Mario's Bohemian Cigar Store Cafe

My chicken pesto sandwich was awesome, but unfortunately the service was super slow. I think this is a common thing here since the last couple of times it has taken a ton of time for our server to come take our orders/bring out our food and drinks, but the staff is friendly and I think they are just short handed on the weekends. Good place for a good meal at a fair price, but don't expect it to be super quick. At least the view of the park is nice!

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.

Mario’s is great. I’m 43, grew up in North beach, and have been coming here since I was as 14. Still the same great food and atmosphere but boy, does the staff need some more help. Not sure if someone called out sick but clearly there should be 3 people working on a weekend day, not 2. I’ve worked in service and hospitality my whole life, so my heart goes out to the wait staff here. The stress level seemed kinda high but it was pretty understandable.

I’ve been sleeping on this place, not sure what took me so long to stop by the meatball sandwich is the real deal! This was legit the best meatball sandwich I’ve ever had! The fresh soft focaccia, perfectly melted cheese, unique huge meatballs, and side of Peperoncino for acidity between bites is a killer combination. I had come here before and had just the espresso (pretty good) no idea why I hadn’t gotten the sandwich until now. You can either dine in for a charming bar experience or get it to go and you’re 10 steps from the park. It’s a Fairly priced, huge, high quality sandwich that needs no substitutions / additions. One of the best overall sandwiches I’ve had in SF, if not the best. The meatballs almost tasted charbroiled some how, and the sauce wasn’t soaked in salt like many Italian places in SF. I will one hundred percent come back and get this again, this is the real deal in North Beach.

What can we say!? We love this neighborhood gem. The food is excellent, our favorite Caprese salad, anywhere. We have had many things on the menu and are never disappointed. We got engaged here tonight, and Daniela made our night. This place is simple and has old-world charm. I'm glad it will always have a special place in our hearts. ❤️🌟

We just love this place. We were in SF for 10 days and ended up coming back almost every night. Great atmosphere, local vibe, and excellent service.

I could spend hours here, perfect for a sunny day on the patio, or a cozy evening at one of their tables by the windows! Always my 1st choice for drinks and a bite to eat in north beach.

Great food! Loved sitting outside. Just very busy for one waitress, I believe. We weren't in a hurry , so it was definitely worth it.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

Roasted eggplant + meatball oven baked are a. must. The focaccia is a winner and the small joint has so much character. We'll be back

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

Stumbled on this place while searching for a lunch spot in North Beach. I was originally aiming for another restaurant but walked by here and couldn't help but check the menu after being wafted by the aroma of what they were cooking. It's a small restaurant with 6 tables and a bar. There were two guys behind the bar; one making coffees and another preparing the food. The service is a little slow because there are only two of them, but it's worth it. Just kick back and enjoy a beer or cappuccino while you wait. I had the Salame panini and it's probably the best one I've ever had. Packed with spicy and savory flavor on crispy, toasted bread. My girlfriend got the baked eggs. I didn't try them but she said they were great.

Really liked this spot. It's right in the heart of the action, across from Washington Square Park. We got amazing sandwiches to go, and as we waited we enjoyed the old school vibes and the friendly service. Would love to go back

Really bad and slow service. I had to remind them to take my order as nobody turned up at my table. And then I had to remind them to get me a glass of water. And then nobody turned up for an hour or so after serving me food. So finally had to remind them to get me the check. All this happened while some of the families that came later than me were served and left before me. So, yeah will not be coming here again due to the pathetic service.

A North Beach classic! I had the classic meatball sandwich, of course. The meatballs come nestled in between slices of toasted focaccia from the famed Liguria Bakery, and topped with an abundance of melted cheese, caramelized onion, and tomato sauce. Great spot for a hearty lunch and conveniently located right next to Washington Square Park.

Delicious food. Absolutely deplorable service. Worst service on the planet. I'm giving 5 stars for the food. But the service is seriously the worst I have ever experienced.

The first time I had Mario's, I was crushing a meatball sandwich in my car before a class - quite possibly one of the messiest but also most delicious experiences ever. Fast forward a few months, I finally decided to have a sit down experience and it was delightful. Right across from Washington Park, Mario's is a cute little corner spot with old school charm and a great view of the church and Coit Tower. My boyfriend and I started with a hefeweizen and a house campari with prosecco which had a nice tartness to it. About 15 minutes later, out came our pastrami sandwich on liguria focaccia and a piping hot eggplant parmesan. Pastrami Sandwich (4/5): Hearty and tasty! There was a good amount of meat in the sandwich and I loved how flavorful it was. It's a little bit on the wetter side so I ended up eating it with a fork and knife but the bread held up surprisingly well and wasn't too soggy. Loved the flavor of horseradish in this! Eggplant Parmesan (5/5): Crisply fried eggplant slices smothered in sauce and cheese - this one was definitely the star. It comes to the table bubbling and the aroma is just amazing. I like that the sauce here isn't too sweet nor too tangy and just tastes sooooo delicious with all the melty cheese on top. Everything was super affordable as well, even with drinks our bill came out below $50 and we were STUFFED! Overall, Mario's is a solid spot if you're looking for something comforting, tasty, and well-priced!

One of my favorite spots in the city and a North Beach staple since the 70s. This place has everything - delicious food, ambiance indoors or outdoors with Washington Square Park right outside, and friendly service from a family-owned business. The focaccia sandwiches are to die for - our favorites are Chicken #2 and Grilled or Breaded Eggplant. They get their focaccia from the nearby Liguria bakery (another SF staple which usually sells out by 9 AM every day!) They also have a great selection of beers and wine in a perfect location. This is a truly unique and special place. HIGHLY recommend!!!

I came here as a part of the Sidewalk Food Tour. They ordered us the Fried Eggplant sandwich and OMG i was dreaming about this for days. It was so full of flavor and came out freshly hot which made the cheese so melty. After I ate 1 piece, i was glad to see there was more for seconds. I don't know if I could eat a full order of this on my own as it'd probably be really heavy with the carbs, the fried and the cheese but it was delicious.

Classic SF family establishment w an old school & nostalgic charm. Good lasagna, tiramisu, meatballs. Service is friendly. Amazing what they can turn out from that little corner cooking area.

Have been coming here for 10+ years. We rarely eat here but come for an afternoon 1/2 carafe of vino rosso and one of the most relaxed vibes in North Beach. The help is friendly. Toss the BP meds and come stay here for a while.

One of the classic North Beach restaurants. Meatball sandwich and tiramisu is a 10/10.

I live nearby and always passed by this cafe and finally decided to check it out! Came here on a Sat around 12 for lunch with my bf and we were pleasantly surprised!! We ordered the Meatball Sandwich, Grilled chicken #1 Sandwich and a Cappuccino. We split the sandwiches to try and they were both delicious! The bread they use is crispy but soft and great portions. Cappuccino was also nice - location is nice as it's right next to the park and there's indoor and outdoor seating

Mario's is a great spot in North Beach- it's perfect for sitting outside with a sandwich, a drink, and a book. That definitely isn't an original idea as many many people were doing just that in my last couple of visits. Besides the great vibes from being in a cozy corner across from Washington Park, I think what truly makes Mario's special is the focaccia sandwiches- made from the green onion focaccia at Liguria Bakery. It's flavorful, umami, and when toasted, the perfect amount of crunchiness. We've tried both the breaded eggplant and pastrami sandwiches, and while the pastrami and horseradish are wonderful complements, this one in particular becomes so soggy so quickly. However, the breaded eggplant is essentially eating an eggplant parmigiana sandwiched in focaccia, perhaps the best combination possible for any sandwich. It also doesn't get soggy and gross to hold. However, while I love the food and ambience at Mario's, service has been quite slow the last couple of visits. While I don't need a server to dote on my meal, it took a long time to order food and ask for the check. It seems that a single server has to cover the inside and outside dining areas, hampering the dining experience and inevitably putting too much on their plate. While I will continue to visit, I hope they can improve on this!

Very good food and service!! New fav restaurant in sf!! This place just completely made my day!!

When your asking the barista/waitress whatever she is, questions regarding what to recommend and she responds with "can you just sit down" in a rude way, you darn right we walked out and left the menu outside on the table. Went somewhere else, I order to maintain a business, you need customers, not make them feel some type of way and look elsewhere.

I've been coming to this place before most of the current staff were even born. Walked in today and sat down per usual. I was not acknowledged at all, and after 10 minutes I left. I understand that the staff are busy making coffees, etc., but to not even greet me, or say, hi, I'll be with you in a minute, is just not ok. Seriously, WTF? DO BETTER LADIES.

A very cool, quirky little café. We had the meatball sandwich on focaccia, which was very delicious, and cheesy.

U know, I hate to write this up again, but the same barista lady who I had a bad experience with a while ago, was unfortunately here again & experienced the same snooty behavior. I sat down at the counter & after a few minutes, she slapped a menu down in front of me without bothering to even say " hello, how are you" or anything of the sort. Another guy working the oven, was there the other day when I was in, was super friendly & made a perfect sandwich again! Not sure why this lady barrista has to have such a terrible attitude. Maybe working with the public is just not her forte. Who knows... This place is great with incredible food, but they really should consider sending her packing. Maybe things will turn around...

I love this place. The polenta (and sauce) is my personal favorite. Long live Mario's!

Wow, hard to believe that I've never reviewed this North Beach institution. This corner restaurant has pretty been here all my life and I'm darn old. I remember eating here once with my friend sharing one of their signatures for a weekday lunch. There was some controversy back then about their ingredient source which never was definitively answered. Fast forward, I'm guessing, thirty plus years, and I walk past this place twice weekly in the morning. I stop and look at the menu, saying to myself it's time to try something from here again. On a Tuesday morning, I marked my calendar and studied the menu in ordering a couple things for takeout. I got the combo sandwich (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=uvqs7USlJ9X48YdSAJO89g&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q), a repeat of what I enjoyed my first time here; it is comprised of ham, swiss cheese, salami, onions, mayo and mustard on Liguria green onion focaccia, garnished with a couple of pickled pepperoncini. As you see here, it is stacked pretty high on each half of the sandwich (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=A-vj2CjJf1bVoUhSKG5jfw&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q). It was as good as I remember, still warm about an hour after I picked it up. I also brought home the meat lasagna (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=JZfLK4cZqLS4LltbclG6hQ&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q) which I intended to save for dinner later that week. When I got home after work, it was still warm so I thought better in eating it fresh on the same day, reheating it in the toaster oven. What a surprise as I believe that I found my new favorite lasagna, this coming from a huge Garfield-like fan of this pasta. Layered tender noodle sheets, plenty of chunky ground meat, tangy marinara sauce topped with a basil leaf. This is the only lasagna I've tried that had some spice and bite to its sauce which is a good thing. Like many places that I've been dining at or picking up food, I'm trying to find those old flavors from the past, mainly bring back those pleasant memories. I can remember sitting at the counter right next to the food prep area (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=Uv1_bQ5gmlnmX061muMI2A&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q) in waiting for our work time lunch. It doesn't seem that long ago. I will order from here again and you can count on me either be eating a lasagna there or bringing one home.

Food was so yummy. We got the lasagna, Eggplant parm, and chicken #2. The pastas were so bubbly and warm and delicious. The sandwich I thought needed a little more salt but others in my party thought it was yummy. The peach Italian soda was also delicious. Overall, great food! Would want to come back and try the cannelonni since they were out of it. Also, ambiance made us feel like we were in Italy. (Even though we've never been before)

Charming little spot that's been on my todo list for a long time. Sampled a baked sandwich (the BLT) on onion focaccia from a local spot. It was so good! Would love to sample some of their others (especially the meatball). Service was friendly and efficient, but maybe a little leisurely. Come to relax and hang and you'll be happy. Oat-milk latte OK (I appreciated they had the option) but the flavor of the oat-milk wasn't my favorite. Personal taste preference, no complaint about the quality. No wait on a Saturday morning around 11:30.

This eggplant parmesan dish is even better than the eggplant sandwich I had last time. The tomato sauce is incredible. I am excited to return again!

Very good sandwiches & beverages here with a nice view of Washington Square Park and in a relaxed atmosphere. Nice seating indoor or outdoor. Be patient as they seem to have one cook and one server, who was very hospitable and nice. The food tastes good but just know they are decent portions but not very large. Nice selection of draft beers and Italian sodas. We had the meatball sandwich which was served in delicious Lingura Foccacia, eggplant panini sandwich, Italian lime soda and draft Anchor Steam beer. This is one of the oldest places to eat in S.F. Worth the trip here.

We stopped by Mario's for drinks with friends last weekend when we were in San Francisco. The vibes were great, but it was an almost ridiculously beautiful day and their patio seating area was packed. It was hard to get service. But our drinks were good. This place has charm and history and I'd love to return and try it again and get food and have seats. But on this visit, I just felt like it had potential for a great future visit!

Many North Beach visitors wait outside freezing their tita's and bolla's off in this SF Summer weather. Savvy Locals put their name on a waiting list then find an empty cozy bar. Mario's is a old time sliver of a corner bar that provides a respite to refuel, make a deposit and warm up. Service is friendly, welcoming and was intentionally left just as I remembered: great paninis, bar and prices. No complaining tourists, tropical drinks or hipsters. Rare in this City-by-da-Bay.

Oven baked sandwiches. Salads. Wine. Beer. North Beach for an unpretentious lunch. Nice option for those who do not want pasta or pizza. Past reviews mentioned service was slow; they are not a Burger King, yes you will have to wait around 10 min. I prefer to wait for food to be freshly prepared, it's worth the wait. Anyone who thinks this is slow service should pack a lunch or go through a drive through. Staff nice Great food and made fresh.

A North Beach landmark! Having lived in North Beach for over a quarter of century, I can't even guess how many times I have walked into Mario's! You live here long enough, you will eventually end up frequenting Mario's! The first review I wrote was in 2015, so I thought an update was due. However, when I started, I realized there is not much I could add except that the Meatball Sandwiches are still darn good, and the Peroni off the tap is just as delicious! Mario's has been around since 1971! It was founded by the husband and wife team of Mario and Liliana Crismani. The business was eventually handed over to their son Paul. It is on the corner of Columbus and Union, so if you get a table outside, you'll get a magnificent view of Saints Peter and Paul Parish across from Washington Square Park. Although during the pandemic, the makeshift street side sitting area has blocked some of that view. The staff is very friendly and attentive. They make sure you never wait too long for your next beer! For a 2016 interview with Paul Crismani go here: http://joecontent.net/conversation-marios-bohemian-cigar-store-cafe/

What a gem. A true gem that has been there for years and years. The Panini's are amazing and fresh and the atmosphere is absolutely pure San Francisco. The servers are so lovely and friendly and actually enjoy working there. So glad I finally got the password to try their cigars. Mind blowing.

MARIO'S ROCKS! Right across the street from Washington Square Park, Mario's in an amazing place to grab a drink, read & have coffee, or enjoy some of their incredible focaccia sandwiches. I got the 1/2 breaded eggplant sandwich and 1/2 meatball sandwich. They were both very flavorful and the focaccia was outstanding. Get out and support this iconic North Beach business!!

Sat at the counter and enjoyed the eggplant sandwich on focaccia, delicious! Small but cute restaurant in North Beach with outdoor seating available.

Not only does Mario's offer incredibly delicious Foccacia sandwiches, but the service provided at Mario's is one of a kind. Seating style is to seat yourself, they have indoor and outdoor seating with plentiful heat lamps. The proximity to Washington Square Park makes it a great place to eat and people watch, but if you're looking for something indoors, the inside is cool to, with the walls filled with relics. Got the meatball sandwich, which the focaccia was aptly fluffy, and the sauce to meatballs ratio was perfect. However, what really sells me on Mario's is truly the service, our waiter was very kind and relatable!

Been coming here for decades. Fantastic grilled eggplant with arugula on focaccia sandwich. Got a side of their delish marinara to dip. A must lunch stop if you're in the city

Best cappuccino in The City ! We miss Mario and the cheese cakes he made, but the carrot cake is fabulous too.

Didn't really see anything related to cigars here. Seemed like a cozy neighborhood joint with a small menu. But wow, the food is tasty! Meatball Sandwich: An extremely flavorful meatball sandwich. I'm gonna blame it on the bread, which seemed like green onion focaccia that was slathered in oil and toasted just right. The meatballs were sliced into discs so they didn't slide off. Tons of stringy cheese. Enough sauce to wet it up, but not so much it was soggy. Also, really appreciated all the pickled peppers on the side. They're essential for cutting the richness. Cannelloni: They were out of lasagna so I "settled" for this. Turned out it was freaking amazing! Super tender rolls packed with tons of filling. I forget exactly what was listed but it was tons of cheese, some ground meat and greens. Also, loads of umami red sauce with loads of gooey cheese on top. It was true comfort food.

I was told that I am to order my food once I find my seat. I sat for about 15 mins, with the server passing by me to serve the table next to me 3 times, pretending not to notice me. This is not a restaurant that serves up dishes, just coffee and pizza/ bread. I don't see why she can't stop to take my order. I think she is probably getting off her shift so the tip wouldn't go to her hence she didn't want to serve me. When finally someone came and to take my order(a different server), I was told that they have been very busy. I couldn't order anything because I don't have the menu and the server didn't bring me one?! When I got the menu, I ordered a coffee and a breakfast croissant with ham, tomato and grilled cheese. The croissant tasted stale. Guess what I found in my sandwich when I was about to finish my food? A PUBIC HAIR!! Yes, a PUBIC HAIR in the grilled cheese!

Had lunch with a friend here on this beautiful afternoon in SF. This place is an SF institution. A really great place to grab lunch next to a lovely park in the heart of north beach. I got the chicken #2 sandwich, closer in the picture and my friend got the c/m chicken #1. A set of time tested panini sandwich's that can't be beat. Just the right size too. Perfect lunch! Grilled Chicken 1 is with dijon mustard, pepper jack cheese, onions. Grilled Chicken 2 is with balsamic vinaigrette, feta, tomato, and arugula. The service too is super friendly with wholesome side of surly. It's not fancy. But it is great and highly recommended. If you're going to use the restroom, mind our head.

Got the meatball focaccia sandwich. I figured it would be hard to go wrong getting a sandwich on Liguria focaccia, and I was right -- the sandwich was delicous. Not a lot of indoor seating. Prices are fair.

Very nice place to chill outside in the street and enjoying the BEST tiramisu and coffee in town after a long day. Sooo Europian feeling, what I miss since I'm leaving in California Thank you

Old school North Beach cafe. Good food, friendly service, cozy atmosphere.