Message from Caffe Sport
Caffe Sport, by Antonio La Tona serves Italian food where the restaurant's interior is adorned with elaborately painted furniture and woodcarvings. While North Beach is full of Italian Restaurants, not many actually embody the spirit or the food of their homeland. Antonio La Tona's homeland is Sicily, and Sicilian food is the best there is in Italy. Every square inch of the interior is adorned with elaborately painted furniture and woodcarvings.
Editorial by Citysearch
Italian food in an elaborately decorated restaurant created by Antonio La Tona.Key Points
- Italian food
- Lunch and dinner
- Food to go - waiters on wheels
The Inside Scoop
- Know Before You Go - This restaurant takes cash only.
Insider Pages Reviews for Caffe Sport
This is my go to place for seafood. The seafood is always the freshest, the Al Antonio (cream) sauce is made from scratch and I love the spicy bread dipping sauce too. If you are used to store bought Italian this is not the place for you...this is real Sicilian style seafood at it's best!
Posted 10/16/09 | Report Abuse
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The pasta here isn't the best I've ever had but it still makes due. The prices are pretty high, and I don't think it's worth it considering the slow and poor service.
Posted 10/30/08 | Report Abuse
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Latest reviews from Citysearch.
Why does anyone think this place is even remotely good??
by zoeblackwell
Yes, the place has a fun atmosphere! No, the food is not good. No, the wine is not good! If you have ever had really good southern Italian food then you will be disgusted by the food that consists of bland heavy sauces, terrible quality pasta, and shocking prices.
Posted 11/26/07
Magnificent family-style Italian cuisine
by monkframe
Fabulous Italian food--Calamari 'all Antonio--which is the Sicilian white sauce similar to aioli.
Great pasta, family style--reasonable prices. An institution, check it out.
Posted 04/15/07
The best spot in North Beach!!
by mattsteele
If you haven't eaten here and you like Italian food you're missing out! This place has a small but strong menu with huge portions. Everythings family style so be ready to share the dishes. Have good italian wine and beer available with a cool staf with lots of personality. If you're not sure what to get just ask the waiters to recommend something and you won't be disappointed.
Pros: Great Food
Cons: longer wait during weekend dinners
Posted 09/11/06
Great family place
by melaniejone
I've grown up going here with my family and it's always great! Love the food and the atmosphere, trust the waiters if they recommend something. we usually let them pick for us and are impressed every time!
Pros: Food and Fun
Cons: small so sometimes have to wait
Posted 07/17/06
Awesome!
by audreyjl
I Love this restaurant. Fun, warm atmosphere and wonderful food. You can't go wrong with this simple menu, anything you pick will be great!
Posted 06/05/06
Family Favorite for Decades
by bobzmcishl
Our entire family has been going to Caffe Sport for over 20 years. It is not only one of the best restaurants in San Francisco, but in entire U.S. For tourists, this is a must go to restaurant, because there is no other food like it anywhere outside of Sicily, possibly. They make the best pesto bar none, and the scampi and shrimp Ala' Antonio is to die for. Our son who hates to eat out, loves this place. When our daughter and son-in-law visit from Anapolis, this is the only must go to restaurant on their list. We have taken countless friends to Caffe Sport and almost without excpetion, they love it. You won't like it of course if you don't like pesto or seafood. Try one of the more traditional Italian joints. I would compare the uniqueness of this restaurant to K-Paul's or Pascale Manale's in New Orleans.
Pros: Pesto, Seafood , Ambiance
Cons: Wine Selection, Parking, No cocktails
Posted 04/09/05
yummie seafood
by xntrik78
the dishes are really good although small menu. a little on the pricy side but worth going once in a while. every item is seafood so know before you go if you want more choices.
Pros: food
Posted 10/20/04
Outstanding!!!
by pleasanton
Without question, the most mouth watering food I have ever eaten. Every few months we'll have scampi withdrawals and have to head to the city for our garlic, 'al Antonio' fix. The waiters are typical Scicilians and love it when you give it right back to them. Salads are only at lunch - dinner is more family style. Just a great dinner and a fun place.
Pros: Food/sauces, Ambience, Fun
Cons: Parking
Posted 12/04/02
Consistent excellence
by the_gourmand
Caffe Sport's food has been consistently excellent throughout my years in San Francisco. Of note is their pesto which, hosnestly, is the best pesto anywhere in the City. The waiters can be surly (part of the restaurant's charm, actually) but have mellowed out over the years. If you are of the "customer is always right" mindset (which I am not) then skip this place and go to Pasta Pomodoro instead.
Posted 11/18/02
This place is NOT for dining ROOKIES.
by DiningDiva
Let's CORRECT what some rookies have previously, obviouly missed**Caffe Sport is AWESOME, ask any Native SF-er! Their food is heavy, yes but delicious - the kind of sauces you CRAVE and try to copy, with no luck. If you are looking for a true "dining experience" and are distraught when there is "no salad," my advice to you is NOT to dine at Caffe Sport. For a real delight to the taste buds, have the Scampi or PESTO (mmm, mmmmmm!) and for God's sake - listen to the waiter's suggestions. They're notoriously obnoxious if you don't know anything about another CULTURE, very fun, not "rude" or pushy. This place offers a real Italian feel, they're blunt, loud, you have to wait for a table and not mind a tighter, ecclectic atmosphere. In plain English - this place is GRUBBIN! Take it from a Native San Franciscan 'Dining Diva.'
Ciao
Pros: tasty, cozy ambience, fun with a group, romantic for 2! yummy
Cons: parkig in the city!, not Caffe Sport's, fault!
Posted 08/19/02