Highlights
- Great coffee
- Great wine list
oChef » Caffé Sport – San Francisco
Caffé Sport - San Francisco
Photo from Caffé Sport
Caffé Sport at a glance
San Francisco North Beach
- 🍝 Italian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 107 of the guests
#815 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#55 Italian Restaurant out of 122 in San Francisco
Good
7.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
644
Reviews
80.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Authentic Food
- Cozy Ambiance
- Friendly Staff
Frequently criticized
- Service Inconsistencies
- Cleanliness
- Promotion Problems
The restaurant Caffé Sport is an authentic Italian Restaurant nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant North Beach neighborhood. You’ll discover a truly historic and cozy atmosphere here, perfect for enjoying a meal.
Known for its great coffee, this spot invites you to experience a taste of Italy right in the heart of the city. Whether you’re looking for a casual lunch or a delightful dinner, you’ll find a welcoming environment.
Overview: Introducting Caffé Sport
Caffé Sport offers a charming and cozy dining experience, often praised for its authentic Italian dishes. Guests frequently highlight the delicious food and the inviting vibe that makes for a pleasant visit.
However, some experiences reveal inconsistencies, particularly with service attentiveness and occasional concerns about cleanliness. While the culinary offerings generally impress, these aspects can sometimes detract from an otherwise enjoyable meal.
Good
7.8
out of 10
644
Reviews
80.6%
Satisfaction
108
negative
17
neutral
519
positive
Caffé Sport earns a solid 7.8 overall, with a strong 80.6% customer satisfaction rate, indicating a generally positive dining experience. The Food (8.2) stands out, frequently described as authentic and delicious, while the Ambience (8.5) also receives high marks for its inviting and cozy atmosphere.
These positive sentiments are reflected across 519 positive remarks out of 644 total customer comments. While Service (6.9) is generally good, some guests have noted occasional lapses in attentiveness.
The Value (6.5) score, though average, suggests that while prices are often considered reasonable, some find certain items less justified. These areas, along with 108 negative comments, point to opportunities for refinement to elevate the overall guest experience.
What people like
- Authentic Italian food
- Cozy, inviting atmosphere
- Friendly staff
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service
- Cleanliness concerns
- Promotion issues
Caffé Sport offers a generally pleasant Italian dining experience, particularly if you prioritize a charming atmosphere and well-prepared dishes. With a Recommendation Score of 8, it’s a place worth considering for a relaxed meal where the food is the star.
However, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in service and keep an eye out for cleanliness. If you can overlook these occasional hiccups, Caffé Sport can provide a satisfying meal, but managing expectations regarding service might enhance your visit.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Caffé Sport
Food (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 96% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark! With a strong score of 8.2 and customer satisfaction at a solid 84.6%, its clear many diners are leaving happy. Out of 351 opinions, a whopping 297 rave about authentic food, tasty pasta, generous portions, and dishes cooked to perfection, making for truly delicious meals.
However, not every dish is a winner, with 43 opinions noting some areas for improvement. Some found the carbonara disappointing, while others mentioned cold food, small portions, or low-quality sauce. It seems theres a bit of inconsistency, but these instances are relatively few compared to the overwhelmingly positive feedback.
Food
351
Reviews
84%
Satisfaction
43
negative
11
neutral
297
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Italian dishes
- Generous portions
- Cooked to perfection
What people don't like
- Inconsistent carbonara
- Cold dishes
- Small portions
Often praised
- foodI loved all the decorations and the quick friendly staff. Our food was some of the best Italian we’ve ever had, even compared to Italian restaurants in Boston and New York City. Although the place wasn't too busy when we visited, the rest of the Italian neighborhood was a zoo.
- pizzaThe bill came to over $50 for a beer, cup of soup, a pizza (which could have fed two), and a cannoli. The pizza was great, but I might consider trying somewhere else if I were in the same circumstances.
- FoodFood:5
- pastaMy experience at this restaurant was delicioso and perfecto! As someone who is Gluten-Free (GF) and Dairy-Free (DF), I had the best pasta in years. I started with the asparagus appetizer and then enjoyed the Bucatini all' Amatriciana GF pasta, which was soooo good.
- portionsMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had the best Carpaccio I've had in years, made with high quality beef and served in generous portions. The Caesar Salad was also excellent.
- clam chowderThe signature Mosso? Tomato seafood soup dish was truly delicious, and the clam chowder was also good. The male server's service was very good, but the female server's service became progressively worse.
- lasagnaordered a pizza and a lasagna and we were not disappointed
- minestrone soupsplit the minestrone soup... ‘Twas delicious!
- Italian foodIt’s Italian food with just a little extra pop and fire
- sauceWe started with the spicy clam appetizer, which was amazing! We even asked for a bread basket just to sop up the rest of the sauce. For our main course, we split the gnocchi.
Frequently criticized
- foodMy experience at this restaurant for a Father's Day celebration was extremely disappointing. The food came out extremely slow, and other tables who ordered after us were served first. What made it worse was the owner's behavior; they insulted us by invalidating our concerns, blaming us, claiming they were busy, and acting rudely.
- Caesar saladIt had anchovies and tasted of fish, could taste nothing else.
- pastapremade boiled low quality pasta
- pizzaThe pizza... Arrived with a chill we couldn’t ignore
- Appetizergot the wrong order for my Appetizer
- Carbonara saucecarbonara sauce was watery and had bits of scrambled eggs
- Crudo and prosciuttoI asked for the Crudo and prosciutto
- beerIt was over $50 for a beer
- beveragestook an extraordinarily long time to bring beverages
- cannoliand a canolli
If you're looking for a place with generally delicious and authentic Italian food, this restaurant is definitely worth a try. While a few dishes might miss the mark, the vast majority of diners have a fantastic culinary experience.
Service (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 77% of the guests
The service here often shines, with a whopping 120 positive remarks out of 177 total, frequently highlighting the friendly staff and attentive care. Guests often praise the quick service and accommodating hosts, contributing to an overall good score of 6.9. However, there's room for improvement, as 53 negative comments point to some bumps in the road.
Some diners experienced slow service, unprofessional interactions, or even rude staff, which explains the mixed customer satisfaction of 67.8%. Inconsistent service and a lack of attentiveness were also noted.
Service
177
Reviews
67%
Satisfaction
53
negative
4
neutral
120
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Quick, efficient service
- Accommodating hosts
What people don't like
- Slow, inconsistent service
- Rude, unprofessional staff
- Lack of attentiveness
Often praised
- serviceWe ordered a pizza and a lasagna, and we were not disappointed. The flavours were really great, and we were served quickly, which was a bonus, especially after a long day of exploring and it being dinner time. We did try Tony's the next day, however, we liked the food much better here.
- staffThe food and vibe inside are great. I loved all the decorations and the quick friendly staff. Our food was some of the best Italian we’ve ever had, even compared to Italian restaurants in Boston and New York City.
- ServiceWe’re greeted with fresh sliced bread
- serverThe gnocchi were just like my nonna’s. Our server was also fantastic—the best part of our trip to San Francisco.
- attentiveThe area was heated, so it wasn’t cold. We were celebrating an engagement, and everyone was very attentive and cheering. We will definitely be going back on our next trip to San Francisco.
- ownerThe owner made sure that I thoroughly enjoyed myself
- serversThe servers and the owner are hardworking
- StaffStaff is personable and efficient
- customer servicereceived the best customer service
- peopleThe people there are super nice
Frequently criticized
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant for a Father's Day celebration was extremely disappointing. The food came out extremely slow, and other tables who ordered after us were served first. What made it worse was the owner's behavior; they insulted us by invalidating our concerns, blaming us, claiming they were busy, and acting rudely.
- ownerowner didn’t insult us by invalidating us, blaming us and claiming they were busy, and acting rude
- waiterWhen I ordered the home made pappardelle with porcini, I received a pasta with cheap white mushrooms, with no porcini at all. There was no respond from our waiter to my complain. I will not go there next time.
- DoorDash promotionrefusing customers that were wanting to take advantage of the promotion
- staffThe restaurant failed to deliver my order within the promised app time. Furthermore, the staff was incredibly impolite when I called to inquire about my delivery status. This lack of professionalism and courtesy was shocking and ruined what should have been a pleasant meal.
- waiting timeAfter 30 mins all we got was one pizza and one salad. We then proceeded to wait another 30 mins
- ask for the checkWhile our order was served, no one checked in to see if everything was okay. One of us had to leave the table twice just to ask for the check. When it finally came, it was dropped off without a word, almost like it was a favor.
- attentive serviceconsistently friendly, attentive service, and responsiveness from the staff
- attitude of the waitressthe attitude of the waitress was quite ignorant
- basic itemsrequests were not acknowledged promptly or were ignored
Youll likely find the staff friendly and attentive, making for a pleasant visit. But be aware that service can be inconsistent, so if youre in a rush or expect flawless execution every time, you might want to manage your expectations.
Ambience (8.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 55% of the guests
The ambience at this spot truly shines, earning a good score of 8.5 and an excellent customer satisfaction of 92.8%. Guests consistently praise the vibe, decor, and location, often highlighting the fun atmosphere and beautiful interiors. With 90 positive remarks out of 97 total, it’s clear the setting is a major draw.
However, a small number of guests (6 mentions) did note some minor concerns. These included issues with glasses and silverware cleanliness, and some found the door placement near seating a bit drafty, which slightly impacted the overall atmosphere for a few diners.
Ambience
97
Reviews
92%
Satisfaction
6
negative
1
neutral
90
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cozy, lively vibe
- Unique decor
- Great location
What people don't like
- Dirty glassware
- Drafty seating
Often praised
- atmosphereMy experience at this restaurant was wonderful. It's a cute, cozy, and romantic place, perfect for a late-night date meal or a glass of wine in a relaxed dimly lit atmosphere. The pasta tasted authentic, hearty, filling, and always delicious.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- decorThe place has great vibes, with servers who are both friendly and fast. The decor is super fun and eclectic, adding to the overall enjoyable atmosphere. Of course, the food is delicious!
- ambiancethe ambiance was friendly as well as efficient
- placeNice place to relax and people watch.
- environmentThe environment gives off a friendly old Italian vibe
- interioran authentic interior
- locationIn the heart of Little Italy, next to bars with live music.
- restaurantit's a very nice restaurant
- vibeThe food and vibe inside are great
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereThe "sprite" was particularly disappointing; it was just sparkling water with candy flavoring, not at all like actual Sprite. My overall food experience was rated a 2 out of 5, and the atmosphere was also rated low at a 2. The service, however, received a 5 out of 5.
- doorThe male server's service was very good, but the female server's service became progressively worse. It started when we asked if we could close the door because it was a bit cold where we were seated by the entrance, and her expression turned sour. Later, when I saw the servers going in and out of the outdoor tables, I thought it would be better to leave the door open.
- glassesthe glasses were dirty
- glasswarehad to ask for clean glassware 3 times it still wasnt clean
- nameshould this place really be called Caffé Sport — a name that sounds like an afterthought?
- silverware cleanlinesssilverware was brought from the bar area in a way that raised concerns about cleanliness
If you're looking for a place with a fantastic atmosphere, charming decor, and a great location, this restaurant is definitely worth a visit. While there are minor cleanliness concerns for a few, the overwhelmingly positive vibe makes it a strong recommendation for a memorable dining experience.
Value (6.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 14% of the guests
When it comes to value, many customers find themselves pleasantly surprised! With 12 positive opinions out of 19 total, guests frequently highlight the price and value for money, often finding the food to be reasonably priced and affordable. The customer satisfaction for this aspect sits at a 63.2%, indicating a mixed but generally positive experience, while the overall score is an average 6.5.
However, its not entirely without its bumps. The 6 negative opinions point to some specific concerns, particularly regarding unexpected credit card surcharge fees. Some also felt the price was too high for the quality received, and there were frustrations when promotion offers werent honored, leading to feelings of being misled.
This mixed feedback shows there's still some room for improvement.
Value
19
Reviews
63%
Satisfaction
6
negative
1
neutral
12
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable food prices
- Great value for money
- Affordable options available
What people don't like
- Credit card surcharge
- Overpriced for quality
- Unhonored promotions
Often praised
- pricesWe absolutely loved the pizza, even ordering three! The service was exceptional, and the food quality was top-notch, all at reasonable prices.
- priceAfter hesitating between several pizzerias, I chose this one for its very affordable price! The welcome is really nice, the decor is great, and the atmosphere is very warm!
- value for moneyExcellent value for money
- $5Best $5 I’ve spent in a while!
- foodall the food is reasonably priced and not expensive at all
Frequently criticized
- $30 price tagdidn't seem to be hand made. Which doesn't justify the $30 price tag
- advertisingI suggest to management that you don’t opt in for such promotions that attract customers if you don’t intend to honor it. It seems like a ploy for free advertising. I’d suggest going elsewhere based on this experience.
- credit card surchargeDe fusker lidt med at lige lægge 3-4% oveni hvis du betaler med kreditkort
- pricegarbage overpriced disgusting food.
- pricesraised the prices
- promotionrefused to honor the promotion
If youre looking for generally affordable options, this place often delivers good value for money, especially for its food. However, be mindful of potential credit card surcharge fees and double-check any promotion details to avoid disappointment. Its a mixed bag, but often worth it if you're price-conscious.
How are the prices at Caffé Sport?
You’re looking at roughly 38 per person – reported by 107 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For an Italian Restaurant in San Francisco, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Interestingly, while the average is 38, the most common spend is actually a bit lower, in the $21–$30 range. This suggests a nice mix of options, with many guests enjoying a more budget-friendly experience while still having mid-range choices available.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 107 reviews.
How this Italian Restaurant in San Francisco stacks up against similar spots on value for money.
Considering it’s an Italian Restaurant in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It offers good value, especially with those more accessible options we spotted in the distribution.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Caffé Sport
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Great Food, Wonderful Service!
We happened upon this place during a thunderstorm, trying to get out of the rain. Our experience was marked by great food and wonderful service. The food was rated 5/5, the service was 5/5, and the atmosphere was also a perfect 5/5.
- food10
- service10
- atmosphere10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Excellent Ambiance, Service, and Food
The place has a great ambiance. Franco's service was excellent. The food was good, and the prices were appropriate.
Totally recommended!
- ambiance9
- service10
- food8
Price per Person
- $91–$100
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Excellent Food and Service!
We went to this restaurant on a spur-of-the-moment decision, and it accommodated our group of three perfectly. The service was great, and the food was excellent. They even went the extra mile to help me out a couple of days later when I couldn't recall spending money there.
I highly recommend this place.
- service9
- food10
- help9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
Delicious Food, Excellent Service!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! The food was incredibly delicious, with a great variety and an amazing flavor. The service was also very good, with the owner, Chef J Franco, personally attending to guests.
Everyone was very attentive. I highly recommend this place!
- food10
- attention10
- variety9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Excellent Carpaccio and Value!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had the best Carpaccio I've had in years, made with high quality beef and served in generous portions. The Caesar Salad was also excellent.
We enjoyed a serviceable Chianti with our meal. The staff was personable and efficient, even though they were slammed. The deco is quirky yet fun, and the overall experience offered excellent value for money.
- Carpaccio10
- beef9
- portions9
What Caffé Sport offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
- Dinner reservations recommended
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Transgender safespace
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Family-friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Late-night food
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Happy hour food
- Cocktails
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Brunch
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Delivery
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Curbside pickup
- Dine-in
- Outdoor seating
Parking
- Paid parking lot
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Historic
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What dining options and meal services does Caffé Sport offer?
At Caffé Sport, you can enjoy a variety of dining options throughout the day. You’ll find delicious choices for Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner, along with tempting Desserts. The restaurant provides comfortable Seating and offers full Table service for your convenience.
Are there accessible facilities and parking options available at Caffé Sport?
Yes, Caffé Sport is committed to accessibility, featuring a Wheelchair accessible entrance, Wheelchair accessible seating, and a Wheelchair accessible restroom. For parking, you’ll find options including a Paid parking lot, Free street parking, and Paid street parking nearby.
What are the main strengths of Caffé Sport?
Caffé Sport is highly regarded for its delicious and authentic Food (8.2) and its warm, Ambience (8.5). Many guests appreciate the cozy atmosphere and the quality of the Italian dishes served.
How is the service at Caffé Sport?
While many find the staff friendly and efficient, Service (6.9) can be inconsistent. Some guests have reported slow service, unresponsiveness, or issues with promotions, so experiences may vary.
Does Caffé Sport offer good value for money?
The Value (6.5) at Caffé Sport is considered average. While some find prices reasonable and affordable, others have noted concerns about specific item pricing, credit card surcharges, or promotions not being honored.