Planning a trip to San Francisco?
Foursquare can help you find the best places to go to.
Tosca Cafe
Italian Restaurant and Cocktail Bar$$$$
North Beach, San Francisco
Has a stamp of approval from Serious Eats and Eater
"Try the house cappuccino, the lumaconi, and the chicken marsala."(15 Tips)
"Now owned by NYC restaurateur Ken Friedman and chef April Bloomfield"(3 Tips)
"so the lumaconi and Brussel sprouts."(3 Tips)
"... house “cappuccino,” a hot chocolate with brandy, that nods back to Prohibition days...."(2 Tips)
See what your friends are saying about Tosca Cafe.
By creating an account you are able to follow friends and experts you trust and see the places they’ve recommended.
orSign up with email
117 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- house cappuccino
- good for dates
- april bloomfield
- lumaconi
- jukebox
- (15 more)
Sort:
- Popular
- Recent
Jennifer OrrApril 14, 2015The 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
Upvote2Downvote
Sandra CifoJune 29, 2019Wonderful 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.
Upvote1Downvote
Sean StenstromAugust 10, 2017There’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.Upvote1Downvote
Joan L.January 7, 2023Inventive 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.
UpvoteDownvote
Kuo-yu LiangJune 12, 2018Terrific 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.
UpvoteDownvote
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. AmazingUpvoteDownvote
heatJuly 19, 2013This 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.Upvote2Downvote
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.
UpvoteDownvote- EaterJanuary 6, 2014Experience 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.Upvote4Downvote
olivier PEYREOctober 13, 2017Come 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.UpvoteDownvote
Jacob GyllenstiernaAugust 18, 2015Start with the minestrone and the chicken liver spiedino. Proceed with the mushroom polenta and lumaconi. Finish with the cannoli and a house cappuccino. 👍🏻Upvote1Downvote
Earth TerminalOctober 16, 2013We 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.UpvoteDownvote
Fiona StripeJuly 30, 2016This 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.UpvoteDownvote
Brodie OlmsteadDecember 10, 2016Perfect 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.UpvoteDownvote
Sydney MNovember 20, 2017Must get the chicken for two under ricotta toast and the decadent chocolate cake! Perfect atmosphere for a date :)Upvote1Downvote
Garry TanNovember 5, 2018The back room is awesome but did you know their is an upstairs that seats 10 too?Upvote2Downvote
Cocktails are incredible. Order the chicken for 2 as soon as you order drinks. The chicken is to die for.Upvote1Downvote
Kait GaissMay 13, 2016Have heard a lot of great things about this place, and there's a good amount of interesting "history" within it:UpvoteDownvote
Emily KaneFebruary 23, 2016Some of the best carbs in all of California. Roll the dice and let the bartender create a surprise cocktail for you.
UpvoteDownvote
DrewskiMarch 9, 2017Cavatelli was some of the best pasta I've ever had with pancetta and a significant kick. The whole chicken was really tasty as well.UpvoteDownvote
Susan LohJanuary 27, 2014Don'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.UpvoteDownvote
Tasting TableOctober 10, 2014The 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 moreUpvote1Downvote
Diana CantuJuly 7, 2011Instant 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.UpvoteDownvote
Graham SiegelApril 11, 2016The meat board was a great snack. Cocktails are well made and the bar itself is a great place to kill an hour or three.UpvoteDownvote
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?UpvoteDownvote
Serious EatsOctober 24, 2013April Bloomfield and Ken Friedman of The Spotted Pig in NYC revamped this classic North Beach bar and added a full restaurant menu.Upvote5Downvote
Washington PostFebruary 13, 2014It 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
Upvote5Downvote- AleNovember 19, 2015Best Cesar salad I ever had - tonnato eggs are great, so the lumaconi and Brussel sprouts.
UpvoteDownvote 
Amelia ManiMay 29, 2014You 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.UpvoteDownvote
Daniel PearsonAugust 9, 2014I 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.UpvoteDownvote
Prakash NairDecember 22, 2016Hands down the best rotisserie chicken in SF. Don't miss their buccatini. Top 10 fav restaurants.UpvoteDownvote
CITY GRITAugust 1, 2014Don'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.UpvoteDownvote
- The Tastes that Make the CityJanuary 28, 2015The house "cappuccino" 1919 is the best cappuccino in SF, making our list of "The Tastes That Make the City: SF Edition." Read more
UpvoteDownvote 
If you can't get in for dinner, go elsewhere and come back for a "Cappuccino" night-cap!
UpvoteDownvote
Patrick WangDecember 20, 2014Crispy pig tail and any pasta dish. Be prepared for some pain to the wallet.
Upvote1Downvote
Staff PicksJune 27, 2014Like 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 moreUpvoteDownvote
Natalie MJune 1, 2015Great for late night. Amazing service and solid food. I love the ambiance too!UpvoteDownvote
AinoApril 19, 2014The. Best. Food. Ever. Worth the wait. Order the ribs with asparagus. You win't be disappointment.UpvoteDownvote
SEGAJanuary 5, 2012This place is classy, old-school San Francisco. The hot drinks are the thing to get here -- I like coffee with Bailey's. - Kellie, Community ManagerUpvoteDownvote
Judy MMarch 12, 2017Drinks. Definitely just get the drinks. Maybe because we came in for food late around 11pm on Saturday, but the food & service were depressing. Even more so were the pricing and proportions.UpvoteDownvote
lululemonApril 29, 2014May we recommend house cappuccino with Buffalo Trace bourbon, armagac, and dandelion chocolate ganache?Upvote2Downvote
SF BRAVO! CLUBOctober 19, 2011Known for their "House Cappuccino" - Ghirardelli chocolate, steamed milk and brandy- and their jukebox, this almost century year old bar is a must do!Upvote4Downvote
463 Photos
Foursquare © 2025 Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA
Open until 2:00 AM (Show more)
- Mon–Sun
- 5:00 PM–2:00 AM
(415) 986-9651
Features
Reservations
No
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Discover & Visa)
Wi-Fi
Yes
Outdoor Seating
No
Food & Drink
Menus
Dinner
Drinks
Wine, Full Bar, Cocktails
See More
You might also like
- 8.5
"Absolutely amazing. The Pizza was one of the best of my life. Try the Californian wine as well! Worth every dollar."
Šíma - 9.2
"The Gnocchi is one if a kind. Great good, great atmosphere and great bartenders."
Jc Q - 8.7
"A group of Us shared a bunch of small plates and one large plate. We got hummus (a must), bruschetta, prosciutto and melon, arugula salad, meatballs, and the steak. Reccommend sharing for more tastes"
Lizzy A
Appears on 893 lists
Tastes that Make the City: San Francisco
Created by The Tastes that Make the City
50 items • 1,213 followers
The 38 Essential SF Restaurants, Winter
Created by Eater
38 items • 3,896 followers
100 places to eat in SF before you die
Created by Michael Meadows
100 items • 433 followers
