San Francisco was the first Italian colony in California and Italian immigrants in the Golden State were symbolically united by the city by the Bay’s community and strong Italian identity. North Beach, the Little Italy neighborhood, has always had an abundance of Italian restaurants and bakeries and still remains a gastronomic paradise. Authentic Italy in San Francisco can be found in its charming cafes. Here are four Italian cafes in San Francisco that will satisfy your cravings and nostalgia.
Caffe Trieste
Caffe Trieste isn't just a coffee shop, it's a piece of San Francisco history. Founded by Giovanni Giotta who immigrated to the United States from Italy, Caffe Trieste opened in 1956. Giotta missed the coffee culture of Trieste, Italy so much that he imported and roasted coffee beans, which was not yet common in American cafe culture. The red-and-green painted storefront in San Francisco’s Little Italy was the first espresso-based coffee house on the West Coast and developed into a cultural institution. While tourists make this a destination for the Beat Generation history, there are plenty of neighborhood dwellers at Caffe Trieste, including Italian patrons who have lived in the neighborhood for generations. Local figures have noted the cultural impact of the cafe since it opened. Francis Ford Coppola wrote much of the screenplay for The Godfather while sitting in the Caffè Trieste - it must be a gem.
Victoria Bakery & Café
This quaint, street-corner bakery has been a San Francisco institution since 1914. For over 100 years, the pastry shop has been serving Italian cakes, cookies, and pastries, along with freshly roasted coffee. Colorful murals along the exteriors of the shop clearly shows the appreciation the community has for this enduring business. Locals come for the cakes, like the princess cake, but the tiramisu and cannoli are not to be missed.
Stella Pastry & Cafe
Stella Pastry & Café has been baking breads and cakes from Little Italy since 1942. While the bakery is best known for its Sacripantina—a rum-infused sponge cake so special, Stella’s owns the patent on it—you would be a fool to leave without trying one of the incredible cannoli. Stella’s take on the Sicilian staple boasts a sweet-tart ricotta filling sprinkled with chocolate chips.
Caffe Greco
Situated on the main drag of Columbus Avenue in North Beach, Caffe Greco was founded by Hanna and Sandy Suleiman in August 1988. Caffe Greco is known by many as one of the most authentic Italian cafes in the city serving Italian coffee, award-winning homemade tiramisu, cannoli, and gelato.
Arianna DiCicco
Arianna DiCicco is an educator and writer from California, born into an Italian American restaurant family with strong ties to her grandparents’ home in Abruzzo, Italy. She has lived in San Francisco, Rome and New York City where she’s made deep connections within the Italian communities and gained new perspectives about her own culture. With a Masters in International Education, Arianna has a love and passion for learning and educating others about Italian history & culture.