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.
mary
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.
Zachary
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
Jason
Loved this place! Can't wait to go back. The food was delicious, the staff were friendly, and it was overall positively delightful. 
Andrea
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!
Stephanie
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.
Reginald
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.
Connor
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.
Peter
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.
Matthew
Our first time at Tosca Café was great but this second visit was even better. Our waiter and the entire staff that served us were excellent: all of them were polite, friendly, and attentive. We were very pleasantly surprised when prosecco was brought out and later dessert was covered because of our anniversary. I marked “Anniversary” on our OpenTable reservation but I didn't expect the staff to do anything special for us. These thoughtful gestures give us yet another reason to come back to Tosca Café. The food is delicious but the ambiance and service make this place stand out.
A throwback to the way dining should be. Amazing service, delicious cuisine and a charming atmosphere. This is a “don't miss” SF dining experience. 10 out of 10!
Douglas
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.
Lee
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!
Morgan
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
Jarrod Gullett
A friend and I enjoyed dinner in this beautiful restaurant in the middle of a San Francisco heat wave in October 2024. This facility does have some air conditioning but the unit was only barely working in the small back dining room and the oven and structure of the facility made dining conditions virtually untenable in the rest of the space. In spite of conditions that would melt mere mortals, the waitstaff was friendly, efficient, and generous. Even though they'd been working in the infernal heat for hours (even days), they bolstered our wilting resolves by creating a lively spirit of hospitality and inclusion. We made it through with smiles, together. Very grateful for these professionals. I can only imagine how extraordinary this rare type of hospitality would be under normal, cooler conditions. I hope the management takes good care of their remarkable staff, especially after excelling in these drastic working conditions.
Our dinner choices included a panzanella salad that was near perfection with ripe heirloom tomato chunks, mozzarella, red onion, homemade croutons and a perfectly balanced vinaigrette. I was so thrilled to find this rare treat on the menu. With the perfect amounts of tang, savoriness, creaminess, and crunch, this was an ideal way to begin our meal and was a generous amount for two diners. Entrees (Primi and Secondi) were lumache alla vodka and chicken parmesan. Both were very thoughtfully designed, providing balance and texture in both incarnations. The lumache's silken tomato sauce had the right touch of heat and was melded beautifully with a perfectly cooked al dente pasta. The chicken parm was one of the best I've enjoyed in ages as it found such a great balance of crispy textures with a very rich tomato sauce and, of course, the cheese. I think they sauced it perfectly for the plate but do recommend you ask for a little extra sauce on the side as the one they make has depth that'll leave you wanting more. Once again, one of each entree provided plenty of food for sharing for two diners. Kudos to the chef and back of house team for delivering such beauty through what must have been downright mercurial kitchen conditions.
I can't report regarding the noise level at Tosca as the restaurant was only about half full due to the heat in the city. It's a physically beautiful space and I'd love to come back to experience service, food, and hospitality again when cooler temperatures prevail. Always a pleasure to dine in a restaurant whose staff is clearly capable of delivering remarkable food and hospitable service.
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.
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.
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
Loved this place! Can't wait to go back. The food was delicious, the staff were friendly, and it was overall positively delightful. 
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Our first time at Tosca Café was great but this second visit was even better. Our waiter and the entire staff that served us were excellent: all of them were polite, friendly, and attentive. We were very pleasantly surprised when prosecco was brought out and later dessert was covered because of our anniversary. I marked “Anniversary” on our OpenTable reservation but I didn't expect the staff to do anything special for us. These thoughtful gestures give us yet another reason to come back to Tosca Café. The food is delicious but the ambiance and service make this place stand out.
Restaurantji Recommends
A throwback to the way dining should be. Amazing service, delicious cuisine and a charming atmosphere. This is a “don't miss” SF dining experience. 10 out of 10!
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.
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!
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
A friend and I enjoyed dinner in this beautiful restaurant in the middle of a San Francisco heat wave in October 2024. This facility does have some air conditioning but the unit was only barely working in the small back dining room and the oven and structure of the facility made dining conditions virtually untenable in the rest of the space. In spite of conditions that would melt mere mortals, the waitstaff was friendly, efficient, and generous. Even though they'd been working in the infernal heat for hours (even days), they bolstered our wilting resolves by creating a lively spirit of hospitality and inclusion. We made it through with smiles, together. Very grateful for these professionals. I can only imagine how extraordinary this rare type of hospitality would be under normal, cooler conditions. I hope the management takes good care of their remarkable staff, especially after excelling in these drastic working conditions.
Our dinner choices included a panzanella salad that was near perfection with ripe heirloom tomato chunks, mozzarella, red onion, homemade croutons and a perfectly balanced vinaigrette. I was so thrilled to find this rare treat on the menu. With the perfect amounts of tang, savoriness, creaminess, and crunch, this was an ideal way to begin our meal and was a generous amount for two diners. Entrees (Primi and Secondi) were lumache alla vodka and chicken parmesan. Both were very thoughtfully designed, providing balance and texture in both incarnations. The lumache's silken tomato sauce had the right touch of heat and was melded beautifully with a perfectly cooked al dente pasta. The chicken parm was one of the best I've enjoyed in ages as it found such a great balance of crispy textures with a very rich tomato sauce and, of course, the cheese. I think they sauced it perfectly for the plate but do recommend you ask for a little extra sauce on the side as the one they make has depth that'll leave you wanting more. Once again, one of each entree provided plenty of food for sharing for two diners. Kudos to the chef and back of house team for delivering such beauty through what must have been downright mercurial kitchen conditions.
I can't report regarding the noise level at Tosca as the restaurant was only about half full due to the heat in the city. It's a physically beautiful space and I'd love to come back to experience service, food, and hospitality again when cooler temperatures prevail. Always a pleasure to dine in a restaurant whose staff is clearly capable of delivering remarkable food and hospitable service.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Dish, Tosca Negroni, Salads
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