By Manali Karmarkar; photos by Melissa Horwath
North Beach is often derided by SF locals for being too touristy, hokey and — worst of all — chock full of mediocre eating establishments. These establishments are primarily frequented by out-of-town folks who have no concept of what good Italian food should taste like.
As a result, you might groan when out-of-town guests request that you take them to North Beach to see the sights for a day. But fret not — there are a plethora of excellent eating and drinking places in North Beach. You could spend all day in this beautiful, historic neighborhood and only scratch the surface. Here is a quick guide of some of the top places to go.
Breakfast
Start the day off with a fantastic brunch at Park Tavern, which is right by Washington Square Park. Do not miss the delectable deviled eggs ($2.50 a pop), topped with jalapeño, bacon and chives. The crispy polenta cakes ($18), topped with truffled mushrooms and eggs, are fantastic as well and are best accompanied by a PT Bloody Mary ($11).
Mid-Morning Coffee
Walk down Columbus Avenue and order an espresso from Caffe Greco. The outdoor seating area is fantastic for people watching, and the espresso is strong and delicious as well. Alternative: If you drink only hipster coffee, head to Réveille and get your pour-over or cold brew of choice.
Walk It Off
Burn some pre-lunch calories by walking up Greenwich Street to Coit Tower. Savor the beautiful view at the top — a great photo opportunity if it’s a fog-free day.
Park Time
Take a pre-lunch nap in Washington Square Park, or pick up a sandwich or slice of pizza at Tony’s Pizza Napoletana and enjoy it in the sun.
Lunch
Enjoy one of the best sandwiches in the city by making a visit to the historic Molinari Deli, which was founded in 1896. Stepping inside this deli transports you immediately back in time, and the sandwiches do not disappoint. Get a Molinari Special ($12) on Dutch crunch, and split it with a friend. However, it may be too good to share — the sandwich is loaded with mouth-watering pieces of salami, mortadella and provolone, as well as several condiments.
Day-Drinking
Head to Vesuvio and drink a Bohemian Coffee ($7). It’s one of their signature drinks, and it’s basically black coffee laced with brandy, amaretto and lemon. Yes, it’s touristy, but it’s a piece of San Francisco history and is chock full of old-school charm.
Day-Drinking (Part Two)
If your drinks are usually crafted by mixologists, you can’t go wrong with a visit to the Comstock Saloon. Don’t miss the Southside ($9), a refreshing blend of gin, lemon, sugar, mint and seltzer. Another popular drink is the Cherry Bounce ($11), a blend of bourbon, cherry brandy, lemon, Angostura and champagne.
Dinner
After all the day-drinking, you will likely be craving something to soak up all the alcohol. Walk up Columbus Avenue to Il Casaro Pizzeria and order their Margherita Pizza ($13) or the signature Il Casaro Pizza ($16.50). This is the closest you will get to authentic Naples-style pizza in San Francisco — even the oven has been imported from Napoli! Alternative: If you are craving pasta or seafood, head to Sotto Mare and try one of their seafood-inspired pastas or cioppino for two ($42).
Dessert
The day isn’t over yet, and what is a day of eating and drinking in North Beach without an Italian dessert? Head to Stella Pastry & Cafe and order a slice of Sacripantina cake ($4.90). Sacripantina is the famed house specialty at Stella. It’s a delicious dish comprised of layers of sponge cake, zabaione (marsala-enriched custard), cream and rum.
