San Francisco,California
$$$

Has Tosca Cafe gotten noticeably warmer since it reopened? The 95-year-old North Beach bar has the same look, but something’s changed. It’s not just the kitchen installed by the new owners, chef April Bloomfield and restaurateur Ken Friedman (though the Italian food is excellent). The house “cappuccino”—a boozy hot chocolate—is miles better than the old version, but that’s not the biggest difference. It’s that these days, you don’t have to be a celeb to feel welcome. The famous VIPs-only back room has become a dining room anyone can reserve; now, the real party’s out front, with the rest of us.

Last Reviewed
083 2016

Address

242 Columbus Ave.
San Francisco,CA

Contact

515/986-9651

Tosca Cafe

San Francisco, California
$$$

Has Tosca Cafe gotten noticeably warmer since it reopened? The 95-year-old North Beach bar has the same look, but something’s changed. It’s not just the kitchen installed by the new owners, chef April Bloomfield and restaurateur Ken Friedman (though the Italian food is excellent). The house “cappuccino”—a boozy hot chocolate—is miles better than the old version, but that’s not the biggest difference. It’s that these days, you don’t have to be a celeb to feel welcome. The famous VIPs-only back room has become a dining room anyone can reserve; now, the real party’s out front, with the rest of us.

Last Reviewed
February 2016

Address

242 Columbus Ave.
San Francisco, CA

Contact

515/986-9651