Brooke from San Francisco

About me Hello there! I work for a non-profit that supports the Golden Gate National Parks. In this role, I often come across visitors and love to encourage them to explore, not only parts of San Francisco, but our well-known park sites that offer so much beauty and history as well! I love engaging with visitors and locals, seeing what interests them. You can learn a lot about people and I’v...

Aug 6, 2025

Cafe Zoetrope San Francisco

A director's haven

""Cafe Zoetrope" in San Francisco isn't just in a beautiful building that used to house Francis Ford Coppola's production company; it's a fun place to dine!"

San Francisco has many fine neighborhoods, all very different from one another. There is one, though, that always maintains its identity. It seems untouched by time, and you can just feel the layers of history piled on one another here. I’m talking about the North Beach District. There’s much to enjoy—you can have a cold beer upstairs at Vesuvio’s, or have a hot date at Tosca’s, or enjoy some Foccacia at Ligueria’s Bakery. In the heart of North Beach, is a statement of a building: The Sentinel Building aka Columbus Tower. You can’t miss it, it demands your attention; a flat iron building, clad in white tile and copper. It’s nothing short of grand - and perfectly placed.

Being a film nerd, I’ve come to love the film history trivia associated with this building. Film director and vintner, Francis Ford Coppola bought the building in 1972, and made the Sentinel his headquarters for his film company, American Zoetrope. It blows my mind that such movies as The Godfather, Apocolypse Now, The Outsiders, and the Conversation were written, edited, and sound mixed here. I wish I could have been a fly on the wall during any of those productions. On the street level is his restaurant, Café Zoetrope. It’s a fun place to dine. On the walls, you can enjoy the mementos from Coppola’s film career. There’s nothing like indulging in delicious Italian food and dissecting his movies. You gotta go!

Art & culture

Restaurants

About this spot

916 Kearny St

Calzone:

US$

Website

4152911700

find your way in San Francisco, download our app.

Find your way with 158 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our San Francisco guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in San Francisco

The Crepevine

Best Spot Ever

The Crepevine is a family-owned crêpery in the Inner Sunset that is just what the doctor ordered. Grab a great breakfast at a reasonable price & hang out.

Coffee & tea

Restaurants

Snacks

Kathleen

Messmer

Sep 16, 2025

Foggy Notion

Find your vibe here

"Foggy Notion" in San Francisco is a small woman-owned shop that's a calming oasis. Find your favorite ceramics, eco-friendly home goods, candles & more!

Shopping

Brooke

Ekdahl

Sep 16, 2025

Damnfine Pizza

Best Pizza West of Divis

The name of the business, for once, is no lie, it is pretty dang fine. A personal favorite is the Pig in the Woods: pancetta, enoki, garlic, fresh mozzarella, and truffle.

Restaurants

Byron

Beach

Sep 15, 2025

Maison Nico

Pâté en croûte en SF

Right in the shadow of the TransAmerica Pyramid, Maison Nico is a must stop for me when I am downtown and need either a perfect pastry or want to bring something home that is special.

Snacks

Byron

Beach

Sep 15, 2025

Pier Market