Tosca Café

Name: Tosca Café
Address: 242 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA, United States, 94133-4509
Telephone: (415) 986-9651
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.5

4.5 (172)

$31 to $50

Italian

242 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133-4509

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 18, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 21 times today

About this restaurant

Neighborhood gem
Charming
Good for special occasions

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

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service, Cocktail Bar
Hours of operation
Sun 4:00 pm–8:30 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Bar Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–12:00 am
Phone number
(415) 986-9651
Website
https://www.toscacafe-sf.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
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

Location
242 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133-4509
Neighborhood
North Beach
Cross street
Broadway
Parking details
None
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Late Night, Private Room, Wine

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Popular dishes

Pesto Tagliatelle$28.00
basil, lemon, pine nuts
Lumache Alla Vodka$27.00
calabrian chili cream, pecorino, fresh basil
Spicy Shrimp Trofie$34.00
white wine, tomato sauce, breadcrumbs
Pappardelle Bolognese$29.00
beef, parmesan, basil, chili breadcrumbs
Bucatini Alla Gricia$32.00
guanciale, black pepper, parmesan, pecorino

Secondi

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

Contorni

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

House Cocktails

That's Amore$16.00
gin, blackberry, lavender, lime, sparkling
Buona Sera$16.00
vodka, pomegranate cranberry, cynar, beet, lemon
Mambo Italiano$16.00
tequila, amaro, citrus, basil, black walnut bitters
Tosca Negroni$16.00
gin, campari, sweet vermouth
The Hustler$16.00
rye, sweet vermouth, amaro, orange
Paradiso$16.00
mezcal, passion fruit, lime, mandarin, black sea salt
House Cappuccino$16.00
bourbon, cognac, chocolate, steamed milk
Coldest Winter$16.00
rye, sherry, pineapple, rosemary, lime

Beer

Peroni, Italy$9.00
Ballast Point, Sculpin IPA, San Diego, CA$9.00

What 172 people are saying

Tosca Café 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

4.5

4.5 based on recent ratings

4.4Food
4.2Service
4.5Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Tosca Café is a San Francisco landmark celebrated for its "delicious food," "great service," and timeless atmosphere. Guests cherish the "expertly prepared cocktails," and "fantastic service." The restaurant offers a nostalgic vibe with an "old SF" charm, making it perfect for special occasions or a memorable dining experience.

172 Reviews

D
David
New Orleans / Louisiana1 review
1.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
I recall dining here about ten years ago, and it was a fantastic experience—the food and service were exceptional. However, fast forward to 2025, and I was thoroughly disappointed. I had to wait 17 minutes just to have my order taken. The Caesar salad was incredibly dry, and the salmon was overcooked and completely lacked flavor. This meal was not worth the cost
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B
Bud
Denver / Colorado1 review
4.0
Dined on July 4, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great place with great service. Unfortunately they ran out and didn’t have both the wine and dinner selection that we wanted from the menu. We were very surprised as the restaurant was not busy nor crowded.
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m
mary VIP
San Francisco Bay Area22 reviews
4.0
Dined on June 20, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
The food was excellent! Crisp-crust salmon, creamy on the inside, great pasta. Service was good, if a little slow at times. Lots of water refills, much appreciated. The decor is showing its age but then, it is an SF landmark. But Way Too Noisy! High ceiling and narrow space means clamor. Could hardly hear yourself think, so it was a relief to step outside into the quiet. Not a place to go if you want to have a conversation.
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Z
Zachary VIP
San Francisco Bay Area8 reviews
4.0
Dined on June 11, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
We had a terrific experience overall. I’d been to Tosca previously on more than one occasion for drinks at the bar, first time experiencing the full service of the dining room. The food was very good from start to finish, we especially enjoyed the focaccia drenched in the sauce of the delicious meatball appetizer and the chicory cesar salad. The cocktails were expertly prepared and service was efficient if not especially attentive. The pastas are all excellent. The only blemish on the evening was a desert that never came and my wife asked for cognac and was told they do not have this. Of course they do, it’s featured in a signature cocktail. No full service bar would not offer cognac as an after dinner choice. No big deal, it was a great night overall and I will happily return for terrific food and ambiance
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J
Jason
San Francisco Bay Area6 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 31, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Loved this place! Can’t wait to go back. The food was delicious, the staff were friendly, and it was overall positively delightful.
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A
Andrea VIP
San Francisco Bay Area77 reviews
4.0
Dined on May 30, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
We had an early dinner reservation so the restaurant was pretty quiet when we arrived. By the time we left at 8:30 pm, it was bustling with great energy. I love the historic, speakeasy, old SF vibe. Each of the 4 of us ordered pasta for our main courses and enjoyed every bite! Except for the olive oil cake, which was a bit dry, we also thought each of the 3 other desserts were fantastic. I would definitely go back!
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S
Stephanie
Orange County2 reviews
1.0
Dined on May 24, 2025
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
I reserved a table for my mother’s birthday. We’re visiting from out of town and the ambience was fun, there was music playing, and they seated us in the back room with no one around. They said I booked “ala cart” but I did not, there was only one option for the dining reservation. I even put in my reservation that it was for a birthday. But they put us in the back, away from everyone so no one could see us. We left. Disappointing because I’ve been before 3 years ago and had a great experience.
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R
Reginald
Brisbane1 review
5.0
Dined on May 18, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
An institution that is standing the test of time. Cozy environment, warm/friendly service, and delicious food. Perfect for date nights or meeting friends for a drink at the welcoming bar. Highly recommended.
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C
Connor
San Francisco Bay Area2 reviews
4.0
Dined on April 18, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
There’s a kind of stubborn beauty to Tosca. The kind of place that clings to its soul through decades of reinvention, weathered by time and cigarette smoke, soaked in Sinatra and amaro. You walk in and it doesn’t ask you to like it—it dares you not to. Start with the burrata. Creamy, delicate, spread like contraband over a hunk of toast slicked with pesto. It’s not trying to change your life. It’s trying to remind you that simple things, when done right, can still matter. The meatballs? Jesus. If there’s a God, He’s Italian and these are proof. Rich, tender, full of that Sunday-gravy depth that makes you question why you ever settled for less. They arrive like an old friend who never forgot how to show up when it counts. Then there were the potatoes. Dressed up in a tuxedo of crème fraîche and caviar, like a guy trying too hard at a dive bar. Pretty, yes. But no soul. No grit. Just surface-level charm without the flavor to back it up. Still, Tosca doesn’t need to hit every note to be unforgettable. It’s not about perfection. It’s about presence. It’s about sitting in a red leather booth, listening to opera echo off the walls, and remembering that restaurants like this are rare. Sanctuaries for the broken, the romantic, and the hungry. And I’ll keep coming back—for the meatballs, for the burrata, and for the reminder that places with character still exist.
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P
Peter VIP
San Francisco Bay Area9 reviews
3.0
Dined on April 18, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Disappointing experience. Once a true gem, it has turned into just a higher end tourist joint. No more round booths, no subtle coolness, perfectly fine but uninspired cuisine. This will be my last visit here.
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FAQs

Tosca Café is rated 4.5 stars by 172 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 18, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 21 times today

242 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133-4509

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross street
Broadway
Neighborhood
North Beach
Hours of operation
Sun 4:00 pm–8:30 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Bar Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–12:00 am
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service, Cocktail Bar
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
None
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Late Night, Private Room, Wine

Website
https://www.toscacafe-sf.com/
Phone number
(415) 986-9651
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 reservation

About this restaurant

Dining areas

Additional information

Tosca Meatballs

Pesto Tagliatelle

Mushroom Gnocchi

Antipasti

Charcuterie Plate$35.00

Calamari & Shrimp Fritto Misto$22.00

Tosca Meatballs$24.00

House Favorites

Housemade Focaccia$15.00

Marinated Olives$10.00

Composed Caviar Bites$11.00

Insalata

Burrata$21.00

Chicory & Endive$18.00

Panzanella$22.00

Primi

Pesto Tagliatelle$28.00

Lumache Alla Vodka$27.00

Spicy Shrimp Trofie$34.00

Pappardelle Bolognese$29.00

Bucatini Alla Gricia$32.00

Secondi

Eggplant Parmesan$28.00

Seared Salmon$36.00

Chicken Parmesan$32.00

Pork Saltimbocca$40.00

14oz C.A.B Grilled Ribeye$59.00

Contorni

Wild Mushrooms

Sauteed Spinach

Broccolini

Crispy Potatoes$12.00

House Cocktails

That's Amore$16.00

Buona Sera$16.00

Mambo Italiano$16.00

Tosca Negroni$16.00

The Hustler$16.00

Paradiso$16.00

House Cappuccino$16.00

Coldest Winter$16.00

Beer

Peroni, Italy$9.00

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

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

How is Tosca Café restaurant rated?

Is Tosca Café currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information