A North Beach Walk: San Francisco's Old-School Cafés, Bakeries and Bars
Every stop on this walk has served North Beach for at least fifty years. The stops are listed in walking order, a few minutes apart, and the button opens the route in Google Maps.
Google Maps on phones takes up to 5 stops, so the route covers stops 1–5. Every place page has its own Directions button.
6 San Francisco institutions worth knowing
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Serving since 1948 78 years
Vesuvio Cafe
Known for Bohemian Coffee
A two-floor North Beach bar across Jack Kerouac Alley from City Lights, a Beat Generation haunt since 1948.
Locals + visitors See why it's a classic
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Serving since 1935 91 years
Tommaso's Ristorante Italiano
Known for Wood-fired pizza · Calzone
Pizza from a wood-fired brick oven on Kearny Street that has been burning since the restaurant opened as Lupo's in 1935.
See why it's a classic
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Serving since 1956 70 years
Caffe Trieste North Beach
Known for Espresso
Espresso at the Vallejo Street café the Giotta family opened in 1956, a gathering place for Beat writers.
Locals + visitors See why it's a classic
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Serving since 1937 89 years
Original Joe's North Beach
Known for Spicy rigatoni · Charbroiled hamburger on a baguette
Italian-American classics and counter seats carried over from the Tenderloin original, now facing Washington Square in North Beach.
Locals + visitors See why it's a classic
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Serving since 1911 115 years
Liguria Bakery
Known for Focaccia (rosemary garlic · black olive · mushroom)
Focaccia baked in an antique brick oven by the Soracco family since 1911, sold until it runs out.
Locals + visitors See why it's a classic
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Serving since 1886 140 years
Fior d'Italia
Known for Veal scaloppine · Linguine with clams · Osso buco
Veal scaloppine and linguine with clams at an Italian restaurant opened in 1886, now in the San Remo Hotel.
Neighborhood regulars See why it's a classic
Going to San Francisco? Get all places offline, with walking routes: the San Francisco kit, $9.