beach Italian restaurant.

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  5. Wim

    Birmingham/West Midlands (county)6 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on April 12, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Stepping into Café Zoetrope feels like walking onto the set of a classic film — and that’s no coincidence. Housed in the iconic Sentinel Building and owned by legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, this charming café is steeped in cinematic history. From the vintage movie posters to the rich wood interiors and soft, ambient lighting, every detail celebrates the golden age of film. The atmosphere is warm, intimate, and undeniably inspiring. It’s the kind of place where film buffs, creatives, and casual visitors alike can soak in a unique blend of culture, history, and excellent cuisine. The walls practically whisper stories of Hollywood legends. The Italian-inspired menu is equally impressive. From hearty pastas to perfectly curated wine selections (including Coppola’s own), every dish is thoughtfully prepared and deeply satisfying. The service is attentive and welcoming, making the whole experience feel special. Café Zoetrope isn’t just a place to eat — it’s a destination for anyone who loves great food and the magic of movies. A must-visit in San Francisco.

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  6. Susan

    Sacramento9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 5, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We first came here to eat because we loved the exterior of the historic building. Now we come back for the food and excellent service

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  7. Warren

    San Francisco1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 4, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    great service, food, and environment - would recommend to anyone esp for celebrating special events like birthdays

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  8. Lesley

    Tampa1 review

    5.0

    Dined on March 9, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Friendly staff and the best Caesar salad I've ever had. Nice ambiance and large bar selection.

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  9. Tara VIP

    San Francisco8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 23, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It’s wonderful, everything is good but best place for pizza and wine in North Beach

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  10. Deirdre VIP

    San Francisco30 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 22, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We went for late lunch on a Saturday ..  lovely old world, but upgraded, ambience, terrific food, perfect atmosphere for deep conversation with friend.

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FAQs

Cafe Zoetrope offers delivery in partnership with Postmates and Uber Eats. Cafe Zoetrope also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (415) 291-1700.

Cafe Zoetrope is rated 4.6 stars by 310 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Francisco Bay Area
  4. San Francisco
  5. North Beach

Make a reservation

2 people
10:00 PM
Booked 11 times today
Google Map for Cafe Zoetrope

916 Kearny Street, San Francisco, CA 94133

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Columbus Ave.
  • Neighborhood
    North Beach
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 12:00 pm–8:00 pm Fri, Sat 12:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Pizzeria
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Lidia Valledor
  • Additional
    Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Delivery & takeout
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