My previous dine in experience predates Yelp so an update is more than overdue. My 1st review was during the post 2020 world change when takeout and deliveries were prevalent. I had a great experience, remembering their meat lasagna (Garfield's and my favorite), was one of the better ones. Coming here on a Wednesday around noon, most of the indoor tables were taken and the counter was pretty full too. I saddled up to the further counter seat from the entrance and was quickly given a menu. Debating on what to order, I stuck with my plan, having lunch and bringing home something. After getting a glass of water, I soon feasted on their meat lasagna (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=IyGs09GafiXo3NP75IoxLQ); the chef who made this warned me to be careful of the hot glassware before eating. I really enjoyed having my food hot especially my routine of reheating food at home. The sauce is the star on this dish as it was nicely balanced with a little ricotta cheese between and on top of the pasta. The noodles were slightly on the soft side but still delicious. I was glad to order a focaccia half basket (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=tZzWXC2tuixO-a9XeY01YA), using Liguria's green onion one, to sop of every last drop of the delicious sauce from the pasta. Because of the time lag since my last visit, I gave in to temptation and ordered an oven baked combo sandwich (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=SpzneCdPTLa_TBhpG0QkQw), ham, Swiss cheese, salami, onions, and mustard (requested hold the mayo) to go. I was going to wrap the sandwich but decided to eat half of it for dinner, pairing it with a bowl of soup. Besides being eye-catchingly good, it was delicious with the pillowy foccacia bread pairing with the various meats, cheese, onions (though not noticeable), and mustard. It is so clean tasting and I was alternating bites of the sandwich with the pickled jalapeno. I wrapped the other half in Saran Wrap and refrigerated, reheating in a couple days later and pairing it with a salad for dinner. It does reheat well in the toaster oven at low heat open faced. There were only two people working the restaurant in the front of the house, the food maker and bartender/waitress. There were some customers who stopped in for a cup of cappuccino or expresso only and others who dined or enjoyed a beverage of their choice while having casual conversations. Thank you to Mallory who took my order and tended to most of my needs. Thanks to the chef for making my meal and packing and delivering my take home box. Do note that the menu is not very large but, from what I tried, the food is really good. read more

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Whenever we're walking around the neighborhood, we always make a point to stop by here for a cappuccino with VOV and just relaxing for a bit. On our last visit, we decided to stay for lunch, and wow - the pastrami on focaccia bread was unreal - one of the best sandwiches I've had in a long time. Great atmosphere, good drinks, and great food too. Definitely worth a stop if you're nearby. read more

Mario's Bohemian Cafe - Pastrami on focaccia bread - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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my friend got the meat lasagna and she liked it I got the meatball sub and woooww I would totally come back just for this! the focaccia was amazing too super quick service and they were all really nice. cute and cozy spot read more

Mario's Bohemian Cafe - Meatball Meat Lasagna - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

This little spot is a local favorite and I can see why. First of all it's in one of the coolest neighborhoods in SF, North Beach. Steps from Cobbs comedy club and Bimbos 365 music hall. The food is simple, well prepared and made right before your eyes. Basic sandwiches, salads and pizza, prepared and served by the bartenders Inside seating can be limited with about 6 tables of 4 and counter seating for about 10 more. We had the Sausage sandwich and a Caesar. Sandwich was warm, gooey, cheesy and grilled to perfection on focasia. Salad was fresh and well made with feta cheese and olives. Ended with a lovely Tiramisu. Met a new friend at a shared table. Loved to conversation! read more

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Dear Yelp Community, This time I ordered a cold Italian soda after walking around San Francisco. Nice corner location next to Washington Square (park) and Saints Peter and Paul Church. I would visit again, and next time for the food. Well wishes. Sincerely, Anna read more

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Great focaccia sandwiches, but very slow service. We had to wait super long every time we interacted with the staff and asked for anything. They didn't seem understaffed or anything, so not sure why it took so long. But the food was good -- and super filling for the price! We also got the tiramisu which was on the expensive side and had a very strong coffee (almost alcoholic?) flavor so we weren't huge fans. Vibe inside is very chill and cute though, so good place to go if you want to catch up with someone for a long time. read more

Mario's Bohemian Cafe - tiramisu - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I frequent this part of North Beach on every visit to SF but had never eaten here before. It's a great little casual Italian spot. We stopped in early evening on a Sunday and the place was hopping. We were able to get a table. They seemed short staffed but those working were friendly and hustling. I had the passion fruit Italian soda, which was awesome and a grilled eggplant panini. The restaurant vibe and view of Washington Park makes this a relaxing and fun spot. read more

Mario's Bohemian Cafe - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

I didn't realize that I did a review 3 years ago, but here it goes again. It's still the BEST ever meatball sandwich in the City. It's baked between two slices of focaccia with melted Swiss cheese and all the fixings. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh, so tender, hot and sloppy to eat, but ohhhhhhhh so finger lickin' delicious. MBCSC is a landmark. We always order the meatball sandwich for takeout and enjoy eating on the park bench at Washington Square Park. It's the best way to enjoy what the City has to offer. Try it...you'll be glad you did! read more

Mario's Bohemian Cafe - Hot gooey meatball sandwich - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

Is this my last trip to SF before I move to Europe? This place is always tasty. Living in Reno for years, I've desperately missed North Beach read more

We walked in and it was packed. We decided to order to go. The ladies working were super nice. We got the 1st chicken sandwich and it was amazing. I also got a vanilla latte and it was also delicious and I was not expecting it. Everyone in there was so nice and offered us their table and I was shocked because it was just so unexpected. It has a great vibe and can't wait to come back. read more

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It may take awhile for you to get served at the bar due to usually only two people serving so be patient. Sweet little place. Sadly no actual cigars allowed but the food and drinks are still a good replacement. Alittle on the pricer side but this is North Beach. Lots of alcoholic and non- alcoholic drink choices, warm or cold. Stop by, sit by the window and and relax. read more

Mysteries of north Beach ..sunny access ..no lines ..old movie set cafes ..democracy where I'm from ..u want peets in marina Sunday no ..u want bucca di beppo where I'm from no ..u want to make your own cannelloni ..what's the secret to walking by old Mario's read more

Mario's Bohemian Cafe - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

Look. I payed under 40$ with tip for two lunches. I'm San Francisco. And I'm full. And the server was friendly. Would have been nice if our table had been wiped down before we sat down. Easy 5 stars. read more

Mario's Bohemian Cafe - Personal pizza and ginger ale - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

I just moved to the neighborhood and I must say, my experiences at this spot have been incomparable to any other "local" spot in the city. Mark and Anthony have embraced me into the neighborhood with warm hugs, excellent conversations, and the most genuine hospitality I've experienced in a while. I'm excited to keep coming back for more drinks in their company while (finally!) trying the delicious food. Thanks for everything, guys! -your newest regular read more

Came here on a Thursday evening around 8:30pm for a quick meal. I loved how warm and cozy the interiors of this restaurant were. The service was quick, and it was amazing to be able to see our food being made. The Eggplant Parmesan was so flavorful, and a great price for the portion. They had a lot of other vegetarian options on the menu as well, which I loved! read more

Mario's Bohemian Cafe - Eggplant Parmegiana - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

As a third-generation San Francisco native, I've seen the City change a lot over the years, but I'm so grateful that Mario's has remained a constant. It's the epitome of old-school SF- unpretentious, welcoming, and a space everyone can feel at home. For anyone who doesn't know, it's been family-owned and operated for over 50 years, and the dedication they put into their business shows. Now, let's talk about the FOOD!! You really can't go wrong with anything on their menu, it's all so good! My personal favorites are the Chicken #2, any of the paninis seriously, the breaded eggplant, all of their salads with bacon or chicken added, and their meatball sandwich (meatballs and marinara made from scratch). And, don't get me started on the heaven that is their tiramisu! I can be picky, but I've never had something at Mario's that I didn't want to eat on repeat. I've seen a few comments about the service being slow at times, and I'll say this: Mario's is run by a small but mighty team- never more than 3 people on shift (due to limited space) - who are juggling EVERYTHING indoor and out with hustle. This isn't fast food. It's real food, made by a family that genuinely cares about what they put on your plate. And in all realness, if eating quality food isn't a priority for you or you're deeply impatient/ have attitude issues (like other reviewers sound), then go somewhere else and just have regrets later‍ Beyond and above all, Mario's is more than just a café, it's a living piece of San Francisco history. If you haven't been yet, you should change that! Until then, you're missing out...big time! read more

Mario's Bohemian Cafe - Yummm - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

Stopped by Mario's for the first time after a recommendation from a local bartender who raved about the sandwiches, and they did not disappoint. I've been to North Beach dozens upon dozens of times, and I never knew this spot was bar and home to delicious sandwiches and amazing customer service. One of the owners, Dario helped us out, and he was kind and patient as we navigated our first time here. They've got a bunch of sandwiches and entrees, and we decided to go with sandwich with fresh mozzarella, tomato's and prosciutto on toasted focaccia bread it was really good. Without asking, Dario knew we were gonna split the sandwich, and cut it and plated each half separately, which was a nice and thoughtful touch. The sandwich itself was huge and perfect to split between two people. A little olive oils and vinegar we added at the table was good with the bread. The place is small but has a handful of tables, bar seating, and outdoor Parklet. They are super dog friendly which is a plus. Lastly, they are also a bar, and serve topo Chico's seltzers in the bottle. Mix that with good food, and it's a now gonna be a place we want to stop at when in the area. read more

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I came here for a quick shot of espresso! This place has always been iconic and a true neighborhood gem. I think this place is perfect for a quick bite of an Italian made sandwich, sipping coffee, or even a fresh beer during a nice sunny day. Sitting down inside here transports you back to this classic jazz type bar which feels amazing. There's a lot of history here so treat it well. *** Just FYI, there are no cigars sold here. There is also no humidor or even smoking going on inside. I know... I literally thought they also sold cigars lol! read more

The fried Eggplant Foccacia has been a top-10 go to for 35 yrs! But it's ALL Great! One of the last authentic, non-pretentious gems in North Beach. read more

This is my favorite spot in North Beach. the ambiance is unmatched. I honestly consider this place my comfort spot. It reminds me of my italian family gatherings at Christmas time. the staff make you feel like family. I tried to write about the food that is to die for, but I ended up listing the whole menu. SO long story short, stop at Mario's for good food, beer and people :) GET THE TIRAMISU! read more

Food, service & ambiance are all fantastic! The prices are very reasonable and you get more than you'd expect!

Meatball sandwich is incredible. Such a fabulous spot - really happy we got to experience the vibes here on our short visit to the city.

While walking around San Francisco on vacation a trip to little Italy found us at this small cafe. I don't smoke or drink so it was kind of a weird stop to make but boy was it worth it. In all my years this place had one of the best sandwiches I have ever eaten!! Authentic Italian sandwich's with rich flavor!! You can see them literally making everything right in front of you with love. The friendly service and old school vibe and pictures on way completed the trip. If ever in the area this is a must stop hidden gem. read more

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An excellent spot for a quick lunch. The vibe is super old school inside, with only a handful of tables. They have excellent sandwiches - the grilled chicken #1 was delicious and filling. Can't recommend it enough. read more

We walked on over to this cute little place and from the outside signage you would never assume food is sold here, at least we didn't. We had one chicken and one meatball sandwich and they were both delicious. My favorite from the two was the grilled chicken, so yummy. It was hot, crispy, juicy, and flavorful. Service was great and fast. We sat outside and had a nice view of Washington Square park and the Cathedral. read more

Mario's Bohemian Cafe - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Great food and service! We usually have Anthony serve us (our favorite), but Dario and Mark made our night great. Highly recommend the tiramisu! read more

My supervisor and I had a nice long walk while searching for the metallic Barbara Coast signs. We never took a bus; just a pleasant walk to our blood flowing through our feet. There, we went to an acute café near Washington Square Park, which was called Mario's Bohemian Cigar Store and Bar. Thank goodness none of the customers near me had their habit of smoking. The indoor seating has limited space available, but we're lucky to find one. While my supervisor had an eggplant sandwich, I had an open faced cheesey veggie sandwich quite similar to Square Pie Guys. The dough base was fresh and crispy upon early arrival while a piece of jalapeño pepper wasn't that spicy, that is if I didn't eat its stem and seeds. I'm glad to finish the entire plate while enjoying my Arnold Palmer and hearing the Christmas music as well as the oldies. I wish to go to other restaurants after the cigar bar, but I have other good eateries that make an interesting review. If the Italian sandwiches are what everyone falls in love with, then come to Mario's Bohemian Cigar Bar as if your palate says so. read more

Mario's Bohemian Cafe - Eggplant sandwich - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Tried 3 times as a local. Each time, staff's 'how can I help you?' sounds more like 'what are you doing here?' Last visit they literally locked the door behind me with only 5 customers inside and froze when I tried to come back. Whatever vibe they're protecting, I'm apparently not it. The focaccia must be incredible to justify this much attitude. read more

Mario's is a North Beach gem. Great location across from Washington Square Park, delicious sandwiches on locally made focaccia bread, and the best service. Whether you're on the hunt for an afternoon cappuccino or beer, this is the place to be. The ambiance will transport you back to the early 90's, you will not be disappointed. read more

Food 4/5 - my friend got the breakfast croissant (only $8 - not pictured) a good deal and a cheap breakfast. I had the eggs in tomato sauce with beef meatballs which is similar to the Italian "eggs in purgatory" dish or a Mediterranean shashouka. I really liked the tomato sauce and it comes with a side of bread for dipping. My partner got the chicken panini on Liguria's green onion focaccia. The focaccia was delicious and since Liguria isn't open on Sundays this felt like a cheat code. She liked her panini but I felt like the chicken was a bit dry. Ambiance: 5/5 - across from Washington Square park, this cafe has a great view for people watching. We were able to get seats easily for a Sunday brunch on a rainy day Service: server was friendly and checked in on us several times, was prompt when we asked for the check. I could imagine this place get overwhelmingly busy on a nice summer day, and there's outdoor seating as well for sunny days.m Price: $-$$ per plate, not bad for San Francisco read more

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Cozy vibes. I recommend the meatball sandwich and Mario's Lofi Spritz. Friendly service. Not much seating.

After visiting the nearby park on a beautiful Sunday morning, I stopped by here for a coffee and sandwich and I have to say: this is my FAVORITE cafe that I've ever been to! I've visited cafés throughout California, Paris, and Spain, and this one takes the cake(cannoli?). The atmosphere is relaxed and nostalgic, the staff are friendly and don't rush your time there, and their refreshments are EXCELLENT. I can't wait to come back with family and friends! read more

Mario's Bohemian Cafe - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

Mario is hyped up for the focaccia sandwiches, so I tried the grilled chicken #2. I liked that the focaccia was toasted and crispy outside but soft inside, but not the best focaccia texture I've had. the ingredients were pretty normal -- the chicken breast itself was kind of bland and tough while the balsamic vinaigrette and tomatoes made the sandwich a bit too soggy. overall not bad but not really worth $17 read more

Mario's Bohemian Cafe - Grilled Chicken 2 - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

Mario's is the best of the best! Can't say enough good things about their amazing food, staff, and ambiance. You just have to experience it. A true SF classic! Highly, highly recommend. read more

Went there to have coffee. They have great coffee because they use Graffeo coffee. Very busy. Very crowded place, but worth sitting in the atmosphere. read more

3 stars-and only for the amazing meatball sandwich. Came here for the third time tonight because we love the sandwich the last couple of times we had it but we left as we saw groups of people...with no food except for drinks on their tables so we knew the food was going to take a minute. And that's kind of the vibe there the times I've been around dinnertime (we were there around 4ish tonight). Understaffed (one server running around, one person helping make the sandwiches/bartending and maybe one other person also running around too). It's hectic, you don't know what to do-here's what you do because none of the servers will tell you until you've been standing by the bar, blocking the entrance, looking clueless and ignored for about 10ish minutes as people whiz around you. GRAB A MENU, SEAT YOURSELF FIRST Better yet, order it to go and sit at the park. read more

A shout out to the fun crew at Mario's!! Always a great time with a true North Beach crowd. My go-to order is the meatball but I've had the eggplant and the pizza recently and both are excellent. There's nothing like walking around this classic S.F. neighborhood...Grant Street or Columbus...maybe heading to Bimbo's or Cobb's Comedy and hitting Mario's either before or after...or both! Just the best. read more

Salads and sandwiches are to die for. The breads are amazing (crispy on the outside, soft on the inside) and are served piping hot so it's even better. Tiramisu was amazing! Definitely a little taste of a classic cafe, the decor and energy was calming and made for a perfect chance to catch up with a small group. Service was okay, but everything else makes up! read more

Mario's Bohemian Cafe - Bar area - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

Heard good things about the meatball sandwich and was glad I checked it out on my most recent trip to SF, pre-show (@ Bimbo's 365). the marinara sauce-smothered batch of sizable spherical steer meat was plenty flavorful, well seasoned & wedged between two equally tasty, pillowy slices of what tasted like newly baked focaccia bread that not only made the meal hearty but also worth all the mouth watering/coveting via foodie pics. even the eggplant parm sandwich seemed enticing but it'll have to wait for another trip and hopefully soon. the place itself is a bit rustic, old school & lowkey yet welcoming and on a North Beach corner where they get tons of foot traffic to & from Washington Square Park, directly across the street. there's a good selection of beers on tap and a surprisingly deep selection of menu choices. one of the few things that also stood out is the name of the place, which I neglected to ask the staff about this time around. definitely a standout in terms of a limited budget amongst the nearby options. read more

Mario's Bohemian Cafe - the meatball sandwich with some pepperoncini and a glass of hazy IPA. - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

Thank you, staff! I've been eating those breaded eggplant focaccia bread sandwiches since 1988 and the one I had last night for dinner was just as epically amazing as ever! Plus even in 2025, you still take telephone orders and are ALWAYS nice to me. So thank you thank you thank you! :) read more