L'osteria Del Forno

North Beach's Best Restaurants, Italian: Given the size of the kitchen, it's hard to believe that so much tasty food springs from a lone oven. Its bounty includes thin-crust pizzas, fragrant foccacia, skewered lamb, a daily roast and baked pastas. Another favorite, milk-braised roast pork, also elicits raves from regulars. The restaurant has only a handful of tables, so waits are common, but...

Parking: Finding a spot on the street is next to impossible; try one of the lots on Broadway near Columbus.

Save Time: Reservations are not accepted here, so plan accordingly.

Food26 Decor18 Service24 Cost$32

Zagat calculates ratings on a 30-point scale based on periodic consumer surveys

* 26 - 30

* Extraordinary to Perfection

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* Poor to Fair

"Catering to locals", this cash-only, shoebox-sized osteria "hidden" in North Beach turns out...

You'll find some of the best food in North Beach at L'Osteria del Forno in a space the size of a large walk-in closet. You will almost always experience a wait for a table, but it's worth it. L'Osteria hardly has a real kitchen-the cooking is all done in one oven-but that hasn't stopped the owners from presenting an imaginative, ever-changing menu. L'Osteria is famous for its focaccia bread and...

In Short
Tiny L'Osteria del Forno is a true diamond in the touristy rough of North Beach. As diners step inside the 28-seat room, they could be entering a cafe in Siena, complete with...

As our name indicate, most of the food is cooked in the oven, like the best thin-crust pizza in town, thinly sliced pork loin roasted in milk, penne with meat sauce... And our extraordinary focaccia! We only cook fresh produce for 25 years!